Introducing the MFB Network!

So, I've started a new project that I am very excited about:

Modest Fashion Bloggers Network

It has been my desire for quite some time to make a detailed resource for people who are interested in contemporary fashion but don't want to dig through all the smut in order to keep up-to-date. I am hoping to bring together a great collection of folks who are putting modesty first in the fashion world, but are keeping trendy and stylish.

Please scoot over and check it out. It's very much a "baby" at this stage and I have been having a REALLY hard time finding blogs (or sites) that focus mainly on fashion and are appropriate for most ages of readers. Such gems are sadly rare...

I have also compiled an extensive list of places to shop for a modest wardrobe, or just feminine and classic clothing in general. I can't wait to keep expanding it, so be sure to send in loads of suggestions!

AmandaBeth Online remains my primary blog and main focus but I will occasionally post over at the MFB to keep you updated on what's going on in the modest fashion world and how you can be involved. If you hear of anything super awesome - send it in! :)

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And while we're on the subject of modesty - Christa Taylor is hosting a "Modesty Carnival" over at her Empowered Traditionalist blog. Click the image to read more - it will be launched on Monday!

God bless your weekend!

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US Figure Skating Championships Fashion Recap

I absolutely love to watch figure skating. I am glued to the internet during the competitive season; getting the statistics on each event, analyzing the favorites and making predictions on who is going to win. It's a bit addicting and loads of fun. One of my favorite parts is (duh! ;) the costumes! There's certain skaters that you just know will always be impeccably dressed (Sasha Cohen was an expert - I always got excited whenever she debuted a new outfit); and then there are others that you can count on looking like a disaster.

I know that the subject of whether or not skating costumes are immodest can be highly debated, but I'm just going to share my love of the sport (and it's fashion) by showcasing some of the applause-worthy offerings at last weekend's U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Nothing like a bit of "icy" inspiration!

Alissa Czisny was crowned the new ladies champ and was truly a delight to behold. She is a beautiful, elegant skater with a lovely personality (hey! Her favorite celeb is Audrey Hepburn - I guess she got something right!). Her short program costume (left) fit her "Swan" program beautifully. I'm not a huge fan of the strapless skating dresses with "nude" fabric up top, but I think she pulls this off very nicely and I just love the ice-blue feathers creeping up the bodice.

Alissa's free skate gown (right) was a work of art on an evening where everyone else seemed to have left their fashion-sense at the hotel. I love the multiple layers (and colors) of the skirt and the rich detail and draping over the bodice. I'd give her a 6.0 if the old judging system was still around. :P

Although the free skate was lacking in "pretties", the short program had some delicious gowns. Caroline Zhang (left) was my pick for the best dress. I have a love affair with blue and the gold accents suit it so well and complement this graceful skater beautifully - she's one of my favorites.

Defending champion Mirai Nagasu (center) had a unique dress, which I also thought was very cute and age appropriate. Her performances were truly inspiring. After going through a growth spurt and injury this year, she managed to overcome tears at the beginning of her free skate and end a brilliant effort with a huge smile.

The pictures I saw of Ashley Wagner's (right) costumes failed to impress me, but they were quite a different thing "live". The fabrics and details were stunning. I think the only thing she should have changed was the proportion - especially in the free skate. Here, I think the skirt could have been dyed to match the dress better and the effect would have been nicer without the flowy-ness of the sleeves. I'm looking forward to seeing how she comes together over the next year - her skating has matured beautifully since last season.

I didn't watch the men's competition this year, so I hope you'll forgive the lack of their costumes and allow me to skip directly to pairs and ice dancing, which are favorites of mine. Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker became pairs champions for the second time in a row, skating a lovely program to excerpts from "West Side Story" (which is always fab, btw). Gentlemen's costumes can be hard, but I think that Rockne's coordinates well without matching too closely. Keauna's dress is just gorgeous (I love orange and peachy shades) with the gold rhinestones and unique sleeves. And she skated very well for someone who was sick with the flu!

Lastly, two of my favorites practically soared to ice dancing gold with an incredible "Samson and Delilah" free skate. Meryl Davis and Charlie White have great fashion taste, IMHO, and are just so cute. :) This ethereal gold creation that Meryl is wearing is one of my favorites - the embroidery is absolutely amazing and the skirt is masterfully draped. I can't make up my mind as to whether I like the costume Charlie wore earlier in the season best, or this new one...perhaps I'll never know. ;)

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I'll try and squeeze in a post later this week. There's a big weekend ahead of us (Bekah and Michael's mega shower) and lots to do...

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"First Family" Fashion

OK, so we've all heard it a million times now - "Michelle Obama is the new Jackie O." Regardless of whether or not you agree with this statement (personally, I would find it rather frustrating to always be compared to someone else :P), you've got to admit that she's got a great sense of style - or a great stylist. They pretty much mean the same thing these days...

Throughout most of the campaign, Michelle was impeccably dressed - excluding the Oscar de la Renta disaster (although Sarah Palin wins my award for the most fashionable politician ever ;). And on the 20th of January, she was very nicely put together.

The classy yellow dress and coat she wore for the inauguration were designed by Isabel Toledo and suited her just lovely, in my opinion. Be prepared to see more of this "transparent" lace - it was extremely prevalent in Prada's fall collection. I think that green shoes are a nice touch to her outfit, but there's something about these pumps that I don't like. Maybe the shade or texture should have been tweaked.

The new "First Daughters" were dressed to the nines and looked "pretty as a picture". Malia sported a double-breasted, purple coat with a ribbon belt - just lovely. Her black accessories finish it off nicely. Sasha was decked out in a pink coat (similarly be-ribboned) and an orange scarf and gloves that matched her dress (check out the ruffles underneath!). A fun surprise is her red ballet flats with ribbon ties and matching tights. Absolutely adorable.

The First Lady's Inaugural ballgown was equally flattering, a chiffon affair by Jason Wu. Very pretty, although I would have liked it better without the little accent pieces, which look a bit too similar to cotton balls for my taste. Michelle's peep-toe heels are great - and just check out the stacked bangles on her wrist! There's at least 13. :)

I'm sure the whole country is waiting with bated breath to see what this new year will have in store for our nation. There's a lot looming on the horizon - let's pray that God will use our new President to carry out His-story and give us all the grace to do our part, each and every day...

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June Style

"If you see someone without a smile, give him yours..."

-June Allyson

That lovable "girl next door"; with the brown, crinkly eyes and a big grin of a smile, bringing sunshine to her whole face. There's something about her tousled blonde hair and low voice (with just a hint of a question in it) that make you feel as though you've known her your whole life. She's the friend you'd have at all your parties, and the one who'd bail you out of your biggest scrapes.

Standing a little over five feet tall, June's style was ever casual. She dressed for action, even when wearing her finest. Here she is attired in a smart white ensemble, featuring a wide circle skirt (ideal for mobility), a smart button up blouse, and a jacket to finish everything off. Her peep-toe slingbacks are easy to kick off and her airy scarf is perfect for tying back her hair.

Full of mischief and always looking as though she's just bursting for an adventure, she's as the month of June itself - mirthful, unpretentious, and full of life. Let's just try and bit a little bit like that - like June... :)

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The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece by Andrea Linett
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one handy book, stuffed full of USEFUL fashion information. The authors walk you through each of the essential items in your wardrobe, showing the dozens of different style variations and which are the most flattering and appropriate for different situations. There's a great page at the end of each chapter where they show you how to best wear a look, or how NOT to wear it, covering everything from T-shirt fit to hemline length. This book also has sections on a few real-life women and how they wear their style every day. A great, informative read that had my mom interested! ;)
View all my reviews.

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Flower Follies

With all the wedding-ish stuff that has been going on (as we prepare for Rebekah and Michael's special day), I thought it would be appropriate to touch on a bit of bridal fashion and point out a mega trend that I have seen sneaking up for a while. Now it's full blown.

It's time to start singing "Here comes the bouquet"!

For a while, super simple wedding gowns with clean lines seemed to be the current "big thing", but now...the garden has taken over! While paging through a recent issue of BRIDES magazine, petals and greenery seemed to be everywhere - adding volume to the bodice of gowns; swirling down the skirt; dropping buds out behind the train. This is the perfect look for a spring wedding - let the love blossom! :)

For the most part, I am a fan of simple gowns with an awesome cut that takes center stage over decoration. That said, I do like a lot of what I am seeing in this trend - subtle embroidery and texture really can make a gown special. Just be careful that you don't overdo it. The last thing you want is to look like you're reviving the 90s - beware decorative overkill!

Another new thing I have had fun watching is how solid white is no longer a "must have". Although white is traditional, symbolizes purity (which is a good thing), and is probably my favorite color in the world (I'd wear it everyday if it were not so impractical), adding a bit of unexpected color is a great way to let your personality show. Accents in your wedding colors can also add a spectacular touch to your ensemble. If you're a bit timid about breaking tradition, but want to work some color in, try wearing jewelry that enhances your wedding palette and co-ordinates with your bouquet.

One of the wonderful things about living in the 21st century is that you are allowed to break the rules - just make sure you go about it gracefully and in a respectful way. No need to offend the guests - just let the beauty of your personality shine in what you choose to wear. I'm sure you'll be the bride of the year. Good luck! :)



What do you think of these new trends? What are some of your favorites? Have a picture to share? Bring on the inspiration!

Check the complete Garden Party spread at BRIDES.com

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Golden Girls at the Globes

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards - The lovely Kate Winslet was the big winner of the evening, carrying off two awards (Best Actress & Best Supporting Actress) and also winning my personal "classy lady" prize. It's about time she is recognized for her acting achievements - here's to the Oscars! :)

Well, there were lots of great evening wear trends floating about on Sunday evening! I'll cover some of the big ones...

• Strapless gown continue to be the standard (much to my dislike - they're hard to wear successfully) although I saw loads of asymmetrical one-strap gowns, which I am really liking. They offer endless style and decorative possibilities and are generally much more modest (they don't need to be pulled up all evening long!). I really hope these stick around.

• For the most part, gowns stayed floor length, with long, sweeping hems. I love that classic elegance. The "mermaid" or "fishtail" style continues to be popular, with many gowns hugging the top of the legs and then flaring dramatically at the knees. Also, there were some puffy "princess" dresses, with a cinched waist and then a full, sweeping skirt.

• Speaking of "cinched" - small, skinny belts were definitely "in" and I saw loads of them. They add waistline definition and interest to any look. Also, ruffles were a big part of the evening; many women sported some lovely styles that seemed to draw inspiration from the bustles of the 1880s!

• Vintage-inspired gowns were definitely popular - and there were a couple of lovely "1950s prom queens" parading about. I love this trend and all the fun little details that come along with it. And the "goddess gown" continued to prevail, with lots of sheer, fluttering chiffon and complex draping.

• As far as colors went, there were a lot of pale, muted shades. Soft pinks, greens and a weird, neutral grey-pink color that I positively hate (lol) dominated. As well as the bouquet of pastels, there were some great bold shades - especially royal blue, which I saw on at least four stars.

• For jewelry, most actress kept it down to either a necklace or a set of earrings. Both were big, bold and full of sparkle (lots of the earrings actually reminded me of costume-y studs from the 80s :P). I saw some stunning "collar" necklaces and lots and lots of diamonds...

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The Best Dressed (IMHO):

Anne Hathaway

This regal beauty looked fantastic in this stunning royal blue creation, which offsets her dark hair and fair skin so beautifully. The bodice is embroidered with crystals and has the appearance of feathers cascading down into a swirling skirt of lightweight fabric (chiffon? organza?). Definitely got some real "princess power" going here...

 

January Jones

I just adore the old-time Hollywood glamour she evokes! The shade of blue is just perfect for her (what would you call this color - electric?) and brings out her eyes. I like the neat fabric enhancements - very unusual, but they work so well. And she's got pockets hidden inside - how clever! It's also great to see a nicely fitted dress that doesn't look like it will split when she sits down. :) Her golden curls (Ala Veronica Lake) finish her look off perfectly.

 

Amanda Seyfried

This girl is special to me, due to her name, and it was lovely to see her decked out so sweet and classy. The gown seems very age-appropriate and the draping is quite nice. The shoulder strap has a unique touch and her jewelry and hair suit perfectly. Unfortunately, it's that color I hate, but I'll forgive that one little error. ;)

 

Kate Winslet

Not just the big winner on Sunday evening, she got my applause the moment she stepped onto the red carpet. Sticking with a time-tested classic style, she brings some surprises of her own. What appears to be a simple black strapless formal is actually a wrap-dress (probably faux, which is why it stays together ;), cinched with a pretty diamond-studded belt and crossing at the bodice in a very unusual neckline shape. My opinion? It rocks. :)

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For me, the big disappointments of the evening were focused on two women. Amy Adams borrowed the Wicked Witch of the West's prom gown, and Renee Zellweger either didn't think through her outfit well enough, or forgot a crucial piece of clothing. Oh well...

As far as bad fashion goes; Cameron Diaz looked like she jumped out of bed and threw on a wrinkled sack; Jennifer Lopez seriously needed a towel to wrap around herself; and Drew Barrymore must have come through a thunder storm, which would account for the state and color of her gown, along with her hair. ;)

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Well, this was loads of fun and I hope to do it again in the future (although an Oscar report will probably be late, due to Rebekah's wedding!). For your further enjoyment, I wrote up a lighthearted "commentary" on Sunday evening, while the awards were taking place. Check it out and get a chuckle! ;)

DISCLAIMER: I do not endorse or recommend the Golden Globe Awards. Just attempting to cover the "good" fashion of the event. ;)

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Keeping Cozy

One thing I love about winter is when everything is cozy. Now, this doesn't happen every day. We don't crank our heat to the 80 degrees needed to keep the tip of my nose warm, and I'm usually in my frigid basement growing icicles. I hate heavy clothing and refuse to layer on socks and sweaters until I am an Eskimo (hey! I need to be able to walk around and do stuff! ;). But on other days, like today, the snow is falling gently outside; my dad is shoveling the driveway; kiddos are drinking hot chocolate at the table; and I, well...I don't have anything pressing to do. Which means I can stay in my pajamas as long as I want and curl up on the couch with a book. :)

I love cozy winter PJs (although I'll admit I don't have many that meet my high standards of comfort, warmth and style ;) - they're one of those simple things in life and every girl or woman should have a set or two. Here's some favorite lovelies I've been browsing - if anyone wants to send me a late Christmas present, I certainly won't complain! ;)

These beautiful ensembles are from Soft Surroundings, a company that specializes in romantic and unique clothing. I love the cozy two-piece sets here, and that robe...ahh. Glamour at it's finest. :) See all Soft Surroundings sleepwear and robes.

What could be more elegant than this romantic pink boudoir gown? Truly something that a famous literary heroine would wear as she went about her morning toilette. The white ensemble is fit for peasant or princess - just sweet. See all Victorian Trading Co. clothing.

These pieces are the epitome of old-fashioned grace and bring back memories of a simpler age. One thing I loved about the BBC's new production of Jane Eyre was all the sweet night-gowns she wore. These ones give me the same cozy feeling... See all April Cornell nighties.

Lastly, Macy's offers these fabulous winter ensembles at great prices - and so much variety to choose from! Whether you're a PJ or Nightie girl, there's probably something there for you. I'm eyeing the blue ensemble myself - love the glamourous vintage look! :) See all Macy's pajamas and robes.

Which are your favorites and how do you keep cozy throughout the snowy season?

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P.S. I just got Twitter! Care to join me? :)

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