Getting ready in the morning is an art

It seems that many women today love to brag on how little time they spend actually getting ready in the morning. Three to five minutes seems to be the goal. I, for one, do not understand why any self-respecting woman would not relish the idea of having at least a full hour to herself to primp.

From an early age, Mama taught me that a girl needs at least two hours to get ready for the day. This time should include, but is not limited to, the following:

• bath or shower
• hair washing
• make-up (no less than 15 minutes to get it just right)
• smiling in mirror
• cup of coffee
• quiet time
• drying of hair
• curling of hair
• outfit prep
• jewelry prep
• smiling in mirror
• final spray of hair
• smiling in mirror one last time
• another cup of coffee
• lipstick application
• one more smile
• okay, one more smile for good measure

I know this seems a bit excessive, but it's worth it when your friends say, "I wish MY hair looked that good all the time." I relish in these comments. Although, I would never let my friends know. My usual response is and always will be, "I need a haircut." Never, "Well, thanks. I work hard to get it just right."

This prep means waking at least an hour and a half before your husband and children. I truly believe that in order to be a good wife and mother, I need to spend some time on myself. I refuse to let myself go. I also believe that by taking care of myself I will not need cosmetic surgery when I am older.

I do NOT believe in tattooing my eyeliner nor do I believe in paying an arm and a leg for my cosmetics. I buy ALL my hair products and make-up at Wal-Mart. I believe it's not about how much you can fork out for beauty but it is about application know-how. If you're not confident in your make-up application abilities, check out a few magazines. It's worth the money.

Please take this to heart. All woman can be beautiful if they simply take the time to care. Re-apply lipstick when your lips look pale. Pat away the oily reflection on your cheeks and forehead. Take notice of your hair EVERY time you pass a mirror. If you learn nothing else from this post, please learn to care about the reflection that looks back at you each morning. God has given you a new day to look and feel beautiful; don't waste it on sweats and a 3-minute make-up job.

The Gala Experience

Last night, our dinner club got all gussied up and attended a gala benefit for a local scholarship fund. We had a BLAST!!! We joked that it was a "Prom for Grownups."

If you ever get the chance to get all dolled up, do it. I felt beautiful, and my husband couldn't stop looking at my cleavage, I mean my eyes. The theme for the evening was "Hollywood." There was a Casablanca room, a Godfather room, a Blazing Saddles room (the most fun), a Patsy Cline room (desert was served here), and the ball room was the Titanic room (ballroom dancing). We traveled from room to room, marveled at the decorations, and played fashion police. How fun!!!

As a girlie girl, I think it is most important to look your best at all times. Last night was no exception. I'm a humble girl, but I did look pretty good. I bought a new dress, new shoes, new jewelry, and new nail polish. I took 3 hours to get ready, and I'm proud of it.

I hope every Southern Belle gets more than one chance in her life to dress up. Maybe I'll start a list of things every woman should do in order to express her inner Southern Belle. That's my next post.

Virgin Post

This is my first post on my first blog. I have finally stepped into the 21st century. I can remember being in college at Ole Miss my senior year and HATING email because it was so difficult to remember the DOS prompts for PINE. That was before the days of Windows Mail.

I have enjoyed reading other blogs of mothers who still have a sense of humor. I am not an Oprah groupie (at least not publicly), and I don't subscribe to the idea that all men are stupid. I know my husband's intelligent, he just chooses to practice selective intelligence. I'm okay with that. I love being a mama to my lovelies (he is 6, she is 18 months). I love my husband (he is 33, I am 34). I love my job teaching music at an elementary school. I love Daddy and Mama. I love my sister and brother. Most of all, I love God.

I'm not sure what I will blog about next, but I'm sure something will come up. OOH, I know!!! I'm going to a gala tomorrow night with my husband and friends. We have a sitter, I have a new dress, and new shoes. It's like prom for adults. I can't wait. I'll take pictures and show the world how a Southern Belle should dress for a gala. Actually, it's been so long since I got to dress up I'm not sure I know how anymore. I fear I may break a leg in the shoes I bought. I've been practicing my walk for a week. I've worked my way up to a solid our on my feet in the new shoes. Every self respecting Southern Belle practices walking in heels DAYS before the event. Especially if she's rusty.

Gotta go. Need beauty sleep for the big day tomorrow!!