Sister Missionary Clothes

Hello Ladies! I hope you're all having a good day. Let's jump to it, shall we?
I recently have spent about 5 months working at Forever 21 retail clothing store. Let me tell you, working in retail is hard, but it's SO WORTH it. I really enjoyed my job, and through it, I found some of the best items for a mission... Not kidding! Now, don't get me wrong. Not all my clothes for my mission are from Forever 21, but I did find some great finds, and depending on a located Forever 21 near you, you might possibly find the same things! I wanted to make this blog post to prove that you don't need to spend expensive amounts of money on clothes, you can find great things in the clearance/sale racks just about anywhere! Today's post is gonna help you ladies find good places to find exactly what you're looking for. Let me give a quick disclaimer that I know that some things may not be completely appropriate to wear on a mission; I specifically made this post to show what good finds I've found for great prices, and to show examples of what we all should be wearing on our missions, despite the climate change with all the places we are serving, and of course to give you women ideas of what we should be wearing, and where and how to find them. I hope this is helpful to some of you! Let's get into it!

My first and foremost tip for outfits: Props to my amazing sister for teaching me this! Every outfit is complete when you have a COLOR, texture, pattern, and shine.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should have simple pieces for outfits, but also texture and pattern. This is where your closet comes in. Plan on taking simple colored tops AND bottoms. You can multiply those all over the place, but dont forget your patterns! Don't be afraid to take some different patterns you love.

This skirt is by far my favorite! It has a thin lining of cotton under the outer layer to act like a slip, but of course I'm gonna wear my slip anyway. The second picture shows just how long it is. It goes to my CALVES! I've never found a more awesome skirt than this one that actually doesn't go above or is at my knee. I personally prefer my skirts below my knee, as the church standards as for the length for bottoms to be at the knee, I still prefer them to be below my knee. I bought this dress right before I moved home from CA (where I worked at Forever 21) 30% Sale: 17.50ish Original: 24.80

This is totally an example of a skirt you could multiply outfits with. I mean, look at all those colors! With this kind of skirt, I recommend a simple colored top. Whether it's pink, green, blue, or white; solid colored tops will go best with these kinds of skirts. Don't let your outfits clash!

 This next skirt is another of my favorites. This is one I also purchased at Forever 21 for 17.90 Original price. This is a long black circle skirt. This is one of my key skirts in my closet. You can really put anything with this, and even wear your top tucked into it.

Can't get over how much I love this skirt

This skirt is also one of my favorites. I'm not quite sure yet if I'll take it because It's so bright, but its so awesome. The material is light, and it has two slits on the side. But as you can see in the photo, the cut doesn't touch my knee. Any cuts or slits in the dress can't extend above the knee. Yeah, I love this skirt. Again, paired with a simple top would be best. 

My Mom bought this for me a few years ago at a tie dye boutique that our family loves. It was actually a DRESS believe it or not. There were straps, but let me tell you, my body changed pretty quickly after I got it.. if you know what I mean, ladies. ;) The string tie was originally at about my bust line, and the straps were cute and ruffly. I grew pretty quickly though.. So my Mom and I just simply cut the upper part off, the the bust line, up which would make it a long skirt instead of a short dress on me. 

Boutique Price: around 30$

These next few dresses are all from down east, and I believe that at least the bottom two are discontinued, but I haven't checked with the top one. these are all great lengths, and to me it's how I know it's from Down East Basics; the soft material, style, and the length on my legs, a good few inches below my knees. 

Roughly originally 25$

Around 35$

About 40$

Now this next dress is another from Forever 21's sale section. It was 12 DOLLARS YOU GUYS... originally around 35.. Such a steal! It definitely needs to be hemmed since I'm average/short height. 

This dress was made by my sister! Thanks sis for passing it on to me! She found the Material at the fabric store, (The aligned stitching was already done) and added this awesome tying cardigan. The Cardigan is from quite a few years ago, but these would be awesome with dresses like this or the other ones I've shown, especially if they need a bit of accommodation. The simple accommodation my sister did was add the jacket but also add simple straps to it (sewn from the inside of the material) to keep it up.This is probably my most favorite dress because it goes to my knees, it's modest (OF COURSE) and it's basically my style. Colorful, but simple.

This last dress I received as a gift, but I saw this at WALMART and fell in love with it.. and then my Mom bought it for me for my birthday! I can't name the brand at the moment, but the brand I believe is only found in Walmart. Their line of clothing is super cute and most of it is modest clothing. 

I hope you ladies and sisters found something from my post, and if you ladies have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them down below! I'd love to hear some feedback from you wonderful sisters :)

Until next time, 

Soon to be,

Hermana Marble

You are Hereby Called...

Long time, no blog. How are we all doing? Dandy? Good! As some of you may have seen on my Facebook and Instagram, I received my mission call about two weeks ago. I've been called to serve in Kennewick Washington, Spanish speaking. I report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on February 11th, 2015. I couldn't be filled with much more greater joy. My heart is so full of Gratitude at this time. I am so extremely thankful for the weight that was lifted off as soon as I read the assignment I've been given. So many endless questioning nights of if I was ready, if i was strong enough, If I could physically, mentally, emotionally do it. I knew In my heart all along that I would, but as soon as it came to the point of my stake president interview, I had al this adversary just suddenly hit me. I instantly was hit with all these endless questions of "What If's" and "Why's"... Nice try, Satan! It came unexpectedly 2 weeks after I submitted it.. and Holy cow It made me scream inside when I first held it in my hands. With my trembling hands, and the small lifted corner of the packet, I was able to hold off opening it until the upcoming Sunday so I would have the opportunity to open it in front of my siblings and parents who live/ who were visiting out of state at the time of receiving it. Tears were shed as soon as I started reading it out loud. As soon as I started reading and reading closer to the line that would change my life forever, every bit of weight on my back and shoulders was immediately lifted off my what seemed to be, weak body. I was full of questions, and my brain was about to burst of the random foreign island I thought they would send me to... I think that's typical for an 18 year old missionary candidate. Am I right?
The night after I had opened it with my family, I invited my close friends and relief society friends to hear me re-announce my calling. This whole week was a week full of gratitude and thankfulness, including the fact I opened it at the beginning of the week of thanksgiving. Double Gratitute Duty! I can't believe I've been called from a Prophet to serve the people of Washington. It's an amazing feeling to have a call, to be called of a prophet to serve those who are endlessly searching for the Gospel.
All the support I've been given has been a tremendous help with this long journey. Thank you all for the support!

P.S. Ladies! Any future missionaries out there? Any ladies leaving for their mission soon? Look out for another post tomorrow for you guys!

It's never "Goodbye" It's only "See you soon."

Here it is. A new chapter of my life, and it's changed in a few different ways. I've moved to the Golden State and my best friend reported to the Provo Utah MTC for his two year mission. It's been quite an adventure getting used to the humidity, driving about 18 hours to come out here, and finding a job, especially getting used to the fact I couldn't say goodbye to Robbie face to face; only over the phone. It was also difficult to say goodbye to my parents, who've stood by my side since I could walk and have always supported me, who raised me all 18 years, and watching them say goodbye to their youngest and last child. But I love this chance I am taking. I love trying new things, so I knew taking this chance would be a piece of cake for me when I said I'd do it. But then again, It wasn't exactly a piece of my favorite cake...
Girls, of course it's tough to say goodbye to a guy friend or boyfriend when he leaves on his mission, and I knew it would be especially hard for me to say goodbye to Robbie only a day before I would head out on a week vacation before moving straight out to California. But I have found this week that when I write him, or I think of him after the day he reported to the MTC, I feel at ease, and I am very thankful in the end for this gospel. I am most thankful, because he's out on a mission, and I wouldn't want him anywhere else. But also because I am planning on going on a mission, and hopefully receiving my papers at the end of September. Being a missionary is leaving our own families for two years so that other families can be with each other for eternity. Becoming a missionary is taking the sacrifice from our daily lives we live with our friends and family, getting ready to teach families about the chance they have for eternity with their family, and especially taking the time to open the large envelope and to announce to our loved ones where we will be leaving and serving for the next 24 or 18 months.


I'm not complaining, I'm not sad, and I'm not upset. I am at ease, and I am happy. I am content with how life has been turning for me, and it's probably one of the best opportunities I've ever taken to move away for a few months. I never did anything exquisite in High School, and I honestly felt like I was nobody for the longest time. And it was until I actually took the time to meet people, to make better friends, and to change my perspective in my high school career. When you learn to take chances, you learn to quite dipping your toes in the water; you learn to jump in and hope for the best, which I exactly did... (Finally) I always wish I would've done something great in high school now that I look back, but It's the past. In order to change our future, we learn from our past. We don't keep wishing what we would've done. We accept the things we did in order to learn from them, and to prepare to work harder in the near future.
I am eternally grateful for Robbie and his chance he took to serve the Lord, and I am eternally grateful for this Gospel that he will be teaching, and I will be teaching in the next year. I wouldn't want it any other way.
It's never "Goodbye" It's only "See you soon."

My CTR ring

I spent my last few weeks in Utah traveling, and meanwhile got to be with him in Salt Lake City for a day. While Deseret Book was a short walk from where we met that day, I took my chance and dragged him along with me. I never really had my own CTR ring before, besides the cute, small, green shield ring we received in Primary. At last, I feel a sense of peace when I know I'm wearing it all the time, reminding myself that I'm not alone. I love mostly that this isn't one of my favorite rings that would always leave a ring of green around my finger after wearing it. This was a ring that I knew I would treasure forever and keep a part of my constant reminder of who I am, and what I stand for. Some of my family members and friends know I loose things easily, but this ring, I know I can count on for it to be there every morning when I wake up, already on my hand. Ever since I bought it, I've worn it every day, and for the most part, I've never taken it off... Yes, I'm a rebel. I've never had a reminder like this that was always there for me, at any time to stand for my belief, and for myself.
I believe that this come easier to you during a busy day when you have a reminder like this one, when you're always wearing it whether to work or to school, of who you are and reminds you of the blessings that Heavenly Father has for each of us. He has so much in store for us that we can't even contemplate how many blessings we'll have in the next few years, or how blessed we will be when we enter into celestial glory. I've never felt it more strongly that being a part of this church, and of this great and marvelous world, is one of the best things in our lives that we don't always think about.
I've started a goal and a project for myself, and I encourage you all to come on this journey with me. I've read the Book of Mormon all the way through, only once. I finished for the first time around when I graduated, to finish the Personal Progress for Young Women. After finding my old paperback copy of the Book of Mormon on my bookshelf (I never even touched it after I received it, due to the fact I had my large quad set) I decided to start the the book over again, and this time using my trusty scripture marker crayons, to thoroughly read and discover more to the book than just reading word for word. I started a new way to mark my scriptures as well!
Red-Stop Sign! reminds us what not to do
Green-Go-what we should do
Blue-Highlight blessings we are promised
Yellow-Things about Christ-the light of the world
Purple-Things to work on

I encourage you all to try reading the Book of Mormon, whether you're a member of the church or not.

Cha Cha Changes, Destination is the Reward!

So, I am now officially done with high school. It's exciting, yet bitter sweet. I made so many friends towards the last trimester of my senior year (sob, sob) But I'm exciting to start writing my friends going on their missions, and keeping in touch with my friends still in high school. My oldest brother flew in and attended my graduation with my wonderful parents (Mom on a knee scooter from her bunion surgery) It was a worthwhile day of graduation practice, signing of year books and goodbye hugs, and going to dinner with my parents and brother. After my brother left, I felt like my life was... lifeless. I have nothing to do. Oh, WAIT! I love my singles ward, their absolutely amazing and such sweet people. The week following of my graduation, I went out with friends from singles ward nearly every night Including Sunday night (Ward Prayer) We have so much going on every single week, and everyone is so involved. As I grow further away from high school graduation, I move closer and closer to the day when I finally move to California. I couldn't be anymore excited, and feel bittersweet at the same time.
My best friend reports to the MTC July 9th, three days after I move to California. It's been really bittersweet for the past two weeks of this stressful summer as I move closer to the day when I say goodbye. As usual, we never say goodbye. We make it worthwhile and tell each other, "It's not goodbye, It's only see ya later."
This month marks the first month of three years that I'll see him again. It's all worth the wait and the irrelevant impatience. Soon enough, I'll start my papers and It will be my turn to open the abnormal large envelope to announce my destination to serve the Lord. I couldn't be anymore excited and patiently waiting until that time comes around when I can rip open the envelope.
This week has been full of de-cluttering my clothes and room preparing to move. It's quite a chance I'm taking and I'm still speechless at the chance I have to live with my Brother and go experience life outside of Utah. I've lived in Utah my whole life.. This should be interesting, and so should the next two weeks be.

Duces, High School!

The last bittersweet days

There's no experience like you'll have in high school, despite your story of high school. Between all the hate, and arguing, and the dirty looks, the oldest kids in the school all have connections to each other no matter who it is. Turning away the fact you had a great or horrible high school experience, whenever, whatever it was, goofing off in class; now approaching the time of the markers and pens scribbling in each other's year books. Despite how different we are from each other, no matter how much you were bullied, how much you and your parents fought over the past eight months, how many times you felt like running away and not coming back, or not wanting to face multiple problems, you faced them. You made it, you succeed whether you truly did or not. High school isn't just about going to a long list of classes, conquering a long lunch line, meeting new people. It's about facing problems, learning how to do something new, and accomplish what you set out to do. There's nothing like high school.
Despite the hardships each of us have faced this past year, we are all real people, and we really do face daily problems, whether great or small. Boys serving missions, you are the beacon of light for those searching for the gospel, and you all are going to do amazing things, and convert amazing people; No doubt about it. The hardships we all have faced this year, even if your not a graduating senior, you all will have things that you don't feel you can do, things that stand in the way of what you want. Let me tell you right now, that you are all capable of what you want to do. Despite of who put you down, who said you couldn't do it, and despite your own abilities. Each of you have so much potential and it's going to be one day of relief when we get to see what each of us are doing in the future.
I'm sure some of us know multiple people who tend to regret things they've done during their high school years and mostly, their senior year. . Along with the negative opinions I've seen, I've come to see that there are few people who have given their time from being unforgiven and stubborn, to forgiveness and being kind and outgoing. After graduation, we all most likely won't see each other. The missions, college, and entering into the world, ready for a new life. I can't wait to see what we all do in the years to come. Farewell, and Good luck class of 2014!

Aperature

CANON EOS REBEL T3
ISO 3200
39mm
f/5
1/100

CANON EOS REBEL T3
ISO 3200
43mm
f/5
1/100