A Christmas Gift I didnt know I needed

One of my favorite gifts this year was from my sweet husband who, "thought I might like to read this...".  I love it when I get gifts that I never realized I needed...until I open them up to see whats inside!

I actually love to learn.  I love to read, and not so much fiction, but I love to learn new things when I read.  So, when I began "Increase in Learning" by David A. Bednar, I was immediately touched by his message.  I recognized immediately that the messages contained in his book were answers to questions I had been praying for, not only a few weeks earlier...

I wanted to share a quick thought from his book that I loved:

"There are things to act and things to be acted upon...endowed with agency we are AGENTS, and we primarily are to act and not simply to be acted upon--especially to obtain and apply spiritual knowledge."

We have, not only the ability, but the responsibility to be agents for ourselves.  We must be proactive in obtaining and applying our spiritual knowledge regularly.  Which means, we have to consciously be seeking out regular opportunities to learn spiritual things, and then decided how we can use them in our lives.  Otherwise we will be acted upon, which means life will happen to us--instead of the other way around!

So, I hope your will find yourself this year taking the initiative to grow and develop yourself in every aspect of your life.  One of my 2014 goals is to ACT, instead of being acted upon....Join Me!

xo
Annie

What is VERSIE by Annie M?

What is VERSIE by Annie M?
Well, VERSIE is a slip that will forever change how you dress....I promise.  Quite simply, it is a shirt attached to a slip.  The top is the fashion part which is meant to be shown off.  The bottom half is the function part that serves as a slip.  The best part is that it removes those unwanted "bum lines", extra bulk and smooths your whole body out. Yea!  VERSIE is a patent pending design and it is, well, Amazing...

So, where did the idea for VERSIE come from?
Well, after having my 4th baby, I was on  the edge of a wardrobe freak out.  Do you ever have those?  When you get dressed in the morning and spend the whole day, adjusting your shirt or straightening out your slip over and over again.  So, basically, I was frustrated and fed up.  I decided I needed a basic layering shirt that attached to a slip.   I wanted to be able to put the whole thing on and stop the madness--the adjusting, worrying and frustration.......VERSIE by Annie M was born.

Where did the name VERSIE come from?
VERSIE is simply a derivative of the word "versatile".  I wanted a slip that could work with lots of different dresses and skirts and be something I could put on, be comfortable and  forget about.  The goal was to connect fashion with function.....Finally, a slip that makes sense.

What's been the early response?
Awesome.  But don't take my word for it...here's just a little super exciting feedback I've been getting from women:
"BRILLIANT!"
"Holy Cow! I love the way this feels!  It is soo smoothing and comfy!"
"Wow!  I could wear this with soo many dresses and skirts of mine!"
"Why hasn't someone come up with this before?? I looove VERSIE!"
"Seriously, this feels soo good on, can I buy your prototype?  I want one now!"  and much more......

What does "Lay Your Foundation. And Love It." mean?
My tag line for VERSIE is--Lay your Foundation.  And Love it.  I really believe in this message, it actually has a double meaning on purpose:

#1  VERSIE is a foundation piece that you will love.  You will love the fabrics, the fit and when you put it on--you will forget that you even have it on.  VERSIE is so comfy and easy to wear, it will make getting dressed a cinch--I promise.  I believe that when you aren't worried about whats going on underneath your clothes, you can be that much more confident--and who doesn't need that in their life!?..a-hem....I do.

#2  Lay a positive foundation for your life.  I love the saying, "when you know better, you do better", and to me this is how I *try* to live my life.   I feel a deep desire to encourage myself and other women in their individual growth and personal development.  More than just looking good on the outside, but feeling good about who you are on the inside.  We all have a different purpose to fulfill in our lives and it's between us and God to figure it out.  It is a journey of so many mixed emotions including: joy, wonder, frustration, humility and peace.  Basically, if we are progressing and growing, we seem to be happier--at least, I know I am.

My goal is to create a company that helps women with their wardrobe dilemmas, but more than that I want to connect and inspire on a deeper level that will create positive change in their lives and that's why I ship "VERSIE Verses" with each order.  I want women to feel inspired in every way I possibly can!

What's it like to work on a project like this?
I am really thrilled to be launching VERSIE.  I truly feel like it has come by way of divine inspiration and sheer determination in so many ways.  I hope to share more of my experiences very soon.  But for now, you must know that creating and developing VERSIE has been quite a journey that continues to unfold.  I hope you will join me in this process.  I want to hear from you, your thoughts, questions and comments...lets work together to make positive changes in our lives and our wardrobes.

Simple improvements to typical problems is like adding honey to butter....so simple, and boy is it tasty.

xo
Annie

Where have all the good slips gone?

I need a HERO! I'm holding out for a hero

til the morning light

Its gotta be sure

and its gotta be soon...

--Bonnie Tyler (lyrics)

Listen.  VERSIE slips are going to save you from yourself.  Now, I love the maxi dress and maxi skirt as much as the next girl, but there are just a few problems that seem pretty obvious.  Ladies, lets put on a slip...it can get pre-tty scary down there, if you know what I mean.  And I know, I know, those grandma slips aren't gonna cut it.  And goodness knows nobody wants to wear those anyway.

So, you need a Hero!?

VERSIE by Annie M is gonna save you from the morning light...

We're launching December 2013!  Yay!

xo

Annie

A part of Me

So, VERSIE is a big part of what I feel I am supposed to be doing right now in my life.  It's interesting how the Lord works through us sometimes.  The whole process of bringing VERSIE slips to market has been a sacred experience in many ways.  I have had to find a part of me that I didn't know existed.  I have had to trust in the Lord and his timing.  I have had to lean into my fears and trust the process of being taught the things that I needed to learn.  In many ways it is very humbling, but I also feel so fulfilled.

I have struggled over the years on how to be a mom and also have a business.  I think it was a bit of that "mommy guilt" so many talk about.  I had often felt that doing both was virtually impossible, at least for me.  Not that it couldn't be done, but neither could be done very well if trying to do them simultaneously.  For me, the most important thing in my life was to teach and raise children that were positive contributors to society.  I have always felt that being a mom is the most important job, and when you have small children --they need you.  So, I would feel guilty trying to work while trying to be a mom at the same time.  I just felt like I was trying to do too much, even though there was a very big part of me that loved designing and business.  I just felt conflicted and torn.  So much so that I began to feel like I had to make a choice, and of course my family was always the most important.  So, a few years ago, I decided to stop all my projects and completely focus on being a mom....seemed really simple.

Then earlier this year, I was having a conversation with designer, Tracy Porter.  We spent some time talking, and I did a lot of learning from her.  I asked her, "How do you do it?  How do you design and have a successful design business, and still have a family and be a mom?  How do you find balance?"  Her answer hit me like a ton of bricks.  She said, "Adrienne, being a designer is just as much a part of me as being a mom.  I have to create.  It is so much a part of me that I can not separate the two.  I have to be disciplined to create time for both.  But, I'm actually a better mom, when I take the time to create and design."

I finally got it.  I could so relate to her.  I finally realized that so much of who I am is a designer.   So many of my gifts and talents lie in creating and designing.  And when I am suppressing it, to sort of fit a certain "mold" or "stereo-type", I am really unhappy--miserable, actually.  I have since learned that I really have to be disciplined to find time for both.  And thank heavens for my supportive husband, who is so willing to give me the time I need.  I feel renewed and refreshed and re-energized to be a better and happier mom to my kids when I have that time.  What a blessing.

xo

Annie

VERSIE shoot

Behind the scenes at a VERSIE product shoot...so much fun, and seriously we laughed the entire time!!  Thanks to gorgeous models, a talented hair and makeup artist and one amazing photographer!   Can't wait to share these images soon.

xo
Annie M

Get on with it.

Your life is a gift.  Your life has a plan.  Your life has a purpose, in Heaven it began...right?

But sometimes, every now and then, I found myself wondering-- is this all there is?  I mean, there must be more to it than this.  Day in, and day out--kids, laundry, prayer, meals, designing, husband, groceries, homework, driving, cleaning, showering, bills, lecturing teaching kids, exercise, church, friends, texting communicating with others, mommy time, and on and on.  Not that many of those things do not bring me tons of happiness and joy.  But the reality is, as a whole, sometimes it all seems to be lacking in the purpose and plan and gift part.

Here's what I've learned and am currently learning.

I finally came to a place in my life a few years ago when I decided I was tired of focusing on things that didn't really matter.  Actually, it was more like I was doing things that I thought I enjoyed, but I wasn't feeling very fulfilled when all was said and done.  I decided I needed more in my life.  I was tired of trying to find happiness in things or relationships or projects.  Exhausted from trying to make everything in my life look and be perfect, but more than that I was tired of not feeling fufilled.  I was over stressing about things I couldn't control.  I was just plain beat down--much of my own doing.  I realized instead of looking all around me for direction and purpose, I actually needed to look up.

And so I did.

I started a dialog with my Heavenly Father...  I do this.  I just sort of talk in my head like I'm having a conversation sometimes demanding things and sometimes arguing with Him {I know, bad, right? Im sort of stubborn}.  I just finally said, "you know what, I'm tired of looking for happiness in meaningless things.  I seem to not be able to figure it out on my own. So, I just want to be doing what you want me to do.  Could I please just do that?  Please?  Whatever it is, I just want to do that.  I'm tired of not finding purpose in the things that I seem to think will.  Just show me what it is you want me to be doing right now with my life, so I can get on with it." {I'm kind of impatient, too.}

And guess what?  VERSIE is a part of that answer...yay!

So, what is it you need to get on with?  Trust me, it's so worth it to start on that path.

xo
Annie M

VERSIE online Soon!

Get ready for VERSIE to change the way you dress forever...so soon.

xo
Annie M