{my 25 cents}

Well hidy-hello there.  It took everything in my person not to say "neighbor" after that salutation. I don't know why but I seriously equate clothing with Mister Rogers far more than I ever imagined I would. Yes, it would appear his patented change from street clothes to house attire with the classic sweater & shoe scene stuck on a pretty strong synapse in my little girl mind.  Hence, here.we.are. Ah, the beauty of an introduction.  Mister Rogers did us up something right, didn't he though?

Alright, let's get jiggy with it. Goodness gracious, I love words.  Wanna know why?  They're versatile.  Much like the shirt in your closet, a word can be used multiple ways to administer a completely different meaning and communicate a completely different idea.  Let's take the word fashion for example:

Above you will see this word has 2 meanings.  Read them. And then pay attention to the latter definition.  That's where we're setting up happy camp today, peeps. You see, the 2nd definition is the one busting with glory.  Not the first.  The first will fade out. TOTES, it will.  TOTES, it does. Do you see anyone these days wearing hot pants or the 1980's high bangs? I think not.  Told you.

I love the idea that fashion is a manner in which you do something. It's not how popular you are or how much money you have.  It's you.  Your manner.  It's character and beauty bundled up.  That's fashion to me.

Fashion gets a bad wrap.  With plastic caps popped off & locked securely on the top, people hover too much with their neon highlighters over the 1st definition.  Pressing down with the angle just right, we stroke back and forth as a society on the "popular".  And you know what's happening? Little girls are bleeding our neon ink.

Here are a few alarming statistics.  81% of 10 year old girls are afraid of being fat.  91% of women would like to change at least one aspect of the physical appearance. Every 7 minutes a girl is bullied in the school yard, playground, stairwell, classroom or bathroom. These statistics on women & confidence are hurtful and so very here.  More & more little ones lean on the labels for safety against their fear of not fitting in or not being in the  "fashion popular."  Price tags pronounce ridiculous innuendoes from the storefront windows.  "Buy  me and be cute." "Wear me and you'll won't want to eat be pretty & skinny."

I still wear the scars of guilt for wanting to eat lunch in junior high.  I lick the wounds of not having that precious label living on the inside of my clothes that dignified me as "the in-crowd".  I can only imagine what young ladies are experiencing now during their 20 minute lunch periods.  I wonder how many sit and starve in head-to-toe name brand attire counting the ever-lovin' minutes until they arrive home only to scarf down & satiate the hurt of popular.

Above you'll see a portion of the lyrics from this very popular song from August of 1960. I find such motivation in these lines.  Yes, some may take the typical spin on these lyrics stating that this song was about the potential guilt felt from wearing a barely there bathing suit and the story of coming out for all to see.  But that's where I trump that take with the versatility of words and the beauty that lies within.  For like fashion, I see the 2nd definition in these lyrics.  I see the little girl wanting to be healthy and strong and liked and loved.  I see her hiding inside her locker out of fear. Fear of failure.  Fear of food.  Fear of ridicule and bashing all for a tag that sits on the inside stitched where no one can see.

So sweet little one there inside your locker peeking out of the slated grates holding back tears, this post is dedicated to you.  Yes, you.  For fashion is not the trending and the popular.  Don't settle for the 1st.  Live in the 2nd.   Fashion comes from within.  It's you.  It's the manner you choose to do something.  It's creating your own label with the glory found in the God who created you to be just exactly the beautiful you are.  It's there where confidence becomes your strength.  It's scary to live out at times.  Trust me.  It's not mainstream.  But, it's everything you. Now that's fashion.  Allow me to provide the proof.

Above is my "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini".  {Well played, Meg.  Well played.}  I bought this shirt at my local Goodwill.  It was waded up in the scarf bin.  The clerk gave it to me for the scarf price of just $.25 since it was misplaced.  The Simply Basic brand is vintage Wal-Mart.  As in, they don't even carry this brand anymore.  Um, yeah.  That's what I  like to call "ode-skool".

Did you know that the color yellow is the best color for creating enthusiasm for life and awakens feelings for greater confidence and optimism? No wonder I gravitated towards this polka dotted wad amid the scarves. I love color research.  It's so fascinating to see how colors and lighting really affect an individual as well as represent their person.

Here's the latest looks from Anthropologie, J. Crew and Target to give you a taste at what's "in" and freshly folded on the storefront shelves.  I decided to take my version of the  "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and create 8 different outfits using only what I had in my closet.  All of the articles of clothing used in this experiment are from Goodwill & Wal-Mart.  I rarely shop anywhere else.  This includes the shoes with the exception of the 2 pair of booties purchased from Ross and Shoe Dazzle and one coat that was a superfine gift from a friend. My goal?  To show the happy found in your own and the freedom that comes from creating with what exists.  New duds and credit cards coughing up at their maxed limit are not necessary.  Not.necessary.  Those labels we all seek as we secretly stay stuffed inside our lockers scared of not being awesome like everyone else {Can you tell I just watched The Lego Movie?} are BOE-GUS.  Not real. Made up.  Fake.  Awesome comes from finding your rhythm and letting your light shine.  Little ones, I so hope you heed these words.

So, here's the scoop.  I've named these 8 looks.  Why?  Because I live in a house full of men and truly find complete & utter freaktastic joy in bringing my little girl adoration of playing Fashion Plates to real life that's why.  I've done something like this before if you'll remember.  {See here for my $1.00 Dress Challenge} If you want, spend some time perusing the showrooms of the above fashion distilleries I linked previously.  You'll find that some of my get-ups are in cadence with what's trending.  And you'll also find that they're totally off the beaten path of now.  Pay attention to the latter.  That's where we're setting up happy camp today, peeps. You see, the 2nd is the one busting with glory.  Not the first. The first will fade out.  TOTES, it will.  TOTES, it does.

It may not be my 2 cents on fashion, but my 25 cents of yellow polka dots tell me that there is beauty in believing in the who you hold up.  That strength comes from being healthy & hopeful in the light you have to share with others.  Little miss, remember that you have so much to offer the world.  Don't sell yourself short by believing that worth comes from a brand, a price tag or an empty plate at lunch.  Life is for living full of color boasting the beauty of God's creation: YOU.

Now.  That's more like it.  

Potential.  We all have it.  It comes in all different shapes and sizes.  Thankful am I for the wad of polka dots in us all...for the first time today.

.mac :)

{A special thank you to Casey McGill Cobble, my 7 year old photographer, for this post.}

{The answer to this post?  Um, they're on my feet 2 times in this post!}

Did you have a favorite look?  I'd love to know!  Can't decide on just one?  Leave a comment for your answer.

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