My All-Time Favortie Song

Fall In Love At A Coffee Shop is probably the most captivating thing I have or will ever hear. It's romantic, interesting and the overall design (set and costumes) are so beguiling. Okay, you just need to watch it.

I'd love to wear almost all of her outfits! (but I wouldn't feel comfortable in the last one.)

So do you like it? What are your favorite songs/music videos?

~Anna

Boom! Bam! Design! Wham!

 Hi, everyone! The other day I really wanted to get a new design to you all. I was inspired by my daily shoe calendar and the tons of fringe we've been seeing this year. I really like sketching without a figure; this makes the process faster and less difficult, plus it's pretty fun!

 

If I ever make this, I think is would go fantastically with a light lace jacket and some ankle boots, what do you think?

~Anna

The Plaid Dress

So are all of you feeling inspired today? 

Well I am, and here's why: 

Yep, that's right, my first garment construction video! I have learned so much while making this, but the most important lesson was not giving up! During this, I felt that I was making something that was going to fail or look horrible, but in the end, I really love how it turned out. 

Perseverance, baby! Whoot!

Just a reminder: my clothing business, Demure, will be opening its online shop on January 1st, 2016! 

I hope you all take the time and follow Demure's social sites, it would really mean a lot to me: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/demurefashions

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/demurefashion/

Instagram: @DemureFashions

Twitter: @DemureFashions

 Also, if you haven't taken my survey for Demure, I would really appreciate it as well: 

Click here to take Demure's survey.

So, do you like to upcycle clothes? Or would you be willing to try it? 

Let me know in the comment section!

Demure's Survey no.1

Hello everyone! I have exciting news! On January 2nd, 2016 Demure will officially open its shop online! However, we still have lots of planning and research to do before this happens.
Right now we are working on our marketing plan and need your help! We need as many women as possible (preferably ages 15-25) to answer our survey questions! This survey will help us get the word out about Demure more efficiently. So please take this survey and share it with your friends! Thank you!

Click here to go to the survey!

The Renaissance Festival!

Every year between the end of August and the beginning of October the Renaissance Festival comes to Michigan! This gives my friends and I a chance to dress up and basically step back in time!

The first week I attended, I wore this wedding dress I found for $15 at Volunteers of America. While it was pretty, I thought that more could be done to it...

So, I dyed it blue!  I also made fake hips which gave it the Marie Antoinette look! (Although, Marie was not alive during the Renaissance, I thought that it was still fine to wear.) I also ended up removing the rosettes off the shoulders as well as the bows from around each elbow.

One of the things I love about the Festival is the scenery! It actually looks like a town during the Renaissance era.

As you can see below there is a pirate ship that is used as a shop! They also have jousting tournaments, a birds of prey show, as well as other fun shows on stages throughout the park.

The have plenty of things to buy from food to jewelry. I bought this ring-bracelet that you see below; I thought it went well with my costume, but also had the versatility to wear with outfits at home.

One of the shops we visited sold tapestries! Below are some of my favorites:

The second time we went, we were celebrating Emma's 21st Birthday! My Aunt gave her, my mom and I free tickets for the day! (Thanks Aunt Cindy!!!)

Our friends also attended the Fest that day. We loved hanging out with them!

The masks in the upper right hand picture are made by my friend Tara. Her shop, Griffin Forge has amazing masks! You should check it out!!

So have any of you been to a Renaissance Festival? Or another event that your had to dress up for?

Photo credit: Myself, Nate H. and Tammy P.

Audrey Hepburn's Style

Hey all! Because Audrey is a style icon for many of us, I'd thought I would highlight some of her style choices so we might imitate it in our outfits.

One thing I like about Audrey's look is her face. Nothing is overdone, it is natural and dramatic all rolled into one. I think her whole style reflects this concept.

As you can see, one of shirts she commonly wore was a long sleeved crew-necked tee.
She lightly used accessories and patterns in her outfits. To me, this makes her outfits classic and chic, while they draw attention to her face.

Audrey is often pictured in cigarette pants; for your outfits you can just wear a loose pair of skinny jeans instead.

Here we see her with a doubled-breasted coat, though I'm sure she wore other coats, we can always don one of these for instant style.

Above, we see several different dresses that she wore. The one on the far left is my favorite and even though the details on the dress are elaborate, her accessory choices are still subtle.


What I think is so cool about Audrey's style is that it can be so easily translated into our modern era; plus it lends itself to being modest.

When you try this, remember less is more. Let your classic choices sing their own praises!

Have a fabulous week, Darling! (Too bad I can't be as classy as her when she says it!)

Fall Fashion 2015

Fall fashion is my favorite season. I love the layers, fabrics and the excitement of up-coming holidays. I have been looking a little bit into fall fashion and while I cannot cover the entire season, I thought I'd highlight some of the styles that stood out to me.

As usual, please keep in mind that these are fun trends to try, but your heart is what makes you stunning. Also, you don't have to follow fashion trends to dress attractively or tastefully.

The boho look is still going, but this fall add layers, such as ponchos, thin scarves and turtle necks. To sum up this style, just think of the 1970s. The hair, the love of leather and the overall natural look are all included in this trend.

The easy way to wear this trend: Pair a wool poncho with a pair of bell bottoms and carry a leather fringe purse. Oh, and I'm totally putting a panama hat on my wish list!










Victorian is another trend that is popular this season. A staple of this look is the turtleneck or any high neckline; these are often paired with a ribbon. The Victorian trend also encourages excess floral jewelry (including broaches), ruffles, beading, lace, gloves and big floral patterns (like brocade).

The easy way to wear this trend: Wear a high collared shirt with a ribbon tied around it; you could also add steam punk boots to cement the look.










This next trend, which InStyle has dubbed Lady Danger, reminds me of Divergent or Hunger Games. Leathers, large gold buttons, grommets, and futuristic patterns all contribute to this style.

The easy way to wear this: A leather jacket paired with combat boots.  The sweater to the left would be a comfortable way to wear this trend; hoodies are the bomb!










Overall these styles overlap in many different ways, which for the budget conscious person (myself) is really great!


If you want a simple "What should I add to my wardrobe this season" suggestion, look below:

Basic items to wear this season:
 1.) Turtle necks
 2.) An A-line wrap skirt
 3.) Wide legged, high waist pants

Fun styling options to try:
 1.) Excessive accessories
 2.) Knotted belts
 3.) Leather jewelry

 Lastly, I dub Car Wash Pleats the craziest trend of the season!

Have a happy week!
(Oh and I have figured out my business model, so I hope to open shop in January 2016! I'll tell you more later.)

Indian Fashion!

Okay, so maybe the love of this style came from watching too much of the Australian TV show "The Elephant Princess" or it could have come from watching "Bride and Prejudice" (the Bollywood version of Pride and Prejudiced, which is terribly cheesy yet hilarious) but my love for Indian fashion is growing out of control! So I've once again gone-a-Pinteresting and found some clothing and styles I love!


Below, we see a lots of gold details. These outfits remind me of royalty and romance. 

Pinks and blues together are my favorite! Not to mention the Kashmiri shawls!

 Here we see more of a pastel pallet; I find these looks calming.

 These dresses remind me of prom fashion! (For those of you attending homecoming or prom, you should consider going Indian! I feel like it would be unique!)

 More details! I love the intricacy of this style!

 Now, I have tried to find an everyday look to match the Indian style, though it was hard, I think I figured out several characteristics that contribute to this look:
   1.) Paisley (this includes beaded paisley)
   2.) 3/4 sleeves
   3.) Yoked waistline (see colorful dress on the far left.)
   4.) Tassels
   5.) Line v.s. Geometric designs. (see pants and dress on the far right.)

As you can see I adore this style, but I think I've said that enough. What do you think about it?

Late Summer Fashion

People keep saying that "Summer is over." Well apparently they didn't pay attention in their 1st grade class. We have almost a month left of summer, people! Below are some styles that you can wear as the summer is cooling down. (Please take note that I didn't say ending)

Capris are excellent for this time of year! They let your lower legs still get air and then, when the day ends, you have their warmth when you sit by the bonfire!

Plaid button ups; these will add a little farm pep to your wardrobe, and like the Capris the sleeves can be rolled up or let down depending on the weather. Plus, you can also wear a T underneath it just in case it gets too hot!

Blazer. Of course for Summer you would want to go with a 3/4 sleeve, but what else could you want? You could go chic or victorian, bright or earth toned; the choices are endless!

I hope that you will have a fun late summer!

What Should Be In ~ no.4 Hair Scrunchies

I know that these might be a childhood-fashion-nightmare for some of you, but I think it would be really cool if these came back in style! LOTS of old styles are coming back in, so why not this one?

 These tutorials would be really fun to do, because you could match them to an outfit you made! (By the way, check out Reagan's blog, it has more hair accessory tutorials!) 

 So will you get in touch with your inner 90's child and wear this accessory? I will.

I wore this scrunchie while writing today!

Mod Fashion

 Hello all! Sorry about the delay of posting, I've had a cold this week and have been taking it easy.

I thought I'd write on the Mod fashion trend that has been going on for some time now, and will still be popular this coming fall. This trend was also really popular in the 60's. Its main fashion head being Twiggy, a super model known for her slim figure and big eyes.

As far as I can see, this trend is about STATEMENTS; to make these have a bigger effect it is important to present them on a simple garment. Typically this is done on an A-line dress though sometimes it is a shapeless shirt paired with an A-line skirt. These statements tend to be colors and patterns, and are sometimes expressed in the form of collars or pockets.

As you can see below, these mod outfits are more recent, but still reflect the characteristics of this style.

Do you enjoy this trend or is it too crazy for you?

Have a fab week! ~ Anna

Design no.67

 

 

Boho Look!

I thought I'd show you all my favorite clothing items from the boho trend! 

For those who don't know: boho is short for bohemian, 

which comes from the french word bohémien or gypsy.

Tunics and embroidered shirts. 

I love these things!

 Soft fabric pants. 

I really like the bold patterns, plus these things are super comfy.

Then there are the shawls.  

Just having one of these can give your outfits that boho look!

Have a great week! 

This week I am trying to make pompom shorts. I hope I can post pictures of them next week!

I'll Be Back... (Warning)

Hey, All!  Just wanted to let you know that I'll be on a tech-fast until the 13th. So that means no blog posts until then. So sad I know ;). Have an amazing Summer until then!
~Anna

Fun DIYs to Chase Away Summer Duldrumbs

Hi All! 

I'd thought I'd share some fun DIYs I found on Pinterest! 

I always love doing crafts when I'm on vacation.

So which one of these do you think you'll try this summer?  I think I'll try to make the shell hair pins and soda can opener bracelet.

Pictures of My Seamstress Toils

Hi, Everyone!

I hope you are all having an amazing week! I’d thought I’d (finally) share photos of the different projects that I have been working on for the last couple months.

First, we have the photos from my Spring 2015 fashion show! This show featured six items that I made (5 dresses, 1 shirt). All but one of these (the formal light blue dress) are an original design.

My models are Victoria Kerr, Emma Parker, and Grace Smith. They did an awesome job! Plus, they are gorgeous!

Second, is the Mother of the bride dress! I was super happy to make this for Mrs. Holderread to wear on her daughter’s big day! This was made from the Simplicity pattern 1195. However, I made it tea length instead of full.

Part way done!

Day of the Wedding! She looks so beautiful!

Third, are the bridesmaid dresses! I learned so much about fitting and alterations with this project. I feel so much more accomplished. These dresses are made from the Simplicity pattern 1194.

Naomi in one of the dresses!

Hannah showing off the fluffy skirt.

 So there you have it, my fabric babies from the last few months. I have several other projects in the works, when they are done I’ll make sure the share them with you!

Have a fun week!

Anna

If you want to keep up to date with what I’m working on follow me on Instagram @AnnaDesignLove or like Demure on Facebook.

The Horror of the Crop-Top ~ Solved!

Crop tops, their name is enough to send chills down any modest fashionista’s spine. How, in the name of good honest modesty, are we supposed to adapt this trend for our wardrobe?

Well, hopefully I have solved this problem in a way that allows us to wear this trend, but still be modest!

Solution no.1: Wearing an under shirt.

Okay, so this is probably crossed all of your minds already, but let me go a little more in depth of what I think about this. When you pick an undershirt, it needs to strike a balance between loose and fitted so as to keep the “this is a shirt, not skin” message clear, while not looking too baggy. This can depend on the style of shirt and your comfort level. Personally, I try to meet the fitted/loose balance and choose a color that is not near my skin tone. (because I’m caucasian I usually stay away from white and beige colored undershirts)
I try to find a complimentary color to the crop top, or one that ties into the design of the shirt. For example, I have a blue crop top with a black bow on the chest; instead of trying to find a matching blue, I wore a black undershirt instead.

Solution no.2: Turn it into a peplum.

From what I know, the peplum came before the crop top, in this era that is. So, making your top into a peplum might be back tracking, but as you know I LOVE these things, so yeah, who cares about current trends.
Adding a peplum to your crop top can be difficult, because finding a similar fabric type and color can be enough to stress anyone, but I’m sure us fashion pioneers can handle it!
I would recommend using the same “color theory” as mentioned above. You can also add an under layer to your peplum to prevent showing skin when it’s a little breezy outside and your shirt just won’t stay down.
Below is my info-sketch (I’d call it an info-graphic, but it’s not that fancy) that illustrates what I’m talking about:

Solution no.3: Sew a permanent layer to the peplum.

This is probably the most practical, because of the coolness factor (I mean avoiding heat, hehe) and the fact the it won’t fly up in your face.
I would recommend doing this only to fitted crop tops, because I think it would look funny on looser ones, but I don’t know everything (shocking, right? ;-) )
Fabric and color choice are just, if not more, important here as it is in solution no.2. Try to choose fabric that is the same weight and type as the top that you are attaching it to. Also make sure that the fabric you’re choosing has some sort of give, or just make sure that you will be able to get in and out of your shirt.

Well there you have it. Three ways to turn the crop-top horror into something we can wear.

So what are your thoughts about crop-tops? Can they be turned modest, like suggested above, or will they always be in your no-no box?

Feel free to comment your ideas on how to make these tops modest; I’d love to know more!

Old Sketches, Fresh Ideas.

Okay, so it's not Thursday yet, but I thought you would like to see some of my old sketches, drawings of my favorite clothes and some of my designs

 As you can see by the picture on the lower right, I love drawing costumes as well!

So did you like any of the designs? If so, which one would you like me to make?

Maybe if my life slows I can sew one of these. :)

Repost: Vlog no.7

Thank you, Sophia, for letting me know that this vlog was not playing! As it turns out, it didn't upload to Youtube correctly. So here is Vlog no.7 re-uploaded and ready to be watched! 

If you can't watch it through my blog click this: What Should Be In ~ Vlog no.7

I've been having trouble with Youtube loading to this blog; if you cannot watch this video please let me know!

Overcoming the Awkward Open House Scene ~ Vlog no.8

In this Vlog I discuss some of the insecurities I have at open houses and how I am going to try to overcome them.

 

Have a great week! 

If you are having trouble viewing this video, please go to this link: What Should Be In ~ Vlog no.8 

If you still cannot see this video, please comment on this post to let me know!

My Passion for Modesty and Demure

I was interviewed about my business a few months ago by my sister.  This video voices some of my thoughts on modesty and my passion for my business.

So what makes you enthusiastic about modesty? 

And what are you passionate about?

Demure's Spring 2015 Fashion Show!

 

I am proud to present Demure's Spring 2015 Fashion Show!

I am so thankful for this opportunity to show you all the designs and item I have been working on for the past few months! If you have any questions feel free to comment or send me an email at: contactdemurefashions@gmail.com. 

Please share this with your friends and family. Have a lovely week!

Design and Garment

The Design

The Dress

Ta-da! I have finished sewing a design today!

It was hard to decide what design for me to make because I wasn't really sure what I wanted, but I really love how this turned out!

This is going to be in my fashion show next Saturday. (I will try to have it filmed so I can post it) Also, If you have any name ideas for this design, let me know!

Have an amazing weekend! 

From Costumes to Clothes ~ Gwen Stacy

I have admired Gwen Stacey's outfits for the past few years; this character is one of my style icons.

So I thought that I would do a post about her style!
(Remember that with this blog post: I don't agree with the modesty standard of all of the clothing shown, but the alternatives I provide I think are modest.)

First let's start with her hair.

I love the simple elegance of her hair accessories, usually, it is just a hair ribbon or a headband, but sometimes it is a slouchy beanie. (Link to a cute, cheap Beanie on amazon)
In the first movie, Gwen's hair was strait; in the second it is curly. Which one do you like better? If you like the curly style, below is a tutorial that shows how to quickly achieve those lovely curly locks.  

Now, let's look at her outfits! 

Generally, the things that stand out in her outfits are short skirts, knee socks, and a jackets. Sometimes there are variations to her clothing, but they pretty much have the same classic/minimalistic feel.

Here we see her jackets. Wow, I love these things! I think Gwen had a thing for coats. (Like I do for scarves) What is your favorite part of Gwen's wardrobe?

Here are modest clothing items that match Gwen's style!

Skirts:
A Trip Into Town from Modcloth
Admirable Individuality from Modcloth
Navy Lace Skirt from Modestpop

Socks:
National Cable Knit Socks from Amazon
Black Lace Socks from BocajandCo on Etsy
ABC Lace Trim Socks from Amazon (These ones aren't exactly her look, but I LOVE them)

Shirts:
All Night Blogathon (Raglan Top) from Modcloth
Spacedye Sweater from Maurices 
Polka-dotted Blouse from Modli

Jackets:
Dashing on the Snow from Modcloth
Grey Long Wool from Modli
Academia Ahoy from Modcloth
Larry Levine Double Breasted from Amazon
Melodic Morning from Modcloth

Now if you are like me, you can't afford these items. That's okay! Style doesn't need to be expensive. If you like any of these items, make them, search for them on eBay or find them at a resale/consignment shop (Goodwill, Volunteers of America or my favorite, Plato's Closet)

If you like to sew, below are some tutorials that will help you make your own Gwen Stacy wardrobe:
Tutorial on making a pencil skirt from Marrick's Art
DIY Spring-Summer Jacket from Plan B
Bias Tape Tutorial from Positively Splendid (This is if you want the finished edges look on your jacket the same as the left hand pics above.)
Pinterest is an amazing place to find tutorials.

Have a great week!

Respect

"Look how short that skirt is, I can almost see her butt." "THAT dress is so immodest, I bet that woman has no morals."

These are all comments or thoughts that I'm sure that all of us woman who dress modestly are guilty of.

But why? Why would we think about these negative things about other women?

I think that it might stem from a lot emotions: jealously, curiosity, or even just trying to validate our own reasons for dressing modestly.

I struggle overcoming these thoughts and after learning more about what modesty really is, I have realized how toxic and actually immodest these thoughts are.

But how can these thoughts be immodest? I mean, I am not lusting. 

To answer that we have to look at what modesty is all about.

First, it is about where your heart is.
Second, it is about respecting yourself.
Third, it is about respecting others.

We usually think the third statement is about helping males keep their thoughts pure, but why should we limit ourselves there? God's love has no limits, so why should ours.

Why do we hesitate to open ourselves to respecting those who don't respect themselves? Every person is a beautiful creation of God, and though they might not realize that, we have to treat them as such.

Also, how can we show them the benefits of dressing with dignity if they are constantly judged? I think that we all can understand the weight of an unspoken judgment. Like I hinted at above, I am still a work-in-progress with this issue, but with prayer and self-control I hope to improve myself.


So next time when you see someone dressing in a way that you disagree with, don't undermine them, don't judge them, love them past it! This is what God does for us everyday, so why shouldn't we do the same for them?

Life & From Costumes to Clothes ~ Cinderella

I have announcement to make.

I have decided to go to collage for public relations and advertising!  I am applying to Spring Arbor University and am eagerly waiting their answer.

What this means for you...
Nothing!  I will still be writing and posting designs.

What this mean for me:
It will delay my opening an Etsy shop, but I still hope, if I have enough time, to do so. I hope this education will help my business.

Now on to fashion!
As you know the costumes in the movie Cinderella are amazing!
 

These are dresses that I think match Cinderella's style:
Ora Dress from Modli
Kiera Dress from Modest Pop
Deena Dress from Modli
Lilac Dress from Modli

In the movie they have a lot of flower embellishments. (As you can see in the top left-hand photo) Below is how to make your own flowers with wire and nail polish! (I would suggest dipping your wire instead of painting it)  

More costumes to clothes!
Look-a-likes of Cinderella's mother's dress:
Jasmine Dress from Modest Pop
Thanks Floral You've Done Dress
Give It Floral You Dot Dress

Things that remind me of the stepsisters:
Arripidae Dress
Pink Tulle Polka Dot Skirt
Pink Rose Skirt

Note: I will not agree with some of the modesty standards of these costumes pictured, but I hope to find alternatives so we can modestly dress like our favorite characters!

Ahhh I love these costumes! :) Which one is your favorite?
I really hope the designer wins an Oscar!

Design no.66

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope your celebrations are full of green and gold. ;)

As most of you know, there is more to the story of St. Patrick than leprechauns and clovers. If you wish to learn more, you can read this article about him.

I have pulled together my favorite green outfits from Pinterest. Enjoy!

Design no. 65

Costumes to Clothing no.1 ~ Penelope Wilhern

I have decided to start another type of post...

~Drum Roll Please~

Costumes to Clothing!!! (yeah the title kind-a gave that away)


These will feature some of my favorite movie/tv costumes and show you how to get these looks yourself! Note: I will not agree with some of the modesty standards of these costumes pictured, but I hope to find alternatives so we can modestly dress like our favorite characters!

Our first Costume to Clothing subject will be: Penelope Wilhern.
Penelope is one of my favorite movies.  It is about a girl who is born in a rich family, but because of the snobbishness of her ancestors, she has been cursed with the nose of a pig.  The art style is one of the aspects that make this movie so great!  The details on her costumes are amazing; I would dress like her every day if I could! 

Below are some clothing items that I think would work to match her different looks!

    For her striped shirt:
     1.) Read-Through Ready Top from modcloth
     2.) Ready to Roll Credits Top from modcloth
     3.) Stripes Your Fancy "Dress" (I would wear this as a shirt) from modcloth

   For the bottom outfit:
    White shirt:
     1.) Bebop Dots Top from modcloth
     2.) Alfani Angel-Sleeve Crochet Blouson Top from Macy's
     Dress:
     1.) Jukebox DJ Jumper from modcloth (depending on how you wear this, it could be immodest)
     2.) Study Up for Fun Jumper from modcloth

    For her dresses:
     1.) About the Artist Dress from modcloth (I think an undershirt is a must with this one)
     2.) Mix the Moxie Dress from modcloth (I would also wear an undershirt with this dress)
     3.) Guest of Honor Dress from modcloth
     4.) Too Much Fun Dress from modcloth

As you can see, Penelope loves details. Below are tutorials so you can make some of them:

     1.) Flower Embellishment Tutorial from All Free Sewing
     2.) How to Sew a Basic Fabric "Yo yo" from About Sewing
     3.) Dogwood Branches Embellishment from The Cloth Parcel

Or if you are not into crafting, these are some really fun embellishments I found on Etsy:

     1.) Crochet Flowers
     2.) Fun Buttons
     3.) Crochet Peacock Feathers
     4.) Fabric "Yo yo"

And finally, that scarf!

     1.) The Replica of Penelope's Scarf from Etsy
That is a little over my price range, so here are some alternatives.
     2.) Jones New York Pashmins Wrap from Macy's
     3.) Prettiest Girl in Plume Scarf from modcloth
     4.) Brighten Up Circle Scarf from modcloth

So what is a character you would like to dress like? 

What did you think about this post? 

Note: I do not agree with the stores or websites I listed above on different issues/modesty standards, so please remember to look through them carefully, as you would with any website.

Books, Faith and Fashion

Hi everyone!  I hope you week is going well.

I have been busy with pattern making, Mother-of-the-Bride dress material shopping, and of course, the large commission of Bridesmaids dresses.
Speaking of dresses, I'm thinking about buying #thedress as a generational keep sake (though I might need to wear an under shirt depending on how low cut it is).  Being a designer/business owner I am so happy that #thedress is helping Roman Originals business; one news report said that #thedress has help their sales grow by +300%!
Check out their website; they have lots of modest dresses to choose from!


This week I also have finished the book, Theology of Her Body, by Jason Evert.  I LOVE this book and highly recommend it to any woman!  You can probably get it at your local Christian book store, but for you online shoppers, it is also on Amazon.
These are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Despair can be transformed into hope as a woman discovers her immeasurable value, regardless of her past"
~
"Nothing on earth compares to the beauty of women. Such a statement may seem an exaggeration to some, but it is easy enough to prove: When was the last time you heard of someone who was addicted to online pictures of sunsets?"
~
"In his first letter, St. Peter writes to the Christian woman, saying, 'Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelery, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressing in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God' (1 Peter 3:3-4). In saying this, he is not arguing that external beauty is bad, but rather that it must be secondary to the beauty that lasts."

Again, I really hope you take the time to read this book!  It makes me appreciate being a woman so much!


Last, but not least, here are some fun Spring styles!

Design no.64

What The Fashion Industry Needs to Stop Doing!

Happy Wednesday, I hope you all had a fantastic week so far!

I have been busy over the last couple work days with Demure's bridesmaid dress commission, and planning for my Spring fashion show!  I hope to have it filmed and posted on the blog.  I will be showing six items; one bridesmaid dress, two up-cycles (from last year's show), and three original designs from yours truly. ;)

Now on to the article.


What the Fashion Industry Should Stop Doing

Writing "What Styles are Out" articles:
     Fashion is about expressing your personality with your clothing. I understand that some people might have been walking around in a certain style (for example, a peplum) since 20-whatever and might be bored of it, but don't say that others who are still wearing them are "not stylish" or "not fashionable".  That denies others the ability to express their own style, or prevents them from enjoying their favorite trends.
     Plus, some fashion journalists don't put into perspective that people who have less money or choose not to spend much for clothing cannot get a hold of an article until it is "out of style".
     Now I am not saying that being current is not something to strive towards, but don't tell me that I am not fashionably dressed if I wear an older trend.  (I mean, for the last few years haven't we been emulating past eras anyway?)

Using sexual advertising to get people to buy their items:
     This type of advertising is low for two reasons.  The first being, that it is obviously inappropriate and objectifies people.  The second is, that it shows that the styles that they have created are so badly done they need the help of animalistic behavior to be bought; in short, it lowers the acclaim of that brand.

Photoshopping people to make them look more "beautiful":
     I'm not talking about photoshopping to remove zits or using a filter, but rather changing someone's body shape to make it look thinner or more "beautiful".  This is not only lying to their customers about how their clothing looks on the body, but it also can cause insecurities and create self-loathing in people. 

Using cheap and horrid labor conditions to produce their clothing:

     I mean, come on!  We are so blessed in this country that we over look that others, who sometimes are child workers, are making our clothing in disgusting conditions.  Please people, produce our items locally or use a fair trade manufacturer.

What The Fashion Industry Should Be Doing:

Donating money, clothing, or food to the less fortunate:
     Some designers are already sharing what they have, which is so cool!  I think designers are tasked with the mission of providing the population with beautiful clothing.  I think that this should also include people who can't afford quality clothing.  Tom's shoes provides an amazing example of helping the less fortunate!

Teaching people how to maintain a healthy and beautiful body:  
     Exercise, a healthy diet, and lots of water are all important parts of looking and feeling healthy.  I think that people in the fashion industry should be encouraging people to take care of their bodies.  A lot of what human nature considers beautiful is what people would generally look like if they listen to their body and take care of it.
     For example, pimples are a struggle for teens, and sometimes they cannot be controlled, but other times they are a result of your body reacting to certain things. (Like if I eat too much dairy, I break out in the middle of my forehead. You can read this article for more information: What is Your Acne Telling You?)

Teaching people in third world countries to successfully run their business:
     World Vision is doing a great job of providing women in developing countries with business loans that "recycle" and help hundreds of women.

Using models that don't fit the typical model specifications:
     Even though I don't agree with their modesty standard, I love that Modcloth is using models that are real!


Now I understand that some of you might feel that you cannot help in these issues, because you don't work in this industry, but you can!  When you buy from brands who uphold better standards, you are encouraging them to keep doing those positive things! 

Anna

Design no.63

Property of Anna L Parker

Vlog no.6

Stop the War on the "Modesty Culture"

Many of you have probably seen numerous posts all over the web about whether or not to wear leggings and bikinis.  This one in particular has fueled me for writing this post: The yoga pants witch hunt: missing pieces of the modesty conversation (Thank you Hannah Schaefer for expressing your views, however, some of them I don't agree with, but I hope this article will respectfully and adequately express my feelings on the subject.)

Some may say that wearing leggings or bikinis "show too much of your body and therefore lead men to sin", others however think that this is a "too severe" or "too conservative" point of view.

Personally, I believe both items can be attractive, but I think that it is wise to abstain from wearing either of them.

Why, you might ask, in our modern culture are they a problem?  When, as you can see, so many others wear the these items every day. 

These are the 3 main reasons why I don't wear bikinis nor leggings. 

Number one: I stand out, and in a beautiful way.
Dressing modestly encourages me to find rarer or unique styles to stay within my modesty standard, while following current fashions.  As a fashion conscious woman this is very good. A bonus of maintaining your morals is that you can encourage other people to do the same.

Number two: Because of the effects they can have on other people.
I know people constantly berate the "Modesty Culture" by saying that it makes women feel responsible for leading men to sin.  Now personally, unless you are intentionally wearing something to purposely lead someone to sin, I think you're fine, after all it's where your heart is.  I choose to not wear bikinis and leggings, because I don't want to make men (and sometimes women too, though in a different way) feel uncomfortable, guilty, or self conscious.  Each person has their own set of stumbling blocks, and while I can't and will not try to dress modestly for the entire male population (because it would be impossible) I will try to follow my own standards; guidelines I have developed through counsel, prayer, and reasoning.
 
A few of my brothers in Christ will say that bikinis and leggings aren't a stumbling block for them.  So why am I still against wearing them?  Though these might not be a sin issue for them, I know for a fact that they are for other people.  Some of those people might not even recognize bikinis or leggings to be a stumbling block, because they might not have the best intentions or correct morals.  Therefore, I am also protecting myself from their thoughts, while maintaining my dignity; rather than being considered an object, which brings me to my next point.

Number three: I want to be viewed as a person, not as an object.
A study from Princeton confirms my desire to not wear a bikini:

From an article on CNN's website:

"New research shows that, in men, the brain areas associated with handling tools and the intention to perform actions light up when viewing images of women in bikinis.
The research was presented this week by Susan Fiske, professor of psychology at Princeton University, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science."

Another article from National Geographic goes on to say:

"And in a 'shocking' finding, Fiske noted, some of the men studied showed no activity in the part of the brain that usually responds when a person ponders another's intentions.
This means that these men see women 'as sexually inviting, but they are not thinking about their minds,' Fiske said. 'The lack of activation in this social cognition area is really odd, because it hardly ever happens.' "

Now, I am not blaming men for thinking this way; that is their "Cross" to bear.  I want to help them overcome the stumbling block, or not even have to deal with it, as much as possible.  I also want to protect myself from being thought of as an object by a guy without a good moral compass or one who is failing at that moment.

And as far as leggings:
I feel like women are made up of a myriad of different aspects (beauty, mystery, charm, purity, personality... the list goes on).  In the case of leggings, I feel like the aspect of sexuality (which is a beautiful part of being a woman) overrides the others so much that it should be saved and given to the man that you have committed to stay with for the rest of your life (aka your husband).

In Conclusion:
With all of this said, I wanted you to know that I am not condemning anyone, but rather calling you to action and asking you to consistently think about your clothing choices, so you can help others remain pure, while maintaining your decorum.

Modesty and purity are not exclusively a female responsibility, rather it is a communal commitment to respect others.

I think we should stop this war over the "Modesty Culture", and rather with love and respect, work together past our differences, to make the world a better place.

See you on Friday's Vlog!
~Anna

Here are the links to the articles about the bikini study, caution, they are for a mature audience:
CNN
National Geographic

I found the above photo on Pinterest, to check out my business Pinterest click here.

Design no.62

Vlog no. 5

Well, here is this week's vlog, I hope you enjoy it!

What Should Be In: Overcoming an Inferiority Complex

When I post something on a social media website, such as Facebook, I check my notifications consistently to see how many likes, or comments my post has gotten.  After, say, about three days, I look back at that post and see the status of it; I am often disappointed with it.
Later, when I go through my news feed and notice that someone else's post received 100 likes, I immediately compare it to my posts, and think of how inferior I am to that person. Jealousy also starts to take over my emotions, I feel like I should be happy for that person. I mean how exciting is it for 100 people to notice something that you posted, but I still can't help the feeling of inferiority.

Apparently, I am not the only one who struggles with these negative emotions and Facebook, according to an article in Time Magazine: "The scientists studied 600 people who logged time on the social network and discovered that one in three felt worse after visiting the site—especially if they viewed vacation photos."


So where do we get these emotions?
Well according to Rajeshwari N. Kenchappanavar's article: Relationship between Inferiority complex and Frustration in Adolescents,
"Inferiority complex arises when a person finds himself in a situation where his abilities and attitudes are denigrated or rejected by other people [3]. Inferiority complex is a magnification of natural feelings of inferiority and results when strivings to overcome inferiority are greatly hindered. Anything in the individual that is below the average, that provokes unfavourable comment or gives him a feeling of impotency or ineptitude leads to inferiority complex"

An inferiority complex resulting from Facebook could be a subconscious feeling of rejection when people didn't click "like" on your status.  It's not that they are publicly or purposely rejecting you, but subconsciously it feels like they are. Now, most of us probably aren't severely plagued with an inferiority complex, however, we can still see where these feelings can come from.


So how can we help ourselves stop the cycle of the inferiority complex?

This is from an article from the American Psychological Association, it seems that we can help ourselves by not focusing on ourselves, but on a higher goal.  

"We really think that if people could adopt goals not focused on their own self-esteem but on something larger than their self--such as what they can create or contribute to others--than they would be less susceptible" to some of the negative effects of pursuing self-esteem, Crocker says. "It's about having a goal that is bigger than the self.""
I feel like this could mean working towards your calling in life, or something as simple as doing a good deed. 


Here are three ways to help you stop the cycle of inferiority and start focusing on positive attributes of yourself and others.

1.) Prayer.  When I start comparing myself to another person, praying helps me clear my mind and gives me a feeling of satisfaction. 
First, I thank God for the person that I am feeling the negative emotions toward, and thank Him for the things He as gifted them with or has given to them.
Second, I thank him for three positive things/gifts that he has given to me.
Third, I ask for the feelings of worthlessness and insecurity to be taken away. 

2.) Love yourself, love others.
Take some "you" time, it could be something as simple as looking in the mirror and complimenting yourself on an feature of yourself.  For example, "Your eyes look amazing with the shirt you have on" stuff like that, but don't turn into Narcissus! ;)  However, nothing can be more satisfying than volunteering somewhere!  It helps your community and yourself become better and grow.

3.) And finally decide not to let these negative thoughts make you feel inferior.  As Elinor Roosevelt once said: "No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent"   

~ Anna

Here are the links to the sites I referenced above:
Time Magazine
Rajeshwari N. Kenchappanavar's article
American Psychological Association

Also, the quote/picture is from Pinterest, if you would like to check out my business Pinterest click Here. 

Vlog no.4

So just to clarify, my business twitter is:

@DemureFashion

And my personal twitter is:

@AnnaDesignLove

Accessories, Accessories, Accessories...

I don't know about you but when someone has taken the time to add accessories to their outfit, I totally fall in love with it.

It seams in our busy lives we tend to forget, or say we are "too busy", or "not experienced enough" to add embellishments to our clothing.

I can totally understand all three of those points, however I think it is important to add minor details to our outfits to make them more personalized.

When I add accessories to an outfit, it helps me to think of a theme.  For example, if I was going to the premiere of The Hobbit at my local movie theater, I might try to do a modern interpretation of an elf.  In this case I might wear some earthy jewelry with a leafy metal headband.

If you are afraid of adding too many accessories, just add the basics (earrings and a necklace) and then add one more item (such as a broach or a bracelet).
Over time when you feel more comfortable with that quantity you might want to add more accessories to you everyday list.  Trial and error comes with finding your own style, but don't be discouraged, overtime you with get to know what you are comfortable with and are not.

Here are some of my favorite accessories.

Have a great day!
~ Anna 

Design no.61

Property of Anna L Parker

How to Add Fringe Tutorial and Vlog no.3

Here is the promised scarf tutorial!

What you will need:

       *Something to add fringe to (scarf, t-shirt, ect.)
       *A half yard strip (as wide as you want you fringe to be long) of knit fabric (you might need more or less depending on how much fringe you are adding)
       *A large needle

Step 1: 

Cut 1/4in wide strips of fabric. To make this easier on yourself fold of the fabric lengthwise in half and then in half again. (this will save on cutting time)

Step 2

Step 2: 

Partially thread your needle with a strip. 

Step 3

Step 3: 

Insert needle into the fabric.

Step 4

 Step 4: 

After pulling the strip three quarters of the way through, insert needle back into the sames hole. (make sure that there is still a "loop" on one side and two "tails" on the other)

Step 5

 

Done!

 Step 5: 

After making sure the "tails" are even pull them through the loop to make a knot. 

In the end your fringe should look like this!

Have a great weekend all! 

Anna