The Padded Bra Epidemic

        Alright, Ladies and Gents.  Is it just me, or are we living in some kind of padded bra epidemic.  Last time I went bra shopping it took me forever to find a normal bra, you know, the kind without all the added fluff and stuff.  It's like hunting for an endangered species.  It's almost as if the entire clothing industry is trying to tell me "trust us, lady, you need help".  I mean, some of it is absolutely ridiculous!  One bra was obviously for the persons who like to make a mountain out of a mole hill.  Where I come from, we generally discourage that kind of behavior, and in this case, I STRONGLY discourage it.  However, it was appropriately named "sweet nothings" cause that's exactly what has to be there in order to fit in that bra.
        But the reason I'm bringing all this up is because wearing these things has created a new problem that I'm quite sure will never be a cultural fad, "the tri-boob".  What is it, you say?  Well, when a woman wears a very heavily padded bra and chooses to do something other than stand as stiff as a mannequin,  her natural talents will navigate to the middle out of sheer necessity, creating the look of three bosoms instead of two.    I remember being 9 or 10 years old and shoving cotton balls down my shirt because even then, there was a sense that you needed to be more than what you were.  A grown woman, however, should be more cautious.  It's like three piglets were ceased and smuggled from a near by farm.  It doesn't quite create the alluring affect one might desire, it might make them hungry for bacon, though.  In this case, three is definitely a crowd and no more than two should be allowed.
        Hey, I confess, I've been there and done that and realized that it is quite uncomfortable because you're always trying to adjust, and you feel self conscience anyway because you think everyone will figure out your little secret.  But I've come to really enjoy the confidence that comes from being who you are.  When you go natural there is real freedom!  A confident woman is a beautiful woman.  And a woman who is truly confident is the one that accepts herself for who and what she is.  I'm not going to lie, it's not always easy to do that when the world seems to pressure you to enhance this and that.  A woman can hardly step out of the door without feeling an instant reminder that she's not air-brushed perfection.  But if it comes down to choosing between so much enhancement that you end up with three or just being me, I vote "me" because "Tri-Boobs are unattractive".

F.Y.I.  Next time you go bra shopping...........
         
Save yourself the anguish of having to explain, or the cost of alcohol to trick somebody into                           believing you're something that you're not. 
Remember, 
           1.  the truth always comes out.  lol
           2.  Push-ups don't boost your confidence.  Confidence comes from the inside out.
           3.  You are not your bra size
         

The Natural You it the Better You


Thank You  for visiting http://fyi4Less.blogspot.com teaching you how to look fabulous with a lot less aggravation.


(This blog is not intended to bring any condemnation to the beautiful women who have survived breast cancer.  We applaud your triumph and bravery. <3)

My Hot Anniversary

        Today is my 15 year wedding anniversary.  Wow! It hardly seems real!  Some days I think about my life and it seems as if I've been acting in an extended play about the game of life.  I mean really, how did I end up with 5 kids?  Yes, there's the obvious reasons why, and they don't really involve birds and bees but something more intricate and mysterious than the wild life channel.  And more miraculous than that, I woke up today feeling young and refreshed, alive and thriving.
       How do two young people, fresh from high school and hormones survive 15 years of marriage?  Why is it that I still want to please him with what I wear, how I style my hair?  Why does it matter to me that the fragrance I choose or the jewelry that I use is in line with his desires?  I'm not going to lie, I love to get dressed just for me.  You can't live every day for somebody else without getting bored or resentful.  Some days are "Me" days.  But today, my anniversary, I want him to be pleased. Well pleased.
       Unfortunately, today felt like fire in the wind.  It was 90 degrees of hot steamy hot, not sexy hot.  So how do you dress beautiful, yet remain cool, keeping in mind that my car's air conditioner doesn't work.  So whatever I wear better remain attractive after perspiration is applied.
        My first choice was a beautiful black beach dress that I haven't worn for years.  It was too small. For many years, I've tried to put on weight attempting to be what I thought I ought to be, (a black woman with curves to spare) but I couldn't ever achieve my ideal goals.  God made me who I am and he allowed plenty of frustration in the process of me trying to change that.  This past year I just finally gave up and decided I was fine being black barbie or to some, Olive oil from Popeye.  I believe one of the keys to a successful marriage is accepting who you are.  When you accept who you are, you'll accept your spouse for who they are.  That was just a side note.
        Well, the black dress didn't work out.  It finally fit, but the zipper was damaged and it was quite a disappointment.  Later on I found out it was a blessing in disguise.  I went through my drawers and closets, pulled out another black blouse and skirt combo and quickly realized I was going to melt away before I stepped foot out of the house.  Time was running out and it dawned on me that I had a frilly white skirt both light weight, elegant, and sexy, which would go great with a white tank-top from GAP.  I had recently bought a purple feather earring and necklace combo that would've complimented the black dress just perfectly.  With reluctance, I put it on with the white ensemble and didn't feel that same pleasure.  But time was ticking away.  I applied make up (frost, purple, and green), and my purple turtle ring, purple nail polish, and it surprisingly came all together.  When I presented myself to my husband on our Anniversary, he didn't get a tired mommy of 5 children but a woman young, refreshed, alive and thriving.

F.Y.I.  Just because life hands you a quiver full of responsibilities, and a life time commitment to live up to, doesn't mean you have to look like you're carrying the weight of the world.
       1.  Don't dress like a mom on your anniversary
       2.  Sexy still applies after 15 years
       3.  You're only as young as you think you are
       4.  Don't let the weather keep you from looking amazing.  

photography by:  my baby girl, Savanna

purple feather jewelry 1.50$

1.00$ tank top

5.00$ purse from flee market
5.00$ sunglasses from NY
Photo by: Letriah Masters

Savanna's favorite pic
mine too.
Good job, baby girl.

Wear It With Pride!

         Recently I posted a video blog that practically announced to the whole world that I worked at Taco Bell.  At first, I felt a little embarrassed after clicking that publish button.  A woman at my age and station in life should, perhaps, be well off in her career life doing something other than what most people view as a starter job.  I realized that thanks to television and cultural expectations,  I viewed myself less than what I should based on the stigma of fast food employment.  But I can honestly say, that every day, I enjoyed my work.  I got to meet new people, serve faithful patrons and got to know them by name. I loved handling money, and benefited from the diversity of doing different jobs, instead of being hypnotized every day by monotony.
          At the end of each day, I left knowing that I worked with integrity and gave my job my very best by making each customer feel welcome and appreciated.  On occasion, I had an off day, but nobody's perfect.  I got to experience first hand that serving others is the easiest and best way to take the focus from your own problems. I  made someone else's day by smiling and being hospitable.  I also had ample opportunity to grow in will and resolve  when faced with difficult customers and intense circumstances outside of my control.
         All that said, I recently had my last day at Taco Bell to make room for new changes in my life and when I walked from those doors in my uniform I felt pride.  For over 4 years I had given my very best. I worked for the one who gave me breath in my body not for any man or woman or any company.  It is for that reason I wore it with pride.  No matter what station you find yourself in life or job that you hold, you should "wear it with pride".  Suit and ties, khakis and button downs, jeans and t-shirts, uniforms and jumpsuits, aprons or flak jackets. Your time is your life.  When you give your life for something, you should give it your all. For that is time you'll never get back.
          So if today you have to put on an uniform, "WEAR IT WITH PRIDE".

F.Y.I   Butterflies ware the same pattern (uniform) every day, yet they radiate beauty being just who they are. 
           1.  Don't let your uniform define you
           2.  Who you are is more important than where you are
           3.  Character and integrity look great on all regardless of your station in life
           4.  Remember who you work for

photography by my 2 daughters
Washington DC

Thank you for visiting http://fyi4less.blogspot.com

From Taco Bell to Glamour Girl

Hello everyone.  This is my first video blog.  I hope you enjoy it!
 I love my job, but it is not who I am or the image I want to be remembered by.  When I get home from work I need a transformation to remind me that though I work in a uniform world, I am an individual with a face all my own and my life can bring beauty to the world around me.  (no pride intended)

Also featured is the dress I paid only 3.60$ for at Kohls.

Enticing

Beauty is Enticing.

We live in a world at war. Death, fear, tears, hatred and despair clouds our skies and veils our eyes in the presence of the brightest mornings.  It clogs our ears during majestic symphonies, it shrouds our heart in the midst of pure unconditional love.  It magnifies fear, when the bravest stand before us.   Surely there is one thing that reminds us of all things good and true and redeeming.

Beauty.

It is a GIFT.  Is it not a sign of hope to see a flower bloom in a desolate place, a rainbow after the torrential rains, a new tower arising in the face of fallen ashes, a beautiful women in the eyes of a man who is fighting a seemingly endless war.  Beauty is enticing.  Perhaps you think that I am speaking of the beauty that tempts/taunts us from the magazine racks of every store, or the beauty that we can never seem to attain and leaves us grasping for every quick fix in angry desperation.  I recently read in a book "the unveiled beauty of a woman Entices and invites....and it is her heart that determines what she is inviting people to."  (Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge   pg136)  What we encounter via the internet and media is most often the door to destruction and constant striving but true Beauty speaks of acceptance, rest, intimacy, and it invites us to life.

 The definition of Enticing is to lead on by exciting hope and desire.  At first glance, the term "lead on" can deliver a negative message but if we break it down a little, the word "lead" means this;   To go before or with to show the way,  to conduct by holding or guiding,  to influence,  to guide in direction, course, action, and opinion, etc.

If we, then, insert that definition into place, it reads like this. To ENTICE means to show the way by the rod of hope and desire. To conduct by holding or guiding with the harness of hope and desire.  To influence others by encouraging hope and desire. To bring direction, stir up action, and sway an opinion with the power of hope and desire.  To determine a particular course using the compass of hope and desire

     Therefore, the Enticing Woman that I speak of is one that shows us the way we should go in wisdom.  She holds the reins of our dreams and guides our hearts to believe our desires are within our grasp. She influences our decisions, brings direction and stirs our souls to action on behalf of justice and integrity. She alters our opinions of our darkest days by planting seeds of hope and desire in the soil of our lives.  Most of all, her presence is not a threat but an asset.  What does this woman look like?  She looks like you.  She looks like me.  She is the one that takes the time to love herself and invites others to do the same.  Sure, it's easy to lead others into lust and infatuation.  To be honest, You don't have to be beautiful to do that.  I Dare you to be Enticing, to lead on(ward) by exciting hope and desire.

      F.Y.I.   A Rose Entices one to

            1.  Pause, Inhale deeply, reflect on what is good

            2.  Touch, enjoy a caress

            3.  Risk getting pricked.  Roses have thorns as life has trials, yet its beauty beckons us to take hold of it.

Let your beauty encourage others to take hold of life.

photography by Letriah Masters
My daughter's first rose 6/5/12