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

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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.