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Angel Post: Found On Inside Out Style Blog

An Angel Post is one that I think was written for me by another blogger, lol.  Even though of course it was written for anyone who wants to read it.  I have found such wisdom here in putting together a snazzy wardrobe.  Check out this blog...

Found Here - Inside Out Blog E is for Elongation

E is for Elongation

Many women tell me that they'd like to look taller, or slimmer, so today I thought that I'd cover E for Elongation to help you all with this quest.

So let's get back to basics and think about how to use line to create the illusion of length and/or slimness.

• Vertical lines lengthen.
• Horizontal lines shorten and broaden.

Vertical lines by imogenl featuring a long sleeve silk blouse

To elongate you want to ensure you have more vertical lines and  less horizontal lines.

How and where are verticals found in clothes?

• Plackets
• Jacket edges
• Center creases on trousers
• Rows of buttons (up and down)
• Pleats
• Pin stripes
• Vertical seams such as princess seams and darts

Because horizontal lines shorten and widen, you need to be aware of where you will find them in garments:

Horizontal lines by imogenl featuring sheer tops

• Hems of sleeves, tops, pants, skirts etc.
• Yokes
• Pockets
• Horizontal prints
• Seams
• Trims
• Distressing and whiskering
• Straps and high vamps on shoes
• Buttons on double breasted jackets and coats
• Cuffs on trousers
• Boarder prints

So if you want to slim, then you only want to put horizontal lines on:

1. Your narrow points (so this is the – where do I end tops, jackets etc. rule)
2. On the points you want to broaden to create balance

5 Easy Ways to Elongate to Look Taller and Slimmer:

1. Find garments with more verticals (as natural hemlines that garments all have will create lots of horizontals) without adding extra ones.
2. Tone shoes to trousers or tights or legs.
3. Wear heels, if you like them.
4. Wear low vamp shoes.
5. Wear fabrics that skim and drape close to your body.

and a bonus 6th:

The easiest way to look taller is to use the column of colour concept, which I've covered here and here and evenhere.  It's simple, the longer the unbroken vertical line, the taller you will appear.  Just remember, a column of colour doesn't have to mean only wearing black head to toe or only wearing one colour, you can still wear two or three colours, it's just how you put them together.

Column of colour by imogenl featuring a collared dress

So instead of breaking up your body by alternating colours, you can try elongating by creating a flow.

E is for elongation by imogenl featuring tall boots

Related posts:

1. Horizontal Stripes – the rules
2. How to Look Taller Using a Column of Colour
3. Using a Column of Colour to Look Taller and Slimmer

My Blessings!!

I am blessed with a beautiful family, and we love each other dearly.  I have an awesome support system in my parents, and friends.

We had a good weekend, we did nothing special, but we still enjoyed each other's company.  Sometimes I get so busy, that I forget to enjoy life's most simple pleasures.

Hope you all have a great week!!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

¹⁵ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Happy Friday!!

Going Down with a Sinking Ship

Right now, as I am typing this post, I think the Primary Emotion that I am feeling is anger.  The Secondary Emotions are disappointment, aggravation, and a total lack of faith in the place that I have worked for the last 11 years.  I am sure that I am not the only one currently working in the field of education who feels such emotions.  However, over the last year I have sat by and watched the administration go from bad to worst, I have watched as the bottom of the barrel was continually scraped to find "step and fetch it" leaders.  "Gumby's", as I like to call them who make decisions based on who it makes happy instead of what the RIGHT decision would be.  As usual, the children suffer, the employee's suffer and morale suffers.

I try my best to ride above it, but it gets harder when the flood waters keep getting closer and closer to your neck.  

So today, I am asking God for the ability to walk on water, lest I drown.  I am asking for the ability to remember that we are all flawed, and to remember that these administrators are not in control.  And, that I know who is in control.

So I went searching on the net for proof of what I already know, but need to be reminded of and this what I found:

 Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalms 27:14 - Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 I will uphold thee - I will enable you to bear all your trials.

Photo Credit: Holding On to the Most Important Things in Life. Hold On - Donna Hughes

A Consolidation of Trust

I have trust issues!!  I trust very few people.  It is my first instinct to look for the flaw, the ulterior motive or hidden agenda.  This unfortunately spills over into all areas of my life.  And, then I thought how amazing it would be if I could consolidate trust like some people consolidate bills. Take all of the people, situations and things in whom I have to or need to trust and put them under one umbrella and trust that he Lord will protect me from the disappointment, hurt and resentment that comes when the people who I have trusted disappoint me. Or that God could help me  to discern those people, places or things that are worthy of my trust.

For me, I guess it all comes back to one thing, trusting that God will watch over guide and protect me from everything that comes my way.  Whether that means taking me out of the storm, or teaching me to deal with the rain.

Then I remembered one of my favorite Fred Hammond songs and it brought me to this verse. - 

Isaiah 54:17 - "No weapon this is formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against thee in judgement thou shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord"  - King James Bible (Cambridge Edition)

The word that jumped off the page to me when reading this text, is that this is our HERITAGE. (see definition below) It is something that God meant us to pass down from generation to generation, our birth right.  What an amazing heritage that is?  To know that in the face adversity, uncertainty, tumultuous times, uncertain job markets, and downright EVIL all around us.   NO WEAPON THAT IF FORMED AGAINST US SHALL PROSPER.

her·i·tage  (hr-tj)

n.

1. Property that is or can be inherited; an inheritance.

2. Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

3. The status acquired by a person through birth; a birthright

Feeling Like a Modern Day Samuel!!

Often Times When I am Talking, I Ought to be Listening.  God's Words come to me in so many ways, that sometimes I have to chuckle and say, " I hear you Lord, I hear you."  Yesterday, was one of those days.  I came into work and logged in to my Google Reader and these were the two blog posts that he gave me to start my day.

A Lesson in Losing The Weight - JonesDesignCompany.com

    Worried - The Peaceful Mom.com

Then in the break room this morning a coworker said that with all the upheaval at work he was reminded of this verse. - 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And, he said he had to ask are you sure Lord, do you need to tell someone in administration over here that?  And, it made me chuckle because with the major restructuring and layoffs going on here, we are all struggling with things that we have no control of.  My biggest struggle of course is remembering who has control!!

So... I am working on Casting all my Cares Upon Him, because I know he cares for me.  Happy Hump Day!!