AmandaBeth - Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Melissa - I am a New England girl transplanted to Missouri a year ago after a 4th of July wedding to my wonderful husband, Jordan. We just had our 1st child, William Locksley, on the 15th of May. Getting married, moving to a completely different part of the country, moving into a new home, and having a child all in 12 months time has made for quite the year! Over the past year, I have enjoyed picking out tiles, paint, etc for our home which was a new endeavor for me. It has been a great thrill to be able to decorate a place of my own. I moved a lot growing up, so this is the first home I’ve been able to actually think about gardens, a new study I’ve recently taken up as well. Viva la roses!
AB - When did you first become interested in fashion? What inspired you as a child?
Melissa - Growing up, I was more of the girly girl in my family. I lived in dress up clothes most of my childhood (one advantage to homeschooling ;-) and loved to watch any movie where they had old fashioned clothes. The old Little Women with Elizabeth Taylor was a staple in our home simply because it was one of the few we owned that had such pretty dresses and historic charm! For much of my childhood my family participated in a local "Minutemen" group reenacting the War for Independence. We marched in parades and did encampments. So, history has been my greatest interest in the fashion world, and that love is due mostly from my great history loving Dad, who actually taught us basic sewing on a Colonial cape many years ago! I always longed for the beautiful styles of yesteryear to come back today, yet always came away grateful for our comforts in this day and age!
Growing up, we became really close friends with the Flynn girls. For one thing, we shared a common interest in beautiful old clothes. I remember sitting with my sister and a couple of Flynns, under our carport, drooling over the patterns from an old "Amazon Dry Goods" magazine, picking out the dresses we wanted for our weddings when we grew up. Ever since, we have studied clothing, sewing, and historic dress. Being able to work together on the clothes for my Medieval/Renaissance themed wedding was really a highlight; a culmination of all our childhood dreams of recreating historic fashion. Having a sister, and other “sisters” to share this love with is such a special memory I will take with me as I begin to reenact and dress up the next generation!
AB - How have your views on fashion and style changed as you've become older? What inspires you now?
Melissa - My views of fashion are pretty similar to what I had growing up. Our family over the years has always tried to keep Biblical principles of modesty and femininity at the forefront of our mind as we pick out clothes to buy and wear. I never liked wearing pants growing up…going back to being the girly girl…and just loved anytime I could wear a dress, which was most of the time, even not having the money to buy very many.
AB - How did you first hear about AmandaBeth Online?
Melissa - First heard about it? Um…I usually know of Amanda’s endeavors from the beginning. Having a busy year, I wasn’t fully able to sit down and appreciate her blog till just recently, which is how I found out about fashion week.
AB - If you could have your own clothing line, what types of designs would you create? Do you have any thoughts on how we can successfully impact the world of fashion?
Melissa - I probably would have a history-inspired line for sure. There just seems to be so much grace and elegance in the bygone eras that we could draw from and use today (though there were quite a few “fruity” styles as well…not all fashions in history were quite right ;-). As to the second question, the saying goes “It only takes one person to change the world”. So, if we start with ourselves, asking what is right and acceptable as women of God, we can influence those around us, and spread the message around the globe.
AB - Do you have a favorite style icon?
Melissa - I have many friends who inspire me with their style, especially those mothers and daughters who are able to be frugal without compromising style. My friends, the Zeses, always seem to manage this. For me, if there was ever an “icon” I had, it would be their family. Fashion, thrifty findings, and inward loveliness rooted in their relationship with their Savior wrap up into one beautiful package of fashion inspiration.
AB - What are some of your favorite pieces in your closet?
Melissa - Usually anything long and flowy is my favorite. Right now, I would say my white skirts are my top picks. I just love white, and I love feeling Queenly!
AB - What do you keep in mind when picking out an outfit each day? (Any wit or wisdom to share on how you bring it all together?)
Melissa - Not really more than what I’ve written about in this post. I am very visual and love beauty wherever I can find it, even if it is simple beauty. So even in the every day I try to keep that in mind. I really like April Cornell clothes as well and appreciate her theme of finding the art in the everyday. Just look outside, at the art of His creation! That is an inspiration!
AB - What are your favorite places to shop for clothing? Are there any special brands that you love?
Melissa - My absolute favorite is when I get a good hand-me-downs, but now that I am taller than most people I know, the hand-me-downs have become far fewer . So, I like thrift stores, and TJmaxx and Marshalls. I need to get back into sewing, because I love making clothes as well (though sometimes it is cheaper to buy than make!). And, as far as brands go, Soft Surroundings wins my vote for favorite unique, feminine pieces. I like Garnet Hill too, but most of that is just wishful thinking ;-)
AB - What are your favorite fashion and/or beauty tips or tricks? Have you discovered any "secrets" that you'd like to share?
Melissa - Mom always taught us what she learned in airline school, “If your hair is dirty, wear it up!”. This has been a good little trick when you’ve missed your shower ;-). If I wear separates, I like to pull in a color from either top or bottom to match…for example; there may be a little pink flower on the top, so I wear a pink skirt on the bottom. I’m working on pulling colors together that go, but aren’t too matchy. Haven’t quite mastered this one!
AB - At AmandaBeth Online, we try and emphasize the point that true beauty really comes from within. Do you have any thoughts on this important subject?
Melissa - My real beauty tip is just that, true beauty lies within. I love this verse and synopsis my friend just reminded me of,
2 Cor. 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
John Piper, in his book, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, says that, "beholding is becoming. When we are truly seeing Him, beholding Him, believing Him, we become a mirror image of His glory.” This is how we become “becoming”. Let’s let our lives be a mirror image of his glory, that those around us might see Him, even through what we wear. As Richard Baxter said, “Our nature’s are prone to pride and to excess in apparel”. Be cautious of this, and keep the true focus in mind,
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.”
Thanks to all of our "Featured Fashionistas" - it's been great to be able to share these posts with you! And thanks again to everyone who participated in fashion week, as well as all those who follow this blog - you are appreciated!!! :)
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