F.S. ~ Packing Lists

Bathing Beauty Secrets 2

Let me start by saying I don't believe two-piece swimsuits are appropriate worn alone, but I will say that they can be worn when making a swim outfit. Consider what you'll be doing before you go for fun in the sun. If you're slipping and sliding on a water slide, you will not want to wear the same thing as lounging on the beach.

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!

Braided

F.S. ~ Dining Out

  Imagine the days when dining out was rare, expensive, and only for the extremely special occasion. Today, we often dine out instead of at home, we call in carry-out, and we have events catered in lieu of home preparation. So, here are a few tips for those times when you're dining out with an individual or group.

• Always be on time or early. When it comes to eating, schedules and hungry people appreciate promptness.
• If you are early, wait for your party to be seated, unless you clarify that you will be seated before they arrive. "I will go ahead and get a table if I am early," or "I will wait for you in the lobby." Of course, if there is a wait time, sign in as soon as you get there to facilitate your time.  
• At nicer restaurants where the table setting is more complex, follow the chart below. Also see the earlier F.S. Post. 

• Do not begin eating until the entire table has been served.
• If you are with a large party of people and you know that the check is going to be split up, most restaurants will accommodate you and give each person or couple their own ticket and collect accordingly. Most waiters or waitresses will ask as they take orders, but it is always most polite to let them know at the beginning of the meal how the checks will be paid. When dining at finer restaurants, it is proper for one person to receive the check and then have everyone pay that one person. 
• Leave a generous tip. The tip is a reflection of what kind of person you are. The proper amount to tip a waiter or waitress is 15% to 20%. The rule used to be to calculate it from the before-tax total, but it has recently been pointed out that wait staff pays taxes off of their tips, so now the tip should be calculated from the after-tax total.
• The question most often wondered about when eating out is, "When do I let someone else pay for my meal?" When friends meet up for lunch or dinner or tea, it is usually understood that everyone will pay for themselves. If you are out to eat with people older than you or more important than you, they may very likely offer to pay for your meal. It is all right to object, but eventually, when they refuse to surrender, thank them. 
• What if it is a guy and you are not sure you are comfortable with letting him pay for your meal? There are two ways to look at this: 1. Girls feel as if they are sending the signal "I like you" when they let the guy pay, and sometimes they are. 2. Guys sometimes like to pay for the girl, because it is their nature to provide and protect and letting her pay for her own seems to them against the grain. Basically it comes down to judging the situation. The same applies here as when anyone else is buying your meal; it is all right to object but do not cause a scene. 
• Most importantly, use your manners! Listen more than you talk and treat the wait staff and hostess with kindness. See the earlier post: Table Manners. 

Questions regarding this topic? Leave them as a comment!

Spring Trends ~ Mint

Mint is one of the season's freshest colors, but be careful, it may not be the best color for you.

Find the right tone of mint for your skin, eyes, and hair. Or wear the color as a skirt, pant, or shoe away from your face.

Makeup Musings

Spring into a fresh new makeup regimen! Keep it natural, light, and bright. 

Here are a few nice ideas for the spring. Remember to talk with your parents before wearing new makeup! Honoring them is more important than pink lips!

F.S. ~ A Maid of Honor

Back to our wedding series...A Maid of Honor. She is a very important part of the wedding! First of all, it is an incredible honor to be asked to stand as Maid or Matron of Honor. The Maid of Honor leads the bridal party. Many of the responsibilities are the same as a bridesmaid (see post A Bridesmaid), except that this is more of a leadership role.

• Be there for technical and moral support. The bride may rely on you to be her right hand during the wedding process, but she may also need you for stress relief! Be encouraging, make her laugh, be supportive, and help her enjoy it. 
• Help with pre-wedding logistics with the bridesmaids. There are lots of decisions to be made, orders to be placed, and errands to be run when it comes to outfitting the bridesmaids for wedding day. Let the bride know that you will be in charge of anything she needs to hand over to you. Just keep in mind that it is her wedding, and be sure to get her approval when necessary. 
• Stay informed as to where the bride is registered, where events are being held, what the arrangements are for out-of-town guests, etc., so that you can take some of the pressure of questions from guests off of the bride.
• Attend all of the showers and parties given for the bride.
• Make sure that you or some other designated person keeps a record of all gifts received at pre-wedding events. 
• Host a bridal shower. The bridesmaids may also want to participate in this, and it is a great opportunity for all of you to get together and throw the bride a party. However, you as Maid of Honor lead the way!
• Coordinate bridesmaids during wedding weekend. Make sure that out-of-town bridesmaids have somewhere to stay and that they receive all the details of events. 
• On the day of the wedding, be sure that the bridesmaids all get where they need to be, have their hair and makeup taken care of, and receive all the necessary items they need for the ceremony. It may be helpful to type up a sheet of information for them (dates, times, and places of events; when to arrive on wedding day, what to bring, and helpful little tips and reminders).
• On wedding day, be sure the bride has all she needs. You should be assisted in this by the other bridesmaids who are also looking out for the bride. Usually, you are most helpful in seeing that the bride is not overloaded with little details that you can handle.
• Make sure the bride has the marriage license.
• As the ceremony begins, help arrange her train if needed. 
• Hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony when the vows begin.
• Make sure the bride's train is properly arranged as she leaves the ceremony. 
• At the reception, help direct guests where to go for the food line, where to sign the guestbook, where to place gifts, etc.
• Be sure that the bride gets something to eat before she leaves the ceremony. 
• Be willing to assist the bride whenever she needs you! 

While it seems like a lot of things to remember, it is a joy to come alongside a bride and help make her special day as special as possible!

Money-Saving Tips for Healthy Shopping

Eating healthy can be expensive, can't it? But how can we eat in a way that glorifies God and be good stewards of our money at the same time? This is a rather difficult question to answer, but God has shown me some wonderful tips through my experience of healthy eating that I will attempt to share with you below.*

~ Create a menu for the week and make your grocery list based off your menu. This helps you buy only what you need and keeps you from over-spending.

~ When an item you use regularly is on sale, stock up. For example, when my local health food store puts almond milk on sale, I always buy several to tide me over until the next sale.

~ Buy the least expensive brand of the products you normally buy. For example, I try to buy most of my organic canned goods, rice, oils, milk, and other things in the store brand (e.g., Whole Foods or Publix) instead of name brand.

~ Buy nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and grains in the bulk section of your local health food market and store in your freezer or in air-tight containers. Buying these types of foods in bulk is usually much less expensive than buying in individual packages.

~ If you are on a very tight budget, focus on buying the "dirty dozen" produce organically and the rest non-organically. Click here to find out what the "dirty dozen" are.

~ Buy toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, frozen fruit, etc., in bulk. My family has a membership at Costco where we save hundreds of dollars buying these products in large quantities. Costco also has a wide variety of organic products to choose from.

~ Above all, never buy what you do not need. I have learned the hard way over time that money slips so easily through my fingertips when I buy unneeded products that look so good, or I think I "need" them. Ask yourself these questions before buying a product. "How much will I use this item?" "Is this worth the money I would spend on it?" "Is this item truly a need?" "Would God want me to spend the money on this item?" These questions, if taken seriously, will stop reckless spending in its tracks.

Above all, our goal is to glorify God with our money. "So whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus." (Colossians 3:17)

  *As a wonderful resource for helping you spend your money wisely, I would recommend Dave Ramsey's envelope system wallet. This wallet helps you keep track of every penny you spend.

Spend or Save?

Good quality items can last for YEARS. A designer brand doesn't always mean just a high price and a "touty" title -- many times it means a quality product of natural fibers that last.

Below is a list of items that I would spend more money on for the quality, and a list of items that I would choose to spend less for seasonal trends.

Example: I will pool my funds to purchase a pair of classic black leather pumps from Nine West, but I will save my money by buying LOW priced trendy sandals. Each must be comfortable, but one will last only a season; the other will last for years if they're taken care of properly.

Spend More ---------------------------------------- Save More

Black Dress ----------------------------------------- Bright Spring Dress

Watch ------------------------------------------------------- Sunglasses

Classic Pumps ------------------- Flip Flops, trendy Flats and Sandals 

Blouse (neutral color, cream, white, black) -------------- Stylish Tee

Trouser Jeans ---------------------------------------------------- Purse

Swimsuit ------------------------------------------------- Beach bags

Now just because you are spending, this doesn't mean you can't find a great deal. Look for sales and check out the thrift store for items. Often you can find quality for low prices and then you can save and save!

Money-Saving Tips for Eating Out

Eating out is always fun, whether it be for a special occasion or  grabbing lunch with friends. However, eating out and eating healthy at the same time can quickly get expensive. Below are some tips to follow the next time you eat out!

- Always order water to drink. Water is free and the best drink option for your health.

- Use coupons, when available. Clip and save coupons for your favorite restaurants from the local newspaper or online.

- Order a cup of healthy soup and a side salad for your meal. This is usually a less expensive option than ordering an entree and is much better for you.

- Limit the times that you eat out. The less you go out to eat, the more money you save and the healthier you can eat!

Remember to glorify God in all that you do, even in the "small" areas of eating out and eating healthy.

"A penny saved is a penny earned." 

Benjamin Franklin

   

F.S. ~ QnA: Posture

Q. What is the proper posture one should have when sitting, standing, walking, etc.?

A. An excellent topic! Posture is a very important part of appearance. A slouchy posture affects your appearance in a negative way, and pretty posture enhances beauty exponentially!

When sitting, your posture should be such that you are sitting directly on top of your "sitting bones." Your shoulders should be back but relaxed, and your ears should be directly over your shoulders. Avoid any arch in your back; your legs and back should be at a ninety degree angle.

Slide down into your seat gracefully. Depending on the length of your skirt, you can cross your legs at the ankles or cross your legs at the knees. Shorter skirts make it absolutely forbidden for you to cross your legs at the knees, and it is generally considered more proper to cross your legs at the ankles, no matter your skirt length. You can also leave your feet flat on the floor and together, either side by side or one sightly in front of the other. Your hands should be in your lap and possibly to one side rather than in the middle.

When standing, your posture should still be tall and upright. Pin your shoulders back and move your head back so that your ears are over your shoulders. Hold your stomach in, and tuck your hips under as you walk. Take smaller steps and keep your feet under you and close together. This will help avoid a boyish gait and make you appear polished and poised.

As you practice good posture, be confident, wear a smile on your face, and remember that beauty comes from the Lord! Your inner beauty will shine forth as you endeavor to hold high the character and appearance that God has blessed you with!

The Q & A is still open! Leave your question(s) as a comment to this post or e-mail it to: seasonsinclair@gmail.com

Shopping Picks

I like buying new clothes, but I don't like new clothes' prices. There is a way to shop to find designer brands, yet sometimes pay less than half the price!

Here are the top places I shop to find beautiful clothing, for a little bit of cash:

Ross

T. J. Maxx

Marshalls

Target

These stores are mainstream chains that you will need to visit in person, but they offer unique clothing at reasonable prices. You still will need to set a spending plan and keep to it! Though dresses may cost only a third of the price of what you'll find in designer clothing shops, you don't have to buy three dresses. :)

Repost: Thrifty Shopping

This post is from Thrifty Shopping.

***************

Let's face it, even if we do find clothing that is becoming to our forms, is modest, and expresses our personalities, the most disappointing factor can be the price tag!!!

Clothing prices are as open and varying as art prices. Many clothing brands and designers designate the price using the value of the name on the tag, not the true worth of the clothing. It is true that clothing made from natural fibers has a longer life than synthetic clothing, but many times what seems real can be fake. (That is a truth within a truth.)

I enjoy shopping, but my bank account does not. I have to exercise a lot of self-control! The secret to looking polished and spending very little money is taking advantage of sales, consignment, and thrift. These shopping avenues take a bit more digging and patience, but I like to think of it as treasure hunting! I have found many jewels in thrift stores!

Here are some tips I keep in mind when I shop:

1. Have a spending plan before I shop.
2. Don't allow myself to become overwhelmed by disorganization. 
3. I find consignment and thrift stores that offer quality clothing.
4. Remind myself to never feel defeated when I walk out of a store empty-handed. Clothing at these type stores change every week, so I'll just check back another time.
5. When going through a rack of clothing, if an item doesn't catch my eye, then I pass it quickly. I start from one end of the rack and go as fast as I can.
6. It's great if the consignment or thrift store has a dressing room, but not always necessary if the store has a good return policy.
7. Brand names on clothing are important to view.
8. I check to see if the garment looks old, e.g., holes, fraying, missing buttons, zipper problems, faded color.
9. Remind myself to not be tempted to over-buy because of the great deals. Keep to the budget!
10. I search for clothing that is up-to-date, not necessarily trendy -- clothing that is classic and fresh.

Happy Shopping and Treasure Hunting!

Wedding Attire - Part 2

Let's apply what Season told us about dressing for a wedding. 

Find the chart here!

F.S. ~ Wedding Attire

Everyday Hair Styles, Part Three

Here are some wonderful go-to styles that we can use for around the house, work, school, or church. These tutorials make a basic French braid and high bun seem fun and easy. As you fix your hair for the day, remember that you are always an ambassador for Christ!

Classic French Braid

Ballerina Bun

Silk and Purple does not claim the rights to these videos. All rights belong to The Beauty Department.

"We are tempted to look at our joys, pleasures, passions, or our dreams with too much self-satisfaction. Then through God's gracious love He withdraws them, leading us to distinguish between them and Himself."

L.B. Cowman   

F.S. ~ A Wedding Guest

Everyone most likely will have the privilege of being a guest at a wedding. As with all other events, there are etiquette tips to guide us to make the occasion more pleasant for us and all those we're around.

1. Remember to R.S.V.P. as soon as possible by the method outlined in the invitation. See my earlier post, R.S.V.P.
2. Find out from the invitation what the dress code is. The time of the wedding should indicate to you how formal it will be.
3. Girls should not wear white to the wedding or even ivory or off-white. The bride is supposed to stand out in white. It is also best not to look like one of the bridesmaids. If you know what color and style they are wearing, steer away from that.
4. Arrive for the ceremony at least twenty minutes early. Thirty minutes is best. If you arrive after the doors have been closed, seat yourself quietly in the back (left side = bride's side, right side = groom's side). If the ceremony has already begun, wait until the bride has reached the altar and then seat yourself quietly in the back.
5. Do not just go to the reception and not the ceremony. If it is only possible for you to make it to the reception, that is okay, but you have been invited because the couple wants to share their wedding with you.
6. If you are able to, stay until after the cake has been cut. You do not want it to look like you came for the free food and then left.
7. Follow the couple's lead when the dancing begins.
8. If you are not a fan of the bouquet or garter toss, just stand quietly in the back and smile.
9. When you leave, find a member of the family and thank them.

Makeup Musings

Have you ever been called freckle-face?

I love freckles. I wish I had them. I come from an Irish, fair, freckly family, but God gave me the Native American heritage in my skin. My mom, sister, brother, nieces, and nephew all have freckles. My dad and I -- we missed out. ;)

If you have freckles, firstly, embrace them! God has given you your skin and coloring, and it is lovely. Secondly, make wise choices about your foundation. Here are some tips:

• Match the color to your skin, not your freckles.
• Don't cake on the foundation. You don't want to look clownish.
• If you have only a few large freckles, use a bit of light concealer to cover the spots -- then use your foundation over it.

F.S. ~ A Bridesmaid

Many of us have been asked or will be asked to stand with one of our friends on her wedding day. It is an exciting thing to be invited to be a bridesmaid. We anticipate the silk or linen dress we will wear, the satin-wrapped flower bouquet we will carry, and the pure delight at dressing up and walking down the aisle. But when it comes right down to carrying out the responsibilities of being a good bridesmaid, what does bridesmaid really mean?

A bridesmaid by definition is a young woman who attends the bride. She is most often a close friend or sister of the bride or groom.

If you are given the honor of being a bridesmaid, here are some important things to consider as you endeavor to do your job well.

1. After you accept the bride's request and thank her for the honor that it is to be asked, remember to make yourself available to help with whatever she might need. The bride has a great number of things to choose and coordinate, and you being willing to help, or even being in charge of something, will be a great help to her.

2. Be supportive of the bride. Every bride is under a certain amount of stress, and your encouraging words and gestures will be a boost to her.

3. The bridesmaids often give or help give a shower for the bride. The Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor usually initiates it, but be willing to participate and help.

4. An important thing to remember is that being a bridesmaid costs money. You have to buy your dress and shoes, and often contribute monetarily to a shower or tea. Once you have accepted the request to be a bridesmaid, never complain about the cost. Consider this before accepting, but once you are in, be happy!

5. What if the dress is immodest? Oh dear, we all know someone who has had this trouble, or we have had it ourselves! If the dress is strapless or revealing and you are not comfortable wearing it, let the bride know discreetly how you feel, and ask if you could wear a bolero or shawl. Do not make a scene or cause difficulty for the bride. If she refuses to alter the dress, you may respectfully decline being a bridesmaid or you may be able to work with the dress itself to make it more acceptable. Just be sure to consult the bride before you make any cosmetic changes to the dress.

6. Keep in mind that this is her wedding, not yours, and respect her decisions and tastes. It is often beneficial to simply remain silent. Instead of having too many comments, be good at listening.

7. Be willing to work! The bride needs you -- she really does. Your efforts and willingness to do the grunt work will help make her wedding day even more special.

8. On the wedding day, be ready to set aside your personal needs for those of the bride. Offer to get her something to drink or eat as she gets ready, and constantly be aware of things she might need. Continue in the same manner at the reception. Do not be nagging, but be available and willing.

We can see that there is a lot of willingness involved in being a bridesmaid, but it is truly a blessing and a lot of fun! Just remember the golden rule: "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you" and enjoy the blessed occasion that a wedding is!