That is why Lent is about death. We have to DIE to our old selves, DIE to sin so that Christ can make us a new creation. Death is always painful. But resurrection is beyond the best we can imagine!
Showing posts with label Quotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quotes. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Lenten Mini-Reflection
"We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:2)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Truth-Seekers vs. Open-Minded Cowards
Wow. Archbishop Sheen has such a way of nailing it on really relevant topics! I've often wondered why "openness of mind" seems such an oft-idolized, twisted concept. Here we have the distinction between a necessary open mind and a narcissistic one.
The open mind is commendable when it is like a road that leads to a city, but the open mind is condemnable when it is like an abyss.
Those who boast of their open-mindedness are invariably those who love to search for truth but not to find it; they love the chase but not the capture; they admire the footprints of truth, but not catching up with it. They go through life talking about “widening the horizons of truth” without ever seeing the sun. Truth brings with it grave responsibilities; that is why so many keep their hands open to welcome it but never close them to grasp it.
The real thinker who is willing to embrace a truth at all costs generally has a double price to pay—first, isolation from popular opinion. For example, anyone who arrives at the moral conclusion that divorce prepares the way for civilization’s breakdown must be prepared to be ostracized by the Herods and Salomes of this world.
Nonconformity with popular opinion can be expected to bring down opposition and ridicule upon the offender’s head.
Second, those who discover a truth must stand naked before the uplifted stroke of its duties or else take up the cross that it imposes. Those two effects of embracing truth make many people fearful. In their cowardice, they keep their minds “open” so they will never have to close on anything that would entail responsibility, duty, moral correction or altered behavior.
The “open mind” does not want truth for truth implies obligation, which predicates responsibility, and responsibility is the only thing the “open mind” is most eager to avoid. Avoiding responsibility only results in the abdication of one’s free will to another, whether it be to an ideology or to a director. The only real solution is for those with “open minds” to grasp truth, even though it does involve a change in behavior, for ultimately it is only truth that can make them free.
The open mind is commendable when it is like a road that leads to a city, but the open mind is condemnable when it is like an abyss.
Those who boast of their open-mindedness are invariably those who love to search for truth but not to find it; they love the chase but not the capture; they admire the footprints of truth, but not catching up with it. They go through life talking about “widening the horizons of truth” without ever seeing the sun. Truth brings with it grave responsibilities; that is why so many keep their hands open to welcome it but never close them to grasp it.
The real thinker who is willing to embrace a truth at all costs generally has a double price to pay—first, isolation from popular opinion. For example, anyone who arrives at the moral conclusion that divorce prepares the way for civilization’s breakdown must be prepared to be ostracized by the Herods and Salomes of this world.
Nonconformity with popular opinion can be expected to bring down opposition and ridicule upon the offender’s head.
Second, those who discover a truth must stand naked before the uplifted stroke of its duties or else take up the cross that it imposes. Those two effects of embracing truth make many people fearful. In their cowardice, they keep their minds “open” so they will never have to close on anything that would entail responsibility, duty, moral correction or altered behavior.
The “open mind” does not want truth for truth implies obligation, which predicates responsibility, and responsibility is the only thing the “open mind” is most eager to avoid. Avoiding responsibility only results in the abdication of one’s free will to another, whether it be to an ideology or to a director. The only real solution is for those with “open minds” to grasp truth, even though it does involve a change in behavior, for ultimately it is only truth that can make them free.
—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Way to Inner Peace (New York: Alba House Publishers, 1994)
Friday, August 27, 2010
"Love Is Not Tolerance"
What does it really mean to love authentically? How do we walk the fine line between tender and tough love? The great speaker and TV evangelist Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen offers timeless guidance in this poem...
Christian love bears evil, but it does not tolerate it.
It does penance for the sins of others, but it is not broadminded about sin.
The cry for tolerance never induces it to quench its hatred of the evil philosophies that have entered into contest with the Truth.
It forgives the sinner, and it hates the sin; it is unmerciful to the error in his mind.
The sinner it will always take back into the bosom of the Mystical Body; but his lie will never be taken into the treasury of His Wisdom.
Real love involves real hatred: whoever has lost the power of moral indignation and the urge to drive the buyers and sellers from the temples has also lost a living, fervent love of Truth.
Charity, then, is not a mild philosophy of "live and let live"; it is not a species of sloppy sentiment.
Charity is the infusion of the Spirit of God, which makes us love the beautiful and hate the morally ugly.
Christian love bears evil, but it does not tolerate it.
It does penance for the sins of others, but it is not broadminded about sin.
The cry for tolerance never induces it to quench its hatred of the evil philosophies that have entered into contest with the Truth.
It forgives the sinner, and it hates the sin; it is unmerciful to the error in his mind.
The sinner it will always take back into the bosom of the Mystical Body; but his lie will never be taken into the treasury of His Wisdom.
Real love involves real hatred: whoever has lost the power of moral indignation and the urge to drive the buyers and sellers from the temples has also lost a living, fervent love of Truth.
Charity, then, is not a mild philosophy of "live and let live"; it is not a species of sloppy sentiment.
Charity is the infusion of the Spirit of God, which makes us love the beautiful and hate the morally ugly.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Listen Up, World
The too-cute 4-year-old mentioned in yesterday's post is quite the character: he's blonde-haired, big-eyed, and closer to the size of a 2 year old, but will open his articulate mouth and talk like he's 22. :)
Francis prompts laughter and endearment continually, but this particular exchange from last night is too good not to document. His brother three years his elder had been doing a bit of name-calling, prompting me to pull him aside for a little talk. Francis was meanwhile standing behind me on the porch steps.
Me: "Joseph, would Jesus have talked like you did?"
J: "No. But why do we have to be like Jesus?"
Me: "Because if we do not act like Jesus, that makes our enemy happy. Do you know who that is?" (Very helpful: always capitalize on spiritual warfare when catechizing little boys) ;)
J: "The devil."
Me: "And the devil hates us. He doesn't want us to be happy. He wants us to hurt God, others, and ourselves."
Francis: (with hands expressively lifted) "And why would you want to listen to someone who doesn't even love you? That doesn't make sense!"
You go, little one. If only the rest of the world would figure that out, a lot of people would be a whole lot happier!
Francis prompts laughter and endearment continually, but this particular exchange from last night is too good not to document. His brother three years his elder had been doing a bit of name-calling, prompting me to pull him aside for a little talk. Francis was meanwhile standing behind me on the porch steps.
Me: "Joseph, would Jesus have talked like you did?"
J: "No. But why do we have to be like Jesus?"
Me: "Because if we do not act like Jesus, that makes our enemy happy. Do you know who that is?" (Very helpful: always capitalize on spiritual warfare when catechizing little boys) ;)
J: "The devil."
Me: "And the devil hates us. He doesn't want us to be happy. He wants us to hurt God, others, and ourselves."
Francis: (with hands expressively lifted) "And why would you want to listen to someone who doesn't even love you? That doesn't make sense!"
You go, little one. If only the rest of the world would figure that out, a lot of people would be a whole lot happier!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
June: Month of the Sacred Heart
“For evangelization today, the Heart of Christ must be recognized as the heart of the Church: It is He who calls us to conversion, to reconciliation. It is He who leads pure hearts and those hungering for justice along the way of the Beatitudes. It is He who achieves the warm communion of the members of the one Body. It is He who enables us to adhere to the Good News and to accept the promise of eternal life. It is He who sends us out on mission. The heart-to-heart with Jesus broadens the human heart on a global scale.”
– Pope John Paul II
Sunday, May 09, 2010
The Honor of Motherhood
I've posted them before, but in honor of Mother's Day, these beautiful words are worth sharing again...
"The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral -- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body...The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?"
"The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral -- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body...The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?"
Happy Mother's Day!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Today's Quote
"The present moment holds infinite riches beyond your wildest dreams but you will only enjoy them to the extent of your faith and love. The more a soul loves, the more it longs, the more it hopes, the more it finds. The will of God is manifest in each moment, an immense ocean which only the heart fathoms insofar as it overflows with faith, trust and love."
—Jean-Pierre De Caussade in The Sacrament of the Present Moment
~~~
I think that book needs to be on my reading list!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Pope asks Bloggers to Give Internet a Soul
(24 Apr 10 – RV) The need to give the Internet a soul and humanize the dynamics of the digital world was at the heart of Pope Benedict XVI’s message Saturday to participants in a conference on modern means of mass communication.
Promoted by the Italian Bishops Conference, “Digital Witness” draws together experts in information technology, social networking, web journalism and blogging to focus on the language we use and the way we communicate as Christians in the online society.
Pope Benedict told participants that the task of every believer who works in media, is to ensure the “quality of human contact, guaranteeing attention to people and their spiritual needs”.
“This is increasingly urgent in today’s world”, he said, at a time when Internet appears to have a “basically egalitarian” vocation, but at the same time, “marks a new divide", the "digital divide" that "separates the included from the excluded."
"The dangers of homologation and control, of intellectual and moral relativism are also increasing, as already recognizable in the decline of critical spirit, in truth reduced to a game of opinions, in the many forms of degradation and humiliation of the intimacy of the person."
Thus said the Pope we see, a "spiritual pollution" that brings us to no longer "look one another in the face”. So we must “overcome those collective dynamics that risk reducing people to "soulless bodies, objects of exchange and consumption”. The media must become a “humanizing factor”, focused "on promoting the dignity of persons and peoples". Only then will "the epochal times we are experiencing be rich and fertile in new opportunities."
"Without fear we must set sail on the digital sea facing into the deep with the same passion that has governed the ship of the Church for two thousand years. Rather than for, albeit necessary, technical resources, we want to qualify ourselves by living in the digital world with a believer’s heart, helping to give a soul to the Internet’s incessant flow of communication".
Promoted by the Italian Bishops Conference, “Digital Witness” draws together experts in information technology, social networking, web journalism and blogging to focus on the language we use and the way we communicate as Christians in the online society.
Pope Benedict told participants that the task of every believer who works in media, is to ensure the “quality of human contact, guaranteeing attention to people and their spiritual needs”.
“This is increasingly urgent in today’s world”, he said, at a time when Internet appears to have a “basically egalitarian” vocation, but at the same time, “marks a new divide", the "digital divide" that "separates the included from the excluded."
"The dangers of homologation and control, of intellectual and moral relativism are also increasing, as already recognizable in the decline of critical spirit, in truth reduced to a game of opinions, in the many forms of degradation and humiliation of the intimacy of the person."
Thus said the Pope we see, a "spiritual pollution" that brings us to no longer "look one another in the face”. So we must “overcome those collective dynamics that risk reducing people to "soulless bodies, objects of exchange and consumption”. The media must become a “humanizing factor”, focused "on promoting the dignity of persons and peoples". Only then will "the epochal times we are experiencing be rich and fertile in new opportunities."
"Without fear we must set sail on the digital sea facing into the deep with the same passion that has governed the ship of the Church for two thousand years. Rather than for, albeit necessary, technical resources, we want to qualify ourselves by living in the digital world with a believer’s heart, helping to give a soul to the Internet’s incessant flow of communication".
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Power of the Eucharist
I love quotes... you know that by now. :) But when I find one this moving, how can I not share it?
"My children, we know when a soul has worthily received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, it is so drowned in love, so penetrated and changed, that it is no longer to be recognised in its words or its actions... It is humble, it is gentle, it is mortified, charitable, and modest; it is at peace with everyone. It is a soul capable of the greatest sacrifices; in short, you would not know it again."
"My children, we know when a soul has worthily received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, it is so drowned in love, so penetrated and changed, that it is no longer to be recognised in its words or its actions... It is humble, it is gentle, it is mortified, charitable, and modest; it is at peace with everyone. It is a soul capable of the greatest sacrifices; in short, you would not know it again."
—St John Vianney, special patron of this "Year for Priests"
(Quote found at this blog, where there is also an insightful article about the recent persecution of the Holy Father and the clergy scandal.)
On a completely non-related note, I noticed that I've just exceeded 500 posts: this is my 501st entry here. :)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
1 Thess 5:17
"You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing, and grace before I dip the pen in the ink."
--G.K. Chesterton
"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thess 5:16-18)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Happy Feast Day!
Today is the feast of St. Joseph. What do we know about this man?
He was a “just man.” (Matthew 1:19)
He lived a simple life.
He was a carpenter.
He was a descendant of King David.
He lived in Nazareth, in Galilee.
He was the husband of Mary.
He was the foster-father of Jesus.
He was protector of the Holy Family.
He often received messages in dreams.He is the patron saint of fathers.
He is the patron saint of families.
He is patron of the Universal Church.
He is the patron saint of workers.
He has a second feast day:
May 1 is “St. Joseph the Worker”,
when we honor him as patron of all workers.
He is the patron of a happy death,
because he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Prayer to St. Joseph
(from the 1st Century)
O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power, I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.
Reflection:
“Fathers of families find in Joseph the best personification of paternal solicitude and vigilance; spouses a perfect example of love, of peace, and of conjugal fidelity; virgins at the same time find in him the model and protector of virginal integrity.”
– Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII
On Devotion to St. Joseph
On Devotion to St. Joseph
Happy Feast Day, everyone!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Prayer for Priests — Novena Day 3
The Wisdom of the Church:
"A priest's office is to be a mediator between God and his people, for as much as he bestows divine blessings on the people and offers up their prayers to God, and in some manner renders satisfaction to God for their sins...Because he is placed between God and man, the priest should touch God by his prayer and touch man by his mercy and compassion."
(St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica)
Pray the Prayer to the Mother of God shared on Day 1.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Prayer for Priests — Novena Day 2
Insights of St. John Vianney:
"Oh, how great is the priest! If he understood himself he would die...God obeys him; he speaks two words, and Our Lord comes down from heaven at his voice, and shuts himself up in a little Host...
If man well understood this mystery, he would die of love."
"Oh, how great is the priest! If he understood himself he would die...God obeys him; he speaks two words, and Our Lord comes down from heaven at his voice, and shuts himself up in a little Host...
If man well understood this mystery, he would die of love."
Pray the Prayer to the Mother of God shared on Day 1.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy St. Valentine's Day!
"Joy is a net of love
by which you can catch souls."
"Intense love does not measure,
it just gives."
"Love begins at home,
and it is not how much we do...
but how much love we put in that action."
"I have found the paradox,
that if you love until it hurts,
there can be no more hurt, only more love."
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God
who is sending a love letter to the world."
(Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
~ ~ ~
"Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.
For love is the beauty of the soul."
(Saint Augustine of Hippo)
Miss Anna at Maidens of Worth has a beautiful reflection here.Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Bonus: A Winter Week in Feminine Dress, Day 8
Today's schedule: 8:00am Mass, accompanied flutist and bass player for their school contest, met with friends from Iowa to celebrate their baby's baptism, and after hitting "post" I must be off to catch up on deskwork and cleanup for a few solid hours. There's talk of a family movie for tonight. :)
Today's outfit #1... I wanted to post the "bonus" Day 8 to highlight a casual feminine outfit: a dark denim gored skirt with cotton tights, snowflake/snowman-print turtleneck, and sky blue zip-up sweatshirt. A combination ideal for housecleaning, chores, or "loungewear".
Today's outfit #2... For the baptism celebration and student contests, a more dressy ensemble: floral polyester skirt by "Southern Lady" (from a boutique), dark purple turtleneck, and lavender zip-up suede jacket.
I do want to share a picture of my necklace today because it's very special...my dear sister Sarah, who is a freshman at Christendom college, gave one to both Veronica and I (as well as herself) before going from Christmas break. The back reads, The best thing about having a sister is that I always have a friend. It's nice having the reminder close by even though she's 12 hours away. Love and miss you, Sarah!
Veronica's outfit... Black stretch-lace skirt — it also has a touch of velvet — from Burlington Coat Factory (as you can tell by the number of times I've mentioned them, there is more there than just coats!), wool sweater, and black dress ankle boots from Famous Footwear. Her spandex turtleneck shell was ordered from Boscov's: she has blue and black and really likes them for layering under sweaters and other tops. They fill in low necklines perfectly, as well as add warmth and style.
This snapshot offers a nice view of her miraculous medal from The Catholic Company (my Confirmation gift as her sponsor), as well as the way her turtleneck is gathered across the front, and her chastity ring.
And that, my friends, officially concludes our Winter Week in Feminine Dress. The comment boxes have been rather quiet... if you have been encouraged or inspired this week, please let me know! I really appreciate your thoughts and feedback. My purpose in hosting this is not to see my own face in print, but hopefully to offer a glimpse of how skirts and dresses can be implemented effectively into daily life.
Today's outfit #1... I wanted to post the "bonus" Day 8 to highlight a casual feminine outfit: a dark denim gored skirt with cotton tights, snowflake/snowman-print turtleneck, and sky blue zip-up sweatshirt. A combination ideal for housecleaning, chores, or "loungewear".
Today's outfit #2... For the baptism celebration and student contests, a more dressy ensemble: floral polyester skirt by "Southern Lady" (from a boutique), dark purple turtleneck, and lavender zip-up suede jacket.
I do want to share a picture of my necklace today because it's very special...my dear sister Sarah, who is a freshman at Christendom college, gave one to both Veronica and I (as well as herself) before going from Christmas break. The back reads, The best thing about having a sister is that I always have a friend. It's nice having the reminder close by even though she's 12 hours away. Love and miss you, Sarah!
Veronica's outfit... Black stretch-lace skirt — it also has a touch of velvet — from Burlington Coat Factory (as you can tell by the number of times I've mentioned them, there is more there than just coats!), wool sweater, and black dress ankle boots from Famous Footwear. Her spandex turtleneck shell was ordered from Boscov's: she has blue and black and really likes them for layering under sweaters and other tops. They fill in low necklines perfectly, as well as add warmth and style.
This snapshot offers a nice view of her miraculous medal from The Catholic Company (my Confirmation gift as her sponsor), as well as the way her turtleneck is gathered across the front, and her chastity ring.
“The power that women can wield over men is great indeed. If they pursue their own selfish aims, women are Satan’s slaves. If they put their charm at God’s service, they are God’s great allies.”
~Dr. Alice von Hildebrand
One last fun picture...my 12-year-old brother can be sweet when he decides to be! Yes, this was his own initiative. Never mind that he took the opportunity to try and tickle my face with his smack. ;)
And that, my friends, officially concludes our Winter Week in Feminine Dress. The comment boxes have been rather quiet... if you have been encouraged or inspired this week, please let me know! I really appreciate your thoughts and feedback. My purpose in hosting this is not to see my own face in print, but hopefully to offer a glimpse of how skirts and dresses can be implemented effectively into daily life.
Gentlemen, if you are grateful for the girls in your life who make the effort and priority to dress with dignity, let them know! After all, the wisdom of the world tells us modesty is unattractive...even though we know better, it's helpful and encouraging to hear the the truth from our brothers in Christ.
Ladies, I've heard one Catholic author descibe modesty as "a ministry of beauty". Our goal must be to offer in our dress and presentation a mirror of the perfect beauty of God, and a reflection of His presence in our hearts. The virtue of modesty is an important weapon to defeat the culture of death and transform it into a culture of life. As Colleen Hammond so wisely says...
"We can change the world: one outfit at a time!"
Friday, February 05, 2010
A Winter Week in Feminine Dress, Day 7
Today's schedule: 7:30am Mass, various morning deskwork, University choir practice, few afternoon lessons, some R.E. work, a nap (I needed it!), another evening coaching session for a student playing their contest tomorrow.
Today's outfit:
Skirt: The brand is Liz Claiborne, but I'm not sure where I got it. It's a dark grey with tan and red plaid.
Shawl: Self-explanitory. Cream, knit, and cozy. :)
Top: Venetian red according to this page (color charts are such fun!), with a lace-up front and small collar. I really like that the lace-up has its own insert.
Necklace: My "Friends in Christ" necklace that I share with my dear friend Malori (who, by the way, just started her own Week in Feminine Dress. Do go and visit!). We've known each other for 14 years and we've only had reunions about six times, living many states from one another...so we started this tradition early on. Each time we are able to see each other, we exchange necklaces. One has a filled-in cross, and the other a cut-out cross. As you can see, I currently have the former.
Today's femininity quote:
Today's outfit:
Skirt: The brand is Liz Claiborne, but I'm not sure where I got it. It's a dark grey with tan and red plaid.
Shawl: Self-explanitory. Cream, knit, and cozy. :)
Top: Venetian red according to this page (color charts are such fun!), with a lace-up front and small collar. I really like that the lace-up has its own insert.
Necklace: My "Friends in Christ" necklace that I share with my dear friend Malori (who, by the way, just started her own Week in Feminine Dress. Do go and visit!). We've known each other for 14 years and we've only had reunions about six times, living many states from one another...so we started this tradition early on. Each time we are able to see each other, we exchange necklaces. One has a filled-in cross, and the other a cut-out cross. As you can see, I currently have the former.
Hair: Two-frenchbraids-into-one, which has been named "The Sarah" after my sister. :) It's called "High Combo" here.
Today's femininity quote:
“When women are pure, men will respect, nay, venerate them; they will also hear the call challenging them to chastity.”
~Dr. Alice von Hildebrand
Today's feminine website: www.saintmariasmessenger.com
"An interactive website for teen girls, under the patronage of St. Maria Goretti"
Thursday, February 04, 2010
A Winter Week in Feminine Dress, Day 6
Today's schedule: Noon Mass and adoration, meeting with a friend, Suzuki violin group (concert rehearsal), and more music coaching sessions (I've had a few extra this week because some middle school students playing their instruments for "contest" this weekend have me as their accompanist). Normally I work on Religious Ed. things in my home office on Thursdays, but didn't get to that today! That means more things stacked up for upcoming days...Friday, Saturday, and Monday usually have a lot of RE work in preparation for classes meeting on Tuesday. It is a mixed challenge/benefit to do much of the work from my home office and to set my own hours. :)
Today's outfit:
Bonus outfits... 
Veronica's top is from Burlington Coat Factory, and she layers a black tank underneath to remedy the low v-neckline. Her pashmina/scarf is from Wal-Mart, and her grey skirt I gave her from Christmas (a Goodwill find). She often gets compliments on its trio of side pleats.
Today's femininity quote:
Today's feminine website: www.endowonline.com
Today's outfit:
Skirt: Deep green corderoy makes for a seasonal standby. The five gores give it a great width and drape.
Top: Dusty lavendar sweater with attached tie-collar, found at a boutique. There is a rhinestone button sewn through both ties. Most of the time I wear a close-fitting short sleeve top underneath my pullover sweaters. No only does this aid in warmth, but in keeping the sweater fresh enough to wear a few times between washings. My favorite undershirts are soft organic cotton tops by Seed Supply Co. — which, believe it or not, are sold at Wal-Mart in a variety of colors. They aren't bulky, and the long length keeps them tucked in well. This company makes leggings and such, too.
Legwear: Maggie's lightweight cotton tights in black.
Hair: Nothing extraordinary today — just the "bangs" pulled back with a flat silver barrette.
Outerwear: I've had my main winter coat — suede-type in deep plum with thick, soft inside — for about three winters already. A coat that probably costs $50-$100 or more new is usually about $10-$20 at Unique. I also found this pretty aqua scarf there recently. It's super long, which means I can wrap it several times around.
Top: Dusty lavendar sweater with attached tie-collar, found at a boutique. There is a rhinestone button sewn through both ties. Most of the time I wear a close-fitting short sleeve top underneath my pullover sweaters. No only does this aid in warmth, but in keeping the sweater fresh enough to wear a few times between washings. My favorite undershirts are soft organic cotton tops by Seed Supply Co. — which, believe it or not, are sold at Wal-Mart in a variety of colors. They aren't bulky, and the long length keeps them tucked in well. This company makes leggings and such, too.
Legwear: Maggie's lightweight cotton tights in black.
Hair: Nothing extraordinary today — just the "bangs" pulled back with a flat silver barrette.
Outerwear: I've had my main winter coat — suede-type in deep plum with thick, soft inside — for about three winters already. A coat that probably costs $50-$100 or more new is usually about $10-$20 at Unique. I also found this pretty aqua scarf there recently. It's super long, which means I can wrap it several times around.
Bonus outfits...
Mrs. H (aka Mom) enjoys a plum suede skirt with some small pleats near the hemline, coupled with black Maryjane shoes and her Maggie's cotton tights (no, they didn't pay me for advertising!). Her cotton sweater has yarn-embroidered flowers and large cream buttons, and she's wearing a blouse with a scalloped round collar that lays over the sweater. Her necklace is actually a medal of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Veronica's top is from Burlington Coat Factory, and she layers a black tank underneath to remedy the low v-neckline. Her pashmina/scarf is from Wal-Mart, and her grey skirt I gave her from Christmas (a Goodwill find). She often gets compliments on its trio of side pleats.
Today's femininity quote:
"All human society is increasingly enriched by the gifts proper to masculinity and femininity."
~Pope John Paul the Great
Today's feminine website: www.endowonline.com
"As a Catholic educational program, ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women" brings women together to discover their God-given dignity and to understand their role in humanizing and transforming society."
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
A Winter Week in Feminine Dress, Day 5
Today's schedule: Mass and music lessons in the morning, University choir, afternoon lessons, took my brother to cello, evening orchestra practice. Yes, Wednesday is a big music day. :)
Today's oufit:
Skirt: Mock-suede Chadwicks that I found secondhand for probably 1/10 of the new price. Yet another winter favorite.
Top: A deep violet turtleneck underneath a soft, warm sweater with flower/bead decor. Maybe at this point I should just stop mentioning thrift stores and say only when I got it somewhere else!) :)
Shoes: Same boots as yesterday, with nylons.
Hair: I must admit that for most of the day, I didn't have time to do anything with my hair, but before going to orchestra tonight I snagged a few minutes to freshen up. I twisted the sides using small clips, and tried something new with the back. It came out being what I always imagined a chignon to look like (you know, the hairdo they always mention in civil war books?). Although now that I've looked it up, it seems like perhaps the term just meant a bun or knot. Oh well...maybe I'll have to give it a new name.
Today's femininity quote:
Today's oufit:
Skirt: Mock-suede Chadwicks that I found secondhand for probably 1/10 of the new price. Yet another winter favorite.
Top: A deep violet turtleneck underneath a soft, warm sweater with flower/bead decor. Maybe at this point I should just stop mentioning thrift stores and say only when I got it somewhere else!) :)
Shoes: Same boots as yesterday, with nylons.
Hair: I must admit that for most of the day, I didn't have time to do anything with my hair, but before going to orchestra tonight I snagged a few minutes to freshen up. I twisted the sides using small clips, and tried something new with the back. It came out being what I always imagined a chignon to look like (you know, the hairdo they always mention in civil war books?). Although now that I've looked it up, it seems like perhaps the term just meant a bun or knot. Oh well...maybe I'll have to give it a new name.
View 2:
Today's femininity quote:
"Either we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity, but the whole body reveals impurity."
~St. Jerome
Today's feminine website: www.womenofgrace.com
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
A Winter Week in Feminine Dress, Day 4
Today's schedule: Religious Education work from 8am-8pm (home and school offices), with a few hours break in the afternoon for noon Mass and voting in the IL Primary Elections. At the end of the day, a non-regular music lesson and writing my bulletin article for this weekend.
Today's inspiration: This has nothing to do with the rest, but I have to mention it because I was so blessed when a lady came up to me after noon Mass thanking me for starting "O Salutaris" at the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament...expressing how moved she was by my singing. You never know when the littlest thing will touch someone!
Today's outfit:
Skirt: My favorite secondhand find this season. A conviently practical length and width, and homemade by my observation of the seams and absence of a tag. Heavier material and lining attached = nice and warm!
Top: Teal ribbed cotton turtleneck/sweater from Burlington Coat Factory. $4.99, I think. I enjoy this color a lot.
Scarf: Worn the same way as Day 1, this was a Christmas gift from Veronica — I happen to know that she found it at Wal-Mart, where pashmina-style scarves are only about $5.
Legwear: Probably the only thing I own that was from a "Juniors" section! These lace-edged leggings are only $5 or $6 at Wal-Mart. They'd be better if "Miley Cirus" wasn't printed inside the tag area (ugh), but the price can't be beat and they go great under skirts! For you ladies that don't like tights/pantyhose, leggings are the perfect thing to keep your legs warm with a winter skirt or dress. They're all over the place this season, anyway, so you won't have a hard time finding some! I wore a pair of black knee-high nylons underneath this pair since they are "capri" length.
Footwear: Winter boots by Khombu. Trim and pretty and totally wearable (an awful lot of boots these days are not!). I couldn't decide whether to get black or brown when getting these in the Fall, but ended up going with the latter, and they match pretty well with all my winter skirts.
Necklace: My miraculous medal, peeking out the center between the ends of my scarf.
Hair: I washed it this morning and it dries wavy, so I just parted it to the side and gently clipped back the sides with some turquoise-flowered bobby pins (to match the top and scarf). A couple of crossways brown bobby pins underneath the decorative ones helped it stay secure.
Veronica's outfit...
...a cranberry wool skirt and off-white rabbit-hair sweater with sparkles in it over a purple top. Actually, I think I may have found both those pieces...when thrift shopping I'm always finding nice things that fit my sisters. :) Her necklace was made by and older gentleman we know who makes jewelry as a hobby and gave us each a piece one year for Christmas. She actually wore her purple scarf from Day 2 much of the day with this outfit, which looked great also.
Today's inspiration: This has nothing to do with the rest, but I have to mention it because I was so blessed when a lady came up to me after noon Mass thanking me for starting "O Salutaris" at the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament...expressing how moved she was by my singing. You never know when the littlest thing will touch someone!
Today's outfit:
Skirt: My favorite secondhand find this season. A conviently practical length and width, and homemade by my observation of the seams and absence of a tag. Heavier material and lining attached = nice and warm!
Top: Teal ribbed cotton turtleneck/sweater from Burlington Coat Factory. $4.99, I think. I enjoy this color a lot.
Scarf: Worn the same way as Day 1, this was a Christmas gift from Veronica — I happen to know that she found it at Wal-Mart, where pashmina-style scarves are only about $5.
Legwear: Probably the only thing I own that was from a "Juniors" section! These lace-edged leggings are only $5 or $6 at Wal-Mart. They'd be better if "Miley Cirus" wasn't printed inside the tag area (ugh), but the price can't be beat and they go great under skirts! For you ladies that don't like tights/pantyhose, leggings are the perfect thing to keep your legs warm with a winter skirt or dress. They're all over the place this season, anyway, so you won't have a hard time finding some! I wore a pair of black knee-high nylons underneath this pair since they are "capri" length.
Footwear: Winter boots by Khombu. Trim and pretty and totally wearable (an awful lot of boots these days are not!). I couldn't decide whether to get black or brown when getting these in the Fall, but ended up going with the latter, and they match pretty well with all my winter skirts.
Necklace: My miraculous medal, peeking out the center between the ends of my scarf.
Hair: I washed it this morning and it dries wavy, so I just parted it to the side and gently clipped back the sides with some turquoise-flowered bobby pins (to match the top and scarf). A couple of crossways brown bobby pins underneath the decorative ones helped it stay secure.
Veronica's outfit...
...a cranberry wool skirt and off-white rabbit-hair sweater with sparkles in it over a purple top. Actually, I think I may have found both those pieces...when thrift shopping I'm always finding nice things that fit my sisters. :) Her necklace was made by and older gentleman we know who makes jewelry as a hobby and gave us each a piece one year for Christmas. She actually wore her purple scarf from Day 2 much of the day with this outfit, which looked great also.
Today's femininity quote:
"True feminine beauty has a way of transforming and purifying and ennobling a man. This beauty carries with it a quiet confidence.”
~A holy priest I know
Monday, February 01, 2010
A Winter Week in Feminine Dress, Day 3
Today's schedule: A lot! 7:30am Mass, University choir practice, presentations for a nearby Catholic School (see outfit #2), a few music lessons, my Cherubim Catholic Children's Choir practice, a few more lessons, and various tasks in between. :)
Today's outfit #1...
This one is pretty straightforward... my favorite black linen skirt — which I needed for outfit #2, so I kept it simple by using it all day — with a pastel pink turtleneck underneath a coral/pink cotton sweater (both hand-me-downs). Black tights, and my pick slippers above...when outside, I had black Maryjanes. Necklace is my large miraculous medal which I wear almost all the time, either above or underneath my top. I had no time for elaborate hair, so it's only a simple bun with clips (it should have had a few more, because the three shown actually didn't hold it well).
Outfit #2...
Today's outfit #1...
This one is pretty straightforward... my favorite black linen skirt — which I needed for outfit #2, so I kept it simple by using it all day — with a pastel pink turtleneck underneath a coral/pink cotton sweater (both hand-me-downs). Black tights, and my pick slippers above...when outside, I had black Maryjanes. Necklace is my large miraculous medal which I wear almost all the time, either above or underneath my top. I had no time for elaborate hair, so it's only a simple bun with clips (it should have had a few more, because the three shown actually didn't hold it well).
Outfit #2...
In honor of Catholic Schools Week, I was asked to do a first-person portrayal of a relevant saint for a nearby parochial school. I won't say anything more...can you guess who she is?
Today's femininity quote:
"You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, and the great charm of all power is modesty."
~Louisa May Alcott
Today's feminine website: www.setapartgirl.com (Though I do not necessarily agree with everything on her site, Leslie Ludy's work is very inspiring!)
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