Define my personal style.

I can definitely do this but I need the money! My family was always a bit poor so I couldn’t spend enough money to get a large enough wardrobe. I have inexpensive and really good outfits but they are so few that I wear them often, so it’s boring. I couldn’t get a job before because my father wouldn’t allow me (he wanted me to concentrate on my studies). But now that I am in university, even my parents notice that I need clothes and I don’t want them to feel bad. So I am working.

I’ve finally gained the weight I desperately needed so my confidence level has boosted. My hair has grown out to a good length. Excellent style will complete the package. I have good taste and a unique sense of style that suits me very well. So let’s hope that by the end of this summer, I will be more fashionable!

I won’t say I was “fashionable,” exactly. I was always a little too quirky, a little too weird for that, but it worked for me. I’d hit the vintage stores once a week. I’d spend hours on my hair. I could run in high heels. I knew what I liked, I knew what looked good on me, and I wasn’t afraid to experiment. I wasn’t afraid to stand out.

But in the past few years, I’ve drifted away from anything interesting, and into a closet full of jeans and t-shirts.

In some ways, it’s been a matter of practicality. I walked everywhere, so I had to wear shoes that would hold up to the abuse (and not kill my feet). Cute dresses were out, because they looked dumb with the comfy shoes. Makeup wasn’t really an option, because it wouldn’t hold up in wet weather (or survive multiple re-applications of sunscreen).

But, really, I could have found ways to work with those limitations. I just got lazy. It’s easy to throw on a t-shirt and jeans, pull my hair back into a ponytail, and go. But… it’s not fun.

I have regular access to a vehicle again, so I can’t fall back on the old excuses. I can wear whatever I want. I can have fun again.

Now I just have to remember how – it’s been years since I’ve really thought about any of this.

I have learned that it isn’t my appearance I want to find and express my concept of style. So I am editing the title of my goal.

I feel style is something that grows from within you. It touches every part of you and the small things you do when you interact with the world.

This is my true goal, not to be pretty.

I want to represent what i am inside.

I realized this from the books I have been studying. I have been studying art,photography, music, dance, history, fashion, and women and men of style. The people who come from humble beginnings who change the world with their presence.

I want to be comfortable in my skin and what I feel inside.

I am reading an excellent book called “The Power of Style” by Annette Tapert and Diana Edkins. I like this book because the women highlighted in this book defined themselves in very different ways. Mostly in fashion but there are other things I found interesting about them such as their background, their eye for detail and passion for living.

The small changes that I have made over the year have made me more confident. I am learning how beauty is internal and external.

• Men tip their heads or hats to me and say good morning when I make eye contact.

• More men hold the door open for me.

• My grandfather and a co-worker said that I should keep doing whatever it is I am doing because they like the changes.

• I have less men approaching me in a disrespectful manner.

• Females arm more receptive to me.

• I made a man pause his conversation and do a double take when I entered the room. This made me blush.

• I was upgraded for free to business and first class on my most recent trips. ( I dressed up, instead of wearing my typical jeans and t-shirts. I learned this trick from a book called Jermina J.)

• I no longer have to wait for taxis in New York City.

• I feel comfortable in my clothing, now that I am dressing myself, my body and my style.

I invested in a fall/winter trench coat. After a year of trying to find a suitable jacket, I have finally found the one that I have been looking for. I wore it this weekend and received compliments on the jacket. It was warm enough for the cool fall evenings.

I went and did all my health exams and passed with a good bill of health.

I still have to lower my weight which is proving to be difficult. I haven’t gain any but I still have a way to go.

It took some time but the hard part is now over. I have healthy teeth and gums. I am very happy.

I thought about getting Invisalign to straighten my teeth but when looking at my smile and some family photos I realize I can’t: I have my grandmother’s and my mother’s smile.

My teeth aren’t bad at all. My dentist agreed. I might treat myself to a whitening session at the end of the year. This way I can start the new year off with a bang!

I went out and purchased an entire set of underwear. No more granny pannies for me.

I got rich bold colors that suit me. I decided to do all color and no light colors. I like the variety and it adds a little spice to getting dressed in the morning.

I have been trying to find a good solution to keep my skin hydrated. My friend Cat suggested Coconut Oil. She uses it and gives it two thumbs up. She sent me some information on it and I did some reading.

I went to GNC and picked some up. It was unscented, unrefined organic coconut oil. It comes in a tub, it’s chunky and you have to rub it in your hands to warm it up and it turns to oil. You can use it on your skin and your hair. You can also eat it as a supplement (I’m not going that far). It has a very light coconut scent.

I normally have to put lotion on more than once a day but this stuff kept my skin supple for the entire day.

The price was pretty good. It was about $12 but I got a deal and got it for $8.

I tried it on my skin on Friday and it goes on smooth and gave my skin a nice semin natural glow. My husband liked it. I like it that it isn’t greasy and a little goes a long way.

I am going to try on my hair and see if it helps.

Normally my skin soaks up lotion and baby oil makes me feel yucky. This seems to work so far. I like it as a lip condition too.

I had my second dental cleaning visit. After the last visit I had my regualar dentist give me the pain shots. I found out that the woman who does the cleaning is only allow to give certain types of shot while the dentist can block out the entire nerve. Big difference.

So the second cleaning went better than the first. At the end of my visit I was given a Oral B electronic toothbrush to care for my teeth. It’s part of the package and a girl like me is very happy.

I have to get a polishing done in May. Now the hard work begins. I have to get some fillings, two extractions and complete a root canal. That will take about three to four more visits. I am going to pre-pay for this using my Flex Spending debit card and pay cash for the rest. The only thing I have to worry about next year is getting my partial for my missing teeth in the back.