Bursting the Bubble!!!

If you've been keeping an eye on recent fashion trends, you've probably realized that "fullness" is in. Which is rather bizarre in this age of unhealthy, underfed "Twiggy" models and celebrities. You'd think that if people were willing to work so hard to keep their bodies tiny, they'd stay away from putting on the "pouf" which can so easily add 20 pounds. Not so. That sinful nature just won't be satisfied with what it's got.

So let me introduce what I think was the WORST trend of 2006-07....The Bubble Skirt.

Taking it's origins from the 1960s, this style - ok, let's not go so far as to call it a "style" - this TREND is sure to grab you a bunch of attention wherever you go. Wear it to the mall and listen to the admiring voices...."Take a look at that mushroom!!!" Or to church, where your Sunday school teacher will ask you if you have your Easter bonnet on upside down.

Not. Sorry if I step on any toes here, but I just hate those bubble skirts. Why any woman would want to add 2 feet of width to the (most likely) widest part of her body is beyond me. Maybe Audrey Hepburn could have pulled it off, but we just can't.

If the skirts weren't bad enough, let me present to you... The Bubble DRESS!!! This is 10 TIMES worse than the skirt and something that I believe the Style Police should outlaw completely. Do you agree? (BTW, please feel to comment away and don't be afraid to give your opinion if you think I'm wrong - if you have found a "bubble anything" that is attractive, I would very much like to see a picture! ;)

I was very much amused (when doing a search online for images of this object of my wrath) to stumble upon InStyle's photo of the best Bubble Dress of the year, worn by Anne Hathaway. I just had to laugh at this! AH is an actress I really enjoy watching and sometimes she wears very cute stuff, but I'm sorry my dear - even your pretty face just can't save this ensemble! (And check out the heels!!! We'll just be nice and call them "unusual"... :)

Please, my sweet readers, leave the wild poufy trends for someone more fashionable, but less stylish (if you must wear some fullness, keep it belted in!). A great quote by Yves Saint Laurent that I like to remember is that "fashions fade, style is eternal." And if my rambling has made you smile, then keep it going - if you can't smile, then I think you'd better stop thinking about clothes and work on those face muscles!!! :)

And just because it's been been stuck in my head for two days, I have to say that I think if Marie Antionette was queen of France in 2008, she would have worn a bubble skirt. Or dress. Or something with a lot of pouf.

Concerned Official: "Your Majesty! The people are freezing! They have no jeans to wear!!!"

Marie Antionette: "Then let them wear Bubble Skirts!!!"

P.S. Just want to say that I hope you don't mind the occasional "negative" post. We critics must have a little fun smashing trends here and there. ;)

God bless your week!!!

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"Springy" Fashions

Can't you just smell the Spring in the air? I can and I feel terribly sorry for all of you who are not blessed to be living in New England in the month of April. I wouldn't miss the unfolding beauty for anything in the world. The sunshine lifts the spirits and the cool breeze that filters through the windows of the house seems to sweep all the chill and stuffiness of winter away. It's as if the everything is being cleansed and rejuvenated so that it can get up and start anew once more. Spring must be God's favorite season, too. :)

Spring fashions are loads of fun. There is nothing like pulling out the light-weight blouses, sandals and skirts and stashing away the bulky sweaters, boots and leggings until next year.

At first, the newest Spring looks rather took me aback. I usually dress in a very classic and "girly" style (lots of pastels, eyelet blouses, ruffles, et cetera) and the BOLDNESS of Spring 08 looks just totally threw me for a loop! But it really is starting to grow on me (is that a good thing? Hmm... ;). At least, the more traditional and feminine pieces have become very appealing. The only really BIZZARE trend that I have fallen for so far is the yoked A-line blouses that seem to be bursting up everywhere. So trendy - those will definitely not stay around too long. But I think I'm going to treat myself to one so my grandkids can laugh at me 50 years from now. :) Like most Spring 08 styles, these tops come in BOLD colors, often sporting BOLD prints in BOLD shapes and featuring contrasting yokes, as seen here.

In the shoe world, feminine and retro classics continue to reign, with ballet flats and gorgeous embellished heels taking the lead (think Audrey Hepburn). Metallics also continue to be popular, especially in handbags (awfully hard to keep them from looking cheap and shiny, IMHO) and there are BOLD colors galore. (I want a pair of green heels!!! :)

As appealing as it may sometimes be, buying a whole new set of clothes every season is not the way to go. I find the greatest pleasure in taking out "old friends" from years past and shaking loose some memories. Of course, some of them have served their time and must needs be passed on to a younger sister or friend. Although they sometimes need to be replaced with new items, some of those classics shouldn't be thrown until they actually fall apart. I have a navy-blue, square-necked t-shirt from Chadwicks that is in it's 4th year. Yeah, it's a bit worn down, but the comfort and instant style it brings each time I slip it on has kept it among my favorites.

So, even though total closet-makeovers are not recommended, adding a few new pieces and accessories that catch your eye is a great way to refresh your wardrobe and put a "spring" in your step. ;)

If you've already got most of the basics nailed (black tee, white button-up, blue denim skirt, tan capris) in your wardrobe, you will find it amazingly to easy to mix and match the new with the old to get dozens of "new" looks. Try not to get stuck in the rut of pairing the same skirt and blouse together over and over - mix them up! Also, the days of matching everything with exquisite care are behind us - don't be afraid to wear brown shoes with a black skirt or a blue top with a pair of green pants. It's amazing how well you can pull it off if you are confident and let yourself have some fun!

Soooo...have a little bit of fun with your clothing as you "spring into Spring". Slip off your sandals, breathe in the breeze and stand in the sun. God made this beauty to be enjoyed - let's live it to the fullest! :)

P.S. If, like me, you happen to welcome Spring with a whopper cold, make sure your bestest friend brings you flowers. Mine did. Love you, Josh! :)

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A Girl and Her Ponytail...

Simple. Classic. Always Trendy. Variations for nearly every woman on the planet. Enduring and beautiful.

Just a few reasons why I love the Ponytail. Come on, admit it. You do too. :)

Widely known for its simplicity and ease, the Ponytail is hugely popular among girls and women for those reasons, and at least one other. It's fun.

MY STORY

It was a few years ago when I first started wearing my hair in a Ponytail. My mom did my hair until I was nearly a teenager and for some reason that style just never made it to the home salon.

Once I began to do my hair myself, I would throw it into a low Ponytail pretty frequently, just to get it out of the way, but I could never get it into that high, sleek, glossy thing that I saw and envied on other young girls. My hair was curly (well, frizzy at that stage - this was before I realized that I actually had an inner "curly girl" and let her come out) and I just could not run the brush all the way through over my head and get the hair smoothly into a tail.

A couple of years ago, I discovered a secret and my world was revolutionized. I found that the key for me was to put in the Ponytail while hanging forward with my head upside down. Once in this position, the roots of my hair were much more manageable and I was able to gently run my fingers through to smooth out any "bumps" (I still don't use a brush; not even sure why I own one). Once I had gathered the hair semi-smoothly into my hand, I pulled on the elastic, stood right-side-up and viola! I finally had a proper, glamorous Ponytail.

When I first started wearing the "pony", my mom would say, "Oh, you look like a teenybopper." This wasn't a compliment exactly, but I liked it. After all, I am still a teen and the Ponytail is fun. Why not enjoy it? :)

HISTORY

Although they aren't exactly mentioned in the book of Genesis, I have no reason NOT to believe that Eve invented what we now call a "Ponytail". Hairstyles can't get any simpler - she must have worn one. From then until now it has been considered an extremely informal hairstyle for women. Funny thing is, gentlemen have been wearing it publicly for centuries. First in ancient cultures, such as in China, and then later, in the 18th century, it was nearly mandatory in Europe and North America. It wasn't until the 1800s that it went out of vogue in favor of shorter styles.

The Ponytail again became famous in the 1950s, where it was worn by young girls (Oh! "teenyboppers"!!! ;) and is now closely associated with bobby socks, sweater sets, poodle skirts and rock n' roll.

In 1954, Pablo Picasso became infatuated with a shy, teen aged girl named Sylvette David She had a wealth of long, golden hair which she worn in, you guessed it, a Ponytail. After painting her from memory and winning her friendship, Sylvette became his muse and was featured in over 40 works of art in the next few months. She has been known for generations as the "Girl with a Ponytail".


STYLE TIPS

Extremely practical for everyday wear, the Ponytail is quick and easy for those "bad hair days". It keep hair out of the face and is especially popular with athletes. But don't let it's simplicity make you keep it informal. The Ponytail is easily made ultra glamorous. It is the stylists secret weapon, giving an instant "face-lift" in very little time. You just try it and see if your face doesn't light up! It suits almost every face shape just beautifully. I like to wear it for more formal occasions as well as around the house - it can sometimes give you just that bit of kick or energy your ensemble needs. :)

One of the most interesting things about the Ponytail is it's versatility. It can be worn with dozens of variations and there is an option for almost every look you'll ever wear. The "tail" can be low at the base of the neck, either in the center or on the side (the latter can look especially elegant with hair accessories). Placement in the very center back of the head is considered the most flattering Ponytail style and emphasizes the cheekbones. Very high on the back on the head is also an option(and sometimes called a "cheerleader ponytail"). There have been fads where the ponytail is worn directly on top of the head with the hair falling down around the face. This style is rather hard to pull off and not one I'd widely recommend, but Liv Tyler carried it off beautifully in "That Thing You Do" (which is set in the 1960s, btw :).


After you have chosen your "pony" placement, there are even more options. You can wear your Ponytail with or without a part; tease or back-comb the top for additional fullness and wear your bangs (if you have them! :) pulled back or left down.

Regardless of the texture of your hair, give the Ponytail a try. From super straight to graceful waves to banana curls, it is universally fun and flattering. And if you like trends, it is totally "in" this Spring and has been making it's presence known on runways and red carpets. I don't let a style's popularity decide whether or not I should wear it, but it's great to know that something as timeless and feminine as the Ponytail is getting some media attention. :)

For some great Ponytail accessories, check out this Amazon.com listing. Remember - NEVER use rubber elastics - they will snag and break your hair. Not good. :P

And even if you aren't a teenybopper, give it a whirl! I intend to wear my "pony" until I'm ninety-nine. :)

P.S. Just for the record, I don't intend to make all posts this long on the blog. This was a bit of an experiment; I was totally freaked that I wouldn't be able to come up with enough info for a post and once I got started...it just kind of ran away from me. Thanks for taking the time to read - I'll be back next week! :)

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Welcome to AmandaBeth Online!

I am dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the ages and living today in such a beautiful way that tomorrow's generation will be blessed because of it. Although externals are important, I believe that true beauty is found inside you and in your identity in Jesus Christ.

 Although I love clothing, accessories and style, I believe we need to be careful about how we get caught up in the "fashion-world". If you share my struggle with the continual temptation to pick up an fashion mag and sift through the dirt in order to find a little bit of semi-important information, then I hope you will visit me here often. It will be my endeavor to write interesting and informative articles where we can learn from the past, live in the present and look to the future on our journey to become the beautiful women God created us to be.

Have a fabulous "fashion-y" day! :)

In Him,
Amanda

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