Going for God in 2011

Did any of you watch The Nativity on BBC over Christmas? I was brought up in church so I know the story of Jesus' birth pretty intimately but Tony Jordan - the writer - did an amazing job with this recreation.
He really brought out how lonely Mary must have felt when no one believed she was carrying the Messiah - and not only that, but that she was still a virgin inspite of it! Her fiance Joseph obviously thought she had been cheating on him, her parents were disappointed in her and even the priest in the temple didn't believe her.

Sometimes I feel really strongly about something...like it's from God although I don't 'hear' from Him, I just feel a strong conviction about it. But the things and people around me are saying otherwise. It's a difficult place to be in but only in time did people see that Mary was telling the truth and re her virginity...well only Joseph will truly know whether she still was!

A few days ago I was reading the book of Joshua in the Bible and, in chapter 1, God gives newly appointed Joshua, instructions for leading the Israelites after Moses' death. Joshua was understandably nervous knowing the task ahead and even with God's assurance that it would all work out ok, he still had to face the interim journey. Verse 9 stuck with me in particular and I'd like to share this encouragement with you:

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)

New year, new start right? If you feel God has called you to do something...go for it! Don't let fear hold you back even when (especially when) it seems to be outside of your ability!

God luck and happy new year!

ONE day before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

A pair of Christian Louboutins!

No, they're not comfortable but OMGosh they make my legs look good!!! I officially have the best husband in the world :)

Hope you all get what you hoped and prayed for this Christmas!

Xx

One day before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
A pair of Christian Louboutins
Spending time in prayer
Starting to exercise
Spending time with children
A glass of mulled wine
Getting a FREE photobook
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible Reading Notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Merry Christmas everyone!

TWO days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Spending time in prayer

In the book of Philippians in the Bible, it says in chapter four, verse six: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And then it goes on in verse seven to say: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

People often say that Christianity is a relationship with God more than anything else, and if that is true I think that Christians - including myself - often undervalue prayer and the role it plays in our everyday faith. My excuse is usually that I don't have time or that I'm too tired to 'stop and pray'. Feeble I know and, actually, if God is everywhere, and I believe He is, why do I have to put him in a little pocket of my life, only praying at specific times and places when God is everywhere, at all times?

The lives we lead in this century are commonly very busy and it can be rare to get a moment to ourselves. With two days to go before what will probably be the busiest few days for so many people, I recommend that we set time aside for God to pray and be still for a while. You may even discover a new way to pray, one which works for you and helps you to connect or reconnect with God. Personally, I like to sing and praise God during my prayer time as I'm not very good at keeping silent and motionless for long periods of time! But if you don't know what to say or find it hard to start, I can recommend a prayer that was given to us in Matthew 6:5-13...

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:

'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we have also forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'

(This is a New International Version translation - NIV)

Whether or not you believe that Christmas is the correct time of year to be celebrating Jesus' birth, I'm sure all Christians can agree that Jesus' birth is worth celebrating so let's thank God for the gift He gave us and let our joy be infectious well into the new year!

Two days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Spending time in prayer
Starting to exercise
Spending time with children
A glass of mulled wine
Getting a free photobook
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible reading notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Three days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Starting to exercise!

We all know we're going to hit the gym in January anyway so why not get a head start? I've been trying to avoid wheat and dairy as they make me feel a bit bloated but I've been succumbing to the temptations of Pret's blueberry muffins for too long now and it needs to stop.

We tend to justify our overeating by saying, "It's ok, it's Christmas!" but it's not ok really is it because the feeling of gluttony afterwards is awful. (I've been known to have problems standing up after a Christmas dinner - or feast as it was in my mum's house - but maybe that's just me.)

The Bible warns us against gluttony - Proverbs 23:20-21 for reference ;) - and it's one of the things we're battling with in our household especially since Waitrose decided to pop up on our street in early December. Great.

Ok so getting back to exercise, even if all you do is take the stairs rather than the lift, take the dog for an extra long walk or pound the pavements rather than use the car, it will save you scraping ice/snow off the car and do your body some good!
Most Christmas parties are over for the year but if you still have some on your waiting list, make sure you get out on the dancefloor and 'shake a leg' or two to keep those calories burning.

But if you do decide to gorge now and pay for it later - but not with your bank balance - there's a new gym called payasUgym which could be just what you need:

PayasUgym is an online gym network with no membership fee that allows customers to find a gym from over 100 in the UK, book a session and pay per single visit.

Launching on 21st January in London and the South East and later in 2011 across the UK, this unique programme quite literally means gym-goers can ‘pay-as-they-go’ by simply visiting the website www.payasUgym.com, creating a payasUgym account for free, locating a gym and purchasing an e-Pass which will be redeemed at the chosen gym’s reception to gain access.

Visit payasUgym to find more and in the meantime, get your walking shoes on!

Three days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Starting to exercise!
Spending time with children
A glass of mulled wine
Getting a free photobook
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible reading notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Four days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Spending time with children

I've always loved kids so I'm looking forward to having my own - quick note here, kids are for life not just for Christmas - but as I was reading a book in our living room yesterday, I looked up at the tree and thought about how lovely it would be to have children to appreciate it with us. I often find that very young children can brighten up my day with their wonder and excitement at everything and even their persistent questioning of 'Why?' can make for interesting discussions if you don't have to deal with it everyday!

The snow where we live is really heavy and has settled a beautiful, fluffy white so it's perfect for kids. Unfortunately, for those for us that still have to make it into work, it's causing more of a hindrance than anything. When I first started dating my Fish, I remember being impressed at how much he appreciates God's creation even in life's busyness. I'm not a fan of the cold but imagine the excitement of a (well-wrapped up) child experiencing their first snowy Christmas...being able to play in the snow and make snowpeople - this is a policitcally correct blog dontcha know - joining in the decorating of the tree and the anticipation of presents! And also getting to spend time with all the family under one roof for once.

When children are allowed their innocence, their excitement of life is infectious and, in my opinion, ought to be indulged at Christmas. How many kids under the age of 10 do you know? Go find some and enjoy Christmas their way!

Four days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends..
Spending time with children
A glass of mulled wine
Getting a free photobook
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible reading notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Five days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

A glass of mulled wine

Where have you been all my life?? I love fruity red wine and hate the cold so it was with pleasure that I came across the wonder that is mulled wine. I only discovered this magnificant creation last Christmas and so I still get excited about it. (A few weeks ago I tried to make my own with red wine a couple of days old and tinned fruit...wouldn't recommend it...)

Anyway things can get pretty hectic in the week or so before Christmas with last minute shopping to be done and the 'inclement weather' causing all kinds of transport catastrophies. So while I don't advocate resorting to drink as a coping mechanism, I do recommend sitting down with a nice glass of mulled wine to soak in the busy but festive atmosphere we get at this time of year. And if you dont drink, you can have some yummy spiced Christmas tea instead. Anything that will help you to relax and unwind for a while.

Note to self: Mulled wine is not Ribena and needs to be sipped with slow enjoyment and not gulped down as if one hadn't had a drink for days.

Five days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
A glass of mulled wine
Getting a free photobook
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible reading notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Six days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Getting a FREE photobook

I really love looking back at old photos so one of the things I dislike about the modern age is that we rarely seem to print them out anymore! Long gone are the days of sending rolls of film off to Kodak and waiting with baited breath to see if your favourite shots made it to production.

These days everything is digital and if it makes it onto Facebook that's usually as far as it gets! (Case in point - four months later we still havent printed our wedding photos...) For alot of people, Christmas is one of the few times in the year when they get to see their extended family so it's nice to be able to capture fun moments spent with those you love.

A new company called All Say Cheese are currently running an offer to give photobooks to the first 80,000 customers, completely free of charge. All you need to do is visit the website, enter your details and download their photo software. They do not ask for any payment information and unlike with most of these offers, post and packaging is also completely free.

I don't know how long this offer will last but even if you don't get there in time I'd still wholly recommend keeping memories alive in photos before the digital world completely takes over!

And if you're lucky enough to have beautiful white snow like we have here, get snapping!

Six days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Getting a FREE photobook
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible reading notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lyon Precision waxing

Seven days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...



Half Egg cufflinks from Tink Jewellery


Silver sparkly things

Buying presents for the men in your life can be a bit of a minefield - especially when all they seem to want is socks. And the Christmas pages for men in magazines seem to feature lots of those as well as what they call novelty gifts i.e. everyday items with silly/rude/mildly insulting slogans on them.

I asked my husband recently whether he prefers 'fun' presents or functional ones and he said functional which is a relief since I'd been feeling guilty about buying him a top of the range Black and Decker drill for his birthday earlier this year.

I won't reveal what I bought him for Christmas as he is likely to read this before the day but since we're in the dress season of tie and tux I want to recommend cufflinks as a lovely present for any of the men or boys in your life. As well as being functional, they are also long lasting and, in the current economic climate I've been trying to buy quality gifts that will go the distance rather than things that excite for a moment.

If you're after novelty stuff you can get them from various online retailers or Tie Rack if you're on the high street. But if you want something beautiful and bespoke (and handmade), I'd recommend Tink Jewellery.

Fish and I love their Half Egg collection which is inspired by the cupped shape of an everyday fruit bowl. This beautiful silver collection includes cufflinks and a matching necklace which served us well at a recent Masquerade Ball. And if you want to buy a special gift for the ladies in your life I'd recommend the Half Egg pearl studs - an elegant finish to any outfit lasting well beyond Christmas parties this season.

Visit http://www.tinkjewellery.com/ to find out more about their bespoke service for wedding rings, braclets, pendants or any other jewellery to which you want to add that personal touch.

Don't let your tree be the only thing that sparkles this Christmas!

Seven days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Silver sparkly things
Red...lots of red!
Bible reading notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Eight days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Red...lots of red!

I was never allowed to wear red nail varnish when I was younger. My mum used to say that only tarts wore red on their nails and I didnt want to be mistaken for a lady with a certain persuasion did I?
So growing up at home I stuck to french manicures and graduated to various shades of pink when I decided my ambition was to become Black Barbie.

It was only recently that I decided to try red again when my friend gave me some bright red nail polish. I loved the way it looked and then bought some bright red lipstick to match. Being dark skinned it was hard to find a red that suited me (when I say 'hard', I also mean expensive because the first place I looked happened to be the YSL make-up counter in House of Fraser) but I finally found a perfect shade when I was in Paris a few weeks ago. I also saw a gorgeous red dress in Zara and have decided that's my new thing.

Many people know that I have always loved the colour pink but now I'm officially an adult - haha! - and married, I want to adopt a more grown up look and as I'm also channeling Mad Men right now (50s gorgeous glamour), this kind of goes along with it.

Plus, as red is officially the colour everyone associates with the Christmas season, I dont have to worry about advocating the 'devil's colour' and looking like a tart. ;)

So go on and get red-y for Christmas!

Eight days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Red...lots of red!

Bible reading notes

Giving to charity
Date night for two

and Lycon Precision waxing



Nine days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Bible Reading Notes

Sometimes when reading the Bible I find that just reading it isn't enough. I want to dissect it, to share thoughts with others and to really understand what it means for me in my life today. Having a Bible study group of 'fellowship' is great for this but I also find that I value Bible 'guides' too.

There are guides for couples, singles, young people, older people, teenagers, students, families, parents etc. However, with so many around it can be hard to choose just one to match your needs!

For Christ Couture girls (Love God, Love Fashion, Love Life? Then that includes you!), I find Day by Day with God is a helpful guide with the aim of 'rooting women's lives in the Bible'.

In their own words: Each day's reading in Day by Day with God provides a suggested Bible reading, with the key verse written out in full, and a comment written by a regular team of contributors. The Bible text is explained and applied especially for women, by women who have themselves found the Bible a source of strength and inspiration for life.

A suggested daily prayer or meditation is included, and that plus the further readings to explore will help you connect the daily notes with your own spiritual journey as you seek to follow Jesus more closely.

Day by Day with God is commissioned and edited by Catherine Butcher, and is published every four months - in January, May and September. Each single copy (covering a period of four months), costs £3.95 and there is a reduction for subscriptions.

Click here to read a sample or purchase a copy direct from the website.

Nine days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Bible Reading Notes
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Ten days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Giving to charity

Sometimes I forget to appreciate what I do have and spend pointless time fretting over what I don't have.
Eg. I don't have a walk in wardrobe a la Paris Hilton (using the spare room for extra storage doesn't count) but I do have a pretty awesome husband (yay! still relish using that word!) and live in a beautiful apartment with a Waitrose and Marks & Spencer on the same road.

Love winter or hate it, its appreciated by all when there's a nice and cosy alternative in the shape of your home but if the current cold weather is anything to go by, the homeless will really suffer in the next month or so. Visit www.crisis.org.uk to see what you can do.

And here are some other charities that could use your help to help others this Christmas:

Refuge has teamed up with John Lewis to create a wonderful Christmas list. "In the past we have had such generous support but have found it difficult to distribute all the presents to all the women and children in the refuges and services. Through this online list we aim to ensure that every child and mum will have a joyful Christmas."

Please have a look at the gift list and support women and children at Christmas:

Refuge Christmas list 2010

The Salvation Army have advised: “From Saturday 20 November to Saturday 18 December, we're asking for new, unwrapped gifts and gift cards to be donated at your local Salvation Army, Superdrug stores across the UK, and at other local shops and retailers in your community.” 

That gives you three days to start clearing out your cupboards and making room for more Christmas presents!

Ten days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Giving to charity
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Eleven days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Date night for two

 With the hectic nature of the Christmas period it can be hard to sit down and spend quality time with just one other person. (As opposed to several more loved ones crammed into a three day period.) So before things get too silly busy, I'd recommend setting aside a special day for a 'date night' with a friend, partner, husband or any loved one with whom time spent is precious.

Grab a coffee - not literally, we don't advocate theft on this blog, cook them a nice meal, visit a Christmas market together or go for a walk if you can brave the cold! Do anything that involves face to face and exclusive contact and take a breather before the rush of Christmas to enjoy some valued time with those important to you.

Eleven days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...
Date night for two
and Lycon Precision waxing

Twelve days before Christmas, Christ Couture recommends...

Lycon Precision Waxing

Doesn't sound very Christmassy does it? But on the other hand it is party season and despite the cold, it's still important to keep your pins and armpit corners in shape!

Last week I was very close to tears at my local beauty salon as I was ripped and stripped of unwanted hair - why do women  have body hair anyway when all we do is spend hours trying to take it off??!
I've actually got quite a high pain threshold so my concerned beautician (or payrolled, pain-inflictor) suggested a 'pain free' alternative called Lycon Precision waxing, an Australian originated wax made from 'the finest resins, natural ingredients and aromotherapy oils'.

Claiming its popularity with 'A-list' celebrities, this is how one salon describes the Lycon wax experience:

It can remove hairs as short as 1 mm and with its low temperature it provides a much more comfortable treatment.

Chocolate & Hazelnut Strip Wax is used for body areas such as legs and arms whilst Lavendar Hot Wax is used for all the other delicate areas of the body. The Hot Wax contains chamomile and lavendar, ideal for sensitive areas and with its low temperature it doesn't leave your skin feeling sore and blotchy.

Lycon Hot Wax literally shrink wraps around the hair and due to its unique application does not stick to the skin so that when it's removed it pulls the hair from the very root thus not only preventing breakage, in-grown hairs and bruising, you don't get that painful sting associated with other brands of wax.

I'm not sure Santa can do much for me so if I could ask God for a miracle right now, it would be that the only hair I have would be on my head, eyelashes and eyebrows...I'm just saying...

Lycon Precision Wax

(This is the first in my 'Twelve days before Christmas' series, based on the popular Christmas song 'Twelve days of Christmas'.)

Twelve days of Christmas!

Growing up in a church which celebrated festivals much like the Jews, my family has never officially celebrated Christmas, so this year was the first Christmas I've had a tree and as sad as it may sound - I am estatic!

Putting aside the 'issues' of Christmas - it's a pagan festival, it's not actually when Jesus was born, Santa doesnt exist etc... - I love that I'm finally able to celebrate it in the way I want to: with love and goodwill and joy!

I've always been fascinated by the Twelve Days of Christmas song which relates to the 12 days following boxing day and so I am doing my own version which starts 12 days before Christmas, leading up to Christmas day itself. I'll officially start it on Monday so bookmark the blog so you can follow my song!

Also thought I'd share with you the apparent religious meaning of the original lyrics...

1 True Love refers to God

2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings refers to the first five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the sacraments

8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping refers to the Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming refers to the points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Click HERE to see the original song lyrics.

Paris: Put your best stiletto forward

No it wasn't sensible but it was definitely fun! Last weekend, I went to Paris with two friends to participate in the high heel race organised by French shoe company Sarenza. I went because it was a free trip to Paris and not because I was actually interested in winning the big prize. (Ok that's a tiny lie because let's be realistic, who wouldn't want £3k worth of shoes???)

Anyway we were told to dress up so we went loosely with an outfit of 'Boarding School Tweed'. I thought I looked quite good in my tweed with leather patches Zara blazer, tiny cream pleated skirt and dual colour tights (one leg black and one leg cream), but it was clear upon arrival that the French girls take this very, very seriously!!! This is Sarenza's 3rd annual high heel race and everywhere you looked, the French girls were hurridly wrapping reams of duct tape - yes, duct tape - around their feet to keep their shoes in place. Where normally I like to be 'different', I decided that was not the time to debate whether spending the evening lying on a stretcher courtesy of Red Cross was better than jumping on the bandwagon avec filles françaises.

Unfortunately the Stiletto Sisters as we so gallantly called ourselves, were out at semi-final stage so we didnt get the prize much to my Fish's relief (he has only just managed to cram all my shoes into our room), but we did get goody bags and an all-expenses paid trip to Paris so I guess I can't really complain... but a note to anyone with plans to replicate this event: duct tape is your best friend.

And of course being the culture sponge that I am, I now want to speak fluent French and live in Paris and ride the metro every day...which is not going to happen :( Ah well, c'est la vie!

Pics to come...

Sarenza High Heel race

COMPETITION: How has the Bible changed your life?

Here is your chance to share how the Bible has influenced your life!

Competition entrants are asked to answer the question ‘how has the Bible changed your world?’ on a sign, upload their photo to www.facebook.com/biblefresh and make their picture their facebook profile photo.

The most thoughtful and imaginative entry will win an Apple ipad.

The competition launches on Christmas Eve and is being coordinated by Biblefresh, a movement of over a hundred agencies helping the church engage with God’s Word in 2011.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a competition run by Christ Couture and since Fish wants an iPad, I will be entering!