Style for Every Kind of Mom

TAMI PIPER owner, Poppy & Dot

Being a busy mom shouldn’t mean you have to give up your style. Mom life isn’t easy. Every day seems to bring new challenges. Not to mention as women, our bodies change as babies come and grow.

When I was a young mom of three boys, a sweet woman at church snapped a family photo of us and posted it on social media. When I saw myself, I was horrified! It took me many years and a lot of trial and error, but I have found a style that works for me. When I like what I’m wearing, I carry myself differently. I am confident. I feel capable. Whether you work in your home or in a board room, confidence is the key to a successful day. I don’t want you to spend years of frustration, feeling unhappy with your closet! I want to share what I’ve learned and make life a little easier for other busy moms. Here are a few of my best tips:

DRESS FOR THE SIZE YOU ARE! Telling yourself that you only deserve new clothes when you meet the weight or fitness goals you have is counterproductive. Finding styles that fit properly will feel good, and feeling good about you, right now, will help you accomplish any goals you may have.

SPLURGE ON KEY TIMELESS PIECES. Two of my favorite things to splurge on are shoes and a great

blazer. I have a soft spot for shoes! I feel justified when I buy a quality pair since my feet don’t change size. A blazer takes any outfit up a notch. Throw one over a basic tee and jeans when you want to be taken seriously. Add a great pair of heels and you’ve got a look that works for everything from a meeting with the principal, to a night out with your sweetheart.

KNOW YOUR BODY SHAPE! Certain cuts look better on certain shapes. Understanding what styles flatter your shape best will go a long way to empowering you when faced with fashion decisions.

ONLINE SHOPPING Online shopping is a HUGE time and stress saver, until you get something on your doorstep that doesn’t fit. Here are three things that will make online shopping easier: • Know your measurements. Many online retailers (including Poppy & Dot) list clothing measurements on their product pages. • Look for key phrases such as relaxed fit, oversized, or fitted, which will help you understand how a piece should fit on your frame. • Always check the return policy before you buy. Small businesses and boutiques are not Amazon, but need your support nonetheless! To save unnecessary frustration, make sure you understand how returns are processed before you buy.

GET TO KNOW

We have something new online every week at poppyanddot.com! New arrivals drop every Tuesday at 8 a.m. Quantities are limited, so if you see something you love, don’t wait.

Our brand offers versatile and quality collections that are focused on every facet of motherhood. Whether you are running errands or having a girl’s night out, we have the clothing you want and need.

Poppy & Dot is owned and managed by Cache Valley residents Tami and Jeff Piper. Our warehouse is located in Logan.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @poppyanddot for new arrivals, style tips, and relatable mom humor!

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET A PROPER SKIN CHECK:

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Medical Surgical Cosmetic

435-787-0560 RMDMED.COM

office locations: North Logan

1760 N. 200 E., Ste. 101

WASHINGTON TERRACE

5748 S Adams Ave Pkwy, Suite B

BRIGHAM CITY

1030 Medical Drive, Ste. A.

MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE

1920 W 250 N Ste 17 First, it’s important to understand what they are looking for. Everyone has spots, particularly as we grow older. The vast majority of those spots are simply cosmetic and harmless. However, due mostly to environmental conditions like sun exposure, some spots are not harmless and need to be removed. The provider performing the skin check has been trained to know what to look for and frankly, this is where you can tell the difference between a good skin care provider and a questionable one. More on that later.

THE ASSESSMENT — When you first arrive for your skin check, a Medical Assistant (MA) will take you back to a private exam room. They will ask you a few questions then provide you with one of those lovely medical gowns. The MA will step out while you remove your clothing down to what you are comfortable with, then you cover up with the gown. Wearing the gown will allow the provider to discretely and thoroughly examine your skin.

TREATMENT — If any of those spots present a concern, the provider will recommend that they be treated. If a spot is of minor concern, they will spray it with liquid nitrogen, which will basically kill the spot leaving the skin to grow back with healthy tissue. If the spot is perceived to be one of the many types of cancers, they will likely remove the spot and send the tissue to be read under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.

NEED FOR FURTHER TREATMENT — If a biopsy comes back confirming a diagnosis of a cancer, depending on the severity, there may be a need to perform further treatment, however, the majority of removed spots only need to be monitored to ensure they don’t come back. But if they do need further treatment, there are a few options. A specialist will contact you to schedule a follow-up visit for the appropriate type of further treatment needed.

WORD OF CAUTION — It is not common, but unfortunately it does happen where a provider overtreats by freezing off every spot they see. Proper care is to leave cosmetic spots alone and only treat the ones that are of medical concern. If every time you present for a skin check and they spray everything on your body, you are paying for treatment that you likely do not need. The same goes for spots that require further treatment after biopsy. It is tempting for the provider to recommend the most expensive surgery when other, less expensive options are perfectly suitable.