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Personal Presentation: What am I advertising?

Emma from Charming the Birds from the Trees along with Elizabeth from A Merry Rose have started an online Ladies Finishing School.

I’ve known about it for a while but had simply forgotten that it started last week. This morning (with my extra time from getting up way too early), I toodled on over to Emma’s to read the very first week’s posts.

And became convicted that I need to be doing a bit more work in the personal presentation department. Well, I’ve known for awhile that I need to update my wardrobe. I’m one of your average sahms- the largest part of my wardrobe is dedicated to jeans and T-shirts. Now that I have lived through birthing 3 children I have gotten rid of all but 4 pairs of shorts as I believe it is best not to be showing the world that part of my legs (well, to be honest- I don’t want to see that much of my legs- no one ever told me you’d get stretch marks in oodles of places other than your belly!!) so I have collected an odd assortment of Capri pants in place of shorts.
Again, as your average sahm, I am the last person I buy clothing for- someone else always needs something more than I do- even Mr. Steady. I own 3 pairs of presentable blue jeans, Capri pants, and lots of, lots of T-shirts. It seems I can’t throw a T-shirt away. Yesterday, I found I have 5 T-shirts that are stained or faded funny and at the bottom of my drawer are 4 more T-shirts that I don’t like to wear because they aren’t long enough [to suit my long torso]. And yet there they sit- taking up space. Sigh. I should have looked in that drawer before the yard sale. Since I am not planning on a yard sale again any time soon (can never come too soon?) and I just can’t throw them away- I tossed them in my rag box in the laundry room. Out of sight, out of mind.
So I know I need wardrobe help. Thanks to the Goodwill Queen, aka my mama, I have 5 pairs of khaki pants in my dresser- 2 of which I actually wear, but only to church and going out. What average sahm wears khaki at home? One smear from Mr. Conductor and I’m done. But wait . . . . I’ve been smeared many a time and life goes on- I change if we leave the house or just wear the smeared clothing . . . . perhaps I should branch out and wear those khakis- so what if they get stained? What good are they doing me all clean and folded at the bottom of a drawer? Today I say to myself, wear ‘em or get rid of ‘em.

Yes, I do have more than jeans and T-shirts but that is the bulk of my wardrobe. I’ve got a few nice dress shirts, a couple of blouses and a few skirts and dresses. But I must admit that I only wear about half of what is in my closet. I need to purge (again, should have looked in there before the yard sale). I plan to make a list of items I think I need to add or update and then in an effort to continue being frugal, I will ask the Goodwill Queen to be on the look-out and help me find what I need. [Bless my mama- she’s my personal shopper and she loves it!]
Reading more of Emma’s writing, I find that not only is my wardrobe in sad shape but I’m slacking in personal grooming. Wow does that sound bad. Now, I brush my teeth, comb my hair and all that- and remember to check my eyebrows in the mirror every Sunday before church (LOL). But I am terrible about getting my hair trimmed, keeping my nails nice and moisturizing. And let me just say that I am not a big fan of shoes- especially in the summer and my tootsies sadly reflect my lack of care (which I really realized the other day when Mr. Conductor said the "bottom of my feetsies were ouchie").
This statement by Emma really struck me, “. . . . And we need to make sure that we take that enthusiasm for our personal presentation throughout our lives. We have to realize that we are walking billboards for ourselves and our families.” 
What does my billboard say? “Takes great care of her family but doesn’t spend time on herself” or "Tired and worn out". Should it say that? I don’t think so. I would rather not look like a martyr to my family but rather be a pleasing accompaniment to a well groomed, well taken care of clan. And more than that- what does my presentation say about God- my relationship with Jesus? Do I want others to think that being a Christian makes you look tired and care-worn? No I do not.
Why is this on my mind today? My sister, my lovely darling younger sister, who is aware of our financial issues and the fact that I would not spend money on myself right now . . . . is taking me to get my hair done tonight- her treat. I am in great need of a good hair cut. When I am under stress it shows in my hair- it breaks off, becomes oily then becomes dry etc. etc. And I’ve been under a lot of stress. My sister murmured something about me looking “scraggily”. Which makes one wonder what image they are presenting when going out and about . . . so I’ve been wearing my hair up in a clip lately . . . .
I don’t deny what she said nor do I deny that she, perhaps, could have phrased it a bit better . . . .
Bottom line- taking care of me- my personal presentation- is not vanity or self-centeredness, especially not when you consider that you are “a walking billboard for yourself and your family”. So, I will be thinking on and working on the following to better my personal presentation:
New Hair cut
Update wardrobe (truly get rid of the stuff I don’t wear or is outdated)
Wear something other than T-shirt and jeans/capris.

Soak my tootsies and give myself a pedicure [try to do at least once a week]
Keep my polish looking good- no chips

Wash my face before bed.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize.
Wear gloves in the garden.
Clean my jewelry that I wear daily.
Please take a moment to wander over to Emma’s to read last week’s posts on Personal Presentation. Elizabeth is sharing snippets about different leading American ladies this week (a bit of a break due to the holiday this week).

the clothes dilemma!

9:24 AM, 2007-Jul-3 .. Posted by dorninkrefuge

I enjoyed your read. I tell you, I am a t-shirt and old jeans type. I love to lounge around in lazy clothes, as I call them and just relax. Usually that means that I am staying home. Can I be honest? I am a larger size than I would like so I tend to buy a lot of tops more than I would pants. If I find a nice pair of slacks or jeans that flatter my figure, I might buy them, but generally, if I have a good variety of tops, then it looks like I have a new outfit on. I am working on slimming down. I do like jewelry. I don't know, I like to be home and not have to go anywhere most of the time. Maybe it is because of how I think I look, but I am a homebody. Here is something that might make some of you cringe. I let my dh cut my hair. It is all one length and he just cuts straight across the bottom in the back and voila! I have a bouncier new look. My hair is longer and has curl. I like the fact that I don't have to go into town to get it cut. I trim the bangs myself. Do I sound lazy? I am in the garden so much that I do not let myself get my nails done. I absolutely hate getting a large amount of dirt under them so I keep them trimmed. I will quit now as I can devote more to this subject in my own blog. You have inspired me! Smiles, Linda

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12:54 PM, 2007-Jul-3 .. Posted by Lynne

How nice of your sister to treat you to a hair cut. Even if she didn't say it very tactifully, a new hair cut will give you a pick me up.
I was hoping you had a good yard sale. So many strange things seem to be going on now. I hear from you that you are suffering from financial strains and unexpected expenses, one man I work with is on the verge of losing his job (not justified), and it now appears that another man I work with is being targeted for "having a bad attitude." My husband has been very stressed about our finances, and nothing bad has been happening. He just doesn't see how we can afford all the future things that will be coming up. He is also very worried about us being able to keep our jobs. I don't know why he has become so worried lately.
I hope you enjoy your new hair style!

Thanks

2:44 PM, 2007-Jul-3 .. Posted by YPAmy5

Thanks for the kind words! Mr. Steady has cut my hair in the past . . . . after my sis said "scraggily" I took a pair of scissors to the ends myself--- good thing Mr. Steady is handy and fixed the uneven parts for me! I should have just asked him to do it to begin with instead of being impatient and trying to "have a go at it myself".
Lynne- I can understand concern about job security and such. I live in Michigan where jobs are not plentiful and more and more people are being laid off. I am so glad Mr. Steady has a job in Indiana that he has worked at for over 22 years.
We are just very grateful for how God again and again and again makes a way for us. I hae my shaky moments, yes, but I know deep down that God is in control of it all.