Yay for a super chic trend that is MODEST! We are loving the lengths of the stylish Midi and Maxi skirt. They are feminine, easy-to-wear, and available in so many colors and fabrics- you won’t want to stop wearing them!

More Asos…

By Sarah Martin

I have often wondered to myself, while looking at a particularly trendy friend or at a fascinating stranger, how they ever managed to assemble their ensemble. I sometimes grow envious, not at the girl, but at her wallet which I conclude must be much more full than mine. I think to myself, over and over, that if only I had the money she does, I could be as pretty, as happy, as positively good-looking. But then I am brought to my senses, and I must smile at how ridiculous my thoughts must have sounded. 

I don’t know about you, but I am a poor college student, and before that, I was a poor high schooler. For years I was plagued with the idea that you have to have money in order to take part in any kind of fashion. I thought that department stores were the haven of the perfect blouse and the amazing handbag. Then, my world was changed when I was introduced to thrift stores. 

Why I Love Thrifting

The amazing thing about fashion today is that it’s so versatile. We are so lucky to live in a time when there are so many variations on what’s trendy. We can go hipster, we can go school girl, we can go Marilyn Monroe if we so choose. With the right hemlines and accessories, we can rock any decade that sparks our fancy, and our ability to create entirely new styles has never been more accepted. Even with the values of modesty that we hold dear, we can create looks for ourselves that are not only fabulous, but completely unique.

On a modest budget, a good thrift store can do amazing things for any fashionista. One girl’s trash becomes another girl’s treasure, as the saying goes, and it’s completely true. Some of my favorite pieces in my closet I found at one thrift store or another, and I just love being able to shock people when I tell them what I paid for my designer find. Though thrift stores can be a little overwhelming, it’s important to understand that not every thrift store is created equal. Hopefully I can help you start your thrift store hunt.

I remember walking into my first thrift store and feeling completely overwhelmed. I stared in amazement at the tables and cabinets simply teeming with anything and everything. I felt like I couldn’t touch anything, and stood still for fear that even breathing would knock something over. But then my curiosity won over. I began to pry under stacks of newspaper, and to move the boxes of old records. 

5 Tips for Your Thrift Store Experience

• Tip #1: Move things! Thrift stores are very rarely organized, and if they are, it is probably impossible to tell, so don’t be afraid to shift things around and dig a little. You are hoping to find a bargain, so don’t be surprised if you have to work at it. 
• Tip #2: Talk to the owner! or the workers there, whoever looks mildly amused by what they are doing. The owners of thrift stores are sometimes very interesting people. They may seem a bit outlandish, and I’ve known a few to smell faintly of cats and chicken soup, but don’t let that deter you. These people have probably spent years amassing the collection of objects in their crowded store, and very well may have some great stories and suggestions to go along with their treasures. I never would have found my favorite, authentic leather belt ($ 10!!) if I hadn’t asked the nice man behind the counter. And don’t be afraid to haggle! This can be a little scary at first, but you can do it! if you think something is overpriced, it probably is, so tell the salesman. Most of the time, they will lower the price for you. 
• Tip #3: Have a Goal! Its helpful whenever you are shopping to have something in mind to look for, maybe a color that you don’t have enough of, or a belt, maybe some gold earrings. If you have a question in mind, your more likely to find an answer. Be sure though, that you keep your mind open to other things though while you search. I find that I usually stumble upon my best finds while looking for something else. 
• Tip  #4: Fix it! Often times, I have to make minimal changes to what I buy after I bring in home. I’ll cut the shoulder pads out of a shirt or take some nail-polish remover to a bag to get the smudges off. If I had to make changes to something new, I probably wouldn’t buy it, but remember, you are not buying something new. The beauty of an object is in the eye of the beholder, and that is so true with thrifting. I bought this white pencil skirt once, and the girls I brought with me looked a bit concerned. They saw the rust stains of the previous hanger and the pen marks by the hem, but I saw a missing puzzle piece to my wardrobe. I took some Tide-Pen to it, threw it in the wash, and now I can’t wear it without getting compliments. Best three-dollar investment I have ever made. When you buy it, it’s yours! You have the power to change it, to cut it, to synch it, to dye it even. My favorite part of thrift-store shopping is the amount of creativity it allows you to have on your limited budget, so don’t be afraid to make your purchase yours. 
• Tip #5: Keep Trying! Like I said, all thrift stores are definitely not created equal. Sometimes a store that may look promising is a total flop. Sometimes it’s just not your day. Sometimes you may have the wrong group of friends with you who are just not very interested in some heavy searching. Whatever the reason for your bad thrifting experience, please don’t give up. For every sad little store, there are dozens of amazing shops that will seem as though set up specifically for you, so give thrifting a few more tries. 

Happy Hunting!

Well, ladies, I hope this helped. I know that thrift stores truly inspire me to be more creative, more involved in what I wear, and help me to have so much fun with fashion. Go out and find your local thrift stores and start searching, you will be amazed at what you can find on a limited budget. Good luck hunting!

Sarah Martin is a student at Brigham Young University and is pursuing a major in print journalism. She loves fashion and aspires to work on a fashion magazine that expresses the values of modesty she has come to revere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtzIcz7MOkc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PF0h7oqUEQ

By Fiona McAllister

With compelling characters and storyline, no wonder Twilight Fever struck so many. But beyond the surface, we need to be careful about the messages we take from Stephenie Meyer's books about dealing with love and life.

Sometimes, relationships like Bella and Edward's can be so intoxicating that you just can't get enough of each other, and like them you want to spend every possible moment together. To a certain point this is okay, but when does it become unhealthy? Edward can be overbearing and extremely jealous of anyone being with Bella. Bella's whole identity becomes built upon her relationship with Edward, to the exclusion of almost anyone and anything else. Having a great relationship with your boyfriend of course includes doing fun things and spending time together, but you also need to make sure you have a healthy balance of time spent with friends, family, school (or work) and interests.

Since having a relationship end is very upsetting, you need to have healthy coping mechanisms. Bella does not. She goes practically catatonic for 3 months after Edward dumps her, and then engages in extremely and increasingly risky behavior, like taking a thrill ride on a motorbike with a complete stranger, and jumping off a cliff into the ocean, simply to have the hallucination of hearing Edward's voice. A relationship cannot be so all consuming that if it ends you having nothing left. Healthy coping includes things like talking with your friends, parents, or someone else who is close to you for support; taking time for yourself like going on walks or riding a bike because exercising can really help get those endorphins (the feel good hormone) going in your brain; and most importantly praying for strength and healing.

Bella and Edward also spend time together in ways before they are married that could lead down a risky moral path. Edward sneaks into Bella's room and goes to sleep with her in her bed behind her father's back. They also spend time making out to the point where Bella practically begs Edward to have sex with her, and only his resistance stops this from happening. Although possible to not have sex doing these activities, it is very unlikely. Keep yourself from the heartache by saving these interactions for your husband. Give your boyfriend hugs, warm hand holding, and goodnight kisses after a date.

Of most importance, is to take a look at how Edward and Bella build their relationship. It is based on physical attraction, belief of how the other person is too perfect for them, and unhealthy behaviour. Edward keeps the truth from Bella in order to "protect" her and they have an obsessive compulsion to spend time with each other. Bella even describes her relationship with Edward by saying that he is like a drug to her, and she is addicted. That will only take you so far in the real world.

On the other hand, Bella and Jacob build their relationship entirely differently. It is based upon common interests, friendship, loyalty, and of course physical attraction too. Bella has a comfortable companionship with Jacob. She describes him as her personal sunshine, and best friend, but most importantly Jacob is always upfront and honest with Bella. For lasting relationships to develop, both partners need to have shared interests, be comfortable with each other, have open an honest communication, friendship and mutual respect.

So ultimately? Go ahead and read the Twilight Saga; but carefully observe how Bella builds and works in her relationships with both Edward and Jacob, and think about which style is realistically going to bring a lasting and happy relationship.

Fiona McAllister is a young, married mom who is addicted to style and fashion. She also loves kids, exercising, dancing, and dating her husband. She graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, with a focus in fashion and family. She writes freelance and lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

By Jessica Lippe

Sherwood Pictures (the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia) has made three wonderful, Christ-based films: Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. These movies were made with low budgets and no paid actors, but they still didn’t fail to touch the lives of many. Their newest movie, Courageous, may just be their best movie yet! It comes to theaters on September 30th, but here’s a little sneak peek for you!

Watch the Trailer:

Crime is evident on the streets of Albany, and it’s up to the law enforcement to keep everyone safe. Adam Mitchell and his three friends give their all to serve and protect while in uniform, but at home with their families, they’re not exactly giving 100%. After hearing the sheriff give statistics about how so many of today’s thieves and drug dealers grew up in a home where the father was absent, the men want to be there for their kids, but at the same time have no idea where to start. It isn’t until a family tragedy that Adam resolves to use Biblical truths to become a better husband and father.  His three coworkers, as well as his friend Javier, decide to take this pledge with him. This resolution does not make their jobs as fathers or as officers any easier. In fact, things seem to become more difficult. But having faith and following God’s will gives these men courage to step out and say “I WILL”, no matter what it takes.

During the course of this film, you will double over at laugh-worthy jokes, cry through sentimental moments, and cling to the edge of your seat with intense action scenes. It’s a movie that stirs all kinds of emotions, but best of all, Courageous is a movie that will hopefully stir something inside of you to be courageous and live for God.
The focus of this movie is fatherhood, so it’s great to take your dad, grandpa, or husband too. But even if you see the movie with just a group of girlfriends, it will still impact you and encourage you. Taylor Hutcherson plays Jade, the teenage daughter of Nathan Hays in Courageous. She says, “This movie has really been a large influence in my relationship with my own father. Courageous is a great movie that speaks to fathers across the board, there is a message in there that speaks to all.”

Because Courageous is a movie about law enforcement officers who deal with criminals involved in gangs, violence and drug dealing, this movie is rated PG-13. However, you can really see how this movie was made to honor God, even among the dangers that real-life police face. Taylor Hutcherson also told me about life on the set: ’People would just come up to me and ask, “Hey can I pray with you?” I loved the atmosphere! Every morning we would have devotions and we were just able to see how God was working among the set. Also a highlight on the set was working hard on a scene and seeing how the whole thing came together so beautifully!”

Check your local theater to see if Courageous is coming soon, or learn more at http://www.courageousthemovie.com/!

Jessica Lippe is a writer for several publications, including Girlz4Christ. She is from Southern Oregon, but is currently interning at a camp in Nebraska.

It's Never Too Late by Jen Loch

I've been the children's primary pianist in my LDS wards for many years, and one day it occured to me that there aren't many songs about repentance in the children's hymnbook. So I decided to write one. This song is meant to be for kids and teens, but it can work for any age. I recorded it at home so it's not a professional recording, but I wanted you to be able to hear it. Hope you like it! -Jen

Here are the Lyrics:

Verse 1

If I ever do something I know is wrong
I might want to run from the Lord
And the guilt that I feel
When I've disobeyed His word
But that's when I need His help the most-
I'll cry to Him in prayer
I'll make the choice to repent
And do my best to make repair
Because I know He loves me
And He wants me on His side.
It's never too late
To do what's right.

Verse 2

No matter how big or how small it is
I can be forgiven
If I give them to Him
He will take away my sins
And He will also take away
The sorrow that I feel
Replacing it with peace and hope
As only He can heal.
The world can be a dark place
And the only light is Christ.
It's never too late
To do what's right.

Slouchy tops can be modest because of their loose fit, but often they have a really wide neckline that hangs off the shoulder. They don't always have to hang off the shoulder though. In fact we've seen a lot of them lately that don't! Here are some examples:

More Forever 21…