Make it Modest: Giveaway

This month’s giveaway, valued at $25, is featured at the end of this article. Keep reading for details.

ss7With warmer weather approaching, that generally means less clothing. While we definitely don’t need to hide in jeans and long-sleeved shirts all summer, we still need to make sure our warm weather wardrobe is appropriate. A recent formal-wear article talks about why it’s important to dress modestly, and gives basic modesty tips that can be applied to everyday summer wear as well. For a refresher, read 1 Timothy 2:9, Matthew 5:27-28, and 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 in addition to the articles linked to above.

Make it modest

Purchasing modest clothing can be difficult and frustrating, so we’re going to cover a few tips on how to make immodest summer clothing more modest.

Layer it up. Tank tops can be a girl’s best friend! Yes, summer is hot, but a long, thin tank won’t add bulk to clothing, and will cover a multitude of top troubles. It will hide cleavage on a low-cut top and cover the back and belly on shorter shirts. I personally love Fashion Bug’s long stretch layering tanks. If you have a larger bust, you can carefully cut out the bra part of a tank top and adjust the straps so it will stay high enough. There’s no need to purchase a tank in every color––simply buy several in the colors you’ll use most, such as white, black, and brown. It’s also a good idea to have one or two wide-strapped tank tops to layer with other thin-strapped tops. Remember that these tank tops are for layering, not to wear alone!

Bermuda ShortsCut it off. Fortunately for the modest-conscious (which I hope is all of us!), bermuda shorts are in! Let’s take advantage of the bermuda shorts, because this is one trend that’d be good for us to keep around. If you’re on a limited budget, get a look like this for free by cutting off an old pair of jeans right above the knee. If you or someone you know can sew, you could also get this look by cutting and hemming a pair of Goodwill jeans to get the bermuda style, then sewing a shoelace onto the front to achieve the drawstring look.

Leg-it under. Last summer’s skirts that are a little too short (and I don’t mean mini!) can be paired with a pair of below-the-knee leggings. Black leggings with a little tie on the hem add some pizzazz to a normal outfit, and plain black leggings are sure to go with almost everything. Anything that’s super short (with the hemline more than a couple of inches above the knee) needs to be tossed, because even leggings won’t make that modest.

Shoe it down. High heels can make skirts and shorts seem even shorter than they are, so this summer, play it cheap and comfortable in a new pair of flip flops.

The giveaway

While it’s sometimes fun to creatively think of new ways to make clothes modest, it’s also refreshing to just look at a store that is already packed full of modest clothing. Bellissima Modesty Boutique is just that––a web store full of cute, modest clothes! Their key verse is “Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us” (Psalm 90:17). They have cute summer tops, some great skirts, fun accessories, and more.

Bellissima Blue 'Flowy' SkirtThe best part is that Bellissima has generously agreed to give away one $25 gift card to a reader! All you have to do is leave a comment below by Friday, May 29, 2009, stating one article of clothing you like from their site, or let us know your favorite modesty tip, and you’ll be entered in our drawing.

Comments are moderated, so they may take a day or so to appear. Make sure to include a valid e-mail address in your information (this will not appear in the post). The winner will be announced on May 31 and will be e-mailed with simple instructions on how to claim this prize. The winner must contact us back within seven days of our initial contact, or the gift card will go to someone else.

Reminder

Lime Ricki’s special offer is still available for all Pierce My Heart readers. You will save 10% off your entire purchase just by entering the coupon code HEART10 at their checkout by May 15, 2009!

This summer, have fun looking modest while staying cool!

By Davonne Parks

Visit our Monthly Issues page to view all of our past themes, and visit our May 2009 page to read our entire current issue about serving others.

Congratulations: Bathing Suit Winner!

Claire TankiniThe random winner of the Lime Ricki bathing suit is Doreen (doreen.gertsch@)! You should have an e-mail from Pierce My Heart that includes simple instructions on how to claim your prize. If not, please contact us within seven days.

If you didn’t win this month, you can still get a really great––and modest––bathing suit at a great price (especially if you shop their clearance section!) because Lime Ricki’s special offer is still available for all Pierce My Heart readers. You will save 10% off your entire purchase just by entering the coupon code HEART10 at their checkout by May 15, 2009!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest by leaving comments on our article. We have another fun clothing giveaway coming up in May, so check back soon!

Congratulations, Connie! We hope this bathing suit will help give you a great start to a stylish and modest summer wardrobe.

– Davonne Parks

Last Chance: Bathing Suit Giveaway!

Sophia One-PieceToday is the last day to submit photos or recipes of things you’ve baked or cooked to us for use in our Gifted Girls article next month. You can send pictures to Info @ PierceMyHeart . com (remove spaces).

This is also the last day to enter to win our April Giveaway. The winner, who will be announced on April 30, will receive a new bathing suit!

If you have any questions, let us know, and we will respond to you as quickly as possible.

– Davonne Parks

Bathing Suits: Giveaway

Lauren TankiniThis month’s giveaway, with a value of up to $75, and an additional special offer, are featured at the end of this article. Keep reading for details.

Yesterday we discussed the importance of modest swimwear, so today we’re going to get straight to the fun stuff––shopping!

We all know that bathing suit shopping can be stressful––it’s so difficult to find suits that are cute, modest, and affordable. Mall shopping can be discouraging, because those oh-so-cute bikinis are everywhere, tempting us to give into our fleshly desire to fit in, even when we want to do what’s right (Matthew 26:41). So, last year, I decided to avoid the mall completely and try my hand at online shopping! The task of finding a good web-store was very difficult, but I finally found a store and made my selection. The service and bathing suit were both so great that I want to share this store with you so you can possibly enjoy the experience too!

The chore

We all know how difficult it is to find a cute bathing suit that fits well and is affordable. Add modesty to the mix (which I hope we’ll all commit to do), and we’ve just given ourselves a seemingly impossible and very frustrating task! And who wants to order online, right? Buy a bathing suit you haven’t even tried on? Yeah, right! But that’s where, last summer, I proved myself wrong.

The store

Lime Ricki is full of cute, modest bathing suits at a reasonable price. They’re slightly pricier than the $20-per-piece bikinis I’ve seen in the mall, but I guess that’s because you’re paying for the extra fabric on them! The store was started when three sisters got together, frustrated about the lack of swimsuit choices available for themselves and their daughters, and decided to design their own suits. This year marks their third summer in business together, and this is one business that’s continually growing and improving. You can read more of their story on their About page.

Our experience

ss7I liked what I saw online, but I had a few questions about their suits, so I decided to contact the owners, hoping they would help me. Unsure of who to call, I dialed all three listed phone numbers. I received the voice mail at each number, so I left messages. Two of the women called back within the hour, and the third called back that evening. They were all genuinely nice and very helpful. One girl spent almost thirty minutes talking to me, and she helped me to choose a fabric that would suit my age as well as my taste. I chose the Emily Halter Top with their Brown Cinch Skirt, and, as promised, it arrived within the week.

Lime Ricki claims their suits don’t need tugged or pulled on to stay in place, and I’ll admit it, I was skeptical. What bathing suit doesn’t need adjusted often? Apparently, the Lime Ricki suits––even with a three-year-old to chase and carry around, plus other swimming equipment to deal with, I rarely had to adjust my suit.

I like my suit so much that when my cousin Lisa (also the assistant editor) e-mailed me in despair over trying to choose a cute, modest bathing suit for herself, I e-mailed her back with a note that said, “Buy a Lime Ricki suit!” I sent her a link to my favorite suit, the Signature Tankini Top (which was out of stock when I’d ordered), and she hesitantly purchased that top with the brown bottoms without ever trying them on. About a week later, I received another e-mail from her, raving about her new suit! She loved the fact that she could go out and look stylish––and modest––without tugging on her swimwear every five minutes.

Your (possible) experience

Lime Ricki suits are made to last, so there’s no need to buy multiple suits for one summer. If you want more variety, you could purchase one bottom with two tops to save money. To save even more, shop their sale page, which offers pieces for as low as $12.50 each. Many of the suits on Lime Ricki recommend a bottom to go with them, and some of them tell which body type would be flattered in that suit, which is very helpful for online shopping!

Their size chart doesn’t measure by inches, but it is very true to size. I ordered the size the website recommended, and my suit fit me perfectly. The only exception is their brand-new, upscale Key Lime collection (I love the Lauren top with the blue bottom!), which runs a size small, so be sure to order one size larger than normal if you choose to purchase a Key Lime suit.

Be careful to avoid suits that accentuate the bust, and wear shorts or a skirt over regular bathing suit bottoms (which don’t cover more than underwear!) the entire time you’re not in the water.

Giveawayss1

Lime Ricki is giving away a bathing suit to one of our readers!  The winner will be allowed to choose any one top and bottom (excluding the Key Lime collection) or a one-piece. To enter, leave a comment below by Tuesday, April 28, 2009, stating at least one topic you’d like to see covered in this magazine or you could simply let us know which suit is your favorite. You may enter to win the bathing suit for yourself, or to give away as a gift for someone else.

Comments are moderated, so they may take a day or so to appear. Make sure to include a valid e-mail address in your information (this will not appear in the post). The winner, who will be announced on April 30, will be e-mailed with simple instructions on how to claim her new bathing suit. The winner must contact us back within seven days of our initial contact, or the free bathing suit will go to someone else.

Special Offer

In addition to their giveaway, Lime Ricki has generously offered a special coupon code for Pierce My Heart readers! If you purchase an item from their web store by May 15, 2009, you will receive 10% off your total order just by using the coupon code HEART10 at the checkout.

We want to give a special thank you to the owners of Lime Ricki for their generosity!  This summer, have a safe and modest swimming experience.

By Davonne Parks

Visit our Monthly Issues page to see all of our past themes, and visit our April 2009 page to read our entire current issue about caring for God’s creations.

March Book Winner!

Not Even a HintThe random drawing winner of Not Even A Hint is Jennifer! You should have an e-mail from Pierce My Heart in your inbox. If not, please contact us to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest by giving article topic suggestions. If you didn’t win this month, please try again in April, because we have a fun bathing suit giveaway coming up!

Congratulations, Jennifer! We pray this book will provide you with knowledge and motivation to help you live a godly life, and that you’ll always look foremost to God and His Word for guidance.

– Davonne Parks

Last Chance!

jft5Today is the last day to submit photos of things you’ve sewn (pillows, blankets, clothes, etc.) to us for use in our Gifted Girls article next month. You can send pictures to Info @ PierceMyHeart . com (remove spaces).
This is also the last day to enter to win our March Giveaway. The winner, who will be announced on March 31, will receive a new book!

If you have any questions, let us know, and we will respond to you as quickly as possible.

– Davonne Parks

Not Even a Hint – GIVEAWAY!

mm1This month’s giveaway is featured at the bottom of this article. Keep reading for details.

As we strive to reach the potential God has planned for us, let’s not forget about one very important aspect––that of sexual integrity.

How much impurity can we allow into our lives before it becomes a problem? According to God, none (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). There’s no amount of lust or sexual impurity that is appropriate or pleasing to God, and author Joshua Harris goes into the hows and whys of the sinfulness of impurity, as well as reminding us of a better way to live.

Not Even a Hint is an easy-to-understand, 175-page book crammed full of information about lust and sexual purity. This book is written for anyone who desires to be completely pure, but struggles, whether male or female, married or single. He tells us that we can’t win the battle of sexual integrity on our own, but must rely on God to help us. The sections and chapters are well organized and written in an easy-to-read format.

Part One: The Truth About Lust
1. Not even a hint: Why can’t I seem to beat lust?
2. What God Called Good: Is it biology or is it sin?
3. You can’t save yourself: Where can I find the power to change?

Part Two: In the Thick of the Battle
4. A custom-tailored plan: Where am I weakest and what can I do?
5. Guys and girls: How are we different and how can we help each other?
6. Self-centered sex: How do I deal with masturbation?
7. Half a poison pill won’t kill you: How do I cope with the temptations of media?

Part Three: Strategies for Long-Term Change
8. Lone rangers are dead rangers: Why is accountability so important?
9. The sword of the spirit: Can the truth help me defeat the lies?
10. Holiness is a harvest: How can I sow the Spirit?

mm3Joshua Harris doesn’t allow room for excuses in his book––sin is sin, and lust, in any form, is still lust. He talks about impurity issues that guys and girls deal with, and he doesn’t give an easy out––as one doesn’t exist––but he does give practical suggestions about how to overcome all forms of lust. Not Even a Hint also discusses God’s plan for sex, and we’re told what lust isn’t.

We’re encouraged to look to God and to examine ourselves––Harris knows, and explains, that all purity begins with the core of our being––our heart (Proverbs 4:23). To truly be pure, and to fully live up to God’s potential for us, we must guard our hearts so we can live a life free from the entanglement and heartache of sin.

Giveaway

We are giving away one copy of Not Even a Hint to a reader! To enter, leave a comment below by Sunday, March 29, 2009, stating at least one thing you’d like to see reviewed in an upcoming Media Matters article. You may enter to win this book for yourself, or to give it away as a gift for someone else.

Comments are moderated, so they may take a day or so to appear. Make sure to include a valid e-mail address in your information (this will not appear in the post). The winner will be announced on March 31 and will be e-mailed with simple instructions on how to claim this prize.

By Davonne Parks

Jewelry Winners!

fashion2The random drawing winners of the True Love Waits jewelry are Andrea V. and Megan D.  You should have an e-mail from Pierce My Heart in your inbox.  If not, please contact us to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest by giving article topic suggestions  – you are sure to see several of the topics covered throughout the upcoming months.  We’d also like to thank C28 and Factory 79 for their generosity in offering these prizes.

If you didn’t win this month, please try again in March, because we have a special book giveaway coming up!

Congratulations, Andrea and Megan!  We pray you’ll wear your jewelry well.

– Davonne Parks

True Love Waits

fashion5This month’s giveaway, valued at $55, is featured at the end of this article. Keep reading for details.

Jewelry and accessories are fun, but there is some jewelry that can also make a statement about where we stand in our beliefs. Since true love waits for marriage, I think this month is an appropriate time to discuss displaying that desire with jewelry, as a visible reminder to ourselves, and to members of the opposite gender.

The True Love Waits Pledge

“Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, my friends, my future mate, and my future children to a lifetime of purity including sexual abstinence from this day until the day I enter a biblical marriage relationship.” (Read more about the pledge at Lifeway.com.)

Please notice that the pledge says nothing of our past. If you’ve messed up before, you can choose to begin, right now, abstaining from sexual behavior until your wedding day. Mistakes of our past can leaves scars well into our future, but once we receive God’s gift, we have the privilege of starting with a clean slate in His eyes (Psalm 103:11-12).

Does the Jewelry Matter?

Our inward commitment is the most important, and no amount of jewelry can change our hearts, but if we are truly dedicated to saving ourselves for marriage, the jewelry can be a great visual reminder to ourselves, and to anyone who wants to date us.

Styles

The most common True Love Waits jewelry are rings, which come in a variety of styles.

fashion2While some purity jewelry at Factory 79 costs upward of $200, simple silver rings can be purchased for under $25. I personally love their Daisy ring and Floating Heart necklace.

If Factory 79 jewelry doesn’t suit your style, Bob Siemon Designs might be the store for you. They have a slightly edgier feel to their jewelry, including a TLW Guitar Pick Pendant.  C28 also has a nice selection of purity jewelry. If you want even more options, you could do a Google or Amazon search for “True Love Waits Jewelry,” or visit your local Christian bookstore to see if they offer any TLW items.

Wear with Confidence

If you choose to purchase True Love Waits jewelry, wear it with confidence, knowing that you are confessing His name before man (Luke 12:8). If you choose to purchase a purity ring, wear it as a serious commitment and not just because it’s cool. This jewelry should really mean something and reflect a commitment that is in your heart. Feel good knowing that you are setting an example for your family members, your peers, and girls younger than you who want to someday emulate your attitude. Most importantly, feel good knowing that you’re giving yourself a constant visual reminder that true love really does wait.

Giveaway Details

For our second giveaway, C28 and Factory 79 are each giving one purity ring away to a reader! C28 is allowing a reader to choose any purity ring worth up to $25 and Factory 79 is giving away one Daisy Ring, valued at $29.95.  To enter, leave a comment below by Wednesday, February 25, 2009, stating at least one thing you’d like to see in an upcoming Style Sense or Beauty Buzz article.  You may enter to win a ring for yourself, or to give it away as a gift for someone else.

Comments are moderated so they may take a day or so to appear. Make sure to include a valid e-mail address in your information (this will not appear in the post).  The two winners will be announced on Feb 28 and they will be e-mailed with simple instructions on how to claim their new ring. We also want to give a special thank you to C28 and Factory79 for their generosity!

Davonne Parks

Beauty Winner

beautybuzz… Or should I say “Beauty Buzz winner,” because that’s the new name for our beauty column! Thanks, Ashley K. for your suggestion! We will be in touch with you so you can claim your bag of Beauty Buzz products.

And, to everyone else, thank you for your title suggestions. Some of them were very good and we appreciate everyone who participated in our first-ever magazine contest.

We have a very exciting giveaway planned for next month, too, so stay tuned!

Davonne Parks