Modesty

Every day we make choices. The clothes we wear may not seem all that important in the grand scheme of life to anyone other than ourselves. Our clothes, however, speak volumes about us. Complete strangers may be able to presume our gender, age, ethnicity, economic status, education, personality, and even character based upon what we wear. Employers, teachers, parents and peers will all take notice of our attire. The adornment of our bodies can either reinforce or change their ideas about each of us. The way we dress just may make the difference in obtaining a job, receiving an “A” on a school presentation, or making a good first impression and quickly earning the respect of our friends. Before we decide what we should wear tomorrow, let’s consider what God has to say on the subject of modesty.

I SAMUEL 16:7: “For the Lord does not see as man sees for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” <3

Now that we see God does care about how we dress, let’s define "modesty." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition, copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company) defines modesty as, “Reserve in speech, dress, or behavior.” Followers of Christ should also demonstrate godly character in their dress.

How can we apply modesty beginning today? Next time we go shopping? This is an interesting question… I was at a store the other day (not going to say which one in order to protect the reputation), they claimed to be a Christian store. When I walked into the store, I was shaken at what I saw. Not only were there clothes everywhere (whole other story), but the clothes that they were selling were appalling. When I stood there all I could see was short shorts, top-dresses, and low-tops. The sad thing was I didn’t expect other “non-Christian” stores to know was the word modest means, but I had just been in a “non-Christian” store that was clean, organized, and had modest clothes. (To top it off they had great customer service). When I went to talk to the manager about it, his excuse was “trashy was trendy.” The point of all this is not to put down any store… but just make any one reading this think twice before getting dressed in the morning. Remember your outfit maybe cute…but you maybe giving others the wrong message.

Until later… xoxo

TWLOHA :)

Today I decided to talk about a growing issue in our country. Not very many people want to talk about it… but it’s important it gets addressed. I have decided to do what I can… what will you do?

 What is TWLOHA?  

To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

What does TWLOHA believe?

“ That you were created to love and be loved and “you” were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world. Many people say that life is hard for most people most of the time. We(TWLOHA) believe that everyone can relate to pain, that all of us live with questions, and all of us get stuck in moments. You need to know that you're not alone in the places you feel stuck.

We all wake to the human condition. We wake to mystery and beauty but also to tragedy and loss. Millions of people live with problems of pain. Millions of homes are filled with questions – moments and seasons and cycles that come as thieves and aim to stay. We know that pain is very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

You need to know that rescue is possible, that freedom is possible, that God is still in the business of redemption. We're seeing it happen. We're seeing lives change as people get the help they need. People sitting across from a counselor for the first time. People stepping into treatment. In desperate moments, people calling a suicide hot-line. We know that the first step to recovery is the hardest to take. We want to say here that it's worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it's possible to change.

Beyond treatment, we believe that community is essential, that people need other people, we were never meant to do life alone.

The vision is that community and hope and help would replace secrets and silence.

The vision is people putting down guns and blades and bottles.

The vision is that we can reduce the suicide rate in America and around the world.

The vision is that we would learn what it means to love our friends, and that we would love ourselves enough to get the help we need.

The vision is better endings. The vision is the restoration of broken families and broken relationships. The vision is people finding life, finding freedom, finding love. The vision is graduation, a Super Bowl, a wedding, a child, a sunrise. The vision is people becoming incredible parents, people breaking cycles, making change.

The vision is the possibility that your best days are ahead.

The vision is the possibility that we're more loved than we'll ever know.

The vision is hope, and hope is real.

You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story.”

Quick Numbers

+ 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression. (The World Health Organization)

+ 18 million of these cases are happening in the United States. (The National Institute of Mental Health)

+ Between 20 percent and 50 percent of children and teens struggling with depression have a family history of this struggle and the offspring of depressed parents are more than three times as likely to suffer from depression. (U.S. Surgeon General's Survey, 1999)

+ Depression often co-occurs with anxiety disorders and substance abuse, with 30 percent of teens with depression also developing a substance abuse problem. (NIMH)

+ 2/3 of those suffering from depression never seek treatment.

Why is this important? Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. (NIMH)

Tip Alert! # 1

Foundation can (and should) be used on the eyelids. After cleansing and moisturizing, apply foundation to the entire face, including eyelids, using a foundation brush or sponge. Always apply foundation (as well as power) in a downward motion. Applying foundation in any other direction than down will cause the foundation to ad-hear to facial hair thus making the hair more visible. You can also add concealer as a base for your shadows. Once you have applied your foundation but before powdering, apply a small amount of concealer to eyelid (using a brush or your ring finger) between your eyelashes and eyebrow. Set your entire face with powder (either loose or compact) then you can begin applying your eye colors. The result is brighter, more vivid colors that will last!

MONEY SAVING TIP: By using a concealer instead of a primer (for example Urban Decay Primer Potion) you can save up to 16 dollars! It works just as well for priming your eyes for your shadow.

What is LATISSE®?

What is LATISSE®?

LATISSE® is a prescription drug currently promoted by spokesmodel Brooke Shields that is applied to the base of eyelashes to generate longer lashes. LATISSE® keeps hairs in their growth phase, producing longer, darker and thicker eyelashes. LATISSE® contains bimatoprost, the same active ingredient that is in the glaucoma medication Lumigan. Average cost of LATISSE® is about 130 dollars.

What is the down-side to LATISSE®?

LATISSE® eyelash lengthening is not permanent. Possible side-effects include discoloration of the eye or eyelid. The most common side effects after using LATISSE® solution are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. If you stop using LATISSE®, your eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

Why do people use LATISSE®?

LATISSE® solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker. Eyelash hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.

What do I find ironic about all of this?

I think that LATISSE® is probably fabulous for those women who are willing to spend 130 dollars ever few months to keep their lashes long. For me I think that is stupid considering three facts:

1. There are a lot of cons. For example why would I want “an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness”? Possible side effects also include discoloration of the eye or eyelid??? When they say discoloration of the eye they mean the iris. I have been reading reviews. People with hazel eyes say that after using this product their eyes have become permanently brown. Most people with hazel eyes love that they have green in their eyes. Why would you want to lose that?

2. Can’t you do the same thing with mascara and false lashes?

3. I think somebody somewhere made up a fancy name (hypotrichosis) so they had an excuse to make a prescription lash lengthener. When it boils down to it, probably 99 percent of American women have hypotrichosis.

What’s the big picture?

I probably will never buy this product because of its price and side effects. I love the results I have seen on other people though… I have to give LATISSE® that [

What is Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara?

CoverGirl Lash Blast is CoverGirl’s answer to Maybelline’s Define-a-Lash and Revlon’s 3D Extreme. With its extra-large, rubber-bristled brush and patented volumizing formula, Lash Blast promises to “max out” lashes for the “ultimate big lash look.”

What I Like About LashBlast Mascara:

* Length and Volume. In addition to offering decent length, Lash Blast offers respectable volume that’s superior to most non-waterproof, volumizing drugstore mascaras.

* Mostly smear-proof and smudge-resistant.

* Clump-free. Feel free to load this stuff on. It takes a lot to make it clump.

* Comes off easily with soap and water

What I Don’t Like About CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara:

* Loosens Lash Curl. Though not as big of a problem for Lash Blast as it is for most non-waterproof drugstore mascaras, I found that this mascara still uncurled my lashes slightly. The good news is that this problem can be remedied somewhat by “over-curling” your lashes and then allowing the Lash Blast to loosen the curl a bit.

* Brush Design. Though the uncommonly big brush does a good job of thoroughly coating lashes and preventing clumps, the lack of a tapered tip on this blunt-ended brush makes it a little difficult to get to those tiny and corner lashes. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but I feel like it’s a significant enough detail that CoverGirl shouldn’t have overlooked it.

So does Lash Blast work? This mascara works…but it’s not a superstar.

The Bottom Line on CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly deal on a volumizing mascara that’s easy to remove, Covergirl Lash Blast is a good choice.

NOTE: Covergirl Lash Blast is available for about 7 dollars in most drugstores. I got mine at Costco in a three pack.