You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Hi girls,

Thank you so much for your support already for MHM! Today I want to encourage you with the idea of dressing yourself with a smile each morning as you prepare for the day ahead. 

In the musical Annie, the main character sings, 'You're never fully dressed without a smile,' and I was encouraged to think about the way I interact with others during the day. So often we focus on caring for our outer appearance that we neglect to give our inner selves much love at all!

A smile is a simple gesture that can make someone's day a whole lot more enjoyable! I'm not talking about a forced smile that really doesn't reflect how you feel on the inside, but one that is genuine and warm. Many of us feel stressed or busy throughout the day but its not too hard to remember to share a smile with those we see along the way. 

Perhaps you are in a place where you don't feel like you have a smile to share? One great way to find reason to smile is to think about all of the things you are grateful for. Maybe make a list or talk to a close friend about the wonderful things in your life. Personally, Jesus' faithfulness to me even when I fail Him, always gives me reason to be glad. 

A smile helps you to keep positive even when you might be having a difficult day. Most of all it is a gift that you can give for free that warms the heart of another. Our society is so based around technology that maybe we have forgotten the generosity of a kind smile. The smily emoticon ' :) ' hardly compares.

What happened to the days when we smiled and greeted the person passing on the street? It's time to get back to basics! 

I'd love to hear in the comment section below about a time when you have been blessed by the smile of another or felt uplifted by the kind smile of another. 

Keep on smiling,

Hol xx

DIY Halter / Racer Front Tank

This has been one of my fun holiday projects this summer. I saw a similar one in store and this DIY is a fraction of the cost. 

To make this top you will need:

• A sewing machine (you could borrow one if needed)
• Scissors
• Stretch fabric (Anything with a lot of stretch will work)
• Pins
• Thread (that matches the fabric
• A tank top you already have that fits you well (this will be used to draft a pattern for the top)
• Tape measure
• Fabric Chalk (a pencil also works)

1. Fold the fabric in half with the stretch running horizontally. The right side of the fabric should be on the inside. There should be two layers of fabric.

 

2. Lay your top onto the fabric and trace around it with fabric chalk. If you don't own fabric chalk, a lead pencil or pins will do. Only mark under the sleeves and the length of the top as we are reforming the neckline shape.

3. Drawing free-hand, mark out the outline of a halter top. Join those marks to the traced shape of the top you made previously. 

4. Remove the top and cut out the tank top pieces (front and back). Both the front will be the same shape and this is why we have cut through two layers.

 

5. Using a tape measure, measure the circumference of your neck. The band around the neck will be based off this measurement. Depending on how thick you want the band to be. Mark out a rectangle onto the remaining fabric, again with the stretch going horizontally (so the top will stretch over the head without the need for a zipper). The measurements I used were 51cm X 13cm. Again, there is two layer of fabric.

6. Take the front and back pieces of the top and sew them together (straight stitch). 

7. Fold over 1/2 cm on the arm holes and stitch (straight stitch) to prevent from fraying.

8. Hem the bottom of the tank top with a zig-zag stitch so that it will stretch easily. 

9. Next, the neck band is to be attached. Take the two rectangular pieces set aside for the neck band. Sew one long side of the two rectangles together. 

10. Open out into a bigger rectangle and sew the shorter edges together to make a  tube shape. Below shows the neckband pinned to the top. Match the seam of the neckband with the middle of the back piece. Once you have pinned the neckband to the top, attach it using a zig-zag stitch. 

 

11. Fold over the edge of the neckband that is not yet attached, concealing the seams inside. Pin, then sew with a top stitch around the band.

12. And you're done! You can leave the turtle-neck high or fold it over or under like I have with this outfit (below). 

  

Let me know if you have any questions. I'd love to see how yours worked out! Post a photo or tag MHM on FB. Please comment below what you thought of this tutorial or maybe a suggestion for the next one.

Hol xx

Sweet Potato Chips

I recently heard about this delicious, sweet and nutritious snack and had to give it a try. All I can say is that I have made these weekly for myself, my friends and my family. My boyfriend Pete and house sister Brittany are also big fans! These are such a great alternative to fatty, deep-fried potato chips. 

The recipe is really simple. All you need is:

• Sweet Potato (I'm using three varities in this batch)
• Coconut Oil (you can find it in your supermarket in the Asian cooking section)
• Maple Syrup (I use an organic, 100% pure, maple syrup)
• Sea Salt (Tastes great without the extra chemicals of table salt)
• Baking tray
• Non-stick baking paper
• Oven

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees celsius (fan-forced). 

2. Chop up your sweet potato into thin wedges. I leave the skin on because it gives a bit of extra crunch! 

3. Put your raw chips into a bowl and set aside. 

4. Depending on how many people you are baking for, you need to combine 1 part coconut oil to 2 parts maple syrup. It's not super important to have the measurements exact but the chips need to be coated so that they have the sweet/salty flavours. Some of the thicker coated chips have a chewy, toffee taste. (Oh my, I can't wait until they come out of the oven!)

5. Add your coconut oil and maple mixture to the chips and toss through so that they are evenly coated. 

6. Lay down enough baking paper to cover the tray. Spread out the chips onto the tray.

7. Bake in the oven until crispy and golden (about 20-30 mins).

These make for a fantastic snack or addition to any meal. It's a great way to show some loving to that rockin' body of yours. 

Let me know what you think! 

Lots of love,

MHM xx

All credit for this idea belongs to Tara Stiles at tarastiles.com

Just the Beginning

Hi girls,

Just a little note to let you know what MHM is all about.

It is my dream to see women and girls alike to find and embrace their own personal sense of style, to dress with self-assurance and not bow to society's image of 'perfect'. This blog is a collection of entries that include DIY tutorials, creative inspiration, hand-made clothing and accessories, health and fitness ideas and encouraging notes that celebrate a woman's femininity. 

I want to share this space with you to encourage you to value and care for yourself; inside and out! Both are so important because you can't shine on the outside if you don't have the confidence within, right?

I believe that we are here in this life to love others (Matthew 22:39, The Holy Bible) however, Jesus said that you must love yourself before you can love another. Girls, we need to understand the worth and value Christ has placed on us before we can show others how much they are worth. 

I'd love to hear from you if you have any requested tutorials, ideas or would just like to say hi and share your own thoughts about how you're learning to love yourself and blessing others because of it.

Hol xx 

EMAIL: hollymareegibson@hotmail.com

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