Lanky and lean, I noticed my favorite clothing was slinky, skin hugging knit fabrics with a loose flowing jacket or vest overlay, and slippers that skimmed my feet like a whisper. I wasnt built like that. My attire was different.

My wardrobe gathered on a hook outside the closet, while I assessed each piece for wearability, color, design, comfort, and style. With a 45 year old figure lacking the perfection of youth, and announcing the blessings of many years of active lifestyle, flaunting wrinkles and a few extra pounds, I was determined to find a style I liked that looked good on me.

Over the years I had shunned the elastic waist slacks that beckoned me now, and over blouses were something my grandmother might have worn, had she worn slacks of any kind. There were none in my closet. Fitted slacks with belted waistlines, didnt feel comfortable anymore and I wanted something with style.

What I found:

* Fitted slacks with elastic side waists, pockets, and no belted styles, that suited my newer figure without cinching above my blossoming rear-end.

* Blouses with slit sides and loosely belted styles that skimmed elegantly over my skirts and slacks indicating my center-point without announcing it to the world.

* Longer vests that skim over my figure outlining curves, and emphasizing the length that adds height and grace.

* Lightweight jackets that skim my arms, and add length and warmth, without cumbersome bulk.

* Fitted jacketed dresses and slack suits with smooth lines, easy fitting styles, and great colors.

* Accessories that I used to shun for lack of time to worry about such things now add miracle attention to the neck of my suits, style to my simple dresses, and color to my dark clothing staples.

My attire at home was still more prone to being jeans and sweatshirts or over sized Tees that are just comfy to wear. But at the office, I have a whole selection of great clothes to wear with style and comfort.

I bought a few classic staples, but the majority of my new wardrobe came from clothing I already had, but hadnt looked through in a while.

Maybe you have a closet full of clothes you dont wear, but would if you sorted through them to see what was actually available. An afternoon on the weekend will clean out most closets. Sorting through the closet accomplishes two things, it increases your wearable wardrobe and clears out your unwanted clothes for others to wear. Spend an afternoon and donate your findings to good will.

Copyright 2005 Jan Verhoeff

Jan Verhoeff

Somewhere between college and life, Jan began to focus on other people. Her intense need to feel accomplishment in her life drove her to finding a deeper contentment than just existing in the hoot 'n holler of southeastern Colorado. While the beauty of the prairie never escaped her eye for color and beauty, the intensity of her desire kept her moving ever onward.

Summers in Michigan and Tennessee brought her closer to something, but it wasn't until much later, as an adult, mother of four that she began to understand that her need for accomplishment included sharing what she had learned along the way. It also meant that her talent for painting the dream and writing her thoughts had a lot to do with her accomplishments.

She began to focus on actually writing down her thoughts and ideas in journals, revealing her prayer thoughts and life events. Bits of paper became treasures of memory, and a notebook became an outlet of hope and a step of faith. Jan put her thoughts on paper, and began to publish them, where she found opportunity, including various magazines, trade journals, and local publications. Her interests in business and new enterprise became a resounding outlet for her talent, and wisdom for those who sought it. Jan's interest in business development became her trademark, resulting in her first book publication in !992, "Building a Business: From Scratch". This 22 page booklet was published by a local printer in a vertical brochure format, selling more than a thousand copies nation wide. It has resurfaced in college classes as the basis for college term papers, graduate thesis, and research documents for small business courses over the past 13 years.

Seeking more diverse outlets for her talents, Jan most recently has written several short stories published in various books, including: "Stories for the Trail" with the Lamar Writer's Group, "Prickly Points of Life" a combination poetry/short story collection of Jan's work, and "Coffee Clatter" a bound collection of written works originally published in a newsletter published by her daughter, Brenna, as a Sophomore Year Project when she was homeschooling at Buchanan Academy.

More recently her work is available in a newsletter she publishes weekly via email, and various blogs listed on the right side of this page.

You may contact Jan at: janverhoeff@yahoo.com