my best (outer!) beauty advice

I feel like I write about serious topics a lot...marriage, homemaking, Christian life.  Those can be fun too, of course, but I think I'm overdue for a less intense topic!

I believe that inner beauty is more important than outer, or physical, beauty, but I also believe that it's very good for us to take care of our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit.  After all, our physical bodies are gifts from God, and we should treat them as such!

My "beauty routine" is very simple, but perhaps some suggestions will be helpful for you.  These things are (in my opinion) the most important things to do for a healthy, beautiful body:

1) Drink water.  I definitely don't do this enough, but I feel so much better when I do!  Being properly hydrated keeps your skin soft and smooth, helps freshen your breath, and keeps your whole body running properly.  When you feel good on the inside you'll look better on the outside!

2) Get enough rest.  I know, these are no-brainers.  But if you're tired your eyes won't be as bright and you might get dark circles under them (like me...although I kind of have permanent little bags under my eyes!).  If you're well-rested you'll be more energized, happier and more cheerful, and a smile is the prettiest thing you can put on your face!

3) Eat just enough and eat food that is really good for you.  There's nothing wrong with some ice cream, potato chips, or a hamburger and fries on occasion.  Just make sure that the majority of what you consume is going to be beneficial for your body!  Healthy fats (like those that come from nuts, avocado, and dairy products) will keep your skin soft and your hair shiny.  Calcium (from dairy, fish, and dark green veggies) will keep your teeth and nails healthy, and your bones as well, which will help with your posture.  You can do more research to find out what foods contain nutrients that you personally need.

4) Exercise.  Yes, another "duh" one, but I forget how good exercising makes me feel!  You don't have to do it much-- a half-hour walk four times a week is enough for most healthy people.  If you're trying to lose weight, of course, more exercise might be necessary, and if you're trying to tone and strengthen your muscles (like me!), some weight-lifting two or three times a week would be really good for you.  Exercise gets your heart pumping and lungs working, which improves your circulation and gives you a healthy glow, plus it will keep your body working well and feeling good.  When I work out my core muscles it helps a lot with my posture, and good posture is much prettier than a slouch!

5) Spend some time each day with your clothes, hair, and makeup.
 I actually don't wear makeup every day.  I don't own much.  Some people would say that I should at least own foundation and concealer...I don't.  My facial skin is even and mostly clear (please don't hate me), and I really don't need foundation.  I wear blush, eye shadow, lip gloss, and sometimes mascara and eye liner.  That's about it, and it takes me maybe five minutes to put all of that on!  At the very least, here's what I do (mostly) every day:
-Shower (every other day unless I get particularly sweaty; my skin dries out if I shower daily)
-Wash my face, in the shower or sink (preferably twice a day, morning and night)
-Brush my teeth, twice a day (clean teeth and fresh breath are big confidence boosters for me!)
-Brush and "style" hair (usually a ponytail or half-up.  If I'm feeling fancy, a pretty bun or braid.)
-Put on some jewelry: a necklace, earrings and bracelet makes me feel more "put together."
-Get dressed, for real.  Those days I spend the morning in my bathrobe I get less done and I'm a lot less motivated for anything.  I love wearing skirts and dresses, especially in the summer, and wearing a dress means I don't have to coordinate a top and a skirt or pants!

6) Use coconut oil. I'm not kidding.  This is my favorite "beauty product."  It's an incredible moisturizer, and it works all over your body!  I use it for shaving to get a close, smooth shave and silky legs, it's in my homemade deodorant, I use it on my hands and arms for lotion and then rub my face with the oil on my hands, and it makes an amazing super-conditioner for your hair.  (To do that, apply about 1/4 cup of coconut oil evenly throughout your hair, put it in a bun for a few hours or overnight, and then shampoo as usual.)

I realize that every person is unique, so maybe these suggestions won't work with you or your routine.  Maybe you really like wearing makeup or need it.  (My sister is SO good at makeup application...I wish I knew as much about it as she does!)  Maybe you work a physical job and a shower every day is necessary.  Maybe your job requires a uniform and "getting dressed" can't involve jewelry or a dress.  Maybe health issues prevent you from exercising as much as you'd like.  Maybe you're a young mom and five hours of sleep is a good night.  Maybe you can't stand the smell of coconut oil--I don't know, the point is, I know we're all different.  So take what you can from this (and remember, it's just my advice, ask an expert [like a doctor, nutritionist, cosmetologist, or personal trainer] if you're having any particular issues or problems).

And then--talk to me!  What's your best beauty advice?  What is the most essential part of your beauty routine?

Beautiful--yes, you!

Welcome to visitors from the A to Z Challenge!  Please leave a comment to let me know you're here, and check out other posts that pique your interest!  Tuesdays are Titus 2 Tuesdays at Living in the Light.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Such is the phrase.

What beholder?  Who decides what is beautiful?

A spouse or lover?  A parent?  An artist?  A creator?

Christ calls you beautiful.  Christ, whose bride is the Church--and that includes all those who believe in Him.
Christ, who loves us all more than we could ever imagine.

God Himself, our Father, the ultimate caring parent.
God, the Creator of the world, the designer of all things beautiful--

He decides what is beautiful.

And He has called you Beautiful.

You, beautiful one.  You are beautiful in the eyes of the only Beholder who really matters.

So tell someone they're beautiful today.  And if they blush and say bashfully, "No, I'm not really," tell them, "Yes, you are--because God made you and He thinks you're beautiful."

Then go look in the mirror and tell the same thing to your own beautiful face!

Linking with:  Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife

Thankful for God and My Husband {and what they have in common}

Sometimes writing a "Thankful Thursday" post is kind of hard.
Do I make a list of things I'm thankful for?
Or do I pick one thing and expound on that?

This is a good problem to have. :)

I have realized the last few days how much my husband's love for me is like God's love for me (and all his children).  {See the last point of yesterday's post for why marriage is supposed to be like that!}

My husband loves me even when I'm unlovable.  No, he doesn't love me perfectly (only God can do that!), but he still takes care of me, he still does sweet things for me, he still listens to me even when I'm being crabby or disrespectful or if I'm hormonal (which he does NOT deserve).

He forgives me for everything.  We have a hard time holding grudges around here (because who can stay mad at your best friend for long, especially if they're handsome and hilarious like my husband? :D ).  In the same way, God constantly forgives me for everything I do wrong--all because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

My husband sees beauty in me even when I can't see it in myself.  I got about six inches cut off my hair last week (thanks Mom!) and Joshua keeps playing with it and admiring it.  He is always telling me I'm beautiful even when I know my hair is greasy and I have a breakout on my face and my breath is horrible.  I know that God, my Creator, thinks I'm beautiful, too...just because he made me.  Not because of anything I've done.

My husband encourages me spiritually and in my faith.  Now, of course, God is the source of my faith, and that's something Joshua won't ever be, but he definitely fills the role of spiritual leader.  He prays for us several times every day.  It was his idea to have devotions every morning and pray together in the evenings.  He reminds me to keep trusting God even when I have a hard time doing so.  And oh, the wonderful talks we have about our faith, and who God is, and what it means to be a Christian.

So today, I'm thankful for my husband.  I'm thankful that he helps me understand better who God is.  I'm thankful for his spiritual role in our home.  I'm so very thankful for God's love, forgiveness and understanding, and most of all for the faith that he has given me.

Linking up today with these lovely ladies:
Passionate and Creative Homemaking; The Fontenot Four; black tag diaries; Kate Says Stuff; First Day of My Life; Live Called

When You Don't Feel Beautiful

Physical beauty is pleasant to have.

We all like to have good hair days, clear skin, white (or mostly white) teeth, and flawless makeup, with our clothes fitting just right and flattering our bodies.

However, if you've read 1 Peter, chapter 3, you know that physical beauty isn't everything.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4

We all desire that kind of inner beauty.  But what about the times when you feel like you don't have even that kind of beauty?  When "a gentle and quiet spirit" is the last way you would describe your inner self?

Well...
That kind of beauty does not come from you.
It comes from within, yes... but from a source that is not you at all.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" 1 Corinthians 6:19

Your inner beauty comes from the Holy Spirit, because as you are a saved and forgiven child of God, the Holy Spirit lives in you.

"For the fruit of the Spirit is love, you, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

Yes, we sin every day.
But by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit enables us to obey, please and honor God in our words, thoughts and actions--and God forgives us when we do fail.

It is God who makes us beautiful...inside and out.


Linking up with thanks:
Growing Home; Time-Warp Wife; Call Me Blessed; Cornerstone Confessions; Lessons from Ivy

Dressing for My Husband

A friend just posted this on her facebook wall:

Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys they'd just walk around naked at all times.




I was about to disagree with her, but on second thought (and especially since I'm married) she's right! :D  I'm not trying to be dirty, I promise...just honest.


Since going around au natural isn't generally an option for me, I do try to dress in a way that makes my husband smile.  This is a relatively new thing for me.  Before having a husband (or fiance, or boyfriend) I liked to look cute, but what I wore wasn't a big deal.  I rarely wore makeup (still don't wear much).


However, once I had a man in my life, and once I realized how men are such visual creatures, I started paying more attention to the way I dressed.In my dresser are a lot of t-shirts, you know, those screen-print tees that I got from camp, or youth trips, etc.  None of them are very flattering, so if it weren't for the memories attached, I would probably just get rid of them entirely.


Since being married I've been learning how to love my husband more, and dressing in a way that makes him smile is one of those ways.  Now, that doesn't always mean short shorts and cleavage-baring shirts, although sometimes when it's just us at home I love doing that for him!  It's really nice to have that freedom.  Most of the time, though I wear my usual modest--but nice--clothes.  And I've started making it a big priority to be all put together by the time Hubby comes home for lunch.  That means dressed, teeth brushed, hair done, makeup on, and smelling nice (he loves my Midnight Amethyst from Bath and Body Works--yep, that's as high-end as I get! :D ).


This is one really easy way I can show my husband I love him.  I might still be in my bathrobe with messy hair when he leaves for work, but by the time he gets home I like looking pretty.  Now, don't get me wrong, Hubby loves me no matter how I look, and he's said so more than once!  But looking nice makes me feel good as well as making him smile.  And if there's one thing I love doing more than almost anything, it's making my husband smile.  :)

Another very good reason to dress nicely for my husband is that it's a God-honoring thing to do!  I made a vow to God, my husband, and those who witnessed it to love, honor, cherish and respect my husband (among other things).  That includes pleasing my husband by dressing beautifully.  It's also taking care of my body, which, since the Holy Spirit lives in me, is God's temple.

It makes God smile when I make my husband smile, because by loving Hubby, I'm loving the God who made both of us and who gave us to each other.  One lovely benefit of marriage is the mutual pleasure and joy of both the husband and the wife.  That is one way God blesses his children through marriage: he gives people to each other to increase their joy!  Any way I can increase my husband's joy, whether a little or a lot, is pleasing and honoring to the God who brought us together.

{Pictures of} Things I'm Thankful For

Baking

Inspiration

Stocked

Flavor

Warm

Clean

Curtains

Ours

Personalized

Fresh

Beauty

Organized

HIM

May He

I was reading 1 Peter chapter 3, where Peter instructs wives to be submissive to their husbands as Christ set them an example by being submissive to his Father. Peter encourages women to let their beauty not come from outward appearances, but "Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:4). In meditating on this chapter (3:1-7), I wrote another poem- it's still National Poetry Month, after all!

May He


May He make me
beautiful, not on the outside,
but from within:
the beauty of gentleness and quietness of spirit,
beauty that will not fade.

May He make me
reverent toward him
and through that reverence, may he grant
that I live a pure and holy life.

May He make me
strong enough to submit,
wise enough to let my husband lead,
humble enough to serve with my whole heart.

May He make me
fearless, trusting my husband,
and above all,
trusting Him who holds my life in his hands:
He Who made me.