Hello, Hello!

Hello everyone!!!

First off, I would like to apologize for not having posted anything since February....I had a very involved spring semester of college that included going on a volunteer service trip over spring break and not having a free weekend since the beginning of March! I am going to try and get back into the swing of posting again this summer (even though its almost 1/3 over.....CRAZY!!) So without postponing this any further, here's the first post of the summer!

Summer is either a great time or bad time for people in the fashion world. It's the time to show off those legs that haven't seen the sunlight since winter started, as well as your arms, and you hate how white you look. Now you've got your tan started and are happy to show off your legs and arms now. Others, still hate to show their legs and arms for fear of people judging them on the lack of toned muscles. I'm here to tell you one thing-don't let that get in the way of putting on that adorable tank top, shorts, and/or dress. No matter how toned or not toned you are, there is always something that your body will look good in that is summer-like. Here are some tips on what summer clothes work and what clothes don't work:

• Shorts: Ok ladies.....just because you are skinny as a beanpole and have perfectly toned legs, that doesn't mean we need to wear shorts that almost allow our butt to hang out or the pockets go further than shorts themselves go. This being said, you don't have to go out and buy bermudas either. The best rule of thumb in buying shorts, and what I grew up with, is if it reaches your finger tips (standing perfectly straight and not manipulating your shoulders to make it work) then it is appropriate. If it goes past them, that is great, too. If they are shorter than your fingertips, then you might want to consider getting the next size up if they fit or just not getting them altogether. Athletic shorts can be excluded from this, but don't go completely crazy with how short they are either. Modesty when buying shorts attracts the guy's attention, not shorts where they can see everything you have.
• Tops: With summer comes tank tops and cleavage. There is a "healthy" level of cleavage as well as an "unhealthy" level of cleavage. If you can bend over and see everything, then you need a bandeau or another cami on. It's the same as shorts, let the guys see that you have curves, but don't let them see it all. Wearing lower cut shirst is fine, but respect yourself and others enought to know when it needs another shirt underneath it or not. I love tank tops and wear them practically everyday during the summer....again, though, be modest in what you wear. There are some super cute covering tank tops that don't require a cami, bandeau, or another tank top underneath it.
• Shoes: Anything goes during the summer for shoes. Preferably, please don't wear cowboy boots with shorts unless you're going to the rodeo or are from the country lifestyle. Other than that, have fun with your shoes! There are more choices in summer shoes than winter shoes.
• Accessories: This is the same as shoes....have fun with them, just don't go overboard. Scarves are perfectly ok to wear during the summer with a tank and shorts or even with a dress. There is a point at which you can go overboard with accessories....don't hit that point when you are having fun accessorizing your outfit.

I believe that is all I really have to say about summer clothing. It is much easier to dress more provocatively during the summer, but I promise you will look much better if you dress modestly. Guys don't want the girls who show off everything they have; they want the girls who respect their bodies and show that by dressing appropriately. The Bible states in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do." I don't know how much simpler I can put that. Expensive clothes and jewelry may be attractive to the secular person, but only the eternal brothers and sisters you have really matter. Who are you dressing to please?? Remember we should all be dressing to please God and your other brothers and sisters. But before we even do that we should be serving God with all of our hearts. Combine a servants heart with a modestly dressed woman and there is going to be no stopping her. I care deeply that you all feel good about what you're dressed in, but make sure you are clothing yourself in servanthood to Christ before you are clothing yourself in material items.

Go out and be beautiful serving women of God!

Your Fashionista,
Justina