Beyoutiful Hope: 10/1/14

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Just Around the Riverbend

Red Floor Length Prom Homecoming Gala Dress || c/o DresseStylist from 2013
Silver Statement Necklace || Study Abroad in Mexico

I am unaware of the material sourcing and manufacture processes behind these pieces

***

"What I love most about rivers is, you can't step in the same river twice
The water's always changing always flowing
But people, I guess, can't live like that
We all must pay a price
To be safe, we lose our chance of ever knowing
What's around the riverbend
Waiting just around the riverbend"

-- Just Around the Riverbend, Pocahontas

It is hard to actually reply on faith many times... especially when this world tells you that you need to know what will happen to you tomorrow. It is even harder when you have an entire family replying on you (a scary though of the adult-world). Although faith depends many times on God providing material things for us, faith of course speaks to the soul. This week I have learned to have faith in God's short term timing. Although undesired events may take place in your life, always seek out the beauty in the small things.

Live every breath in thanks to God. Be aware of the doors God opens for you. In the hard times, seek Him even more.

Dreaming and Giving Grace,
Christine

P.S. If you read this far, comment below with your favorite Disney Princess! ;)

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Topknot and Turtleneck for Fall + Free Firmoo Eyewear

How to Style a Turtle Neck for Fall:

Turtle Neck || Closet Swapped

What is closet swapping? Well, it means you trade clothes with your friends for keeps or just to borrow. This allows you to change up your wardrobe without the inflicted wallet-related injuries. hehe.

Muted Blue Silk Maxi Dress || *Vintage, from my mom back in the day

The best thing about vintage finds is that they are many times one of a kind. Also, if you go thrifting you will not only save money, but will be helping the earth by purchasing an item that otherwise may have been thrown away. Don't forget that you can upcycle thrifted finds too, like I did with this denim jacket here.

Wide Leather Boots || Clarks

Large Brown Purse || *Closet Swapped

Green Prescription Computer Glasses #F047 || c/o Firmoo

These green pair of glasses would make my 3rd pair of Firmoo prescription and computer protection eyewear. Firmoo purchases directly from lens and frame manufacturers which allows them to decrease their prices and avoid overhead costs. I honestly am not sure about the ethics of eyewear, and so I can not 100% vouch for the ethics of this brand, however, I like these specs because they come with a cute case and repair kits, and have a computer film to protect your eyes from radiation. I am not sure how potent this film truly is, however, I use to get head aces when looking at the computer, and now I don't (as much). :) You can get your first pair free from their website. Just click this link here.

***

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12: 13-21

I read this in my morning devotional (devo for short) yesterday, and it really resonated. Life is short. Live it to the fullest and find riches and joy in relationships, not things and hoarding. Love people and God, not stuff. This world uses the word "love" very loosely. I use it to describe people, clothes, bugs, and a large range of material things. Do I really "love" those things? I need to find a word between like and love. Ideas?

Pondering Life Decisions,
Christine

P.S. Don't forget to connect and follow me on social media for the latest updates on ethical fashion and daily motivation for your life. :) I have INSTAGRAM
now!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Feeling All Grown Up + Giveaway

How to Style A Maxi Dress For Fall

Long Necklace || Urban Outfitters, Toronto

Chunky Black Wrap || Closet swapped ;)

Closet swapping is essentially trading fashion apparel or jewelry items with others. Doing this allow you to freshen up your closet without having to spend money, purchase unnecessary items, or throw things away! This is also a fun activity to do with a group of friends.

Olive 5-Way Maxi Dress || Seamly.Co via c/o #insideout

I love this company because they (1) began as a crowdfunded startup to create versatile clothing, (2) are made of recycled remnant USA fabric, (3) are fully produced in the USA, (4) are women-run, (5) use eco friendly packaging, and (6) are based in Denver... which is such a beautiful city haha.

Leather Brown Boots in Wide || Clarks

***

This past weekend I had the beautiful opportunity to fly across the country to photograph a wedding in Niagara Falls. While I was there I also booked sessions with families and even a pageant girl! I feel very blessed and successful because my photography has come to a point where I am traveling to share this talent with others. It is exciting, but also a bit scary because it means that another set of doors are opened. What is a gal to do when God closes two doors and opens 3 more?

Feeling All Grown Up,

Christine

Runs through 10/23/14 at 11:59pm PST.

ENTER HERE

P.S. I received a comment on my Spring 2014 Eco Ethical Fashion Haul and am now compelled to create a Fall 2014 Eco Ethical Fashion Haul video for my Youtube Channel. So be on the look out for that! This dress will be included. hehe.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Mid Fall: Styling Fashion For Good

Bandero Statement Necklace | 31 Bits
31 Bits empowers women in Uganda to rise above poverty through above sustainable living wage employment and education. The beads on their jewelry are all made from recycled magazine material!
Grey Side Slit Maxi Dress (long sleeve version here) | Threads for Thought via Seed People's Market
Threads for Thought is high quality sustainable eco fashion company with a commitment to safe and fair labor manufacturing. Seed People's Market is a collective in Costa Mesa, California which sells all social good products (I personally consider it to be my glittery fairyland).
Black Cardigan | H&M Conscious Collection
H&M's Conscious Collection came about as a reaction to the results of the Bangladesh Factory Fire and there after, their integral participation in creating the Bangladesh Accord. Although... their line does not seem to be growing in stores or selling off as well as I would liked it have to.
Silver Bird Bangle | Relevee Jewelry benefiting Made By Survivors
This is one of my favorite jewelry companies (tied for first). All of their jewelry is created in India and sourced locally in India. Their pieces are all made by survivors of human trafficking as a way to not only help break the cycle of sex trafficking of women in India, but to break gender stereotypes by training women as goldsmiths!

***
"Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. In thanksgiving, I'll be a living sancturary for you."
- Sanctuary lyrics by Vineyard

The past week, plus some, has kept me one busy bee! At my internship with International Princess Project I have been shooting lifestyle photoshoots every other day with local bloggers. The blogger collaborations are a lot of work, but so much fun! For these photoshoots, I actually contacted other social good fashion companies in the area and ended up collaborating with them. Woop Woop! Although, it wouldn't have been so successful without the email structuring advice from my PR queen-of-a-mentor! I am so blessed to have a mentor that believes in me and is willing to help me become my very best. :) Every day I realize how blessed I have been to have people around me that are willing to push me to my very best. As my trips to Ecuador and Peru approach, I feel like I am looking in to my life and wondering, "who is that lucky chick and how did she get there?" All I can say is that I have seen how God gives and takes away.

Feeling Beyond Blessed,
Christine

What do you feel blessed about in your life???

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Clothed with Strength & Dignity

Photo Credit: My Amazing Aunt ^_^

Dress: UO

Bodycon: H&M

60s Vintage Necklace: Thrifted at an estate sale

Rings: Borrowed and thrifted

Shoes: Clarks

"She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future."

Proverbs 31:25

Sometimes it takes courage to speak up for yourself. Sometimes it takes courage to not say a word. But when you are alone, in the stillness of your mind, speak up. It is so important to check up on yourself, not only for your health, but for your relationship with God. Take time to understand your emotions and express them outwards, whether that is talking to yourself out loud, singing, drawing, dancing, running, playing an instrument... however you do it... take time to speak up!

Lovingly,

Christine

P.S. I want to do a giveaway before I leave the country. So once my Facebook gets to 600, I'll do it!
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