Guest Post: Flower Girl - Kristina (Eccentric Owl)

 Hello, Lovely Lavender Patch readers! I'm Kristina, Naomi's aunt. I blog over at Eccentric Owl, and I'm so happy to be guest posting here today!

 Naomi mentioned that she would love to have me post about dressing stylishly while still keeping it modest and classy, so I wanted to talk about just how many options there are when you're looking to be modest yet still having great style! Sometimes it's definitely a struggle in shopping to find things that are decent; shirts and dresses can be frustratingly low cut or too short, and thrift-store finds are often a bit frumpy (for my taste, anyway!) But just a few easy modifications open up a world of possiblities!  

I tend to shop a lot from thrift stores, and over the years I've picked up on some things I can do in order to modify a dress or a skirt. Hemming has been my best friend-- this dress in particular used to be a few inches longer, a length which really didn't suit me that well. But with a quick session of pinning and snipping, it is now perfect for me!

Another option, for things that are too low cut, is taking an old camisole you no longer want, cutting out a piece from the front, and safety-pinning or sewing it behind the too-low neckline. Personally, I dislike too much layering, especially in the heat of summer! This dress cuts much to low to wear on its own, but I just happened to have a very old camisole that was ripped and ratty at the bottom. By saving just the front panel, I'm able to use it as a mock-cami for any dresses that are a bit too low, and make them much more wearable!

I've also noticed that graphic-print tee shirts (like the one I'm wearing here) tend to have a much higher neckline. And they're fun to wear, to boot!

I love thrift stores for their variety; as a plus, many of the skirts there are vintage, and longer lengths. And if they're too long, again... you can just hem them and they're wearable!

 

 

 And if you're looking to add personality to a simple dress, I've always been a fan of belts, brooches, and funky shoes (these houndstooth heels are among my favorites.) Adding the personal touch of your favorite necklace, an interesting belt, or even just some bright lipstick can really take what you're wearing to the next level, and by finding things that really appeal to you, you can make even the most common items look very personal.

That's all from me! I hope you are all having a fantastic summer, and a very wonderful day!

xo

Kristina

April Showers

My younger sister, Noelle, wanted to do a guest post on the blog, and we planned out a modest fashion shoot. 

Here is a Q and A with Noelle on modesty. (She is 9 years of age.)

 

Q: How would you define modesty?

Noelle: Modesty is when you wear clothing that isn't revealing.

Q: Do you think modesty should be a part of a Christian's life? Why or why not?

Noelle: Yes, because God says in the Bible to cover up.

Q: How can young ladies like you dress modestly, yet tastefully?

Noelle: They can wear colors they like, but have a modest cut to them. Also, scarves are very pretty and they help to conceal the chest.

Q: Who taught you to dress modestly?

Noelle: My mother and my older sister.

Q: How would you describe the way you personally dress in three words?

Noelle: Modest, colorful, and comfortable.

Q: Who do you look up to as role-models of modesty?

Noelle: Well, my family of course, but I also look up to my aunt, Ruth, and my cousin, Rachelle.

 

Q: What is your favorite Bible verse about modesty?

Noelle: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

...likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,but with what is proper for women who profess godliness — with good works.

Q: Any final advice for our readers?

Noelle: Try to dress modestly - it pleases God!

 

That's that for the Q and A! 

 It was actually drizzling quite a bit when we took these photos, so they were a tad rushed. Forgive the photography! I'm still learning, and I was trying not to get the lens wet. 

About the outfit:

Shirt: Gift

Sweater: Gift (tag - Merona)

Skirt: Marshalls

Tights: Ukrainian market :)

Boots: Marshalls

Umbrella: Esprit

Hair Tie: DIY

 I sincerely hope you enjoyed this type of post. I've never done a fashion one before! 

 Have a blessed Easter - Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

 ~Naomi

 

Ukraine

 I've had this on my heart for a long time and I've finally decided to post it. As many of you already know, Ukraine is going through a time of civil struggle. A country is protesting against itself. The results are revolting and most of all depressing. 

 Ukraine is a country that I love - I've lived there for 8 years now and I call it home. Even though I'm on furlough, enjoying peace and quiet, I would much rather be in Ukraine, trying to spread the Good News that Jesus has to give us! The only way that peace in Ukraine can ever be reached is if the Gospel is spread.

 It's hard for me not to cry when I know that hundreds of people have been killed in these protests. Hundreds who may have never even heard of salvation.

 This is why Ukraine needs your prayers. Please, put aside a couple of minutes in your week to remember the growing crisis in Ukraine and ask for God's hand over the government there. Christ provides peace!

~Naomi

Change

 Hello. :)

As you've noticed, I haven't been on LP for quite awhile. I've been praying a lot and have decided that I want to make my posts a bit more personal. The reason being, if I were a reader, I would want to know more about the writer and his or her life. I hope I will be able to post more often with snippets of my day-to-day life, small quiet thoughts, Bible verses that have encouraged me, and my adventures as an MK.

This doesn't go to say that I will stop blogging "formally", but I wanted to have a bit more of a connection with the readers. :)

I whipped up this post very quickly, so excuse its blandness!

Expect more from me soon.

~Naomi

PS:

Here's a verse that has been on my mind - (photo creds to my father)

50 Random Facts About Me Tag

 Hello, everyone! I was tagged by Rachelle at Beloved Bluebird to do this post. :) I thought it would be a good way to get to know my readers a little bit better. 

 I tag any other bloggers to do this tag if they please. :D

On to the main event!

1. I love any Japanese food.
2. I've been to more countries than states. 
3. I take tennis lessons.
4. Autumn is my favorite season.
5. I've been in a public school two years, a private school two years, and homeschooled five. :)
6. My middle name is Maria.
7. Rachelle is my cousin. :D
8. I've visited the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.
9. I aspire to have a career in children's ministry as a missionary.
10. I used to have two pet fish named Jacque and Gemini. :)
11. When I was in first and second grade, I wanted to be a soldier.
12. I've broken my wrist once. :P
13. I'm double-jointed. 
14. I'm a perfectionist. :)
15. I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 5 years old, after AWANA.
16. For some reason, I'm not very fond of shopping.
17. I'm very fond of reading, on the other hand. :)
18. I hope to visit Japan someday.
19. Some of my favorite authors are Charlotte Bronte, J.R.R. Tolkein, Jane Austen, and C. S. Lewis.
20. I'm still not quite sure what a Nintendo is...
21. My favorite beverage is hot apple cider. 
22. I absolutely love literature!
23. I'm definitely very far from adept concerning fashion-related topics. ;)
24. Our family is flying to the States in less than 1/2 month!
25. One of my favorite books of the Bible is Psalms.
26. My favorite color and flower is lavender, hence the name of this blog.
27. I ride a unicycle for fun.
28. In my opinion, being a missionary kid is a blessing and I love it!
29. I spent most of my toddler days at my grandparent's house. :)
30. I'm a Whovian and Sherlockian. 
31. I used to take ballet class.
32. When I was 7-8 I put up an iced tea stand and earned money for an American Girl Doll.
33. I could organise things all day just for fun. :)
34. I'm allergic to feathers, dust mites, and cats...
35. The church that I attend here in Odessa is called Hope For People.
36. My birthday is the same day as Neil Armstrong's.
37. I was a teacher in an English club at our church.
38. I would love to live in a small, simple cabin in a pine forest somewhere on the seashore...
39. I've once sorted my friends by continent!
40. I love watermelon and anything watermelon-flavored.
41. One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 36:5.
42. When I was younger, I would obsess over Nancy Drew mystery books. :)
43. I drink a cup of Earl Grey almost daily.
44. I'm extremely bad at figuring out computers and how to work blogs, etc...
45. "Come Thou Fount" is one of my favorite songs.
46. Once, when I was about 2-3, I ate a worm in my grandparent's back yard.
47. I asked my brother and sisters to describe me using one word, and they all said, "Nerd." :)
48. Culture shock is something I highly dislike.
49. I would rather be by myself than with a large group of people.
50. Christ is the center of my life, and I would have no hope without Him.

Wow! If you read all of that, you have certainly earned my respect. :) This tag was harder than I thought. 

 Once again, I tag any other bloggers who desire to do it. :D

Blessings!

~Naomi