In Which The Lass of All Trades becomes an Interior Designer...

The new year has not even begun and yet my work is very much cut out for me already! I have adopted a number of rehabilitation projects around the house, and I can't wait to begin! This will be my Course of Interior Design [on a budget) for the year, and I have many ideas. My sisters doubt my ability to pull it together, but I'm determined! Project No. 1 is....

The room over the garage. This past year it has been used in a number of manners, including miscellaneous storage, gift-wrapping area, catch-all, and Produce Refrigerator during the heat of the summer. (It has it's own a/c unit) Needless to say, it's needing major overhaul. The reason I adopted it? I plan to turn it into A Growlery of sorts--a sewing, crafting, girls' room that will be entirely for us! (when not in use as a refrigerator. :P) I have discovered that my favorite style of interior decorating, even more than Victorian, is Shabby Chic--sort of an antique, casualized version of French Provenance. :) Here is some Pinterest inspiration for the project:

Shabby-Chic gloriousness...

Must-haves. I am so going to copy this idea!

I adore those upper shelves! what a cool way to use a sloped roof!

Gotta love this chest of drawers! It'd be perfect for keeping fabric and odds and ends!

I am hoping to do something along the lines of this cute little garland in the room, somehow

My only nemesis(s) in this project is/are the problems of that room most likely needing to be used (at some level) for storage still, as well as the fact that the ceiling slopes at an angle, starting about waist-high, so vertical wall-space is limited. :)

The angle of the ceiling is very much like this, as well as the window at the end. :)

So that's the deal for the first project. Project No. 2? It has something to do with this:

An ancient Singer treadle-machine

Turning into something along these lines:

 Yes, I'm going to be converting the dead treadle-machine into a cute writing desk. (Dad's going to help me with that. :) So, what are your projects for the new year?

Marriage...an idol?

Marriage is a beautiful thing, and one I have dreamed of since I was a tiny girl. Come to think of it, I believe nearly every dream I've had since my girlhood has been wrapped up in a man of my own, a family of my own, a house of my own...living in a large family encouraged such thinking, as my heroes, my examples, my life was made of such stuff.

But let's be candid, girls. Sometimes our dreams do not reflect the Lord's plan. As a "fortune cookie" my brother got the other day said, (Gracious me, we know not to depend on those!) "The only thing we can know for sure about future developments is that they will develop." (Truism, anyone? :P) And as a Christian, we have the assurance that those plans are made for our good. (Rom. 8:28) It is tempting to think we know more about our own hearts than Christ does. It is tempting to think we ought to "help" Christ orchestrate the plans because after all, we could never tread that path--He must be confused.
Girls, girls. We must learn to give our idols up. Even the idols unconsciously made. For me, for a long time, that has been marriage. Not that I have worshiped the idea, or even made overmuch of it. But I have feared and dreaded and balked against the idea of being what people have termed "An old maid."
I am reluctant to admit it to the world, but hitherto my thinking has been more along these lines:

"And if I am called to be single my entire life [God forbid!] then I'll do such-and-such." 

Living my entire life without marrying? Just sitting here for 80 years with no change in my daily habits? Sheesh! Not me, Lord. You must have another plan for me! I don't think I have the gift of Singleness.

 But lately my precious Savior has been showing me otherwise. He has not told me that I will never be married--for all I know I could be a wife within a year or two! But He has shown me that He is enough. I cannot live these days as a single young lady waiting for a husband. I could very well never be married--I don't know God's plan. So what good could it do me to sulk for ten years until I turn 30, resign myself to the idea of never being married, and finally get my act together?
No. If being a single woman all my life is what the Lord calls me to, I want every day from now to 30 and from 30 to 100 to be full and vibrant and joyful. I want to pursue things I am interested in, honing my skills and talents to be used for His glory. I want to be an inspiration to my sisters, I want to help my family and friends.

I want to go places and do things and live a full life.

If that includes marriage and my own family, praise the Lord! If not? I don't wish to be a dusty parlor-decoration...a proverbial bowl of potpourri dry-rotting in a corner while making sweet smiles and sighs over dried up, youthful dreams.
I have gained much encouragement from the biography of Amy Carmichael that Elisabeth Elliot wrote: A Chance to Die. (The best of both worlds, anyone? ;) Amy Carmichael is one of the most beloved women of all time, lived to a ripe old age, had a huge family in India, and yet never ever married. She was an amazing woman of Jesus--charming and vibrant, lively and merry....real.

I look at her example and I think, "Would I have the courage?" and then Jesus puts a gentle hand on my shoulder and whispers, "You don't need courage--all you need is Me."
And really, girls, that's the whole of it. We don't need courage. We need Christ. I am confident that the same Lord that keeps me today, that blesses me, prospers me, and holds me will be the same Lord that will keep me in whatever path He has prepared. That is all I need, and that is all that matters. We have Jesus, and "the fullness of Him who fills all in all," as Ephesians 1 says.

"All the paths of the Lord are loving and faithful" Psalm 25:10 I have pondered this verse lately, and have found that it feeds my spirit. All does not mean "all - except the paths I am walking in now," or "nearly all - except this especially difficult and painful path." All must mean all. So, your path with its unexplained sorrow or turmoil, and mine with its sharp flints and briers - and both our paths, with their unexplained perplexity, their sheer mystery - they are His paths, on which he will show himself loving and faithful. Nothing else; nothing less"

~Amy Carmichael

Movie Review: Roman Holiday

 For Christmas my parents gave my sisters and I Audrey Hepburn's very first movie: Roman Holiday.
Thanks to my dear friend Abigail, we saw the movie earlier this year and loved it to death, so I was very excited to see that it was ours to own now! :)
The plot of the movie is as follows:

The Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) is tired of the political poses and duties required of her position in life. A whirlwind tour of Europe has brought her to Rome where her schedule is jam-packed with dull duties and debts to Society. After an especially hard burst of hysterics, the royal physician gives her a sedative, but before it takes effect, the Princess sneaks out of her mansion and into the streets of Rome among the common people. There, her sedative medicine finally begins to work and she falls asleep on a city bench. Later she is picked up by Joe Bradley, (Gregory Peck) a dashing, young, American journalist, who can't bear to leave her sleeping alone on a park bench. He thinks she is intoxicated, and so takes her back to his apartment to let her sleep it off on the couch, hoping to be able to return her to wherever she belongs in the morning. But while Ann is sleeping, Joe Bradley goes to work and discovers that the girl he has left sleeping in his apartment is the Princess! He hurries back to the apartment, determined to follow her all day learning the "Secret Mind of a Princess", without ever letting on that he knows who she is. The plan works. Bradley takes Ann on a Roman Holiday. They have adventures, see the sights, go dancing, cause a major traffic problem, and end up with a dunking in a river. They make a holiday of it and have a grand time. But the days is waning. Their true identities will have to come out soon, and it is all the harder because they have fallen in love.....

:) A fabulous movie, in my mind! Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck had real chemistry in this movie. They were the Princess Ann and Joe Bradley. The smiles are real, the laughter is real, the tears are real. You will not soon find a sweeter, funnier, or more adorable little movie.

Pros: This movie is clean. I can't recall a single bad word, or anything else questionable. They don't turn Ann's night at Joe Bradley's into anything scandalous, as a modern movie-maker might do. Bradley treats Ann with gentlemanliness seldom seen nowadays on the silver screen. The romance is sweet and innocent, and absolutely adorable.

The costumes are so wonderfully vintage.

 

Hahaha! I love this scene, when he's trying to figure out if she's the princess or not! :)

 

The adorable trio: Irving, Anya (Ann) and Joe...

 

The hilarious "Mouth Of Truth" scene whose premise has been pirated and copied into SO many movies, including National Treasure 2... :) 

 

Can you think of anything more hilarious than buzzing around Rome on a vintage motor-scooter? :D 

 

"Soooooo happy!" :)

Awwww....

I'm warning you, it's a bit of a tear-jerker at the end....especially when you keep thinking...."Surely she'll look back....she has to look back..." :D

But it is a dear, dear movie all the same and I urge you to watch it! :)

Cons: Very few. The only ones I can think of is that if you are prone to sleeping on park benches, it suggests that being taken to a stranger's apartment will end up perfectly safe and happy. ;) There is short gambling scene, as well as mentions of champagne, wine, etc. Princess Ann tries a cigarette but can't smoke it... :)

Plot Strength: **** (nothing super intricate, just sweet and happy)
Character Strength: ***** + (5+ stars!)
Overall Rating: ***** (5 stars!)

♫"And this song of mine in three-quarter time wishes you the same thing too!"♫

Merry Christmas to all my dear friends and followers! 

I pray that God blesses you richly with a sense of His presence this Christmas! Remember and savor the knowledge of the greatest Gift ever given to mankind this season. :) He is the best present anyone could give.

"What did you get for Christmas?"

"A laptop. And you?"

"Life everlasting!"

The rest of it really doesn't compare with that! :D Have a smashing day with your family and enjoy every moment of it with the wild abandon of a child. :) I love all of you! May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white. (I am looking at nearly 60 degrees tomorrow. :P) ~Rachel

I was so afraid we'd have a green Christmas and I loathe them. You know, when Christmas is a dirty grayey-browney affair, looking as if it had been left over a hundred years ago and had been in soak ever since, it is called a GREEN Christmas! Don't ask me why. As Lord Dundreary says, `there are thome thingth no fellow can underthtand.' 

-Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery

We Have Our Winner! :)

I have already told you I am an old-fashioned sort of person. That means no Random.org for me when I picked the winner for the giveaway. I wrote your names down on slips of paper, one for each entry, then folded them all precisely, mixed them up in my brother's hat, and drew one. That one is the winner of this lovely necklace in Turquoise:

And you all know her as ...

........

.........

.........

Lissy-Lou!

Congratulations, dear! Just send me your contact information so I can send it to Samantha and she can send you your prize! Thanks to everyone who entered. I know I had fun hosting this blog's first giveaway, and I hope all of Feminine Fashion Week was a blast for you as it was for me! :) ~Rachel

Feminine Fashion Week: Day 7: Sugar-Plum Fairy

Wow! I simply cannot believe it's the last day of Feminine Fashion Week! I hope you have enjoyed reading the posts, seeing ideas for modest, feminine styles, reading the interviews, and entering the giveaway. [And on that note, remember that the giveaway ends tonight at midnight so you'd better hurry and enter!] I know it's been a challenge for me to put together a stylish outfit every morning and make myself look Blog-Worthy. ;) But it's been a great reminder of how a little effort can pay off big-time. :)

So without further ado I give you the last outfit in this series:

Sugar-Plum Fairy

(No, you have no idea I was sweating in this coat--it's about 70 degrees right now. :P)

I was very pleased with how my hair turned out this morning. :) I literally just took strands of my hair and rolled them on my fingers, then pinned them in place. So elegant, but rather easy, if your arms are strong enough to take the time. ;) I made the hair-flower on the spur of the moment by sticking a hairpin up the center of the flower and splaying it's points out like a brad, and then sliding a bobby-pin through the looped end of the hair-pin. :)

My lovely earrings--another Black Friday Belk find. :)

 

 The total picture. :)

(And I do apologize for always being on the porch during these shots--we have a shocking lack of picturesque places in our yard. :P)

Brown Corduroy Jacket: Thrift-store

Plum-colored v-neck shirt: Frequently Pilfered from Mama's drawer ;)

Brown woolen skirt: Thrift-store

Earrings: Belk $5.00 or so

Hair-flower: hand-made

Day Six: Feminine Fashion Week

Hey Girls. Wednesday is our huge baking day for Coastal Farms, and so I was not about to wear nice clothes. However, it would do no good for me to miss another day of Feminine Fashion Week so here you get to see me at my casual point. You girls gotta know that I don't like most pictures of myself. I am not photogenic, and I do not like most angles of me. That being said, I will show you myself. ;)

(And do pardon the lighting--it's grey as goosefeathers today.)

This shirt is not one of my favorites, but the color is pretty and I love the tiny hearts all over the collar. 

I love this skirt--it's super comfortable and so cute! :)

As you can see, I'm an infamous bare-footer. Oh well. :D

 

My earrings were a pair I bought at Walmart that were much too long for me, so I converted them and shortened them and ever since they've been some of my favorites. :)

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway girls! It closes tomorrow at Midnight, so there's not much time! :) ~Rachel

Feminine Fashion Week: Interview with Rebecca Jane :)

 I had absolutely no time at all to take pictures of today's outfit. We had our annual caroling-ministry event with our choir group where we go around to elderly friends and then a nursing home and carol to them. Then we hosted a Christmas party at our house, and thus I am picture-less. Oh well! You guys have seen quite enough of me, I'm sure. :P

Today's interview is with the lovely Rebecca of Sewing in the Past. I found her blog through another blog and since then I've enjoyed rambling through her posts. She's got such a cheerful, hopeful outlook on life! She reminds of the "cock-eyed optimist" in the song. ;) So without further ado, I give you Rebecca! :)

Rebecca Jane at the Jane Austen Convention in October. :)

1. What first inspired you to be fashionable as well as modest? It has always been a given in my family that modesty was a very important issue. It was never debated. However, it has only been in the last few years I discovered how much fun it is to dress up everyday. Not necessarily dress up in the sense of fancy clothes, but to wear something other than jeans and a t shirt. It became sort of an unspoken challenge to myself. I am constantly being inspired by fashion bloggers and outfits I see on pinterest. Trying to create fashionable outfits everyday has become a fun game for me.

2. What is your purpose in dressing modestly? I believe that dressing fashionably doesn't require short skirts and low necklines. Modesty goes hand-in-hand with fashionable clothing if you go about it the right way. Modesty is something I've been taught all my life and is something that I believe can define the person you are on the inside by the way you dress. 

3. Where do you get most of your clothes? I'm one of THE most frugal people in the world, so I have trouble spending big bucks for clothing, One of my favorite hobbies is looking for fashionable clothing in thrift stores. It's like a treasure hunt! I LOVE spending $1.50 on a sweater that would easily have been $25 in a retail store. You never know if you'll find anything, but the rewards are great when you do. I also like finding vintage dresses in antique stores.

4. What's the single biggest tip you have for girls who desire modesty and fashion in their attire? My advice for girls who desire modesty AND fashion in their attire is: "Don't give up!" I know how seemingly impossible it might feel when searching for modest clothing in today's fashions. One of my tricks is layering: undershirts under low neck-lined blouses/dresses, tights under shorts, shorts under short dresses/skirts. Not only does it add variety to your outfit...it helps you keep on top of modern trends without having to compromise your modesty.

5. How do you define modesty? I believe that modesty is to honor you body by dressing without revealing certain parts of your body that should be reserved...keeping it secret and sacred for that "special someone."

6. Do you agree with wearing make-up? (If not, do tell us a bit more about your thoughts on it!) I personally wear makeup...but not much (eyeliner, under-eye, powder, and blush). I have no problem with wearing make-up, but I definitely believe it is a choice that each person should make individually.

7. Do you believe it is important for a woman to dress well? I absolutely believe it is important for a woman to dress well. It's hard to admit, but before anyone actually meets us, we are judged by our looks, more specifically, our clothes. I love colors and patterns and like to wear as many as possible (without looking completely silly)...thus, I am usually labeled as "artsy" before anyone gets to know me (which is perfectly accurate). I also believe you should stay true to who you are when getting choosing outfits. Our clothing tells other people who we are through a single glance, be sure it's telling them about who you truly are.

8. How has dressing modestly and femininely impacted your life? Dressing modestly and femininely has definitely impacted my life. I believe that dressing in a way that pleases God is evident to the people around you. I truly believe my modest and feminine wardrobe distinguishes me from the crowd, which I believe has been a great advantage in many different situations.

 ***Bonus Round!***

A. What color-group looks good on you? Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? Hmm...probably winter or fall.

B. What is your favorite item in your closet? My favorite items in my closet are my navy blue sailor dress I found on ebay and my new gray and white striped seater i found at goodwill for $2 (SCORE!).

C. Fashion-wise, which season is your favorite? 

My favorite season fashion-wise AND weather-wise is fall! It's cool enough for as many layers as you choose, but warm enough so you don't have to cover up cute outfits with bulky coats (even though I DO have a few amazing coats). 

D. Tell us something random about yourself!  I am absolutely obsessed with making lists. I even make lists about making lists. :)

REBECCA JANE

http://www.sewinginthepast.com/

I'm a writer. A singer. A ukulele-er. A seamstress. A blogger. A photographer. A designer. A dreamer.

But most important...a Christ follower.

Day Five: Feminine Fashion Week: "Catholic School-girl" ;)

All right. I don't like these pictures of me, but the camera battery was dying quickly and I had to take what happened with grace, even if I look terrible in these pictures. :P

So meet the outfit my aunt has termed "The Catholic School-girl"

I love my plaid. :)

Uggggg.

Moving on...

My boots. Despite my recent discovery that walking 3 miles in them is *not* comfortable, on a general day of about-town walking, they are splendid.

My vintage apple-seed necklace. I saw one of these at our county fair and was enthralled by it, having never seen such a thing in all my life. The next week or so Sarah went to a thrift store and found one for me! :)

Today's hairstyle...something rather quick and random. :)

I got this cute head-band from a hole-in-the-wall shop owned by a little Asian lady.

Blue turtle-neck sweater: Thrift store

Plaid skirt: Thrift store

Boots: Thrift store

Rhinestone headband: ^

Appleseed necklace: Thrift-store

Gracious. I seem to be the owner of only thrift-store clothes! ;) Oh well. There's nothing wrong with that! 

Remember to enter the giveaway, girls! ~Rachel

Day Four: Feminine Fashion Week

Hey Girls! Before I start today's post I wanted to remind you that the Giveaway closes Dec. 22 at 11:59 P.M. :) (I edited the post announcing it so that the info will all be on one post. :)

 Magenta Magic. ;)

 

It was finally December-ish out, and I was able to wear my cozy stuff. :D Between the hat and the top and sweater, it kept me quite warm enough.

This was taken in an attempt (I think) to show my earring. Oh well. You get a nice view of my eye. :P

Right. So that was today's outfit. Sorry I didn't have time to take any others pictures--church and all that kept me busy. :) And you don't see any shoes today because in this picture I had nothing on my feet but my brown argyle tights. :D I am infamous for going bare-foot in all seasons.

Pink Turtle-neck: Thrift-store

Gray Sweater-vest-thing: Thrift-store

Skirt: Same as yesterday

Hat: Hand-made by me, then given to Sarah, then borrowed by me.

Tights: Walmart. :)

Earrings: (not shown, but made for me by my younger brother! He has rather good taste. :)

Emariecreations Giveaway and Interview!!!

All right girls. It's the moment you've all been waiting for. It's the moment I've been waiting for.The official declaration that Emariecreations is sponsoring a giveaway for my Feminine Fashion Week.
I'm all excited and befluttered over the idea that such an illustrious personage has patronized this little ol' corner of blogdom! :D

Yes, Samantha, of the lovely shop, Emariecreations, has kindly consented to donating a lovely gift for my giveaway, and to being interviewed!  
Get ready for a double-dose of amazingness! :) 

 

 

 

Only some of the amazing things in the Emariecreations shop!

I have long admired Samantha's taste in her jewelry making. After all, have you ever seen anything cuter than these earrings?

So I was tinkled pink when she agreed to be involved with my Feminine Fashion Week! :) So get ready, y'all! Because Emariecreations has donated a gorgeous Mum Flower Necklace just like this one....

 ....only in turquoise! :) 

I know you all will want a chance to win the necklace, so here's the scoop!

Please complete the mandatory entry in one comment. Then for each bonus entry, please leave a separate comment, according to how many bonus entries you complete. (i.e. 4 entries, 4 comments)

It's not that complicated! :D

>>Mandatory Entry<<

Visit Samantha's shop and heart it, then leave a comment below telling me you did. :)

>>Extra<<

Follow this blog publicly

(4 entries! [and make sure you leave a comment for each one, please.] :)

Visit Emariecreations on Etsy.com and choose your favorite item. Then come back and leave a comment telling me which one it was!

(2 entries)

Blog about Feminine Fashion Week and this giveaway on your own blog

(4 entries. :)

Giveaway closes Dec. 22 , 2011 at 11:59 P.M.

Go ahead, girls! Let the entries begin! :) This necklace will be the perfect gift for you or a friend. :)

Now for Samantha's interview! :)

1. What first inspired you to be fashionable as well as modest?

 I fist became "inspired" to dress modestly when I was around young ladies and women who were dressing not only modestly, but beautifully as well. While I am not opposed to wearing jeans ( I wear them myself!), nothing can make you look more beautiful than a modest, yet fashionable, flowy and feminine dress or skirt. I am most definitely a lady at heart, and wearing clothes that are modest and fashionable helps me to feel refined and lovely.

2. What is your purpose in dressing modestly? I desire to dress modestly because (1) it honors God, and (2) I want to be a Christ-like example to other young ladies and my brothers in Christ. I would hate to think that the way I dressed adversely affected someone's walk with Christ.

That being said, modesty is not just something you do with your clothing. Modesty also involves the heart. You can dress modestly and still have a flirtatious, ungodly, and other worldly traits.

As young ladies we should strive to not only dress modestly, but act modestly as well.

3. Where do you get most of your clothes? I am short (5'0), so finding clothes is really hard! I actually find many of my outfits through local thrift shops.

I will most times come across an outfit that fits really well and it will be an expensive brand, but because I found it at a thrift shop it is quite affordable.

4. What's the single biggest tip you have for girls who desire modesty and fashion in their attire?

Dressing modestly does not mean that you have to wear drab clothes! If you put just a little thought into your outfits you will find that you can add beautiful and fashionably touches to any outfit. Simple pieces of pretty jewelry, scarves, feminine hair accessories and cute shoes all add a fashionable, cute touch to your outfits.

5. How do you define modesty? For me, modesty is not just about the clothes you wear. While that is a big factor, the way you act is also important.You may be outwardly wearing clothes that are modest, but if you are flirtatious, loud, etc. in your manner you won't come across as very modest. On the other hand, you can also wear immodest clothing and be respectful, thoughtful, etc. It is important to find out ways that you can be modest in both clothing and character.

6. Do you agree with wearing make-up? I personally wear makeup, though I try to keep it as minimal as possible. I think makeup is okay for a girl as long as she only uses it as a way to enhance her natural beauty. If makeup is used as a way to "cover up" the natural beauty God has given you, then it isn't being used in a right way.

7. Do you believe it is important for a woman to dress well? Certainly! Woman can dress modestly and attractively while still honoring God. Dressing modestly doesn't mean you have to "hide" behind shapeless, boring clothes. There are many beautiful and modest clothing options available that will not only make you look nice, but also be honoring to God and your brothers in Christ.

 ***Bonus Round!***

A. What color-group looks good on you? Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall?

I am a mix of Winter, Summer and Fall! Deep jewel tones (plum, turquoise, etc.), ivory, burnt orange and dark green are a few of my favorite colors that also look very nice on me.

B. What is your favorite item in your closet? Scarves! They dress up boring t-shirts and add a cute, feminine look.

C. Fashion-wise, which season is your favorite? Probably Fall or Winter. I love the deep, rich colors of those seasons.

Thanks a million, Samantha--I really enjoyed reading all of your answers! And now, girls, to the comment box! :D ~Rachel