SEAS ALL THE FASHION !

My friend Nancy has a new transeasonal range out on her US Avon store that is so classic and timeless , while reasonably priced, I had to show you. It’s very sad, that Avon is closing down operations in Australia, they are part of our culture “ding dong, Avon calling!” Those of you in the US are lucky you still have it, so I urge you to check out Nancy’s store. I am not paid for doing this, or get anything free, I do it out of friendship and because I believe in the brand, as in the past I’ve been both customer, and distributor. I purchased from Nancy last year and her service was great.

All the following photos on this post are credited to Avon. 

So, I looked at the apparel below and thought it would not go out of style.

Red flat sandles:

Avon.

I like the slimming vertical stripes on these culottes:

Avon

Breezy shirt for those sunny days, good upper arm coverage:

Avon

Red cardigan lifts your mood:

Avon

Nautical bangles:

Avon.

Anchor your outfit:

Avon

Steering your jewellery to fashionable:

Avon

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a pun. This bag would go well with the red cardigan:

Avon

Crisp white jacket can take you into any venue:

Avon

Keep your money safe from sharks with a wallet

Avon

A bit of warm colour reflecting near your face will make it look like you’ve been out on a yacht in the sun and the briny air. Did you know that celebrities have made fabric scarves fashionable again? They are even wearing them as headbands. There is another navy and white nautical one in Nancy’s store that you can attach to a bag or ponytail, just like in the mid 20 th century. 

As this clothing and accessory collection is new, I have not been able to see any reviews yet, so can’t take responsibility. I picked out cushion sole shoes for comfort, and recommend you read all the relevant information on the site and measure yourself to get the correct sizes.

Waterproof eyeliner in midnight blue

Avon

Reviews are 4.5 stars out of 5. There is also a “three for” sale on those, they come in 4 colours:

link to eyeliner

Avon

These come in 7 combos, there is a special offer , buy 1 get 1 half price, and they are reviewed at 4.8 stars out of 5.

link to the eyeshadow duos

I’m smuggling in this great box , shh, don’t tell the captain, at only $10 US with any $40 US purchase :

Avon

Total value in box is normally $42 US.  

beauty box link

Avon

Far Away Infinity Eau de Parfum spray, reviewed at 4.8 stars out of 5. Special offer price at present:

link to Far Away Infinity

Stand alone offer for a limited time with all red makeup, was $15 US, box valued at $29 US, now reduced to $9.99 US. Reviews are 5 stars out of 5:

red Sale link

Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of sunscreen lotion , on sale at $6.99 US, was $14 US.  SPF 30 , includes bug guard, reviews at 4.7 out of 5 stars.

link to sunscreen lotion

Sail through the whole current clothing and accessory range, there are many more fish in that sea! Click on pictures for more information or to order:

Nancy’s store brochure link

ONLY A MOTHER COULD THINK....

My daughter is beautiful. She was a pretty baby, lovely child, and now, despite the usual acne, and thanks to my Dad, who paid almost $10,000, wearing braces, still beautiful to me. Last night I took pictures of her, her mouth in a huge smile, her eyes shining. 

At great grandmother's house

Copyright Runningonempty 

Copyright Runningonempty 

As parents, we have always called her "pretty" and "beautiful". We have called her funny, clever, artistic, (but never tidy). Creative, but not organised. 

My parents never called me pretty. Not even on my wedding days. I thought my mother was beautiful, but either she didn't think I was, or didn't want to say it. Maybe her parents never said it to her, I don't know. I grew up interested in makeup, nails , fashion and hair. I made the most of my appearance from the time I started to earn my own money. I got my ears pierced. I did makeup and clothes on other people, at one time, as I got pretty good at it. It's significant that I had boyfriends and husbands in my life, from age 16 , without much of a break. I didn't have to learn true independence, how to change a tyre, for example, even when I lived alone. I think I always needed someone to think I was special.

My parents cared about school and university grades, not appearance, so as long as I was neat and tidy, my clothes went unremarked. I'm appreciative they bought me clothes and took care of them until I earned money. They did buy me braces for my teeth, and I'm grateful, as they were expensive even back then.

 From age 16 , I started using my Mum's makeup foundation mixed with white zinc cream , as my skin was Celtic fair, dabbed on to cover my zits. I would wear her mascara to school as my eyelashes were long, but strawberry blonde at that time, and matched my auburn hair. I did not think having Celtic looks was pretty. No one told me otherwise. I didn't think my long wavy hair was pretty, so I curled it at night. Now that it has darkened, and I have greys, I now know it was lovely back then. 

At around age 17. It must have been Winter as I was wearing a jumper (sweater) under my dress.

Copyright Runningonempty 

With Miffy the dog

Copyright Runningonempty 

For years I have tried to get that auburn colour back . I used my Dad's razor to shave my legs. If my parents knew about me using their stuff they said nothing. I got $2 a month pocket money, which I spent on gifts. Their priorities were study and music lessons. Fair enough, I really appreciate it. Still, there was a dimension to me that wanted to be pretty, for someone to say I was. 

I think every parent should think their daughters are pretty, and say it often. If your father tells you that you are attractive, you're unlikely to fall for any man who says those things, you will be more discriminating. You will be comfortable to spend periods of time without a man. If your mother has always told you, you're not likely to get unnecessary plastic surgery. 

We crave the approval of our parents. My hubby is a stubborn man, who can't be told what to say, or think, but he's always called his little one "pretty" and "beautiful". I buy my daughter age appropriate makeup and proper acne wash, not the oatmeal soap that was all I was given for my zits, that had no effect. I want her to have good self esteem, and fit in with her peers. I treasure the little shopping trips with her, even if it's just shampoo we are buying. 

Why am I bringing this up with you today? Because I've seen several opinion pieces lately saying that we should not call our daughters pretty or beautiful, for feminist reasons. Then today I saw this video

 I disagree. We should point out our kid's talents to them, their achievements need to be extolled. However, in every society, appearance is important, like it or not. Unless you take down an entire beauty industry, daughters  everywhere will continue to be exposed to society's expectations. I saw some comments under those articles, by women wishing their parents had called them pretty. I understood where they were coming from perfectly.

I have a friend I called pretty and beautiful. That was just the way I saw her. Later I found out her father had always called her fat. Little wonder she doesn't think highly of herself. This week she is having a birthday. She is still beautiful, as the years go by. Happy Birthday, if you're reading. 

Please write your opinions about bringing up girls and experiences in the comments below.