Leslie (aka MissusSmartyPants)

With such a silly name, just who is the woman behind the MissusSmartyPants logo and website?  

Well, let me give you a brief history about me, aka MissusSmartyPants. I'm a forty-something woman, a wife of 26 years, married to a good man with whom I share our 3 sons. Two of our sons are now grown adults(one an Air Force Pilot, the other a Army Officer) and on their own (soon to be married). Our youngest is ready to head off to college this year. 

Ever since I was a little girl I enjoyed style and fashion. I was a "girly" girl. Always trying on my mother's high-heels and knowing that some day I'd wear fancy shoes just like her. I remember waiting impatiently for the first day of school so I could wear my new dress from Sears. I wasn't as concerned with the school curriculum as I was with what I'd wear to school each day. Not much changes over the years, I guess! LOL! From dressing Barbie for hours-on-end (including radical haircuts-to update her style - of course) to now dressing real women - I still enjoy the same innate happiness style brings to my life - and that of other women.

My first job as a teen was the best job a gal could ask for! I was hired at a prestigious department store during the Christmas season. (At the peak of holiday shopping-how good is that?!) At first the store moved me around to various departments. But then I worked in women's wear and that was when I was in my element. All the clothing styles, colors and endless mix-and-match possibilities were a wonderful pleasure to behold! Soon I became a part-time regular in the women's department. I loved working one-on-one with each customer. I would assist them with selecting the best styles and colors just right for them. 

My manager was older (a militant saleswoman with a "beehive" do) and taught me "old-school" customer service. The clothes racks were to be constantly straightened, dressing rooms attending to and each purchase was to be folded, wrapped in tissue and placed carefully in the bag with care. (Hmm, last time I purchased a pair of shorts for my son at an "upscale" teen store, the guy plopped them in the bag!) 

I loved retail, and everyday was an opportunity to learn something new. On one particular day I learned a valuable lesson I'll never forget. One afternoon a "regular" came in and I proceeded to help her as usual. She was in her mid-fifties and definitely had a nice shape for her age. She was fashion-forward and liked to wear all the latest fashions. She needed a fancy skirt for a corporate dinner party. I selected two skirts and she found another to take into the dressing room.  

As she came out of the dressing room each time, she asked my opinion, which I wholeheartedly gave. However, when she came out with the last skirt on, I told her "This one is not for you". It was a mini skirt. Even though she had nice legs, it didn't look good or age appropriate. She was angry that I could say that! However, SHE did ask my opinion. The point is: even when asked your opinion, you need to be gentle in your honest response.

I learned to be more tactful in my response and I learned that a lot depends upon the other person's attitude . Are they really open to suggestions or do they want to continue to do things the same way they always have?  

Style is all about change and showing your individual style! YOU have to be open to change to allow change to happen.  

At MissusSmartyPants you can discover new styles

in a caring and non-threatening way.  

With my "passion for fashion" it should come as no surprise that I attended college and majored in fashion merchandising. I learned garment construction, design, marketing, fabrics weaves and all about the world of fashion and its history. I lived in the Los Angeles area, so there were many opportunities to visit the fashion industry's hot-spots (the garment district and the California Mart, a wholesale mart where everything is fast paced including the escalators). After college I worked in various areas of the retail world. 

When I became pregnant, I stepped away from fashion and stayed home. My husband and I together made a conscious decision for me to stay at home while our children were young. Of course our budget was extremely tight with only one income. There wasn't money for "extras". Besides if the kids needed anything, that's where the money would go. I was no different than any other young mom living on a tight budget.  

My babies were my everything (what mom doesn't feel that way?) Over time I let my children come first above everything-including myself. Then one day after feeling quite shabby, I realized it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I sat down and worked out a small (and I mean small) budget for my husband and myself to buy necessities before they completely fell apart! His image at work was important to help him move up the "corporate ladder" and mine (as wife and mother) were important too!  

Going through a couple of years like a "martyr" had taught me to work out our budget to include necessities for our wardrobes. In the long run not letting our wardrobes get run down actually made us feel better about ourselves - and it was easier to budget than a complete closet overhaul! This is how I developed my plan for wardrobe basics (to extend your wardrobe possibilities). I felt so much better when I dressed nicer-and felt stylish! 

After years of staying home I got the style itch again. My husband supported my idea of opening up a "boutique". Before you knew it, I was back in my element and scratching my "style itch". Yes, it was a risk or leap of faith (okay a gigantic jump) but in the end it paid off! My boutique flourished as did my clientele. I was again helping women one-on-one with their style!  

My boutique days were a wonderful stepping stone to where I am today. On my days off I'd work on my style website "perfecting" it. The object of my website was to help even more women dress for their body types and reinvent their sense of style! 

One day my sister, Leanne invited me to dinner and I met Marla (the FlyLady) for the first time. She loved my website and offered me the most fabulous opportunity ever - to help all her Flybabies with their style! She was going to "throw me in" and see if I could "swim"! Well, the first day FlyLady mentioned my site; there was so much traffic it crashed! But now we are swimming along just fine! LOL!  

I am blessed to be able to show SYSters how they can re-ignite their "style diva" within. With some style basics and encouragement, women will improve in their appearance and find out how strongly it impacts every facet of their life!  

My original idea to offer affordable and practical style service is now a success! Each week I try to "demystify" the crazy world of fashion. I spend my weekdays scouring the stores for the best styles (for each body type), staying on top of the latest trends and putting it all together for you. Making MSP the ONE place for style inspiration and learning the basics so that you can be the best looking woman ever!  

Today, I am officially MissusSmartyPants and loving each day I wake up and share my love of style (and sometimes know-it-all attitude).  

My style advice is given with love and the kindest heart so that you can gently rediscover your true beauty inside and out. 

With all my love,
 

Leslie MSP





The FlyLady


Marla Cilley

Marla has authored Sink Reflections, a book about struggling with clutter and how to restore peace and organization to your home. Marla has also co-authored another book called, Body Clutter.
   
www.flylady.net



The Dinner Diva

Leanne is my sister. She has helped me with my vision of a style website from concept to reality.  

Visit Leanne's website that offers mealtime solutions to help bring your family back to the dinner table. Leanne has healthy recipes (plus nutritional guides, tips and the complete shopping list for each week)

When you can answer the resounding question: "What's for dinner?" with a healthy and delicious meal, you get peace of knowing you are doing your best for your family!

Leanne's my big sister and of course like most little sisters I look up to her. She has been a fine example for taking creative energy and channeling it into a successful business. She has been inspirational to me as I began my web-based business.

Leanne Ely is a cookbook author of the Saving Dinner Series and co-author of Body Clutter with Marla Cilley.