Day 14 and 15

Day 14: Style 31. Post an outfit picture.



So, this is what you get. Taking a picture of myself, or even just what I was wearing, was difficult! I tried getting Zoe to take one but she kept goofing around, so I had to figure it out!

As far as the outfit goes, I wear jeans a lot. So, instead of always just a t-shirt of sweatshirt, I try to dress it up. Today is a smocked collar, 3/4 sleeve shirt with a scarf. I love scarves - they go with everything and on windy, blustery days like today, are so nice and cozy. My Dansko mary-janes and Smartwool socks are keeping my feet nice and toasty too!

Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

Dear Becky -

You are my sister-in-law but you were my friend first. Before boys, drama, life, babies, jobs - you were a friend. I was always drawn to you fun-loving spirit and miss the days of working out, shopping and just being women with no worries.

I have so loved watching you as you have moved into your role of mommy. You have your hands full with 3 babies 4 years and under! I think you are doing an amazing job and I pray for you regularly - your sanity, peace of mind, health, spirit and well-being. Your job is an important one, but remember to take care of yourself as well. My mom used to always say, jokingly, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" and there is a real truth to that! Do what makes you happy; be what makes you happy!

Be Beautiful, my friend!

Day 8

Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!

My toe-nails are ALWAYS painted. Even in the dead of winter, they look good. Even if everything else is out of place and disheveld, I know that my toes look good!

And I always wear mascara and lip gloss - C.O. Bigelow Mentha-Shine is my favorite - just a hint of color.

Day 3

Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?



Beautiful Danika with her girls

I first met Danika in college. She intimidated me and made me a bit nervous (she'll be surprised to read that!). She had been at Western since she was a freshman, and I was a transfer student, so I was a newbie. We were both starting the Human Services program as juniors and I knew NOBODY and she knew EVERYONE, or at least it seemed like she did! I remember thinking how confident, self-assured, outgoing, engaging, friendly cute, perky and athletic she was! ***Side note - Danika is a runner. Not a part-time, when I feel like it runner either. I had the bright idea to run with her one time - hahahaha! What a joke on me that was!! That ended our lets-run-together relationship.

I have fond memories of the first few years of friendship - Core, studying, hanging-out, partying - she told me her house was only a "few" blocks from downtown Bellingham, when we decided to walk home after a night out. It wasn't. And she kept wanting to sit down on the side-walk and rest. And it was cold. We worked together for a year, right out of college and it was great. I knew then that Danika was a forever-friend.

Life has taken many twists and turns and through it all, she continues to be an inspiration of beauty to me (read my Day 1 post). She has a great attitude about life, even when things haven't gone smoothly or how she planned them (she's a planner, like me!) She's a wonderful mother and teacher - she is patient and kind and oh-so creative. I remember when my neighbor met her recently (they are going to school together) and how awe-struck and inspired he was by her attitude about life. He saw her Beauty. I don't see Danika very often (we live 80 miles apart, have families, etc. etc.) but she means a lot to me and always makes me feel beautiful!

*Danika - thank you for sharing your Beauty with everyone you meet. Kira and Elke are so lucky to have you as their mom, showing them what true beauty is. Chad is lucky to have you as a partner and I'm lucky to have you has a friend. Love you!!

THE Project 31 LIST:

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

Day 1

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?

You always think you have the answers to questions like this, but when you think about it, there is so much more to it. It's more than what you or other people see on the surface. I think it's more about what you don't see that defines beauty to me.

• peace
• joy
• God's never-ending grace and forgiveness
• laughter - not taking life too seriously and being able to laugh at yourself
• self-assurance, even when you feel scared and nervous
• feeling loved
• grace towards others
• feeling appreciated
• confidence, or at least acting like you have it! I'm always amazed when people tell me they think I'm self-confident - I NEVER feel very confident. I always second-guess myself, always feel like I'm forgetting something and worrying that I'm not doing enough.
• kindness - it goes along way and speaks SO LOUDLY to others. It speaks so much to your beauty and soul.
• patience - I need to work on this. I'm not always very patient and I don't think I'm setting a good example to the girls. You should see me in the school parking lot. Not good. Not good at all.
• unconditional love

These are just a few of the things I hope to teach Zoe, Teagan and Harper about what TRUE beauty is. I want them to grow up knowing they are beautiful, inside and out, no matter what.