I am not a perfect mother and I will never be. You are not a perfect daughter and you will never be. But put us together and we will be the best mother and daughter we would ever be.
~ Zoraida Pesante

A mother is someone who dreams great dreams for you but then she lets ?you chase the dreams you have for yourself and loves you just the same.
~ Unknown

Some of you may have had a perfect mom, but most of our moms weren’t perfect — and those of us with kids aren’t perfect, either! Still, moms love their, and that’s what counts, and that’s why Mother’s Day is a  good time to find the best in our mothers, our daughters and, of course, ourselves.

With that in mind, here are some of the things Mom told us and how they do (and don’t) still ring true today:

“Everyone needs something flirty in their wardrobe.”
Do your clothes enhance your best self, making you feel fun, feminine, and confident?

They should!

Whether it’s a flirty skirt or a killer pair of earrings, find what makes you look and feel your best — then make sure you don’t save it for a “special occasion.” Wear it and enjoy how it makes you feel … now!

“Just be yourself.”
Don’t forget, not every trend is made for everyone. It’s okay to like something … then to decide it’s really just not right for you.

Yes, you want to be adventurous, but it’s also wonderful to know what really suits you and then stick with it. So find looks you like (online, on the street, in magazines), then adapt them to your lifestyle, your budget, your body.

“You’re perfect just the way you are.”
If your mother didn’t reassure you about how great you are, she should have!

Now that you’re a grown-up, you owe it to yourself to make sure that when you look in the mirror, you seek out what’s right and great and beautiful about you … rather than focusing on what you don’t like. Identifying your best assets is the first step toward dressing confidently and joyously.

“You can’t wear those colors together!”
Our moms lived by fashion rules that are different from the ones that govern our personal style today. Give yourself carte blanche to make new combinations using what’s already in your closet. And yes, you can combine colors and patterns in ways our moms would probably reject.

“Pretty is as pretty does.”
Ever met a woman who looked flawless … but just wasn’t, well, all that nice? Of course it’s important to look and feel stylish and up to date, but Mom was right: How we relate to others is even more important than how we look! And it says just as much about who we are.

So take a minute to smile, remember that “Please” and “Thank you” never go out of style, and at least once in a while, send someone a hand-written note.

Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, writer, and public speaker in Washington, DC. Contact her to schedule a complimentary get-acquainted session.