iwantmk.comLuanne Storer,IBC

Today on Tips & Trends, I want to talk about hiding your hips. Now some of you, I’m sure, don’t need to hide your hips. For those of us that do….there are some definite fashion “no no’s” and definite fashion “yes yes’s!”

No No’s  

1. No pleats! This I would think is a no brainer, but I am still amazed that women will wear pants with pleats. Especially jeans. There is a reason why people make fun of “Mom jeans”, they are stupid looking. Period. Don’t wear them. With some dress pants, pleats are appropriate, but not for those of us trying to hide our hips. Stay away from them Ladies.
2. No pockets on the back side. A lot of the pants kids are wearing these days are low, low cut, and have pockets on the butt. Big hips? Don’t do it. In fact try to avoid side pockets and opt for pockets that are closer to the zipper.
3. No skinny jeans. Are you sad? If you’re as old as I am, I’m sure you miss the awesome skinny jeans trend from the 80’s. We have to let go girls. If you are between the ages of 35 and 45, you know what I am talking about and you also know you don’t have the same hips you had in the 80’s.
4. Don’t wear wide belts or anything that draws attention to your hips.

Yes, yes’s 

1. Wide leg trousers are great at deemphasizing the hips. They are very in and very concealing. Comphy too!
2. Wear dark colored pants. White or light colored pants will make your hips look bigger. Can’t have that, now can we? No matter what, make sure that your top is lighter than your pants or skirt. Dark colors recede.
3. Wear longer skirts. Avoid short skirts that draw attention to your hips.
4.  Accessorize with earrings and/or bulky necklaces instead of accessorizing with belts.
5. Buy the correct size. When pants are too tight, they ride up and …well, we’ve all seen it. Buy pants and skirts that are comfortable and the correct size.

Hope that helps! (If you didn’t need help in this area, I hate you will have some awesome ideas for you next Tuesday.

Kisses! 

 Kisses!!

Hi!  I’m Sherri (sis form the south)! It feels so wonderful to have Lu ask me to do the “Tale Tell Thursday” blog. First off, I have to give my sis-in-law props.  She has such a wonderful website and creates such a positive atmosphere for women.  Ok, now that the paid part of the blog is done.  LOL (Just kidding sis).  I would like to tell you about my family.  I am married to a wonderful man (dsto’s older bro  – from the Brothers Studios  fame www.brothersstudios.com )Big Bro’ D.  We have been married now for 10 years this year.  It really amazes me that it has been 10 years.  On one hand we still feel like that new married couple and on the other hand, we are so comfortable with our relationship that it glides.  Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have our disagreements but we find they are small and we have found ways to work around them. We don’t have any children but we do have a precious puppy name Lulu.  She is the queen, princess and owner of all the humans in the house.  BTW – every soft surface is hers, if you do not know that and visit she will gladly explain that to you – loudly.

 God has been good to us. He has provided us with a very loving and supportive family; mine and his.  I am an only child.  Now don’t pity me for one silly second; I was LOVED rotten and received plenty of socialization with other children.  I was raised on a hill with 6 cousins.  Yes, I said hill.  We were raised in the hills of East Tennessee on a farm and loved every minute of it.  Much to my glee – I lived next door to my grandparents who spoiled me and my cousins immensely. My hubby’s family lives well, all over the US.  We don’t get to visit much but we do keep in touch.  Lu’s blog has helped us keep up with one another’s lives in a way we have never been able to before.  Big Bro’ D has 3 brothers, two of which are “The Brothers Studios”. We are thankful to them for the creation of Brother’s Studios; it gives them a creative outlet that gives the wives some time with each other when they all get together.  My hubby and I still reside on that same hill with my parents.  My parents, father in particularly, are older and we live in the apartment at their house to help care for them.  

My hubby is a writer and a very good one at that.  If you don’t believe this sweet innocent southern belle of a wife, just check out his writer’s blog at www.notthepen.blogspot.com.  In addition to a great writer, my hubby will be a college graduate on December 13, 2008.  He will graduate from Tusculum College (www.tusculum.edu/adult) with a bachelor’s degree.  I’m so proud of him!!!!!!  It has been such a long hard journey for him.  He started his college career in July 2004 and has plugged away at it for all this time.  This is especially sweet for him; he never thought he was capable of college level work.  Look at the amazing work God has done in his life.  I love you honey and I’m so proud of your accomplishments!

I have been a member of a cooking club for almost two years now. It is AWESOME! Different people run cooking clubs in different ways, so let me give you the skinny on what we do.

Once a month we each have a cooking assignment. I pick a meal or two and the group approves one of them and it is my meal assignment for the month. I go to the store and get enough ingredients to make 14 of the same meal. Each meal is enough for a family of six. I freeze them flat in my freezer with the directions for cooking and date on the front of the Ziploc.

The whole group then gets together at a designated time and a designated restaurant. We have dinner, laugh, talk, catch up, and then we get out our freezer cookbooks and discuss who will be making what meal for the next month. After dinner and assignments for next month are over, we all go out to our vehicles and exchange meals. Each person gets 2 of each meal. When we are finished swapping, we give hugs and bid each other a good month and go home with 14 frozen meals (7 different ones but two of each.) 

These are the top 5 reasons why this works so well for me:

1. I love the fact that we all get 2 of the same meal because if I have company, I can use both meals and have enough for 12 people.
2. I did not have to buy all the ingredients for 14 different meals. I just bought a lot of ingredients for one meal and I usually make it when I buy it so I don’t even have to put those away.
3. I always have ready meals in the freezer when life gets crazy or the DH is taking care of dinner.
4. I always have ready meals in the freezer when other people are in need.
5. I don’t have to think about what I am going to make every night. I just pull something out of the freezer, thaw (or not) and cook.

For more works for me ideas go to www.rocksinmydryer.net

I can defiantly tell you that tanning is a “No, no!”  A lot of people seem to feel ok about tanning beds because they don’t have those harmful UVB rays…well…I hate to tell you, but the UVA rays are harmful too. Not to mention how leathery it makes your skin look. It is just not good for you. Period.

If you really feel like you need that sun kissed look, use a bronzer, a self tanning lotion, or get sprayed at the salon. If done correctly, all three of these are great options.

MK has bronzers and highlighters. Stay tuned for a class on using both of these. As far as self tanning lotion goes, our new Subtle Tanning Lotion is a must have. The tan develops subtly within several days. Maximum color is reached within a week. Follow these tips and you will have an awesome tan.

On the other hand, fair healthy beautiful skin is always “in.” Remember, take care of your skin and call me if you have any questions.

Enjoy the sun!

Kisses!