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Well Dressed…

November 6, 2013 By Lauren at Molly and Mama 4 Comments

well dressed

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE looking ‘put together’. And I LOVE my kids being well dressed. I like to think of it as putting your best foot forward, presenting yourself in the best possible light. Is this vanity? I’m interested to hear your thoughts.

When I was little, my mum spent much of her time designing and sewing outfits for her son and three daughters. Even with a limited budget, we always looked well turned out. We had a special outfit made for every special occasion. I was the girl wearing a long length sailor dress at the year seven free-dress day, and I loved it!

Mum’s friends will often remind her of all the gorgeous pieces she made for us, and so many of her friend’s children. Even thirty years later, they’ll still tell me how cute we all looked. It wasn’t seen as vanity then.

These days, I try and make a lot of my kids’ clothes. But I’m not the seamstress my mum is, so my skills are limited. If I can’t make it, I’ll buy pieces and put them together. Most of the kids’ clothes come from Target (I’m a budget kind of girl). Even so, my little miss is mostly to be found in a dress, and if we’re heading out, master six knows I’ll be insisting on a button through shirt!

To me, what you are wearing and how you put it together goes far beyond the constraints of what’s considered fashionable and ‘in’. When you present yourself well, it puts others at ease. It makes them comfortable. It shows that you care enough about others to consider what they have to look at. It’s polite.

I feel that I am teaching my children to put their best foot forward in life. I’m not concerned with designer brands and wearing expensive and impractical clothing. But I want my children to learn that if they respect themselves then others will respect them too. So I iron all our clothes, I sew on missing buttons and I polish shoes. And I’ll teach my kids to do the same.  I believe it illustrates the strength of your self respect.

Lauren x

Lauren and Madeleine.jpg

{Here I am on the left, with my sister. I love these hand made outfits. My mum kept them and my daughter has worn both. I’m looking forward to my sister’s girls being able to wear them also. So precious!}

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: clothes, hand made, polite, well dressed

Comments

  1. Alissa says

    November 12, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    A woman after my own heart. I wholeheartedly agree…I did feel at times that my mum did ‘overkill’ on the matching tartan outfits with my sister and I…But I love seeing not only my children, but other children beautifully presented and ‘put together’ as you said. Congrats on the blog…Finally..A place and space for your wonderful thoughts xo

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      November 13, 2013 at 11:15 am

      Thanks Alissa! And I’m hearing you on the matching tartan outfits!

      Reply
  2. Alissa says

    November 12, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    A woman after my own heart. I wholeheartedly agree…I did feel at times that my mum did ‘overkill’ on the matching tartan outfits with my sister and I…But I love seeing not only my children, but other children beautifully presented and ‘put together’ as you said. Congrats on the blog…Finally..A place and space for your wonderful thoughts xo

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      November 13, 2013 at 11:15 am

      Thanks Alissa! And I’m hearing you on the matching tartan outfits!

      Reply

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Studio For Pretty Stitches
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I love all of Mable’s designs, this one especially! What should I make? 

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How sweet does Miss Maisie Pin Cushion look sittin How sweet does Miss Maisie Pin Cushion look sitting here on this cute ‘I Spy’ style doll’s quilt?  It’s based on the Rising Sun mini quilt pattern from @blossomheartquilts’ book ‘Mini Masterpieces’. You can see more photos and find links to the book on my latest blog post (there’s a link in my profile). 

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🤍 Before starting this wonderful journey into sewing, I was a primary school teacher

🤍My first degree was a bachelor of Behavioural Science / Psychology

🤍 I’ve been crafty for as long as I remember but I also love art, illustration, gardening and baking

🤍 I’m not a traditional tea drinker (which was a little strange as the co-host of #sipteaandepp 😂 

🤍 I’m inspired mostly by colour and nature. I’m drawn to anything muted, delicate, pastel, pretty, dainty and floral. Yet nothing in my home or wardrobe would give you that impression! 

With so many new followers joining me in the new year, I’d love to know more about you. And if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask! Lauren 💗
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