Scent of a Woman

Miss Marisa is one of my besties! She is always there for me and is an instant pick me up to my day and special occasions. One of my dearest friends even asked if she could wear her on her wedding day! This is what Lucky Scent has to say about the fragrance, "Everyone knows someone like Miss Marisa. Pretty without working at it, smart without being a show-off. In high school, she was the girl who could hang with anybody - geeks, jocks or the popular crowd. Beloved by all and totally cool. A unique and dazzlingly fresh fragrance with dancing notes of cassis and cool mint. Brilliant. We can’t get enough of this!"

I contacted Lucky Scent to give us tips on how to pick a fragrance out for yourself. This is what Franco has to say, "truly the best way to choose a fragrance is sampling. If you know you like floral, or vanillas, its easy to find such perfumes on our site and order samples-- we recommend only trying 2 at a time (one on each arm), per day, so your nose doesn't get too overwhelmed-- and also gives you adequate time to smell the opening and drydown of a scent. If you are not sure what types of fragrance, we also have categories on our site (left hand navigation), such as 'fresh' or 'unique/exotic'.. which are identifiers that we hope help guide along. And finally, don't be afraid to try new perfumes! Just because it lists musk or patchouli, don't let that deter you if you have pre-conceived ideas about musk or patchouli... you never know!"

This is great advice! I love how you can orders samples from their site. They make great gifts too!

Spotlight: Ephesians 5:1-3 says, " 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."

Sisters, live a life of love! This is pleasing to the Lord, we are only strangers passing by but we are here to love all who enter into our lives. Leave a fragrant aroma to those around you!

Embellish Yourself

An embellished tee is a not so versatile piece but if your brain doesn't seem to be working when you are getting dressed this is an easy fix. You can wear this casual with jeans, or dress it up with a pencil skirt. You could also put it over a button up and make it super preppy. No matter which way you choose to wear it, you will always feel glamorous!

If you are willing to purchase this beauty (I'm pretty sure this will be out of season soon), you can make one yourself, take a chunky necklace and sew it onto a simple Hane's tee. It will take some playing around with, but I think it will work if you don't have it

in your budget to buy this JCrew version.

Spotlight: 4 One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

When you are getting ready in the morning, or whatever time of day remember to praise our God. After all, you are getting ready in His house, and His closet. Everything on this earth that belongs to you is essentially on loan from Him.

Leave These at Home!

This is a perfect example of deciding for yourself which trends to follow. This would be a great example of a NO! As a woman, we feel it is right to embrace our femininity, however if it is a trend that causes chaos, or unnecessary attention- leave them in your lingere drawer.

Spotlight:

1John 2:10 says, "10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him[a] to make him stumble."

If you are living in the light and have a relationship with God, then you know your value is not in your appearance or attention given to you by others. It is by grace that you have been saved, and you walk knowing that God loves you and created you and He thinks you are beautiful!

Pencil Me In

The pencil skirt is a classic that your closet will appreciate. This shape makes it's way onto the runway and into your favorite stores season after season. If you do not currently own a pencil skirt, may I suggest a neutral color (grey, black or brown) to ease you into the classic trend. It is ideal to wear pumps, not only for your self esteem but also to make you look more like a super model and less like an office cubicle extraordinaire :) Depending on your work environment this trend can be worn several ways. May I suggest looking on J.Crew's website, they have countless ways to wear this look.

Spotlight:

"1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3

Can you imagine what your life would look like if you were completely humble and gentle 100% of the time? Or take it one step further, if others were like that??? I know! Crazy. This verse is such a challenge! Our pray for you is that you will love others, and have patience for everyone in your life, just as Christ has patience with you. When you are feeling at your whit's end we pray that you take a step back and see where they are coming from. Look at the situation from another perspective. Have grace towards one another, and towards yourself. God gives it out endlessly.

Quench That Thirsty Skin

As the seasons change, our skin feels the effect the same way we do. You may be noticing your skin being a bit dryer and feeling, somewhat, tight. We hear all the time the great benefits of water and how we need to drink more of it. Drinking more water is just as beneficial for the functioning of the skin as it is for the body. You won't see me without my SmartWater bottle.
I am a big believer that you must hydrate from the inside out as well as the outside in. When our skin is dry or dehydrated is shows in every crease, crevice, and, pore. Not to mention our makeup does not go on smooth or look even. In my book, this is definately a huge fashion faux pas because our face makes one of the biggest first impressions. To take your face from drab to fab in a instant, I suggest Youngblood Minerals in the Mist to quench that thirsty skin. You can carry it with you anywhere and use it as often as you want throughout the day. It not only will give the skin a "water break" everytime you use it, but it is jam packed with moisture binding vitamins and minerals. After cleansing your skin, apply your favorite moisturizer (my pick of choice:Pumpkin Cream Essence by Rhonda Allison)and SPF (my pick of choice: Obagi SPF30)then spritz on Youngblood Mineral Mist to lock in moisture, then again after apply your makeup to set the foundation. This mineral mist is one big "pick me up" and is a great way to jumpstart the skin as well as your senses. I like to think of it as a "breath of fresh air" for the skin. Youngbloods Mineral Mist comes in three tantalizing teasing blends-Refresh(Tangerine and Grapefruit), Restore(Grapefruit, Lime, and Rosemary), and Recharge(Mint and Ginger). You will never achieve that sought after healthy glow without hydration. So next time your skin is looking a bit dull grab, spritz, and go.. and your on to a healthy and hydrated look.

Spotlight:

Jesus reminds us in John7:37-38 that "If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him".

Spiritually parched? We encourage you to go to Jesus. Talk to him about what is sucking you dry. You will find yourself getting to a place of overflow...

Refresh, Restore, and Recharge in a mistful sort of way.

Cover Girl

It has been a long time since the cover of a magazine has taken my breath away, but this one did the job. Gwen Stefani looks amazing!!! Her look is breathtakingly (is this even a word? :0) gorgeous! She looks so soft and approachable...a look that never goes out of style. Want to re-create the look??? I mean who wouldn't want a look this good?! Here are the product must-haves:
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer No.1 EvenSkin
JK Jemma Kidd Pro Finish Moisture Tint Collection
JK Jemma Kidd Stain/Flush/Blush Makeup Concentrate - Masquerade
Ardell Fashion Lashes Strip - Black (105)
Boots No7 Extreme Length Mascara - Black
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Eye Color Cream - Fudge
Boots No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick - Chic
There you have it girls. A face of gorgeous glam certain to have others screaming...Cover Girl!!!
And ummmmm, one more small thing...this look is yours for just under $100! This is a time you have full permission to go gossip to all. Your wallet will thank you!

Spotlight:
How often do we pick up a magazine, look at the cover model, flip through, look at the pictures, and put it back? I'm not at all suggesting that we fill our minds with tabloid garbage, but it do think it is interesting that we will stare all day at a face, and never find out more about the face we are so drawn to. Part of being a cover girl for a magazine is the interview that goes along with the photoshoot. She has a story to tell!!!
While reading about Gwen, I learned that she took breaks between shoots to nurse her little one, something I would have never known about her had I chosen not to look inside.
This forced me to ask myself two question that I now present to you:

1.) Are you creating and making up an attractive person that people are drawn to?
2.) If so, what is the storey on the inside (who am I reflecting, what am I promoting)?

2 Corinthians 5: 16-20 (The Message)
16-20Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

The truth is we are cover girls for something. Wear your external beauty in such a way that women not only flip through the pages, but look inside. Create the opportunity to tell someone else about Jesus, and be a...(Sing it with me)...Biblically Beautiful...Cover Girl!!!!!!

Scarfed With Light

Photography: Blake Campbell
Makeup: Chelsie Trumphour
Model: Ashley Summerfield

Ok this is just too good to keep to myself. One the same day we posted Walk in the Light
this picture was released. I honestly wasn't expecting it for weeks, as it was only taken three days ago. I cannot even tell you the emails and Facebooks that have come our way over this talk of walking in the light. I cannot encourage you enough to get with a close friend and talk through your struggles. What are some things you can do to let your life light up? What friends do you need to talk to? What accountability do you have in place? I remind you of the words form Matthew 5.

Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Girls, God loves us way too much to get caught in the dark. Get a bright scarf for you and a friend and talk about the tough stuff. Remember that darkness does not define the light, but light certainly defines the darkness. Go light up...bright scarf and all.
Enjoy the video below to Christy Nockles song Life Light Up.