Movie & Music Suggestion Post #46

Movie Ratings are on a scale of 1-5.  Anything rated over 3 stars and is in bold, is totally worth seeing! - I rate pretty harshly.



The King's Speech 2010 (w/ Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter) - 3.25 stars - An excellent film about a speech problem that King George VI had. He had to make public appearance and make speeches on the radio. This is about the man who struggled and the man who helped him.  It was a visually amazing film. So many beautiful sets, art of photography, etc. content: two scenes of language spouted at once (I stuck my fingers in my ears to not hear it because it honestly was NOT necessary)

A Farewell to Arms 1957 (w/ Rock Hudson, Jennifer Jones) - 2.5 stars - I had seen the Gary Cooper version long ago and thought this was going to be that version until I saw Rock Hudson and realized it was a newer version. What a depressing film about a man in the military during WWI and a nurse he falls in love with and their story of love during that time. I don't like such sad stories because they end up making me feel really upset all day (like "I want to cry!" feeling) content: exposed breast of dead woman in mud with a child feeding from it, violence, sad war imagery, shirtless man in a few scenes, acknowledged unwed sex (nothing shown), naked baby bottom

Road to Bali 1952 (w/ Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour) - 2.25 stars - Another "Road to" movie (I've reviewed a few on here now). A funny film but way too much emphasis on objectifying women as commodities that I got bothered by it and annoyed. content: kissing, immodest women

The 39 Steps  1935 (w/ Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim) - 3 stars - This was a good Hitchcock film about a man who is on the run from the law because he was a witness to a few crime scenes. He heard from a woman about "39 steps" and starts to uncover what it means while trying to find safety and the true murderer. Really interesting and recommended. content: violent situations (no blood)

Little Women 1949 (w/ June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh) - 3.25 stars - I had never seen this version before (only film version I had left to see) but had always wanted to. There are things they changed from the book (which I finished a week or two ago) and things that they had that I wish other versions did have but did not have (like Meg's proposal was correct!). The costumes and hairstyles and colors really were gorgeous!!! I am afraid however that the heart was just missing a bit too much in this version. It was a bit sad how fast paced it seemed towards the end compared to how the beauty was of it in the book. content: kissing

I Am Number Four 2011 (w/ Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Dianna Agron) - 3 stars - A dying alien race with special abilities are all in the US trying to survive (and look like humans).  When #4 becomes a hunted target by another alien race, he really doesn't enjoy running and wants to be a normal teenager in the U.S. When he is transferred to a new location, he starts to really enjoy being where he is and meets people who become important to him.  It was a nice movie. I enjoyed it. content: kissing, language, violent situations and fighting, underage drinking

Cool Hand Luke 1967 (w/ Paul Newman, George Kennedy) - 3 stars - A bit of a rebellious man gets caught by the law and put into a prison camp. He does things his way and stirs up the men who are in the prison around him. He wants out of prison badly and tries to rebel against the law while in prison as well.  This was a really depressing movie at times. content: language, two backsides of naked men, men in tighty whiteys, a whole scene of a woman washing her car with sexual attention intended upon herself and loads of lust given, a couple times when people read from a romance-porn novel

Princess Kaiulani 2009 (w/ Q'Orianka Kilcher, Barry Pepper, Will Patton) - 3 stars - A story based on a young woman who was the princess from Hawaii (before it was a state) who wanted to make a difference when things change in her country quite a bit. She is sent to the UK to study for a few years there and kept safe from harm as war broke out in Hawaii. She is half Scottish and wants to try to let the US know what is going on in her country so they are not blind to it.  It was a good story and very enjoyable. I loved all the clothes! content: lots of kissing, violent situations, smoking, light language

Little Women 1994 (w/ Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst) - 3.5 stars - It had been a while since I saw this version of the film, and I know I loved it, but since reading the book I find things irritating with important factors left out or changed that would bug me but I let it go. It is actually the best version based off the book though. You sense so much heart in it and love in the family that I don't think the other versions let you in on enough.  content: cleavage, kissing

Featured Band & Album:
Seabird's 'Til We See the Shore album

I found out about Seabird only last year. They remind me of a mix of bands, but they are really beautiful. I enjoy the lyrics a lot as well (which there are a lot of bands where I like the music but hate the lyrics). I have a couple of their albums. This one's got a bunch of songs I really enjoy like "Black and Blue", "Not Alone" (probably my favorite), "Rescue", "Stronger", "Cottonmouth (Jargon)", "'Til We See the Shore"

7th Wedding Anniversary Outfit

- Outfit #1 to stand up against modern-day slavery/human trafficking & promote modesty! -
Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a free Shabby Apple dress!

I want to thank Dakota of Sweetheart of the Rodeo for sending this to me to wear. I adored wearing it for my 7th wedding anniversary with my husband on June 19th. We went out to eat and took a nature walk for a little while (I kept changing in and out of Converse all-stars when not taking photos, since these heels wouldn't be good to walk on grass in). It was a nice time. We are simple people and don't get extravagant.

Reason why I'm doing this #1:

International Justice Mission fights various types of human trafficking (modern-day slavery). They investigate abuse and oppression around the world trying to bring justice to people forced in labor and exploitation by upholding the laws that get ignored in various countries against slavery (since a lot of governments will be paid off by slave owners to get away with oppressing others). For instance, they recently were able to free more than 500 people from slavery from a brick kiln. The youngest forced to work was 8 years old. These people lived in terrible conditions right by the kiln and had to make a certain amount of bricks each day for many hours (not your normal 9-5 one bit) or they would be beaten. They never get to see any money ever and for generations are told they owe their owner a certain amount of money before they see freedom. However, these people never are allowed that freedom. IJM will help these newly freed people form their own companies, earn their own living fairly, and help integrate them into society with confidence. To find out ways that you can help IJM continue with their work of bringing freedom to people, please click here.

"Incidents of injustice are not just something that happen in an unfair world. God is appalled by them and calls us to seek justice.  Oppressors can be intimidating, but in studying how they work -through coercion and deception - we can prepare ourselves to stand up to them.  We can do something." - Gary Haugen, President of IJM in his book The Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World

If you'd like me to borrow your clothes to spread awareness against human trafficking and promote modesty, please E-mail me: marvelousthingsphoto@gmail.com.

Modest Fashion Features #27

I'm sorry I didn't do any modest features last week. I hope you enjoy this week's features though! Question: do you get emailed the responses I write to your comments on my blog?

I was also wondering if you think it would be too much if I were to do two outfit entries a week? I tend to do one a week, but many people sent me outfits to borrow and I want to be able to send them back as soon as possible. I usually do this entry each week (modesty fashion features) and one outfit entry. Every other week I do the movie/music entry. Therefore, I don't do THAT many entries each week, but I feel badly if I overload blog reading lists.

[Click photo for zoomed-in details]

Favorite of the week: Shantee!

Top Left to right: Amber, Sienna, Mandi

Bottom left to right: Nud'acol, Fashion Agony, Hilary

If you want recognition for your modest outfits just let me know about your blog in a comment or even submit a photo here. Most of the time I pick from my random searches of bloggers or daily reads. To see the daily features and people's submissions, follow this tumblr I run. 

Shabby Apple Giveaway - US only

I have loved Shabby Apple's women's dresses for the past couple of years. Their clothing is so modest and beautiful. Did you know that every time you purchase from their site, you are helping women out of poverty? They partnered up with Unitus so that for every $100 spent at their site, about 20 women are given a chance to live away from their poverty. I'm very happy that I can offer this giveaway for their dress The Traveler!!

What you need to do to win this dress (in US only!):
1. "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook. You'll be able to catch up on their special promotions and exclusive discounts!
2. Leave a comment below with your E-mail address
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FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY: Tell me what you like about modesty (can be a sentence long or more).

Giveaway ends July 2, 2011 @8PM EST

Special 10% off code with this offer when you purchase modest dresses from shabby apple: Justicepirate10ff (lasts for a month)

Strolling at the Street Fair

After church two Sundays ago, we took our family to the street fair on the other end of our road. There were so many people there that we knew whom we bumped into and talked to for a little bit. I don't see my oldest brother and his wife very often, but they were there and hung out with us for a while eating lunch and walking around and spent some time with their nephews. I always buy kettlecorn to bring home and eat with my sons (my husband's not much of a popcorn person, while I'm a little insane about it).  We ate fish and chips for lunch (the boys had chicken fingers and fries).  Leto and Rob had some ice cream (Micah was asleep in his stroller). I bought Amish Whoopie pies to take home in which Rob and I ate all up by the next day (they are so so good).

Pops is the little 50s hot dog/ice cream place we go to once in a while (they always love how I dress when I go in). They gave the boys these hats. Micah was really tired and eventually fell asleep.

You all get to see my real smile for once. This is a woman I go to church with (she taught me Sunday School when I was 11) who saw I was being photographed by Rob as she was walking through the fair. She jumped in and asked if I was going to be posting these photos and took a shot with me.

I squint a lot when the sun is in my eyes and when I smile

Leto wanted to drive this for real and was sad it was stuck there.

I always read on blogs how girls get a little nervous or feel odd when people walk by or are near and such as they are being photographed. I really don't mind at all and think it is hilarious and sometimes talk to the people who are nearby.

Outfit Details:

Vintage 80s Dress & Vintage Purse: Lola Vintage giveaway win via calivintage

Shoes: Lulu*s

Vintage 1960s blouse: etsy 2 yrs ago (shop is gone)

bracelet: gift from friend

[next week I will begin to post borrowed outfits from bloggers/shops to spread awareness of human trafficking/modern day slavery. To find out more information & sizing in case you would like to have your modest clothes worn here, please email: marvelousthingsphoto@gmail.com ]

The Casual Side + DIY + a song

I am a little behind in my posts. I took a week off from doing Modest features, but they'll be back next week!! I hung out a couple of weeks ago with my friend Cristina. She usually dresses like this and I don't. I didn't mean to match her though. This isn't really an outfit entry but I thought I'd post these . . so I guess it really is an outfit entry now. A better and vintage outfit will be posted on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I don't really know what she is wearing but honestly. . probably a Delia's shirt which is what I'm also wearing (pants too on me are). She has old fashioned  pioneer looking boots that I love but you can't see them well enough.

Right after I hung out with her (and my little family too) I went to play "Bigger & Better" (which is why I dressed so casually) with the youth group. We were in teams of 4 and went house to house asking people if they had something bigger or better. We all started out with a paper clip and my group ended with a one person chair (sorta sofa), little tricycle, and a croquet set. The winning team had a huge working snowblower. One team had a bike. another team had a bike, small TV, $40, an small fax machine. It was very fun.

I promised to post a little of the decorations I worked on for my Sister-in-law's baby shower. Here are the centerpieces I had made!! They each took me about 2 hours to make (I made 7).

It was a pink and brown theme. They are crepe paper flowers and little paper bunting on pink ribbon that is hot glued to the rim.

This is where the gifts were and eventually this beautiful cupcake cake. I made the little cones on the corners of the table out of styrofoam, crepe paper, pink ball-tip pins, and super glue (for touch up spaced areas). My sister-in-law loved them and said she wanted to put them in the baby's room, which is sweet.

Look at the cute cake and the little shoes. Her name is going to be Meiha Rose (pronounced me-ah, like the name Mia)

Also here I am in this video wearing a necklace my friend Cristina (above) made. You can buy them and her other work at her etsy shop (she has two left of this one)! It is beautiful and took her quite some time to individually put each link on, etc.

This is a quick song. You can hear me sing. This is the first take, so there might be some notes that are flat (since it's a warm-up run to get my voice ready).

Movie & Music Suggestion Post #45

Movie Ratings are on a scale of 1-5.  Anything rated over 3 stars and is in bold, is totally worth seeing! - I rate pretty harshly.



Doctor Who [new series - season 6: part 1] 2011 - 5 stars (of course) - I really enjoyed that there are two companions in the series. It reminds me of the classic series when the first two doctors, sometimes the fourth doctor, and the fifth doctor had two or three companions at a time. This season was filled with "Who's that?" and "Who did it?" questions.  It started off with a "bang" and ended with a "a-ha" and "oh-no!". . .I talk this way because I don't believe in giving away spoilers in case you haven't seen it. Overall we have The Doctor who travels in his TARDIS with his friends Amelia/Amy Pond and Rory (the married couple) and occasionally River Song who knows much more about the Doctor than we are to understand. They go on an adventure to different times and planets. However, Amy seems to be going through some changes that keep The Doctor questioning, the companions know a secret that they try to keep from him, and now we are finally getting to know who River Song really is (the last episode reveals who she is anyway, but I still have questions about her). The best episode of all was done by Neil Gaiman. Oh how adorable!! I loved how they reflected on a history lesson of a few things we learn about the TARDIS in the original classic series. Very cute.  Highly recommended series. Doctor Who has been my favorite T.V. show since seeing it in the 1980s (thanks to my eldest brother who recorded all the episodes)! content: kissing, rare very light language

Doctor Zhivago 1965 (w/ Omar Sharif, Julie Christie) - 3 stars - What a truly depressing story. I hate depressing Russian stories (I've said this before).  Goodness I feel so cold and empty after seeing stories like this.  It is about a Doctor that toils during the Bolshevik Revolution. The story is about a young girl who has a huge story told to her about this Doctor.  It is about war, romance, betrayal, and sorrow. content:  woman on a bed in which you see a slight part of the side of her breast and the entire backside minus 3/4 of her bum, violence (not too graphic but very sad instances), rape (nothing shown though), affair, men and women in bed together

The Sorcerer's Apprentice 2010 (w/ Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel) - 2.75 stars - Okay some of this was pretty funny. They even did things that were in my thoughts as I saw them being done and then they'd say them (like a little Star Wars "These are not the droids you are looking for"). The storyline is that Merlin's three apprentices end up having issues between them. Balthazar Blake searches for centuries for his own specific apprentice to help save the world, however this certain choice is just a puny geek who lacks confidence in himself. content: kissing, magic fights, very light language

The Diary of Anne Frank 2009 (w/ Ellie Kendrick) - 3.25 stars - Excellent BBC production based off of the diary entries of Anne Frank who lived during the time of WWII as a Liberated Jewish woman (aged 13-15) who was in hiding for two years with her family and 4 others and wrote in depth about her life during that time. content: a young man's complete backside, people in a tub individually (as covered as can be), kissing, girl groping herself as she is physically changing, back-talk to parents & elders

Glee [Season 2: Part 2] 2011 - 2.25 stars - Yeah, I couldn't really get into this part at all (I actually liked the first part of the season a bit). It was too dramatic and annoying really.  Everyone is dating someone else and then switching to someone else, blah blah blah. Rachel cries, Kurt cries, same old story. I just truly have a problem watching shows that is about teenagers (well . .granted two of the high school actors were born in 1982) but has too much sexuality and a way to seemingly try to mold young kids' mindsets about things. I think often times they promote things that I know my parents poo-pooed. That scares me. I only watch it because it is a way to relate to some of my youth group kids who watch such shows (I'm upset some are allowed to see it). The music is good most of the time, but that's really all that it has going for it for ME as a viewer. Otherwise I just get sad watching it. content: . .  pretty much everything other than really bad language and nudity.

The War Bride 2001 (w/ Anna Friel, Aden Young) - 2.75 stars - This story is set in WWII in which a Canadian soldier goes to England and falls in love with a woman there. She gets shipped out to his home to live with his mom and sister (loads of other war brides were also shipped out) and finds that life is so much different there than what she is used to.  It was a good story, but at times a bit droll to watch. The main actress was "Charlotte/Chuck" in the T.V. series Pushing Daisies, in case you people know about that show (which I rated much higher than this film).  The outfits were very lovely in the film. content: girls in lingerie/bras, woman's complete backside (there may have been more but I didn't look), kissing, lifting skirts/touching woman's upper thigh, some language, smoking, drinking

What Would Jesus Do? 2010 (w/ John Schneider, Jim Gleason, Mark Arnold) - 2.5 stars - This was a little corny at times with some bad acting skills here and there, but the message was nice.  The story was set in a town with a lot of homeless people living in the streets and a lack of jobs. A pastor who has a lack of faith due to an event that happened in his life has a congregation of people who don't seem to really care much about God or living out what they supposedly believe in. A stranger (good old boy Bo Duke. haha) comes in and stirs things up a bit to make them rethink their lives. content: lots of Jesus

The Pride of the Yankees 1942 (w/ Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan) - 3.5 stars - This is a story about New York Yankees' Lou Gehrig and the love he had for baseball and for his wife. Many of you may know of Gehrig's disease in which he had, however there isn't much talk about that in this movie. He died the year before the film was released. I don't like the Yankees at all but live only 15-20 minutes from Yankees Stadium, but the story was interesting to me and I really love Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright and had no idea they were in this movie until right before seeing it. They did a beautiful convincing job. content: a few times of a couple wrestling happily and kissing, punches, alcohol

Featured Band &Album:
Straylight Run's self-titled (2004) album
I know I've said it before that I really love harmonies. Well, this one is full of them. The music is really pretty as well.  I am sure some of you know of the band Taking Back Sunday or possibly Breaking Pangea (not too many people know that one though, but I loved them). Two of their members created this indie-rock band which had 2 albums & 2 EPs. The Some tracks I enjoy are "The Perfect Ending", "The Tension and the Terror", "Existentialism on Prom Night", "Another Word For Desperate" which is probably my favorite track, "Mistakes We Knew We Were Making", "Tool Sheds and Hot Tubs", "For the Best", "Now It's Done". . .I just listed all but three tracks. haha. That's how much I love this album and believe it is worth it (even the tracks I didn't list are good).

Hawaiian-Fun Outfit & My Little Boys

I've had this dress for months (Since January, but I didn't want to wear a Hawaiian looking dress in the winter, but was tempted to take snow photos). I've worn it around the house and finally a hot day arrived in which to wear it outdoors!! This was from Memorial Day weekend. Not many dresses fit in my exact measurements, but this one does!

I can finally pin my bangs back up (though it takes a lot of work and hairspray).

The heat killed my hair because I was sweating. It had been in a cute little loop of curl at the end of the ponytail!

Outfit Details

Vintage 60s Dress: (My former sponsor who is on vacation currently) Metro Retro Vintage

Anchor necklace: Modcloth

Flower Hairclip: longtime sponsor Lila-Jo

Shoes: Re-Mix Vintage Shoes

My younger son Micah

My older son Leto

Leto (on the right) with his best friend Dominick (we live in crazy Yankees country but I am a Brewers fan). They were watching the parade together.

Leto likes to pretend to drive. This was taken before I trimmed off that little mullet of his.

Micah Playing soccer with his brother (posting this to make my sister-in-law smile a bit)

Leto

Micah

Leto's "CHEESE" face

Modest Fashion Features #26

I have received really nice feedback on my last entry and am looking so forward to the kind E-mail offers to borrow people's clothes. I am really truly blessed by you all for your understanding, support, and help! Thank you!!!!

I participated this week in the talent show at church to raise money for the youth group's missions trip to Honduras. I played two songs with my husband and one with my friend. Unfortunately the one with my friend bombed at the end because my mic was louder than hers and I did the harmony. She picked up my harmony on the last few lines of the song and couldn't find her notes to go back and I stopped at one point which didn't help to try to help her get the melody back. :: hand plant to forehead :: so we are going to record it at my home so you can hear it. One of the songs I did with my husband is here, but my mic wasn't on loud enough so you also can't hear me too well. We didn't record the better sounding song, but we plan on recording that at home soon.

It is rare for my features promoting modesty to not have similar tastes throughout the week, but I think this one is varied enough! I've said it before that usually I choose an overall favorite based off of the photo, the outfit, and the uniqueness in the outfit. I loved the DIY portion of Tamia's outfit, so make sure you check it out to see what she did!

[Click photo for zoomed-in details]

Favorite of the week: Tamia!

Top Left to right: Kansairetro, Jessica, Veronica

Bottom left to right: Libby, Christen, Cayce

If you want recognition for your modest outfits just let me know about your blog in a comment or even submit a photo here. Most of the time I pick from my random searches of bloggers or daily reads. To see the daily features and people's submissions, follow this tumblr I run. 

My New Approach For Outfits I Wear - Important, Please Read All!

I wanted to let you all know that I haven't bought a dress since my Easter dress (which I bought on April 4th).  Thankfully someone did an etsy shop dress-trade with me and I won a giveaway so that I do have a few outfits left for now.  I am selling practically all my clothes (other than select favorites and ones to wear each day in the week).  Now you might be asking WHY???? or wondering what is going to happen to my fashion blog. . . So I will tell you.

Many of you have known that I have talked about how much my heart goes out to girls and boys who are forced into prostitution or sexual exploitation as well as many men, women, and children who are forced to work very hard labor with little to no pay (and often with a lot of abuse and no education granted). A lot of what our country sells in stores are slave made, as much as people don't like to think about that or admit to it.  I feel guilty every time I spend money even on vintage things. My husband is the bread winner and we usually get by each month with our bills and we are not frivolous ever (and only buy what groceries we'll eat within a week). I am really glad that we don't have much but we have so much more than these slaves who have NOTHING and suffer so much hardache!

My focus with our money has to go to my children's education (I homeschool my older son who is finishing Pre-K this week, Kindergarten materials have been bought already to prepare him).  Also I am going to be an Aunt/God-mother in a month (which I had bought some cute vintage dresses for her!) Because of these facts of where my focus is going to be going (to help the victims and my own family), I wanted to stop buying clothes completely and either borrow clothes from other people or make my own (which I have low patience to do, but will try in time. I never made dresses ever, just a petticoat slip). I want to start making my own things in general.

This means that if you have size small modest clothes (I can give you my measurements in an email) that I could borrow for a time (and I will send them back within 2 weeks, as I am a woman of my word) or if you run your own Vintage shop and want some photos of some of your clothing items, I will take photos of myself in your clothes so you can sell them using the photos I take and I will return them to you (and this can help promote your own blog or shop!!). If you suddenly see that I am not posting outfits every week any longer, it is because I ran out of clothes! If you are interested in helping me do this to help spread awareness of human trafficking in which 27 million people per year suffer from.

please E-mail me: marvelousthingsphoto@gmail.com

Sincerely with deep love towards the oppressed,

Victoria

http://ijm.org and http://love146.org for more information on my heart's passions

I wore this dress long ago on my blog when I only had about 30 people following me (I might have actually deleted that entry).  probably only 10 of you have seen it, although I have worn it a few times (and had to repair a ripped seam in the sleeve after months of pushing it aside).

OUTFIT DETAILS!

Vintage 1950s Dress: Vintage Rose Clothing

Shoes: Tillys