Basic Beauty

Buy of the Week!

The brown bag. Yes, it's a classic!

A purse may be the key to completing your personal style. These purses are the same color and price, but as you can see, they reflect a totally different style! Handbags are one of my favorite accessories. (My brother is a testament to this. He threatens to never allow me to purchase another one. :)

$22.50

You can find the first bag here!

$22.50

You can find the second bag here!

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Skin Care Sensations - Part 1

This week we are beginning a new series called Skin Care Sensations. Each week I will cover an important aspect of how we can care for our skin in a way that honors and glorifies God.

Today we will talk about deodorant. How many of you use some form of deodorant or antiperspirant? Probably most of you, especially in this warm weather! But sadly, most antiperspirants and deodorants available at the stores today contain many harmful ingredients, including aluminum, parabens, dyes, propylene glycol, and other chemicals. Several of these ingredients have been thought to cause cancer. Visit this article to find out more about the dangers of antiperspirant and deodorant.

Now you may be asking, "So what am I supposed to do about it?" You have 3 options. (1) Make your own deodorant (recipe below) (2) Buy a natural deodorant (3) Stop using deodorants altogether (not the best choice).

Here is a recipe for homemade deodorant.

~6 to 8 Tablespoons coconut oil

~1/4 cup baking soda

~1/4 cup organic corn starch or arrowroot powder

~10 drops of your favorite essential oil, optional

1. Mix all ingredients together until it forms a thick paste-like consistency.

2. Press deodorant into a glass jar.

3. Place in the refrigerator and allow to set for 24 hours.

4. Place in your bathroom or bedroom and use 1-2 times a day.

I know from personal experience that this deodorant works very well.

Here is a link where you can purchase natural deodorants. Many of these brands are also available at local health food and grocery stores. Please be sure to check all ingredients in the deodorant before purchasing!

May you have a wonderful week serving the Lord!

  

Wear Your Neutrals ~ Brown

When I think of the color brown, I think of chocolate and coffee.

{Not a bad thought... Now I'm craving a mocha late`.}

Brown comes in many shades and looks generally grand on everyone. A chocolate-colored skirt or blouse are always great fall-back pieces to add class to your wardrobe. Brown can be bold when paired with a pink or blue, or be a subtle classic alternative to black. I love brown with creams for a soft, warm style.

The beautiful brunette that took us over the rainbow.

Top 6 Combos

What's a young girl to do to beat the heat and stay modest and oh-so-stylish? Here are my top 6 combos for girls this summer!

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Find all these items at these shops!

http://www.gap.com/browse/subDivision.do?cid=6256

http://downeastbasics.com/girls.aspx

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=6027

http://www.carters.com/oshkosh

http://www.jcrew.com/kids/girls.jsp?navLoc=left_nav

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=girls&category=girls_whatsnewall

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Heart-Guarding (and other ways to whitewash a tomb)

A wonderful friend passed along this post to me, and I found it so thought-provoking I had to share it with you! 

"A young girl’s heart is actually . . .  we might as well be blunt . . . deceitfully wicked. (Don’t blame me – take it up with Jeremiah.) A girl’s heart doesn’t need to be “guarded” as if it’s a rare and beautiful flower that can’t be jostled. What it actually needs to be is saved, disciplined, rebuked, forgiven,  trained, sanctified." ~ Rebekah

Find more here!

The Life of a Blogger...

I'm not a writer.

I've said this a million times. And it's true every time I say it.
I'm not a writer, a graphic designer, a web developer, or a fashionista, but I have a drive. A drive and a passion that Christ and His word be lifted up!

Every blog has a drive behind it. Whether it be personal fame, a hobby, money, career building, or relationship building, every time you read a blog you are reading a blogger's drive. So what drives you?

Money, fame, hobbies, and dreams oftentimes will fail us -- then what are our blogs left with? Just empty cyber diaries filled full of nothing that will last. If Christ is the center of your life, He will fill your life with the things that are eternal!

So I'll write, read, study, develop, design, learn, push, wait, talk, and share -- all with the hopes that you will see Jesus! All that we do on Silk and Purple is vanity if Christ be not glorified.

Let your drive be founded in Him!

Buy of the Week!

This beautiful gray scarf would add a perfect touch to your wardrobe! Dress it up or down and wear all year round. The color of this scarf will go with many skin types!

$24.99

Find this Scarf here!

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Chicken Salad Anyone?

Chicken salad is the perfect lunch on a hot summer day. When I think of chicken salad, it reminds me of many wonderful lunches and dinners shared with my mom, eating her delicious chicken salad. 

Here is Mom's famous chicken salad recipe.

-4 cups chopped, cooked chicken 

-1 cup halved seedless green or red grapes

-1 cup slivered almonds, toasted

-1 bunch of green onions, chopped

-3/4 cup mayonnaise (or egg-free mayonnaise)

-1/2 cup sour cream*

-1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Combine all ingredients and chill. Serve to your family and friends with love.

*Instead of 1/2 cup sour cream, I use 1/2 cup of egg-free mayonnaise.

Wear Your Neutrals ~ Gray

Gray may not be the most happy of colors, but it is a part of your neutral palette.

From charcoal to silver, gray garments can be worked in to soften your wardrobe. If you have dark hair and light skin, gray can be a better option than black for a softer look. 

Gray is a cool color, so if you look better in warm colors, you probably should avoid it. When I wear gray, I choose darker charcoals and smoky colors due to my warm complexion.

This classy woman wore her neutrals and colors with impeccable taste.

The Father's Perspective

"I'm going to marry my daddy someday!" 

The words of my four-year-old niece as she dreams of becoming a bride. As she looks to her daddy to meet all her needs, she can't see anything needed beyond him to fill her days with joy. Oh, to be as a child! And this is the way Christ says we are to trust our Heavenly Father!

Our Heavenly Father created the perfect grouping of people that the Enemy is striving to pull apart! It's called the family. A big way the Enemy is succeeding in destroying the family is through society's belittling of fathers. This is taking away God-ordained headship. Many families have been working for years to rebuild crumbling homes! Now as daughters, it's our turn!

I strive to uplift my father in words and actions. Dressing to honor him is a BIG part of this. No, the Bible does not say, "Honor thy father with thy skirt," but the Bible is very explicit in that we are to obey and honor our parents. So I asked my daddy if he could take the time to answer some questions about a father's perspective on appearance.

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Questions asked by Abby
Answers by Mr. Little

Is it important to dress modestly and femininely?

Very important!

Why have you guarded your daughters in how they dress?

That's the way it's supposed to be. You can look at it in two ways. 1) If a daughter walks out in bad attire, she can become the object of helping a man to sin, because she is tempting him with lustful thoughts. Men are faced with a lot of tempting situations, so why would a sister in Christ want to add to her brother's temptations? 2) By dressing modestly, you are protecting yourself and the men around you.

What are some practical tips for daughters in how to honor their fathers through appearance?

Be open to critique when selecting outfits. Don't be afraid to ask your dad's opinion. He will be able to judge your outfit from a man's perspective -- in a way girls don't usually even think. He knows how young men think because he was once a young man himself.

Should daughters strive to please their fathers if they prefer a certain style of clothing over another?

My daughter likes wearing maxi dresses, but they're not my favorite. I don't have a problem with her wearing them, because this type of thing really is about personal preference. You're not always going to like the same things. Your dad may like the color red, but you may like blue. As long as you are not disobeying him, the preference of blue over red shouldn't become a source of strife.

Should fathers and daughters create standards of dress?

Yes, there should definitely be a set of rules. If you don't know what you are aiming at, you'll always miss the mark.

What if a father doesn't care about what a daughter wears and doesn't give any guidance?

I wish this was never the case. This lack of fathering is opening the door to problems for the daughter down the road. A daughter in this situation should ask herself, "Will this outfit honor my Heavenly Father?" Also, she can follow the example of the way other girls dress who have the godly protection of an earthly father.

Do you appreciate your daughters, and now granddaughters, when they dress becomingly, and how does it make you feel?

Yes! It pleases me that they are striving to honor God's Word.

Any encouraging words to girls who want to please both their earthly father and Heavenly Father?

Keep close to God's Word; stay in continued communication with your dad. Also, stay encouraged by reading Christ-centered blogs and books, and befriending other girls who have the same goals of honoring Christ! Don't ever shut out your parents. Though you may think they are not right at the moment, if they are walking with the Lord, they are wanting God's best for you. This will enable you to walk through your life with strength, grace, and beauty.

Happy Father's Day!
Don't just give your dad a tie. Give him your heart!!

Out and About

These are a few photos of our booth at the Living a Legacy Conference we attended in May. If you have a conference or event you would like Silk and Purple to attend, send an email our way!

silknpurpleprov31@gmail.com

Mrs. Little manning the booth.

F.S. ~ Table Setting

Here is a great video on how to set a formal table setting. Practice it with your family's dinner this evening and make them feel special.

Buy of the Week! {Special}

You've got to love a vintage dress. And when you find the perfect one for you, it's like finding a treasure!! For more on how to shop for vintage, click here!

Here is a vintage 1950's dress for a steal to feature our color of the week!

$15.00

Plus get an extra 15% off! Find this dress here!

Get it while you can! Once it's gone, it's gone forever.

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Juicing for Life

Juicing is a wonderful way to get the most nutrients out of your fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are much easier to digest than whole fruits and vegetables are. They are also the best way to get nutrients from the vegetables you prefer not to eat raw (like broccoli or beets). 

If you do not have a juicer, consider making the investment to purchase one. Some juicers, like the Cuisinart Juice Extractor, are very reasonable. You can look at different brands and prices here.
Cool, fresh juice gives me a boost of energy and vitamins to make it through a hot summer day! Here are two of my favorite juice creations:

  
Super Green Juice


-1 large cucumber
-3 leaves of kale
-1 handful of spinach
-1 cup mint leaves
-1 inch of ginger, peeled
-1 lemon, peeled and seeded
-2 green apples, sliced
-1 slice of celery


Wash all fruits and vegetables. Juice lemon first, then juice greens, then the apple and ginger. Serve immediately.
Makes one serving.

Carrot Zinger

-5 carrots

-1 apple

-1 inch of ginger, peeled

Wash all fruits and vegetables. Juice apple first, then carrots and ginger. Serve immediately. 

Makes one serving.

Happy juicing!

A Little Laughter

How did Charm School work for Lucy? Watch and see!

Wear Your Neutrals ~ Navy

The beautiful, red-headed clown that kept America laughing -- who can forget her iconic, navy polka-dot dress!

Navy is a beautiful color that is a great alternative to black.

Wear it with any color you please if it is a true navy, but make sure your navy is not too blue (such as a royal blue). Navy is perfect for red heads that don't want to be washed out by black. A common myth is you must match navy-colored accessories with a navy outfit, but this is not the case in 2012. Throw on a red shoe or any color or neutral to create your navy ensemble.

Shades for You!

I love sunglasses! They are great for those sunny summer days or when I don't feel like putting on makeup to run errands. They can express your personal style in such a fun way while protecting your eyes from extended sun exposure. There is such an array of shades --

how is a girl to choose?

Let's talk about the different styles of shades out there; then we'll talk about how your face shape will best fit into the perfect sunglasses.

Wafer 

Round 

Cat Eye

Square

Aviator

To find the most flattering pair of glasses, determine what your face shape is. Here is a diagram of the many face shapes:

To find out what shape you are, use a dry erase marker, look into a mirror, and on the mirror draw the outline of your face. Step back and see what your face shape resembles.

Now let's compare glasses with face shapes.

Square

Best fit: Round or cat eye

Stay away from: Square or any sharp geometric shapes

Round

Best fit: Square or wafer

Stay away from: Round

Triangular

Best fit: Cat eye

Stay away from: Aviator

Oblong

Best fit: Oversized or square

Stay away from: Narrow and small

Oval

You are able to wear just about any type of shades

Diamond

Best fit: Round or oval

Stay away from: Aviator

Heart 

Best fit: Cat eye or round

Stay away from: Over embellished designs

Rappers, Rock Stars, and Ruffians

Is it just me or do many of the clothes in stores look like a tiger has clawed through them after having been drug on the back of a truck across America?

What is with the new wave of putting seven-years-olds not in bows and sparkles, but rather in studded hot pants and strappy mini dresses? Let's talk about the wave of fashion from rappers, rock stars, and ruffians. We have been taking fashion advice from this group and other celebrities for decades. There is something so alluring about the way they dress and act. The attitude is, "I don't care what you think. I am going to be myself!" This is the problem... 

Sisters, the last thing I want is to "be myself." "Myself" is a sinful, self-centered wretch that will eat me alive. Christ has saved me from myself and now my life is renewed in Him!

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. (bolding mine)

Colossians 3:5-11

 And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled,pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

Titus 2:4-6

So my question is: If rock stars and rappers dress in a certain way to express their worldview of following one's self, then should we desire to dress like them?

Well, it goes back to the question of how you want to be perceived. People are looking at you and summing you up as soon as you walk out of the door by how you dress. Grungy rock star or tight and flashy pop star clothing will send out a message that you want to be like them.

"And behold, the woman meets him dressed as a prostitute..."

Proverbs 7:10

The Proverbs 7 woman is an example in the Bible of a bad girl. She is after sin and lustful ambitions. This verse tells us how she dressed, because her appearance told men she was open to their affections. In biblical times, there was strong distinction of dress. Virgins dressed differently than married women. Sometimes in today's society, it can be hard to tell what a girl is trying to show through her attire... but maybe it's not so hard.

Oftentimes, we dress for acceptance and this is okay, but first think about the crowd you long to be accepted by before jumping into the way they dress and act. Ask yourself if their attitudes and lifestyles are ones that are aligned with scripture and for the glory of the Lord. This will help you determine if you should desire to dress like them or if you should run from their fashion statements.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and not the things of this world; He will help you make wise choices as daughters of the Highest King! We are not lost daughters of the earth, doomed to empty goals, following our own selves to death. So let's pass over the items in the store that are inspired by Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Madonna, and Miley Cyrus. Their paths are set in darkness, and we have the privilege of showing light!

Buy of the Week!

What closet is complete without a classic trench coat? This coat has a beautiful cut and is just right to go through the seasons. It will be sure to stand the test of time and work with many outfits!

This trench is on super clearance, so be sure to act quickly!

$15.74

Find this coat here!

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Recipe of the Week

I am sure that many of you have trouble finding healthy dessert recipes. Especially if you are like me, and are gluten and dairy intolerant, finding recipes that are gluten and dairy free is like looking for a needle in a haystack! So here is a recipe for those who have allergies to wheat and dairy, and for those who are looking for a healthy way to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake

~1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

~6 Tablespoons grape seed oil

~2 1/4 cups hot water

~1/2-2/3 cup honey

~1/4 cup freshly ground flax seeds

~2 teaspoons vanilla extract

~1 cup brown rice flour

~3/4 cup gluten-free oat flour*

~1-2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

~1 teaspoon baking soda

~1/2 teaspoon sea salt

~1 1/4 cup grain-sweetened dairy free chocolate chips

1. Pour hot water over rolled oats and oil in a large bowl. Let sit for about 10 minutes before whisking in honey, ground flax, and vanilla.

2. Mix the dry ingredients together, then combine with the wet.

3. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Pour batter into a greased medium rectangular pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

*You can make your own oat flour by grinding rolled oats in a  food processor or coffee grinder.

This recipe was adapted from the book, Everyday Gluten-Free, by Kim Wilson.

Wear Your Neutrals ~ Khaki

The grand color khaki!

Wear the right shade and it will make you glow! Wear the wrong shade and it will make you look sick! Khaki is oh-so-classic and offers a more cool alternative to black in the hot weather months.

Khaki comes in many different shades. To see what the true color is, look at the undertone of the color. Many khakis have a green, brown, yellow, or even purple undertone. As we've talk before, an undertone is the base of a color, but it is muted by the ending result of color.

Every one is different. You might look better with a more rich, dark khaki rather than a light one. Just try different variations of khaki to find the ones that best fit you! 

The London look from Princess Kate. 

Now think about this!

Find out more about the "science of bikinis" by Jason Evert

The Magazine Rack

Looking for an encouraging magazine with uplifting spiritual content? Then head over to Setapartgirl for their E-zine! Great, tasteful content that will inspire and uplift you. This is one of my favorite reads!

You can find the E-zine here! 

F.S. ~ Top 10 Table Manners

Emily Post has been keeping us proper at the table for years. Here is her top 10 table manners to remember next time you gather around to feast!

1. Chew with your mouth closed.

2. Avoid slurping, smacking, and blowing your nose.

3. Don’t use your utensils like a shovel or as if you’ve just stabbed the food you’re about to eat.

4. Don’t pick your teeth at the table.

5. Remember to use your napkin at all times.

6. Wait until you’re done chewing to sip or swallow a drink. (The exception is if you’re choking.)

7. Cut only one piece of food at a time.

8. Avoid slouching and don’t place your elbows on the table while eating (though it is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses).

9. Instead of reaching across the table for something, ask for it to be passed to you.

10. Always say "excuse me" whenever you leave the table.