Keeper of the Home » Feminine and modest

Hair Clips That Actually Stay in Place: Lilla Rose Giveaway!

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Wed, 18 May 2011 10:00:06 +0000

My favorite Lilla Rose clip, Scrollwork Stoneset.

I guess it's giveaway week around here, because I have a giveaway for you today, one more coming up this Monday, and did you catch the Cultures for Health giveaway on Monday?

I usually stick to products that are specifically natural, healthy, related to going green or some such thing. Every once in a while, though, it's fun to do something that's just pure girly.

I'll confess to being skeptical when I first agreed to try out the hair clips from Lilla Rose. I have thin, fine, slippery hair and nothing really holds it better than anything else that I've tried. I'm also not one to spend much money on accessories for my hair or on jewelry. My expectation was that they would be just another so-so clip with a pretty design that I wouldn't be willing to fork out money for.

You guessed it... I was totally wrong. (It's good and humbling for me to announce that to thousands of people every once in a while.)

Etched Lily with Amethyst (I got this in extra-small, with matching lily earrings)

I love my Lilla Rose clips! I've only had them for about 2 weeks, and I have been wearing them almost non-stop. Here's what's unique and awesome about them:

They are flexible, which helps them to adapt to how much hair you have, the style that you're doing, and I think it's also part of why they hold hair better than other non-flexible clips.
The stick is attached to the clip front. I've had those cute hair holders that have a soft leather front and then a stick that goes through two holes to hold it on your hair. Except that then I lost the stick. Shoot. There's no chance of losing either piece of the clip and it also helps you to maneuver it better because it's all connected.
The stick has little grooves in it to help grip more or less tightly depending on the style and your hair thickness. Again, I think this helps to hold it more firmly.
They actually stay in my hair. In one place. All day. Without falling or slipping. (Yes, I'm still in shock)

I tried an extra-small and a medium. My hair is just above shoulder length, and I have lots of hair but it's thin and fine. I use the extra-small to do a half-up style, and the medium can do either my ponytail (on the tightest setting- I could probably use a small for a slightly tighter fit) and it is the perfect size for any up-do's. My 6- year old daughter tried a mini for her hair (similar in texture to mine) and it makes a great ponytail or up-do for her, although her hair slips a bit when we tried a half-up, just because it's so fine.

For those who have the opposite hair issues (curly, thick, too much hair, out of control hair), there are large, extra-large and mega flexi clips sizes. This helpful sizing guide shows you which size will suit your hair and the styles that you like to wear it in.

The simplest clip that I saw and one that I really like.

My only request with the Lilla Rose clips would be more with simple, plain designs. I'm not a fancy gal, especially when it comes to what I put in my hair, and so I did have to look carefully to find the ones that were the least decorative to suit my taste. That said, I know that many women prefer far fancier and prettier things, and so you may just love the design selection.

(For those who are curious and have similar taste to me, I ended up choosing the Contemporary Flower, Scrollwork Stoneset in Wood and Etched Lily with Amethyst, and I also really liked the Antiqued Silver Band.)

My awesome Ad Manager, Kate, also tried some clips and here's what she had to say:

"The Lilla Rose clips are beautiful. I used a small to put up my daughter's hair, and it stays better than most clips -- at least until she pulls on it! I love that the two parts of the clip are stuck together so you can't lose them. And this, despite my daughter's best efforts! (She loves the clips so much she insisted on carrying them around the house a lot.) I had thought that there was only one style but many sizes, but I was wrong. There are many styles, and there will be one that suits you!"

A mini clip, this was my daughter's choice and she adores it!

Clips range in price from about $12 (extra-small) up to $24 (for the extra-large, elaborate designs). I probably wouldn't have been willing to pay that much without having tried them, but now that I've used them and realized just how much I like them, I don't think the cost would be a barrier for me anymore. I'm honestly using my medium clip 2-5 days per week and it's just so sturdy and handy that I think I would pay to replace it if I lost it.

Would you like to win some Lilla Rose clips?

I will be choosing two winners, and they will each get their choice of any 2 clips. Here's how to get entered:

1. Visit the Lilla Rose site and tell me which clip(s) you would love to win!

2. Subscribe to Keeper of the Home by RSS feed or by email (and be entered to win our monthly email subscriber-only giveaways!).

3. Follow Lilla Rose on Facebook or Twitter.

4. Share about this giveaway through your blog or favorite social media (find Keeper of the Home on Facebook and Twitter here).

Giveaway has now ended.

Disclosure: This giveaway is generously sponsored by Lilla Rose. I was provided with clips and earrings to sample, so that I could be surprised by how awesome they are. :) My opinions, as always, are my own.

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An apron and a surprise

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:58:05 +0000

This weekend I was so blessed to receive in the mail a package from the delightful ladies of Marie-Madeline Studio. Here's what I found inside:

The ladies had generously offered to send me an apron of my choosing (though they took my ideas and surprised me with the final choices- isn't it lovely?). I have been excitedly waiting for it to come. Turns out it was delayed because it had been sent to my neighbor's house instead of mine! I'm glad she didn't know what was in it, or it might not have ever reached me!

My Abbie was just thrilled to find out that not only had they sent Mommy an apron, but they had decided to send her a little surprise as well... her very own Gracie Ruffle Skirt! She thinks it's just like a ballerina skirt, and she wore it to a birthday party today. It is just so adorable and girlie- I love it!

Isn't she precious? Though I was having a yucky, no shower, wearing-my-old-glasses day, I just had to get Ryan to take a few pictures of us together, enjoying our lovely new gifts.

Thanks to the ladies of Marie-Madeline Studio! Today I'm grateful for the beautiful, feminine items you've blessed us with!

Part of Gratituesday, hosted by Heavenly Homemakers.

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Spring time= Modesty check!

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:00:00 +0000

As always, the GirlTalkers are right on target with a recent post.

As the sun begins to shine more frequently, and daffodils and tulips poke their heads up, it's time to be reminded that warmer weather does not not give us permission for less modesty or purposefulness in our dress.

I really appreciate their link to the Modesty Heart Check that they have put together (see the Girl Talk link above, to find the link to download the Heart Check). As a member of the same family of churches (Sovereign Grace), I am familiar with these guidelines and questions, but had forgotten about them and was so pleased to see that they have put them together in a downloadable file.

These questions are perfect for reminding ourselves of the necessary checks that we need to make in determining the modesty and appropriateness of an outfit, and would also be perfect to work through with our daughters as well. Even though Abbie is only 3, I am already teaching her about tops or skirts that are not modest, and how to wear dresses and skirts like a lady. I think the earlier, the better!

As well, they linked to a great modesty clothing store that I had never heard of before-- it's called DownEast Basics . They carry tops, camisoles and tanks, below the knee skirts and dresses, as well as few other items. What impressed me was how reasonable their prices are, even at regular price, and their sale prices are quite good! Check it out!

On a side note, I've noticed in my stats that my Feminine and Modest category is a popular one, and I feel so bad that it's one that is so infrequently added to-- I hope this helps a little to satisfy those who are interested!

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Time for a little modesty

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:49:43 +0000

I've noticed in my stats that the Modesty category is a popular place for newcomers to check out- and unfortunately, there's not much in it yet (until now)!

Lately, I've come across a few great sites offering modest attire that I thought I would pass on to you:

1) Christa Taylor
This online store sells very cute and fashionable, yet still very feminine and modest, women's clothing. They have a large selection of skirts ranging from just above the knee, to just below, and down to ankle and floor length. They also have a lovely selection of femininely cut and styled shirts, sweaters, tunics, dresses and coats. Although I dress quite simply, and prefer a more classic style, my husband really enjoys styles with a little bit more flair and interest to them. He immediately loved this site and requested that I spend some of my birthday money there! Just out of interest's sake, it appears that Christa is the sister of Lindsay, of Passionate Homemaking (I discovered this site through the link on Lindsay's blog)

2) Shade Clothing
I first came across Shade while shopping at Costco in Washington. They had a week-long display, of three of their most popular styles of shirts. Just that very week I had been looking for some modest tank tops for wearing under other shirts, and so I bought a 3 pack of their Strap Camisoles. They cost more than I would usually pay for something like a tank top, and yet I have come to find that they have been one of my best purchases. They have a very modest, rounded neck, and are quite long, and the fabric and overall quality is great. I purchased white, cream and black, and I wear one of them almost every day under other shirts and sweaters, and they have really helped my wardrobe!

They also carry simple and fashionable short sleeved and long sleeved shirts, all with modest necklines and lengths, as well as some vests, dresses, and maternity and girls tops. As well, they have something called a slip extender (a type of slip), which goes under skirts that are just a bit too short, and brings them to the knee or mid-calf.

3) The Skirty
Another Mom in my homeschool group recently sent all of us this link (which I thought was funny, because she has 3 boys!). Basically, the Skirty is a pretty, feminine alternative to putting bike shorts or leggings under little girls dresses. It allows a girl to play a bit more freely, without being immodest, and they look really cute! They're white, with lace on the bottom- very sweet! Go take a look for yourself!

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A picture of femininity?

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:00:00 +0000

This morning, I made out an out-of-character choice of clothing. Despite the fact that it is a typically rainy and gray West Coast day, I looked past my shelf of pants and chose a cute, wool skirt! *gasp* What was I thinking?

Well, lately I've been thinking that I need to be more purposeful about dressing in a feminine manner. Now, before you all begin to think that I am suggesting that wearing skirts is the only way to be feminine (or even that it's Biblical to wear skirts and not pants), let me be clear- I believe that as Christian women, we have the liberty to dress as we wish, provided that we still fall within the guidelines of appropriate modesty, and that we have checked our hearts and motivations in choosing our attire. Am I seeking to draw inappropriate attention to myself? Do I desire to meet a certain wordly standard, to attempt to measure up somehow? Are my choices made out of vanity, materialism, or pride? Is my end goal to glorify God or to glorify myself?

Beyond these heart motivations, though, there is a question that lingers in my mind: what does it look like to be feminine? How is that reflected in my clothing choices? I have recently begun to shift my thinking and since this past spring and summer have sought to wear either a skirt or dress more often. There are several reasons for this. My husband finds it attractive. I feel somehow more attractive, and yes, more feminine. I desire to set an example of Biblical femininity for my young daughter. What does it say when I put her in dresses and then Mommy dresses in jeans and a t-shirt?

When it comes down to it all, I don't want my beauty and feminine appeal to be conjured up simply through my wardrobe. I greatly desire to have a beautiful spirit, above all, that marks me as a godly woman.

"Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4

So many days, I feel so very far from that "imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit". Nonetheless, I want so badly to express my womanhood fully in both my appearance, and in my spirit.

What are you thoughts? How should we physically convey our femininity? Do you choose to wear only skirt and dresses, or do you wear a combination, and in what other ways do you seek to look feminine?

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