FEATURED ITEMS:

Black & White Gingham Skirt

This lined gingham skirt is a perfect wardrobe basic for any age and any season! The unique decorative seams and a flared style adds spunk and style to a classic print.

Feeling colorful?  Try wearing a brightly colored top or shoe to add a pop of color!  You can’t go wrong with this too cute of a skirt!

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WORTH REPEATING:

The clothes we wear are what people see. Only God can look on the heart. The outward signs are important. They reveal something of what is inside. If charity is there, it will become visible outwardly, but if you have no charitable feelings, you can still obey the command. Put it on as simply and consciously as you put on a coat. You choose it; you pick it up; you put it on. This is what you want to wear.

~Elisabeth Elliot

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FROM MY DESK:

If you live in one of the Southern states, like I do, you’re probably noticing  that the promise of spring is all but here.  You can smell it in the air, hear it in the robin’s trills.  Longer days, warmer temperatures, neighbors out pruning trees and shrubs, and pink blooms are beginning to peek from the front azalea bushes.   In celebration of the joy of spring, I’ve joined forces with the local women over 50, as a green rookie (pun intended), at our local nursery and garden centers to help make yards more pleasant and colorful places.  As I roam
the aisles, stopping to sniff, examine, and admire the bright
blooms, the well loved and oft quoted verses from Matthew 6
continually comes to mind,

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil
not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day
is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more
clothe you, O ye of little faith?”

When I was first praying about the decision to start Bellissima! Modesty Boutique, it was one of the verses that the Lord used to remind me that He  really cares about our clothes.  That when clothing the lilies, He cared enough to not merely dress them, but to dress them beautifully and with grace!

Consider the lilies with me for a moment…  they’re gorgeous flowers!  They come in various sizes, shapes, colors- snowy white, bright pink, flaming orange, and more!  None are the same; each is unique, with it’s own style and flair.  Far from being only practical, they do more than serve a
physical purpose; they represent and showcase the creativity and beauty of The Artist.  They brighten and bless anyone who walks by and notices their exquisite bloom.

How much more should we, as His daughters, cloth ourselves in not only modest clothing, but graceful, beautiful, and artistic apparel!   Apparel that is representative of the Creator God that we serve!  Apparel that splashes grace and beauty into a world that is often stark and drab.  Whatever we do, whether we eat, or drink, or dress ourselves, we are called to do it all to the glory of God!  (1 Cor 10:31)  What a privilege!

So this spring, whether you’re wandering through Texas bluebonnets, petunias, daffodils, tulips, lilies, or whatever blossoms adorn your life path, use them as a reminder to apply your own unique personality, style, and flair to clothe yourself not only modestly, but beautifully!  Representing to those around us The Artist, The Creator, our Father in Heaven, who supplies our every need and who cares about every detail of our life… even what clothes we wear.

Blessings to you and yours this Resurrection season!

~Marianna

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TIP OF THE MONTH:

The more days that pass between January and you, the more apt we all are to forget some of those healthy goals we set for ourselves at the front of the year when resolutions flew through the air like gossip at a
knitting circle.   Regardless of whether you’re on track with your goals or not, the one healthful reminder that we all need from time to time is to drink more water!  A friend of mine once asked a nutritionist what single thing could be done to improve health- the answer was to drink enough water!

Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will improve skin conditions, help soften brittle nails, and enhance your overall wellness  and energy level by moving toxins and waste through the body.

Healthy eating, exercising, getting enough sleep, and drinking lots of water will help provide a beautiful healthy glow that starts with making wise healthful decisions!

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH:

Artichoke Spinach Casserole

1 6 oz jar marinated artichoke
hearts, drained
2 (10 oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed
2 (3 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
2 T. butter, softened
4 T. milk
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 t. garlic powder

Place artichokes in a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.   Squeeze spinach dry.  Place on top of artichokes.  In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Stir in milk and garlic powder. Spread over spinach.

Top with a grind of pepper and Parmesan.  Cover and refrigerate as long as 24 hours.  Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes; then uncover and bake 10 minutes.  Makes 6-8 servings.

This would be excellent served at an Easter meal or brunch!

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