Question #12

Wow, I got off track with these questions!!! Time to get back to work on the project!

Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.

There is only one thing that I can think of that really wears me out. Women are mean. Especially to other women. Especially when looking at other women's appearances. Society is so based on visuals that we judge instantly based on looks. Even quick trips out of the house require a shower and a decent outfit. Work requires a ton more time to get out the door. Days at the spa sound relaxing but the only reason i'm there is to look nice.
My workplace has a semi-formal to formal dress code so most days i'm in dress pants, a dress shirt and heels. 8 hours a day in heels on walking around on cement is just mean. But even they can't really help it. Our store sells medium and high end products- we have to look the part. It would be hard to convince people to spend $5000 on a sofa while wearing grubbies. Since finding out about the baby I have been wearing flats (self preservation at it's best) and I have picked up some maternity dress pants but I still have to dress up.
Men have it easier in this one (as I've learned living with Jon) They will leave the house in almost anything. They will hang out with their buddies in their comfy clothes and not care. I think we should learn from them.
We have to be willing to look at people and see past their outfit. We have to see past their hairstyle. We need to see them. We need to learn to connect with people and embrace them for being themselves and being stunning inside. Maybe that's why I like blogging so much. I can connect with people while I am in my pj's (like today). I can start conversations with people that I may not ever talk to in person. I can get advice, criticism, kind words and honest answers without worrying about that that person thinks about my hairdo or outfit. I don't have to pretend to be anything other than me.
Can that happen more in our day to day lives?

Question #11

Day 11. Post a recipe. Or, if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out.

Look at me- I followed a recipe! My Mother-In-Law will be so proud! I cook all the time and love trying new things but I am horrible at following recipes. I usually just mix a bunch of things and taste as I go. I read a blog named Gluten Hates Me and am always saying that I want to try some of the things that she makes. So I did.
Marlow is also gluten free (just in case you missed it in her blog title...) and she has been experimenting with different pizza crust ideas. I saw this one for a potato crust and thought it would be the perfect starting point. 
To make the crust you'll need:
2 firmly packed cups grated raw potatoes
1/2 t salt
1 egg, beaten
1/4c grated onion
vegetable oil
Preheat the oven to 400C. Spray a 9 inch pie pan. Place raw potatoes in a colander and salt. Let sit for 10 mins, and squeeze out water. Mix potatoes, egg, and onion. Pat into pie pan, building up the sides.
Bake 30-40 mins or until golden brown. After the first 20 mins, brush with oil to crispen the crust. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 375 for the rest of the pie.

My cooked crust. 

Top it with whatever you like on your pizza. Marlow chose a mix of cherry, roma and slicer tomatoes with Fontana and Parmesan cheese. We chose roma tomatoes, salami and mozzarella cheese.

Looking amazing in the oven!

 With our mix of toppings we left it in for 15 minutes and then switched to the broiler on high for 2 minutes to bubble the cheese.

All done cooking! Time to eat!!

 So this is the point that the recipe stopped working for me....we didn't have a pie plate so I made it on a pizza pan. As I started to cut into it with the pizza cutter the crust didn't hold it's shape. I think the pie pan would have allowed for a thicker, sturdier base. We ended up eating pizza casserole instead of pizza, but it was still amazing!!! I am going to try it again soon (hopefully with a better outcome!)

The finished product!

Question #10

Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a woman (sister, daughter, wife, mom or friend)?

To have faith and to know that if it's meant to be it will happen. This sounds right in line with the Easter spirit and weekend, but that's not why I'm focused on faith. I also don't think it has a ton to do with me being female (maybe i'm missing the point of this question....) But this is what has happened to cause me to have faith and believe even more. 

When I started university I said that when I graduated I would move to BC, but then life got crazy. Boyfriends didn't want to move to a new city and the job I had at my family's store seemed to plant me there. The dream was just not feasible. I constantly revisited the dream, thinking that I would go the next year. Every visit made me want it more and more. The smell of the ocean, the rain and the lush plant life called out to me more than the snow, dry air and big skies of Alberta. Don't get me wrong, I do love the city I grew up in and will miss it, but I love BC too. 

But suddenly the stars seemed to align. My dream was going to come true after all the wishes. I re-met and married Jonathan, who is used to living away from family and knows that it can be done while maintaining strong relationships. We moved in with his parents to save up money and decided that when we moved out of their place it would be to come to BC. We gave my work 3 months notice and hired and trained my replacement. One of my (distant) cousins lives in Victoria and helped us house hunt virtually. We flew down, looked at places, did job interviews and fell in love with the feel of the city. We found a beautiful condo that has everything we were looking for. We went back to Edmonton, packed everything up and drove a UHaul back 2 weeks later. We didn't stress, didn't panic, didn't worry. We just trusted in God and each other. Roadblocks popped up and were dealt with and passed by. We knew that it would work out in the end, and when all the voices around us started to break down the faith I read these:

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

Ephesians 2: 1-9

And you hath quickened. who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and we were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. (by grace you are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves is the gift of God.

Matthew 9:22

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

And so we believe. I believe that no matter what happens, things will work out, life will go on and we will be standing strong. Each day is a blessing, enjoy them, live fully and know that if you believe in something strongly enough it will happen.

Question #9

Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?

Creativity- I find myself searching for a creative, unique approach to everything. It is possible why I always had problems with math. I didn't want to do it the way that the teacher said to do it, I wanted to figure out my own way (which doesn't work so well...) My favourite teachers in school were the ones who embraced this uniqueness and encouraged it. I am the person who walks through a shop and re-arranges a display because the balance is off. I am also the person who can look at everyday objects and figure out 10 other uses for them. I always blew my bosses away when I was doing a product display because I took a normal object and made it stand out. Even now, as I'm dreaming up my own store, I am thinking of display ideas that I have never seen used. Custom soaps in a big old claw foot bathtub. Restored kitchen cabinetry with the doors removed to showcase everyday kitchen items. It's going to be good!

Strength- I impress my trainer every time I see him, but that's not the strength I mean. What I mean is the ability to get through it, get over it and keep going. I still have my days that I need a glass of wine and a good cuddle, but for the most part I am strong enough to know that I will overcome anything. I will accomplish my goals and I will live my dream. I know that I can do it and that I will do it. No matter what my friends and family say. No matter what the bank says. No matter what complete strangers say. I will do it, I will win, and once I do, they will all see that they can too. All you need to do is believe. 

Organization- I am a neat freak. A strangely organized neat freak. My storage room is full of labelled rubber bins. My photos are all labelled by date, year and who is in each album. Our honeymoon photos are sorted by date, island and activity. My iTunes can be sorted and collated in 15 different ways and always be perfect (I know, I have gone through each song) I have also googled every album cover for every downloaded song and loaded it in. Thankfully Jon finds this endearing about me. His Mom is the same, in fact, when I moved in she re-labelled her whole storage system with french/english labels because they were originally only french. Our house is always organized and tidy, the surfaces get cleared off every night. Want to hold a last minute get together? Have it at my house, it's good to go. It drives my friends a bit batty and I'm sure it makes them pause when inviting me over. What they don't realize is that I really don't care what their places look like, it is only mine that has to reach my standards. 


Singing- I'm not sure if my singing voice qualifies a virtue, but I'm putting it here anyway. I sing all the time, to whatever I can hear and usually out loud. Sales people laugh at me on a regular basis because when they are walking over to say hi they can hear me. It makes them smile, and if I brought them 5 minutes of happy in a long workday then I'm good with getting mocked. Singing makes me happy, makes me feel connected. I love that all those lyricists were able to write down their feelings and share them with the world. I still don't have the self-expression thing down. One day I will get there.  

Question #8

Day 8. Share a beauty secret (hair tip, makeup tip)

Drink a ton of water every day. Doctors and nutritionists all tell us to do it, but very few people actually do. You will be way healthier and it will show in your skin and hair. 

Question #7

Day 7. Write a blog or a note to encourage another beautiful woman.

Shannon,
I still remember the day I walked into your life. We both stepped out of our comfort zones and took an intro class hoping that it was something we would want to pursue. We sat at the same table for the first day and exchanged shy smiles and headed our own ways. The next class instead of getting "Hello" when I walked in I was greeted with a "Where do you live??" It is too funny that we lived on the same block, and too funny that you saw me walk through your parking lot in my pink cord jacket on my way to class. You volunteered to be my ride to class and we quickly became inseparable. By week 3 we could finish each other's sentences and could have whole conversations without words. 
You stood beside me through boys, breakups and drama. Every birthday party, BBQ and gathering I've hosted since has featured you as a planning partner. You were a stellar maid of honour and helped to organize wedding events to make everything perfect for me. We spent so much time planning our dream weddings together before I even had the ring, I knew that you would help me plan and get the dream just right. I know I didn't rely on you as much as I should have for wedding stuff, I just didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings and appear to favour someone. I did most of it alone so it wouldn't hurt you girls, and I think it ended up hurting all of you more by doing it that way. It is the only thing that I would change about that day though and I am still so glad that I had you by my side! 
Now we are both stepping out again. I am headed to Victoria to chase my design dreams and you are headed to a new city, to start a new business and a new life. We have both done this before. A few days ago you blogged about being scared of your move and everything changing. Maybe this is why the universe brought us together- to prove that we aren't too old to change. You will make more friends, you will get a new dentist and you will finally have control of your time. You will get there, meet another girl in a pink cord jacket and everything will be fine. No, wait, that's not true there's only one me (thank god!) You will spend way more time with your family, meet their friends and form bonds with them that will rival your friendships here. 
You are awesome, brave and strong. Silver Service Driving is going to take off and you are going to be fending clients off! You will use your connections there to spread the news of a new designer in town and get a ton of business. Maybe we will restore the dream of Indulgent Designs and just have two BC locations. It could happen! 
We promise to stop in for an afternoon visit when we are driving home to visit our family. I will kidnap you for an evening whenever you come to the island to visit your parents. I promise that I will stay addicted to twitter so we can talk everyday and I promise to keep blogging and reading your blog so we will stay close. I will be by your side for your winter wedding whenever that mystery man decides to show his face. Our kids will grow up as cousins, despite the distance and everything will work out!
Just always remember that you can do anything you set your mind to!
Lots and Lots of love,
Kelly

Question #6

Day 6. Jaded Beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?

Well, first thing's first with this one.....
Definition of Jaded (courtesy of Urban Dictionary): The end result of having a steady flow of negative experiences, disappointment, and unfulfillment fed into a person where they get to a point where their anger circuits just sort of burn out and they accept disillusionment. 


I think that we are jaded, but it is something that is shown to us from day 1. We are trained when we are little to accept that some people are beautiful and some people aren't. The girl at the supermarket? Ugly....The one on TV? Stunning. I think that we need to show our kids that EVERYONE is beautiful and worthy. I am awesome and awful at this. I am the first person to compliment complete strangers on great outfit choices, cute hair or pretty eyes. I am also the first to notice bad shoes, strange clothing and unfortunate fashion choices. I don't say anything to those people about their choices, because i've been on that side of a conversation, but I am one to Tweet about it....
There are all sorts of pop culture references here that we can learn so much from. The amazing Susan Boyle who takes every one's breath away while on stage at Britian's Got Talent. The inspiring Nick Vujicic who was born with no limbs but speaks at schools worldwide to teach kids about success. Even one of my least favourite celebrities Lady Gaga sings a song all about how we are born superstars, no matter what we look like. 
I know the opinions of others have always meant a great deal to me when it came to my appearance. I think the worst part of it is that what people told me I believed, and started to tell myself the same thing. If I heard I looked fat in an outfit I would donate it to Goodwill. It didn't matter if it was a complete stranger or someone who I knew well. I did all of my clothing shopping alone, no opinion seeking here. When I met Jonathan I was at my heaviest and was absolutely miserable about it. I couldn't shake the nasty thought that if people told me to my face I was fat 50lbs ago what were they saying behind my back now. He told me I was beautiful, over and over again. He made me believe it. He made me tell it to myself. Despite all of his love and support I still felt that I needed to lose the weight. I went to a trainer, changed our diet, changed our lives, tried crazy diets and he did it all alongside me to support me. He was fine with waiting an extra year for the wedding so I would love myself as much as I love him. 105 pounds later I ordered my dress 6 sizes smaller than the one in the shop and was very, very proud of myself. 
The honeymoon was amazing, but featured 3 weeks of eating whatever and drinking a bottle of wine each evening. We came back and my jeans didn't fit. I am one of the people who gain weight just by looking at food, but love to eat. We're back at the trainer, and back on the no munching rule, but I am so much more comfortable in my skin than I used to be. It might be because I know he loves me no matter what, but I think it is also because I also love me no matter what. I still have the mornings that I try on 30 things and fight the urge to climb back into bed. But now there are way more that I leave the house head held high because I feel great. I am not classically beautiful. I am not (or will ever be) stick thin. I am not tall. I will always have curves. I will always love my eyes and most of all, I will always smile. What other people think doesn't matter, it is that you think that counts. 
         Just remember......

Question #5

Day 5. Write a blog or a note thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

Jonathan,
Thank you for being here, being my man and being the love of my life. I can't think of anything better than knowing that you are going to be home waiting for me at the end of a long day, well, other than the knowledge that you are going to be home and wanting to cuddle. 
We first met 12 years ago and at that point I wasn't ready for your love. High school sucks and makes you treat the best people horribly. Although I managed to never pick you out of a crowd to pick on I also never gave you a second glance. You were Anthony's friend and so was I, the relationship never needed to go further than that. I had to go through some other stuff first, and you did too. 
I needed to live with the sketchy boyfriend, he taught me how to live on a dime, budget, sew and manage a house full of animals. From him I also learned that 18 hour workdays suck, that drugs really really suck and that it is really hard to hide bruises. When we ran into him last summer I wanted you to punch him for everything he did to me, but I ended up thanking him instead. I realized that he had a huge impact on who I am. He is the reason I am so independent, driven and strong. He's the one who taught me that I can do anything that I set my mind to.
I needed to date the rig guy, he taught me to spoil myself, give to charity, eat organic and relax. He showed me that the guy in your life should be your best friend and should be the first person you want to call when anything happens. I am thankful that we were adult enough to realize that we made better friends than mates. He taught me that I am beautiful, inside and out and that I need to take better care of myself and always said my singing voice was the best part of me. I love that you and him met and that he knew that we were meant to be before we knew it. 
I needed all the guys between them. The really religious one whose mom dumped me for him. The one who scared Shannon by going pee with the door open while she was there. The one who I stayed with for too long because his Mom is one of me favourite people ever.  
I needed to go to university, support myself, work like crazy, and live alone. I needed to invite you to the big group birthday party on Facebook because I never gave you a second glance so many years ago. I needed to keep you around for the rest of the night because I was so amazed that you had been there, in the background, for so much of my life. Dinner at Dadeos the next night because we were snowed in and your car couldn't move out of the condos parking lot. Realizing that night that this was it, this was love, I was done searching. Dinner at your parents the next night so you could grab some clothing and then the gradual transfer of your stuff to my condo over the next few months. You surprising me with an engagement band while I was sick in bed after you spent all day looking after me. Telling Nicole and seeing her jump up and down for about an hour she was so excited for us. Telling Shannon after asking me and explaining to her that you didn't get her to help you pick the ring because if she knew I would. Spending 2 years planning the big day and having it go without a hitch (or at least any that the wedding planner couldn't handle before we got there) Walking down the aisle towards you I knew I made the right choice. I knew that the man I was walking towards was with me, no matter what, through thick and thin and that you loved me for me. This summer was amazing, I still can't believe we are finally married (and that we were engaged for so long!) Greece was stunning and we will go back again, even if it is just to visit Katrina's in Mykonos again. 
We will have our ups and our downs, but I am all in. 
I love you,
Kelly

Question #4

Day 4. Post a picture of you in your favourite outfit

Yeah for an easy day!!! Here is an outfit I wear all the time. The shirt is really simple but pretty, the capris are comfortable and I get to wear my red patent sandals. The photo was taken by Jon in Montreal on our Honeymoon this summer. I was watching the ducks in the pond (and yelling at the kids who were throwing big rocks at the ducks...)

Question #3

Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

I could take the easy way out of this question and talk about Fiona. She definitely inspired this list and the development that comes with it. I am spending more me time focusing on what I want to say and do. No more Facebook addiction- I am still online on occasion to check events and messages, but no little games anymore. My time has been spent collecting inspiration and finding lovely things to use in client's spaces. I am seriously addicted to Pinterest now, but that's a good thing because it can keep all of those sources sorted for me. The site will also make it way easier to find unique items to set my designs apart. And now that I have completely distracted you from the original question I am going to get back to it. I should talk about Fiona, but this time I'm not going to. I said thank you to her already and will actually do the work while I'm here.


There are two wonderful women who have recently come into my life and because I can't decide which to talk about I will talk about both (and try to cut the rambling down!)


Robin- I stumbled past your blog and you came over to check out what I was saying. Whenever there is a post of yours in my list I read it first. Your words help me to find my own and your support has helped me to keep going. Your children are so lucky to have a mother who can communicate with them honestly and will grow up strong because of it. There is already evidence of it in Jessica's blog (the writing thing also passed through the family tree!) You make me want to keep going and keep learning. Thank you for giving this new blogger a chance, some encouragement and something to reach for in my writing. 


Teresa- You came to work with me and amaze me every day. You always have a big smile on your face and have made me laugh when everything in my head says not to. Your ability to shrug off negativity and raise spirits is truly a gift. When I told you about this project you told me that everyone is beautiful in some way. You don't need these questions, my praise or my compliments, because you already embrace the lesson. You have shown me what I am trying to learn. There truly is beauty in everyone and there is a ton of it in you. Thank you for complimenting me every day, making me feel loved and making me feel like I can do anything.

Question #2

Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?

I had to tap into Jon's knowledge base for this one. I stared at the screen for a long time before asking for his help....so here are his answers:
 - I am ALWAYS cold. No matter how warm it is outside. Even in Greece when it was +30 at night I still snuggled under the blankets. 
 - I change my hair colour every 2 or 3 weeks. In the past few months it has been dark with blond streaks, purple, black, chestnut brown and is currently dark red.
 - There is a scar on my cheek from when I was little. I was using the bar in my closet to practice my gymnastic moves and it spun. I hit a metal bookcase....I ended up with stitches. I don't notice it anymore but he loves it.
 - I am a closet geek, a title coming from Jon and a few of our friends. I am refusing to play Dungeons & Dragons or Magic with them, but I love games. My reason why- I will get too addicted. I have to pull myself away from Restaurant City which is meaningless and simple, put me into a complex game? You'll never get me out!


My answers that I thought up while typing his in:
 - I have a big scar on my tummy. I don't really care that it's there. Two of my tattoos are right next to it, so it gets attention along with them and doesn't bother me. 
 - I would way rather give my money to people who work hard. I don't care that farmer's markets groceries and craft show gifts cost more, I like to know who made the item and help support them. I try to do all of my shopping in boutiques that are owner run. Why support WalMart? 
 - I love to sing and I do it constantly. I don't care what the music is or what I am doing, I am singing along. Seriously, I have to pick specific songs to listen to at the gym or else I sing along with my iPod while on the treadmill with headphones on. I feel that it helps me to express my feelings- Jon has often said that he can tell my mood based on the music that's playing.
 - My eyes are stunning. They are brown with green and hazel flecks. I hate wearing my glasses (and usually don't) because they block them. I have tried contacts, I am currently awful at putting them in.
 - It is really hard to make me give up. Some people see my stubbornness as a fault. I don't, I think it means that I will meet my goals and set even higher ones. 
 - I love to volunteer and help our community. I have so much of everything in my life that I need to give back and help others get there.
 - Cooking is one of my favourite things to do. When I had my own kitchen (I share one right now) I had someone over for dinner every night so I could cook for them. It's one of the biggest reasons why I am excited for Victoria. 
 - I read anything and everything. The internet is an evil thing for me. Blogs, Twitter and Facebook could take over my life if I let them. I have spent days on Wikipedia clicking on the random button. In fact, that is where a few hours of today went. 
 - Bold colours are my favourite. I love mixing strong hues and balancing them out. They are why I specialized in Contemporary design. I can't handle pastels and muted tones all the time. They have their place, and can be used properly, but I am still not a fan. Give me bold any day!
 - I give my cats crazy voices and talk to them when they are meowing at me. I can have a whole conversation with Firefly when she is in one of her moods. 
 - I refuse to start my day without coffee. Not necessarily because I need the caffeine, more because I love the warmth that it brings. I am also a bit of a coffee snob. I will go to the big chains if I don't have any other options, but prefer to go to smaller coffee shops. It goes along with my small business support thing. I think it's awesome to know the baristas by name and visit with them while waiting instead of that strange silence while they spend 5 minutes on your drink.

Question #1

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?

Why is this first one so hard? I read it yesterday, resolved to think about it today and write tonight. I still have nothing. No, that's not true. I have the physical beauty definition still in my head. I think beauty and I think of models and what I would love to look like. Most of the physical traits that I admire the most are completely unattainable for me. For example, I wish that I was taller. There is no way that will permanently happen- I can try with pretty shoes, but eventually I need to take them off. I wish that I had curly hair. Mine is straight as a bone and, if you try to curl it the curls fall in an hour or two. Even when professionally done. Even with a ton of hairspray. 
Nonetheless, there has to be more to beauty than I am getting to. I think there is a ton of beauty around us. I think people's smiles are beautiful and the light in their eyes when you make them laugh. I think nature is amazing and beautiful, even when it means freezing my butt off to go anywhere. I think my cats are beautiful with their soft grey coats and green eyes. I love textures and find lots of textiles beautiful based solely by touch. I think life is beautiful, messy, but definitely beautiful. I think volunteering for charities and helping others makes you beautiful. Ok, ramble over.


Beauty to me is knowing that your actions all come from love, that they will make someone feel special and loved and that your outward appearance doesn't matter. 

Project 31- In search of beauty

I have been struggling each night to do this blog. I set it up to learn from it and start to get my emotions and feelings out. I feel like the last few weeks all I have written is puff pieces. I know that I hurt a few people with my words and that they didn't like reading what I could not say, but I feel like I am censoring myself to a point that this isn't communication anymore, with myself or others. I am still struggling to find that fine line between what I need to say and what my lurkers wont get mad at. I am going to start this project, borrowed from my friend Fiona's Blog (who got it from a friends blog...) and use it to express the thoughts for awhile. Maybe as I work through it I will find a happy medium- expression without a ton of pain around me. I am going to mix them in with other posts, so the questions and answers will come in the right order, but not every single day. If you also blog or journal consider doing the questions with me, I would love to see other people's ideas, opinions and feelings too!
The project is titled 'Project 31" and is a way for women to reflect on the subject of beauty. It was originally described as "you celebrating your god given beauty, and celebrating the beautiful women around you." We all have such skewed versions of what beauty really is and find it hard to find it in ourselves and others. These questions, when really pondered and answered truthfully will help to light the way to finding beauty everywhere.

The project is taken from Proverbs 31, which talks about a woman of noble character and true beauty:

"A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her husband and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, as he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)

The Question List:
Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Post a picture of you in your favourite outfit
Day 5. Write a blog or a note thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded Beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog or a note to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Share a beauty secret (hair tip, makeup tip)
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a woman (sister, daughter, wife, mom or friend)?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or, if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out.
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Post a photo you love of yourself.
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food.
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 25. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Post a pic of your favourite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence.
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me."
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?