Au Revoir, Tout le Monde!

Hello all,

It's been nice writing for the Mod Style Lounge, but due to life's circumstances, I'm unable to continue.  After some family issues and very busy times for me, I realized (with a slap in the head from God) that it was time for me to reestablish my priorities...and that includes dropping some things from my activity list. 

It's been a joy to work with such wonderful people such as the MSL staff and to write for such wonderful readers such as yourselves.  I will remain an avid reader as I move off into the other things that God has in store.

Love you all,

Rachel

Hair, oh Hair, Whatever Shall I Do with You?

It's nearing the end of the school year (well, at least for seniors and college students, it is) and I am super excited seeing how this is my last year in High School! Anyway, as it moves in towards the final days, I always like to leave school with a haircut, leaving people with something to remember.

It doesn't have to be extreme, but something that makes you look different.  Since I've detested having long hair for a while now, I chopped it off. And when I did, I breathed a sigh of relief.  I like long hair on other people, but we just do not get along.

If you've had long hair for a while, or medium length, perhaps you'd like to jump over to the short hair bandwagon. if you can dare to part with the hair you've grown so close to over the years.  Do some research into what style of short hair would be best for you, and then choose.

Taylor Swift certainly surprised us all by straightening her hair. If you're really sick of that curly/wavy hair that you've been stuck with your entire life (I don't know why you would though, I would certainly love it!), then perhaps you should investigate permanently straightening it.

Not sure that you want to do anything too dramatic?  Try getting bangs, or restyling your bangs. If you've always had straight bangs, perhaps it's time to try side bangs or no bangs for a while and vise versa. 

It's the end of the school year, let's leave people something visible to remember us by.

rachel

It's Getting Warmer, Girls!

Hello everyone!  Spring is officially here (yes, I realize it's been here for a while, but where I live, it's been pretty cold still) and with spring comes warmer temperatures.  I've already pulled out my shorts once and my capris a couple of times; I'm already addicted to flip-flops again!

If you're anything like me, you've put off buying shorts and whatnot for two reasons: 1) It still hasn't been quite warm enough for you to pull them out yet; 2) You hate shopping for shorts because you can't find modest ones, or; 3) You haven't shaved for months and are still too lazy to do so. ;) 

I have to say, Old Navy is definitely one of my favourite stores recently for clothes and flipflops! They seem to have a lot of modest choices in a variety of colours and styles for a decent price. 

I love these.  On me, they go down to about two inches above my knee and have an eight inch inseam. 

They're comfortable, flattering, and modest.

These may or may not be appropriate for you depending on your modesty standards and your body type. Let it be said that I never encourage you to buy something that you believe isn't modest. Also, just because I think that this may be appropriate and modest on some people, doesn't mean it may be on you.  I have a pair of these and they go down to about mid thigh on me.  They're extremely comfortable and are great for those warmer spring days and summer ones. :)

If you're more of a skirt person, this one's for you.  I don't know the length and I don't have any of these, so I can't help you out there.  However, on everyone I've seen wearing them, they hit the knee or go past it, and they're super cute!  They come in a variety of colours and styles.  So pick the one that best fits you and enjoy. :)

Last but certainly not least, FLIP FLOPS!!!  Pretty self-explainatory.  Hehe, pick up a few pairs--they're on sale now.

Enjoy spring and the warmer weather,

rachel

All photos and products are from http://www.oldnavy.com/

More Beautiful You

I love this song by Jonny Diaz and thought I'd share it with you. Here's a copy of the lyrics as well.

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

[Chorus]There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

[Chorus]

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

[Chorus]

There could never be a more beautiful YOU!

rachel

Valentine's Day Party

If any of you are anything like me, you have a stack of dresses in the back of your closet from the last prom/wedding/event that you attended (and all the ones before that!).  Chances are that your friends have a stash in the back of their closet as well.  I know that I'll take out one or two and put them on (and then proceed to dance around the house because no one is home) and it's so much fun. :)

So anyway, back to my point.  We've got dresses in the back of the closet. We're girls who like to look pretty and get dressed up.  And we've got friends who have the same thing going on. So what does that combination sound like?  A party. Yep. :)

It is time to let all of your friends know really quickly that you'd like to host a Valentine's day party (no boys allowed! At least, that's what I say to my guy friends).   Tell your friends a date and time and throw a spur of the moment Valentine's Day party where every one dresses up.  Then be creative in what you do.  You could have a time to show off your lovely dresses.  Have a photo shoot.  Act out a drama (acting is always so much more fun when you're all dressed up!)

Maybe this will become a tradition.  And since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, you can always have a Post-Valentine's Day party, then maybe all your friends who have dates the previous date you chose will be able to go. :)  Enjoy spontaneity and your party.

rachel

Your Unique Style

"Fashion can be bought.  Style one must possess."

~ Edna Woolman Chase

I found this quote at the beginning of chapter two of Nina Garcia's book, The Little Black Book of Style  (which you should all read, because it's a fantastic book).  Upon reading further, I liked what she had to say, creativity and individuality being the root of style whereas fashion was simply obeying rules of do's and don't's.  While I'm not suggesting that being 'in fashion' is bad, I am suggesting that your own style is better.

So, style.  I'll admit, I was pretty happy about this when I read it since to be honest, I hate fashion.  Yep, I'm writing for a modest fashion blog and I hate fashion.  I do, however, like creativity, and I was pleased to find someone who was fashionable and appreciated creativity more than trends.  

I'm not saying you have to go out and start trying on outrageous articles of clothing, nor am I suggesting you to try and be who you are not (one of the reasons I dislike fashion).  Style is all about YOU.

I love this outfit.  The dress, it's a pattern that I don't see a lot, which is why it particularly drew my eye.  There are very rare times when I actually like an orange dress, however, this is one of those times.  Not only is it extremely pretty, it's so exemplary of  individual style.  Somehow, the dress just fits the girl wearing it, but I couldn't just put it on myself and say 'this is style'.  Style is individual, and you yourself are the only one who can show your own style.  I certainly couldn't tell you wear to buy a dress like this (although, I will say that there is a pattern at Walmart that looks pretty similar ;) hehe). 

The second outfit is just simply cute.  The red shirt bringing a bold that isn't shown anywhere else in the outfit, the rest being simply a pair of ordinary jeans and a slightly unusual white shirt underneath.  Style isn't necessarily bold nor exotic, it simply makes use of what you've got in a unique way. So raid your closets girls, see what you've got to project who you are through your clothing style.

rachel

Bringing the Past to Present

I love the Christmas season and especially all the movies that are airing on TV.  Watching movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" bring me back to eras where fashion was emerging into what it is now, yet still holding onto the modesty that was valued among many.

One of my favorite movies is "It's a Wonderful Life" and in particular I love the long coats with  big buttons that the females wear.  Get a red one this Christmas and stand out, wearing it with an air of style.  Mary, played usually by Donna Reed, particularly has excellent fashion in this movie, and others that she has been cast in.

Something else I like about the fashion in this movie is the appreciation of jewelry and decoration of their dresses.  Traditionally, the 1920s (the time era in which this movie was to have taken place), were much more colorful and bold than the previous eras.  Pick up some traditional jewelry and add some extra decor to your normal outfits. 

My second favorite movie during the holiday season is "Miracle on 34th Street".  In the picture above, I particularly like how adorable and fashionable both characters can be while wearing very modest necklines.  Don't be afraid this holiday season to wear what may seem like "extremely modest clothing".  Wear them with confidence, and accessorize them with your own personal style. 

Have a great holiday season,

Rachel

It's Slipper Time!

There’s almost nothing better to me than coming home from an “oh so stressful" day of school and slipping on my slippers.  I have two pairs, and I absolutely love them both!  I’ve been told that slippers indicate something about a person’s personality, so what do your slippers tell someone about you?  Or what would you like them to say? 

Elegant, yet not expensive. 

I saw a pair like this for about $10 at Walmart. 

I would totally wear these to school, and at my school,

they'd probably pass for classy shoes. ;) 

"I'm at the house...and I am LOVIN' it :)" 

These would definitely be my super awesome pajama party slippers.

I have a pair like this except they're blue.

Don't wear them outside...they absorb water too well.

"Look at me, I'm stylish" 

Ahh, the comfort of the Ugg slippers. 

Way out of my price range, but you might be

 able to finagle this out of your parents for Christmas.

"My feet are cute and silly...just like me!"

When we were six, we liked to wear bunny slippers.

Well, now you can be sixteen (or twenty six)  and wear

some sort of fun, awesome slipper that represents your funny side.

If you don't have a funny side, then it's time to lighten up and find your inner funny bone.

Special Announcement!

Since Sarah and Madeline are busy with schoolwork and homework and adapting to the new lifestyle of college students, we’re finding less time to fit writing into our schedules. We both want to continue writing for this blog and sharing our fashion and beauty knowledge with our wonderful readers, so we found a way we can still write, but write less often.

After a lot of thought and prayer, we’ve decided to add two new girls to our staff! They are as passionate about modest fashion and inner beauty as we are and I know you’ll love them. They will take over half of our weeks so we only have to write half as much now. But don’t worry, we’ll still be around during that other time!

The first new writer is Rachel! She’s 18 and loves to write and express herself through words. She’s passionate about modesty and looking stylish while being modest. To her, modesty shows respect to ourselves, God, and other people. She thinks modesty should be based in God and emphasize humility, meekness, and Christ-like behavior, and beauty and inner self-confidence should be built in God, who looks at each one of us and tells us we are beautiful, and as our Creator, that opinion should be the most important of all. Check out her bio page for more!

The next new staff writer is Grace! She’s 15 and enjoys writing about fashion and modesty. She thinks of modesty as beautiful and mysterious because it is keeping what is meant for her future husband a secret for only him. She believes femininity is very important because it means embracing what God has given us, and dressing and acting in a feminine manner means that we’re proud that God made us female. Read her bio page to learn more about her.

Please welcome these beautiful ladies to Mod Style Lounge, and be looking out for posts from both of them within the next couple weeks!