4 ways "Fifty Shades of Grey" will affect you (whether you see the film or not)

I know these articles are popping up every five seconds on your news feed, but hear me out. As you probably know already, the hit erotic "romance" novel Fifty Shades of Grey is being turned into a feature film to be released on Valentines Day 2015. Social media and news outlets are having a ball with this film due to its controversial nature. We can't stop talking about it!!

Now I did my research before I began writing this. I looked up the general plot of the novel just to see if there really was anything more to the story than I initially thought, and I checked out the parent's guide for the movie itself on IMDB.com. My "findings" were exactly as expected, and frankly worse...

Now I know there are a lot of people out there posting things like, "There are better things to worry about!!"..."It's not that big of a deal guys!!!"....and "Don't see it if you're so against it!" But the perspective I will be giving you in this blog post will address the effects the movie will have on our culture for both movie-goers and 50 Shades haters.

Here is my list of four ways this movie will hit closer to home than you thought:

1) Our society will see what was once considered abusive and degrading behavior as acceptable

The movie is packed full of raunchy BDSM content. The film and novel have brought glamorous glorification to domination and submission practices. Women are loving it and can't get enough! This terrifies me. Not only does it scare me that more women are being romanced by the thought of being bound and controlled...but more so that God's purpose for sex is not even on the radar for the majority of the population. Sex is a beautiful thing, but we have twisted its purpose and context to the point that the very word "sex" is associated with the words "naughty" "porn" "dirty" and so on! If we allow our views of sex to be altered, our views on what a healthy relationship is also changes...this is where we start playing we fire, folks.

This isn't sexy.....it's ridiculous and flat out disgusting

2) Women are tools

I am not a feminist... but the objectification of women is something that not only disgusts me, but hurts me and breeds fear in me. This novel is considered to be a love story by most.... Are you kidding me? Let's look at what the definition of love is, love is putting someone's needs before your own. It is both a noun and a verb. In the novel, Christian Grey makes Ana, a virgin college student who gets put in Grey's path of desire, sign a contract saying she will not disclose any of the "activities" they partake in during their "time together." Now first off, red flag....but the most disturbing and most objectifying thing that I discovered during my research was that Christian told Ana to not look him in the eye nor touch him during sexual acts. If this isn't objectification and the use of a human body for personal gain....I don't know what is. How does this affect you? Men have been conditioned by Hollywood and pornography to think of women as such. I don't think that men are evil at all, but there is zero doubt in my mind that this mindset has started to creep in and greatly affect their perspective of women and relationships and sex itself. It terrifies me knowing that some grown man could be thinking about ME in that way....absolutely terrifies me!

3) Love gets in the way of a relationship

The novel preaches that love complicates a real relationship. Sex is priority, and once pleasure is taken care of, THEN you can start to delve into the emotions and mind of the person you are with. How romantic.

4) The portrayal of girls my age

Ana is 21 in the novel.....that's one year older than myself! Porn sites released the top searches they get from their viewers in 2014, and the #1 most searched keyword was "teen" and "college".....that's me, that's a lot of you, does this not send even a little chill down your spine? We have grown up looking to adults for the protection of our innocence, but instead they are the ones getting sexual highs out of our lacking of it.

Now I know many of the things I mentioned above aren't anything new to the world. We have always had exploitation, abuse, etc... My point today is to encourage you to see the fact that we are CHOOSING to glorify it. This isn't an inspirational true story, this is a fictional and unnecessary feature film that couples pleasure with abuse towards women. If you feel defensive reading this, truly take a moment to identify why.  I just read an article that featured an interview with the co-stars of the movie. Both said that they honestly don't see the appeal of the story and that filming was very uncomfortable and emotionally taxing, neither want anyone they know to see it. The actor who plays Christian, a family man in real life, said that he was told to do things to his female co-star that he wouldn't want any woman to go through. If the spokespeople for the movie are discouraging it....take the hint. Don't head to the box office this weekend.

The Film Stars' Interview

What ABC's "The Bachelor/Bachelorette" Has Taught Me About Relationships

To those outside of Bachelor/Bachelorette Nation, the show is a disgrace. I mean, one person dating 25 others on national television doesn't sit well with some and it definitely can't result in anything real, right? Now, I'm not here to say that "The Bachelor Method" is a dating style you should try at home, but there is no denying that it has done the trick for a few of its participants.

I've grown up with the Bachelor/Bachelorette....seriously, it has been a staple in our household for years. The sound of Chris Harrison clinking a butter knife against a wine glass to summon a rose ceremony has echoed out of my TV for longer than I can remember. This is my equivalent to watching football, just to put things into perspective for some of you out there. To those who have not grown up with the series, the title of this post probably seems a little iffy. To the "outside world" the show appears to be a trashy, scripted reality show that preys on the desperate and attention hungry side of society. To many people's surprise, the show is actually quite real and civil. Yes, there is always that "one person" on the show that you know is there for entertainment value, but despite the silliness of the dating situation, real relationships/lasting marriages have blossomed! I've seen the audition process and even helped film an audition tape for a friend, and believe me....the casting team doesn't play around. The process is extensive and carefully done with end results in mind.

So with all that being said, I want to share what all of these years have taught me:

1) "Good person" doesn't always mean "good for you"

Anyone who has ever seen the show has witnessed the breakups. The bachelorette/bachelor goes in with 25 men/women so naturally there are going to be 24 goodbyes. This condensed version of finding love allows the viewer to experience the complexity of it all. I have learned so much about what it means to truly mesh with a person through watching the experiences of those on this show. At home we could be rooting for a certain person to win the heart of the bachelor/bachelorette...but to our dismay they let them go! This person could have been the sweetest, more caring, more loyal person....but still they say goodbye. This confused me for years until I was in relationships of my own. There are beautiful people out there that have more wonderful qualities than you could count...but if there isn't a true emotional, spiritual, and physical connection between the two of you....the relationship could be a disservice to you both. I've dated wonderful people, but disconnects in major areas made continuing a healthy relationship impossible.

2) One sided relationships are a disservice to you both

Again and again on the show you see one person totally in love, and the other not feeling the whole situation so much. I used to think that if someone told me that they loved me that it must be my fault for not loving them back....that I was doing something wrong. How could they adore me so much while I felt nothing?! That's not how it is supposed to be, right?! Well I learned the valuable lesson that feelings and attachment can be one sided and that it's your job to speak up. If I would have stayed in my past relationships it would have been a disservice to them. They deserved someone who was crazy about them. The pain of a one sided relationship will be more intense than the short term pain of a break up.

 Bachelorette, Desiree, Season 09

3)  Break-ups don't have to be blow-outs

A break up doesn't have to be a spiteful event full of raging tears and anguish, it can simply occur due to a difference in personal direction, a disconnect in values/morals, immense change in who you are as a person from when you first started the relationship, etc.

4) Closing one door allows for another to open

If the you were to hold onto one okay person just for the sake of comfort and not having to look anymore, you could be robbing yourself of the opportunity to meet the person of your dreams! Goodbyes lead to new hellos. It takes courage though, I know.

Sean and Catherine, Season 17

5) It is important to be very aware of how they treat others

This is the classic show scenario: The Bachelor/Bachelorette will begin to fall for a certain person, but uknown to them, that person is the nastiest of the group! At home we yell at our TV's. How can they not see how horrible this person is?! Are they blind?! Well, it is important to realize that the face we put on while trying to woo someone is not exactly our raw face. You cannot judge the person you are newly dating based on their behavior while you are together...because your conclusions will not be 100%....or even 10% accurate in some cases. To really know a person, it is important to watch their dynamics with those that they aren't trying to win over. That's how they will eventually treat you.

6) You get the family and home life too!

Hometown dates are the ones that have been make or break on the show. A seemingly wonderful relationship can end very quickly if the family disapproves or a disgruntled family member decides to cause problems. In the long run, you are joining a family....dates and romance will not be your focus anymore. It is just as important to "date" the family as it is to date your special someone because it's a package deal! After that ring is on your finger, your time together doesn't end after you pay your restaurant bill....you are not a part of their daily life!

Various hometown dates/family meetings from various seasons

The show may not hold claim to the most effective, practical way of finding love....but there is no denying that one can learn from the Bachelor family's crazy journeys! Here's to season 19!!...after all, it's promised to be one of the most "shocking seasons yet" haha! 

Stop Asking Me To Do My Job For Free: My Adaptation

So there was an article that was circulating among the creative world a while back that spoke to the issue of "using" one's photographer/design/artistic friends for free services. Since I have personally experienced this, and intend to use my photographic talents as my main source of income, I decided to rewrite the article from my own (sincere) perspective.

Now hear me out before you read this, I LOVEEEE giving photos away and serving others through my work. However, I want to make the official statement that this is my job with which I will support myself, so free and/or deeply discounted services cannot foot the bill of living. Now this can be tricky when family members and close friends ask for work. If I had it my way I wouldn't charge anyone anything, but if I want to continue to bring forth my best work and provide for myself in a way that allows me to continue working in this field, I cannot give all the time. It is actually quite insulting to be asked to work for free.

Example requests:

1) "Sarah, this would be a great opportunity for you to gain some experience." 

Now, at first glance this is a pretty benign statement. I love going places and learning new things, but I have crossed the point of shooting purely for experience. I have spent years delving into the photo world, talking with professionals, learning under professionals, learning in the classroom, and doing free work for experience purposes. Every shoot I go on will give me experience, that is not the issue....nor is it what I'm chasing right now. I am a young business owner in pursuit of passion driven profit.

2) "Hey you should come hang out at this event and take some pics! Anything you take will be appreciated!"

I'm sure your event is awesome! I love events and people and being creative in different environments, but something has got to pay to put the gas in my car to get there.

3) "This would give you great exposure!"

While this again may be true, the same principle as above applies.

4) All you do is make profit! You already have a camera and a computer....why do you have to ask for so much!?

WRONG! Photography is littered with expenses.....from equipment upgrades (multi-hundred/thousand dollar lenses, pricey software updates, repair costs, printing costs, gas money to get to a shoot, not to mention my time) It is nowhere near a financial walk in the park.

What the creative person wants you to know:

1) Asking us to volunteer and abusing our time are two different things. I love volunteering and will continue to do that forever, but I will do so on my own terms.

2) The short time I spend taking photos with you is only the tip of the ice burg. All of the post processing takes longer than you'd think!

3)  My time is valuable. If you are coming to me to do a job for you, I'm going to assume that you don't have the skill set yourself or that you don't want to take the time to mess with doing a shoot yourself. If you don't want to pay for the product, there are other clients I could be working with that will.

4) It is insulting to me when you ask for free things. Every now and then, I get it.....but just because we know one another doesn't mean I can afford to hand out my services. Photographers normally start photographing for friends, friends of friends, and family, so excluding everyone I know from paying would mean I couldn't continue my work. You wouldn't ask your waitress to knock $10 off of your bill just because you didn't feel like paying it would you? Same applies to me.


So for all of you out there who know photographers or artists, please respect their gifts and time! Our jobs are just as real as yours, and our needs are just as real as yours. The best way to honor your photographer friends and show them that you value their talents is to hire them.

7 Money Saving Hacks

Okay, so I am extremely thrifty....if there is a way to get something cheaper, I'm going to find it! In this post I will let you in on the sacred secrets to getting what you want...for less!! Woohoo!

FIRST I need to get ya in the right mindset with one key principle:

Saving money means sacrificing immediacy. Most stores and sellers thrive off of your willingness to splurge and pay the extra required to take the product you want home same day. You pay for convenience. Period.

Here are my tips for thrifty livin'!



1) Off-brand and name brand items (especially food) have very little differences....except for their price tags.

I know someone who worked for Aunt Millie's Bread Company. He said that the only difference between the name brand bread and the off brand bread was the bags they packaged the loaves in. Sara Lee and Spartan brand bread came out of the same batch. Don't be deceived by the flashier wrappings and higher prices....

2) The internet!!!!

Odds are, it's always gonna be cheaper on the magical internet! I tried on a coat at Tj Maxx the other night (already reasonably priced anyway).....then I went home and bought the same exact coat for $10 cheaper online. Why not!? :D

3) Perfume wearers....I'm about to rock your world!

Okay, so perfume is ridiculously priced! I wore Victoria's Secret body spray for years due to the fact that I didn't want to pay $50+ for a couple ounces of smelly liquid. So, I did some research and hit the jackpot!!! TESTERS. You can buy the same exact perfume you love for a fraction of the price....and I mean brand new, brand name, perfume! The only difference is the packaging. Sometimes testers will come without a pretty cap and be put in a plain box instead of the fancy store-shelf boxes. I have done this with high quality results! Let me give you an example comparing the perfume I use at Ulta, and then at Overstock.com. (make sure to read the reviews and observe the ratings beforehand though, there are some scammy people out there, like with anything....but Overstock does a good job in general)

Ulta's Listing

Overstock's Listing

4) The problem with consignment...

Consignment shops are high priced thrift stores. You pay extra for the neat displays and quality used items all in one accessible place when you go to consignment stores. Now they are great, don't get me wrong....but I, as a student, don't have $40 to put towards a pair of USED jeans! The employees at consignment stores are also educated on the value of certain brands and will price them accordingly. If you have extra time to sift through racks.....head over to Goodwill or Salvation army. You can find designer clothing lumped in with the cheapo brands for the same exact price! Why? They don't sort by value, they sort by type of item...shirts are shirts, pants are pants, and with such high volumes of merchandise coming in, they don't have time to research the value of each item. If you put in the work and take time to search.....you'll get some great stuff!!! For instance, at this moment I am wearing a big cozy, like-new Eddie Bauer scarf that retailed for $50... that I paid $3 dollars for at Goodwill. It's my fav scarf! Here is the link to the exact product if you don't believe me. <3

Eddie Bauer Scarf Listing

My $3.00 Scarf in the color (Smoke)

5) Shampoo cost cutting trick that is actually healthier for you hair!

Ready?.....baking soda!!! Baking soda is like what...$0.75 for a box? So cheap! Bu it also is great for your hair! There are whole articles dedicated to the "no-poo" challenge where people give up traditional shampoo and switch to this method. Many store bought shampoos actually dry your scalp which causes it to create more oils to compensate....which results in, you guessed it, the need to use more of that highly advertised shampoo you just used bought for $10. Baking soda cleans thoroughly while not stripping or drying...or adding extra oils. All you need is a spoonful, and then enough water added in order to create a paste, and you are ready to go! It doesn't lather, so that freaks people out.....but lathering (getting all soapy and foamy) is not necessary to get clean....in fact, shampoos that don't lather as well are actually better for you!! <3 I'll link one article below. :)

No-Poo Method

6) Jewelry (the non-precious kind)

Costume and statement jewelry is stupidly priced. I mean, $20 for a pair of plastic stones hanging from some mystery-metal earring posts? NO THANK YOU. I always hit up ForeverXXI for my jewelry needs. They are superrrrrr inexpensive and bring the same quality to the table as say...kohls does for their "faux" jewelry. I don't mind spending $4 for mystery metal in that case. ;)

7) Text Books....

Your college bookstore is about the priciest place you could ever buy text books. And if you're like me, you don't really have any emotional attachment to your books....nor do you have a desire to keep them around after the class has ended. RENT THEM. There are many wonderful websites that are dedicated to getting you used books to buy, or rent. I have saved hundreds this way...the best thing is that they pay the return shipping and everything for rentals!! I use Chegg.com for the most part, link is below. 

Click Here!

Well....I hope these little tips have been helpful! Saving money is all about thinking outside of the box! Good luck! <3

20 Random Questions and Answers

20 Questions TAG!

Here are the questions:


1.Thing you cannot leave the house without?

My phone. I hate feeling like I can't get a hold of someone if something crazy happens. (paranoid)

2.Favorite brand of makeup?

Ummm...If I decide to splurge, probably Benefit or Urban Decay

3.Favorite Flowers?

Roses. Love them.

4.Fav clothing stores?

Goodwill, thrift sores in general, TJ Maxx, ForeverXXI, 

5.Fav perfume?

It changes a lot...haha. I currently use Be Enchanted by Taylor Swift and Pink Sugar....along with whatever Victoria's Secret  body spray I have.

6.Heels or flats?

Flats....heels are a disaster for me.

7.Do you make good grades?

Depends on the subject...are numbers involved or not?

8.Fav colors?

Burgandy/wine, turquoise, emerald....

9.Do you drink energy drinks?

Never had one...

10.Do you drink juice?

Loveee juice.

11.Do you like swimming?

I can take it or leave it...

12.Do you eat fries with a fork?

I'm not a huge fry fan....and sometimes I do eat them with a fork...yes. Don't mock me.

13.Whats your fav moisturizer?

Whatever is cheap and gets the job done.

14.Do you want to get married later on in life?

Yup!...but not later in life. I plan to be married young. ;)

15.Do you get mad easily?

No, and if I do I normally just get quiet and need about five minutes alone to be back to normal. 

16.Are you into ghost hunting?

Nope....I believe "ghost activity" is demonic activity....sooo I have no desire to play with that.

17.Any phobias?

Elevators, spiders, stairs, and really wide open spaces 

18.Do you bite your nails?

Ew...no. 

19.Have you ever had a near death experience?

Probably....knowing me.

20.Do you drink coffee

I haven't been able to appreciate coffee just yet....it's still not tasty to me, but it smells fabulous. I'll give it that!

You Cannot Please Everyone. Period.

So I posted a modesty blog yesterday....just stating my personal opinions and personal standards for myself. Harmless right? I guess not. I found a Facebook status from one of my Facebook friends who quoted the blog and then proceeded to, in essence, tell of my....i don't even know what... for doing so. (If you're reading this, I still love ya! This incident just gave me a great chance to write about the issue that is happening too often to those of us who choose to voice our values). I am a Christian girl, automatically this puts me in an AWFUL position when it comes to our world today. I am considered hateful, narrow minded, judgmental, and downright horrid to most. Why? I don't agree. It's that simple. Yes, there are some terrible people in the Christian community...that's undeniable! I am very disappointed at the crap I hear coming out of the mouths of the church sometimes, believe me. Nothing hurts our witness for Christ like a Christian who attacks others for their beliefs. BUT, even if you say everything right.....you're going to be wrong in someone's eyes. Here are the main points for those of you who feel judged by me or those around you due to expressed personal standards:

Love is not agreement, and Agreement is not love:

My extent of agreement with your lifestyle or choices does not affect my respect and care for you as a human being. I am not a supporter of gay marriage (a huge topic now)......with that statement I just made, most would say I was expressing hate for a people group. It's just not the case. Hate would be me running around cursing your name and egging your house...but instead I get called hateful for saying that I believe marriage is a holy covenant between a man and woman before God...hmmm. Just because your lifestyle is against what I believe, doesn't mean that you are any less of a person to me! The problem is that we live in a world where acceptance is equal to love. If that is your view of love, then you will be very disappointed, very often. Frankly, I am tired of being bullied by those who keep pushing their anti-hate agenda on us. It has become a "religion" of its own.

You will always be wrong...to someone:

If everyone agrees with you....you're doing something wrong. I pray that everyone has morals and values that they stick to! This "make everyone comfortable" mentality that we have going on now is just soooo dangerous. Nobody stands for anything anymore.....the only thing we stand for is making sure that everyone feels like nobody opposes them. I know it's hard to be persecuted for your beliefs but let's remember what Jesus said.....He said that He would rather you be hot or cold....if you are lukewarm, he wants to spit you out.

Remember WHO matters:

It is very easy to give into a neutral mindset, embrace the culture and compromise. I mean it would be easier to just agree right? NO! You are on this earth with the purpose of fulfilling a mission from your Heavenly Father. You are not here to gain the acceptance and love of the population. Now, this does not give you permission to speak your mind in an offensive way or be disrespectful to those around you....but it does give you the right to stand your ground and stay true to who you are in Christ. The world around you will always change its beliefs and thoughts on what is okay, what is not.....and so on and so forth. God's word and His commands, however, DO NOT MOVE! <3 Be encouraged and stay standing!

Make sure you are keeping your witness untainted, people ARE watching:

Stand tall.....but don't be a stumbling block to those around you. Watch what you say, share with grace, love unconditionally, be respectful, and remember that you may be the ONLY Bible someone around you reads. Something you say or do may be harmless and sinless on its own......but if it causes someone around you to stumble, stop (what my modesty blog was centered around!) :D

 Don't look down on anyone unless you are helping them up!

This is self explanatory...if you make someone feel like they are below you in worth because they don't believe as you do....don't expect to be heard.

How people view you DOES matter if you have chosen to live in God's purpose:

WHAT? Sarah you are crazyyyy!! I know...but hang tight with me for a sec. The big anthem of humanity has always been "It doesn't matter what they think of you!! You do what you want, live how you want, indulge in what makes YOU happy".....to those outside of the church this makes sense, but for my fellow Christ followers.....you are NOT your own! You are a vessel for Christ. How you choose to conduct yourself and how you act towards others does matter. Now, I know you can't always control how people view you on some things.....but you most definitely have a say in A LOT of things. This again is what my modesty post was all about. Maybe it isn't fair that we have to "cater" to men's eyes, and it does stink sometimes I know!! I'm human too!.....but guess what, if that low cut shirt causes another man to stumble.....it is a problem. We should respect each other enough to do what it takes to protect the hearts and minds of our fellow brothers and sisters. That's just one of the sacrifices that we have to be willing to make in order to live out our faith. <3 It is a choice you have to make.

Those outside the church cannot judged by Biblical standards:

Forcing "Jesus stuff" in the face of unbelievers and asking them to conform to it is not a reasonable thing to do. We need to be examples and live out our faiths....but we cannot expect those who do not share our values and morals to conform to them. We have the right to have an opinion and stand for our beliefs....but judging them harshly and expecting them to confess their "unchristian-ness" doesn't even make sense! However, we are called to judge fellow Christians. God even says to hold each other accountable! The whole "don't judge me" card is not applicable within the church, so listen when you are confronted....even if it's hard.

Modesty Hacks: Tips for a dignified wardrobe without throwing anything away

Sooo modesty is the Christian/female topic that has gone through the wringer over and over and over! I get it! We live in a culture where sex sells and skin is in. No doubt! If you've ever tried to shop for summer clothing (or any clothing for that matter) with any sense of self respect, you know the struggle! The hems are high, the necklines are low, and fabric grows thinner and thinner with each passing year. Sometimes it feels like it would just be easier to give in, buy the questionable item, and get on with your life....but trust me, modesty is worth it...you're worth it. I could go into a whole sermon about how the male mind works...why showing skin is degrading to yourself, and so on, but that's for a later date. Today I want to share some painless tips that have helped me navigate through the modern clothing market while also holding to my values and staying in style!

First things first...You don't have to resort to denim skirts and turtle necks!!!

Get ready....I'm about to blow your mind!! You can keep your existing clothes!!! BUT....we are going to explore some new ways to rock them that don't sacrifice your dignity!

I thought it may be helpful to hear my personal modesty standards (just so you have some context for the following tips). SO HERE WE GO! Here are my rules for myself! <3

1) No cleavage (if you see shadows coming off of "the girls"...it's too low.)
2) The stomach stays covered
3) Straps or sleeves are a must, tube tops and strapless dresses/tops are a no-go
4) Cover the Buttttt (I try to keep my behind covered even when I'm wearing jeans)
5) Skirts above the knee are worn with something else...(Pants, leggings, opaque tights)
6) Swimsuits cover the stomach, and all the other goods as well, haha. Shorts or a skirt are a must.
7) Every outline of every part of your body shouldn't be displayed (no skin tight stuff!)
8) Booty shorts are never acceptable....like....no. In general I avoid showing too much thigh. :/ 
9) Leggings are NOT pants...ever.

Here are my practical tips to get ya started!

1) Camis and tanks for low cut shirts and crop tops! 

Low shirts, and even dresses, can be instantly made acceptable with a Cami! Also, if there's a super cute crop top in the store that you know you couldn't wear otherwise....you don't always have to pass it up!! Just throw a matching cami underneath and you got yourself some sweet layering action going on!!

2) Bodycon dresses, mini skirts, and short dresses are not lost causes!

Throw a pair of jeans on underneath, a cardigan over top and you got yourself an awesome tunic outfit! I buy mini-dresses all the time as shirts! As long as they aren't too tight, they actually can end up being more modest that regular shirts. Who would have thought!?

3) Leggings can be your best friend!

They are not pants people....so wearing them alone is not cool. BUT, cover from mid-thigh up and you're good to go! Big sweaters and dresses are super cute with leggings and boots....I'm obsessed.

4) Buy a size up!

Loose, flowy, and cozy are in! There is no harm done in going up a size or two! I sometimes go up three sizes even! It's modest, but I also just like the baggy look at times. Keep your pants fitted, and your top can be as loose as desired, while still keeping you looking thin! :)

5) Lower the heel height

Dresses appear much shorter with a higher heel....taking the platforms off can really lengthen a garment.

6) The internet is a wonderful resource

Swimsuit shopping is virtually impossible for young women with values...haha. I have found that the magical world wide web offers a wonderful wealth of modest swimsuit options that don't add 50 years to your appearance! I recently bought a swimsuit from Sammydress.com for $16! It had boy shorts, a skirt, an appropriate neckline and everything!! SCORE! Check them out! You have to dig a bit, but there are cute modest suits here and there!! :) Shipping takes years though...only downside haha!

http://www.sammydress.com/Wholesale-Swimwear-c-301.html

7) Maxiiiiis! 

Maxi skirts are adorable. period......especially with a longsleeve shirt and scarf...YESSS. So cute, and modest. <3

8) Hijabi fashionistas....get inspired by them!

I am a christian woman, but I follow many muslim fashion blogs... why? They know what's up fashion wise!!! The girls know how to rock modest fashion in super modern and creative ways!!! Don't believe me? Go to Pinterest and type in Hijabi fashion and get your creative juices flowing!

9) Scarves

Scarves can do a great deal of covering the chest area! plus they are cute and cozy!! <3

10) THRIFT THRIFT THRIFT!!

Goodwill and Salvation army will soon become your sanctuary for discovery! Vintage pieces and retro items make for great outfits! 

Modest online shopping options/links:

Shabby Apple

Jolly Chic

Modcloth

The Mint

Hopefully these tips can help you start seeing the pieces of clothing around you in a different way!! Everyone seems to think going modest means throwing out all the cute clothes you own and stocking up on old lady clothes.....it's far from it!!! You simply have to see your existing clothes in new ways. Gooood luck!!! <3

All photos are taken from Pinterest, I do not take credit.