BeTheLight Tees GIVEAWAY!

 

I don't know about you, but I have a ton of t-shirts in my closet. I don't know what it is about them, but they're almost like my default when it comes to tops. They're comfy, practical and oh so casual.

 

Anyway, I especially like them when they happen to have cool quotes, geeky references or 'Christian' messages.

 

Be The Light Tees offers some awesome t-shirts that fall under that last category. Here are a few of the many styles they offer. I was sent six shirts to review/use for a giveaway so check it out! (a GIVEAWAY!!!!)

 

 

"Grace Peace Love" 

This is one of my favorites. I love how bright and colorful it is.

 

 

 

"Real Love" Another favorite. I wear it everywhere. It says "Real love is unconditional." So true! Love the Bible verse referenced also.  

 

 

 

 

"Psalms 103" I really like this one as well. One, because of the dandelion on the front. I love dandelions! Two, the verse on the back - such a marvelous reminder and promise!

 

 

 

Last but not least, we have not one by THREE t-shirts that will be given away to ONE 'lucky' winner! All shirts are in size medium.

 

"Blessed are those who Mourn..."

 

 

"Keep Calm in the Belly of the Whale"

 

 

"Storm"  So cute!

(The lighting here was weird, obviously. Don't know why it made the fabric look gray.)

 

I love my shirts from BeTheLight! They have some cool designs and I love the company's mission to point others to Christ through what you wear. Go check them out!

  

What are you waiting for? We've got a GIVEAWAY going, folks!! Get your entries in before it's too late!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Modest Bathing Suits @ Creations by Savannah! {review}

 Can you believe it's summer already?! Depending on where you live, this could mean the time for swimming, pools and beach vacays has come.

What do you wear for all this? It's genuinely hard to find adequate swimwear these days. Last year, I did a swimwear post about some of the modest suits I've found. For the most part, if you want to find a modest, feminine-looking suit you have to custom-order it online, and the options can be limited sometimes. Especially when the number of companies is few.

 

But then, I discovered a new modest-swimwear business I wasn't aware of, to add to the list!

 

 Creations by Savannah!

 

 

Creations by Savannah is a small home-based business that provides different swimwear styles which are both adorable and modest. The swimsuits come in both ready-made and custom options, for girls, juniors and women. The prices are reasonable, considering the quality and amount of time (plus the fabric) that goes into making the suits.

 

Savannah generously sent me this suit to review which she'd already made. I was so excited because it just happened to fit my measurements. Took care of my needing-a-new-swimsuit-but-have-no-money-whatsoever issue! Booyah! Doesn't get much more awesome than that!

 

 

(Okay, so I posses zero modeling skills. And my farmer's tan is just plain ridiculous. Half the time if you put me in front of a camera I'll just make a weird face or do something awkward. I mean, I'm not against getting my picture taken, but I'm pretty sure I'm lacking photogenic-ness....)

 

 

The suit's construction is durable and the quality is evident. It's a two piece which makes it easy to put on and take off. The top has ruching up the sides and ends with strings you can tie. I think this is a cute effect. Reminds me of a surf top.

 

I love the fabric choice! It's really quite adorable. The fabric itself is that stretchy spandex-like swimwear fabric that dries really quick.

(One note, you have to wear a bra/bikini top underneath, because it's basically just like any other top only in swimwear fabric.)

 

I used to not like this length for swim leggings, but I've loosened up a little since then. I wouldn't go any shorter than this, and it took a little getting used to, but I like it. The skirt of course draws it all together. I really like the contrast it offers.

 

Overall, it's comfortable, classy and chic. Functionality is good except that you'd have to be careful not letting the shirt come up when doing a flip into the pool or other daring stunts. :P

 

 

Oh yeah, and I like that the top is sleeveless. Sleeves are all I've ever had on my suits. You end up getting the most predominant farmers' tans - and sunburns too, when you fail to use enough sunscreen....*cough* Okay so it's not the end of the world if you get a weird tan line, but to me it's kind of a random pet peeve thing. Anyhoo, I like sleeveless when I'm in the sun, so this is perf.

 

"That's right, this girl don't know how to pose."

 

"She does know how to be goofy, however..."

 

 

It's hard to have long hair during a typical Floridian summer. I can't leave it down or it turns into a sweat mop.

 

*is trying to conceal the fact that she's actually sweating pretty profusely - ah, a lake or pool would be nice right about now!*

 

Not sure what I was doing here. ^ Maybe it was the 105% humidity...

 

 

And then of course you have the unstrung recurve bow and arrows in the corner...yeah 'mon. *cue Caribbean/Bahamas voice*

 

The Dramatic Conclusion:

 

I absolutely love this suit! It fits perfect, looks adorable and isn't lacking on comfort or practicality. Best of all, it covers everything that I feel needs to be covered! I can see myself even purchasing another one in a different print/style, at some point. Definitely recommend this business and give it a double thumbs up! I have no complaints at all. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

 

Final words? Go check it out for yourself. 

 

Visit the Etsy store, and "like" the Facebook page!

 

 Who said modest bathing suits had to be ugly, plain and boring?

 

Note: I was provided this item from Creations by Savannah in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed remain mine and mine alone.

eShakti Retro-Inspired Custom Dress! {review}

 

It's always exciting to get to do a review with eShakti. 

I absolutely love their clothes! Last year I got to review a dress of theirs and that was a blast. I still love wearing that dress. I'm sure many of you ladies have heard of this company before and even checked out their clothing line. It's not every day that you get to work with such an awesome company.

 

The big draw with eShakti is that they offer customizable options, and most everything they sell is modest and feminine. If you want a higher neckline or longer hemline, the option's available. In fact, just about everything is customizable, even down to the sleeves. Very handy! I love it because it's one company that I know will make dresses that fit me just perfect. Being tall, it's especially hard to find frocks that don't fit like a shirt or tunic. Never have to worry about that with eShakti!

 

So, this year in particular I've really been digging the whole retro/40's era style. I saw this dress and fell in love with it! The floral print is so springy and adorable. This is the perfect spring dress. The fabric is lightweight and cool which is great for the hot summer months - which, as you can probably guess, are abundant in Florida.

 

 

I just feel so classy and beautiful in this. It's unique and feminine and so much fun to wear with heels, if you want to go for that perfect retro-inspired vibe!

 

Classy enough to wear to church but comfortable enough for to a casual get-together or lunch in town, this is a dress I have no complaints about. The quality is evident and it's so cool to know that it was crafted with my own measurements in mind. How nifty is that?!

 

 

 

The dress is fully lined, and even has pockets which are discreetly hidden at the sides. An optional sash also comes with it, which ties at the waist. The fit was slightly big at the neckline, but overall I think it fit perfect. Pretty much true to the measurements I gave.

 

Simply put, this is my new favorite dress. (Yes, I said the same thing about the last eShakti dress I reviewed!)

 

eShakti is the only women's apparel online company offering sizes 0-36W & Custom!  eShakti's custom capabilities allow shoppers to easily tailor any item to their specific requirements ensuring a flattering fit and unique look. 

 

 Sign up with eShakti and get $25 OFF your first order!   Also, make sure you take advantage of this APOC reader exclusive coupon code to get another 10% off! 

 

The code is: classypinch (valid 07/01/2014 – 08/01/2014)

 

You can find out more info at the eShakti Facebook page, or on their Pinterest account. Also, follow on Twitter and Instagram!

 

eShakti's motto is "Real fashion for real people". Even though I think models are "real people" too, since we're ALL created by God, it's nice to have a shop that offers apparel for people of all different sizes and shapes!

 

Now go check out eShakti for yourself! I guarantee, from personal experience, you will probably find yourself spending quite a bit of time looking at all the lovely things they have to offer. So many choices, so many possibilities! Gah!

Note: This item was provided in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed remain mine and mine alone.

The Perfect Storm - Guest Post by Chard Phebe

 

You could say I’m a sailor of sorts.

Now before you get the image of me in a parka on a dinky old boat yelling “Ahoy mateys!”, hear me out.

Why do sailors sail? Some do it for fish, others for the adventurous feeling it gives, still others do it because they want to explore the world. Every sailor sails for a reason.

God calls everyone out upon the waters of life at its fullest, yet most of us fear leaving the shore.

We’re like Veggie-tale Jonah.

One of the saddest things about that is one of the reasons God calls us out, one of the reasons He designed us the way He did, is to co-labor with Him in solving the world’s problems. (1 Cor. 3:9)

Did you ever wonder why you felt so strongly about a problem in the world few people, even your closest Christian friends felt the same passion for? Maybe it’s because that’s not their problem.

I believe God will show us two or three problems in the world that we are to make our passions. (1 Cor 12:4-6)

(Now just a disclaimer, I don’t really know if the number is two or three, I’ve just never met anyone with only one passion, and having four or more seems like you’d start to slack in one of them.)

I believe God shows us these in a variety of ways, through hard times (2 Cor. 2:4), visions and dreams (Isa. 6:1-8), prayer and meditation (James 1:5-8), and also having seen/experienced things that move your heart for the things that move the heart of God (Matt 9:36-38).

Now, thinking back on your life, I’m sure you can probably name at least a couple things that had truly weighed on your heart. Don’t tell yourself what you felt was superficial, the person say who feels saddened at there not being any entertaining Christian movies to watch, may be the next filmmaker for a wholesome blockbuster.

I also want you to get a weight for the importance of you pursuing the thing you feel God pulling you toward. Not only the world, but the Church needs you.

If you haven’t found out yet, the Church is full of sinners.

We’re all broken in some way, and you living out God’s call for your life might just be a blessing to dozens, hundreds, thousands, even millions of other believers...and God only knows how many countless unbelievers.

You can’t believe the lie that you aren’t important, and you don’t matter (Ps. 8:5). That’s from the pit of Hell and it’s just what the Enemy would want you to believe.

Which brings me to what may be my most critical point: spiritual warfare.

As I said before, I am like a sailor. I’ve begun to answer God’s call and it’s taken me out from shore so far I’m not really sure where home is anymore. Out here on the water, there are waves, big ones that take you high and low. There’s pouring rain, lightning, and fear.

So much and so often I want to quit, give into temptations, start believing the lies and settling for an alright life knowing Christ.

But I can’t, the call is too strong, you can’t the world needs you too much.

I would love to tell you that as you begin to pursue the callings God has on your life, things will nice, fun, and safe. I would love to...but I can’t.

Fact is the few years I’ve now spent looking for ways to pursue God’s call on my life, interacting with people the way He’s told me to, and trying to conform with who He’s making me to be have been some of the hardest years of my life.

And most the joyful, rich, and fulfilling as well.

We need to be ready to keep our eyes on heaven even when the waves are 50 feet tall and we think we’re going to capsize, God is bigger than the problems, the need is bigger than our fear.

The Bible says when we resist the Devil he flees from us (James 4:7), we have no need to fear the world for greater is the one is us (1 John 4:4), and our flesh is exactly that ours and we can discipline it by God’s grace into obeying us (1 Cor. 9:27).

See what I just named there? The Enemy, the world, and our flesh? Those are our biggest opponents with chasing our dreams. They’re what would feed us lies, what would cause us to stumble, what would make us want to quit. They are the waves, rain, and lightning in this Perfect Storm...and by the Holy Spirit, you've already gotten the victory over them!

So what’s stopping you?

Remember, having the victory doesn't mean these things won’t still rear their ugly heads, it just means when they do you can fight if off with God’s power.

Start small and move on to bigger goals as you complete the smaller ones. Pray to God for guidance and for comfort when you fail. Remember failure is a learning experience, and you really can’t get success until you've failed a few times. Constantly refocus yourself so you can keep the main thing the main thing.

Remember, your Creator is proud of you and your world thanks you.

So go, and I hope to see you out there on these waters very soon.

 

-Chard Phebe

 

 

Aquarian Bath Naturals {review}

 

Hey ladies! Sorry for the absence in posts. I just got back from a week-long beach vacay, and besides that have been just super busy with life in general.

 

Anyway! Several months back I was sent some natural bath products from Aquarian Bath.

 

"Aquarian Bath, Inc. is your source for all natural gentle soaps, herbal balms, and salves. All my soaps are either unscented or lightly scented with only pure essential oils. My soaps are orangutan friendly. I do not use palm oil, which is a threat to orangutan and rain forest; jungle habitat is cleared to make way for palm plantations." - quote from the Aquarian Bath Facebook page.

 

I've been trying to find natural alternatives to shampoo and conditioner for years. But most things I've discovered either don't work, or are too expensive for my limited budget. Have you ever been in this situation?

 

So, I enjoyed getting to use the hair bars and sea salt scrub that were given for me to review. I definitely made them last!

 

1. Ocean Waves sea salt scrub bar.  This is the bar furthest to the left in the picture above. It has a good lather and excellent exfoliating properties. My only complaint is that is doesn't really have a scent, and I prefer soaps with strong scents. Nonetheless, this is definitely a practical bar and it lasts a long while. You get your money's worth, so to speak. I liked using it as a facial bar to help with my oily skin.

 

2. Lavender Patchouli Hemp shampoo bar. This has a mild, pleasant scent. I liked it well enough. It worked decent as a shampoo, although a little harder to use than traditional shampoo. But that's expected of any shampoo bar versus liquid shampoo.

 

3. Key Lime shampoo bar.  This was my favorite of all the bars I was sent. I liked the smell, which was very fresh, citrus-y and tangy. Invigorating! It was the same as the lavender bar in consistency. I would use this one again. I don't really have any complaints here. The only thing is that it takes a little getting used to making the transition from liquid to solid shampoo, but like I said, that's expected and I'm not going to make a fuss over it!

 

***

 

Aquarian Bath is a family-owned business in Daytona Beach, FL. They don't use GMO oils of any kind which I'm pleased to see. I appreciate that they are keeping their product line completely natural and organic. Overall, I give this business a thumbs-up and suggest you go check them out for yourself!

 

Here are some social media sites they're on:

"Like" on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Pinterest | Google +

 

 

Note: I was provided these items in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed remain mine and mine alone.

Monday Scripture Encouragement

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

 It seems so silly that people find the Bible hard to understand when it is written out so clearly for all of us to see and learn and apply to our lives. Take this scripture for example. It promises that if you trust God with your whole heart, instead of trying to understand things yourself, and you give glory to Him and acknowledge Him, He WILL direct you path! 

 I think sometimes we try to learn things by ourselves instead of praying for the Lord to provide us with understanding. But He is so amazing and holds the answers to so many Biblical truths and understanding.