Condense, Reduce, Simplify

By Nichole Giles

For the past year and a half, I’ve overwhelmed myself with blogs. First, I was a regular blogger over at LDS Writer’s Blogck—and I’ve been blogging with those people for more than three years. Then, Your LDS Neighborhood hired me to write their clothing and jewelry blogs—sweet deal, by the way—so I started this blog. But then I thought I should probably keep this blog to a theme, so I started a more personal blog where I could post certain articles and blogs about my life, my goals, and other random things.

Then, my coauthor Cindy Beck and I signed the deal for our upcoming humor book, “Mormon Mishaps and Mischief: Hilarious Stories for Saints,” so we started a humor blog with the idea of promoting our book and keeping our contributors and interested readers updated.

You’d think I’d have stopped at four, wouldn’t you?

But no. At some point during all this, I got it in my head that we should have a private family blog where we could journal all the fun things we do as a family, and keep all our family members updated about our life and the goings on at our house. Yeah—that one hasn’t been updated since April.

And now, a few months ago, I was asked to participate in a blog with other authors whose work is being published by Cedar Fort Inc.

That’s six blogs in which I regularly participate, and most of which I try hard to keep updated. Unfortunately, doing so requires time and lots of writing. While I love writing, and don’t mind spending the time, it tends to take away from other important writing projects—like books, short stories, and magazine articles for which I can actually get paid.

In April when Your LDS Neighborhood cancelled most of their paid blogs (including mine), I decided to keep on blogging here for a few reasons. For one thing, I have followers who read what I write here. And I love writing about clothes and jewelry. Plus, I had a birthstone series going, and felt a strong need to finish out the year of information. But that year is now officially over, my series is finished, and I’m pretty well exhausted. I find myself getting up in the morning, wondering which blogs need to be updated, and what I need to accomplish before I dive into my other writing projects. (I know, how backwards is that?)

The solution, I’m afraid, is simple. I need to cut back in the blogging area in order to keep up with some of my more lucrative and more important writing projects. Unfortunately, this blog is one that has to go. For now.

I know that makes you sad (at least, it makes me sad) but never fear! I’m not actually leaving the blogosphere. If you need a fix of Nichole Giles writing, head on over to my personal blog, where I’ll continue posting regularly and hopefully will occasionally throw in a post on clothes, jewelry, and fashion.

Or come visit one of the other blogs in which I participate. I’m still going strong at LDS Writer’s Blogck (though I keep trying to quit, I just love it too much to let go), LDS Humor (because, it’s my new fun pet project), and Writing Fortress.

Happy summer, y’all. And remember, it’s not what you wear that’s important, but how you wear it.

Signing off for now,

Nichole

Winner of the Summer Rocks Contest

By Nichole Giles

Today is the day I promised to announce the results of the drawing for the silver Roxy bracelet. The winner was picked using a random generator, and though I wish I had more than one bracelet to give away, I could only pick one lucky person for this particular contest.

And the winner of the bracelet is Ali Cross. (Cheer, clap, clap, clap, clap, cheer, hooray, and the crowd goes wild.)

Oh, but I couldn’t stand just picking one name! I have so many awesome followers and wanted everyone to win, so I had an extra name drawn as a runner up. In the event that I’m unable to locate Ali, this person gets the bracelet. But since I’m pretty sure that won’t be the case, the runner up will be getting a delicious chocolate stash in the form of either a Symphony bar or Hershey’s—her choice.

So the runner up is Cindy Beck. (Dancing, clap, clap, clap. Cheer, and the crowd goes wild again.)

Congratulations, Ladies! Please contact me privately with your snail mail address information so I can get your prizes delivered this week.

Thank you so much for playing, and stay tuned this next few weeks for another fun drawing! (All you followers will automatically be entered—but watch for ways to increase your chances of winning.)

Have a happy, rockin’ summer! (And happy birthday to all my fellow July babies.)

A Few Things About July and a Fabulous Prize

By Nichole Giles

1. The colors of the month are red, white, and blue. Wear them with pride. If you see someone wearing official military khaki or camo, they deserve our applause and appreciation. Tell them thanks.

2. The birthstone of the month is a ruby, and the flower is larkspur or delphinium. Astrological signs:

Cancer, June 22-July 22 = emotional and loving, intuitive and imaginative, shrewd and cautious, protective and sympathetic.

Leo, July 23-Aug 23= generous and warmhearted, creative and enthusiastic, broad-minded and expansive, faithful and loving.

3. Life jackets are always in style. If you’re out boating or participating in other water sports in or around a lake, ocean, or other large body of water, always wear one. Safety is the latest fashion trend.

4. Snow cones are best with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the bottom.

5. Those awesome glowsticks they sell for three or four dollars apiece at parades and fireworks displays can be purchased in packages of two or more at your local dollar store for, well, a dollar. (Buy them in advance, though.)

6. Sunscreen is a beauty must have, and after sun moisturizer rocks, too.

7. It’s a proven fact that hot dogs taste better when cooked over an open flame—just don’t start a forest or house fire while you’re at it.

8. Cutting fresh flowers and bringing them inside the house brings cheer to everyone who lives there—especially women.

9. Monthly observances for July: National Baked Beans Month, Blueberry Month, Hitchhiking Month, Hot Dog Month, Ice Cream Month, Read an Almanac Month.

10. My birthday is in July! Which brings me to the part where I give away a fabulous prize. Next week is the big day (and no, I’m not telling you how old I am). When you’re a kid, people ask what you want for your birthday, but since I’m not a kid anymore, I’ve decided to give a gift away to one of my fabulous followers.

Check this out:

Pretty, huh?

Quicksilver / Roxy brand stainless steel charm bracelet. Retail value: $18.00.

Come on, you know you want it! To win this fabulous bracelet, all you have to do is one of these things:

1. Become a follower of this blog you’re reading or my other blog. (Or both.) Then, leave a comment on this post telling me you’ve become a fan. In your comment, tell me at least one thing you love about summer—or something special that reminds you of summer. If you’re already a follower, you’re one step ahead—but still leave me a comment and tell me why summer rocks.

2. Go have a good laugh at the LDS Humor blog, and sign up to be a follower there, then come back here and tell me you signed up, and share a funny joke of your own. (Because everyone needs a good laugh, right? Oh, and then watch for your joke—and your name—to show up on the humor blog later this month.)

3. Listen to my playlist (check out the sidebar) and tell me which summer song is your favorite. If your favorite isn’t on there, tell me what awesome summer songs I don’t have but should add. (As long as they’re appropriate, I will.)

Sometime on or around July 13th (that’s a Monday) I’ll have my trusty computer generator choose a random name from the list, and announce it here and on my other blog. The winner will then have to send me a private email with their snail mail information so I can send them the gorgeous prize. (Guys, I know this isn’t so much a prize you want, but it makes a great gift for an important female in your life. And if you follow me anyway, you’ll be automatically entered in the next awesome giveaway, which is coming up soon and is not jewelry.)

Who Cares What the Neighbors Think?

By Nichole Giles

I have a dear friend, who tells the story of a mother who got up hours before her children would wake in order to shower, dress, and do her makeup and hair. This was not because it was the only time she could do it, but so her children never saw her looking anything less than her best.

More recently, I know of people who won’t put on a bathing suit while they wash their car or run through the sprinklers with their kids—opting instead to soak their nicer clothing, thus causing it to become misshapen and worn—simply because they’re worried about what the neighbors would think.

Another woman I know refuses to ride in a car with the windows down, absolutely frantic about the state of her helmet-hair. Not that she can see what she looks like afterward, but she’s very concerned about how she looks in the eyes of others.

This is a disturbing state of mind to me. If we can’t take our children to school with our hair in disarray and no makeup, how do we ever see—or allow our kids to see—our natural beauty? (And I won’t even get into the whole wear-your-polka-dotted-pajamas-to-take-your-kids-to-practice argument.) Are we really so concerned with what others think of us that we can’t let the wind blow through our hair for a few minutes? Can we not enjoy getting wet at the pool or standing outside in the rain? Is it really necessary to apologize to others when you walk into a room full of people and realize you forgot to put on lipstick that morning?

Granted, the bathing suit thing has a tendency to be a body-confidence issue. There aren’t a lot of people who are comfortable running around in bathing suits in the front yard. But again, I argue—who cares what you look like? So what if you’re not a cover model? So what if you have bulges, and cellulite and weigh more than you did when you were younger? Seriously, who are we really trying to impress?

That isn’t to say that we should necessarily run around in our underwear screaming, “Look at me, look at me, everyone look and see.” Um, no. But when you put on an article of clothing, ask yourself why you’re wearing it. And when you get up to take your kids to early morning soccer practice—ask yourself why you think it’s important to get up an hour early so you can shower and dress before driving two blocks to drop them off.

Are you wearing that top because you love it and it makes you happy or because you think the neighbors will think it’s the kind of thing you should wear? Did you get up so early because you have a lot to do that day and won’t have any other time to get ready, or because you’re terrified that someone you know might actually see you with curlers in your hair?

Do yourself a favor this month. Choose a day—any day—and go without makeup for a few hours. Let your skin breathe—soak in your inner beauty—and allow your family members to see you in your natural state. It will do you all some good. Just remember that this is the way you were made in creation. This is the face and body you were born with and that has grown more naturally beautiful over time.

On this day, wear something you wouldn’t normally wear—just because you’ve secretly dreamed about it for years. Go outside, wash your car or run through the sprinklers or even just sit on your front porch. Wave at the neighbors and whisper to yourself, “What they think doesn’t matter—only what God and I think is important.”

Then repeat that phrase every time you feel the need to do something because of what someone else will see or think. Because the truth is, IT DOESN’T MATTER! The only person whose opinion truly matters is God’s—and He thinks you’re pretty special, just the way you are. No matter the clothes you wear, how you do your makeup, or what style you choose for your hair.

Choose to be just the way you are, because it’s truly the best way to be.

*Stay tuned next week. I'm giving away a fabulous prize for my birthday! (Hint: It's jewelry.)

Corndog Hat Style

By Nichole Giles

Last week I talked about creating an image for yourself—or building your own brand of style. Ironically, this past week my son pointed out that while branding is way of making a memorable impression—that impression isn’t always good.

The example he used is of the corndog sales people in the mall. Sure, they’re easily recognizable—how could you miss them with those multi-striped stovepipe hats? But is that something you’d actually want to be remembered for? In the words of my fifteen-year-old, “You’ll never find me selling mall corndogs.” (Side note: This is the point at which the conversation changed from style to the reason it’s important to stay open-minded when it comes to job-hunting.)
But I have to be honest. He made me think. While it’s important to be memorable, do we really want to be remembered as the worst dressed person at the Oscars? Magazines do entire issues on this type of thing and I have to say, I certainly hope I’m never on that particular list—as if I’d ever be a person of interest anyway.

So, what can we do to make sure we end up as a good memorable, rather than bad? For one thing, I strongly suggest you not choose to wear a striped stovepipe hat to an important function or gathering. But aside from that, do your best to choose your clothing and accessories wisely. Color is a wonderful thing as long as you are careful to choose colors that work well on you. Accessories can make or break your outfit as long as they match your clothing in style, color, and theme. And while it’s wonderful to be unique and eclectic, whenever there’s a question between classy and outrageous, err on the side of caution and make the classy choice.

A few select people who read this will be saying, “What? Classy rather than unique?” But that’s not what I mean. There’s a difference between unique and outrageous. Outrageous style might be fun in magazines, and it almost definitely makes a lasting impression on people. But unless you’re a teenager or a supermodel (or, you know, a teenage supermodel) make the more professional, grown up choice. To be unique, all you need is a look that is memorably you.

That said, never be afraid to change, update, and shake things up. Modernize your hair, buy a new piece of jewelry, or test out a bright colored handbag. Keep an open mind, but use a tasteful eye.

And whatever you do, stay away from tall, pipey hats and hot-shorts.

Your Own Brand of Style

By Nichole Giles

As more and more of my friends get book deals, I notice they sometimes find themselves thrust into a situation where whatever they do and wherever they go, they’re creating an image for themselves. Be it a conscious or unconscious decision, they must remember that it’s possible to run into a fan, publisher, author, or other important person at the grocery store. Or children’s ball games. Or birthday parties. Or—heaven forbid—the public pool. They are (insert name here) the author—in addition to all the other roles they play in life.

We build a name for ourselves and become something of a brand. “That book is a Nichole Giles book—you can’t go wrong with anything by her.” But how we look, act, and portray ourselves in public is equally as important as our brilliant writing.

A good friend of mine just got her first book contract. She’s been writing for years, and is so excited to have her first big deal (and no one deserves it more in my opinion.) Part of the package is that she had to meet with fashion consultants and have a photo shoot. And even though I’ve always considered her beautiful, she was pleased and flattered with the person who showed up in the pictures. She claimed they don’t even look like her—though I beg to differ. They’re breathtaking.

But one photo shoot is only the beginning. Now she’s likely to do book signings, parties, and a number of other appearances at conferences and things. And though she may not always want to dress up in the way she did for the shoot, she’ll want to be conscious of how she presents herself to the public.

As far as attitude and kindness go, my friend is top notch. Such a sweet woman, and as kind hearted as they come—so that’s no concern. And she’s always dressed very nicely and looks beautiful. In fact, she has a hat collection to die for. But there may be a few things she’ll want to add to her wardrobe over time to help her look and feel like her professional, creative self. To be her own brand.

This is something we should all keep in mind as we move forward on our life paths. Is there something about you that make you unique and/or special? (I’m talking superficial, material, and visual, here, though spiritually we could have a whole other discussion.)

I can’t tell you what you’re looking for. I don’t know. What I do know is how you get these things. As you go through life, you’ll have opportunities. You’ll go places, see some things, and experience others. While you’re at it, keep your eyes opened for that one special thing that draws you to it. Is it a rock on a leather strap you bought at the county fair? Or a coconut purse you saw in a little shop on an island where you vacationed? Maybe it’s a bright blue glittered cowboy hat you tried on when you went to visit relatives out of town, or even something as small as a mariachi pen or plush dolphin bookmark, or a pair of earrings your daughter made with her bead kit.

Whatever it is, don’t turn and walk away as if it never existed. Grab it! Buy it, and add it to the collection of special things that enhance your life and remind you that only you—and you alone—get to decide how to create your own special brand.

Keep your treasures in a special place, but wear them. Use them often. Remember that no matter how special these things are to you, nothing is meant to waste away in the dark confines of a box. You are the only person who fully understands why you love them, so display them with pride, and know that people will remember you loved them—even if they never remember why.

Roses, Pearls, and Alexandrite: All Things Beautiful in June

By Nichole Giles As I was researching the June birthstones, I noticed something. Pearls—which are the official stone of the month—aren’t all that popular. There could be a few reasons for this: for one thing, they aren’t actually a stone created in the earth by minerals. And another thing, they shine rather than sparkle. While those things are true, I’m about to tell you why pearls are amazing, unique, and special.

Consider if you will, that the pearl is the only birthstone on the calendar month that is created by a living, breathing creature. It’s still a process of nature, but one unlike anything else in the world. And it all happens on the sandy ocean floor.

Ancient civilizations were so amazed by this process that there were many various stories passed around about the origin of pearls, and how they came to be. Greeks believed they were the hardened tears of joy, shaken from the eyes of the goddess of love as she was born from the sea. (Tell me that’s not romantic!) Arabs claimed pearls were created when oysters were lured to the surface of the ocean by the bright, shiny full moon, where they opened and swallowed moonlit dewdrops. (Which actually sounds like a fairly logical explanation to me.) But my favorite comes from the ancient Chinese. They believed pearls came from the brains of dragons. (Somehow, I suspect there’s a much bigger story in that nugget of wisdom.)

Unfortunately (or is it fortunately? Hard to know some days) modern scientists are able to better explain the process of how a pearl is formed. And though I don’t want to ruin it for you, it’s a cool process so I’m going to share it. When any kind of irritant, like a piece of a shell, parasite, or fish, lodges into the flesh of an oyster, mussel, or clam, they produce a protective substance called nacre, which traps the intruder and subdues it. Over years of time, layer upon layer of nacre coats what used to be an invader—and creates a luminous, beautiful pearl. This process has been studied and practiced so much that these days, around ninety percent of pearls sold on the market are cultured in oyster farms.

That’s a good thing for those who have a budget, because natural pearls are actually pretty expensive. If you ever wanted to go hunting for your own natural pearl, you’d have to scuba dive to the bottom of the ocean, and your best bet would be somewhere in the Persian Gulf, waters near Japan, the South Pacific Islands, northern Australia, Panama, Venezuela, and California. That actually sounds fun—except kind of scary. Almost like looking for a diamond in a volcano.

Just because your birthstone is a pearl, doesn’t mean you’re stuck with boring round white. They actually come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, including pink, yellow, gray and black.

Now for the really interesting part. Some cultures still consider pearls to be an aphrodisiac. They have adorned crowns, clothing, and ancient temples, and are rumored to have been another favorite of Cleopatra’s. In ancient times, they were ground up and used in cosmetics and medicine—treating heart and stomach conditions—and have always been viewed as a mark of taste and refinery. At some point, only those with royal status were able to wear pearls.

Still not in love with them? Well…okay. There is an alternate birthstone for June, and it’s another one I love called alexandrite. The cool thing about this stone is that it changes color. Yeah, that’s right. Depending on the lighting hitting the stone, alexandrite can vary from light or dark green to purple, blue, or deep red. And anywhere in between. (It’s true—I have one and it’s amazing to watch.) The reason for this is trace minerals of chromium. Usually, chromium would give a mineral only one color, but because alexandrite is a special and unique makeup of chrysoberyl, it gets a minimum of two colors.

It was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia, and is thus named after the Czar, Alexander II. (Who was either born the day it was discovered, or celebrated his sixteenth birthday on that day—my sources are mixed.) Alexandrite is said to bring good luck, improve self-esteem, increase a person’s joy, heal the nervous system, inspire creativity, and strengthen intuition. (A big job for a small stone.)

Alexandrite is the celebration stone for the fifty-fifth wedding anniversary. Most of the alexandrite stones you’ll find on the market are created stones. Natural alexandrite is one of the rarest, and most expensive stones.

No matter which birthstone you choose, both are beautiful and unique, just like all June babies. And if you’re buying it as a gift, don’t forget to include the June birth flower, the rose. As a symbol of passionate love and beauty, every woman is naturally drawn to roses.

Interesting thoughts: Flower language originates back to Victorian times when it was considered improper to actually say what a person was feeling. Thus, creative, passionate people created symbolic meanings for each flower, so lovers could convey hidden, romantic messages in a gift of flowers.

Discover your romantic side, and buy your June baby roses and pearls for her birthday. It truly is a gift she’ll never forget.