Some Clothes that Inspire Me

Over the years, I have collected a "stash" of clothing illustrations and photos which inspire me, and I thought I'd share some of them with you. It's a challenge to dress modestly, beautifully, and femininely these days! So when I see something which sparks a creative thought or a "I love this," I save it!

Some, a detail of the design struck me; others, it was the colors or composition, etc. I'd love to hear your comments! :)

*Quite a few of these outfits are too short -- if I made something like them, I would make it longer, mid-calf or below. But I still include them, because the details of the dress itself catch my fancy. :)

This is the photo that sparked this post. The feminine beauty of the sweater, the collar... all simply leapt out at me (what's amazing is this is from a 2013 fashion show! The designer is Orla Kiely).

*I don't like the heavy eye makeup and purple fingernails, but I like the rest! :)

I'm not a fan of these colors (though I like patterned fabric), but I really like the collar and all the construction details of this dress; the gathers, loose skirt...

Here's a glimpse of the lovely back details of the same dress.

Here's several more; the dress in the middle wouldn't be hard to make, and yet has so many lovely details!

*again, not a fan of the eye makeup, and these are too short

Here's a simple dress, with a lovely full skirt

The puffy sleeves, gathered skirt, and feminine lines make these delightful!

*The neckline's too low, and the dress is a little too tight

And I simply adore this dress (and those matching shoes!)! It also has puffy sleeves and a full skirt -- two things I think are charming in dresses.

I like this jumper! The pleats add so much :)

A whole troupe of jumpers, in a variety of styles! :)

I have always admired Mrs. Smith's feminine, lovely way of dressing.

I've never been a polka-dot fan, but that changed when I saw this picture (it's of Princess Eugenie). Maybe some polka dots I did like, I decided...

...which inspired me to buy this fabric, and make a dress! This dress is more of a 40's style.

I'm still on the lookout for a more widely-spaced polka-dot fabric, like her black & white.

Here's another shot. Which reminds me to remark how Queen Elizabeth's conservative style are, I think so perfect for her -- they convey a healthy sense of decorum and propriety, something I find refreshing!

*again, dresses (Beatrice's and Eugenie's) too short

The following are several different old photos of Queen Elizabeth that I like very much:

Note the full skirt...

One of her engagement photos.

*Shorter skirt than I'd wear

On their honeymoon -- a lovely coat, modest neckline to her dress...

And I love the full skirts of the 40's and 50's!

And even in high society, one doesn't have to be immodest to be in a wedding (here's a picture of her as a bridesmaid to a friend).

And a coat-dress that I love the drape of! :)

Here's a 50's dress that I really like! It's a travel ad, and looks quite a lot like what Queen Elizabeth was wearing. It also reminds me how in those days, people dressed up to travel, to go on errands. They had more respect for others, and wanted to look their best when out and about. Quite inspiring in itself! We should always remember that we are ambassadors for Christ -- what do our clothes and appearance say? That we are cherished members of the Royal Family, or that we are sloppy and slovenly?

*length a little short...

This wrap dress is simply perfect (except for length :) -- I love how it's not tight, yet slimming, and the way the collar is, and the bow on the side... :)

This feminine dress is so delightfully lovely! I'll close with it, and post more inspiring illustrations another time! :) Stay tuned! :)

A "Hike!"

Mom had the fantastic idea of taking a longer walk than normal, and Monday morning time & weather cooperated!

The vanguard speeds ahead of us on bikes.

Love the windows on this neat old barn! Spaced just perfectly for charm. ;)

On goes the white road, under the dark trees...

Field art

A rencontre on a bridge, where the bikers had waited for us.

(Here's a word tidbit for you: "Rencontre," defined by Merriam-Webster, means either "1: a hostile meeting or a contest between forces or individuals" or "2: a casual meeting." I suppose it's just context that gives a clue as to which totally-opposite meaning this word has! :)

By the way, I'm using it in the context of #2, a casual meeting. :) ;)

And -- they're off!

This little gravel road is delightfully hilly; always going up or down, or winding about! I love the "V" here of trees plunging down the hills, then the lighter brown of the massed trees at the bottom.

Spring is on its way!

These people have the acreage to match their gate. :)

What are they peeking at through the fence?

A large pond!

Tree and sky

Art

A small tree was down across the road, so between Micah & I we got it off the road.

And still the road goes ever on...

Our goal -- the view spread out before us at last!

Then: homeward for more adventures!

Everyday Blessings

We should catch our breath every moment with divine wonder at the blessings which lie thick on our lives.

How can we even express our gratefulness for the overflow of goodness which besets us on every side?

The sun on our cheek -- if God willed, it could never show its face again. The mere ability to look in the eyes of our loved ones, to speak to them -- in a split second, they could be gone in death. The fact that we can breathe, that we live and think and see -- do we ever give thanks for such blessings? Yet many -- paralyzed, blind, deaf, maimed -- long so eagerly for the senses we carelessly take for granted.

O Lord, increase our sense of wonder, our delight in Your created beauty, and our humbled, awe-filled gratefulness to You!

The joy of watching brothers spend time together...

...and the thoughtful interest and care Mom shows for each one of us.

The fun of comparing new paint colors for the bathroom doors (the large area is the old color)...

Seeing Dad and his youngest working on an exciting new project of Stephen's...

...Being able to take Ben to the Sherman Symphony Orchestra practice, and thus spend the afternoon together.

I think the old-fashioned details of the Kidd-Key Auditorium are delightful! 

Our group (Nathaniel & Andrew wanted to come, but were busy installing a new engine in our gold truck :).

Kidd-Key Auditorium

The music was gorgeous, thrilling, and simply wonderful!

A picture of myself, for Beth & others who don't see me often... ;)

Beth & Karen, the dress is one of the two black outfits I discussed with you -- unfortunately  the photo doesn't catch the beading on the front panels. :)

Evening sunlight has a unique, fleeting touch

I love the cottonwoods around our pond! Especially when they are fresh with whispering light green leaves... :)

Stephen said, "Look -- a whole group of birds! Tons and tons!" They swept right over the house like a low cloud.

There really was an amazing amount!

I love the quiet rest in Stephen's face and pose.

See -- we do have mountains in Texas -- purple-pink ones! ;)

May we all revel more in the daily little beauties and blessings which surround us, and our hearts swell with gratitude towards the Creator!

I know, I know -- another Nature photo! But I'm afraid I just post what catches my eye, so you'll have to bear with my multitude of Nature shots! ;)

Here's another "Which is better?" dilemma in which I just post both (the pics above and below :)

Sunburst 

(I know that's a made-up word, but if we have "cloudbursts" can't we have "sunbursts"? ;)

The male cedars around here are laden with pollen -- it makes them look orange-y-yellow from afar.

A walk with two special children

More budding twig Art

And -- what are Bailey Volunteer Fire trucks doing on our road? Well, the guy who owns the land at the dead-end of our road came out to do some work on his place, and when he tried to start his lawnmower, a ball of fire shot out and caught the grass on fire! He called 911 right away, and they paged out the fire dept. It was kind-of funny because Dad & Andrew got the page and were like, "That's on our road!"

Here is Nathaniel, Dad, and Andrew, in another fire truck!

Though after all that, the neighbor was able to put the fire out before the fire trucks arrived! A patch about 30' by 45' was burnt, though. And really, he was good to call -- it was a very windy day, and it could have easily got out of control! 

By the way, this was the same neighbor whose out-of-control burn pile two years ago (which he'd thought he'd extinguished) only didn't burn down our house and a neighbor's because the speedy arrival of the Bailey VFD and the providence of God. No wonder he was "quick on the draw" in calling the fire department! :) And we appreciate that. :)

Watching the fire trucks go by! How grateful we are for the men who volunteer to protect us!