Dear Friday, I'm so glad you're here. Never mind that you're only Wednesday in my world - you'll always be Friday to me. There's just something about knowing tomorrow's Saturday. And Saturday's my Friday. Hey, it's the truth. Please don't be upset. It's just how these things work out. If that doesn't make sense, I apologize. I'm tired. But that's okay. You're here, Friday. Thanks for coming back every week and putting up with me.
I'm sure it's just an early rebellion against all my New Year's resolutions, but I've been thinking this week about style. A few months ago, I cleaned out my closet, big-time. I got rid of the things that didn't fit my body or my life. I bought some new things that fit better in both regards, and I tried to make sure I wore what I had. I knew I was doing better when I started to see the bottom of my drawer if I went a few days without doing laundry. I started to realize, though, that I was pretty much wearing the same thing every day. That's okay, sometimes. Honestly, there are days I'm lucky just to be wearing something clean that's not pajamas. But there are lots of fun ways to make the same clothes look a little more creative.
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| Newly organized shirt drawer. Note that the drawer has room to close! |
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| My half of our closet, remaining shirts organized by type and color |
I keep hearing this little voice say, "Because it's fun." I guess that's true. Dressing up is fun, even if it's somewhere in between putting on a clean top and clean jeans and getting all glammed up for a party. Is it necessary? No, not really. Is it easy? Not always. But it's fun - fun to wear a cute outfit, and fun to feel creative.
Contrary to appearances (since I'm still usually in jeans) and thanks to the lovely ladies at Fine Linen and Purple, I've been putting more thought into what I wear on Sundays to church. The biggest change I've noticed so far is that I'm much more intentional when shopping. I'll notice something that's missing from an outfit, and the next time I'm perusing the sale rack at Target or looking at clothes online (which isn't very often, really!) I'll be looking for something specific. If I find it and buy it, it gets worn often. Gone are the days of casually perusing the sale rack and picking up random items that look a lot like something I already own. I'll never be mistaken for a trendsetter, but my closet does shrink noticeably leading up to laundry day, and that makes me happy.
Am I doing this because I want to, or because God wants me to? I ran across this excellent question earlier in the week, and it really seems to apply to my style dilemma. Does God want us to dress well? Is this a way we can glorify Him? I'm not even going to pretend that I know the answer. In the short amount of time I've had to pray on the matter, my calling as a wife and mother came to the surface. Do I glorify this, His plan for me, by dressing sloppily? Can I glorify Him by trying a little harder?
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| Dan, standing outside the Idaho State Capitol on our 2011 Boise trip |
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| Emily and Erin on their 5 month birthday (hard to believe it was 2 months ago next week!) |
I hope you all have a great weekend! Many prayers for Jen and her family, and also for little Fulton!
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I think it's all about finding where you are happy and comfortable because if you are, it will make you a better wife, mother, and daughter of God. Probably some middle ground (as with most things) is a good balance. Maybe one day you don't get out of pj's and just really relax and enjoy the girls, and the next day, you do it up all cute for a walk around the neighborhood with the fam :).
ReplyDeleteI think everyone has a different and correct answer for this. For me, I enjoy dressing nicely on Sundays and otherwise because it makes me feel more present in my day. I feel like I started my day intentionally and the rest of the day follows.
ReplyDeleteI like to dress up a little (anything above sweats) when I'm at home, because I find I do better on those days. When I'm dressed frumpy I feel lazier and gross. But I'm not going to clean the toilet in heels!! Plus, if I'm ever trying to lose weight (which is always) I think wearing clothes without elastic waistbands makes me more cautious of what I eat!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to have found your blog! I'm a twin mama too. Ours are 19 months. Looking forward to reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteI, like you, can mostly be found in jeans.
ReplyDeleteJeans and top is my go-to outfit during the week. On Fridays I try to wear a skirt, because I know my husband loves to see me in them, and I offer it as a little penance because I hate the way they feel.
I always wear makeup and earrings, and sometimes toss in a scarf or some other cute accessory.
I guess it's just one of those things to me like manners. It is respectful of human dignity, not only my own, but my family's and the strangers I run into.
Your question of, "Is this a way we can glorify Him?" I think is so great! My opinion that a way to glorify Him is living *order* and to me slobbing out all the time is not living order. I don't feel like I have to be a fashionista (my taste is pretty simple and lots of solid colors and not very daring, but current), but I do think that being put together brings Glory to God by recognizing that we are made in His Image and should respect ourselves and others!
I love your post!