Yesterday, I introduced you to the new book Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad: A Style Guide for Every Woman
But as I read this book, I found myself asking several questions?
If I am at home all day with children, why get all dolled up just to have one of them wipe their hands on me or puke on my shoulder?
Carrying a baby for nine months is hard on the body. Doing it four times over is a death sentence on a figure. What’s the point?
I don’t have time to get a shower every day, let alone wear makeup and wear matching, cute clothes!
Any of these thoughts sound familiar? If you are a stay-at-home mom like me who doesn’t see another adult other than my husband on some days, I would guess these statements resonates with you.
I found that the more “blessings” we added to our family, the less time I spent on myself. It wasn’t that I purposely let myself go, “I” was just the easiest part of my life to put to the side because not getting a shower, fixing my hair, and adding makeup saved me 30 minutes a day. Thirty minutes that could be spent where else.
So, while reading Shari’s book, I wondered what fashion had to do with a stay-at-home mom (SAHM).
I had the opportunity to talk to Shari and discuss the challenges that moms of “littles” have. I explained the challenges of finding the time to shower, finding clothes that fit the post-pregnancy body, and having the money to afford looking nice. Was it worth it?
Shari used the illustration of her friend who went to the gas station. While standing at the pump, the friend noticed a cute, fashionably dressed girl also filling up a vehicle. It reminded her of how she used to dress and look before she got pregnant and stayed home to love on her kiddos. With a little more inspection, the friend realized that this beautiful girl worked at her husband’s office. Like a ton of bricks, she realized that her husband is surrounded by beautiful women all day long.
Then he comes home to his bride in a sweatsuit and a pony tail and unshowered for three days.
Shari’s story made me think about a point that I learned in my past Bible study. While doing the The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World
Suddenly I got it! Combining both of these points, I realized that my husband doesn’t have to see me dolled up. But one of the ways that I show him that I love him is by taking care of myself. My husband tells me all of the time that I am beautiful. But why not add whipped cream and a cherry on top and make him glad that he walked through the door!
Secondly. How I look on the outside helps my image on the inside.
This point plays out in girls of all ages. I can tell when Sweet Pea, age five, feels beautiful. She comes out of her room with a glow on her face. She walks up to me or her Daddy expecting us to heap praises on her.
I see it in myself. It happens when the humidity is low and my hair curls the way I dream. When the adult acne is in remission and the perfect shirt hides my baby belly. Suddenly, my groom walks into the room with that smile that says is all; I am looking beautiful. On those days, my head is held high and I can conquer the world.
Then there are the days that I have to run into the grocery store and have barely managed to put matching clothes on. I dart through the aisles hoping that no one notices me. Frankly, I am embarrassed by my appearance. This embarrassment affects my parenting. I feel out of sorts and unorganized. My tempter flairs easily and I long for bedtime.
Appearance does matter, even for a stay-at-home mom. It matters for our husbands. It matters for our children.
The great thing about the ideas in Shari’s book is that I don’t have to have the latest fashion. I don’t have to get a new wardrobe every season. Shari shows me how to dress up basic clothing making what I wear bring attention to my smile and face. Wearing the correct colors brings life to my eyes. And the correct fit of clothing highlights the good points of my body.
I don’t know about you but this really puts a smile on my face. The thought that I can look my best, feel my best, and bless my husband…now that is something to get excited about.
If you missed yesterday’s blog post, Shari is allowing me to give away a copy of her new book – Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad: A Style Guide for Every Woman!!! To enter your name into the drawing:
- Share about the giveaway and the “New Year, New You” Blog Series on your blog, Facebook or Twitter account, or on a forum that you are a member of
- Follow this blog – Facebook, RSS Feeds, Google Friend, Twitter, Email – Sign up using any of these methods on the right hand column of this blog (This option is only available for new followers)
Leave separate comments per entry on Tuesday’s post.
Tomorrow, Fashion and the Christian Woman…
