Thrifted Modest Summer Outfit

I have come across many modesty posts from various Christian blogs that complain about the lack of modest clothing being offered at stores.  They seem to agree that hems are too high and that necklines are too low.  I always wonder where these girls shop, whether they lack imagination or maybe they just like to complain (smile).  What’s that cliché it’s not the clothes that make the woman beautiful (in this case modest) it’s the woman that makes the clothes come to life.  Growing up materially poor meant that we needed to get creative with what we had.  Often I have shared about my mother’s ability to refashion beautiful creations from old garments.  My sister designed and made beautiful clothes from cheap scraps of fabric.  Thus, I learned through example, that clothes like life are full of possibility.  Am not blind I do see immodest clothing on celebrities, when out shopping and sadly on impressionable young girls trying too hard to fit in. BUT I also see great alternatives, cute items that pass the modesty test.  However, if I like something that is too low cut, too short or too tight – I think of ways of evangelizing my selections by wearing a cute undershirt beneath it, or extending the hem, or getting a bigger size.  If I can’t transform the garment to my satisfaction I put it back and continue on my way.  The other day at a family party a lady danced very provocatively with a group of other women and her husband (who was sitting) was really upset by her behavior. This opened a great discussion in our home about modesty.  My mom commented that the issue was not dancing, because even married women should dance at gatherings with friends.  The problem was the way this woman was moving her body during a family (public) event.  I think the same concept can be applied to clothing.  It’s not the clothes that are immodest (in most cases) it’s the way people style them that makes them improper.

At Paséa Hotel in Huntington Beach.

Thrifted five dollar dress.

Brand New Michael Kors thrifted wedges!

Last night I went to an event last minute with my friend and it was a great opportunity to get fancy.  The dress that I wore I thrifted a few months ago – in fact my whole outfit is comprised of secondhand items. I’ve seen this style of dresses at most retailers and I think the style is feminine and modest.  The Michael Kors metallic wedges are a thrifting score! I found them brand new for a few bucks.  My raffia shoulder bag completed my summer look.   Due to the high temperatures I wore my hair up trying to keep cool.  So, if I can find modest pieces shopping secondhand anyone can (smile) sometimes we might need to tap into our creative side.

Thrifted Vintage jewelry... Enjoying some Italian Ice. LOL!

Diocesan Rosary at the Beach

On Saturday, I attended the annual diocesan rosary at the beach for my first time.  When I saw the event invite I was immediately drawn to it because I really love praying outdoors.  Next to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament- being with God out in nature is my favorite forms of worship.  It reminds me of the day that I opened my heart to God (as an adult), the day my brother was in the ER and I was out in the parking lot of the hospital and God came to me in a gust of wind.  Since, that’s the way He often reveals Himself to me, through His artful creation…

 Just a couple of seagulls chillin'.

 Praying outside is awesome!

The rosary at the beach has been an annual event the diocese hosts as a way of bringing young people together for fellowship and prayer.  The afternoon begins with socializing, roasting hot dogs, then praying the rosary together, followed by singing around the bonfire and roasting s’mores.  I really had a great time catching up with friends, meeting new ones and overall sharing my faith with others.  We had a big group come out from parishes around the diocese and to me it always motivates me to see so many young people defying the social norms by living a life for Christ.  A lot of the people in attendance were college aged kiddos and at times one in her thirties can feel a little old (smile).  There’s just a bit of an over-thirty deficit in attendance at some of these events, but I guess being around youngins can help the spirit remain youthful (LOL).

 Sharing a moment with friends.

 Getting dinner ready.

Roasting Hot Dogs.

 S'mores.

Singing around the fire. 

The rosary was really special because I asked the leader if we could offer it for a friend of mine who lost her brother and who I (along with some close friends) have been praying a novena for.  To have over a hundred people praying for my friend, her family and the soul of the departed was super beautiful.  I sent her pictures afterwards to share this with her because I know that when my brother passed away and people would tell us about these tributes and memorials it helped placed ointment on my wound.  Sometimes, there’s nothing we can do to help alleviate another person’s hurt- other than show them God’s infinite love through our prayerful actions. God listens to our pleas and comforts those who mourn.

 United in prayer.

I learned that it’s the eighth year the diocese hosts this event and for my first time attending, I give it a two thumbs up.    

Less than Thirty Dollars Theatre Outfit

When I was in High School I attended my first theatre production.  My English teacher offered extra credit for those who went to see “Kimberly Akimbo.”  I remember he coached us on proper dress attire for theatre going by reading an excerpt by a Chicano writer.  The author stressed the way that Mexicans have a tendency to over dress- my maternal grandma would call this wearing hasta el molcajete!  Yeah, we Mexican’s (much like Catholicism) celebrate life usually with loud, exaggerated flare.  The more bling the better!  Our teacher wanting to prepare us for unexplored territory attempted to instruct us on the proper etiquette of the theatre world.  He taught us that there are different dress codes people abide by, but he did so by reading this hilarious piece on the realities that when a Mexican hears party we generally hear one thing “time to dress to the tens” we don’t do nines (LOL).  In a very inoffensive way he taught us that one must dress up to attend theatre, but not overdo it with top hat unless the invite states so.  For the first time I was introduced into the different kinds of formal attire.  I remember the night of the play, I wore a simple cocktail dress and tried very hard to not disappoint my favorite teacher.  Then the play started and I knew that I had found something special.  While most of the kids in my class who attended didn’t think much of the experience I was fascinated by the whole night and since I have been a theatre nerd.  Every time while I get ready to go to a production I think of that day in class when I learned inbetween raucous laughter the do’s and don’ts of theatre dress code!

Last night, I went to see “The Little Mermaid” with some of my friends from work.  The play is seriously fantastic- the costumes are mesmerizing, the singing and music topnotch and the set and special effects are some of the best I’ve seen in theatre.  It’s still playing for quite a few more dates so if you get the chance go watch it! 

Now to the thrifty part of today’s post, my outfit is 100% completely thrifted!  Sometimes I get lucky and score brand new items like this nautical dress from the Loft with the $79.50 price still intact.  I love stripes and this dress not only has stripes, but it’s a shift dress with a wide ruffle bottom seam (it reminds me of Lucy’s dress from Peanuts).  

I paired my dress with J Crew’s Floating Pearl Necklace, Betsey Johnson Bow Pearl Earrings (old), MK watch (old), stacked pearl bracelets, 

my Seychelles Anthology beaded Sandal 

and my JPK Paris raffia crossbody. 

If I would have paid retail I would have spent $319.48 before taxes on just four items, as is on those four items I spent a grand total of $26.96 (thrift stores are taxed exempt).  So, not only do I follow the theatre dress code guidelines, I also manage to do it on a budget (smile).   

Alhambra: The Sacred Heart Retreat House

Today’s post is a sort of a commercial.  This year, the place I found refuge during my weekend retreat is going through some financial challenges.  During the year my parish is one of two churches that completely fills out the retreat house for the weekend.  This means’ that out of the year only for two weekends the home is completely booked, leaving the rest of the weekends available for other groups to use.  The Sacred Heart Retreat house in Alhambra is such a majestic place, Father Mullady describe it “as a glimpse of paradise.”  I, of course, fell in love with the grounds and today I would like to take you on a tour of the facility, mainly the gardens.  The retreat house boasts of many gardens, each dedicated to a saint.  At each garden there’s comfy chairs and tables to relax, read, pray, or even picnic.  Saint sculptures take center stage at each garden, they are all beautiful portraits of our holy friends.  Beautiful trees provide shade and all types flowers (including many rose bushes) add color.  Due to the natural splendor all types of critters can also be spotted.  I lost track of time watching a squirrel parkouring among the trees (smile). 

Drinking my coffee & journaling with Saint Therese.

Sacred Heart Garden.

 Mother Mary carrying baby Jesus' garden is in the courtyard in front of the lunch room.

 Guardian angel garden.

 Great place to take morning walks.

 Immaculate Heart of Mary Garden.

 Pray with Saint Anthony.

 After buying a book at the bookstore read it in front at the other Sacred Heart garden

 The Lord is my Shepherd Garden.

 Hangout with Saint Francis.

There are many more gardens...

A spacious conference room, in addition to the beautiful chapel.

There are many options for sleeping quarters...

and the most beautiful library! Here I am at the library.

If you are looking for a location to take a group on retreat try the Sacred Heart Retreat House, it will not disappoint.  Or if you want to go on retreat on your own the Camelite sisters offer many retreats throughout the year.  Check out their website: Sacred Heart Retreat House.  Let's support the sisters so that this paradise on earth continues to help people find refuge in God.

As Seen On Celebrities: All Saints Crimean Boots

I have been cleaning and donating… As a thrifter I need to make sure that I don’t become a hoarder!  While cleaning I came across this pair of boots that I scored at Savers for three dollars, they were in mint condition!  When I saw them, I thought I didn’t think I needed another pair, but when I saw the brand and the price I rushed to the cashier to make sure I wasn’t dreaming!  Sure enough my AllSaints Spitalfields Crimean Boots (yep designer shoes have names) were half off the regular six dollar tag! I might have done my happy dance in front of the sales lady because these retail well over 175 bucks a pair.  Thus, I wasn’t surprised to discover that actress Jessica Biel had been wearing them around town a few years back!  This modern update to the iconic bony boot makes them a classic staple that won’t suffer aging in matters of fashion (wohoo)!  The brand released this style in 2012 and they are just as in fashion today as they were a few years back (hence classic)…   When I saw them I immediately thought of taking them out for a night of dancing at The Ranch because they have a western feel to them, but so far I have worn them in my daily non-dancing life and they fit right in with my casual wardrobe.

My mom grew up materially poor and after we moved to the USA from Mexico my family again suffered quite an impoverished time.  In elementary, we used to have this show-and-tell activity everyday where two children would share something with the class.  A lot of the kids would show off their new shoes (probably because they forgot their show and tell item) and we would sing this song, “New shoes, new shoes, who has new shoes? (Name of Child) has new shoes.” Then everyone would clap.  I don’t think I ever had a pair of new shoes to share so I always made sure I took a toy to share and this song was never sung to me… The things we remember when we grow up…  I always got clothes and shoes that were on the sale rack, so I never really got to choose the style.  Then one day in middle school my mom got me a pair from Payless, these hightops that I was able to choose for the very first time.  I remember she paid around twenty-dollars (full-price) which to us was a small fortune.  On my way to the bus that day I sang the new shoes song silently in my head…

Since she grew-up poor, my mom encourages us to enjoy the fruits of our labors.  “If you like it buy it and enjoy it,” she constantly encourages me.  And I do just that, but always at a bargain price (smile).   

Women's Silent Retreat

Every year I strive to go on one weekend retreat.  This year I attended a silent women’s retreat at the Sacred Heart Retreat House in Alhambra.  The retreat is an annual parish event, our deacon’s wife usually organizes it as an opportunity for women from our parish to get away together to nourish our faith and form community.  On this occasion I was able to join my parish group for my first time and the experience was so lovely.  The grounds at the retreat home are like a small glimpse of heaven.  It’s a Carmelite home, so I got to learn a bit more about Carmelite spirituality.  When I arrived on Friday, during the orientation one of the sisters shared that Carmel means “hidden garden of God” thus their grounds have many gardens to help us find our “soul” garden.  I found this explanation really beautiful and meaningful.  It’s no secret that I love nature so to find and create a garden inside me where God remains, takes root and grows makes a lot of sense.  It’s a spiritual concept that I hope I can continue to develop.  During the weekend, our retreat master was famous EWTN Father Brian Mullady, he spoke about God’s Mercy, our need for humility and the beauty of silence.

Sometimes silence for people with mental disabilities can be quite a challenge.  I know that during specific times in my life I have difficulty calming my thoughts and it’s so easy to get pulled into the chaos of my bipolarness.  And for the past week or so I had been a little emotionally unbalanced so I was a little worried that the silence would have negative effects.  Yet, when we began our silence sister explained that our silence was to reflect a pregnant silence filled with the presence of God- to be quiet enough so that we could hear God’s whisper.  Again, this made a lot of sense because sometimes in quiet time I tend to overthink things so much that I create problems that were never there to begin with.  This silence meant to focus on God, I know that this is very basic theology, but sometimes I need to be pointed back to basics.  So, during the silent weekend I focused on God and being present in the moment.  The retreat house has various gardens with different saint sculptures in each and during my entire stay I felt like I was surrounded by my friends and great examples of sanctity.  I listened to the talks, to classic & religious music, to the lovely sounds of nature and saw God’s glory and my soul was full of gratitude.

I like to doodle my thoughts and experiences on retreat!

Hanging out in Saint Francis' Garden.

When I am disturbed it usually points to something wrong in me so I need to have the humility to own up to it.  This means to not respond to the feelings, but to put them to prayer and to try to find a solution calmly.  I really need to work on this because every time I have a problem I want to be quick to discuss and fix it, but sometimes I need to wait and calmly react.  During the retreat a lot of areas that I need to work on were revealed and it's humbling how much I need God's grace.  But I was really thankful that at least I am able to recognize how imperfect I am (LOL).

Isn’t it great to know that man cannot exist without love, God’s love and that this love must be carried to others wherever we go.  That we must look at everything and everyone with eternity in mind. And that His mercy gravitates towards our woundness, brokenness, sinfulness and it’s not repelled by our darkness; but, if we are open we become a new creation…  He desires to be near us and when we allow Him to be close we receive His mercy and then are able to radiate it towards others.  His mercy transforms us!  I don’t know about you, but God knows that I truly need to be changed into a better image of myself, one that closer resembles Him.

Retreats are awesome, I encourage you to make it a gift to yourself and go at least once a year.  There’s different types so every experience will always be so special.