Home»Archive for May, 2011

Homemaking Tuesday – Traveling Basket

May 31st, 2011 5 Comments

I don’t know about you, but there are things that I use every day. Things like a calculator, the book I happen to be reading, my to do lists, sticky notes, address book, craft projects, and other things.

Sometimes it can be hard to keep track of all this stuff. For me it helps to have everything in one place so that I can work on it. Because I share a room with my older sister, I don’t have room for a desk.

The solution? I got myself a basket. I put everything in there that I normally use in a day. It’s a great place to put things I need to work on so that I don’t forget it. It helps keep everything in a central location, and it’s easy to move around.

It can be a traveling desk as it were. I love mine. It helps me keep work straight and helps me be more organized.

Summer Dresses

May 30th, 2011 14 Comments

Okay, we are all about modest yet fashionable clothing here at Virtuous Girlhood. So for the past few weeks we have been modest yet fashionable (aka beautiful!) clothing! Today we will be featuring dresses. This is our last day! (sniff, sniff!)

Disclosure- I am well aware that the following sites sell swimwear. However, I searched the web and couldn’t find ONE site that sold cute yet modest dresses without selling some form of swimwear. For the record, I don’t agree with everything that these sites sell. But, readers have asked about finding cute yet modest clothing (like mine!) so here you go! If this offends you, well too bad. Click the little x in the corner of your computer screen! Otherwise, enjoy! :D

Summer Dresses-

Happy Talk-

Ballerina-

Cap Sleeve Shirt Dress-

Smocked Knit Dress-

Women’s Wrap Dress-



Chap’s Polka Dot Dress-



Knit Purple Dress-

Two Piece Sleeveless Dress-

Great stores include- Target, JcPenny’s, Kohls, Shabby Apple, Lands End, Walmart (yes really!), Forever21, Macy’s, TJ Max, Lord and Taylor, Liz Claiborne, Thrift Stores, or make your own! :)

Which one is YOUR favorite?

Miss RJ

Virtuous Girlhood does not agree with everything at the above websites. Thank you!

Rambles From My Heart – Beauty & Belonging

May 29th, 2011 13 Comments

Beautiful. Is that how you see yourself? When you look in the mirror what do you see?

I admit, I don’t think that I’m very beautiful. I don’t look in the mirror and see a beauty queen. I’m not the most attractive person in the world.

But you know what? I’m alright with that. I know that the outside isn’t where my beauty comes from.

I’m not beautiful because of what I am, but I’m beautiful because I belong to God. He has adopted me. I am His child. I am loved, redeemed, cleansed from sin, sanctified, made new, and cherished. Because I am His, His beauty is given to me. I share in the beauty of Christ.

I may not be beautiful on the outside. But on the inside I share in the beauty that comes from God.

In a culture that struggles to find beauty, knowing where you beauty comes from is a big deal. Beauty as our culture sees it is a fleeting dream. But the beauty that God gives is forever. Chase after this beauty. God gives it freely. Accept it. While outwardly we may decay outwardly, inside our spirit will become more radiant.

When you know where your beauty comes from it makes a world of difference. When you know who you are and where you are going, it gives you an inner compass. It leads you and shows you the way to go.

So let God be that inner compass. Let Him show you how beautiful you are. Let Him lavish His love on you. Then let Him lead you. And you will be changed. From one glory to another.

The Great Mogul Diamond

May 29th, 2011 2 Comments

I am participating in a blog tour for the six Dopple Ganger books. This is my review of the third book.

As you all know my siblings are in LOVE with this series! Personally, I could care less about these books. (I’d rather read Jane Austin books or classics) But, these books are clean and family-friendly and you cannot beat that.

My siblings loved this book. It kept their attention and they enjoyed reading it. They cannot wait for the next three books to come out. This is one of their favorite series.

My thoughts-

I read this book (duh, I have to review it!) ;-) and I was very pleased that there was no disobedience or disrespect to adults at ALL nor was there any silly boy/girl relationships. This was very refreshing as SO many children’s books contain this garbage.

My siblings find this book series very entertaining and enjoy it. This book was there favorite out of the three that we have read.

You can buy this book on cbd.com.

I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.

Winners!

May 28th, 2011 2 Comments

And the winners are……..

Penelope’s Porch-

Congratulations to Lina! You won this giveaway!

Comment #133 chosen by Random.org. Thanks to all who entered and to Penelope for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

Jamcake Jewelry-

Congratulations to Geri S! You won this giveaway!

Comment #6 chosen by Random.org. Thanks to all who entered and to Jamcake for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

Congrats ladies!

**Closed**Flexi 8 Review and Giveaway!

May 28th, 2011 81 Comments

Congratulations to Sarah Washburn You won this giveaway!

Comment #55 chosen by Random.org. Thanks to all who entered and to Flexi 8 for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was sent some lovely Flexi-8 clips to try-

Let me just start by saying that I am in LOVE with this hair jewelry! Not only does it stay in my hair, but it works wonderfully! I get so many compliments when I wear them!

These clips are VERY well made. Not your typical cheap-o hair clips. They are very beautiful and add a very feminine touch to hair styles.

I am in LOVE with my clips from Flexi-8! And you can have some too! Flexi-8 wants to give one lucky lady a chance to win TWO clips from Flexi-8! (under $15.00 each tho)

So you wanna win some hair barrettes? Open to the US only.

Here is what you have to do: THIS IS MANDATORY! Tell me what Fleix-8 clips you want! You will only get 1 entry for the mandatory entry.

For additional entries: leave one comment for each additional entry

Follow Virtuous Girlhood on Twitter. 5 extra entries

Follow Flexi 8 on Twitter. 5 extra entries.

Tweet about this giveaway- ONE entry per tweet. (you can do this up to 5x a day, but be sure to leave me the link)

Enter to #win two clips from Flexi 8! http://bit.ly/kJ2I2N @VirtuousGirlhd!

Like Virtuous Girlhood on Facebook 5 extra entries

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (It’s on my side bar!) 5 extra entries

Add Virtuous Girlhood.com to your blog roll/website 1 extra entry

Blog about this giveaway, include a link to this giveaway,and comment with the link 10 extra entries

Add my button to your blog or website 10 extra entries.

My Button My Button

Comment on any new posts on Virtuous Girlhood 1 extra entry (this can be done multiple times!) Be sure to leave me the link.

Enter any of our other giveaways. (5 extra entries per giveaway!)

Also if you have sisters or maybe your mom who would like to enter this giveaway they are welcome too even if you have already entered!

Rules: Giveaway starts on Friday, May 27th, 2011 and is open until June 19th, 2011. Flexi 8 will send one winner their prize. The winners has 48 hours to respond and if you have not responded with the requested information I will have to pick another winner! OPEN TO THE US ONLY. ONE WINNER.

You MUST use your home address if they win. No P.O. boxes! The winner must also provide their home phone number.

Also each time you have a additional entry, comment with it and the number that it is. Don’t worry if you don’t see the comments right away. Comment moderation is enabled. However if you are really worried about not seeing them after 2 days e-mail me at vgcontacts/at/ yahoo (dot) {com} And I’ll check it out! Sometimes my spam catcher catches them.

Happy Entering!

Miss RJ

Virtuous Girlhood received these products in exchange for writing a review. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. This review is my honest thoughts of the products and company. All opinions are my own and not impressed by monetary compensation. Virtuous Girlhood does not endorse nor agree with everything at the websites featured.

To Diet Or Not To Diet

May 27th, 2011 8 Comments

This article is not for young girls under 14. If you are under 14 please ask your parents to read this article first and then see if you may read it. Otherwise enjoy! :)


Ahh, dieting… How many times have we sat down with our girlfriends and complained that we were fat? I know that I have! Talk about a great big pity party!

But honestly, are we building each other up  when we complain about our God given bodies? I remember when I was younger hearing some older girls complain about their 16″ waists. And looking back I think know “Boy, if they think their 16″ waists are fat what must they think of my 26″ waist?” That’s the impression that we are giving each other when we complain about our weight. I mean honestly, what must your larger friends think when you complain about your 26″ waist? And really a 26″ waist is far from fat I have a 26″ waist.

On top of complaining about our size most girls don’t eat very much, constantly weigh/measure themselves, count calories, and go on fad diets. But is this really necessary?

Studies have proven that girls who constantly worry about their weight will GAIN not lose weight. There really is no reason at all to diet unless you are obese. And I don’t know a single friend of mine who is obese. ( and I know A LOT of girls)


But what makes girls want to diet? Well, it could be the images you are seeing, weight loss ads, a comment from a friend or family member, being told you look fat, or even simply thinking wrong thoughts. Whatever the reason that you are thinking/are dieting I suggest you stop. Why? Well because you can get carried away. I was the same way. I was so obsessed with dieting that you could see my ribs and hip bones. Yep. Just a few short months ago. Even now you can still see my hip bones/ribs, (part of that is because I am naturally thin) Finally I forced myself to stop. The toll that I was taking on my health wasn’t worth it.  And honestly, I really don’t want to go back to dieting. I’m happy with the body that God gave me. And I love my body.

God created us in his image and I Corinthians 3: 16-17 says “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Our bodies are God’s temple and when we are obsessing about dieting and constantly measuring/weighing ourselves we are not honoring God. So next time you are tempted to weigh yourself go to the Lord and pray. He alone can help and sustain you.

Did you know-

2 out of every girls in the world suffer from anorexia or bulimia.

5-10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease and 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate of any psychiatric illness (including major depression).

All that I can say is wow. How sad is that. And you know what? Most of those girls probably started out trying to lose “just a few pounds” and look were they ended up.

My suggestion for you is to eat healthy. If you eat healthy you won’t have to worry at all about your weight.

Some healthy eating tips-
Eat healthy fresh and whenever possible organic fruits and veggies.
Skip fast foods. They aren’t healthy for you at all.
Drink plenty of milk and water. Stay away from soda.
Eat healthy foods. (salads, whole grains, veggies, ect, ect)

Please, please, please think twice before you start dieting. And if you are “dieting” now then PLEASE stop. You will only end up hurting yourself and your family in the end. And as a closing reminder please remember what I Samuel 16:7 says “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Miss RJ

Penelope’s Porch Review (Etsy)

May 26th, 2011 6 Comments

Hi there!  I’m Mrs. Rachel and I’m helping Miss RJ out for a little while with reviews.  A little about myself – I’m a slight bit removed from ‘girlhood’ – I recently turned 30.  I’m married, live in Phoenix, Arizona, and am a stay at home mother to my two fantastic children – Jeremiah (almost 4) and Sarah, (2).

Enough about me – let’s talk about this sweet Etsy shop – Penelope’s Porch!

She has such beautiful and unique jewelry, so it was difficult to choose one to review.   I finally decided on the Bird Watcher Lariat Necklace.

My reasons for selecting this particular necklace were twofold – first, the little bird reminded me of Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

I love having jewelry that means something to me, and anything that can remind me of Jesus’ words is precious!   There is a second reason, though, and that is because my Busia (Grandmother), who passed away in 2005, was an avid birdwatcher.

The necklace arrived and I had some questions, so I sent Penelope a note through etsy.  She responded quickly and politely.  The customer service she provided was top-notch!  (You don’t get that from a big retailer!) Another note, I also received earrings with the necklace. I have very sensitive ears, and fully expected to react to the earrings – and I DIDN’T! Yay!

I can say, without a doubt, that I love this shop! I’ve added her to my favorites on etsy, and you should, too! Find her here: Penelope’s Porch.

Virtuous Girlhood received these products in exchange for writing a review. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. This review is my honest thoughts of the products and company. All opinions are my own and not impressed by monetary compensation. Virtuous Girlhood does not endorse nor agree with everything at the websites featured.

Scripture Designs

May 26th, 2011 4 Comments

In our technologically-advanced age, letter writing has become a lost art. It is becoming more and more rare to receive correspondence in our mailboxes. While I am certainly not bashing emails (I find them VERY convenient at times!), I do know how much I appreciate getting letters or cards by snail-mail, and want to encourage each of you to consider making a special effort to send notes to your friends.

Scripture Designs has a wonderful solution! This is small business run by a family in Connecticut. I was sent the New England Winter card set to review, and I LOVE it!

Each of the six cards in this set feature lovely winter photographs, and inspirational scripture verses. Scripture Designs offers Art and Picture Scripture Cards, as well as Scripture Art Prints. Their work is very beautiful, and I had a hard time choosing which set to pick!

The sketch cards consist of gray scale drawings that they have produced using either a graphite or charcoal medium, and are printed on parchment colored card-stock. The sets of six cards cost $6.00, and come with envelopes.

The picture cards consist of photographs that are staged and produced by their photographers, and are printed on glossy photographic card-stock. The sets of six cards cost $7.50 for the ones with blank insides, and $8.00 for the cards that have inside text. All of the cards come with envelopes.

I highly recommend that you check out the products from Scripture Designs for your correspondence needs. Not only do they provide beautiful, high-quality products, but you are supporting a family business and fellow believers in the Messiah.

Virtuous Girlhood received these products in exchange for writing a review. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. This review is my honest thoughts of the products and company. All opinions are my own and not impressed by monetary compensation. Virtuous Girlhood does not endorse nor agree with everything at the websites featured.

Nicobella Vegan Organic Dark Chocolate Review

May 26th, 2011 5 Comments
Hello, girls!
I recently had the pleasure of trying some of Nicobella’s vegan organic dark chocolates. My first thought was that if they were vegan, they probably wouldn’t taste as good as normal chocolate – but I was so wrong!
Nicobella sent me a 6-piece assortment box of their yummy truffles, so I received one of each of their Blueberry Almond, Ginger Green Tea, Pumpkin Chai, Pure Cocoa Bliss, Walnut Flaxseed Crunch, and my favorite, Sunflower Banana Butter truffles. The box was so cute and smelled delightful! And what was inside was delicious. Here are my thoughts on each chocolate:
Sunflower Banana Butter: As I mentioned, this one was my favorite! It had a nice, earthy taste, sweet but not too sweet, and the banana-flavor is subtle and natural – not like the fake banana flavor often used in many candies. The sunflower seed taste is definitely present, as well. The flavors are balanced and the chocolate is smooth. This flavor combo is unexpected and lovely!
Blueberry Almond: The blueberry was tart and fruity – just a hint in the strong dark chocolatey flavor. The almond isn’t very strong, except for the two slivers on top. Mostly an overwhelming fruity dark chocolate flavor. Some more almond and some more crunch would have been nice, but this one is still good!
Pumpkin Chai: YUM! The dark chocolate in this one takes a backseat to the warm pumpkin-and-spice in this one. Delicious, smooth, and would be especially perfect for Fall. Tastes just like chocolatey pumpkin pie.
Ginger Green Tea: The ginger is much more apparent than the tea here. Still an excellent, smooth, delicately-flavored chocolate.

Walnut Flaxseed Crunch: This was definitely one of my favorites. The tiny grains of the nuts and the sweet-salty combination along with the smooth, fluffy truffle center was just gorgeous. I wish I had about three more of these!
Pure Cocoa Bliss: A lovely, dark, classy chocolate. The truffle center is velvet and the cocoa nibs on top provide a great crunch. “Pure Cocoa Bliss” is aptly named! I left it for last because with so many other interesting options, I was sure plain chocolate would not be my favorite, but there is nothing plain about this truffle. It’s wonderful.
One thing I liked about these chocolates is that one or two were rich enough to satiate my sweet tooth, which means I wasn’t loading up on empty calories. I couldn’t review more than one or two in one sitting – they pack enough chocolate to be a nice, small, satisfying dessert. They were also pretty! Each chocolate had a sweet little garnish on top – cocoa nibs, or an almond sliver, or a sunflower seed!
Also, I love that they use only Fair Trade chocolate and fill up their sweets with all-natural, organic ingredients. They’re a bit pricy, it’s true, but you really do get what you pay for – I feel that this chocolate is worth the extra money for the interesting flavor combinations, organic ingredients, and overall quality.
Whether you’re a vegan or not, I highly recommend Nicobella if you love chocolate. They’re truly a delight.
You can order the same box of chocolates I had for $13.50 using this link.
- Miss Cattie
Virtuous Girlhood received this product in exchange for writing a review. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. This review contains my honest thoughts of the products and company. All opinions are my own and not impressed by monetary compensation. Virtuous Girlhood does not endorse nor agree with everything at the websites featured.
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