The Benefits of Belts

Maybe you're a shy girl, maybe you just lack a little body confidence, but whatever the reason, belts just don't feature much in your wardrobe.  I've been there, my dear, but I think after reading this post, that's going to change.  As a teen and even as a young woman in my 20s I never really understood why people wore belts.  It made sense to me as a necessity during times when you had one pair of pants that would last most of your life and when the starving times hit you needed a belt to keep those pants from falling off, but in a modern world where if you need tighter pants, you can typically find a new pair for $10 to $20 and a thrift shop pair for $ 0.25 (and as someone who's been through hard times I know first hand that that is a second hand price that just about everyone can afford), so why do belts persist in fashion?  Well, as it turns out that there are actually some very good reasons why belts are still around and today I'm going to share a few with all you rebellious types.

1.  Break-Ups.  This first and possibly most important reason to bring belts into your wardrobe didn't really strike me until I started wearing dresses.  Dresses are very often one large piece of the same fabric and it doesn't matter if it's a print, big or small, or a solid, bold or neutral, that much of one thing can be a lot for the eye to take in.  Adding a belt (solid color if your outfit is patterned and patterned if your outfit is solid or a differently and preferably standout color from the one your outfit consists of) helps to break up what your eye sees and create some visual interest.  You'll notice that I'm wearing this Red Long Sleeve High Neck Split Bodycon Dress in Sabrina cut. I wore the same dress for this post on snake prints and didn't need a belt because the dress, with it's asymmetrical hem line and animal pattern already does a great job of creating visual interest.  For this version of the Sabrina cut in red, I still have that great asymmetrical hemline and mod-style neckline, but since there is no print on this dress, you can see how adding a belt creates an entirely different vibe to the outfit.  

2.  Define Me.  Our clothing shouldn't be vague and chaotic unless that's the intentional message we want to send to the world.  We've all had that outfit item, be it a baggy dress, boxy jacket, or blousey top that just doesn't do much for our figures, but don't despair.  There's no need to throw that sort of item away.  Just grab a belt.  A belt can bring such wonderful shape to shapeless wardrobe items.   Even for  bodycon dresses such as this one from FemmeLuxe, which already has plenty of shape given that it's doing such a fine job of showing off my shape, it's great to have that band of contrast at the narrowest part of your waist just to really enhance what the clothing is already doing.  After all, one little piece of clothing shouldn't have to do all the work and neither should your own shape.  Let a belt pick up the slack.

3.  Curves Ahead.  As I mentioned in line one of this post, you might be a little on the shy side and you tend to hide behind shapeless clothes.  Or maybe you're an outgoing person, but you lack the body confidence it takes to show off your shape a little.  You're in good company here.  I have curves, they were given to me by God and I haven't always loved them because at times in my life they were pretty steep. Once again that was back in those teens and twenties when I was still figuring out how to dress my shape.  If only I'd know the power of a belt to help create the shape I want by putting the belt on the narrowest part of my waist instead of where I usually wore them which was the widest part of my hips.  Is it any wonder I hated them?  I was doing it all wrong!  By putting the belt at the widest part of my hips, my shape was unbalanced and awkward.  But, by moving that belt up to the narrowest part of my waist, it created more of an hourglass shape and brought balance to my wide hips and small chest.

Shopping Info:  Red Long Sleeve High Neck Split Bodycon Dress - Sabrina from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk heels from ModCloth

Taking My Time on My Ride

I don't ride very far when I go out.  Every second of gently coasting downhill is one more pedal push back up the hill.I prefer instead to just ride casually, taking my time, enjoying all the scenery even if it is mostly just a wall of green vegetation.  Every now and then I catch a glimpse of a chipmunk or a bright wild flower, and of course my trusty dog goes with me at least part of the way before he gets distracted by some noise which he thanks must have been made by something that wanted to be chased.  So, off he leaps, into the woods and he doesn't come back til he's had a good swim in the pond.  By then he's ready to go home and so am I.

Shopping Info: Top and skirt From: SHEIN, Charter School Cardi from: ModCloth

the wild rose 

by wendell berry

Sometimes hidden from me

in daily custom and in trust,

so that I live by you unaware

as by the beating of my heart,

Suddenly you flare in my sight,

a wild rose looming at the edge

of thicket, grace and light

where yesterday was only shade,

and once again I am blessed, choosing

again what I chose before.

Shopping Info:  Get It Hot Eyelet Embroidered Organza Cami Dress $69 from: ChicWish

Color Your World

We live in a colorful world and never am I more aware of that than at this time of year with flowers everywhere and not a bare branch on the trees.  There are so many options out there that it can be a little overwhelming.  A number of friends have confided in me that they feel totally lost when it comes to adding color to their wardrobe and with the busy lives we all lead, it's tough to carve out space to try on different colors until you find some that look well with your complexion and hair color.  

In a recent conversation a few of my close friends (and I think we can all relate) admitted to choosing black as a default.  If you're one of those people and I think most people are, who struggles to know which colors go with which and what looks good on them, why not take a play straight from the most fashionable women in the world--the french.  In french culture, fashionable women often have a signature color.  they spend the time to choose one shade that looks just right on them and then wear that color the most and usually paired with neutrals.  That sounds like a fabulous place to start and it can quite easily be the end of the road if you're comfortable there.  Me?  If I had to choose a signature color it would be a pale shade of dusty pink, but as it is I definitely need more than just one color and I rarely rely on black anymore.  No disrespect to black; black is a classic color and it's a safe color since everyone looks good in black, but it's not exactly a shade that turns heads that's why, if I do choose black I like to pair it with a really stunning style or a unique cut like this Black Slinky Long Sleeve Off the Shoulder Belted Jumpsuit - Nina.  Last month I showed you some of the potential that a FemmeLuxe black jumpsuit holds for wearing to lots of different special occasions.  This month I'm trying out another FemmeLuxe jumpsuit in a more casual style and this time I'll show you the way you can keep that look neutral or kick it up with a few little pops of color by making two outfits from one piece.

 There are a lot of different styles of jumpsuits out there and FemmeLuxe has a great selection. They're my first stop for trying out a new jumpsuit, because I know they'll have something stunning.  The first thing I want to point out about this Black Slinky Long Sleeve Off the Shoulder Belted Jumpsuit - Nina has a comfortable draped neck that can give you a one-shoulder kind of look as I'm wearing it or a low slouchy neckline.  This style of jumpsuit works perfectly for glaming up casual events like running errands, having brunch with the girls, or hanging at home with a few friends.  The fabric has stretch so it's breathes and moves with you.  The fitted legs and  the cuffed legs and arms keeps it looking svelte.

Even though it's casual the Nina Jumpsuit style is a head turner.  For this first outfit I've paired it with this wide samba sash belt and black heels and nude lips.  It would also look great with some casual leather sandals or espadrilles and top it off with a loose, messy bun.
For the second outfit, I've made only a few minor changes.  Since black is just a classic color and goes with everything , it's the easiest place to start experimenting by adding some pops of color to a black ensemble.  For this outfit, I switched the black belt for a thinner orange-red belt, matching back and lipstick.  

This shade of red is very warm and bright, perfect for summer.  Even though this is a thinner belt, it still draws the eye to the narrowest part of the waist and the black camouflages the rest quite well. You'll notice that even though I've made just a few minor changes, it totally changes the vibe of the outfit.  This second look definitely says confidence with a little meee-ow!  in the mix.

Shopping Info:  Black Slinky Long Sleeve Off the Shoulder Belted Jumpsuit - Nina from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, samba sash from ModCloth

Barefoot in the Park

For the last ten years or so there's been a movement called Barefoot Walking which basically, just as the name implies, means allowing your bare feet to walk or jog on the earth instead of locking them away in shoes and pounding them against concrete, only to expose them to the light of day when they're once again shut away indoors.  The theory behind this is that your feet have muscles which are weakened by shoes and senses that are inhibited.  Proponents of this movement feel that we're doing more damage to our bodies in the long term by not allowing feet to do what they do.*  

If you're a book lover like me you may have read some Greek mythology at some point along the way and if you did you may remember the story of Antaeus. If you're not familiar with that story I can sum it up for you.  Antaeus was a giant and a demi-god, the son of Poseidon and Gaia.  Gaia was the goddess of the earth and Antaeus' power came from Gaia so that as long as his feet were touching the earth, he could not be defeated.  

It was Heracles who discovered his weakness during his famous 12 labors and while engaged in a fight he managed to lift Antaeus off the ground thereby weakening him and so he was able to overpower him.  Borden Deal made reference to this Greek god in his short story of the same name, Antaeus.  It's a wonderful  read if you get the chance and if you do intend to read it, please skip to the next paragraph to avoid any spoilers................still with me?  Don't say I didn't warn you.  

In Deal's Antaeus, an Alabama country boy is transported to the big city by his parents and has a difficult time adjusting.  In order to cope with this world, he begins building a rooftop garden on an abandoned building.  Eventually caught by authorities who promptly destroy this garden the devastated boy can no longer live surrounded by steel and glass and is picked up by the police hitching his way back the country.  I've always felt a certain empathy for Antaeus (the modern day counter part, not so much for the demi-god) for it seems no matter where I go in this big, beautiful world, I can only stand so much of tall buildings and car exhaust and horns honking, music blaring.  I can only stand just so long to be away from the grass and the trees and the sounds of nature before I feel like I'll go mad if I can't be in it.  

I cannot vouch for the facts in the studies behind the barefoot movement, I only know that there is something so soothing about peeling off hot shoes and curling my toes against the cool green grass and dark earth.  I feel the tight muscles around my temples causing a headache begin to let go as I find the shade of an old oak tree to sit beneath.  This is a time for meditation and deep breathing.  To pray.  To reflect.  To forget what I should forget.  To forgive what I should forgive.  It changes my entire state of mind.

  

 If you're interested in having your own barefoot in the park experience, here are a few tips.

Bring shoes.  If nothing else, getting to and from that cool soft earth will likely involve a pavement parking lot or sidewalks, and should your feet start to get a little sore, it's nice to have an option to stop.  I like to carry something light like foam sandals.

Start Slowly.  Remember your feet are going to be very tender if you don't spend much time without shoes.Limit yourself to 10-15 minutes of actual walking around to avoid sore feet.

Choose a Soft Spot.  Find a park or field with nice soft grass, free of brambles and stones if possible.  Avoid concrete, especially in the summer when temperatures can get so high that it can actually burn your skin.  Although such an experience will definitely make you more sensitive to the needs of your dog when it's walkies time in late August.  

Wear something comfortable.  I don't own a lot of casual clothes, but I loved my last lounge wear set from FemmeLuxe and thisGrey High Neck Cropped Loungewear Set in Ella looked so soft and comfy that I was so excited when the lovely people at FemmeLuxe sent it over for me to try.  

Perfect for these cool mornings and I can't wait to wear it this fall and winter while snuggled up under my quilt, hair spilling out of a messy bun while I write my blog posts.  But, I have no intention of saving any of my loungewear sets til then.  This Ella set in particular is like a little vacation for my mind and body. 

Shopping Info:Grey High Neck Cropped Loungewear Set in Ella from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk

Source info from:  https://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/a20439811/barefoot-walking-how-to-do-it-safely-without-injury/

All In June

All in June by William Henry Davies

A week ago I had a fire 

To warm my feet, my hands and face; 

Cold winds, that never make a friend, 

Crept in and out of every place. 

Today the fields are rich in grass, 

And buttercups in thousands grow; 

I'll show the world where I have been-- 

With gold-dust seen on either shoe. 

Till to my garden back I come, 

Where bumble-bees for hours and hours 

Sit on their soft, fat, velvet bums, 

To wriggle out of hollow flowers. 

Shopping Info: Top from: SHEIN, Classic Simplicity Skirt from Chicwish

Getting Over and Going Through

I'm walking through the woods today when suddenly I come to a stream.  Moments before I was sitting in a beautiful field watching the sunset, now I'm faced with a challenge.  What should I do?  Remember that old story We're Going on a Bear Hunt?  If you're not familiar with it, it's about...going on a bear hunt--yeah, it's not really the kind of story that has layers and is open to interpretation--and during the "hunt"  (the kind of hunt that means we're looking for something, but we're not armed with the firepower to deal with it if we find it)  the characters run into all sorts of obstacles and have to decide how to overcome them.  

The reason We're Going on a Bear Hunt is on my mind is three fold:  first, I was driving home last week and saw a HUGE bear next to the road.  HUGE.  Just sitting there, staring at a field full of goats across the highway.  

Second, here I stand in the woods trying to decide what to do about this stream, sit down and live here, turn around and go back, or go through that icy cold water and slimy rocks where I might fall and get hurt.  Third, life is throwing some obstacles in my path right now beyond this stream, and I'm not really sure I can get around them.  

WGOABH may be a simple story, but there are some life lessons to be learned from it.  
1.  Don't go on a bear hunt, especially if you're not properly armed.  You'll more than likely die. 

2.  Life is full of obstacles and we have to take them as they come and decide what to do with each as it presents itself.  No matter how you think you'll react, until that moment of truth comes, you really don't know what you'll do. 

3.  Some things in life you will never get over, but you will get through them. There are some truly difficult and in the moment, seemingly impossible things that happen in life.  They'll leave a scar.  They'll leave a gaping open wound.  Those things will change you--forever.  You'll never be the same, you'll never "get over" them,  but day by day with work and with time and support you will get better and there is still life, even a good life waiting, if you're willing to hunt for it.  

Shopping Info: Eyelet dress from: SHEIN

Blurring the Lines

Six weeks ago I was driving home when I saw a grove of wild cherry trees in full bloom.  I couldn't help myself, they were so pretty that I pulled over, got out of the car and walked through the field to get a closer look.  They were indeed lovely and I spent some time walking around them and admiring the colors.  I got back in the car and drove home.  That night I saw a large red patch on my foot...and it was itchy.  Hmmm...probably poison ivy, I thought.  I doused it with rubbing alcohol and went to bed.  

Over the next two weeks, and in spite of the different remedies I tried, it continued to spread all the way up my leg, then across to the other leg, then to my arm and neck.  It was awful.  I scratched all the time, even in my sleep and nothing seemed to help.  At times my legs were covered in bruises from all the scratching as well as blotchy redness.  Finally I tried an essential oil blend with lavender  and for the first time the itching was relieved a little and the redness started to go away.  

After six weeks, the itching is finally gone, but the redness remains.  It's not as bad, but my legs are so pale that it's hard to hide it.  I've tried to wear a lot of long skirts but being able to Photoshop out some of it has been really nice.   

Touching up photos has been villainized in recent years, and I definitely agree that altering photos has been taken to the extreme in unreasonable beauty standards, but there are times when being able to get rid of a blemish, scar, or in this case huge itchy red spots has been a gift.  And sometimes, when I've put so much work into planning a little photo session and at the end of it, it turns out that the lighting makes me looks like Beetlejuice on a bad day, it's nice to be able to lighten up the under-eye circles or smooth the harsh lines.

Today, you'll be happy to read, I am nearly healed up and much more cautious when snapping outfit pics.  For example, I chose not to lean against this tree because it has some old poison ivy vines creeping up the side mixed in with the harmless ivy.  But, I'll probably keep photoshop around just in case I do get into another scrape.
*Update*  Before I could publish this post I stumbled into poison ivy again, so it's back to the essential oils and being thankful for photoshop!

Shopping Info: Top and bedding set from: SHEIN, Skirt from Chicwish

Picturesque

What  a picture perfect scene this little farm makes.  I drive by this spot most days and I adore it.  There's an oak tree in the field up ahead,  over the bridge and just past the old red tool barn and in that field under that oak tree is a little rope swing.  A perfect quiet place.  The couple who lives here are retired and spend their time making it look as beautiful as it does.  I admire their commitment to creating peace and beauty.  Today the lane was full of purple clover, so I decided to stop for a few quick pics just as the sun was rising over the mountainside.  

Shopping Info: Dress from: SHEIN