How would you describe yourself? A copy cat? A sheep, blending into the herd, indistinct and dull?

Didn’t think so.

You’re an amazing, beautiful, smart woman who is above all else unique. You let your personality shine in everything you say and do. You’re not afraid to be yourself. You’re a mature, proud, experienced woman – with all the respect that demands.

So why are you wearing cookie-cutter, mass-made, nothing-unique-about-it clothing?

Consider the difference between handmade clothing for women and the mass produced other stuff. You’ll discover that everything from the design process to the manufacturing itself makes a world of difference.

Handmade Design

Clothing design all starts with simple ideas. Shape. Flow. Feel. These are the essentials that designers think about before they’ve even begun to cut or sew anything.

But the truth is that handmade design requires a lot of work. For most clothing designers, it starts with hand drawn concepts. They’re adjusted and adapted, cut and pinned to fit the creator’s ideal.

From there, textiles and textures must be considered. Which fabric will be best? How will it feel on the skin? How will it move with the body? How will it fall and drape with the rest of the outfit?

Getting It Right for Plus Size

This careful attention to detail is especially important in plus size clothing for women. A meticulous design approach means a true concern for women’s bodies, how the wearer will feel, and what can make a plus size woman uncomfortable or shapeless in her clothing.

Too many big name retailers are taking a cookie-cutter approach to plus size clothing. And it shows. They generically enlarge their standard sizes, multiplying the lengths and stitches without thinking about the unique needs of larger women, their natural shapes and their comfort.

Digital tools have revolutionized the clothing design industry, it’s true. They’ve sped up the process and have helped designers get their creative looks to customers faster. But sometimes that speed and automation leaves much to be desired as is often the case with mass-produced plus size clothing.

Clothing as Art

Your clothes shouldn’t just be something you wear. Every outfit is an expression of yourself, your personality, your joy. A clever designer knows that and puts care into all of their garments.

Feeling the textiles and creating unique fabrics is my ‘thing.’ I love each step, from choosing fabrics to formulating color dyes – and completing the entire crafting process.

You know you’ve found a unique garment when it uses a pattern or print that is impossible to duplicate. Tie-dye and batik are two great examples of this.

Hand-painted batik is an amazing, ancient art that never turns out exactly the same way twice. And true tie-dye works the same way. I love seeing how different tying techniques spread out the dyes differently, creating unexpected yet stunning patterns.

Express Yourself with Handmade Style

You don’t have to settle for plain, dull or look-alike styles. Choose handmade clothing for women that inspires you and makes you look as amazing as you feel.

Remember, beauty is unique and special, not homogenous or mundane. Create a wardrobe as one-of-a-kind as you are. That way, every outfit you wear will be an expression of your beautiful self.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have any handmade clothing items that you love? Do you love tie-dye and batik? What are your favorite handmade styles?

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Pssssst—there’s truly no better time to stockpile your skincare collection than right now. In case you haven’t heard, there are so many rare sales happening across the internet this week, including Ulta’s Early Black Friday sale. While more deals won’t drop until Thursday, the retailer still has a secret sale selection available now, which includes a top-selling retinol eye cream that’s down to $24: the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream. 

There’s a reason the treatment is a number one seller with countless perfect ratings: Reviewers say the fast-acting formula provides ‘truly impressive’ results on even their deepest, most stubborn wrinkles. That’s not all—it also combats dark circles and puffiness so well, shoppers are forgoing concealer applications.

Courtesy of Amazon

“Best eye cream I’ve ever tried, hands down,” said one. “I’ve tested a bunch and this one doesn’t burn my skin and I feel like it has helped fade wrinkles and keep skin hydrated. I’m 29 and started seeing soft shallow lines on the corners of my eyes a couple of years ago—I can’t find those lines anymore, after a year of using this.”

The anti-aging treatment leans on RoC’s own retinol complex to provide “dramatic results” while remaining gentle on the delicate area around the eyes. According to the brand, the dermatologist-tested cream has been clinically proven to visibly brighten and plump tired eyes within four weeks of use. What’s more, it’s perfectly safe for use on sensitive skin, since it’s non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. 

Just take more of its fan’s words for it: “This has been the only product which has been able to impact my baggie under-eyes,” said one. “After many years of allergies, little sleep, lots of sun, and basically not taking care of my skin, I started using products to try to deal with the bags under my eyes. I figured after years of damage and carelessness, it would take years to make a difference with any over-the-counter product. Surprisingly, my wife and I noticed a tightening of the skin under my eyes within the first couple of weeks.”

RELATED: This Fast-Acting Cream Transforms Aging Skin So Well, Shoppers Are Skipping Foundation

Pair the firming eye treatment with other bestsellers from the brand, including the Sarah Jessica Parker-loved hyaluronic acid moisturizer and night serum capsules (which are also on sale). With all three in your arsenal, you’ll no doubt have the perfect nighttime routine down. 

The RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is down to just $24 at Ulta, with an even steeper discount on Amazon.

Ever wondered how to have the most successful visit with your adult children, their spouses and your grandkids? Especially when living a long distance away from them prevents short and frequent visits?

My first brilliant bit of hard won insight was, “Keep your visit short, stupid.” This is true even when long distance is a factor. I took Jerry Seinfeld’s advice, “Always leave them wanting more.”

What works for me now? A maximum of four days and three nights in each of my kids’ homes. Tops.

‘The land of the yearning’ is what I had called the area of the country where three of my five sons live – along with their wives and children.

Whenever I visited ‘the land of the yearning,’ I went with great anticipation and impossibly high expectations – and invariably returned home depressed and riddled with unfulfilled longings. Here are 10 helpful tips on how to make some modest changes.

Alter Outlook

I would lower my expectations to conform with reality. And cease to be so self-absorbed and needy.

Incorporate Leisure

I would allow myself some ‘down time’ to partake in activities endemic to New York City, which is in commuting distance to where they all reside. In the past, I cast off the idea of buying a ticket to a Broadway matinee, walking the High Line or re-visiting the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Sure, I longed to steal a few hours away – even indulge in some shopping at Bloomingdale’s – but how could I justify time away from my darling grandchildren?

This was until I realized that my darling grandchildren weren’t overly invested in spending 24 hours per day with grandma anyway. Nor were my kids.

Breaking out of my self-imposed silo, I bought a single ticket to Dear Evan Hansen – took the time to listen to the music beforehand – and strolled Times Square after the show, shamelessly people watching. And no one begrudged me my indulgence.

Practice Flexibility

I abandoned my rigid, at-home walking routine. I realized fitting it in while traveling prevented me from being present for the unstructured magical moments that just happen when you are in the same room as your grandkids.

Change the Reaction

I began viewing situations through a different lens. Two of my grandchildren were sitting on each side of me – all of us engrossed in our own iPads.

Rather than looking at our individual technological preoccupations in a negative way, I snuggled closer to each of them and they snuggled closer to me. The outcome? We all enjoyed sheer mutual proximity. I coined it ‘companionable silence.’

Look Back and Remember

All throughout my visit, I kept in mind my own parenting experience, repeating the following mantra as often as needed:

Kids get cranky.

Parents get tired.

Raising kids is a tough job.

So everyone deserves some slack.

Recall Past Irritations

How annoyed did I get when my in-laws or parents would interfere with my disciplining my kids? Plenty. So I did try and confine my remarks to matters I deemed critical to my grandkids’ health and safety.

Of course, what’s critical to a grandparent versus what’s critical to a parent is open to broad interpretation, but you do get my drift.

Tuck Your Phone Away

I stopped reaching for my iPhone to record videos and snap pictures of my family – every time they drew a breath, snored in the family room or noshed incessantly. The result: more memorable moments saturated with enjoyment; less iPhone fatigue.

Stop Over-Analyzing

I stopped personalizing everything. Instead, I tried meeting my family members where they are, not where I wish them to be. I tried seeing things from their perspective. Not mine.

For instance, I finally accepted that some family members welcome you less dramatically and with less fanfare than others. I learned that it has little to do with their feelings and more to do with their innate personalities.

Give Up Control

It is great when you don’t need to worry about being the one to set limits. I gave lots of focused time to my grandkids when asked.

I didn’t worry that they’d suffer from malnutrition if they indulged in a second bowl of peanut butter caramel crunch ice cream even though they left four string beans on their plate. I had fun and made sure they had fun, too.

Go with the Flow

I enjoyed each grandchild and appreciated them as separate individuals. I enjoyed the stage of life each of them was in.

My kindergartener couldn’t get enough of drawing and magic marker time with me. And what was most enlightening about that craft-filled interlude?

I found my tense neck muscles relaxing too, as she and I concentrated on creating original works of art we proudly displayed to all interested family members.

One grandson challenged me to a checker tournament – proving to me his well developed strategic skills. Another taught me the proper way to throw a football – proving to me he had definitely mastered that feat.

Another grandson – at four months, the youngest of the brood – simply reminded me yet again how precious and delicious babies can be.

And my oldest granddaughter? Ah, she made me realize all over again how quickly our grandchildren mature and bloom – allowing me to glimpse a snippet of the caring and curious adult she will one day become.

What Ultimately Transpired?

I flew back home with a happy heart and spirit to match. I felt like I had achieved a new level of wisdom: I let them all be when they needed space and welcomed them with open arms when they were ready to seek me out.

I yearned.

I learned.

I enjoyed.

And I left early on the fourth day.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How often do you visit your adult children and grandchildren? Is this an easy or difficult time to navigate? What have you learned through the years – and visits? Please share some tips and tidbits on how you have made visiting your children and grandchildren memorable, enjoyable and as stress free as possible.

Margaret Josephs’ Black Turtleneck Top and Slit Pants on Instagram

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion 2022

Splits in slits! Margaret Josephs recently posted this cute pic to IG of her “doing the splits” in the spot where her pool is officially getting put in very soon. And as expected, you better believe we’re gunna push your husband you into the pool shopping her black turtleneck top and slit pants below. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Splits59 Top

Click Here For Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop Her Splits59 Pants

Click Here For Additional Stock

Photo & Info: @TheRealMargaretJosephs

Originally posted at: Margaret Josephs’ Black Turtleneck Top and Slit Pants

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Pssssst—there’s truly no better time to stockpile your skincare collection than right now. In case you haven’t heard, there are so many rare sales happening across the internet this week, including Ulta’s Early Black Friday sale. While more deals won’t drop until Thursday, the retailer still has a secret sale selection available now, which includes a top-selling retinol eye cream that’s down to $24: the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream. 

There’s a reason the treatment is a number one seller with countless perfect ratings: Reviewers say the fast-acting formula provides ‘truly impressive’ results on even their deepest, most stubborn wrinkles. That’s not all—it also combats dark circles and puffiness so well, shoppers are forgoing concealer applications.

Courtesy of Amazon

“Best eye cream I’ve ever tried, hands down,” said one. “I’ve tested a bunch and this one doesn’t burn my skin and I feel like it has helped fade wrinkles and keep skin hydrated. I’m 29 and started seeing soft shallow lines on the corners of my eyes a couple of years ago—I can’t find those lines anymore, after a year of using this.”

The anti-aging treatment leans on RoC’s own retinol complex to provide “dramatic results” while remaining gentle on the delicate area around the eyes. According to the brand, the dermatologist-tested cream has been clinically proven to visibly brighten and plump tired eyes within four weeks of use. What’s more, it’s perfectly safe for use on sensitive skin, since it’s non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. 

Just take more of its fan’s words for it: “This has been the only product which has been able to impact my baggie under-eyes,” said one. “After many years of allergies, little sleep, lots of sun, and basically not taking care of my skin, I started using products to try to deal with the bags under my eyes. I figured after years of damage and carelessness, it would take years to make a difference with any over-the-counter product. Surprisingly, my wife and I noticed a tightening of the skin under my eyes within the first couple of weeks.”

RELATED: This Fast-Acting Cream Transforms Aging Skin So Well, Shoppers Are Skipping Foundation

Pair the firming eye treatment with other bestsellers from the brand, including the Sarah Jessica Parker-loved hyaluronic acid moisturizer and night serum capsules (which are also on sale). With all three in your arsenal, you’ll no doubt have the perfect nighttime routine down. 

The RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is down to just $24 at Ulta, with an even steeper discount on Amazon.