Bathing Beauty Secrets

Even one-piece swimsuits have problems of their own, but with a little creativity, your swim outfit can be modest, practical, and express your personal style. Below are many suits that need a little tweaking to make them oh-so-effortlessly modest!

Add a tube bikini top under a low cut suit.

A stretchy crop top can work great as part of your suit.

No straps? No problem! Add a coordinating sports bra under the suit for support and coverage. 

For a suit that has great built-in support and coverage, add a stretchy swim short!

Use a lace beach dress, even to swim in. It will dry fast when you get out of the water.

Find a lightweight romper to wear over a swimsuit. Also, wear a lightweight cardigan while sitting poolside.

Wear a trendy short like these stretchy lace shorts instead of athletic wear.

Beating the Hot Sun of the Culture

"I feel so fat compared to them." 

"I'm not skinny enough to look good in a bathing suit!" 

"I wish I had the perfect body size."

---

Have you ever thought any of these things? I'm ashamed to admit that I have. The world wants us to think that we have to be a certain weight and size to be beautiful. For a girl who has always been tall and has a larger-built frame, I thought that I would never be considered "beautiful." I hated even the thought of putting on a bathing suit. But several years ago when the Lord brought me to Himself, He slowly began changing the way I think about myself and what I define as "beautiful." 

- Our culture defines beauty as a certain weight or body size. But God defines beauty as, "Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:4)

- Our culture's form of beauty will pass away, but God's beauty is imperishable.

- Our culture wants us to think that all we should care about is making ourselves more beautiful, but God wants us to pursue and live for Him. "Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

- Our culture tells us that to be beautiful we must wear seductive bathing suits and clothing, but God wants us to be beautifully modest. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Learn to accept and cherish the body that God has given you. Eat healthy, exercise, and get adequate rest. If you do these things, you will be at the perfect weight that God meant you to be! All the while, keep in mind that your bodies are dust and will perish one day. But your soul will live forever, so make sure that you cultivate and grow your relationship with the Lover of your soul, Jesus Christ.

So how do we beat the hot sun of the culture? By living for Jesus Christ and shining as a bright light in a dark world! We must dress in a way that brings honor and glory to God, not to our bodies. Instead of focusing on ourselves and how we can dress to please others, we must be consumed with giving God all the glory.

"For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:16-17)

Swimwear 101

It's really hot outside. Not just sunny hot, but your hand can almost push through the air because it's thick with moisture; if you live in the South, you know what I mean. It becomes so hot the only thought pulsing through your head is cool water... the pool, a lake, a pond, the beach, even the sprinklers on the lawn.

It's so tantalizing, yet, do you ever feel you shouldn't? Sort of like an awkward guilt because you want to be modest, but part of you just wants to be in your scants cooling off under the lovely feel of refreshing water! Finding a balance in enjoying the sun and decently covering our bodies can be hard. 

Can I wear spaghetti straps?

What about halters?

Or backless?

Can I wear a tankini?

Should I wear a swim skirt or shorts?

How long should a swim cover be?

Would a tube cover be appropriate?

Is a bikini always forbidden?

What about support built in a swimsuit?

How do I stay cool when it's so hot out?

What about surfer wear?

AND SO MANY MORE!!!!!

Instead of going through each question, let's make things simple. 

1. Swimwear as clothing, not just unmentionables

What I mean by this is applying the same principles to swimwear as you do clothing. You wouldn't wear a top without the proper support under it. You wouldn't wear a skirt without your unmentionables. Think about a swimming outfit! Buy items made from swim material, a supportive bikini for your foundation, a swim top or tank, board shorts or a swim skirt, then add a fun wrap skirt or dress. If we think of swimwear more like the layering we already do -- remembering we'll be more active and in the water -- we will be more successful in dressing.

2. Keep with your personal style

If you like classy, don't buy a sport swimsuit. Keep with your personal style choices when choosing swimwear. It should be a pleasure to get dressed :)

3. Make Adjustments

If you purchace a one-piece with a plunging neckline, buy a little swimsuit fabric and add a trim. Move straps and bows or ruffles. Get handy with a needle and make things work!

4. Seek Advice  

If you don't know your parents' thoughts on this subject, ask! Knowing what they approve or disapprove of will be your starting point. If you have stylish/modest friends, ask how they handle swimwear. They can be very helpful with tips on where the best buys may be in your hometown.

Swimming Upstream

This is a big week for Silk and Purple! We want to talk with you on a subject that many girls talk about around this time of the year... swimsuits! We are calling this series Swimming Upstream -- all about beating the heat from the surrounding culture and the summer sun! 

Why "swimming upstream"? Unfortunately, we will be considered weird for talking about and practicing modesty in this way. We will probably offend a lot of people, but it must be addressed -- not only in our thoughts, but how to practically wear swimsuits on a hot beach in the middle of July.

Below is a video that seems to be getting a lot of attention lately, and rightfully so. I love this video and hope you enjoy as we kick off this series!

We will be back!

We'll be out this week, but we will be back with a special series all next week, Swimming Upstream -- all about beating the heat from the surrounding culture and the summer sun!

Buy of the Week

Don't forget your toothbrush! When traveling, carry all you need for personal hygiene in this little hang-around clutch!

Find the clutch 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!**

Hummingbirds!

Good afternoon lovely ladies! I realize that today's post has nothing to do with healthy lifestyles or fashion, but I thought that you might be interested in talking about these little birds that are such a beautiful part of Creation.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating to the south as we speak, and "scouts" (hummingbirds that come ahead of the main group to find a location that supplies ample food) are already arriving. These little birds can arrive as early as late May and stay until mid-August or September in the southeastern regions of the United States. 

Male ruby-throated hummingbirds have a black throat patch that reflects bright ruby-red in the sun; females are the same size, but lacking a throat patch. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in Creation, and only grow up to 3 1/2 inches long.

These little birds feed on small insects and nectar from flowers. Consider putting a hummingbird feeder in your yard. You can make your own sugar-water to put in the feeder with this easy recipe.

Hummingbird Food

~ 1/2 cup sugar

~ 2 cups water

1. Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved.

2. Cool mixture to room temperature and place in hummingbird feeder.

3. Store remaining mixture in fridge for up to two weeks.

Fun fact--A hummingbird's heart pumps 1,260 beats per minute, and its wings flap 50-60 times per second.

"How manifold are Your works O Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures." Psalm 104:24

When I Think Best

    
So it's a Sunday night and I'm sitting here at my computer. Like usual, I have no idea what to write for my next blog post. Sometimes I'll sit and think by myself for a long time, sometimes only a few minutes. But in the end I always do the same thing: I just lean back, close my eyes, and ask God to give me the words I need to say to encourage the people who will read what I write. Then the words come and I just let them flow from my brain to my fingers until I'm done. Tonight was just the same as it is every time I write a new post -- until I remembered something.

 

 A few weeks ago, in one of my last ninth grade English assignments, I was instructed to write about "when I think best." It took me a minute, but then I realized that I think best when I'm writing to all of you. A lot of the time I'm so consumed in my own thoughts and feelings that I have a hard time letting God lead. But when I write to other girls, I'm humbled in realizing there are so many things in this world that I don't know how to explain, that I need help from Someone who does. Without this extra help, I don't think I could ever write something new every two weeks. It's a funny thing how when I think best, I'm not really thinking hard at all -- I'm just letting God take over, and in a way, it's like He's writing for me.

 

  The next time you have a decision to make, a deadline to meet, or any other predicament you might be facing, just lean back, close your eyes, and let Him lead. I know you might be capable of doing things on your own, but they'll always turn out better if you get a little extra help. It may not always be in the front of your mind, but you've got a God who wants what is best for you, especially if you're willing to let Him work in your life. So here's to a God who, in spite of my own not knowing, can take a whole lot of nothing and turn it into something He can work with.

In the year I've been writing for Silk and Purple, I've been blessed to get to know the amazing young ladies on this blog team. And most importantly, I've learned a lot about myself. I hope that this post inspires you to let God work wonders in your life. Because just like open arms are better for embracing the people you love, an open heart is better for embracing God's will for your life. Think best and be blessed. If you're like me, it can be hard, but in the end it's more than worth it.  


 

Spring Trends Contest

F.S. ~ The Sandwich

'Tis the season for hamburgers, cold turkey sandwiches, and roast beef hoagies. Add to it some potato salad and coleslaw and you have a decidedly Southern summer meal. For gentlemen, the hamburger piled high with toppings and condiments does not usually pose a problem. For those of us striving to be ladylike in all situations, the big burgers and sandwiches can prove to be a challenge.

When you have flattened your hamburger or sandwich down as far as it will go without relinquishing all of its contents, and it still will not fit in your mouth, what are you to do?

First of all, begin by cutting any large burger or sandwich in half, and see if that helps. It may become necessary to remove a few pickles or tomatoes and that can be done using one's fork. Food that is taken off or falls off the sandwich should be handled with one's fork and knife. As you pick up the sandwich, you should lean only slightly forward and bring the sandwich up to your mouth. Do not lean down over the table to meet your sandwich. You will note that having your napkin in your lap is, as always, mandatory at this point. For club sandwiches, you can remove the toothpick.

The great question when eating a sandwich is: "Is it okay to put my elbows on the table?" That answer is, as you can probably guess: no. Elbows on the table is just simply not good manners. As you bring the sandwich up to your mouth, keep your arms off the table. This will help maintain an overall good posture at the table.

These tips should not diminish the pleasure that a properly grilled hamburger or a masterfully constructed sandwich can bring. Instead, they should increase it as you maintain your etiquette and poise.

Buy of the Week

Best advice I ever received in buying luggage is this:

Imagine yourself walking at the place you most want to visit. Now imagine what your luggage would look like there! Buy luggage that captures your dream location!

Cranberry Set

Blue Bird Set

Black Elegance Set

Quilted Blue

**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!**

Traveling Girl

Train, plane, car, or boat? Do you have plans to travel this summer?

Here is some helpful advice to make your trip relaxing and memorable!

1. Pack smart. This doesn't always mean only taking two outfits for a week's trip. Pack clothing items that are interchangeable with outfits. One top can go with two skirts and one pant. Don't overpack, but don't under-pack, either.

2. Leave a little room in your luggage for souvenirs.

3. If you are flying, pack valuables (like pearls or favorite clothing items) in your carry-on, or wear them.

4. Clean out your purse and make it very light.

5. Instead of packing your favorite hat, wear it.

6. Wear traveling clothes that are comfortable, but business casual. Choose clothing that doesn't wrinkle, but is not like you are lounging at home. You never know what may happen along the road, so don't be caught in your pjs and curlers at a nice restaurant... (speaking from experience).

7. An iPad makes traveling lighter and can store books, music, and photos in one place. It also can provide navigation in new places.

8. Avoid buying clothing on your trip like tee-shirts or Hawaiian skirts; if you do, don't overspend. These items may seem like a grand buy at the time, but probably will not work into your wardrobe at home.

9. Take along a bag for dirty clothes.

10. Any cash you don't spend, place in a jar and save it for your next trip!

Spring Trends Contest

As we say goodbye to spring, we would like for you to pick your favorite spring trend and highlight it in an ensemble. Show us your best creativity and how modesty can be oh-so-fabulous!

Winner will be announced Saturday, June 8, 2013!

Here is how to enter! Visit this site and create an inspiration board with an outfit you would wear to express your favorite trend. Select dresses, hats, shoes, and so much more.

Send your outfit to us via email by Friday, June 7, 2013, no later than 11:59 p.m. CST. We will select the top outfits and post them on Silk and Purple for all to see!