Royal + Classy: A Purple Dress {ClassyGarb}

So, I figured today I would do an outfit post, because I got a lovely new outfit about a week ago. :-) Anyways, I had won a $60 gift card to Mod Cloth, so I bought the "Rebecca to Basics" dress, and the "Winding My Way" heel.

I do love to wear jeans for my general, everyday wear, but I love the feeling of skirts and dresses when I wear them. In heels, I feel kind of stately and classy. :-D

The dress and shoes are actually different shades of purple, so this "photoshoot" is probably the only time I'll ever wear them together. :-)

Love love love the silver stripe on the heels!!! They are a suede plum material, and so far fit pretty comfortably.

 

I added another shirt underneath because the V opening dips pretty low. All in all though, it's a fantastic dress that I feel great in!

Now, I usually don't spend large amounts of money on new clothing, but I do enjoy making my own dresses when I can find a good deal on fabric, or have an especially strong inspiration for a particular dress. The second is what I am currently working on... It will end up being a pretty expensive dress, all told, but incredibly worth it!

A little peek at my inspiration:

Do you ever make your own clothes? What is your favorite type of clothing to make?

 

Finding Deals {ClassyGarb}

Okay, so I just got a new dress!  ^_^  I was at Wal-Mart yesterday, walking around looking for me family, two of my brothers running around, and I saw . . . it . . .
 

The full picture

The pretty neckline (although I REALLY hate how the sequins

reflect when I'm reading at night with overhead lights)

Well, I saw the price and had to buy it.  I peeled away the clearance sticker, and found another one.  And under that was the original price.  The original price, was $12.  The next clearance price was $9.  The amount I paid was $3.
 

Now, I'm ridiculously cheep when it comes to clothes.  I really hate to spend much money on clothes, and I guess most people don't really wear the types of clothes I do, but what I'm trying to say is, if you carry only a small amount of money around with you, and see an opportunity to get a deal on something pretty and modest, then it's saves money.  The deals don't always last.  So, I don't know if anyone really likes my idea, but, it's a suggestion.
 

Sorry I got this out really late, but I hope everyone liked it!

What Is Your Color Style?

Good day APOC friends! My post today is going to be about finding your color style. Your color style is the shades or certain colors that fit you best (In this case the object of your color style is clothing). I have noticed that out of the four girls in our family, almost each of us have a certain "color style" that we like best. I found a website on the computer that gives you charts with "keys" that help you to find the color scheme that fits you best. Though I was already pretty sure what my color scheme was just from looking at the color charts, I am now able to know for sure what my color scheme is. You can take the test in four easy steps: 1. Eye Color- My eye color is blue  2. Hair Color- My hair color is blond  3. Skin color- This was pretty hard since these charts have so many different skin colors to choose from, so I am not quite positive which skin color I am. But I did narrow my colors down to the two seasons "Spring" or "Summer". I still have not decided yet but my Mom thinks that I am "Spring".  4. Find Your Chart- Hopefully, you can narrow your colors down to a certain shade chart (deep winter, light spring, warm autumn, etc.) but I have not been able to do that for myself. :( We also went through my two oldest sisters to see what "seasons" they were. My sister Mikaela has dark hair and dark eyes. We are pretty sure that she is "Winter". My sister Gabby has dark blond hair and dark eyes. We are pretty sure that she is "Autumn". 

Now, you may think that this has nothing to do with modesty, but in a way, it does. Have you ever seen someone that was a very nice looking person, but when they wore a certain outfit, their whole look seemed to change? Perhaps they wore a certain style of clothing that just did not look right or perhaps it had to do with the color scheme of their outfit. My sister Mikaela and I are only 15 months apart, and I have noticed how some outfits look gorgeous on her but if I try to wear them, they look awful on me. Sadly, today's culture does not seem to care much (or anything at all) about if what you are wearing looks right on you. A matter of fact, it almost seems like whoever can wear the most miss-matched outfit is the "coolest". Proverbs 11:22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion." As of late, I had noticed a couple certain outfits that I really liked, but did not look quite right on me. Both outfits were very beautiful but when I wore them I knew something was wrong. Thankfully, after much conflict in my mind, I put the two items in the "take to the thrift store" box, along with the other girls who were getting rid of some stuff as well. A couple days later when we were going to the store I noticed Mikaela wearing a very nice looking shirt that I had never seen on her before, and then I realized that it was the shirt that I had gotten rid of, and it looked wonderful on her! 

I found this test on the Internet and copied the pictures over here, but before I did that, I cropped the pictures to take off the faces of some modern day celebrities which they were using for examples of the different color schemes. If you would like to see the complete article with the examples you can click here. (The examples are not bad, but I cropped the pictures just in case, for the sake of any in the APOC audience that would prefer not to have those pictures.) 

 

If any of y'all take the test, I would love for you to comment and tell me what color scheme you are! Also, If you have a blog with a picture of you on it, I would love to come stop by and see, so I can see how you found your color scheme! 

 

Winter Colors
 

Clear Winter

Cool Winter

Deep Winter




Spring Colors

Light Spring

Warm Spring

Clear Spring

Summer Colors

           

Light Summer

Cool Summer

Soft Summer

Autumn Colors

 

Soft Autumn

Warm Autumn

Deep Autumn

I hope you have enjoyed taking this test! Have a colorful day! 

Modest Bathing Suits

So it’s nearing that time again! That time when everyone wants to go swimming and if you get the privilege to go to the beach, you are to be envied, because the weather is starting to get warmer.

Okay, so not really. Not where I live, at least. It’s still snowing where I’m vacationing at (yep, I took time out of family time to write you guys this, because I love you). Actually, I’ve been sleeping most the time, so it’s not like I’m missing anything. Just thirty minutes of extra napping. NOW, back on subject. Swimming seems to be a big part of the warmer days. It’s like people can’t live without it! So they post on Facebook a million statuses that go something like this: “Hiiiiiii. Im at da beach!  Be very jelly. ;)” And then bam. You scroll down and they’re in bikinis or very revealing swimsuits. 

I don’t like those kind of pictures. Take a picture of the ocean or something, but I don’t want to see you half naked. I mean, really? Do you expect me to comment something like, “Oh, wow, guuuurrrrrrrrl, you look so gret in dat suit. So jelly. Hav fuuun 4 m, kk?”

Okay, so that’s a bit exaggerated. And I’m straying from the topic I wanted to focus on. Is there a such thing as “modest bathing suits?” I don’t know. To tell the truth, I’ve never seen one, and will have to go google it now to see. 

*A few minutes later*

*snort* Do you know what came up as soon as I googled that? One of the worst bathing suits I’ve ever seen. *cough* Yeah, better keep looking. 

*A few more minutes later*

*sigh* Okay, so what I’ve discovered is, when people think of “modest bathing suits,” they think it means covering up your belly button. But it’s more than that. Don’t you think your thighs should be cover too? You wouldn’t walk around outside wearing nothing to cover your legs, so why swim like that? If it’s not modest for public viewing, it’s probably not modest for swimming either. 

But I did find this picture from Large Families on Purpose. This is something I would be comfortable to swim in, but others might not be. I understand not everyone has worn a skirt or dress all of their lives and might not be completely able to swim in something like this (but I dare you to try). So on I keep searching.

 

So what about this (It's from the same website as the last)? 

It's a bit looser. It's modest. It has leggings underneath, like the ones above. I'm not exactly sure how that would work out for some people, but you never know until you try, right?

The reason I'm writing this is to remind you that you're not meant to be some sort of thing for people to ogle. You deserve respect. Not only from other people, but also from yourself. People judge you by what you wear. Wearing a two piece that shows more skin than it covers just says, "I don't respect myself, so why should you? Go ahead and stare at me!" Modest clothing demands respect, and says, "I'm not some form of entertainment, and you need to respect me. I refuse to be just another girl who you can stare at."

Your body is supposed to be a temple of the Lord. Treat it that way. Don't treat it like it's not worthy of respect. 

That's all for today, and I'm SO sorry I missed last week's post!  I was so busy, and it completely slipped my mind until Abri started talking about the blog. And it was around 9 or 10pm. :/ I will try to never miss a post again, without warning you. 

God bless!
 

 

Keeping the Home

{Source}

Bread baking in the oven, kids laughing and playing in the yard, clean laundry blowing gently on the line...  That is my idea of a picture perfect home.  I've always wanted to have a home of my own (with a husband and kids of course!).  A place to decorate the way I want and to keep cozy for my family.

When I think of a keeper of the home, Proverbs 31:10-31 comes to mind.  The women described in the passage is the ideal homemaker, wife, and mother.

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. v 13

She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and 
portions for her maidens. v 15

She looks well to the way of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her. vv 27, 28

This woman works hard to keep her family clothed and fed.  In the end, her children and husband praise her for her efforts keeping the home.

As women we are called to be keepers of the home.

(Older women)...so train the young women...to be self controlled, pure, working at home, 
kind and submissive to their own husband. Titus 2:5
(Emphasis mine)

Young women are continually pushed to go to college and establish well paying careers.  Being a keeper of the home is pushed aside and pretty much frowned upon.  Young ladies aren't being taught the skills how to manage their own homes

Note: I'm not against college or working (I currently work outside the home).

Even while we are living at home we can gain good experience on how to one day run our own home.  You can help with meal planning and preparation of meals, help with laundry and cleaning, or help take care of younger siblings (or help with a little kids' Sunday School class).

We shouldn't think of being a keeper of the home as a burden or form of slavery, but as a privilege and an honor.

 

What Do Your Eyes Say About You?

 

In the last several weeks, numerous young ladies here at APOC have discussed what true, inner modesty and beauty is, and how it can manifest on the outside.

 

And, following that line of thought, I have a question for you. What is the first thing you notice when you look at another person? When you're talking to someone else, where do your eyes naturally drift to?

 

The eyes have been called the window to the soul, and rightly so.

And they're what we're going to talk about today.

 

The human eyes.

 

Eyes are one of the main body parts mentioned in Scripture. Eyes are our window to the world around us, and how we visualize reality. Without our eyes, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the myriad of beauty of our world...from the bright greens and blues found in forests and the sky above us, to the vivid yellows and reds found in the insect and animal realm.

Our eyes let us partake in an incredible visual experience daily. They truly are an amazing blessing given to us by Jehovah God. Personally, I try to thank Him for the gift of sight each day.

 

Have you ever heard the saying which says that sometimes you don't have to say anything, you can just communicate with your eyes alone?

 

 

 

 

 

It's so true that it doesn't even need to be said to be recognised. We all communicate immensely with our eyes, whether consciously or unconsciously. We might give nasty looks when somebody says something we don't like. We might narrow our eyes skeptically, or open them wide in surprise.

 

Flirting is usually done mainly with the eyes.

 

Joy can practically radiate from the eyes; just as sadness, pain or discouragement can be manifested through a downcast look, without any effort.

 

 

How does one lust? With their eyes. (Matthew 5:28)

 

So, as you can see, the eyes are vital in displaying many of the uncountable human emotions we feel each day. We use our eyes to judge and discern. And like anything else, we can use them either for good, or for evil.

 

 

 

That brings me to how the eyes connect with modesty and glorifying God.

 

A girl/guy could be dressed totally modest and appropriately, but have immodest eyes.

 

What do I mean by "immodest eyes", you might be wondering?

 

It doesn't have anything to do with excessive make-up, although, that can play a part in the topic.

 

Ultimately, it has everything to do with your heart, and your mind. You, on the inside. If you have a cheerful, joyous spirit, it will come through in your eyes. If you are angry or discontented, it will seep through into your eyes. It will become visible through them, unless you attempt to hide it.

 

If you are trying to grab the attention of the opposite gender, it will show in your eyes. This doesn't apply merely to girls and women. Guys can flirt/be immodest with their eyes just as easily.

 

In Scripture, immoral women have been described as having flattering lips, smooth words and alluring eyes/eyelids. 

 

Proverbs 6:25 "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids."

 

 

This verse is a prime example. We don't see anything in Proverbs or any other Biblical book for that matter which describes a man committing sin with a woman because of her other body parts. It is always described as having to do with the face. The eyes, and mouth in particular. Obviously people can and do have lust problems with the other body parts, but I find it interesting how God doesn't focus on that. He instead points out the danger of a woman who allures with her eyes.

 

Look at a lot of photos in secular magazines. Most of the models have a seductive look, just in their eyes alone. You wouldn't even need to see the rest of their bodies to know that they are trying to be "sexy" and sensual. Now, cosmetics do have a lot to do with this. Most ladies throw on WAY too much eye make up, not only making them look more seductive but also detracting from their natural beauty.

 

I personally really like using my natural mineral eye shadows from Madison Street Beauty.  I don't wear them very often, usually for something more formal like my dad's conferences or church events. I always am careful to not overdo it., and the one time that I did, thankfully my mom helped me become aware of the fact. Make-up is totally okay in my opinion as long as it's used in moderation. And, as long as you don't start relying on it like a crutch...or start feeling naked without it. Then you're getting into ungratefulness with how God made you!

 

 

I am regretful to say this, but I have been inappropriate with my eyes before. And I wasn't wearing make-up, either. I have used my eyes to get attention from guys, in the past. I am not happy to tell y'all that it worked.

 

Girls, don't underestimate the power of your eyes!

 

You can tell so much about yourself just through them. Your eyes can radiate with cheerfulness and you can shine like the sun, reflecting the Son. You can let them drip with a sultry unthankfulness, or burn with a frustrated, angry spirit. Or, you can use them to tempt the opposite gender, pulling the attention away from God and to yourself.

 

It's your choice.

 

What do your eyes say about you?

 

 

On Courting

 

 Hello all. Today I'm going to talk a little bit on courtship. Not everyone shares the same views as me, and I'm not going to be all judgmental about it if you don't. This is another one of those personal conviction things. But I thought I would share a little bit about this with you guys.

 I'm the girl who gets all the weird looks when this situation happens. People ask me if I have a boyfriend, and I answer with a "No." They ask why not, and I answer that I'm waiting for the guy that God meant for me to come along, and when I do get in a relationship it will be with the intention of marriage. Let the weird looks begin. ;)

There are many different opinions on what courtship is. Some say it's basically dating. But this article is about what I believe courtship is.

 My parents dated each other, kissed, etc. before they got married. Now, almost 25 years later, they wished they hadn't. They realized that if they had waited for some of those things, it would have been much sweeter.

 So, when my sister, Charity was old enough to talk about that sort of thing, my parents sat down with her. They asked her if she'd be willing to wait, and she agreed. My sister's story is really wonderful- hopefully she won't mind me sharing with all of you. ;)

 We're very good friends with another family that also believes in courtship. Charity, and the oldest son in that family were best friends since they were about fourteen going on fifteen, and fifteen going on sixteen. God told both of them at one point or another, that they would marry each other. My sister didn't want to believe it- she thought of him as her younger friend- but he took it a bit more seriously. When he was almost nineteen, his parents finally decided he was ready to ask about courting my sister. By this time, Charity had realized that she really did like him, but she didn't want to let anything get in the way of her relationship with God, and told the Lord she was willing to give up her friendship with him, if that was His will.

 One night, my parents got a telephone call from him. He asked if he could court my sister. My parents talked to Charity, who said yes when she realized it was actually God's will to become even greater friends with Beau. They had a courtship that lasted almost a year. Then he blindfolded her, walked her up a mountain, and showed her a giant glowing cross before kneeling, and asking her to marry him. She said yes. :) They've been married for going on two years this month, have a beautiful little daughter, and a son on the way.

 My parents never really had that talk with me, but I've made the decision based on many things. Their wisdom, my sister's experience, books I've read. (Preparing to be a Helpmeet) The decision isn't being forced on me, but I feel like it's the right thing for me to do.

 Here are some things my family does in courtship.

 Courtship is to get to know someone with the intention of marriage. My sister and bro-in-law talked on the phone a lot, and got to know each other more then they did as just friends.

 My sister and bro-in-law didn't kiss, and neither will I. O.O But how will you know if you have 'sparks?!?!' Don't worry. I plan on praying about it just like my sister did. The Lord will let you know if someone is the right one.

They didn't hold hands either. WHAT???? This isn't a courtship principle that everyone follows, but my sister and bro-in-law wanted to keep their relationship pure in the sight of God. They realized that holding hands, (and kissing for that matter) could lead to things that would not please the Lord. Once they were engaged they did hold hands, though.

 We will have a chaperon. Isn't that a little strict? Not really. Having a chaperon helps the two individuals not get caught up in anything that wouldn't glorify Christ. And it's always fun to be the third wheel who gets to do fun stuff. ;)

 So that's a little bit on courtship. There are other reasons I've decided to court, and if you want to know any more about it, just ask in the comments. Once again, courtship is MY choice. If you don't feel that way, do not feel bad.

 I hope you've enjoyed learning a little about courtship. :)

Genesis 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 God bless!