Religion Says No, GOD Says: Child, Please!

Hey G.O.G.'s!



Do you believe being a Christian is limiting?

A lot of people believe being an uncompromising Christian (which really means allowing God to take the steering wheel of your life) is somehow limiting to the things they want to do, the interests they want to pursue and the life they wish to live.

Well, we're not saying that somethings are not just straight WTHeck?? LOL.  But, for the most part this is one of the biggest deceptions we have allowed ourselves to believe about living the life God has created for us.

In fact, being a uncompromising Christian is the exact opposite of limits. It is FREEDOM. That's right, you read that righ... Pure, unadulterated, no fine-print, FREEDOM.

See, the religious have given Christ a bad name.

The real deal is that God created us with His own hands and He knows every hair that is on your head. He knows your likes, your interests, your hobbies, the things you want and the things you need. He even knows how you feel about him. And guess what...shhhhh....He was the one who created you just the way you are.

The challenge has been: 1) Believing this with all your heart, and knowing that God is NOT mad at you for who you are 2) Fixing the things that are broken and throwing out the things that were never really good for you anyway. This can be the tough part. But once its done, it is all worth it!

If G.I.F.T. could tell you one thing today, it is: Jesus is NOT interested in who you are not, He is interested in who you ARE.

Okay, so what does this have to do with style, fashion and beauty? Well, everything. This means you don't have to mold to the stereotypes society has created for you! What is most important is living up to the person God has created you to be: honest, loving, giving, fruit-bearing, healthy, etc. Know that your attributes have a purpose.

So, while you may have accepted the limits and have said, "I can't freely be me and still be okay with God", God is saying "Child, Please, I already know who you are!"

I took the limits off years ago and was able to fully reconcile my interests and the things I'm passionate about like style, health, music and even politics, with my faith and its all because I realized He created me this way anyway!

This is a simple outfit I wore today:

Simplicity!

Skirt: H &M
Tee: Leonardo Da Vinci Tee-shirt I scored in France. Nerd <----
Boots: Dingo

Be Blessed Today!

xoxo,

G.I.F.T.

FASHION vs. STYLE: I've Learned the Hard way

G.O.G.'s,

Now we all know there is a difference bewteen style and fashion right?

Style comes from you.  Fashion, on the other hand, comes from others. Occasionally, the two collaborate.

Almost anyone can be fashion-forward, but not everyone is stylish. Does this convince you more of your gift for the asthetic? We hope it does!!

Fashion-forwardness is an act, style is an attribute, a state of being.

I grew up wearing what I thought looked great, while others were never shy to let me know of their opinion on my form of self-expression. Some would say: "Oh my God, that doesn't match!" Or "You look like (Insert some sort of stereotype here)!" Some people, both my age and older would comment "That looks a mess!" In fact, some were straight-out offended by what I wore! (That made me laugh!) Eventually, when a fashion mag declared it was a trend, I often saw those same naysayers wearing the same thing I was wearing 2 years ago. C'est la vie :-)

See, self-expression via outward apparell is nothing new to me and I had trouble reconciling it with my relationship with Jesus Christ. From a very young age, (mostly because I was a child who didn't play much with other children) I found it a source of self-entertainment to dress up in all kinds of wacky clothes, to go into my Father's closet and steal his vintage polyester bell-bottoms. (I know, I was an amateur for going after the polyester!) The appreciation for this kind of self-expression was discovered at an early age for me.

The more I just allowed myself to be myself, the more I found approval in God's eyes. Isn't that funny? The less I cared about what others would say to me, the more God would encourage me. This is the beauty of just being who you are and allowing God to use it for his honor.

Here's what I wore Today:

Pink Dress Shirt: Jones New York Signature
Printed Top: Banana Republic
Leopard Print Skirt: Michael Kors
Headband: Thrifted
Shoes: BCBG

Do I care that people look at me like: "Hmm...I wonder if she knows that she doesn't match?"  NO! I've heard it my whole life!

Lesson: Don't pay attention to the naysayers, be who you are and allow God to gush over you :-)



Your Biggest Fan,

G.I.F.T.

HOT SPRING TREND: Print Me Boldy!

Hey Girls of God (G.O.G.'s)!

Out of some of the Spring trends that have arised, one of G.I.F.T.'s favorite is Prints. Now, we firmly believe here that just because people say its a trend that shouldn't obligate any stylista to wear it. For example,  folks have been wearing prints for years, especially Kingdom folks. If you don't believe us, take a look at pics of some vintage Gospel Music legends. They were killing the prints even then!

So the lesson is: wear whatever you like, however you like as long as it works FOR you, not against you. G.O.G.'s, once we get this down, we will be the trend-setters!

Take a look at how the Prints are being rocked this year:

Anna Sui Spring 2011

Burberry Spring 2011

Anna Sui Print Dress, Anna Sui Spring 2011

Taraji P. Hensen at New York Fashion Week Max Azria,  in BCBG Max Arzria

Plaid Cape, Burberry Spring 2011

SJP and Rachel Bilson in gorgeous Diane Von Furstenberg print dresses at DVF show, New York Fashion Week 2011

Newest addition to the show Gossip Girl, Tika Sumpter at Max Azria show in BCBG, New York Fashion Week 2011

Excited about these prints? So are we!



Be Blessed,

G.I.F.T.

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING!

Good Morning Kingdom!

Happy Wednesday!

Take a minute to Read this:

 This encourages us to go after our goals and dreams while it is called TODAY.

The Word of God says You can do "ALL things through Christ who strengthens me" -Phillipians 4: 13 So, don't believe in the impossible, believe in the Word!

What are you waiting for? Ready, Set, Goooooo!


Your Biggest Fan,

G.I.F.T. 

LOOK OF THE DAY: Casual Chic

G.O.G.'s!

It's Tuesday and we thought this look was perfect for today!  Why? Well, it's fun, pretty, delicate, somewhat conservative and very haute couture via the tan socks worn with the the strappy tan heeled-sandal.

This is fun way to step up a regualar ol' skirt and sweater ensemble! It shows you can keep it simple and still look like, well...You, in all your uniqueness.

BE sure to check back in for more of G.I.F.T.'s style picks for G.O.G.'s!

Be Blessed!

xoxo,

G.I.F.T.

MONDAY INSPIRATION: Searched All Over...Nobody Greater Than You

Hey G.O.G.'s!

Mondays are usually one of the hardest days to really get the grinds going after a lovely weekend of rest and relaxation. Whenever we can think about the goodness of God and all that he has done, and is yet to do, it makes it so much easier to hop outta bed!

:-) Well...maybe some of us don't hop, but rather drag along the floor, hehe, but nevertheless we make it up!

Vashawn Mitchell's song "Nobody Greater" has taken the Gospel and Contemporary Christian charts by storm. I put some pictures to the words to truly express how good God has been and how the sometimes drag of Mondays does not compare to the progress that will be made by Friday by God's grace!

You can listen to Vashawn Mitchell's song here:

My Story...

"I've searched all over...Couldn't find Nobody..."

In Paris...

"I've Looked High and Low..."

In Rome...

"Still Couldn't find nobody..."


In Spain...

"...Nobody Greater..."


In Morocco...

The Swiss Alps...

"...Nobody Greater Than You!"

As Beautiful as these structures and places have been over the years, I have found that there is no splendor that can compete with the Creator of it all.

Have a Happy Monday, Fabulous Ones!!

xoxo,

G.I.F.T.

STYLE IS...

Hey Kingdom!

It's time for our weekly "Style is" profile where we give props to great examples of style, swag and those who just use their clothing as a creative outlet. This week, we here at G.I.F.T. pay homage to one of the beastiest style mavens today:

Andre 3000

Andre 3000, 1/2 of the musical group "OutKast" is known for his unusal and sometimes "wacky" style choices. But here at G.I.F.T., we love individuality and creativity, and there's something about him that makes his outfits understandable. Check out Andre in his finest looks:

Gotta love his color palette.

Andre has created his own clothing line, inspired by his style callled 'Benjamin Bixby.'

Andre 3000 exhibiting his biggest strength: Combing formal with causal.  Here, he combines formal pieces (dress shirt, suit vest and tie) and casual items (baseball cap and cazh jeans). It works!

 Rocking some of his signature pieces: suspenders with a polo and signature straw hat.

Looking cool and relaxed. The best style consists of looks that look like they just belong on your body

Wearing: straw hat, jean jacket, ascot and dress shirt

Even when running around town, his style seems to be effortless.

Andre 3000 in brown riding boots

 Hats off to Andre 3000, worthy of our "Style is..." profile of the week!


What other man can wear knee-high riding boots and still look sane? LOL :-) We Love it!



xoxo,

G.I.F.T.

Look of the Day!

Hey, Hey G.O.G.'s!

If drooling were lady-like... Well, let's just say we are totally in love with this 'fit. Check it out!

Here, she has an army green cape, choclate brown leather skirt, plain white blouse, and super-cute platform sandals.

Two Words: Classic, Gorgeous!

xoxo,

G.I.F.T.



Picture: courtesy of Vanessa Jackman

New Looks We Love!

Hey G.O.G.'s!

Are you guys as tired of the same old looks as we are? Black Leggings? Yawn.  Spring is right around the corner and we know what this means: It's time to kick out the old, and bring in the new!

Check out some looks we are loving!!



Jessica Alba combines denim with animal prints. Love this style. I definitely slept in my leopard print scarf the other night! haha!


BOLD COLORS...

 DENIM!!...

So, G.O.G.'s, what fresh looks are you prepared to wear this spring?

As always, Be fabulous!

xoxo,

G.I.F.T.