Style Profile: Carrie Sims

By Lisa Byrd Thomas

Gray Vest and woven belt from BP at Nordstrom. White tee from Down East Outfitters. White & Gray striped pants from Old Navy. White pointed-toe flats by Nine West.

Carrie Sims is a Southern girl who brings to fashion what her current home, Memphis, brings to music…diversity. This freelance hairstylist, wife, and mother of two explains, “My style is like my life. It’s a lot of different things, but it’s all me. I like to think that I am able to take the best parts from all that fashion has to offer whether it be earthy or chic, soulful or playful, trendy or classic.”

Purple swing top and gold necklace from Forever21. Skinny jeans from BP at Nordstrom. Athena Alexander wedge sandals from Nordstom. Brown tee by Shade. Diesel cuff bracelet purchased at Down East Outfitters.

Carrie’s individual style is just that: individual. She is not afraid to experiment and let her personality show in the clothes she wears. “I wear what I like for no other reason than I just like it. I love the confidence I feel when I’m rocking a look that I really love.”

Black & White striped cropped sweater from Forever21. Printed Tee from TJ Maxx. Gap jeans. Wedge shoes from Forever Young Shoes.

And what is Carrie’s advice to anyone who loves an outfit, but feels like they can’t pull it off? With encouragement she exclaims, ”You get that outfit and you rock it!”

Pink dress from Charlotte Russe. White tee by Shade. Brown cropped cardigan sweater from Old Navy. Leopard flats are HotKiss from Famous Footwear.

Photography by Lisa Thomas

Style Profile: Aurora Florence

It's time for another Style Profile, where we feature someone who stands out with unique modest style-- wearing outfits from their own closet! This is Aurora Florence from Loomis, California. She loves thrift stores and says that almost all her clothes are secondhand store discoveries.





A little about Aurora: A student at BYU, Aurora is majoring in music, theater, and dance. She was homeschooled her whole life and has a cat named Steve. She loves Shakespeare, and her favorite movie is The Last Unicorn. Aurora enjoys going backpacking and to culture festivals, and dancing in the rain.





Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley (LynShelley.com).

July 4th Fashion

It's hot, and you want to have fun in the sun while staying modest!

I thought it would be fun to do an Independence Day themed fashion shoot, because although our readers don't all live in the USA, most do. I think it's good to have patriotism for the country that you call home. Here in the US, it has become somewhat unpopular to be patriotic. It seems more popular to be jaded and critical about the government. And while I don't agree with everything that goes on in government, I still think my country is a great place to live. There are reasons why so many people each year want to leave their home countries and move to the US. We can all do our part to make our country what we want it to be, so I want to remind everyone to vote and make your voice heard whenever you get the chance!  -Jen


Shirt, Daytrip: Buckle.com. Tank Undershirt, gapbody.com. Shorts, Billy Blues: Nordstrom. Shoes, BC Footwear: endless.com.


Shirt, Vintage. Skirt, Christa Taylor.


Shirt, Daytrip: Buckle.com. Dress, BB Dakota: Karmaloop.com. Shoes, BP: Nordstrom.


Shirt by O’Neill, Macy’s. Vest (worn backwards) and Shorts, Hot Kiss: Buckle.com.



Shirt by Belle Du Jour, and Jacket by Fire Los Angeles, Macy’s. Shorts, Vanilla Star Jeans. Leggings, Foot Traffic. Shoes, Vintage Gucci. Sunglasses, Diesel. Necklaces, Party Supply Store.

Busy Body: Feminine Prints & Vintage Aprons

Undershirt and Blouse, Buckle.com. Farmer's Market Skirt, DownEast Basics. Shoes, CharlotteRusse.com. Vintage apron, eBay.

Shirt, Earrings and Shoes, Buckle.com. Skirt, Kohl's. Vintage apron, eBay.

Confetti Dress, DownEast Basics. Sheer Blouse (worn over dress) and Earrings, Buckle.com. Vintage apron, eBay.

Plaid Blazer and Shorts, Kohl's. Blue Floral Top, Buckle.com. Tiny Hearts Tights, JoyOfSocks.com. Shoes, model's own.

Dress, Dillard's. Green Slip, Vintage Hem. Shoes, CharlotteRusse.com. Vintage apron, eBay. Scarf (in hair) Gap.com.

About the model: Nicole Booth is 18 and lives in Kaysville Utah. We asked her to tell us a little about herself. She said "I only model modest clothing... I think it sends a great message out to girls that you can feel beautiful and feminine without showing skin! I think being modest is beautiful and it shows that you have respect for your body and those around you. It's nice to be able to step away from the worldly image of women, and be different & classy. I really love photography, reading, and spending time with my family :) they are the best. My Friday nights consist of renting a movie and eating very unhealthy food :)"

Hair by Matthew Landis. Model: Nicole Booth. Fashion styling: Jennifer Loch.

Style Profile: Jennifer Loch

Here at *Jen* we'll be doing style profiles on different people, showing fashion from their own closets along with a short interview. We decided to start with an obvious choice-- Jennifer Loch, the founder of *Jen* Magazine.

Jennifer says "What I like changes from year-to-year of course as styles change, but I'm kind of an eccentric person, and my style has always been on the eccentric side as well. I get bored easily so I buy clothes that are fun for me to wear."

B&W Blouse by Mixit, JCPenny. Pants by Tripp NYC and Striped Shirt by NYC Boutique, Karmaloop.com. Bag and Hat by Tokidoki. Shoes by Royal Elastics.

"A hands-free purse is a must for me, and for the last couple of years I've used a small backpack-style purse. My current purse is this utility belt from Tokidoki for LeSportsac (above). It actually fits everything I need, and keeps me from carrying unnecessary stuff."

Tunic by Volcom, Pacsun. Leggings by Xhilaration, Target. Boots by Sugar, Endless.com. Red Paris Trench Coat Christa-Taylor.com. Zebra Vest (vintage) by iGirl.

"I like to buy clothes I can mix & match so I can create many outfits and I always look different. Lately I've been buying a lot of b&w and gray to mix with bold colors. I chose these outfits from those purchases, so the outfits are all interchangeable.

I shop from many of the modest clothing companies. They are great resources! I add other clothes and accessories to make it my style."

Striped Cap Sleeve Undershirt, Shade Clothing. T-Shirt by Paul Frank, and Arm Warmers by Burton, Karmaloop.com. Jeans by Obey, Urban Outfitters. Vest by Coffeeshop, Buckle. Socks, Journeys. Wildlife Preserve Shoes by BC, Shoes.com.

"I've always liked 'cute' Asian fashion. I'm 1/4 Japanese so it must be the Japanese in me. I love these bunny shoes (above)! They have a small wedge heel and can be worn anywhere. Besides being cute they're so comfy you think you're wearing actual bunny slippers."

Tokyo Tea Dress, Shabby Apple. Pants by Tripp NYC, and Necklace by NYC Boutique, Karmaloop.com. Hat and Scarf, Christa-Taylor.com. Stunner Ballet Flats by Keds, Endless.com. Coat by Sashimi, Nordstrom.

"Even though I really love fashion, when I'm at home I often wear my 'grubby' clothes. Those are the clothes that used to be my 'nice' clothes but are now worn out and old. Since I have a 1-year-old son, my clothes always get hit by food, drool, dirt, boogers and occasionally throw-up. I don't want my 'nice' clothes to get worn out from too many washings. When I go out I wear my nice clothes-- and they still look new because I spared them from the kiddo."

Vintage Turtleneck DownEast Basics. Short-Sleeve Hooded Top, Necklace and Earrings, Buckle. Skirt (vintage) by Wanted. Wait for No One Shoes in Silver by Seychelles, Zappos.com. Red tights, Foot Traffic. Flower Pin, Gap.

"I just turned 27, and most LDS women my age dress more conservatively, but fashion is a part of my personality that won't go away. I started *Jen* Magazine because I wanted a fashion magazine that featured styles I could actually wear."

Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley www.lynshelley.com.

Fashion Heaven: Angel-Inspired Modest Fashion

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12


The Tuxedo Dress in Pearl Blue $34.99 - DownEast Basics. The Have a Ball slip in Ivory $24.00 - Vintage Hem (use the promo code "JENGET5" to get $5 off any Vintage Hem purchase). Pearls $14.99 - Kmart.


Pima Half Sleeve Turtleneck in Ice Blue $21.50 - Shade Clothing. Big Button Cropped Cardigan with Angora $22.50 - Wet Seal. Silk Charmeuse A-Line Skirt in Ivory $39.00 - Barrie Pace. Necklace $12.00 - Buckle.com. Scarf - model's own.


Turtleneck with Ruffles in Ivory $28.50 - Shade Clothing. Callie knit shirt with braiding $41.00 - Layers Clothing. J. Lindeberg Patti Stretch Denim jeans in Off White $87.00 - Revolve Clothing. Necklace - photographer's own.


Sequin Tank Top $16.50 and Cabled Cardigan $19.50 - Wet Seal. Satin Pleated Skirt in Frost $69.00 - Amazon.com Necklace & Earrings - stylist's own.


Trim Detailed Blouse $21.50 - Wet Seal. Blush Tiered Skirt $19.99 - Amazon.com. Necklace $12.00 - Buckle.com.

A little about the model: Chloe Lemmon is 17, is in high school and currently works as a waitress. She loves sushi and reading herself to sleep.

Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley www.lynshelley.com. Fashion styling by Jennifer Loch. Model: Chloe Lemmon. Studio thanks to Studio 600.

Military Musings

When we decided to use military-inspired fashion as the theme for this photo shoot, we wanted it to bring to mind not physical war, but the spiritual battles we face every day.


DC Cover military hat- Amazon.com. Disney Couture earrings- Karmaloop.com. Capsleeve shirt and camisole- Modbe. Ammo vest- Army Navy Surplus Store. Military pants- Deseret Industries.

If you've ever played a game like laser tag or paintball, you know the feeling of being hunted. Well, sisters, we are being hunted (Revelation 12:17). Do we feel on guard the way we would feel if we were playing a war game? We should! We should get our guards up.


Volcom Scout Explore military hat- Amazon.com. Long Sleeve Button Up white shirt- Shade Clothing. Green shirt- Modbe. Necklace- Target. Ammo belt- Army Navy Surplus Store. Flirt Skirt- DownEast Basics. The Decoy camo slip Vintage Hem (use the promo code "JENGET5" to get $5 off any Vintage Hem purchase). Shoes- stylist's own.

The battle we are in is a battle for our souls. The world is a spiritual battle ground. It is especially a battle for the souls of the young! Satan's armies want to get us while we're young.


Jersey Tee in Pewter- Shade Clothing. Daytrip Paisley Top and BKE Beaded Necklace- Buckle.com. Bag- Army Navy Surplus Store. Jeans- model's own. Nau‏ghty Monkey Base Line shoes in Moss Zappos.com. Optional Vintage Helmet Liner cap- Army Navy Surplus Store.

The battle is also for our time, energy and interest. We must keep an eternal perspective.


Rosie the Riveter dress- Shabby Apple. Tie- Army Navy Surplus Store. Authentic WWII Gaiters- Ebay.com. Naughty Monkey Z Inside pumps Endless.com (overnight shipping is *negative* $5).


We can strengthen ourselves for this spiritual battle by staying close to the Lord through reading scriptures, praying, and getting rid of any negative influences. Stay strong, because we will win the battle! Don't allow yourself to be a casualty. -Jen



Here is a behind-the-scenes video we made for you!



A little about the model: Christina Crawford recently served an LDS mission to Spain. She is currently teaching 4th grade. Christina's favorite food is... meat!

Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley www.lynshelley.com. Fashion styling by Jennifer Loch. Model: Christina Crawford. Music in the video by Kevin MacLeod.