Style Tip #1: Working with Wardrobe Staples

Fashion Tip #1: Working with Wardrobe Staples

By Preethi Harbuck

Hello, sisters! I'm thrilled to be able to connect with each of you virtually via this fantastic Arlington 2nd RS blog. I've been a blog-lover for several years now, and have found so many interesting fashion tips, recipes, tutorials and PEOPLE who inspire me. Because what are the interwebs for if not to blatantly steal others' ideas and make them my own? :) (And what is Pinterest for if not to track all of them?)

Background
I've been in the ward for about 2.5 years. We moved here for my husband's job with the government, as well as for my MBA program at Georgetown, which I completed last May. I now work part-time from home in the public education space, doing marketing work. It's the perfect opportunity to do something I love while also doing something I love even more, which is playing mom to our 16-month old son Nat.

Why a Fashion Blog?
I started a fashion blog, lace, etc., late last year as a sort of internal motivation to get dressed and look presentable on a (mostly) daily basis. I found that as a stay-at-home-mom, it was all too easy for me to stay in my jammies all day. But I find that I feel much better about myself and my capabilities, and subsequently am more confident and productive through my day, if I actually take a few minutes to put on non-flannel clothing.

Fashion Tip
It's easy, though, in the world of fashion to see great outfits that other people are wearing and think, "I need that!" or "I need to buy ___!" But I've found that with a little creativity, most people have a lot to work with right in their own closets.

So today, I'll be giving a quick overview of how to take advantage of one wardrobe basic that you probably already have lying around your closet.

Staple #1: Basic Button Down
The quintessential white button-down. Boring, right? Wrong. This one closet staple, either in white or another color, is super versatile. And with the right layers and/or accessories, it can be anything but boring. For a classic look, try it tucked (or front-tucked) into trouser/skinny jeans or a skirt. You could button it all the way up and wear a chunky necklace or scarf over it, or you could tie it at the bottom. You could wear it under a cute dress or under a cardigan. The possibilities are endless!

   

  

    

    

         

   

(PS - feel free to click through on any of the images to see additional photos and sources of each outfit!)

Simple Craft Idea

Quick and Easy Thank You Note
By Amelia Poll

I am all about quick gratification when it comes to craft projects. And with a little one running around, there isn’t much time to spend on long, drawn out projects. These cards are extremely fast and super simple to whip up. They are also a great scrap buster because they can be made in any size. 
Supplies:

Cardstock for card

Scrapbook paper

Scissors

Sewing machine & thread or glue (I prefer a glue stick – quick dry time, I’m impatient)

Directions:

These cards can be made in any size, and with any embellishment shape you choose. I chose to make mine small – 3.25 inches x 5.5 inches. Whatever size you choose, cut out your card, and fold it in half (even faster? Use a pre-made card. I always have a stack of blank cards that are just awaiting embellishment).

I thought hearts would be one of the easiest shapes to do, so I went with some pink cardstock and patterned pink scrapbook paper scraps. To make the heart pattern, I went with the method learned in elementary school – fold a piece of paper in half, draw half a heart on the fold and cut it out – works every time.

If you are using a sewing machine, use the heart to trace and cut out three hearts, if you are using a glue stick, cut out 4 hearts. If you are one of the lucky ones to have a cutting machine, this step is even easier.

For those with a sewing machine: Once your hearts are cut out, stack all three hearts on top of each other, and place them in the center, front of your card. Using a straight stitch, sew down the middle of your stack of hearts. I lengthened the stitch length on my machine, but that is not necessary. I did one back stitch at the beginning and end of my line, but it is definitely not required.

Trim your threads, fluff your hearts, and you are done!

Now, go make a bunch more J (Yes, you can see the threads on the other side of the card. It doesn’t bother me, but if you don’t like it, you can cut out a piece of paper to fit the inside of your card and glue it down once you’ve sewn on the hearts.)

For those using a glue stick: 

Fold three hearts in half, patterned sides together. Take two of the hearts and glue one side of each to the other. Take the third folded heart and glue it to one of the other sides (it doesn’t matter which side). Glue the fourth, and only unfolded heart, to the center of the card front.

The hearts that you glued together should now form a heart shape on the back. Put glue on the heart that is attached to the card front, and attach the 3D heart you created out of the other three hearts.


Ta-done! Go make a bunch more, as well. This general technique could be used with any number of designs. I am planning to make some shamrocks using green hearts for St. Patrick’s Day – send someone some good luck for the 17^th. Have fun with these, and make them your own. It is always nice to have a cute card on hand for any occasion. Enjoy!!

Poem

I Leave My Life in the Hand of the Lord

By Helen Nguyen

I leave my life in the hand of the Lord
By believing in prayers through day and night
So he shall strengthen me and love me more

Sometimes, cruel things in life make me deplore
But I’ve learned to endure and to abide
I leave my life in the hand of the Lord

I did bad things and had bad life before
Now I repent and am under His guide
I know the Lord shall help and love me more

Life is a long path and sometimes is bored
So I trust the Lord as my guiding light
I leave my life in the hand of the Lord

I know my good deeds will open the door
For me to a place of heavenly delight
Where the Lord shall love and care for me more

In the last days good things will be restored
All human beings will be nice and kind
All things are good in the hand of the Lord
And He shall bless and love us even more

Book Club Review

State of Wonder

Review by Jenica Hardy

For Book Club in February, we read and discussed State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. The conversation was lively as there was a wide variety of opinion about the book! Opinions varied from “Readable but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone” to “One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.” A main plot point of the book was about a doctor living with an Amazonian tribe whose women could get pregnant well into old age. The doctor was there to discover the cause of this prolonged fertility and to develop a drug to address infertility. There was much discussion about how realistic this was. Sadly, this conversation did not bear much fruit (unlike the women of this tribe) since we all conceded we really had no idea how realistic it was. Obviously a group of science-minded women. While we all had different thoughts about the book there was across the board agreement that one action by the main character at the end of the book was ridiculous and completely unnecessary for the plot. I will not say what it was for those who are still interested in reading it, but trust me; you will know it when you see it. And you will not like it.

For March we will be discussing Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Join us on Thursday, March 8th at 8:00 pm at my home!

RS Spotlight

WENDY HAUER

My husband, Allan, and I have two grown children living in Montana and New Mexico. I am the middle child of five and Allan is an only child so he had a rude awakening when we married. I have a degree in Home Economics Education from BYU. We have been in the ward for six years. I was born into the church. For most of the six years I have been in an Arlington ward I have had the most fun calling ever. I am a visiting teacher to the inactive sisters. I started out with 64 but now am down to 24 sisters. I also write an original poem each month to make a birthday card for Relief Society sisters. I love to read and am in the middle of eighteen books (including the Book of Mormon!) I love to quilt and am now working on numbers 155,156, and 157. Most of them I give away. I love to write and write at least one poem a month and am planning on writing one short short story a month. I have a compelling urge to paint, and am working on finishing a painting each month for the coming year. I enjoy long stitch needle point crochet ,cross stitch, cooking and making up recipes.

1. What do you do to unwind? Read
2. What is your simplest pleasure? Watching sunsets
3. How do you snap out of a bad mood? Listen to music or talk to my daughter
4. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why? I couldn’t decide. There were too many things I wanted to do. I chose Home Economics Ed because I could do a lot of them and became a stay at home mom so I could do them all.
5. What is your favorite item of clothing and why? Sweaters, blue jeans and sandals because I’m a slob. A hippy western slob.
6. What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod? I can’t remember and it needs charging to find out. My son put it on when I wasn’t looking. (or listening)
7. What chore do you put off? Cleaning the litter box.
8. What is your favorite indulgence? See’s Key Lime Truffles
9. What has been your proudest moment? Seeing my children graduate
10. What is your greatest talent? listening
11. Where would you like to have a vacation home? Scotland
12. What is your favorite time of day and why? Monday morning at 6:00 because I get to start over again with a fresh week.
13. If you could have a super power, what would it be? Run and not be weary
14. What is one thing you have always wanted to do? Sing on key