Bellissima’s December Newsletter

Visit our newly
redesigned site
at:

www.ModestyBoutiqueOnline.com

FEATURED ITEMS:

Velvet
Bolero

This is an amazingly useful black velvet bolero! Very
beautiful and flattering for any figure. Can be worn to any
event from church to a formal event. Perfectly pairs with
either a skirt or a strapless formal to provide modesty. Soft
velvet, lined with lace. Slightly puffed sleeves add an even
more feminine dimension along with covered buttons.

Corduroy Skirts

Available in

brown &

burgundy.

Long demure skirt. Tiers trimmed with lace add a Victorian
touch. Small corduroy material, this lovely skirt that will
take you stylishly all the way through winter.

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WORTH REPEATING:

“When a girl
ceases to blush, she has lost the most
powerful charm of her beauty.”

-Pope Gregory I

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FROM MY DESK:

As I sit here and think about the journey of why we began this store, I search my own
heart to ask why? Why is modesty so important? Why does the world
come against it so much? Why is it so rare? Why is it so little spoken about in churches? How do we find the balance between modesty and legalism? How can we help girls and women understand what a joy it
is to embrace the command of modesty? How can we help them to understand it’s a way to honor this body, this Temple of the Holy Spirit that we inhabit, and to honor those around us?

Of course I know the whys, whats and hows of these questions… I know that modesty is important because it protects us as women and honors those around us. I know that the world comes against us, because the prince of this world is against the Worthy One we seek to honor through our dress. I know it’s spoken about little in churches because pastors are afraid of being called legalistic if they mention it (even though obedience to God’s Word never brings bondage, but
freedom). I know that we can help others to understand the blessing of being blamelessly beautiful (or bellissima, if you will) by first of all being blamelessly bellissima ourselves… then by sharing at the leading of the Holy Spirit with those with open hearts about God’s good path for us.

Such things are true, but such things are easy to forget in the
every day hum drum of life… easy to get caught up in the how rather than the why. How can we keep all these truths from growing listless and dry in our own hearts? How can we make sure that we are doing it out of a heart of worship and love rather than duty?

I believe the answer to this, as well as to so many other questions, is
found in 1 Corinthian 13:1-3:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to fee the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

To do any of these things, to be blamelessly bellissima ourselves, to point the way to others through word and deed, to help further the Kingdom of Light and bring glory to the Prince of Peace, we must have love. Love for Christ. Love for others. Love for His holy commands. Perhaps if these verses were adapted to this area of our lives, and were written in the book of 1 Marianna 13:1-3, it might read something like this (in the original old English version, of course. ,

Though we dress modesty, but have not love, we have nothing. Yay, though we dress fashionably yet modestly so we be not seen as a frump, and though never a mini skirt or too-low plunging neckline in public we wear, but have not love, we have nothing. Though we help shed the light of truth on the erring way of those who shouldst know better or know nothing at all, but do not love them, we are nothing. Though we say we love God and though we say we love others, if our fruit doth not meet the plumb line of 1 Cor. 13 or Gal. 5, we have nothing. Though we do everything in this are of modesty “right”, but love for Jesus Christ is not the motive, we have nothing. If thou makest an idol out of thine obedience to the command of outward modesty and forget about thine inward state and the beauty of His love and holiness that saved us from a wretched state, we have nothing and we are in error.

Without love, as our motivation, love for Christ, love for others, we have nothing. “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” (1 Cor. 8:1) True modesty, true beauty, true balance is obedience born out of a pure and loving heart rather than a prideful one.

So, as we seek to honor Christ in this area of our lives, whether it’s by offering a place for women and girls to easily purchase feminine clothes (like it is for me), or whether it’s just being that lone light in your church or workplace or at the mall (like it may be for you), let’s make sure our heart’s motivation is love. “Whatever you do, do heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men.” (Col. 3:23) Whatever we do, even in the way we dress, let it be on in loving worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you a joyful and peaceful Christmas season! Let’s celebrate Emmanuel, God with us.

~Marianna

Bellissima! Modesty Boutique

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TIP OF THE MONTH:

Layering is a great and easy way to make a top modest! Does the neckline plunge too low?  Add a Bellissima under tank, a lightweight long sleeve shirt, blouse, turtleneck underneath. Does an otherwise modest shirt pass the “praise the Lord test” (aka: raising your arms above your head), or can you see skin when you lift your arms? What about the “the touch your toes test” (can you bend over without showing skin or undergarments in the back), does it pass? If not, add a longer tank or camisole in a complimentary or neutral color to make sure that you can move free and easy and that those around you aren’t being exposed to more than you intended. 

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH:

Candy
Cane Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg1/2 t.vanilla
1 t. peppermint extract
Dash of salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 t. red food coloring

Peppermint Glaze
(optional)

In a large bowl beat butter till softened. Add powdered sugar and beat till fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt. Beat well. Add flour and beat till well mixed. Divide dough in half. Stir food coloring into one half. Cover each half and chill about 30 minutes or till easy to handle.

For each cookie, on a lightly floured surface shape a teaspoon full of plain
dough into a 4-5 in. rope. Repeat with a teaspoonful of red dough. Place ropes side by side and twist together. Pinch end to seal. Form twisted ropes into a cane. Place canes 2 in. apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.


Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8-10 mins. or till done. Remove and cool. If desired, brush with Peppermint Glaze.

Peppermint Glaze: Stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 t. peppermint extract, and enough water (4-5 t.) to make of brushing consistency.

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