What's the difference between Brocade fabrics and Damask? 

It's in the type of threads and the weave.

"Brocade fabrics mainly consist of solid or multi-colored silk threads, often times combined with gold or silver metallic threads. A brocade is woven by adding a supplementary weft to the weave, creating the illusion that sections have been embossed into the fabric, or embroidered on top of it. The back (or wrong side) of a brocade is determined quite easily, as it will have groups of threads that have been trimmed away or left out of the weave and look more messy." BurdaStyle.com

The word Brocade actually comes from an Italian word that means embossed cloth. See the pictures of Brocade below.

You can see why Brocade is "embossed", while Damask isn't. Both are gorgeous. Both will get you plenty of complements. 

Top 10 benefits of drinking water...
1) boosted energy
2) weight loss
3) stress relief
4) improved fitness
5) better skin
6) regular digestion
7) rid of impurities
8) boosted immunity
9) less headaches
10) save money

Will post more on this but taking a sick day.

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Stripes are not always prevalent in Fall and Winter fashion, but this year is an exception. 

Not only is this year an exception, but you can wear stripes with stripes and add more stripes.

Also...Not only that, but you can wear vertical stripes with horizontal stripes.

Basically, all of the previous, traditional fashion rules are out the door this year.

This post is funny because it reminds me of my oldest, who loves SpongeBob. So, I have to share this video in honor of all of these stripes.

Do you feel stiff and achy when you wake up, and throughout the day?

You need to move your body. Walk. Bike. Yoga. Stretch. Anything.

Movement will open blocked blood vessels and arteries. It will lubricate your joints and muscles. It will help to strengthen your muscles and tendons, which protect your joints. It will help your organs to function better.

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Our excitement was building.

I had beautiful bridal showers, wonderful people in my life were so kind to give.

We had so much going on but it all fit together perfectly. This is part of how I knew that it all was right. When things don't work out, the Universe is trying to tell you something.

The day came and I was kind of nervous. I think it was more excitement, but anxiety was definitely there. The little girl inside me was scared that I wasn't good enough.

I showed up at the temple and waited and waited. We were to be there at a certain time as bride and groom to get ready. 

Steve had forgotten his socks (which I didn't know at the time) and was late. The thoughts started to race. Did he decide not to come? Did he decide I wasn't good enough? 

I was so afraid!

When Steve walked up and inside, I was so relieved to see him. He actually didn't know that he was supposed to be there as early as me.  

We went in. I went to the bridal room and got ready. He went to where the grooms go and got ready.

The guests were streaming into the sealing room and anxiously awaiting the start of the ceremony.

It was time. I was so ready. Still nervous, but so ready.

We went up to the sealing room, into that beautiful space with all of those wonderful people. We sat on a love seat together with our mothers in chairs on each of our sides. His mother to his left. My mother to my right. 

The energy in the room was so full of spiritual excitement and beautiful calm. The lighting was so celestial. The mirrors on each side of the room showed the eternal continuation. The giant chandelier in the center of the room sparkled like it held some magic power. The middle of the room held and altar where we would kneel across from each other during the wedding. It was a blush pink. There were whites, grays, blush pinks, soft greens. 

I could not find a picture of the older sealing room, but below is a picture of what an LDS temple sealing room looks like as of recent.

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There are actually different types of plaid that originate from different areas of the world.

Glen Plaid actually originates from "Glenurquhart in Inverness-shire, Scotland in the 1920's. It's from woollen fabric with a woven twill design of small and large checks.[1] It is usually made of black/grey and white, or with more muted colours, particularly with two dark and two light stripes alternate with four dark and four light stripes which creates a crossing pattern of irregular checks.[2] Glen plaid as a woven pattern may be extended to cotton shirtingand other non-woollen fabrics." Wikipedia.

I just could not explain it except through pictures on my own, so I had to cite this quote to do so. However, here are pictures.

How many other types of plaid are there? Quite a few actually.

Tattersall Plaid
"The pattern is composed of regularly-spaced thin, even vertical warpstripes, repeated horizontally in the weft, thereby forming squares.The stripes are usually in two alternating colours, generally darker on a light ground.[1] The cloth pattern takes its name from Tattersall'shorse market, which was started in London in 1766.[2] During the 18th century at Tattersall's horse market blankets with this checked pattern were sold for use on horses.[1]" Wikipedia

Madras
"Authentic Madras comes from Chennai (Madras); both sides of the cloth must bear the same pattern; it must be handwoven (evidenced by the small flaws in the fabric).[1] Cotton madras is woven from a fragile, short-staple cotton fiber that can’t be combed, only carded,[1] resulting in bumps known as slubs which are thick spots in the yarn that give madras its unique texture. The cotton is hand-dyed after being spun into yarn, woven and finished in some 200 small villages in the Madras area.[1]" Wikipedia

Gingham
"Gingham is a medium-weight balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn.[1] It is made of carded, medium or fine yarns, where the colouring is on the warp yarns and always along the grain (weft)." Wikipedia

Houndstooth
"Houndstooth, hounds tooth check or hound's tooth, also known as dogstooth, dogtooth, dog's tooth, or pied-de-poule, is a duotone textile pattern characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes, often in black and white, although other colours are used." Wikipedia

Border Tartan
"Border tartan, sometimes known as Northumbrian tartan, Shepherds' Plaid or Border Drab, or Border check is a design used in woven fabrics historically associated with the Anglo-Scottish Border, including the Scottish Borders and Northumbria." Wikipedia

Tartan
"Tartan (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈbɾʲɛxkən]) is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns." Wikipedia

So there you have it. More than you probably every wanted to know about plaids and their origins. Whatever the history, plaid is here now and will continue to be a staple for the future.

How do you feel about yourself in the evening, versus in the morning?

My guess is that you don't feel the same way about yourself throughout the day, especially from morning as opposed to at night.

Why? Because of our internal dialogue, our daily experiences, our interactions with other humans, and our outlook in general, our mind will change on our self love/like/dislike/hate throughout the day.

What can we do to help ourselves have more self love throughout our day?

Gratitude practice and Affirmations. When you practice these throughout your day you will find that your brain gets rewired toward positive thoughts, which helps your internal voice view you as lovable. 

Practice daily gratitude (writing down at least ten items you are grateful for), as well as affirmations (at least ten, writing them, reading them, saying them out loud) each day. You will notice a huge difference!

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After he asked me, I don't remember a lot from that night. I think we went to his mom's house to show her that I had said yes. I don't remember going home or telling my parents, although I know that I did. You know, the blur when things happen that are amazing and frightening at the same time.

The planning began. We didn't have long. The date was December 30th and it was already mid-October. Again for the note: no I was not pregnant. Just the culture to get married soon after you find THE ONE.

I didn't have extra money at my disposal and my parents really didn't either. They had 12 kids with their blended family so there were a lot of expenses (even with most of those kids living away from home). However, my mother said that they could help me with $500, which was very generous.

When it came time to plan, however, Steve said that we were not going to settle for having the reception at the cultural hall of the chapel if I wanted a reception center. We actually both wanted the reception at a center and so did Steve's mother. So, she paid for a reception center and most of the food. I paid for what I could with the $500 (which again was very generous). 

It's usually the job of the bride's family to pay for the wedding, so I didn't really know what to do. It was not exactly traditional circumstances. I had a child, had experienced a divorce, and had just been through the LDS temple for myself.

When it came to the invite list, Steve and I didn't really have much of a say. We just took the names that our parents gave us and sent out the invitations to them. In hindsight, I think we should have taken more control of that so that we could have spent less on the food, etc.

Actually, in hindsight, we should have eloped. 

With the whole charade of weddings being so celebrate the happy couple...and I don't want to diminish that aspect of it...isn't it funny how the couple's money all goes into the wedding and reception, so they start of their life together with debt?!

It's funny that we didn't know many many of the people that came to the reception and many, many of the people that were invited had never even met us. There were people that I wanted to invite that I knew and had as friends, but because of those on the parents' invite list, I didn't opt for that. On that note, I encourage my kids to invite people they know and I let them know right now that those that I may want to invite come second. It's their day, not mine.

The dress was again a trade from my step-father's business to a bridal business. I was not going to wear the same dress from my first wedding. (I am a bit superstitious, and also it wouldn't have been special)

The wedding was at the Jordan River Temple and the reception was at a center in Sandy, Utah.

The plans were interesting and expensive for the budgets at that time. However, compared to my friends' typical weddings in Chicagoland, where they paid out $10-20,000 per wedding, expenses for us were quite minimal. Of course, we were not having a sit-down meal with multiple portions and an open bar. We were having refreshments and punch (no alcohol).

The reception center was old, but nice. It was near our parents' houses and easily accessed by guests. There was a little area for dancing, tables for eating, and a place for our bridal party line. We were decorating in burgundy and green because of the time of year. It's quite an easy time of year to decorate for anything.

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What's the difference between Houndstooth and Herringbone?

First, houndstooth, hound's tooth, dog tooth, (for more names see the WIKI) consists of abstract four pointed shapes, broken checks, using tessellation. See pictures below.

As you all know, traditional houndstooth is done in black and white. However, that is not necessarily the main characteristic of houndstooth. It's become something that is done in various patterns and colors, as a more creative way of displaying houndstooth. Fun and flattering.

Herringbone is quite different from houndstooth. It's called a broken twill weave, a broken zigzag pattern and resembles a skeleton of a herring fish. See the samples in the picture below.

Both of these prints or weave patterns are traditional but have recently been turned out in very creative and artistic ways. Traditionally, these are woven with wool, but these days, they can be printed or woven with very different fabrics and on very exciting materials. They can be fun instead of stiff. They can be used at all times of year and in both casual and formal situations.

Life can be super confusing. I have started to move away from being on top of current events, other than the basic details. It seems like the dirty details are force fed to us all day long in any way possible. It's very divisive. I don't like the way it makes me feel. 

A lot of the things that are thrown at us are details on issues that should be kept private. The people they involve wind up losing their well being, losing their reputations. The law is supposed to work in the realm of innocent until proven guilty. However, it seems that now it's guilty until proven innocent. 

Things have gotten so bad with current events (mostly political) that soon there will be a necessity for accusation insurance.

What has gotten lost is the fact that the rest of the world is still out there. There are events happening all over the globe and there are a lot of our fellow humans that need our help. 

We need to get back to truth, honesty and generally good character. These are the things that should be put on a pedestal. There is so much less confusion when things are run with law and order, holding to high standards. 

I challenge all of you to pull away from current events (other than the basics) and get back to helping your neighbor, working on your own home (personal character and all), and looking for things to post on social media that are full of good humor and uplifting moments to give that uplift to your followers.  We all need a good uplift.

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We finished with dinner with nothing happening with that box in his pocket. I was kind of relieved that nothing happened in a restaurant full of people. I would have been so beet red and sweaty. 

After dinner, we took a drive up to a park up the hill from Steve's mom's house.

It was cold...really cold. However, the stars and the moon were bright and Steve and I were the only ones there...did I say it was cold?

We sat on a bench in the park and talked and looked at the stars. At some point, Steve got to asking me to marry him. Romantic? Yes. Private? Perfect. Thoughtful? Always.

Did I say yes? Of course I did. What an amazing person. It was unreal. I was on cloud nine.

Love was in the air.

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I love love love herringbone! Just love it!!

I know. I know. It's very traditional.

It's classy. It's sophisticated. It's something you can wear casual, or all dressed up.

No. It doesn't have to be black and white. It can be any color you want.

​Traditional herringbone has brown tones or black, white and gray tones. However, as you can see, you can showcase herringbone in wild and unpredictable ways.

Aren't these interesting and beautiful?! What creative and beautiful ways to wear or display herringbone. Accessories, full outfits, or decor. Herringbone can really make a statement. 

Take a look at the amazing accessories you can show off with the herringbone pattern. I found a herringbone patterned lunch box, some amazing red (and other colors available) herringbone heels, a herringbone throw, herringbone slippers by Gucci, some great herringbone belts, and gorgeous herringbone cuff links.

Herringbone is boring? Nope. Herringbone is so interesting and can even be outlandish. Amazing, right?!

Nobody has good days every single day. There are a lot of us who have to push really hard to have good days at all. In my view, there are probably a lot more of us in that category than you can imagine when you are out in public, because a lot of us hide it really well. 

Mental health concerns are something that seems to be hidden behind closed doors. People are still shamed for having depression and anxiety, not to mention more serious mental illnesses. They are thought of as weak, as less than.

Compassion should be the primary reaction when people find that someone has anxiety and depression. Love and acceptance could actually be a huge part of the treatment and cure for those suffering. Unfortunately, that is not what happens. The experience is very isolating which only exacerbates the symptoms.

Let's change the way we look at people with mental health concerns. Some are temporary and some are life-long. That does not matter. Both concerns are with human beings. Let's band together to help one another through this journey.

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Laughter. Laughter is something that is so healthy.

Steve and I loved laughing together. It was like we could read each others' minds. It was like nothing I had ever been around before.

When you find someone like this, after going through the life that I had been through up to that time, you don't think you are worthy of it and wait for the other shoe to drop. But, I kept waiting and nothing weird came up. Nothing wrong came up. It just kept getting better and better.

We had a date at Carver's restaurant in Sandy, Utah. This is a very expensive restaurant with wonderful food.

Steve was obviously very nervous. I knew this was the night. I didn't know when it would happen but I knew this was THE night. 

Dinner was scrumptious. Our conversation was (as always) funny, fun, great.

There was something in the pocket of Steve's Dockers pants. He kept fiddling with it. It was square, like a box. I kinda knew what it was. The excitement and anxiety was building.

The night was cold and I was grateful to be in a warm restaurant with my love.

Did I tell you about loving this man? I cannot remember when it was that we first said 'I love you' to one another. However, I do remember the love tension leading up to that. It was something that you don't forget, the love tension. You know...who is going to say it first? 'Does he love me?' 'I love him so much but don't want to be the first to tell him', being afraid of rejection. AND finally, the experience of relief when you both say it. It's like a breath of fresh air. AMIRIGHT?!

Going from...'is he going to hold my hand' to 'will he ever ask me to marry him' is a roller coaster of emotional weeks to months. In my world, in Utah, as an LDS woman with an LDS man, the timeline is a bit shorter. It's the culture. 

I was to the point of 'when is he going to ask me to marry him?'.

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One of the MANY prints that are hot this Fall is animal print.

This is one of those that is a bit away from my conservative comfort zone. However, I do LOVE it this Fall. 

​This Fall, animal print can be conservative, fun, wild, or even outlandish. It seems that animal print comes in every color. I never knew that there were neon leopards and purple tigers!

Mix and match this season, which is much different than seasons past. Mix animal with animal, animal with plaid, animal with stripe. Really, anything goes.

So, if you're not good at matching your outfits, there is hope for you to be the fashionista this season. Evidently, you can totally clash your colors and patterns and be completely in style.

What are your health habits?

Do you exercise regularly?

Do you want stronger muscles and bones? Exercise. Move your body.
Do you want to feel happier? Move your body. Movement is medicine.
Do you want to live longer? Exercise is anti-aging.

So many benefits! This is why I choose to move my body every single day. 

Do I expect to be skinny again?
I expect to love myself at every single weight because I am doing what is healthy for my body and my mind. Love yourself, no matter what weight, cellulite, rolls, flat stomach, muscles, whatever your body looks like. Self love is healthy. It makes you treat yourself with better respect and kindness. You are worth it.

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We kept seeing one another, going on dates, spending time at my parents' home, spending time at his mother's home.

There was constant laughter, kissing, hugging, talking, enjoying each other's company so much.

Finally (it actually happened really fast looking back), we were talking about marriage. We were hooked on each other. It was home. We were at home with each other.

The funny thing was, Steve didn't care what happened in my past. He didn't judge me for it. He knew who I was now. He loved my son. He loved me. He didn't care that I was a wild woman for a time. He didn't care that I was unfiltered. He just loved me.

This was a first for me. Not having someone trying to control me. Not having someone try to change me, hold me back. Not having someone judge me. Not having someone trying to shape me into their trophy. Someone just loving me for me. Even when I couldn't love myself for me, he loved me.

We discussed our love. Would he love me when pregnant and fat? Yes. Would I love him if something happened to him and he was crippled? Yes. Would he love me if I turned ugly? Yes. Would I love him...and it just went on and on. It was a funny conversation...well, really, multiple conversations that started to get so funny (like a lot of our conversations) where we would just laugh and laugh.

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