27 Million
February 26th, 2014
A few of the founders of His Ladyship had the opportunity of attending the conference where this video was made. They took part in a movement to spread awareness that there are 27 million slaves on the earth today that need freedom.
Can you help us shine a light on slavery by sharing this video on social media and to your community? We need your voice. They need your voice.
Dress like a Princess
January 26th, 2014
All girls are princesses. I have believed this statement ever since I was a young girl. My Dad was the first one to tell me, but a favorite childhood movie reminded me time and time again. The Little Princess, a film based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is about a girl named Sarah Crewe whose father is a wealthy captain. Set in London during the Victorian era, she attends an upscale boarding school where she allows her creativity and imagination to keep her company in her father’s absence. After news of his bankruptcy and death reaches the malicious headmistress, Miss Minchin, Sarah is forced into servitude. There is a powerful dialogue between these two characters that will always stay with me:
Miss Minchin: Don't tell me you still fancy yourself a princess? Child, look around you! Or better yet, look in the mirror. Sara Crewe: I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags. Even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us.
So there you have it. We as women can know that we are all princesses. Never doubt it. Claim it. Show it.
When one thinks of a princess, one might think of “Disney.” Yes, those happily-ever-after tales that have the flawless animated women with big doe-like eyes and high-pitched voices. While trying to be like these fairytale characters is simply unrealistic and impractical for us real, live women, we can still have a little fun trying – at least in terms of our wardrobe!
It’s time to get inspired by the fashion of our beloved Disney heroines. Let’s revisit some of their iconic outfits and figure out how to make these looks work today!
1. Inspired by BELLE
1. Inspired by BELLE
This is the perfect outfit for the office. It says, “smart” and “bookish” just like Belle, but the blue hue gives it a dreamy whimsical feel. The bow on the belt makes the professional outfit a bit more feminine, and the burlap purse adds a unique and modern flare. Don’t forget the sophisticated oxfords to make the look more casual. In this outfit, you will be a BEAUTY with or without your Beast!
2. Inspired by THE LITTLE MERMAID
2. Inspired by THE LITTLE MERMAID
Hit the boardwalk in oh-so-Ariel-attire. Against these bright colors, the silver is extra brilliant, so start accessorizing! The shell necklace is all your neckline needs to accent the softly pleated strapless top, which is loose around the hips to offset the tighter pants. The gladiator sandals add some shine to the teal skinnies, the mismatched earrings provide originality, the shades give you attitude, the ring makes you think of a “dinglehopper,” and if you want to layer, add some more shimmer with a silver cropped shrug.
3. Inspired by SNOW WHITE
3. Inspired by SNOW WHITE
This vintage look will make you want to “whistle while you work”! The polka dot t-shirt is transformed when tucked into the yellow flared skirt. Add some striking red features with ruby lips, flirty wedges, and a headband full of roses. Make the outfit extra yummy with a red delicious apple to wear around the neck– just make sure it’s not poisonous!
4. Inspired by SLEEPING BEAUTY
4. Inspired by SLEEPING BEAUTY
It’s the box pleat dress that makes this outfit! The straw hat, resembling Aurora’s luscious locks, makes this ensemble perfect for an outdoor summer event. The silk scarf is lightweight enough for warm weather and adds a refreshing patterned design to the solid blush. You know nothing says dainty and delicate like a good shade of pink, but add a dramatic finish with black patent leather peep-toe pumps. And remember to show your personality with a few bangle bracelets!
5. Inspired by POCAHONTAS
5. Inspired by POCAHONTAS
Ah, Pocahontas – a true icon of tribal fashion! With her as inspiration, you could create tons of casual-chic outfits with tasseled boots and multi-colored aztec prints; however, I stuck with a look of bold elegance. The incredible necklace with “all the colors of the wind” paired with the to-die-for heels creates the WOW in this outfit. The duo provides the perfect ratio of color to offset the sandstone one-shoulder evening dress. A little chilly? Throw on this blonde fur shawl and you'll look real sassy!
6. Inspired by JASMINE
6. Inspired by JASMINE
In this Arabian outfit inspired by the Princess of Agrabah, you’ll be ready to take on “a whole new world.” Make the flowing maxi dress fit for royalty by wearing a jeweled broach in the center below the straps and elegant teardrop earrings. Add the daring bangle, inspired by Jafar’s snake staff, to match the pointy-toe metallic flats that are delightfully detailed with reptile embossing. To freshen the look, add a whimsical touch with this flower headband.
7. Inspired by CINDERELLA
7. Inspired by CINDERELLA
Imitate Cinderella’s famous ball gown with this light-blue layered tulle dress. Wear the chiffon flower headband with a glamorous up-do so you can show off the pearl and diamond earrings. The grand finale? These ivory satin shoes with pleat detailing and crystal-embellished tips. You’ll look like you stepped out of your very own contemporary Cinderella story!
OR
If you’re looking for everyday wear, try getting inspiration from Cinderella’s drab rags. Try your favorite pair of jeans (you know, the pair with rips or holes) and wear them with a loose and longer fitted button-up. Layer by slipping on a shearling or a leather jacket. Cover your locks with a hat if you’re having a bad hair day (this knitted hat has a built-in bow, which conveniently matches Cinderella’s bow on her apron!) and never underestimate the way a pair of shoes can transform something from shabby to classy! These wedges do the trick with the cocoa brown leather, faux wood stacked heel, and olive ties. It says “Princess” and “damsel in distress” all at the same time! Don’t forget a vintage clock on an extended necklace so you can see when it strikes midnight!
If you’re anything like me, you have your favorite Disney princess from childhood and she may have even inspired you in some way. Perhaps you want to be selfless like Belle – taking the place of her father as the Beast’s prisoner so that he can be free. Or maybe you want to be courageous like Ariel – leaving all she knew behind to embrace a new adventure. Or instead you want to be beautiful like Snow White – being known as the “fairest one of all.” Whatever the reason, take a break from dreaming about their qualities and start dreaming about those iconic looks that leave you in awe! But don’t take my word for it -- treat the inner girl in you and have fun creating outfits that resemble your favorite Disney darling!
Your Fellow Heiress,
Destiny Rothwell
The Warmth of Tradition
December 25th, 2013
Merry Christmas, your Ladyship! Here's a little something from each one of us on those warm family traditions we adore!
Augusta E. Rundell once said,
“Christmas...that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance...a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.”
What I love about Christmas is that wonderful sense of nostalgia that Rundell speaks of. On this particular day I am always flooded with sweet memories of twinkling lights and baked delights, but the greatest memories are those I can still hear ringing in my ears from past Christmases. These things I’ve heard Christmas day...secrets whispered about gifts we’re so eager to give; the loud, rolling laughs of my brother and sister dancing to no music at all; and the stillness behind my father's voice as he reads the advent scripture and prays before each meal.
Really, my family only has one tradition we do every single year, without fail. And that is decorating our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving day. I don’t remember a year that we didn’t do that. This is no empty tradition, either. We still do it every year because this is what my Grandmother used to do with my mother and her sisters when they were little girls. My Grandmother died unexpectedly when I was 6 years old, and when we decorate our tree after our thanksgiving meal it prompts conversation and shared memories about her: how she smelled like peppermint, and to this day when we smell it we think of her. How she would watch Wheel of Fortune every weekend, hand us a Little Debbie Star Crunch and let us enjoy our midnight snack way past our bedtime. Decorating our tree together keeps those tiny, precious memories alive.
Our family traditions have changed a lot since my mom married my step dad, John. Now, we go to his mother’s home in Maine every other year. There, we go and cut down our own little tree and decorate it on Christmas eve with my sweet new Grandmother, Marcia’s, vintage ornaments (circa. 1950!). New traditions are just as sweet and meaningful, and they are building their own repertoire of memories in my mind for me to flip through every Christmas.
Joining families has been a wonderful, beautiful experience. So many different viewpoints, opinions, traditions, and feelings blend into a loving community.
Here’s to tradition, new and old! Remember that tradition is but a catalyst for memories and thoughts that bring warmth to our hearts. But what’s important is what we are remembering: the coming, the giving of our Savior. Don’t let traditions become a mere scheduled, we-have-to-do-this, security attachment. Think about the reasoning behind what you're doing. Love the traditions you do, not because you have to, but because they prompt you to the remembrance of dear family and friends, but even more so, Jesus.
All for His Royal Kingdom,
Sammie Marie
We can assure you that Morrow Christmas’ are unlike any other. First of all, there are normally up to twenty people waking up on Christmas mornings in the Morrow home. These mornings usually begin with the kids waking up the parents. This is mostly because my Mom has a habit of staying up to the wee hours of the morning…wrapping…wrapping… and stuffing stockings. But, in her defense, she does have ten children, two son-in-laws and three grandchildren. After the kids pile in Mom and Dad’s bed, we all rush in excitement and anticipation downstairs to open stockings – agreeably everyone’s favorite part of Christmas morning. We open the stockings one at a time, beginning with the youngest, with the predictable items such as, books, socks, dark chocolate, and of course, an orange at the foot. Our Christmas mornings are so chaotic that we have to assign each child their own paper bag for their new belongings. And even then, there’s still so. much. paper.
After stockings, it’s time for my Mom’s famous brunch eggs. Seriously, they’re incredible. This mid-morning breakfast is served alongside homemade waffles made by Mark Morrow. There are always pots of coffee, stuffed stomachs, and plenty of conversation. The rest of the day flies by too quickly. From opening presents in the afternoon to Christmas dinner in the evening, the day is never lacking in joy, laughter, generosity, and love.
This year, our family is breaking our Christmas Morning norm and joining another family for our brunch! Perhaps we will begin a new tradition.
Here’s my Christmas baking tradition: Hello Dollies!
It’s simple and it’s delicious!
Confidently His,
Whitney Denee
Whitney Denee
This year, it’s been a pleasure to not only participate in long-standing traditions such as, our annual Christmas Eve service, gift wrapping parties, baking sweets treats, and learning Christmas carols on the piano, but also creating new ones. Each day of this December, my Mom and two sisters woke up at ungodly hours in the morning to journey through Advent. Our hope was to stay in the Christmas story and to experience it together. We read Ann Voskamp’s, The Greatest Gift, and shared laughs, tears, and bits and pieces of our lives until conversation’s train took off so fast it made me late to class more days than one.
But what we learned in those moments in the morning was that His love story, the greatest love story ever told, is coming, coming for you, and has been coming for you since the beginning of time.
And the face of God turns one last time in the waters of the womb, and the membrane breaks and the amniotic fluid leaks and the skin of God slips naked and small and holy into the hands He made...love had to come back for you. Love had to get to you. The Love that has been coming for you since the beginning. -Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift
Sure, we can light Christmas, build shrines in the yard, sing some hokey songs, and merry ourselves away in Christmas shopping, parties, and gifts. But the reality is, Christmas lights you. It’s the candle in the dark, the one intentionally lit, the great light of His presence, lighting you.
I am sure that this new-made tradition will be an annual one. Advent - the coming, the waiting, the unwrapping of God’s greatest gift, His Love to the world. Advent is the sacred ray of hope, the anticipation of His coming, and the miracles unraveling Christmas.
What impacted me most this Christmas season, my most memorable tradition of our household, was the deliberate acknowledgment that Jesus came for me, and discovering the weight of this truth over coffee with three.
Sincerely His,
Brianna Jenelle
What are some of those family traditions that you hold dear to your heart?
Merry, merry Christmas again from His Ladyship!
