JOAN COLLINS BROWN

Happy Tuesday everyone,  I wore this look for date night this past weekend. We took a drive around Fort Lauderdale before going to dinner. I'm not sure if anyone watches The Bachelor on ABC but this past season one of the destinations was Fort Lauderdale and for some reason the city got a bad representation. To me Fort Lauderdale is similar to Miami especially since they are so close. The only difference is the area code and the suburbs. If you were visiting South Florida and wanted a quieter time in the sun I would suggest Fort Lauderdale. The beaches are less crowded but equally as beautiful.  That's all for my PSA on Fort Lauderdale. I've lived in Miami most of my life and only recently I've had the urge to really explore the State of Florida. Although I have visited the popular cities I would love to see what else Florida is about. Sometimes I get more caught up on the idea that I have to visit other countries that I forget I get to travel so close by and still visit a city I know nothing about. If you're curious, some cities in Florida that are on the list are: ST. AUGUSTINE  It's known to be the oldest city in the U.S. and has beautiful Spanish architecture. PALM BEACH/ WEST PALM BEACH  These cities aren't too far from where I live and I have gone up for day trips a few times but I would love to spend a weekend properly exploring. KEST WEST I've gone down to the Keys several times but I always leave wanting more. It's such a great little city and would love to explore Dry Tortugas- which is a national park you can take a ferry boat from Key West. SIESTA BEACH It doesn't have a popular name like other cities in Florida but if you look up recent lists of the best beaches in the U.S. you most likely will find Siesta Beach right at the top. Which means I need to experience it for myself. NATURAL SPRINGS It's been a great kept secret for a while but central Florida has some beautiful natural springs. TAMPA I haven't been to Tampa in years and want need to go back. I have family there and I would love to visit them. Tampa is very similar to Miami in the sense that its a big city that has similar features. Plus it has other popular cities nearby like St.Petersburg and Clearwater. The beaches there are some of the best in the U.S. and while Miami has the Atlantic, Tampa has the gulf of Mexico making it so different.

WHAT I'M WEARING DRESS: FREEPEOPLE SUNGLASSES: RAY BAN SHOES: FOREVER 21 (Best white boots I've found, less than $25!) BAG:c/o THE DAILY EDITED  EARRINGS: MANGO (Less than $20) Mango has a great selection of earrings.

Have you ever found a gorgeous dress, or top and stopped yourself from buying it because it was sleeveless? I've been there so many times, until I started looking at clothing differently than how it was displayed on a mannequin. As many of you know, I'm LDS and we practice a level of modesty in our religion. After I went through the Temple a week prior to getting married I never considered how much I would be reminded of my choices simply by picking out an outfit everyday. Sure, I think I was always pretty modest in my day to day life before being endowed in the Temple. I'll even make a bold statement and say that I was probably one of the most modest among my group of friends at school, but there is a huge difference between: "I shouldn't wear that", and "I can't wear that".  Modesty isn't something I really struggle with, but I think its mainly due to how I see clothing. I don't have a desire to wear tight clothes, or anything short or low cut. However, there comes a time when I have to think outside the box.

Take this dress I'm wearing as an example. It is absolutely beautiful, and if it wasn't for it being sleeveless it would be a modest dress in my opinion. I learned to love layering pieces together and not see it as a burden, but simply as a fashion choice. For this dress I wanted to keep its feminine design by giving it a preppy twist and added a collared blouse. This is just one example of what can be done. Another trick of mine is to add a skin tone t-shirt (preferably) tight fitting underneath anything sheer. You will be modest but still keeping the integrity of the design.

I know it can be frustrating when we are looking for a dress for a wedding or an event. You can't seem to find anything that works and you might give up and let our values slip. I want to tell you there is always a way to keep your modesty without having to conform. We should start getting in the habit (myself included) to remember clothing can be altered to fit you. You can always cut fabric and add it on. Perhaps the dress is too long and a seamstress and make sleeves from that material. I can remember being a teenager and seeing my friends wearing more revealing tops and shorts; which wasn't wrong, but I personally never felt comfortable in those clothes. I had to realize I had my own style and to stick to it to make myself happy instead of making it more about everyone else. Sure, I was teased about my "grandma" style, but I had to wear them and my feelings are all I care about when I get dressed. At the end of the day, as long as you are comfortable in what you are wearing that is what truly matters. Thanks so much for stopping by. Please share with me your experiences with modesty.  Is it something you struggle with? Do you care about it? Do you have your own tricks and tips? With love, Joan