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In this December issue: Featured Items Worth Repeating From My Desk Tip of the Month Recipe of the Month Forward this email Do you know someone who might be interested in receiving this monthly newsletter? Unsubscribe You’re receiving this newsletter because you signed up for the BELLISSMA! NEWSLETTER Looking for the perfect gift? We offer GIFT CERTIFICATES!! CONTACT US! Contact Us Contact us for more info! (info@bellissimamodestyboutique.com) WE HAVE A NEW LOOK! 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. Back to top^ WORTH REPEATING: “When a girl ceases to blush, she has lost the most powerful charm of her beauty.” -Pope Gregory I Back to top^ 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 Back to top^ 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.  Back to top^ 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. Back to top^ All material copyrighted by Bellissima Modesty Boutique. Forward this email to a friend. Do you wish to unsubscribe? Reply with unsubscribe in the subject line to be removed from this list.

She has some fun giveaways, and has also featured Bellissima! as a guest poster.  You’ll enjoy your visit to her site!  I am also including our guest post here.

Some other wardrobe pieces that are dear to my heart are cute printed skirts! I delight in having a closet full of feminine skirts that have various prints and patterns of flowers, stripes, lace, etc. I have found that these can be both dressed up (for church, a party, etc), by adding a blouse, heels, and jewelry; or they can be dressed down for casual wear, (like running errands, going to coffee etc.) by wearing them with a tee shirt or polo and flats. They are not only a lot of fun, but very versatile and you’ll feel both feminine and stylish!

There are a lot of fun accessories that can be worn to add pizazz to your casual outfits! The long necklaces that are popular right now add spunk to your outfit, and they also elongate to help an outfit or neckline be more flattering. A fun necklace of any length, a bracelet, pretty earrings, a scarf or headband all help to add personality and sparkle to your outfit. They can be the simple step that takes your outfit from bland to beautiful. Remember, we want to show the world that we represent a God who loves color and beauty!

In closing, I believe that it is absolutely possible to dress modesty and beautifully for any occasion at any stage of life. Don’t be afraid to raise the standards by joyfully celebrating the gift of your God given femininity. Also, remember that whether you are a CEO in your home, or of a company outside of your home, dress with excellence, and let your clothes be a reflection and reminder that we do our tasks unto the Lord, and not unto men (Col. 3:23). Dress with discretion and a flair for fashion, be Bellissima!

But the most challenging has been in building and maintaining a website!  I’ll tell you that I have a brand spankin’ new respect for anyone who dares call him/herself a geek, and for any website that is functional- double respect if it’s beautifully designed!     The latter two have been my goal for this site, but as many of you know, I’ve had my share of technical difficulties!  I’ve come to the conclusion that there are few things that cause me more frustration than website problems. But the Lord has been faithful in each and every problem, usually through the help of a good friend who is a geek.  Thankfully as of this moment, everything is functional (that I know of!).

I’m looking forward to, in 2009, doing some video blogging (shall we call it “vlogging”? )  I hope next week to get one up here about some helpful natural do-it-yourself beauty tips; so check back then!

In the meantime….

It’s book recommendation time!!!

I highly recommend:

Christian Charm Course
by Emily Hunter

This book has been a wonderful resource that I have used time and time again!  Fun to do individually or as a group study.

This book is geared towards young ladies, but the lessons in this book extend to all ages!  It goes through lessons on keeping your body healthy, good manners, how to apply makeup properly, choosing a flattering wardrobe, and becoming hair styles, etc.  But best of all it really focuses on inner beauty, and how the spirit, mind, and body all work together to form true beauty- loveliness from the inside out!

The back cover, as copied below, well reflects it’s purpose while pinpointing exactly why true loveliness begins on the inside:

Christian Charm
is COMPLETE charm… encompassing body mind and soul

Christian Charm
develops a “NEW LOOK” WITHIN as well as a “NEW LOOK” WITHOUT.  To be truly attractive you must have both!

Christian Charm
emphasizes beauty of heart- for there is no such thing as a pretty girl with an “ugly heart!”

Christian Charm
exalts true femininity- modesty, purity, and honor- rather than bold outward display.

Christian Charm
guarantees heightened loveliness!  When others see Jesus Christ reflected “in you,”  you cannot help but radiate loveliness, for He Himself is lovely.

So get a copy either for just yourself, or get a group of gals together and start a girl’s group study!

I welcome any of your comments, questions, or suggestions here, and I look forward to serving you in 2009!

Blessings,
~Marianna

“It’s just so hard to find them that aren’t…”
“Tacky?” I asked.
“Yes!”

We went on to talk about how so many formals make women look either poured in to the dress, spilling out out of the dress, a display of entirely too much skin, or some raunchy combination of the aforementioned.  “I don’t know what the designers are thinking in (this bride is also a fashion designer, by the way), it’s like it’s all that there is out there!” she shared.

While I’ve yet to be on the hunt for a wedding dress, I too have rummaged the dress racks for modest formals!  I know how hard it can be…  As a matter of fact, a very common question we get here at Bellissima, is “do you sell modesty formals?”  As of now, we have not expanded to include that in our inventory, although we do sell bolero jackets to aid this problem.   That aside, I do understand where everyone is coming from.

So the question is, what should be the standard for formal wear?  Is it okay, because it’s a formal event to have a different set of standards?  Is it okay to wear what everyone else is, because we haven’t found anything better?  To find that answer, we must of course look to God’s Word, to His standards for His daughters!

1 Tim. 2:9 says, “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly”

We know that it is His heart that His daughters dress in a way that is chaste and modest, because it honors our bodies, our brothers in Christ, and it helps to provide us with protection from men with less than honorable intentions.  None of those things are occasion sensitive.  Even at a formal wear we want to be known as chaste and honorable women who represent Christ, we need to honor others in the room, and we want to have that protection that “taking care to cover” offers.  The blessings of modesty do not change, even at a formal event!

I have found that when we seek to honor the Lord in this area, when we “take care to cover”, He blesses!  I cannot tell you how many times that I’ve asked for the Lord to help find a dress for an event, and He does.  He can give some wonderfully creative ideas as well as ways to make your “party dress” both modest and beautiful.  Even if you find a dress that you think is beautiful, that is perhaps immodest, take an extra moment to creatively consider ways to make the dress modest before putting it back on the rack.

For example:
- I have found that bolero jackets seem to have been created to help make formals “wearable” for daughters of the King!   You can wear them with a long formal, even if it’s strapless (the positive thing about a strapless gown is that it is not low cut), and you have a formal that is both stylish and modest.

-Shawls are also helpful for this, given they can be hassle to keep situated!

-You can often get a dress altered for a reasonable cost at a tailor or dress maker.  A friend of mine has even been able to get dresses that were backless to be altered in such a way, using the same material as the dress, that made them completely modest!

-If you are handy with a needle, I’ve found that you can even alter them yourself (although it does require the help of a friend!), add straps, etc.

Be creative, be willing to look outside the box, but most of all ask the Lord for the “right dress” and for good ideas!  Is the Lord concerned about such things, you may be wondering?  I know He is!  In Luke 12:27-28, Jesus says,

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Our Lord Jesus says, look at the lilies, I have clothed them!  And yet, it amazes me to realize that not only did He take the care to simply clothe them, but He clothes them beautifully!  More beautiful than Solomon, who had wealth and fame!

The Lord does care about what you wear and what is important to you, is important to Him.  He loves you so dearly, my friends.  He delights when we bring these seemingly small problems to Him in the same way that we delight when a little child lifts up helpless trusting arms and asks us for help.  Honor Him in your choices, my friends.  Don’t dress with a double standard.  He will bless you!

For His glory,
~Marianna