exciting news about the Authentic Beauty online course!

The Authentic Beauty on-site and online courses are underway! The AuthBeau course team has been working diligently in preparation, designing, video shooting, researching, and the like. All this to provide a quality program designed to enhance your life, challenge you, and help you to be beautiful not only on the outside, but most importantly, on the inside where it counts!

Things that will thoroughly studied are:
}Health (eating properly, sleep schedules, vitamins...)
}Fitness (exercise routines, lifestyle, habits...)
}Hygiene (proper skin, hair, and nail care...)
}Personal Style (a total body evaluation: the most complimentary hairstyle for your facial shape, how to dress for your body shape, the best clothing colors for your skin tone, getting the most out of your wardrobe, "what to where when...")
}Social Graces (introductions, dining out, giving gifts, writing notes, writing letters, phone etiquette, hosting events, being a good guest, public speaking...)

I'd love to host the online course simultaneously to the hands-on, on-site event; however, I don't think I will be able to effectively pull it off. You can bet, though, that I'll be posting updates on how the event is coming!

For the online course you will need to register. I will be sending you lessons and assignments daily via e-mail ). Please e-mail me (Abby1211@gmail.com) so I can send you a registration e-form.

Because it's our first go around, this course is free, but if you would like to donate to AuthBeau you are more than welcome to do so! Proceeds will go to help further the AuthBeau vision of encouraging authentic beauty in young woman through camps, classes, and other resources.

I can't tell you how excited I am!

beauty: God's idea

Wow, I am so amazed at the awesome world God has created.

If you type "beautiful nature" in google search, this is what you will find:

What a loving God we have. It's impossible to not see the beauty in it all and to

recognize that God is the Creator of beauty in all it's forms.

We appreciate that which is readily recognizable to our eyes, but looking closer we can see

beauty abounding in fullness in a thing we call service-

service prompted by love, done in joy, and given with no strings attached.

We can see beauty in a thing called praise.

Praise given in adoration to the maker of the rain.

What is this love that takes place between a man and a woman? God designed it Himself, and deemed it the perfect representation of Christ, the bridegroom, and His bride, the church.

The beauty of sweet fellowship- friends that stick closer than a brother.

The joy of discovery and learning. Diving deeper to understand the creation we live in, and all there that abounds.

The unmistakable miracle of life- how it happens, why it happens...

it's beautiful.

in blog love

A friend is letting me borrow her sewing machine and so my mind has been going crazy with project ideas!

While doing some research on embellishments, I came across an amazing blog called Make it Do.

Check out this beautiful project:

Fabric Flowers

Make it Do has all sorts of neat projects and crafts including gift, cooking, and sewing ideas. If you're crafty at all, you should check it out!

And the blog author's slogan is:

You've got to love it!

holiday fun!

If you like to play hostess, here are some fun ways to practice hospitality and do some outreach to the girls in your sphere of influence this holiday season!

Have a cookie baking day!

Invite some friends and perhaps some girls you're trying to reach out to from church or the community to come over for a day or evening of Christmas cookie baking! You can pick out the recipes ahead of time for several different kinds of cookies and treats (i.e. sugar cookies with decorative frosting, gingerbread men, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut-butter chocolate balls, etc.).

You can assign some ingredients to the girls to bring, and it would be nice to have some salty snacks available like popcorn, chips and salsa, or cheese and crackers to help balance out tasting all those yummy sweet treats.

Have some festive plates and perhaps some colored saran wrap available for the girls to take home a variety of the treats they helped make.

Other things to do:

-Watch a Christmas movie

-Play games

Make homemade ornaments!

This year I had a wonderful time with friends making homemade Christmas ornaments! We used a simple dough recipe, cut out shapes using cookie cutters, baked our dough cut-outs, and then painted them! Here's a recipe you can try. Pair this crafty fun with some cheerful holiday music, friends, and snacks and you'll have one enjoyable evening!

Have an ugly Christmas sweater party!

Invite your friends over for games, food, and fun all while wearing the most hideous Christmas sweaters you can find! You may even hold a contest and award the person with the ugliest sweater a prize!

What are your ideas?

barbie- is it all her fault? by amandabeth online

I would like to greatly encourage you, if you haven't already, to check out a wonderful article written by Amanda Beth of AmandaBeth Online entitled, you guessed it, Barbie- is it all her fault?

Part One: The Problem

Part Two: The Solution

sparkle with the season

Twinkling lights, hot cocoa by the fire, family gatherings, remembering God's gift to mankind... no wonder it's the most wonderful time of the year!

Some ways to make a wardrobe festive during the holidays are to embrace accessories, experiment with hair ornaments, try some shimmering nail-polishes, and keep the hair soft with curls and waves.

Be Warm

a warm christmas by authbeau featuring Marni accessories

Be Cool

not so blue christmas by authbeau featuring BCBG cardigans

Shine on,

new! authentic beauty: blog buzz

Imagine an e-zine comprised of modest fashion tips and inspiration delivered right to your inbox weekly!

Now you have it.

Authentic Beauty: Blog Buzz is a blog-network of modest fashion bloggers whose newest posts will be delivered to you all in one attractive e-mail each week. Some of the blogs include Cute... Covered, AmandaBeth Online, Cable Car Coutre, Christa Taylor, and Empowered Traditionalist. Neat, right?

Subscribe to the Authentic Beauty: Blog Buzz

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

The blogs featured are not affiliated with the Authentic Beauty blog. Please let me know if something questionable should come your way (perhaps a certain blog should be removed), or if you know of any other blogs you think should be included! Also, as this is a new project, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Shine on,

food for thought: God and clothes

Besides guarding our brothers eyes by modest dress, does what we wear really matter to God?

A blog friend brought up a good point I thought. She mentioned that she thought God did care about the way we dress, and why is it that girls today find it okay to dress in denim to church? I was raised to dress up for church and personally prefer to do so now; however, is this something that God really looks at? Or is this something people came up with?

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

I think He does look at it, in relations to what is in our hearts. Ask yourself, why do some people dress down? Is it because they don't care? Is it because they weren't taught "church etiquette"? Is it because they can't afford to do better? If the latter, should they be made to feel awkward or unwelcome because of it? Should they not come at all?

Ask yourself, why do some people dress up? Is it to show proper respect? Is it because they were raised to do so (tradition)? Is it to gain admiration of fellow church-goers?

"At the end of the day, let everything you do glorify God." -unknown

What do you think about this? How can we glorify God by the way we dress? What should our heart be reflecting on this topic?

manners and salvation

Something came over me tonight as I was driving alone. I began to think, am I spinning my wheels (so to speak)? Am I doing all this work only to create a lot of smoke and get nowhere? Is this girls' course what it should be?

As you may have heard, I'm designing a course on health and social graces to teach to some girls here on the island of Guam. The purpose is to help young ladies with their self-esteem by teaching them about personal style (modesty emphasized), to show them how to take care for themselves (health), and how to relate to others (social graces/etiquette). Above all that, is the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

How do these things mix is the question? Do you have to have good manners, good health, and dress modestly to be a Christian? No. Because you have good manners, good health, and dress modestly, does that make you a Christian? Absolutely not. The subject of health and social graces and Christianity are almost completely unrelated.

After all, God doesn't necessarily care about the way we look anyway- remember, unlike us, He looks at the heart instead of the outward appearance. The only reason He might care is because we care, and He cares about us.

The last thing I want to do is create this legalistic view of Christianity. All that will be taught are good things, but aren't required for salvation or God's love. It's really for ourselves (health), and for others (social graces and modesty).

What do you think? How can I make this clear to the girls, as some of them are not Christians?

authentic beauty spotlight: beth

Humble gratitude creates such a radiance in a woman. Take Beth from Little Woman for example (you can "fast-forward" the time to 6:01 to get to the scene quickly):

I love that scene, and I love sweet Beth! It's people like her that you want to give to because they truly appreciate the gift and are a "delight to serve"!

Here is a chance to cultivate a heart of thankfulness during this holiday season:

woman of hospitality: amanda

Amanda with her son (my adorable nephew!), Gabe.

My sister has got the gift. Even when we were children, before going on an outside adventure, she would put together a picnic. She had a way of making things so special. Christmas together was such a joy! She made sure we had a fire in the fireplace and a full cup of eggnog. If this is her as a child and teenager, could you imagine what she is like now?

Visiting with her over the summer in the deep south showed me how she has grown in and cultivated that gift. Upon arriving to her home, she had a room beautifully prepared for me, with a gift basket of little necessities like toothpaste, deodorant, and even chocolate!

It wasn't so much the stuff that made me feel special, it was the fact that she prepared a place for me. Hospitality says,

-"There's a place for you."

-"You are welcome."

-"You are loved."

"Hospitality is not the art of entertaining (though one may do it well), but the genuine care for others' needs." -unknown

"When you give, give with joy, smiling." -Joubert

My family has gone through stages of wealth and poverty, but regardless of our financial situation, Amanda had a way of making things rosy (she got this from her mother). I've learned so much from her, but the biggest lesson that sticks out is that she is amazing at anticipating the needs of others. She noticed things that didn't even cross my thoughts and was always making things more comfortable and bright. Needless to say, I've been blessed by her example!

addition to the e-course team!

I am so excited to have my dear friend, Krista (a cosmetologist), on board for the AuthBeau e-course on health and social graces! I call her a friend, but I consider her my sister. She is such a jewel! Beautiful inside and out, and I am so thankful to have her on the team.

Krista is currently designing and filming video sessions on how to find the right hairstyles for your face shape, proper hair care, nail care, and skin care.

see jane live

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Jane Eyre over the past two nights (the new BBC version is around 4 hrs. long!). The very first time I ever watched it (a little over a year ago), I remember sitting by a fire place that very night, after everyone else had gone to bed, with my Bible. There was something in Jane's character that challenged me to the core.

Jane is not very pretty. In all honesty, she is rather plain. There is nothing extraordinary about her from one's first glance, but an observer may soon see how she is honest, forgiving, serving, humble, loyal and authentic. She doesn't worry about putting on an image, and would stick by someone even if every other soul had fled from sight.

She doesn't talk very much, and that's one of the things I love about her. She's a great example of living out one's faith. She puts high stock in character and encourages cultivating the beauty of the inner man. I love it.

If you ever get the chance, watch the movie or read the book. And let me know what you think!

authentic beauty featured on modest blends

I was so honored recently by being asked to do an interview about the Authentic Beauty blog by a blog friend, Elizabeth J. of Modest Blends. Check it out! And be sure to explore around over there- Elizabeth has some great posts ranging in topics from fashion tips to encouragement in modesty.

the new authentic beauty online course- coming soon!

Dear Girls,

Thanks so much for the encouraging thoughts on my last post. I'm not very good at transparency, and at times it can be quite painful. :P Ah, the joys of growing. :)

I am so excited to announce a new program starting in January! I will be overseeing a course on health and social graces put on by the Authentic Beauty blog. This is a hands-on one week course where girls will learn about health, fitness, personal style (with an emphasis on femininity and modesty), graciously relating to others, etiquette, and so many other topics which we've discussed here on Authentic Beauty.

What does that mean for you? Following the live course being held here on Guam, will be an online course with a downloadable workbook and video sessions taught by yours truly and others. So keep your eyes open for the "coming out" date!

With Love,

oh, to be a peacemaker

Have you ever wondered why some people just clash with you? When you see that person perhaps you avoid them, or perhaps you often find yourself offended with them? Well that person for me can be my mom.

She is miss personality! She is very fun, social and outgoing with the gift of administration (telling others what to do in order to accomplish a bigger goal). I am thoughtful, and can be of the introverted persuasion. I like my space and am somewhat independent, as in I like to work alone a lot of times.

Often times, my dad and brother can serve as a peaceful presence and may take away from any tension, but for two weeks in the Philippines just recently, it was just her and I. We ate together, we slept in the same hotel room together, we spent our "down time" together, and because it's unsafe to be alone in a foreign place, we went everywhere together. Either we were going to have a trip full of little tensions here or there, or we were going to have to settle our issues for real in order to have peace.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Here are some failed attempts at peacemaking:

While eating breakfast, I noticed at the buffet some "garlic rice". "Hm, that looks interesting," I thought. And began to put some on my plate. My mom then comes along and says, "That's garlic rice." "Yes, I know it's garlic rice," I said in return. Didn't she know that I could read for myself?

Later, as we began eating, she looked at me and asked if I would like some salt. My reply was, "If I want some salt, I will get it."

Can you tell that I was getting it all wrong? Grr. Points earned for the outer man. What is it that made me so irritated by her questions?

My mom is the sort of person that if she senses an offence, she won't rest until it's settled. As annoying as this is at times, especially when I, for instance, just want to ignore that there is any tension and forget about the whole thing, but know deep down that for the sake having true peace instead of passive aggression, this is the right thing.

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
Matthew 18:15

So, we talked about it right at our breakfast table. She asked me why I was being short with her when she was trying to be nice to me. Be nice to me? Is that was she was trying to do? I was under the impression that she must think me ditsy or incapable of taking care of myself, and I told her such. "No," she said, "I didn't think that. I just thought how likely it would be for me to make an honest mistake by getting the wrong thing. Plus you've been feeling kind of sick lately, so I didn't know if you would like to eat that strong garlic. And when someone offers you salt you should simply say, "No thank-you", not "I'll get it if I want it.""

By this time I felt like the brat I had been acting like. She was right. I had been rude when she was trying to be thoughtful! I had it all wrong. But if I would have kept in mind the command of my Lord to,

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12

I would not have dared to be so disrespectful to her. The only way I can talk about it now without the uttermost shame is because forgiveness has been asked and given by both parties, and a purpose to not be so foolish again on my part has been made.

Let's recap the story: 1) I was so quick to judge as to what her intentions were by the look of her actions, when really I had no idea and could have no idea of what she was thinking. 2) I was rude and unladylike; a bad representation of the daughter of a king. 3) I spoke without thinking.

What can we learn? 1) Don't be so quick to judge the motives of others. 2) Think before you open your mouth. 3) If you can't say anything nice... you know the rest! 4) Honor your father and mother, even if you are technically an "adult". 5)It's good to talk out offences and ask for forgiveness so that reconciliation can happen. 6) We should learn from our mistakes and move on with the intention of not doing them again.

My mom, though we clash sometimes, and mostly because of personality differences (she is a san-chlore and I'm mostly melancholy), I value almost more than anybody. If I want a true observation, I go to her. If I'm stumped for ideas, she's the one I ask. If I need help with anything, she is there. And I know, without a doubt, that her love is unconditional, and because of that I can tell her anything. And perhaps that's how I'm able to be so careless with my words and actions towards her. How ridiculous is that? For one of the people I love the most I would treat so?

It makes me think about my God. How often to I take what He does for me for granted? Or push His guidance aside? And even if I act like a 2-yr-old, He still loves me and is ever-so patient? It blows my mind.


Ever-striving to cultivate authentic beauty,







I love this woman!

curling with a flat iron

I have been trying this tip out for two days. What a fun and neat trick!

The Flat Iron Curl How-To Video

missionary beauty

As a missionary girl, obviously I can't always afford certain luxuries that one can find in the beauty aisle at the department store. This is okay, because with some creativity and innovative thinking I don't necessarily have to do without, and neither do you! Here are some tips to keeping cute without the cost.

Lose the shine!

Shine-free please! by authbeau on Polyvore.com

If you deal with midday shine as I do, having something to eliminate the shine is a dream. Oil absorbing sheets have the power to do just that, but are a little on the pricey side. A crafty alternative is to use... if you can believe it, toilet seat covers that you can find at almost any public restroom. I'm not suggesting that you stock up on these on your next day out, but you can most certainly remove the center that serves no real purpose and would otherwise be wasted anyway, and use right away or store in your purse for later. You simply press the paper where you have a problem, and you should be able to notice a difference immediately.

Oh, hair!

On my latest trip to the Philippines, I didn't really take into account that the outlets there are different to the ones we have here on Guam, and thus my curling iron was killed my first day after plugging it in. Two weeks with no blow-dryer or curling iron- what's a girl to do?

Prior to leaving for PI I read in a magazine at a salon that a way to create nice waves without curlers or a curling iron is to apply some sort of product to damp hair, place in a super-high bun, and sleep in it overnight. The result is something like this:

FYI: Abroad I discovered this amazing citrus soda which has since replaced Sprite's place in my heart.

Make them last!

Razor heads can be so expensive. A way to make them last longer and save yourself some cash on shaving cream, is to shave with baby oil! Razor heads can last for months without causing any razor burn, plus baby oil provides up to 10x the moisture on wet skin than lotion can on dry skin. All around, it's a good choice. However, be sure to scrub your tub after use, as it can make it dangerously slippery. Just ask my brother. ;-)

I'd love to hear of some your tips!

off to the philippines

Tomorrow is the start of a two-week adventure in the Philippines! My mom and I will be taking some training over there and also checking out some of the sites. It's my first time in a foreign country! I look forward to telling you all about it when I can. =)


With Love,

feminine coffee: a guest post by elizabeth

As I sat here late at night, studying, my mind wandered down a path that was so intriguingly different that it just had to pause and sit a spell. I will warn you, these are random thoughts...

I believe the female mind and it's complexities can be seen in her cup of coffee.

Right now, I'm drinking a delicious concoction: half coffee, half milk, and a heaping spoonful of sugar. This is the description of the typical cup of "Joe(Anna)." What does this have to do with the female mind, you ask? Stay with me.

Coffee is made to keep you awake. Warm milk is meant to put you to sleep. Sugar makes you energized, then crash into a subdued state.

How contradictory. Can't we females make up our mind? Can't we drink something less complicated? "No!" is the emphatic answer, it seems we can not. We "must" take extra time deciding what we are wearing, even though our closet is full of outfits we have already worn before with good taste. When with a group of girl friends, we "must" spend our first half hour together saying the same phrases over and over: "What would you like to do?" "It doesn't matter to me. What would you like to do?" "It doesn't matter to me. What would you..."

Ladies, as unnatural as it may feel, we must to learn how to be decisive and deal in facts.

Tis no wonder that an indecisive man is unstable in all his ways, (James 1:8) that would make him like a woman! Feelings of sympathy flood my mind as I see how difficult it must be for men to understand us.

So next time you drink your feminized beverage, take joy in every complicated, contradictory, sweet, sip. But with each sip, keep in mind our need as ladies to be more consistent and decisive in our lives--unlike our coffee.

A toast--to feminine coffee!

Elizabeth :)


I love this girl!

host the amy challenge: beautifully making do on your blog!

Host The Amy Challenge: Beautifully Making Do on your own blog! Below is everything you need, including banners, a button, and the challenge overview.

Amy March of the book Little Woman may have started out the brat of the family, but as she grew in stature, she also grew in character. Though her family couldn't afford the luxuries for which Amy had a taste for, she worked to make the best of what she had. The result was quite a charming creation, as we read in this excerpt from the book:

"...Amy was gratified, but of course didn't show it, and demurely answered, "Foreign life polishes one in spite of one's self. I study as well as play, and as for this"--with a little gesture toward her dress--"why, tulle is cheap, posies to be had for nothing, and I am used to making the most of my poor little things. Amy rather regretted that last sentence, fearing it wasn't in good taste, but Laurie liked her better for it, and found himself both admiring and respecting the brave patience that made the most of opportunity, and the cheerful spirit that covered poverty with flowers."

Cultivate this quality in yourself by joining The Amy Challenge: Beautifully Making Do. Every day of the week we are to create a NEW outfit combination out of the clothing, shoes, accessories that we already own or have barrowed from someone in our household. I will be posting my personal creations here and would like to encourage you to post how your challenge is coming!