Guest Post | Olivia Howard {Fresh Modesty}

Hey y'all! I'm Olivia Howard from Fresh Modesty, my fashion blog, and Working with Eager Hands, my sewing blog. I'm a big-town to smaller-country-town transplant who is ever-so-slowly realizing that heels aren't always practical. =P My goal as a blogger is to encourage girls to dress modestly and gracefully with flattering, classy style, moderation, and creativity because we are ambassadors of Christ.

Ashley was so kind to ask me to guest post! I think we all agree she and Gabrielle have one of the best fashion blogs around. =)

Like Natasha, another guest poster this month, I do not believe that being modest equals being frumpy. As girls, we can have so much fun with our clothes! There are booku ways to get creative with eclectic combinations and colors. =) From our hair to our toenails, we have so many options! =D My personal style has taken some twists and turns through the years. I'd probably describe it now as just oxymoronic- hearty/dainty/fresh/classic/hippie/modern/country/city/feminine/rustic. =P Maybe I'm just confused. ;)

What I'm wearing: Arizona Tank- JCPenny's | Gray sweater shirt- Khol's | Skirt- Made by me | Gray bow boots- Steinmart | Scarf- souvenir gift from Scotland | Hay- courtesy of hungry cows ;) | Jewelry- by Droplette

An exercise I sometimes do on my blog is give a brief explanation of what I think makes an outfit "work". Today's outfit is pretty easy- The cornflower blue playful skirt gives some color to the simple gray shirt and boots. The boots' height and slim style help give the midi-length skirt a slimming quality. The scarf gave some extra warmth and a bit of extra color and texture. I love wearing chokers with V-necks to draw attention to the face, while the long drop earrings are flattering to my face shape. I don't wear my hair in a ponytail often, but because I had crimped my hair the night before, it gave enough texture and volume to it for a ponytail to be interesting and necessary. =D

Just because heels aren't always practical doesn't mean we

shouldn't indulge. ;) Suede high-heeled boots are a weakness of mine and

yes, I jumped around the hay barn rafters in mine for y'all. :D Scroll through

my fashion blog archives and you'll see I do a lot of balancing on

precarious perches for pictures. *grin*

Thanks for thinking of me, Ashley!

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Eep! Gabrielle & I adore your outfit, Olivia! Can we come to your house and raid your closet? *grin* Well, girls....Olivia is one of our favorite bloggers. We love her sewing projects & her outfits. We dearly want to meet up with her someday.

Interview | Mrs. Amber Apple

Hello everyone! Sorry my posts haven't been the best lately and I've been sorta of...um...missing in action. :D But the wait is worth it. Trust me it is. For today I have a special post for y'all! An interview with my blogging friend, Amber Apple. We met on Tumblr sometime last year and have been talking to each other ever since on our blogs and elsewhere. :)

Ashley - Hello Amber! I’m delighted you will let me interview you today on dressing vintage everyday. First question, what inspired you to dress vintage everyday? 

Amber - This may sound really funny, but one day I realized that I only had one life to live. With this huge realization I decided I was going to do all the things I've always been afraid to do. First on my list was to live like it's the 1940's. My husband and I moved to a new city and I had a lot of time on my hands so I started researching about the 40's and 50's!

Ashley - What are your favorite eras to wear?

Amber - The 1940's and 1950's are my absolute favourite! 

Ashley - Who inspires you fashion wise?

Amber - The Queen of England, Ginger Rogers, Mary Costa, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland and Audrey Hepburn!

Ashley - What advice would you give someone who wanted to dress vintage everyday?

Amber - Don't be afraid to do it! You only have one life to live, make the most of every moment! I get a lot of  comments and compliments, but no matter what I still love dressing this way. Start with red lipstick and confidence and go from there! You will have people stop you and take your picture, that's always fun and flattering! :-)

Ashley - What stores do you recommend to buy vintage, or vintage inspired clothing? 

Amber - Etsy, ModCloth, Thrift Shops and pattern books...sewing your own skirts and dresses is sometimes the best way to go!

Ashley - Do you wear vintage, or vintage inspired shoes with your clothes? I know some of my readers will be interested in your answer. If you do, what stores do you shop?

Amber - Most of my shoes are from Etsy or local thrift shops. Vintage shoes are my favourite, but you can also buy vintage look a likes from shops like Urban Outfitters and ModCloth!

Ashley - What are some of your favorite pieces in your closet? 

Amber - I have a 1950's dress, 1960's skirt, 1940's hat (I love hats!) and I have a few vintage inspired dresses that I love! 

Ashley - Now, I know you wear your hair in vintage styles all the time. How would you encourage someone who wanted to wear there hair in a vintage look? Especially those who think they can never get “the” look. 

Amber - When I started wearing vintage hairstyles I realized that I had to see myself differently. I had to realize I wasn't going to look like anyone around me...I was going to look completely different. Hopefully, like I just stepped out of a time machine! So, that helped put things in perspective. Starting out, find an old hollywood star that shares your same face shape and try out some of the hair styles she does. There are some hair styles that will work and some that won't, but don't give up!

Ashley - What vintage blogs do you follow that are favorites? 

Amber - Yours of course! I also read An Ode to Reverie, Justice Pirate, Livin' Vintage are a few I like to read! I have many, it usually takes me about two hours to read all of my favourite blogs! 

Ashley - What are your favorite movies to watch - fashion wise? Like what movies give you outfit ideas?

Amber - Easter Parade, On the Town, Follow the Fleet (I love Fred Astaire!), How to Marry a Millionaire, Top Hat to name a few! Most of my inspiration comes from vintage books and magazines!

Ashley thank you so much for interviewing me! This was soo fun and sweet!! I can't wait to meet some of your lovely readers and make new friends! 

Y'all can find Amber at the following places. =) 

{Blog} {Twitter} {Facebook} {Tumblr} {Pinterest} {YouTube}

And THANK YOU Amber for letting me interview you! :D

Interview - Olivia of Fresh Modesty

We're back! Yes, we are back from vacation and we have two posts for y'all. :) But first off, Happy Easter everyone! For Christ our Lord has Risen!!!

The first post is of the interview I had with Olivia. The first place winner from the Keeping it Classy fashion week. Olivia is adorable, quirky, fun, and has a great sense of fashion! She is also someone Gabrielle and I would love to meet someday. Sometimes we wished she lived near us and we could sew together. :D Wouldn't that be fun, Olivia? Now onto the interview!


Ashley: First off, tell me a little bit about yourself.

Olivia: My name is Olivia, I'm 18, mostly blonde, and rather short. I love warmth, lace, and mud. Sewing pretty much could take over my life if I let it. I share my adventures with patterns and pintucks on my sewing blog, Working With Eager Hands. My family moved to rural Tennessee a year and a half ago and I love the life God has given me more and more each day. Moving to the country has been a huuuge adjustment for me, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ashley: When did you get into modesty & fashion?

Olivia: *contorts face and tries to remember* I think somewhere around age 14? I had spent the previous 3 years of my life in sweats and over-sized T-shirts. Something "clicked", I guess, because since then I've been obsessive compulsive about modesty and fashion!

Ashley: What is your biggest fashion inspiration?

Olivia: This question has two answers. :) My biggest real life fashion inspiration is all of the wonderful down-to-earth friends I have. Some are online, some are in real life, but they've all shown me that style is not something that comes from a runway, but is something that is rooted in a faithful heart and a thoughtful womanliness. Practicality can be beautiful and real style is encompassing them both.
The other answer to this question is shopRuche.com. I gain so much sewing and whimsical inspiration from their LookBooks. Their mostly modest styles are always charming and feminine.

Ashley: How would you describe your style?

Olivia: I'd say my style is a mix of Audrey Hepburn and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Classy, country, and cutsey. Denim with lace, bohemian with pearls, diamonds with rainboots.

Ashley: What are your some of your favorite pieces in your closet?

Olivia: For summer, I find myself wearing an upper-calf length tiered/gored denim skirt with matching lace that I made last fall. It goes with everything and is the perfect blend of modest and cool for these warmer months. Black sweaters, nicer-looking knit jersey shirts, and fitted dresses are also on my favorites list.

Ashley: What do you think about while picking out an outfit each day?

Olivia: I think about what I'll be doing that day and who I'll be around. Going to a BBQ or cooking all day requires different clothes than if I were fencing a field or working in the garden. But, to be honest, I rarely stay in one outfit for the whole day. Around here we do so many different activities in a single day that one outfit can't do everything!

Ashley: What style blogs do you follow that are favorites?

Olivia: Bramblewood Fashion, of course! Empowered Traditionalist is another favorite. All the other blogs I gain inspiration from are just personal blogs of stylish people. :)

Ashley: What are your favorite movies to watch - fashion wise?

Olivia: This is a hard one, since I usually watch movies to watch movies... not to look at the fashions. :) I'm not huge into everyday historical/ costume dressing, but, when I do need to make one, I like to watch movies for guidance. For example, when I made a regency dress for a ball, I watched Pride and Prejudice. :)
Ashley: What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Olivia: Before we moved, I would frequent Khol's, JCPenny's, and Target- they were all 2 miles from my house. Now those stores are 1.5 hours away... and I haven't actually been "clothes shopping" since we moved! I do love stopping in to a cute little thrift store we have on our tiny town's square- I've found some really nice name-brand stuff there. My favorite thing about it though is that they have a 25 cent bin where they throw all the slightly stained or ill-fitting clothing. I've been able to alter and use for fabric sooo many things I've found in there.

Ashley: Do you have any shopping tips?

Olivia: Most people tell you "If you don't love it in the store, don't buy it because you won't wear it"... although this may be true for some things, other times it's worth it just to go for it. Some of my favorite pieces I didn't exactly fall in love with in the store, but once I figured out how to wear it or I altered it slightly, I wear it all the time! Now, mind you, I make it my mission not to spend more than $10 on a single shirt, if possible, so it's not a huge loss if I do end up disliking it. Think outside the box when you're shopping. Instead of going around saying, "I don't like that," "Ewww," or "Who would wear THAT?" try to find the potential in every thing. Instead, saying "Oh, that would be cute if this..." or "This color is really nice" will really help you to find things.

Ashley: What is your advice to girls who want to dress modestly, yet fashionably?

Olivia: Get yourself a dozen tank tops in just as many colors. :) My sisters and I wear tank tops under practically all of our shirts and they open up a whole world of cute layering/ making it modest possibilities. Our favorite brand is "Arizona" from JCPenny's. We either sew or tie the straps about 2 inches shorter and then it is the perfect tank! Also, never underestimate the power of doing your hair. It can make or break a whole outfit.

Ashley: What are your favorite fashion and/or beauty tips or tricks? Have you discovered any "secrets" that you'd like to share?

Olivia: Top three favorite things that will make anyone look more put-together and pretty, in my humble opinion?
1) A freshly brushed smile ;)
2) A lovely hair-do
3) And a tad bit of lighter concealer dabbed near the lower inner corners and centers of your eyes.

Ashley: Any thoughts on how Bramblewood Fashion can be improved? Do you have thoughts on posts, events, or giveaways you would like to see on the blog?

Olivia: I love what you're doing already! The frequency of posts is perfect for those of us with busy lives, yet the content is always so helpful and inspiring! Keep up the awesome work. :)

Interview - Melanie of Forever His Servant

You all remember Melanie? The second place winner of the Keeping it Classy Fashion Week? Well, we have for y'all today her interview, which was her prize for coming in second place. So without further ado, let's begin the interview. =)

Gabrielle: First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Melanie: Hello! My name is Melanie and I'm a 16 year old(almost 17 ;) ) Junior living in Tennessee, although, I'm originally from Colorado and I must say that I love it there. ;) A little bit about me? Hmm...first and foremost I would have to tell you that I am falling in love with the sweetest Prince there ever was, and He has totally captured my heart. Girls, I'm realizing that the more I get to know Him, the better He becomes. How gracious and loving He is! I am so unworthy. I can truly say that for me "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Life is difficult, but Jesus makes it sweet...and beautiful.

Gabrielle: Do you have any hobbies or passions?

Melanie: I love music; piano and guitar (well, and many others...but those are the only ones I can play). :) I am currently a piano teacher and treasure each one of the unique students God has given me. Even on those days when I don't want to teach, when I look into the captivating eyes of a student or hear their giggles, I know that this is what God wants me to be doing right now.

I also love just worshipping through music..whether that means composing songs of my own or playing worship songs and singing along; either way I love being able to spend some time with my Savior. I treasure those times so much.

I also love photography...God has blessed me with the opportunity of helping a homeschool mom who is also a photographer and it has been such a blessing! I'm just learning; but I enjoy it so much. There is something unique in being able to capture "His Creations" through the lense of a camera.

I also love writing.....

One last thing...I have a passion for purity(physically and spiritually...not just concerning young men, but worldly influences etc.) and living a life of abandon for Christ. I would love to one day be able to encourage other young men and women in these things; whether it is through a book(s), or whatever. I just want to tell others about my life experiences and encourage them to press on toward the prize --the prize of knowing Him more.

Gabrielle: When did you get into modesty & fashion?

Melanie: Oh, boy. Hmmm. I think it was right about when I started realizing that finding modest clothes for a girl my age was going to be quite an adventure! For a long time I was not into the whole "modesty" thing; I mean, I would never be promisccuious, but it was not an actual desire of my heart. But God began drawing me closer to Him and He also began to reveal to me that He wanted that area of my life too. Slowly, but surely, I believe He began to transform my desires to His for me in this area.

Gabrielle: What is your biggest fashion inspiration (pictures/people/etc.)?

Melanie: Oh wow! Hmm...You know, I would almost just have to say a little bit of everything! lol :) My friends tell me I have a style of my own...I love anything from dainty pearls and beautiful dresses, to funky jewelry and crazy shirts! So you could say that when I look at a picture I might notice one bit of that person's style....and do that with several pictures and then make an outfit out of all the tidbits combined. :)

Gabrielle: How would you describe your style?

Melanie: That's a very good question. :) How about modest, vintage, fun, pretty, adventurous, wild, wishful western, somewhat modern? lol I don't know...I love so many different things. I especially love boots and belts....(these go great with skirts and blouses...)

Gabrielle: What are your some of your favorite pieces in your closet?

Melanie: Hmm...I love my long beige, brown, and jean skirt(s). I especially love fun "bubble" shirts and cute plaid blouses...not to mention that scarves can make any outfit fun. :) I love pastel colors; especially blue's and browns.

Gabrielle: What do you think about while picking out an outfit each day?

Melanie: What I'd like to wear and would be practical for the days events. ;) Actually, I started the habit of praying that whatever I wear would reflect Christ in me. I want to shine for Him...even through what I wear. I don't want to be sloppy, but I don't want to be so starched that I can't serve either. :)

Gabrielle: Do you have a favorite style icon?

Melanie: (Whisphers to the person who isn't sitting next to her..."What's a style icon?") I'm totally blank. lol!

Gabrielle: What style blogs do you follow that are favorites?

Melanie: Hmm...well, I love this one. :) Other than that, I don't follow very many actual "style blogs"...I actually just enjoy looking at pictures of what the girls wear who run the blogs that I follow. I get so many fun ideas. :)

Gabrielle: What are your favorite movies to watch - fashion wise?

Melanie: Wow. I've never thought of movies as places to get ideas for "fashion." Honestly, I don't think there are many movies out there worth the time it takes to watch them...but if any of you have seen Come What May, I love how that girl dresses. :) (I might add my own twist [like combine in with some styles from "The Widow's Might"], but that is the closest thing I can think of...)

Gabrielle: What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Melanie: Second-hand stores are great...and every once in a while I'll find something great there! Other than that, I love Cato's and the Dress Barn. Target also usually has cute shirts. JC Penny is great too. I also like Christopher and Banks, but it is extremely expensive.

Gabrielle: Do you have any shopping tips?

Melanie: One -when your discouraged, take a deep breath and pray. :) That is so important...
Second...perseverance is the key! I know there have been times when I have just about given up and then the Lord leads me to something wonderful. He is faithful..even when it comes to clothing! Better said, "especially when it comes to clothing." :) I would also recommend waiting for sales when possible, and looking on the clearance racks. There can be some great treasures there!

Gabrielle: What is your advice to girls who want to dress modestly, yet fashionably?

Melanie: Mmm! I was talking about passionate earlier...excuse me if I ramble. :)

First of all, that it is possible. So many times I've heard girls talking about how it's impossible to dress modestly and fashionably..but it's not.

Why? Because God provides...He cares about every detail of our lives. He will not fail us in this area.

Second ...press on! I know sometimes it can be discouraging...but never give up. :)

Third.

Girls, modesty is an issue of your heart. But too often I hear girls use that as an excuse to ignore how the dress or compromise in little areas. Your heart will be reflected in how you protray yourself through the clothes that you wear. We are representing the attributes of our Savior in how we act and dress...therefore let us pursue the attributes of purity and modesty...for these are both attributes of our God!

Gabrielle: What are your favorite fashion and/or beauty tips or tricks? Have you discovered any "secrets" that you'd like to share?

Melanie: Well...I'll have to just speak from my own experience...so don't ask me how reliable these tips/tricks are. :)

1) If a dress/blouse is to big around the waist...add a belt! I know that clothes are often very tight around the busts these days, so grab a bigger size and then size the waist with a cute belt. :)

2) Flats and boots are great to wear with skirts...they add a touch of class and femininity, rather than tennis shoes. I also love cute sandals in the summer time!

3)Makeup....okay. I'ts meant to be as an enhancer...not changer. :) (I think you all know what I mean.) I love the natural makeup look....with my blue eyes, I find that warm colors...light and dark browns are great for eyeshadow. Sometimes I think colored makeup (bright blue and purples etc...) can be a little to obvious. I don't want people looking at my eyeshadow/eye liner...but rather my eyes. :)

4) If a dress is too short...slip a pair of jeans underneath...you can even add a cardigan and a scarf and walah! Just a fun idea...

5) I think pretty jewelry can add a lot to an outfit. So can a cute hairstyle. :) Though there's a balance between spending hours on your hair and doing nothing....or wearing a ton of jewelry and wearing just a little to add a bit of femininity. ;)

Gabrielle: Any thoughts on how Bramblewood Fashion can be improved? Do you have thoughts on posts, events, or giveaways you would like to see on the blog?

Melanie: I love this blog just the way it is. :) I enjoy gleaning from the ideas posted here. I really also like the little tutorials for how to change/alter skirts or shirts. :)
Thank you for everything you do!