Church Lady: Easter Roses

As usual, I was up all night, Saturday before Easter, making myself a new dress. It wasn't just procrastination, but putting myself last as I prepared extra goodies and festivities for the next day. I don't usually put that much effort into Easter beyond making sure everyone is dressed extra decent. Haha. 

I found this fabric and fell in love with it. It's pretty and whimsical with its mis of bright roses and polka dots over the pretty shade of blue. 

The fabric actually includes a row of roses across the top that I was hoping to incorporate on the dress but couldn't quite figure out my vision. 

I had an idea in my head, but couldn't bring it to fruition. I used one of my other dresses as a pattern/guide like I usually do. The dress still came out too big and the waist too short. It was still wearable and I wasn't going to let any self doubt stop me from enjoying my new dress. I tend to make my own dresses too big, not on purpose, but can usually play it off with a belt and sweater/cardigan. 

Well, all my belts are in storage so I used an old-standby trick: ribbon! I did remember to build pockets into the skirt and I was very happy about that. I even made sleeves, which turned out well structurally but I have mixed feelings about them visually. I forgot to get a picture of them though.

I don't usually return to an already completed project but this time I know exactly what I think I can do to fix the waist and bodice and include the row of roses I wanted to use. 

Church Lady: Valentines Red & Black

I made this skirt years ago and it really should be retired...but it's one of my favs! The red tank and sheer, lacy over shirt were hand-me-downs from a friend.

Believe it or not...the red sunglasses were a last minute Dollar Store find. How could I pass them up? The 'headband'on my head, is a scarf and also a Dollar Tree find. You know, Valentine's is my most favorite day...I refrained from buying the entire store! haha.

Still wearing my ruby red slippers Vans, to make it casual. {because all my heels are packed away in storage.}

Topped with rich red lipstick and beaded, black drop earrings.

It all worked. 

Church Lady: Sparkly Purple Sweater

This is one of two black skirts that are exactly the same, except one is a matte fabric and the other is shiny. I paired it with my daughter's sparkly purple, cowl neck sweater.

Minimal jewelry since the neck is large. Purple drop earrings, from my friend who swears she orders way more jewelry than she can ever wear. Haha.

Same old wedges/sandals/chanklas! Most of my shoes are packed away in storage so I am making do with what I have. It's not a big deal though sometimes I wish I had more selection. It's definitely first world problem thinking, isn't it? I have everything I need. Why would I need numerous pairs of heels?

The clothes I do have with me, squished in the very small closet space I share with my daughter, are still more than I need to wear. Especially wearing a uniform to work...I could go an entire day in work out clothes until time for work. Sad. Very, very sad. Haha. 

I enjoy dressing nice for church but...it's certainly not a necessity to have to wear a different outfit every week. Frivolous almost, isn't it?

Church Lady: Coral Sweater + Dressember

My son and daughter-in-love gifted this sweater to me for Christmas. It looks red in the pix but it's actually more of a coral-orangish color. It's the coziest thing ever!

Even though I am participating in the Dressember fundraising campaign, I chose to wear a skirt today. One I've had for years. a hand-me-down from one of my sister-in-loves. All my other shoes and heels are still at the old house so I've been keeping to my staples. I think the blue jewelry goes well with coral, even though I wasn't wearing anything else that color. A man at church, a visitor whom I've never met before, even complimented me on my  necklace. 

I wore a grey sweater with the skirt and the coral sweater over. Temps have been cool and today was no different. The heater wasn't even on at church and wowzers was it even colder.

I want to revamp my hair again...redye the blue...as soon as I have some free time of course. {which may be never! haha.}

Have a great week.

Church Lady: Navy Blue + Dressember

This month I have committed to a very special fundraising campaign called Dressember. Participants agree to wear a dress every day in December to bring awareness to and fund raise toward the restoration of dignity for women who have been used and abused, across the globe.

My love of dresses and my love of sewing and building dresses combined with my humanitarian heart and compassion for women who are hurting, seemed like the natural match to join the dressember campaign myself. I do own quite a collection of dresses but most of them are actually not practical for every day wear. Add to that, it's been a cool December...I've invested in quite a few pair of tights.

I borrowed this dress from my daughter. I normally avoid this shapeless shift style. Honestly, I think it's not very flattering on me...but whatever. I have very little here at my dad's house since the move so...my shoe selection is limited but I did make a quick stop to at least have a 'heel' of some sort to wear.  

Jewelry has also been minimal. Surprisingly, this campaign and the move has shifted my perspective a bit. I thought I was already letting so much go but even the little I have brought with me--I am realizing I can still do with less. Initially and over all, I have stuck with mainly two dresses except on Sunday's for church. It's been fairly easy.

As you can see, the outfit is minimal over all. I am really loving the tights which enables to me to wear dresses that would normally be too short for me to enjoy. I still love my flower clips in the hair though!

Church Lady: Brown Dress

I've always loved this dress, just not on me. Haha. It's one of my favorites. I love the small white circle print on the brown fabric. It's well made and I've had it at least seven years. I purchased it in 2008...before my youngest was born.

To me, it will always be my missionary dress. I got it before I went on a short term mission to Ethiopia in 2008. Perfectly modest enough, isn't it?

It does have a bit of an old fashioned look about it. The shoes are even older. A pair of brown Steve Maddens I acquired years ago from the Nordstom Rack--the Nordstrom clearance store.

In the past I accessorized with white jewelry. This time I used turquoise. I have a necklace beaded with turquoise and brown beads (a hand-me-down). A different friend gave me a pair of earrings that match perfectly to the beads on the necklace! I also wore my beaded wrap bracelet, gifted from a friend a couple years ago for my birthday.

Of course, there's another vintage hand bag. The embroidered flower, covered in clear vinyl, one. I wore a layered a fabric flower clip on the side of my hair.

You know...I don't even wake up knowing what I am going to wear usually. I'm not one to plan ahead. I was thinking...what if I did. What if I planned a clothing schedule, along with a meal plan? I bet that could work. Not that I ever realistically would. Well, maybe someday. Planning ahead hasn't been in my nature much. Change could be good though, right?

Hahaha. Who cares!?! It's only clothes.
Have a good week. 

Church Lady: Pretty in Pink

I receive a lot of compliments when I wear pink...so I guess I can say its a flattering color on me. 

Again, trying to usher in Autumn by wearing a sweater. It was still warm, though a beautiful day none-the-less.

Have I shared this skirt before? It's another one of my wrap skirts that is supposed to have the ability to be worn multiple ways. It's one of the oldest I own!  Possibly even the first one I ever purchased.

Wrap skirt with a purple base and pink floral motif accents, pink sweater, black tank under and my fav simple sandals/wedges/chanklas?

Beaded, pink heart necklace, multi-colored beaded bracelet and pink drop earrings that you can never see anyway. All jewelry gifted or hand me downs.

Pretty sure the footwear was thrifted. Sweater and tank are hand-me-downs, had the skirt for years...possibly 7?

Seriously, wear what you have!

A bit of blur.

Church Lady: Rust Shirt & Jeans

In case you hadn't noticed, I don't usually wear pants to church. I woke up with a completely different outfit in mind...then I found this shirt. Too short to be a dress, longer than I'd prefer for a shirt. That color though!

I wasn't sure if I totally liked it or not but something made it seem like a good shade (it looks more red than it actually is in this picture--it's rust not red). I think it would work really well accented with navy, except I don't own any navy-especially not jewelry.

I opted for shades of brown; earrings from my earring fairy, gifted bracelet from the Philippines and an old, gifted pendant necklace (that I forgot I even had!). A brown belt to accent my waist.

My navy flats really worked. Wish I had newer, bluer jeans. Someday I'll use that dye I bought just for that reason, right?

Again this was a fairly simple outfit. Belt can be worn high or low, depending on the look your going for.

Oh! I got the flower clip in my hair from The Dollar Tree-purchased the flower, attached to hair clip & round of felt. Voila! Surprisingly, I've received a lot of compliments on it.

Church Lady: Reversible Skirt

I thought I was smiling? 

THis is what one of my reversible, wrap skirts looks like when it's actually reversed. It's like wearing sweats to church. That's how I feel anyway, just throw it on, tie and go.
It was a heavy weekend and it shows in my choice of clothing.

I want to look presentable in public and especially at church but at the same time, dressing up felt so insignificant and unimportant. Really all I wanted was to get to a place of worship and dance my heart out. Literally.

I did and it helped changed the atmosphere of my soul.

I paired the skirt with a plain, long sleeved blue shirt. Minimal jewelry in shades of pink. Of course, my favorite sandals/wedges/heels?
Wearing the shirt tucked in gave me a bit of mid-eighties feel, I think. haha. 

Church Lady: Simple sweater and Skirt

It's been a long weekend so far. Busy times with my middles. I woke up tired so I kept it simple. I have this exact same skirt in a matte black fabric...but I promise this is a different skirt. haha. This one is shiny and has fine lines in the fabric. 

I chose this simple purple sweater. Easy peasy, no fuss. No layers, like I usually wear.

I have had these wedges? heels? sandals? for years! They are one of my favorite shoes to wear...for short periods of time that do not require much walking. Perfect for church! 

I guess I could have curled my hair...if I wasn't running so slow and then late to begin with...and if my brain hadn't been so foggy to even think of it. I thought I was doing well enough by getting make-up on.

I wore a pair of drop purple earrings from my earring supplier friend from church who gives me earrings by the handful and a beaded bracelet hand-me-down from my aunt with a necklace that must have been gifted to me? I think.

A simple but classy look, Even on slow days, it doesn't take much to dress nicely for yourself. It was great that the weather had cooled a bit so it almost felt like fall and I could actually wear this sweater.

What's your simple go-to outfit on slower days?

Church Lady: Black & White Separates

I am totally NOT a fan of black. I am not sure why but I really don't like wearing all black, and even less so to Sunday morning church. It was cool this morning and somehow I thought, if I wore a sweater, it could force Fall to act like Autumn. 

Not California Autumn, but the Autumn other states experience where you get to wear gloves or a coat or at least a scarf and drink hot drinks while taking walks crunching brown leaves. 

I mean...isn't that what people in other states do during Autumn?

Instead, I got a little too warm at church during worship and needed to toss my hair up in a make-shift mom-bun. Of course! 

This is one of my favorite sweater shirts. It has a mock undershirt. Paired with a black skirt (I have this exact same skirt in a shiny fabric too!) that I added a hand-me-down white belt worn over the waist. I never used to tuck my shirts in but would wear shirts over the waist of skirts and jeans. At least with skirts, I think it's much more flattering to wear them tucked in unless the skirt waist is too low.

Accented as well with a few pieces of white jewelry and the same white vintage hand-bag that just seems to go so well with everything. Even the white feathery flower clip in my hair was a hand-me-down.

I needed to add some color...so once again, cheap floral print shoes from my son's wedding.

Church Lady: Maxi

This maxi was my Easter dress about 5 years ago. Yes, I hang on to my clothes, at least the dresses and skirts, that long. I love the color scheme of this dress and I received a ton of compliments when I wore it today.
However, I don't particularly like how it looks on me. I don't find it that flattering but it looks great on the hanger! 

Maxi dresses are so versatile though...and really, the thing is, you don't have to shave to wear them. Ok, now the true fashion secret's out. Sorry!

I kept it simple, very little jewelry; a layered heart bead necklace and matching color scheme earrings with a flower in my hair, pulled off to the side. 

When your daughter is your photog and she doesn't tell you
your bangs are messed up on the side of your head!

There aren't any real straps on this dress. To avoid bra strappage exposure, I always wear it with a light shrug. I found this one at a cheap store.

For some reason, in this dress, with these shoes, I feel like my mother...I think she had a pair of favorite open toed shoes that I must remember her wearing often. I don't feel this way every time I wear these heels but paired with the maxi dress...I see my own mother echoing all over me. 

Church Lady: Casual Sunday...after a heat wave.

Hhhhmmm...What to think when your daughter asks:
'Are you going to wear that?'

After the heat wave we've had this week...the congregation was just lucky we were all wearing clothes!

This look was literally thrown together. I didn't put much effort into it and it shows.

I wore one of my versatile wrap skirts that can transform and be worn a variety of ways.

I wore it more like an apron shirt. 

I like how it looked but I think it might have worked better over a pair of jeans rather than a skirt. It was way too hot for pants though.

I wore my hair in a side bun with a flower clip.
I didn't even wear cute shoes, plain old flip-flops it was.
I grabbed my small pink purse and a pair of new-to-me earrings.
Ready in no time!

Church Lady: Another Hand-me-down Dress

I think what I like most about this dress is the split sleeve. It boasts a black design with small bits of color (you can't see them unless you are close up) and yellow flowers.

Again with the leggings (aka: work out capris--that I am beginning to feel resentful toward. Just thought you should know).

I pulled out my vintage yellow shoes, but I think this may be the last time I will be able to wear them. They are shredding to pieces. Boohoo!

I accessorized with yellow drop earrings and after these pictures, two red bracelets. 

Last but not least, the floral print vintage hand bag. It turned out to be hotter than yesterday. It's September, what else can we expect.

Do you have any tips to  keeping cool while still dressing fashionable and appropriate?

Church Lady: Fun Blue Dress

Check out the cutest earrings ever!

I scored a couple bags of hand-me-downs recently. Such a blessing! Dresses are my favorite and there were a few in the mix. Unfortunately, they were shorter than I'd normally wear, much less to church. I am not afraid of knees but I'd like to be able to sit down with out exposing even more! Am I right ladies?

Plus the fact that I really enjoy dancing during worship and I certainly would not have the freedom to do that if I'm afraid of indecent exposure with every move I make.

At the same time, I feel like the need to wear leggings under a dress is just plain nonsense for a grown woman. Until Forever 21 gets the memo and starts making clothes for women over 5"2'...I'll have to make do. Sigh. The struggle IS real.

Now, on to fashion. I fell in love with this darling little dress the moment I saw it. It's reminiscent of a vintage, polyester working woman of the 80's with a little more flair and a little less business. Ruffled collar and ruffles down the button front. It has a definitive waist with a tie and a bit of flounce in the skirt. The sleeves button.


I've had the 'leggings' for a few years now and they are actually work out capris but whatever.

You've seen those thrifted heels and that vintage white hand bag before.

Our insdie dog, Rick Hunter aka: Ricky.

Later at church, a sweet friend gave me a bag of earrings. She is like my earring supplier. She has great taste in earrings but ends up with too many that for some reason, she feels unhappy with. It's amazing. The earrings tend to be similar in style but in various colors and shade.

This time there was a pair that were the cutest thing! They felt like tin, layered into a flower shape. The color matched perfectly so I switched out the ones I started out with, as soon as I was able.

This dress was fun to wear. In the end, the leggings were ok. I'm sorry, as much as I want to be, I'm just not a fan of the unsupervised, short dress. haha.


I indulged in a little extra silliness with our photo shoot today. I am considering posting more realistic pix from now on. You know, ones where I'm making a weird face, having been caught unawares, or the type where my arm or hand is at a odd angle, mid-movement.

Maybe next time. See you next week.

Downing my green tea, the current every day fav.

Solar glare...or Holy Spirit covering? 

It's a little breezy.

Gotta stay hydrated!

What if Proverbs 31 Wasn't Written for Women?

Proverbs 31 has come to be known as a standard for Christian women to live by...or up to. Books, devotions, and blogs have been written about it, with just as many agendas.

Its upheld as the one chapter of the Bible, as thee chapter, on instructing women how to be Godly women.

Funny, considering the book is written as a representation of verbal instruction a mother is giving her son. 

What if we started reading Prov 31 as if males were the intended audience?


With that thought, Prov 31 reads as a book with instructions for every member of the family...not just women...and it reminds others of the *value* & *equality* of women...

The opening credits have most commentators speculating in agreement that it is a written representation of an oral instruction to King Solomon, from his mother, Bathsheba. WHY are we then using it to instruct women? Why did Bathsheba give her son these instructions, that seem to highlight all the capabilities of a female of their time?

During Old Testament times, women were regarded as nothing more than a piece of property to be bought, sometimes sold and with out many, if any, rights of individual personhood. Yet, here is Bathsheba, extolling the virtues of a cunning, intelligent woman who has many gifts, talents and abilities, a shrewd business woman, whom she describes as honorable and noble (vs 10). The woman described in Proverbs 31, actually sounds like a very independent female. She can handle her business, provide for her family and afford servants (vs 15), she produces a profit (vs 18) from her work. Her children and husband call HER blessed (vs 28). She is compassionate and shares what she has with the poor (vs 20). She is a realtor and property owner (vs 16), seamstress (vs 22, 24), teacher (vs 26), and more. Does this sound like a chapter describing a piece of property? 

Perhaps, Bathsheba was giving her son a call to action. Challenging him to recognize the true Godly value of females, as God created them to be...not as objects to be demeaned, bought, sold, used and abused, but as intelligent, capable, independent human beings who should be held in as much high esteem as the males around them.

Maybe Bathsheba was going against the current belief system of female inferiority and bringing to her son, a profound thought process to counter act the false beliefs that had been created by men, not God. A voice of reason, alone and still to this day, often over looked.

Many will say, Proverbs 31 was written as a guide on what to look for in a woman, potential bride and mother of a man's future children. Ok, then why is the woman described, already running a household, with children and a husband (vs.11, 23, 28)?

The woman in Proverbs 31 is NOT known by what her husband does. She is never addressed as *so and so's wife*...her husband is addressed as HER husband (vs 11, 23, 28). 

The last verse calls the reader to honor her for what she has done. It does not state to respect her for the achievements of her father or husband. It is a call to praise her for her own achievements and accomplishments. Which means she is perfectly capable of accomplishing them (vs 31) and worth being recognized for them. She does not live in the shadow of anyone.

I challenge, that Proverbs 31 was NOT written as instructions for women to strive to achieve or look like...but as a reminder to MEN, of how God created women. Not as inferior pieces of property. This is the inspired Holy Word of God, isn't it? The reader (men of the day, right?) is reminded how fleeting the outward appearance of a female is...That is definitely advice every young man needs, in order to not make life long relational choices based on looks (vs 30).

I want to know WHY then, are we teaching (brow beating?) Proverbs 31 to women as a standard of femininity? Why aren't we using Proverbs 31 to instruct MEN, how women should be viewed, and not only viewed, but what females ARE capable of? Why aren't we using Proverbs 31 as a warning and admonishment against the oppression of women everywhere? Why don't we quit using it to guide women and start reframing it as an example to men (and women) of how women SHOULD BE viewed, treated, respected, honored and praised.

I'd like to see a Proverbs 31 sermon and theme used for the next men's event.

Proverbs 31 is leveling the playing field and everyone has been ignoring the game!

Church Lady: Wrap Skirt to Dress

 

This is actually one of those layered wrap skirts that I am obssessed with adore! Each skirt comes with a booklet tag that shows all the different ways you can wear the skirt as a dress, shawl, blouse etc.

After all these years of building my collection of skirts, I've barely started to try to wear them as a dress.

I did not follow the booklet this morning but winged it--it worked! I actually found this wrap skirt at the thrift store last year.

I think it really worked because each layer was the same fabric. They are usually two different fabrics.

I pulled the top layer up and tied it at the shoulders, then wrapped the bottom layer around my waist and tied. Voila'! It's been humid, but breezy and the temps are ranging from very high to a comfortable low. Last night it was pouring rain off and on and I thought I was going to have to wear pants due to it being too cold. Well, when I awoke, it was bright, sunny and very warm. Perfect!

I paired this 'dress' with another vintage hand-bag, a very neutral light beige. I wore earrings gifted from oldest, from the Philippines. My strappy heeled sandals (that I have literally had almost 10 years!). Finally, I added a very simple and delicate beaded bracelet.

There was no way I was wearing my hair down in this humidity...it wouldn't cooperate anyway. A bun works to keep it off my neck. I added a small metal and beaded flower barrett.

I'm usually more of a fan of knee-length skirts and dresses, or maxis but this midi worked for today. I encourage you to try something new. You never know when an outfit or piece that didn't work before, might work again in a different way.