The Basics of Dressing Well

There is nothing better than a well dressed woman.  She is polished, confident, radiant, kind and well groomed.  She dresses for success.  She wears appropriate clothing for the right occasions.  You would never find her in blue jeans at a wedding reception.  You would never find her in revealing clothes.  She follows the design rules of dressing:
1.  Look for the PURPOSE of your clothes.  Whether you are going to work or to work out, you dress appropriately.  Is it dressy or casual?  Is it a funeral or a backyard barbecue?
2.  Look for the STYLE of your clothes.  Are you funky, classic, tailored, eccentric?  Don't dress like your teenage daughter.  Don't dress like someone you aren't.
3.  Look for the BASICS.  Foundation pieces anchor an outfit.  Items like a black skirt or pants and work from there.  Or your basic beige dress you can accessorize around.
4.  Look for POPS of COLOR.  Every outfit needs a spike of color.  A teal tie or a bright scarf or a raspberry shade of pumps can add so much.
5.  Look for the BLING.  A touch of sparkle completes an ensemble.  Add a metallic belt or ring or necklace.  A shimmering watch of bracelet adds dimension.
6.  Look for the WRAP.  Nothing finishes off an outfit better than a trench coat or a smart looking coat.  A jacket literally pulls together an outfit in a classic way.
7.  Combine TEXTURES.  Add a cashmere, wool, satin or silk - it completes the finishes.
8.  Lay is all out.  When putting together an outfit, it helps to lay it all out on the bed complete with tights, boots, jewelry, etc...

NOW, go and put your clothes on!

Mothering

It is QUALITY and QUANTITY that counts when it comes to mothering!  Children need their mothers more than money!  Time is the best asset you can give them.  Ezra Taft Benson gave a recipe for successful parenting:
1.  Be at the crossroads of their comings and goings.
2.  Be a friend to your children.
3.  Have family dinner time
4.  Read to your children.
5.  Tell them you love them.
6.  Have Family Home Evening every Monday night.
7.

"In mothering, if you do it right, you work yourself out of a job."  Karen Tyler

Lean Cuisines

I discovered, with the help of my daughters, "Lean Cuisines" in the frozen food section of the grocery store.  They are inexpensive and great if you love a hot lunch, like I do.  They are generally under 300 calories and they taste good.  It is extremely convenient, as you only need to heat it up in the microwave.  They do all the measuring and calorie counting and portion control for you.  I have also found that they taste a whole lot better with BUTTER!  (I had to put Valentino's Spring Collection 2013 dress up too).

Outfit Ideas

Outfit ideas:  Sometimes you need some fresh ensembles to refresh your mind on what to wear.

Laurel's Favorite Quotes

"The Lord works from the inside out, the world works from the outside in.  The world would shape human behavior but Christ can change human nature."  Ezra Taft Benson

"You cannot do wrong and feel right."  Ezra Taft Benson

"Be patient, with many things the only way out is through.  Keep moving, keep trying.  (Robert Frost)

"We can do anything we want to, if we stick to it long enough."  (Helen Keller)

"Enjoy the journey"  (Thomas S. Monson)

"Girls who are easy are usually easy to give up!"  Susan Tanner

"What are you going to accomplish today? If you don't make plans, other will.  If you make the plans, others will follow!"  Dr. Robert H. Walker

In the strength of the Lord I can do ALL things.

"Postpone your rewards and your rewards will be greater!" Dr. Robert H. Walker

A smile is a curved line that sets things straight.

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." (Ralph Emerson)

Every day plead, read, act and record.

Make the world a better place than you found it.

"When one sacrifices all to God, then God in return shares all that he has with Him.  (Ezra Taft Benson)

Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.

Life is like a game of tennis.  You have to serve to win!

Have an attitude of gratitude!

What you put on your body talks.  Everyone else who sees you hears what you are saying.

Prayer will keep you from sin.  Sin will keep you from prayer.  Ezra Taft Benson

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

"If you can dream it, you can DO it."  Walt Disney

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of God."  Mosiah 2:41

The prizes of life we fail to win, because we doubt the power within.

Winners never quit.  Quitters never win.

"There isn't any job that can't be handled of you're willing to break it down into small pieces."

Baby steps...it's a cinch by the inch!

"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  Sam. 16:7

"Come what may and love it!"  Joseph Wirthlin

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do is has increased."  Heber J. Grant

Christ is the center of our home, a silent listener to every conversation and a guest at every meal.

God helps those who help themselves.

"If we do not feel like praying, we should pray until we do."  Brigham Young

Don't ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, unless you are willing to move your feet!

"I promise you that with increased attendance in the temples of our God you shall receive increased  revelation to bless your life as you bless those who have died."  Ezra Taft Benson

Self esteem is a companion to obedience.

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it!

If you can dream it, you can become it!

NO EMPTY CHAIRS!  Ezra Taft Benson

Modesty never goes out of style!

Some of My Favorite Sayings

"We all have 24 hours in a day.  Either we use time wisely or it uses us."  Neal A. Maxwell

Mis.sion.ary (noun) Someone who leaves their home for 2 years, so others can be with theirs for eternity.

The experiences we go through or suffer can be consecrated to the Lord to help others.

We write our own destiny, we become what we think about and what we do!

This too shall pass.

No one can reach everybody everywhere, but everyone can be reached by somebody somewhere.

Be YOURSELF, you can do it better that anyone else, plus everyone else is already taken!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."

"A beautiful, modest, gracious woman is creations masterpiece.  When you add to these virtues as guiding stars in your life, righteousness and godliness and an irresistible impulse and desire to make others happy, no one will question if she be classed who are truly great."  David O. McKay

The best way to receive REVELATION is to read REVELATION.

"Do our children know that we love God with all our hear and that we long to see the face and fall at the feet of His only Begotten son?"  (Jeffrey R. Holland)

"In the strength of the Lord we can do and endure and overcome all things."  (David Bednar)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  (Phillippians 4:13)

The surest way to have Heaven in your home is to have someone from your home in Heaven.

"Miracles are the fruits of faith"  .  (Joseph Smith)

If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!

Believe In Yourself!

Believe in yourself and the plans that you make!  Say not, "I cannot" but "I can" .  The prizes of life we fail to win, because we doubt the power within!  Don't get caught up in depressing thoughts just because you make a mistake or you are not perfect.  Don't compete with everyone.  Realize we all struggle.