Plus-Size Fashion Giveaway!!!

It's been a while since we had a give-away, and I am so excited to be able to host this one from Fashion To Figure!

One of my pet peeves about the fashion industry is how it's so saturated with the idea that "thinner is  better." As if being downright nonsense wasn't enough, this belief has brainwashed the apparel companies and made it harder for curvy girls to find clothing in stores... in their size, flattering styles, and the right fit for their figure. How annoying!

Thankfully, there are full-fashion clothing companies out there. And one of their items could be inside your own closet really soon... :)

The winner of this week's giveaway will get to pick any $30 or under item from Fashion To Figure! There's a lot to choose from: dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, and a ton of gorgeous tops. Here's just a few of my favorites...

How To Enter:

• Leave a comment on this post. You must include an email address or some other way to contact you if you win. 1 entry
• Follow AmandaBeth through Blogger/Google/other feed, AmandaBFly on Twitter (I follow back!), Amanda Flynn on Tumblr, or become a fan of AmandaBeth on Facebook - 1 entry for each
• Post about the giveaway (on your blog, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, et cetera. You must include the link in your comment!) - 2 entries for each

Please post a separate comment for each way you enter or additional entries will not be counted. (It is not necessary to comment twice for the 2 entries received from posting the giveaway online.)

The giveaway will end midnight (EST) on June 30, 2011. A winner will be draw through random.org, announced the following day, and contacted by email.

Be sure to check out more of the beautiful styles at Fashion To Figure! Thanks so much for stopping by this evening and good luck! :)

-Amanda

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one dress ~ 100 days ~ for orphans

In the midst of the craziness that is my life right now, it's a breath of fresh air to come across a project like this one...

One girl's goal: Raise $50,000 for orphans in India.
How to accomplish the goal: Wear one dress for 100 hundred days. 

Yes, that's right... the lovely Miss Elaini is using fashion to raise funds, and showing just how versatile that Little Black Dress can be. Not only is she is modest, graceful and feminine in both her dress and her blogging, but she always keeps the goal in sight. Her endless creativity and passion for her endeavor is inspiring, to say the least.

You must skip over to Miss Elaini's blog and check it out for yourself. Be sure to read her inspiring personal story and catch all the details on the incredible journey. And please take time to consider donating to this cause. It would be a beautiful thing to see her reach her goal.

Now that I think of it, if AmandaBeth Online's 494 Blogger followers alone were to each donate a mere 20 dollars to this effort, that would be almost $10, 000. Wow. Everyone doing their small part can make a big difference. :)

I hope everyone has a beautiful and restful weekend! God bless.

-Amanda

P.S. My time over the next 3 weeks is very, very limited. This blog has been in my thoughts a lot recently, and I will try to sneak in a post here or there, but until one very big project has been completed, I may be scarce...

So browse the archives, hang tight, and feel free to leave your comments. (I always read them, even when I don't have time to reply! :) Love you all!

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I am a passerby...

People watching. In the mall, through the grocery store, at the park. My eyes follow the individuals that pass me by; I try to read their life story from their faces... and wonder if they even know that I am watching them.

The tired woman at the cash register who looks like she's having an awful day. I smile and greet her, "Hi! How are you?" When I leave, I'm sure to say, "Thank you very much," and wish her a good day.
I wonder what would happen if I asked her what was wrong, and stopped to listen for a moment.
But I am a passerby, and it's none of my business.

The young guy I ask to help me find something in the home dec department. He leaves what he's doing, looks long and hard and finally calls in a manager for backup. And then he stands by politely while the latter assists, even though his work there is done. Oh yes, and he's pretty cute. I smile. I thank him warmly. And walk out of the store.
I wonder what would happen if I asked him what his name was.
But I am just a passerby, and not the kind of girl who asks some random guy out.

The old woman making her way slowly down the grocery aisle. I stop to stare at how graceful she is. Her clothes are flattering and I can tells she knows her best colors. Her hair is tastefully arranged and she's taken the time to put on makeup. And she looks happy... absolutely glowing.
I wonder what would happen if I were to say, "You are beautiful!"
But I am a passerby and don't want to scare some old lady by telling her I want to look that good when I'm eighty.

The young girl who's running around at the playground where I watch my sisters. I hear her mother call her, "Amanda!" Hmm... she has my name. She's definitely a firstborn, with lots of personality and determination. I watch the way she bosses the boys and tries to prove she's tougher than they are. I see myself in her... fifteen years ago.
I feel like introducing myself; saying "hi" to her mom and telling her what's going on inside her daughter's head.
But I am just a passerby, and I'm not being paid to befriend children and give their parents advice on raising them... yet.

The boy at the mall, being teased by his "friends." They are going too far... shoving him not-so-playfully. He is clearly upset, maybe even close to tears.
I wonder what would happen if I walked up and said, "Hey guys. What's going on here?" Or just stared them down.
But I am a passerby, and I don't get involved in fights among strangers.

I want to reach out, speak up, and show a piece of God's love.
But I stay silent, keep my head down, and don't interfere.
That's what we passerbys do.

Should I be something more than just a passerby?

-Amanda

P.S. This song by one of my favorites, Allie Moss, takes my own thoughts on this subject a little further. Give it a listen – it's really special. :)

Image: Dustjacket Attic

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