I’ve not hidden the fact that I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, aka “Mormon”), but it’s also not something I am “in your face” about. It’s just a part of who I am – like curly hair, my family, sneezing in threes, and pretty much anything else that’s integral to my life.

And so it’s natural that just like my personality, colors, patterns, and weather effect my clothing choices, so do my religious beliefs.

I was raised LDS, and I remember my parents always teaching from a very young age to dress appropriately, modestly. When I turned 12 and graduated from “primary” to “Young Womens” I was given a small book “For the Strength of Youth” that further clarified the way we should dress, act, and treat others.

As an adult I’ve tried to maintain these values and standards, though I am human, and do fail at times, especially in my treatment of others. I need to be better about that.

When my husband and I were sealed to each in the temple other (a little while after we were married) we made new covenants to each other & with the lord – one of them being to dress modestly.

So, unless I’m running (or participating in another physical activity, like swimming, etc), I don’t wear anything sleeveless, low cut, short (I stick with knee length), etc. Essentially, like I was taught as a teen, I try to think “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?” That’s a pretty good guideline.

I don’t find this limiting at all, and I don’t think my “fashion sense” has suffered for it either. Though I’m certain my parents disagree with me & my “fashion sense.”

You might be asking yourself (because I know I’m certainly asking myself), why the heck is this author/Marine/mother/wife writing a fashion blog? Aren’t there like a bajillion fashion blogs out there? Why do we need another?

We probably don’t, and I don’t think I’m a fashionista at all, but apparently some of my friends and family do, and they asked me to do one, soooo… I figured this would be kind of fun to do. So there.

You can see my first post HERE, where I go into the basics of my style & kind of what my shopping “motto” is (never pay full price for anything), and that patience is a virtue (wait 3 years to find a specific pair of $250 Fluevog shoes for $40? Why yes I did…)

Alice + Olivia maxi-dress, Gift from friend
Ralph Lauren handbag, $15 (thrift store – yes, it’s real)
Darth Vader Penny Blossom by BrightCopperPenny, $7.50
Birkenstock sandals, $6 (thrift store)
Ribbon Necklace made by friend Celtic Ruins Design, $12
Abbey Road watch, anniversary gift from my hubby

Total: $40.50. At full price would have been: approx $1,469.50. Though like $1,000 of that is the purse. I’d NEVER pay that much for a purse! Not even close!

Vintage dress (circa 1980), $30 (vintage shop in Atlanta)
Wide black belt, $2 (thrift store)
Ballet flats, $10 (amazon.com)
Blood stone necklace on ribbon, $25 (antique shop in Wilmington, NC)
Red Penny Blossom by BrightCopperPenny, $7.50
Ruby earrings, gift from Hubby (he purchased them in Afghanistan on a deployment)
Ralph Lauren handbag, $15 (thrift store – yes, it’s real)
Banana Republic Polkadot tights, $12 (store sale)

Total: $101.50. At full price would have been: approx $1602.50. (again, about $1,000 would have been the purse)

Stripes & Polkadots.

Wide belt, penny blossom, blood stone, & ruby earrings.