Happy New Year!  If you read last week’s post, you know we are knee-deep in our new blog series New Year, New You.  Last week I shared my journey to Take Care of Me so that I can pour into others.  I explained how I am working with a nutritionist to eat healthy, stay hydrated, and exercise.  And I love having so many of you join me on this journey! {Did I mention that I have lost 10 lbs and all of it during the holidays!!!}  Be sure to check the bottom of this post to see if you are one of the winners in our latest giveaway from Lean Nutrition.

Today’s post piggybacks on last week’s – Feeling My Best.  I feel my best when I am healthy (last week’s post) and when I take the time to look my best.

Before I continue, let me ask a favor.  Some are already seeking the comments section to let me know how wrong I am.  You have Bible verses proving why outward appearance doesn’t matter.  Can I ask that you first read the points below with an open mind and pray over what God has for you?  If God can change my mind on this matter, He may desire to change yours as well.

Does Dress Really Matter?

1)  You Represent Jesus
As a Christian I believe first impressions is important because we don’t just represent ourselves, we represent Jesus.  Many use Proverbs 31 as the guide to godly womanhood.  Did you notice that how she is dressed if specifically mentioned?  Verse 22 says that “she is clothed in fine linen and purple.” If we desire to represent Jesus well, we can’t pick and choose attributes from the list that we want to follow and ignore others.

2)  God Made You Special
You can probably create a long list of all you dislike about yourself.  But in Genesis 1 and Psalm 139, God declares that we were created in His image…special, unique, wonderful.  No matter what you see in the mirror, God sees a beautiful princess.  We need to dress believing this.

What I put on is a reflection of how I feel about myself, and how I feel about myself is a reflection of how I think I am viewed by God.

3) Our Daughters are Watching
We are the example of a godly woman that our daughters see everyday.  It is important that we train them to dress modestly and teach them that their attire is a reflection of their hearts.

How I present myself will affect how my daughter sees herself as a young woman, and my words will relay the message of beauty and fashion to her.

4) The Enemy Doesn’t Sleep
Many husbands work in the corporate world where women are dressed for success.  Our enemy doesn’t miss this point and will do everything in his power to tear apart marriages.  It is important that we take care of ourselves.

But…

Trust me…I get it.  Even in typing this I am wearing sweats and a shirt two sizes too big.  In no way am I dogging on comfy clothes.  Also, I am not promoting spending $100’s of shirts, necklaces, makeup, and hair products.  It’s about balance.  This post is as much for me as it is for you.

I am asking all of us to think about the relationship between what we wear and how we feel.  Think about how you feel when you wear pj’s vs tennis shoes or a dress vs shorts.  What we wear truly affects our attitude.

And for some, this may go a lot deeper to the point that what you wear is a reflection of your view of God.  Something to think about…

Helpful Resources:

If you rarely get out of sweats or hide in oversized clothing, I pray that you can find support in the following resources.

Fashion Meets Faith
I am so thankful for Shari Braendel and her ministry Fashion Meets Faith.  In her book Help Me Jesus, I Have Nothing to Wear, Shari helped me understand what to wear to enhance the beauty God created in me.  (The above quotes are from the 1st edition of this book.)  If you are struggling with accepting and appreciating the body God gave you, this book is for you.  If you are at a lost on how to look your best in clothing, swimming suits, makeup, etc., this book is for you.

27 Hangers
Is your closet filled with a bunch of clothes yet you feel like you have nothing to wear?  Or do the clothes not flatter you?  Shari has also created an online video program to help you organize your closet to create that positive first impression you desire and give you peace when walking into your closet.  In 8 videos, you will learn exactly which pieces in your closet need to go, what clothing can stay, and what items should be added.  Unlike options available on Pinterest, these videos provide you a front seat as Shari leads a busy mom through organizing her closet.  I learned so many practical tips and now love walking into my closet.  It was $27 well spent.  (I even got my husband to clean out his closet after he saw what it did to my section!)

Read what another ABCJLM momma says about her 27 Hangers experience…

I am in the process of [reducing my closet to 27 hanger], and I just LOVE it! If you want to downsize your closet to a point where you only have what you need for each season and everything will mix and match, this program will show you how.  I used to hate getting dressed and I wore the same things over and over. I felt like I never looked nice. Now, getting dressed is a joy and I choose outfits quickly.  Consider 27 Hangers … it is truly a ministry to my heart that has spilled over into other areas of my life besides just my closet … and $27 is a steal!  ~~Holly

Natalie Attired

Upon further use, I can no longer suggest Natalie Attired.

Once I removed everything that shouldn’t be in my closet, I found I had a very empty closet.  But how do I intentionally fill it?

To say that I {hate} to shop is an understatement.  I can’t find what I want, I’m unsure what will be best for me, and I get frustrated with the fit.  If you need assistance in shopping for quality clothes that are specifically for your body and coloring, Natalie Attired in a service you may be interested in.

This is how it works…You fill out a profile online and leave a detailed message with your likes, wishes, dislikes, etc for your stylist.  Then based on what you have shared, your body type and coloring, and the very accurate measurement that you give, for $20 a stylist will choose for you 5 mix-and-match clothing items.  A box will be mailed to your home with your personally chosen attire.  (Think Christmas morning when you see that NA box at your door.)  The $20 styling fee applies to any of the items that you keep.  Without any shipping costs to you, mail the items back that you don’t want within 3 days.  Share in your account what you are keeping and returning and your thoughts on each piece.  It truly is that simple and fun!

This is one of the clothing items that I received in my last box. I love it.  The fit.  The soft material.  The quality.  Everything about this I love. I am excited to order again because my stylist is truly understanding my likes and what I need in my wardrobe for my lifestyle.  Not your favorite style?  No problem because each box is specifically create for the person ordering.

Insider tips:

1. Before writing this blog post, I had two phone conversations with the CEO of Natalie Attired and several emails with her and my stylist.  They are dedicated to providing busy women with clothing that will help them feel beautiful.  For example, if they send you a wrong size, NA will send you the correct one free of charge.
2. It is crazy important that you be exact in your measurements, likes, dislikes, and leave lots of comments for your stylist at the end of the profile section.  The more you share, the more likely you will get items that match your likes.  If you have questions…ask.
3. It is very helpful if you create a Pinterest board of outfits that you like.  You can see mine here.
4. You never have to worry about the clothing being immodest.
5. For some people, it takes 2-3 boxes to get exactly what you desire.  But depending on where you live $20 is cheaper than striking out on several shopping excursions.
6. Natalie Attired is not for everyone.  They pride themselves on choosing quality clothing that will look great after many washings.  Because of the higher quality, the prices will be more expensive than discount stores.

Be sure to leave in the comments below any questions you have.

Exclusive Discount!

I am super excited to share that Natalie Attired is offering Our Out-of-Sync Life followers  and the ABCJesusLovesMe family an exclusive discount!  Using the promo code NewYear4NewYou17, you will receive 20% off any items you purchase from the collection you receive OR a 30% discount if you keep all 5 pieces.  It’s a one-time use promo code that will be good through the month of January.

How cool is that?

So far we have talked about taking care of yourself and feeling your best.  Next week we will dive into another post sharing how to Take Care of Your Soul.  Hope you will join us!  Subscribe here.

Giveaway Winner:

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