Summer Style

Today I am sporting a cutesy brown headband with a flower on the side made out of brown shades of tulle. When first seeing this headband, I thought hmmm…naah. But after some coaxing from the Youngest, I decided to give it a try.

Well today was the day…I put it on and appreciated the color combo with my hair and outfit. I felt more Girly, Summery, and Flirty and have been getting comments on it all day.

Feeling drab?? Angry like me that I am past the age of getting 3 months off for summer vacation???? Throw something out of the norm into your wardrobe. A bright color, a feminine touch…Happy Summer!

Love, Middlest

STYLE ICON: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most exciting jazz singers of her time and, because of the naturalness of her style, had a popular appeal that extended far beyond the borders of jazz. Referred to as "The First Lady of Song"

When researching Ella, I also found her referred to as “A large, pleasant-looking woman.”

Large…hmmm…Thick girls have always been criticized; even the ones that came long before us. But pleasant looking??? She’s beautiful!! The flawless makeup, the beautiful hair, the fashion…Ella Exudes style. I also have a soft spot for her because she reminds me of my Grandma J

Ella was born in Newport News, VA on April 25^th, 1917. Her parents separated shortly after her birth and her and her mother moved to Yonkers, NY. When Ella was young she always dreamed of becoming a dancer, but she also loved listening to the jazz records her mother brought home.

When Ella was 15, her Mom had a heart attack and passed away. Ella’s grades slipped, she started getting into trouble. She began working as a lookout for a bordello and with a mafia-affiliated numbers runner. After getting in trouble with the police, she was placed at the Colored Orphan Asylum in the Bronx.

Just 2 short years later, Ella made her singing debut at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. She had originally planned to go onstage and dance but she was intimidated by a local dance group, so she decided to sing instead. (Can you imagine? What would’ve happened had she chose to dance instead of sing that night??)

Ella was in the music business for over 50 years. Her last recording took place in 1991 and her last public performance was in 1993. She had 2 tumultuous marriages, and adopted one son, Ray Brown Jr.

Ella Fitzgerald was notoriously shy, late in her career when accepting an award she said, “I don’t want to say the wrong thing, which I always do. I think I do better when I sing.”

RIP Ella, Middlest

STYLE vs. HEALTH

For those of you who have lived the cycle of dieting, success, defeat, High Self Esteem, Low Self Esteem, putting on weight, losing more weight and hopefully finally Self Acceptance…You are not alone.

My sisters and I have lived that cycle over and over. We have great Genes in some regard, but fight against others on a daily basis. The older I get, the less I care about what people think and the more concerned I get with my health.

I read this article recently that put a spotlight on actresses who are too thin. I’m sure the pressure to be perfect they feel is overwhelming at times…but is it worth your health? Check out the pictures...

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/slideshow/walking-thin-line-2182608

Beauty and Style have nothing to do with size, Take care of YOU

Don’t believe the Hype…Middlest

How to Cope with Stress...with Style

So…after our last blog about Dad going in to fix his broken heart, the inevitable STRESS ensued. After or during any major Family or Personal issue, Stress is typically a main character in the play. I don’t know about you but Emotional stress has always been much more draining on me than Physical stress. You are tired all the time, not eating right, your relationships are strained, maybe difficulties in maintaining your job responsibilities and the rest of your life that just simply seems to stop or become not so important while you lean over and kiss your Dad goodbye as they wheel him down to surgery.

Isn’t that amazing? The oh-so-important issues of life just simply fade into the background when you or someone you love is in personal crisis. The bills that need to be paid and the lunch date or commitment you signed up for, (the Blog you were so excited to write!!) suddenly lose their place in your daily thought process.

During the 5 hour surgery they are replaced by memories of a strong, laughing, running Father who coached Little League and played Hide and Seek at night outside with us. A man who never said a harsh word to me in the 32 years I have known him… who is the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

The next few days, filling prescriptions and glaring at nurses who aren’t as nice as you think they should be followed by washing this 6’4” man’s face and helping him in and out of bed while trying to maintain the dignity and self care for him none of us ever want to face losing.

As the days turn into weeks, the threat of immediate danger lessens and the call of responsibility and the reality of life come back into the forefront. Now the bills, the forgotten commitments, lunch dates and Blog demand attention. So, the stress of your crises now on top of daily life can be somewhat overwhelming at times.

What do you do? How do you handle the stress of life with Style and Grace? How do you go back to work when all you want to do is crawl up in your Dad’s lap and hear him say, “It’s gonna be ok.”
1. You acknowledge that there are no rules for going through this

2. You feel it! If you need to cry, scream, laugh all in a days time…do it!

3. Draw close to people you love

4. Prioritize and Organize your life…One task, One hour, One day at a time

5. Rest

6. Pray

7. Repeat

Exhausted and Resting in God’s Hands,

the Middlest

How to survive a Rainy Day…with Style

So…it’s a drag right? You wake up…its dark outside. The lightning and low rumble of thunder keep lulling you back into sleep. The temptation to call in sick to Life today is overwhelming but alas…life must go on. You throw off the covers; drag yourself out of bed and to the bathroom mirror. On any other day bringing out your beauty is a breeze…but what do you do when you’ll be running from buildings, fighting with umbrellas and leaping over puddles all day?

Here are some tips:

If you must wash your hair that morning, spray on a thermal heat protector before drying. This helps to seal the hair from heat, humidity, frizz, etc. Make sure your hair is completely dry.

Add a little anti-frizz product. Many women use way too much product on rainy days because they think it will keep the Frizzie’s away. But…it will weigh your hair down and worst case scenario, you get caught in the rain….Now your hair is a gummy mess!!

Just go with it! If your hair is naturally curly, let it be! Add a pretty hair pin, and ride the waves. If it’s bone straight and fine, do a slick pony.

As far as makeup goes…Go with a simple, dewey look. A peach or pink…warm colors on the cheeks and eyes paired with a glossed lip.

Ultimately…this is not the end of the world! Put on a superbly tailored suit with a brightly colored cami or some shiny, big, beautiful jewelry. Show that rainy day who’s boss!

Drenched, the Middlest

You are You Don't Ever Change Your Style

"Hello world. This is me.

Life shoud be... Fun for everyone.

Life is easy when you wear a smile.

You are YOU don't ever change your style.

You are You.

I am Me."

So some of you mom's out there may recognize this as the theme song for Saddle Club... that show happens to be a favorite in our house. Ella was walking around singing that song this morning before school, and as I started to sing with her, I really started to listen to the words.

We talked about the meaning behind the words. How she is special... she is unique and wonderfully made. That life is what you make it! You can walk through this world angry or you can wear a smile. The most important part... being your authentic self. Don't let anyone tell you who you should be. Don't change your style... celebrate it!

Lesson for Ella turned into Lesson for Mom this morning. What a nice belated Mothers Day gift.

Love, the Oldest

Style Galore at MET Costume Institute Gala

Monday night, Manhattan was ablaze with celebrities (like Jennifer Lopez show above) sporting their favorite designers all in honor of what we celebrate daily here…the ”American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”

Colors and fabrics were on display as the Red Carpet donned such Fashion royalty as Vera Wang, Karl Lagerfeld and Zac Posen. Everything from asymmetrical lengths, cutouts and Gladiator Heels to Old Hollywood Glam, draped buttery smooth fabrics and soft curls.

We’ve included some of our favorites and some not-so-favorites…You decide for yourself!! Cast your vote for best Style!

Sarah Jessica Parker

Jessica Alba

singer “Cassie”

Oprah Winfrey with Oscar de le Renta

Chloe Sevigny

Iman

Rachel Weisz

Kristen Stewart

Kerry Washington

Anne Hathaway

Mila Kunis

Does Society define Style?

So, have you heard???? ABC and Fox networks refused to air a commercial by Lane Bryant, spotlighting “Plus Size” model, Ashley Graham (pictured above) in their lingerie line Cacique. They fought and fought saying that the ads were racy, showed too much...etc. Fox did repeated edits to the commercial, and ABC finally agreed to air it in the last 10 minutes of Dancing with the Stars last week.

Question….Are these not the same networks that show ads for Victoria’s Secret and an hour long Fashion event each year, glorifying Size 0’s proudly flaunting their bras and panties???

Graham is a size 16…which is AVERAGE in today’s representation of women. But in the modeling world, she is “Plus Size.” If you want to define that size, that’s fine …but at least give equal representation…

Who gave you the authority to define beauty? Why do you get to decide what people want to see and what they don’t? Is it that we will stop buying diet pills and cellulite creams and everything that you advertise on your networks if you start showing that beauty truly comes in all sizes, shapes and colors? Would women actually like themselves and not be in constant pursuit of more expensive clothing, a bigger house and a newer car if for once they turned on the TV or opened up a magazine and the beautiful woman looking back at them actually looked like them?

What do you think??? ….Middlest

To read the whole story, check out
http://insidecurve.lanebryant.com/buzz/the-lingerie-commercial-fox-and-abc-didnt-want-it/

Who's look do you like best?

Headed into the weekend... and you have a party Saturday night. Which of these 3 looks would you like to rock?

(1) Kate- loose curls, spaghetti strap shoulders and long beaded necklace.
(2) Gweneth- long and straight, lace overlay dress with modest neckline, cinched waist
(3) Christina - short, sleek bob, bright color, flap sleeve, dangle earring.

Leave us a comment and let us know!

Spotlight: Style Icon

Sophia Loren

Does this picture NOT just scream Style?

She was born Sofia Villani Scicolone, September 20, 1934, in Rome, Italy. Her father refused to marry her mother and left, leaving Sophia, her mother and sister to struggle and have to move in with relatives. During World War II, Sophia was running to a shelter during a raid of a frequent bombing target close to where they lived and was hit with shrapnel and wounded in the chin. She entered a beauty contest when she was 15 and didn’t win! Later she began acting classes and was picked to star in Quo Vadis, in 1951, launching her acting career.

One of the judges from a beauty contest she entered, Carlo Ponti, went on to later become her husband. They had 2 sons, Loren stayed married to Ponti until his death in 2007. When asked in a November 2009 interview if she is ever likely to marry again, Loren replied "No, never again. It would be impossible to love anyone else."

I picked Sophia Loren as one of my Style Icons, not only because she has always been one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen!!!!... But as I researched her I became more intrigued how this woman who didn’t have the easiest life has ALWAYS appeared graceful, elegant and assured. She was abandoned by her father as a little girl. That in itself could have set her on a path of low self-esteem and insecurity; trying to meet those needs in other men. She lived in a war-ridden country and was hit in the face with shrapnel and still remains the epitome of beauty. She was a Runner Up in beauty Competitions. That means she didn’t win….that means she failed. But she kept going. She met her much older husband when she was 15 and when he passed she said that “It would be impossible to love anyone else.” I want to love someone like that!!!! I want to maintain grace and elegance and assuredness in the way that I carry myself. Style is living your life confidently, knowing exactly who you are.

Mz. Loren has got it.

Inspired, Middlest

Enrich Your Life with Purposed Relationships

How does a Woman of Style...Enrich her life through People?

What do you see when you look at others. Do you surround yourself with people who look just like you? Do they believe what you do? Do they have similar family experiences or did you all grow up on the same side of the tracks? How about your kids? Do they naturally gravitate to other kids with the same skin color? Do they know there is a whole world out there to explore and experience? Is it scary to think about bridging that gap? Do you think about making friends with someone across the socio-economic line? Cultural or denominational divide…Meeting someone in their world of a different experience.

You know it shouldn’t surprise us….I have 2 sisters and we all were raised in the same house. Yet, we all had very different experiences growing up. Same parents, same schools….very different identities and feelings that have shaped who we are. So why would we then be surprised that people of a different culture, background, country….don’t think just like us. Don’t feel things like I do…don’t value the same things…They’ve had a different experience. Not worse…not better…just Different.

Do you think she would love me more if she knew that I also have never fit in…Never fit the stereotypical image of “beauty” perpetuated by my culture? Or would I be less quick to judge him if I saw that he was simply trying to survive…that underneath his road rage hid years of abuse and abandonment. What if they could see that here we all want the same things they do there…Safety, Love, Purpose. Why is it so hard for us to understand that we are all in this thing together??

You are weak where I am strong; I have abundance in an area you may lack. I need you!! You enrich my life; you cause me to see that the world is bigger than my small, air conditioned box with no sharp corners or rough edges. You challenge me to be better, to grow and love people more deeply. Today’s Challenge: Purpose to connect with someone you normally wouldn’t talk to because of differences in age, culture…whatever. See what happens.

Love, Middlest

How Does a Woman of Style...

Not become stagnant in life?

I’m bored…I’m in a rut…I’m stuck…I need something to look forward to. You been there? I know I have. You drive the same way to work, you eat the same lunch, you do the same workout, you talk about the same things, you battle with the same issues….So, how do we break free of that ho-hum cycle that we seem to slip into!! Life is full of surprises yet we so easily slip into the mundane day to day issues. We lose our zest, the jump in our step, and the joy behind our smiles.

stag·nant

1. not flowing or running, as water, air, etc.

2. stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.

3. characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement

4. Inactive, sluggish, or dull.

EWWW!!! My soul rises up at every one of those words!! That is exactly the kind of life I do not want!! Have I been there? Sure…Will I ever go back? Maybe, but I do not have to stay there! Neither do you. We have defined it here…now you know exactly what it looks like. It’s time to get real. Does your life resemble a rollercoaster of new experiences, great fun, friends, interests and passion???? OR…does it compare more so to a dark, dank, musty puddle of familiarity?

Be honest with yourself. You get one shot at this! Why not cultivate all of the interests, talents and passion that is on the inside of you? “Oh, I cannot possibly take the time away from my job, church, friends, husband, kids, parents, (your choice excuseJ); it just wouldn’t be fair to them!!” Let’s pause for a second. Close your eyes. Picture yourself. Picture the absolute best version of you. What does she look like? What is she wearing? How does she laugh? What does she talk about? How does she love people? How does she spend her life? What legacy is she leaving? You are not taking away from anyone…Cultivating these things within you is and will be a gift for all of those around you.

Look…you cannot change your entire life in a day, but there are small things you can do to LIVE every day. Don’t settle for merely existing!

Be present (stop and actually smell flowers, look how beautiful the sky is when you go outside, hold your man’s gaze a little too long, squeeze your kiddos extra tight…just because)

Invest in You (Feed your Spirit, Soul and Body with God, Love, Health and people that build you up. Likewise, remove life-draining things and people from your path…there just isn’t enough time in the day)

Dare to Still Have a Dream (take that class that you’ve been putting off, write a book, start a blogJ, start training for that marathon…ALWAYS have a dream)

Purpose to have Passion (If you don’t know…find out what you’re passionate about! Whether it’s finding or creating new recipes, being the best Employee, Wife or Mom you can be, becoming a Foster Parent or finding the cure to Cancer…do it with all your heart)

Feeling Inspired?? You can do this. I’ll be here…cheering you on.

Love, Middlest

SEASON TO SEASON - BUY WHAT FITS!

Since the warm weather is upon us, it is time to freshen up our look! With every season change we should take time to look at ourselves and figure out what we like and dont like, and how to make it better! I am a firm believer in having key pieces in your wordrobe that can carry you through different seasons. You can always add or take off dependent on the weather. There is no need to have 1,000 pieces of clothing, just work with what you have and add fun pieces as necessary.

It's important to update handbags, shoes, jewelry & accessories. If you arent someone who loves to have a lot on, then simplicity is your style, but you can always add a fresh pop of color with a ring, scarf, handbag or hair accessory. Your style needs to be comfortable & affordable to your lifestyle. None of us have the time we used to, to take hours to get ready. So it is key to love what you have in your closet, so you can make quick decisions and still look great.

Another important note is to pick clothing that looks good on your body! Don't buy too small to "hope" to get into it, and don't get to big to hide what you dont like...embracing your body is the first important decision to make. We are all different, and irregardless of size, a perfect cut jean or shirt can make anyone look amazing. If your not sure of what looks best on you, take a look at a celebrity or other people in your life with similar body types as yours, and take note to what cuts of cloth look great on them. And never be afraid to ask an associate in your favorite store to bring you options to try on. Thats what they are there for!!! Stay tuned for more ideas on what clothes fit YOUR body type.

- the Youngest

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An elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living: to live in style.

Style

When researching this topic, I found many definitions for the word Style. I picked the one that most closely embodied what I believe Style to be…An elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living. Pretty much sums it up right??? But what does that really mean? Is it a life of the latest hair and makeup trends, highest heels and most expensive Couture??? I say no. Style is not something you can put on….It’s something you exude. You cannot buy style; it does not carry a price. Ever changing…If you try to capture style, it may evade you. Style, ultimately, is something YOU define.

So, why do some people have it and some don’t.

We’ve all seen her…That girl that brightens up a room. She walks in with grace; flashes a smile that makes you long to know what she knows! Whether she is Rockin’ a Faux hawk and Gladiator heels or at the gym in sweats and kicks….She knows who she is….And she’s not afraid to show it!!! That, friends...Is style. Knowing who you are and not being afraid to reflect all the wonder and beauty that’s within you. Nobody can put you in a box. Nobody can define you. So, what are you waiting for??? Be THAT girl today…..I dare you!

Love, Middlest