New Year, New You!! – Book Review & Giveaway

Unless you are one of “those girls,” you and I walk hand in hand on the struggle with fashion, makeup, and accessories.  I am not saying “those” in a bad sense; its just that the club for fashion-savey women is small.  Let’s set the record straight.  I am not one of “those” girls.   I am still trying to figure out which color of eyeshadow to wear.  And, I am starting to believe that when they pulled all of us girls aside in highschool to teach fashion, I must have been sick that day! 

Oh wait…did I just hear you say that you missed that day too?  Oh good!  I am not alone!

Let me introduce you to a new friend of mine. Blog Sister, this is Shari. Shari, this is my Blog Sister.  Praise God that Shari (who is truly one of “those girls”) has come to our rescue.  In her book, Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad:  A Style Guide for Every Woman, Shari Braendel comes down to my level making fashion assessable to even the most challenged. 

Let’s take a look together. 

Everyone woman has a style.  Some dress classy.  Others dress eccentric.  No matter what your style is, every woman is beautiful.  But many of us hide our beauty behind bad hair, clothing, and makeup.  Not typically on purpose but simply out of not knowing what to change.  Shari breaks down fashion to help all women understand how to hide the flaws, accent the positives, and focus on the person that God made beautiful.

Body type.  According to Shari, there are four basic body types – b, o, d, and x.  Each body type has its pluses and minuses.  After using the checklist, you are guided to specific items to wear or not to wear according to what will look best on you.  For example, type “b” bodies should never tuck in tops.  Type “d” bodies should opt for scoop or square neck tops instead of V-neck.  Good to know!

After having four babies in six years, my body is a little out of wack!  No matter what the scales say, the ole body is not what it used to be.  Shari helped me understand that my body type can change with time.  So with my baby-belly I have a “b” body type but as time and a little self-control does it’s thing, I can move to another type. 

Color.  Have you ever had someone walk up to you and say, “That color looks really good on you!”  Wearing the correct colors are key.  Once again, Shari breaks it down beautifully to help you know exactly what colors to wear in clothing, accessories, and makeup.  Hair color advice as well.  I am a “warm.”  Who knew that I should never wear pink?  Now I do!

On her website, Shari shares an online color analysis to help you discover what your color is.  This free survey helps you know what colors to wear to enhance your face and positive body aspects. 

Accessories.  What?  How much?  Shari answers these questions!  I learned that accessories are very needed!  And wearing 16 accessories is goal.  Don’t worry; Shari helps you figure out how to reach this amount. 

Undergarments.  What you wear “under there” really does matter!  Learn how to purchase underwear that accentuates your figure, not hinders it. 

Swimwear.  I HATE to purchase a swim suit.  It is humiliating and frustrating.  Before you hit the mall, learn what looks best for your body type.  It will save you tears in the dressing rooms.

Hair and Makeup.  Figure out the shape of your face to learn what styles look best on you.  Then learn the Makeup 101 tips.  What it is and where it goes and why it is needed. 

Jeans.  I wear jeans 95% of the time during the cool months of the year.  After reading Shari’s book, I know what jeans will look best on my body.  Find out the style that will help you look and feel your best.

Wardrobe Purchases.  A list of the essential items for a wardrobe that makes you look the best.  This is a guide to help you spend your money wisely.  See which stores fit your style and wallet needs best. 

Modesty.   Last but certainly not least, dressing with style while not ruining your witness.  Love, love this chapter.  So well written.  A reminder that we as girls don’t have to expose ourselves to be beautiful. 

What I have listed is a bare bones overview.  If I would have shared with you every good point of the book, I would have typed 191 pages – the entire book. 

What I so appreciate about Shari’s book is that you can feel the love she has for her sister’s in Christ through every word written.  We all have our talents and God instructs us to use them for His glory.  Shari is using her talent of style to help women feel beautiful.  Through basic steps, woman can discover how to look and feel their best. 

This is where my excitement goes really high….  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!!!  You too can find out the tips of the trade.  Because of my own experience, I am so excited for you!

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 a separate comment per entry. This giveaway will end Tuesday, January 17th at 11:59 p.m. Be sure to check back on Wednesday, January 18th as a post will be made on this blog announcing the randomly chosen winner!

To leave a comment, scroll down and click on the words “___ Comments”.  The blank will contain a number.  This is directly below the sharing boxes for Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  It is directly above the word “Categories”. If you leave an anonymous question, please be sure that I can contact you in case you win!

This week of “New Year, New You!” isn’t nearly over.  Introducing you to this book is just the start.  Tomorrow, we are going to start dissecting what it means to be a woman with style!  Plus, on Friday, I will be sharing another giveaway and give you the opportunity to take part in a question/answer session with Shari! 

Sound like fun?  Perfect!  Can’t wait to share more!

Thank you to Zondervan for providing this book for review and Shari for providing the giveaway.