When I first came home from the hospital after having had our little girl, I knew that I needed to have some sort of order to my day. I am, by nature, someone who waits until the last minute to do things and structure is one way that I can try to combat that tenancy.
It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!
Awhile ago, I came across a site that promises to help wives become more loving, devoted , and kind to their husbands by practicing little acts of kindness each and every day. Though this site is only for married women, I have seen nothing inappropriate put forth on the website or though the daily e-mail tips that one can sign up for. Obviously, this is not a cure-all for marriages going through hard times, but it might start to ease a marriage into a more loving environment or even help to keep a marriage healthy.
Here are some examples of head coverings as some women wear them. All of these pictures were taken during services in the Orthodox Church. Some of the women are wearing hats, but more are wearing scarves. Here are some tips I've gleaned during the years I covered my head.
I've been thinking a lot about the standard of dress we have here in the United States... especially when it comes to dressing for church. In the Orthodox Christian Church, there are women who dress in varying degrees of modest or immodest feminine dress and modest or immodest casual dress. I imagine that it is the same in Roman Catholic churches and Protestant churches. Sunday Dress - Remember the time when people put on their “Sunday best” to go to church? In fact, dress clothes were often referred to as Sunday clothes. In some parts of the country, this is not common today. In fact, all too often, dress in church has become too casual. In all areas of our lives, we should offer Christ our best. And the same is true of our dress. We should offer Christ our “Sunday best”, not our everyday or common wear. And we should dress modestly, not in a flashy way that would bring attention to ourselves. Our dress should always be becoming of a Christian - especially at church. Here are some specific guidelines we use in our parishes:
Children: Only young children (under 10) should wear shorts to church — and then only dress shorts. Athletic shorts, cut-offs, and spandex shorts are never appropriate church wear (for children or adults!). Shoes or sandals should be clean and tied. No one should wear T-shirts with any kind of writing on them (“This Bud’s for You!” is definitely out).
Women: Dresses should be modest. No tank tops or dresses with only straps at the shoulders, no short skirts (mini-skirts), and no skin-tight dresses. Dresses should have backs and not be cut low in the front. If women wear pants to church, they should be dress pants (not jeans, leggings, etc.). Shorts of any type are not appropriate for church.
Men: Men should also dress modestly. While coat and tie are not mandatory, shirts should
have collars and be buttoned to the collar (the actual collar button may be left undone, but two or three buttons undone is inappropriate). Slacks should be cleaned and pressed. Jeans (of any color) are usually too casual for church, especially ones with patches or holes. Again, shorts are not appropriate church wear. If you’re going somewhere after church where you need to dress casually, bring a change of clothing with you and change after coffee hour. Remember, use your best judgment and good taste when dressing for church. After all, you don’t go to be seen by everyone else — you go to meet and worship God.
During my internet search, I also found an Episcopalian blog that had an entry on Dressing for Church. I thought that it was sad, yet interesting when the author of this post stated: "Now that I have children of my own, I frequently have to urge the younger one to revisit his bedroom and upgrade his sartorial selection before we set out for church. My concern, I must admit, has less to do with giving honor to God--whom I am not sure cares--than about dressing to the standards of the community. "
I don't know where I've been, but I recently discovered the blog, Like Merchant Ships. Meredith's blog is chock full of great frugal ideas. In my mind, the best part about Meredith and her philosophy is that she is frugal in (as she puts it) a "cheerful" way! My favorite posts were the ones on how she put together her closet complete with glamor shots , pretty hangers, and feminine closet rod. If you haven't seen this blog, you're really missing out!
Every woman needs a place that is all her own. Whether it is an entire room dedicated for her pretty things and pursuits or just a corner in the family room, it should be a place that is feminine and beautiful... a place where she can be peaceful, productive, or both. Whatever strikes her fancy!
It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!
Devotion and habit are not necessarily love, though all three often make a comfortable trio.
Just in case this comment written by Elizabeth was missed, I am posting it here as part four of the series on Brown vs. Black. Elizabeth has outlined several outstanding ways to marry these two colors together in one's wardrobe. If you've never visited her blog, A Merry Rose: Blooming as Keeper of My Home, you simply MUST go there immediately! She has a wealth of knowledge that she shares in her posts... each entry she has written has helped me enormously!
It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!
