results for encourage beauty

The True Beauty Files: The "M" Word

January 23, 2012

(because my husband makes me do crazy things, by trying to make me laugh and loosen up. Thanks dear;)

{Sweater: Old Navy, Sequin tank: c/o Windsor Store, Denim: Old Navy,

Shoes: Jessica Simpson (similar), Scarves: Gift, Reverie Market, Earrings: c/o Poshlocket,

Bracelets: c/o Poshlocket, made by me, Tote: Mimi Boutique}

STYLE WORD: Layering up your scarves can be a fun way to change things up. I used two similar tones and weaved together for an ombre look and feel:)

UP FOR DISCUSSION: The “M” Word

Does the word modest leave you with a positive or negative feel?

To be honest, I am always hesitant to use the word modest because it has seemed to be black labeled in today’s society. No one wants to be covered up, right? “If you got it flaunt it” seems to be a more appropriate motto these days. I wish this wasn’t the case. I think modesty is a lost virtue, that should be held up and esteemed alongside with your dignity. It doesn’t have to mean covered up, rather, to me its a reflection of knowing who you are, what you are worth, and dressing with both style and grace to accurately reflect that. This is what prompted me to start this series. I realize I am one of the few and far between who happens to think the more you reveal, the less likely people can perceive your true beauty. There is something of value when a women carries her confidence and self worth in high esteem, and chooses to wear those as her greatest features, so I hope this series can encourage women to do so!

Would love to hear your perspective on this! If you are linking up feel free to discuss with your readers.

To link up your outfit post:

~Enter your outfit post below, and in your post link back here by text or button! You have all week to link up:)

P.S. Its the last day to enter the a+ro sweater giveaway as well as the Velina facebook giveaway! Good luck!

The True Beauty Files:

A lookbook for the modern modeste.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

The True Beauty Files: A link up party for the Modern Modeste!

January 9, 2012

After much debate, consulting friends, readers (and you all came up with some fantastic ideas), and my very wise sisters, I finally decided to call this series…

THE TRUE BEAUTY FILES

A lookbook for the Modern Modeste

(title coined by the lovely Katie of NOLA, and tagline by the lovely Grace Hester)

I want this series to not just be a lookbook on modest fashion, but a parallel to interior beauty as well….as stated in my favorite Audrey quote below, “the true beauty of a woman is reflected in her soul.” So my hope is that as each of you link up, we encourage each other that not only is modest hottest;), but that the way we dress as women can be a fantastic representation of our dignity, value, and self-worth. Are you with me??

{Dress: Francescas, Boots: Gift from Husband, Earrings: F21, Bracelets: c/o Poshlocket, Necklace worn as a Bracelet: BMB, Watch: Fossil (similar)}

Here are the simple requests:

~Link up your outfit posts that represent classy modest fashion. It can be from this past week or this coming week. (The link option will be open till next monday.)

~Add a button or link in your post that links back to this original post.

(For those of you who already created your posts, no problem!)

Thank you for all the positive feedback and support on this! Can’t wait to see what you style mavens come up with! Cheers!

fyi: Button subject to change…

~ Audrey Hepburn

One Truth: My Freckles and Scars

May 22, 2013

After spending a weekend with my sisters, I realized we each still have a funny perception of ourselves and the flaws we have. As women, well actually, as human beings we all have flaws. Both interior and exterior. We are made perfect in God’s image, but in our own image we are skewed. Sometimes our interior confidence weighs heavy in the way we portray our exterior confidence, and on the contrary, sometimes our exterior insecurities can deeply affect our spirit.

I have freckles galore on my face. I also have scars. Two of them. One on my upper lip when I split it open at age 8, and the other on my chin when I fell down the stairs at 3 yrs old. I was holding onto a cross tightly, and it rammed into my chin. These might each be considered facial “flaws” but they have been a part of me for so long, I don’t think I would recognize myself without them. I went through a phase of trying all the best concealers to minimize the appearance of my freckles and scars, but after I met my husband, he would frequently comment about how much he loved them. I also realized my mother has freckles, and I think she is one of the most beautiful women I know, so now I OWN my freckles proudly. Maybe it takes just one person to sincerely tell you that you are beautiful to really change your perspective of yourself (maybe it doesn’t hurt when its someone you love and respect too).

It also just takes one person to remind you that beauty is far deeper than surface level. Don’t you find that you love being around people who have a confident and positive attitude? Who see people beyond what meets the eye? I have a few friends like this that I am blessed to know. It makes me sad when a group of women stands around and belittles their body image. We could really use that time to talk about anything other than image. Maybe the Encourage Beauty campaign and the Dove Beauty campaign (whether it was a good one or not) is the reason why this has been on my mind so much these past few months. My friends and I used to have a group blog called OWN IT. It was all about taking our femininity for all that it is and making the most of it.

So here’s my challenge to you. Name your scars and flaws. I thought it would be good to start a little wave of owning your flaws confidently. I am sharing mine publicly here on a lifestyle blog. This doesn’t mean you have to do the same, but what can you do to take those interior or exterior insecurities and start to accept them? The interior ones are much harder to acknowledge, but maybe if you start with the surface level, you will find yourself going much deeper than you anticipated. OWN those surface level scars and find a way to see that they are a part of you. Maybe even let them show. Sometimes a little vulnerability is what we need. I have stopped concealing mine. Its good for each other to know we are ALL flawed (okay maybe not Halle Berry, but you get the idea…;)) and in our imperfection we can find a very deep level of real untouched beauty that is unique only to each individual.

I would love to hear or see your thoughts on this!

If you do choose to share a photo, tweet, or post about this topic, please hashtag #ownyourscars so we can encourage each other and uplift. (Always my goal!)

"Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart."

March 27, 2013

And just like that we are at the end of March…(?!!)

This quote seemed to reflect our Encourage Beauty Challenge so well. In the small decisions to choose uplifting words to those around us, you can notice the small changes in your own heart. This is something I have learned from all of you who participated. That even if its just a moment we take for someone else, you an change that day for a person.

Mandy shared with us that one of her readers who read about the challenge wrote the following:

I just have to thank you for mentioning the “encourage beauty” campaign at the beginning of the month. It inspired me to send a brief note/card to all the women in my life (mom’s, sisters, friends) just telling them that they are beautiful and that I love them.

I cannot tell you how I many of them have contacted me to tell me how much it meant, or that it came at “just” the right time, when they needed to hear it! (Of course, don’t we all long to hear that everyday – or rather need to hear it everyday!). It made everyone feel beautiful!!!

This was all I needed to remind me to live more aware of my words, but also to act upon them.
Hilary is sharing another print we made that you will have to check out. We decided this challenge should be something we can partake in anytime. If you are new and missed the original post, feel free too use the updated calendar to make the Encourage Beauty campaign part of your year!

If you ever want to share a story, just email us or use the hashtag #encouragebeauty. You can download these prints here. Thank you for all of you who took part with us. You were a motivation to us in so many ways!

Love, Anna

One Truth: The habit in our marriage we commit to.

March 2, 2013

{Snapped by my sister in our first year of marriage on the way to a Braves game.}

Somehow Gabe and I are coming up on our 5th wedding anniversary in June. Its got me thinking a good deal about where we are at and how we got here. I thought I would share a simple habit we practice that has kept our relationship strong over the past few years….

Some habits are good habits. The kind of routine you start to look forward to, and realize you can’t live without them. One of those is that we made the resolution a couple years ago to go to bed every night at the same time.

It was a pretty simple thing we talked about after a few nights that ended in quarrels over someone staying up hours too late playing playstation or working on design projects (can you guess which is which??;)) We realized that after we put kids to bed, that is our ONLY time of the day to just be with each other – attention undivided.

As a result of this resolution, we have had many late night brilliant ideas, important decisions made, and hours of dream sharing…. hours I am so thankful for…..not to mention it increases intimacy (did I make you blush? Cuz I am blushing.)

Granted, this rule is bent when a baby decides to wake up for a party at 11pm or their one of us has a deadline due in the morning, but all in all we try our best to stay true to this little resolution. Gabe is usually the champ – waiting up for me while I finish up my work load from the day.

I have come to cherish this little habit so deeply, and realize how this little habit became a #1 reason our friendship and romance in marriage have flourished.

Every couple is different, with different personalities and circumstances in life, but this is what is working for us:) What about you? If you are married, what are some habits you have held onto or begun to strengthen your relationship?

P.S. In just the first day of the encourage beauty challenge I was totally blown away by how many of you are taking action and how you are carrying it out. Keep the stories coming!

The Refinishing Process of the 1960’s Craftstman Table.

April 27, 2022

round dining table - breakfast nook - pleated pendant

Today I’m handing the blog over to Gabe who is a very thorough teacher on all topics he is passionate about. This includes bringing old pieces of furniture back to life. I spotted this table on Facebook Marketplace for a steal, and the woman who sold it to us was so happy that another family would continue to use it. Her grandfather built the table himself! It is just what we needed for our breakfast nook…

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Backyard fruit trees + fruit bushes guide.

June 25, 2020

Today’s post is written by Gabe. (The one with the green thumb.)

For me one of the most bittersweet things about leaving this amazing place is leaving behind all of my beloved fruit trees and bushes. I have put many joyful hours in my yard nurturing my wooded children, it’s difficult to say goodbye. I planted them for my kids, as picking and eating their own fruit produces such sweet memories for a child (pun intended). This is the first year that most of these amazing fruit varieties will give a good crop, and although it is hard to leave before seeing the literal fruits of our labor, I am very happy that they will be passed on to the next amazing owners to enjoy. So here is an update on my green beauties before we say goodbye.

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