Once again, I just wanted to thank all of the kind people who have taken the time to share their thoughts on Style, Sex, and Substance. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it! For those of you who might be wondering what this very pink book is all about, here are the latest reviews:

Elizabeth Scalia @ The Anchoress

Tina Korbe @ Hot Air

Ginny @ Small Things

Kathleen @ The Thin Veil

Brandon Vogt @ OSV Newsweekly

Sarah @ Amongst Lovely Things

Emily Stimpson @ OSV Newsweekly

Tony Rossi @ Patheos (Part 2)

Sarah Reinhard @ Catholic Mom

Leila @ Little Catholic Bubble

Christy @ Fountains of Home

Rebecca @ The Young Adults Guide to Taking Over the World

Dwija Borobia @ Catholic Exchange

Theresa Thomas @ Integrated Catholic Life

Bobbi @ Revolution of Love

The Crafts @ cCc

Claire @ Bergeron Writing

Lindsay Wilcox @ Austin Catholic New Media

If you’ve reviewed Style, Sex, and Substance and I’ve neglected to add your link, please let me know! My apologies!

(To take a peek at my first round-up of reviews, just go here!)

Hi cutie pies!

I’m heading out of town for an outdoor wedding this weekend and have been scrambling to find something cute to wear. While searching I came across the Shabby Apple coupon below. I just thought I’d share just in case any of you are as smitten with vintage-inspired, yellow dresses as I am.

I highly recommend checking out the entire (brand-spankin’ new) Twin Palms line when you have a minute. It is super cute.

Take care!

1.

Welcome Conversion Diary readers! As always, it’s a pleasure!

(If you’re new here, you can subscribe to my feed by email or on a feed reader. I’d love to get to know you all better, and can’t wait to check out your blogs!)

2.

Krista (2nd from the right) and Melissa (far right).

Melissa of Isela Maria contacted me this week to tell me about her friend, Krista, who is preparing to enter the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN this August. As with so many who discern a call to religious life, Krista has a lot of debt that she needs to pay off before she can enter. Melissa has sweetly offered to sell some of her beautiful photographs and give the proceeds to Krista. You can read more about that, and about their sweet friendship here.

3.

Style, Sex, and Substance just sold out on Amazon for the third time! To those of you who’ve purchased a copy, thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.

At the moment, Amazon is saying that there is a 7-11 day shipping delay. In my experience, their estimates tend to be conservative but if any of you would like a (non-Kindle version) copy sooner you can purchase a copy directly from my publisher here. You can also purchase a signed copy from me by clicking on the Paypal button below:

4.

Speaking of Style, Sex, and Substance,  many thanks to Emily Stimpson for mentioning the book in her latest piece for OSV Newsweekly, Catholic Women in Their Own Words – a fantastic article that gave a group of Catholic women (myself included) the opportunity to “set the record straight about sex, motherhood, marriage, prayer and contraception.” With so many in the mainstream media trying to speak for us, it was refreshing to be given the opportunity to speak for ourselves. Do check it out!

5.

The weather here has been gorgeous lately so I’ve been spending nearly every morning at the park reading while my kids play. I think I’ve finished three  novels this week alone! What should I read next? I’m not looking for anything terribly heavy, just a few fun novels I can crack open while keeping one eye on the littles. Oh, and as I mentioned on Twitter, if you suggest a book about women written by a man, I’ll consider it highly suspect. ;)

6.

Isn't she the cutest?

Congratulations to my cute friend, Cari, on the birth of her daughter, Veronica Rosemary! Do yourself a favor and go take a peek at her sweet girl over here. I guarantee your day will be better for it. Are babies not the most delicious things ever?

7.

On a sadder note, I’m sure most of you have seen Jen’s request for prayers by now. I just wanted to add that though she’s being understandably vague, what she witnessed was truly horrific (and honestly, even that feels like an understatement). If you could please pray for the young man who lost his life, his family and friends, and for Jen, I know that they would all appreciate it deeply.

This contest is closed. The winner is Bethany B!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner so I thought it might be fun to host a little giveaway! I’ve pulled together a few of my favorite items, wrapped them up all nice and pretty, and can’t wait to send them off to one of you! You can keep the gift for yourself or–if you’d like to give it as a Mother’s Day (or other special occasion) gift–I’d be happy to include a message of your choice on a lovely card and ship it for you.

Here’s a little virtual sneak peek into the gift box o’ goodies I’ve prepared:

• A copy of “Style, Sex, and Substance” signed by all 10 contributors.
• A Moleskin Journal in which a woman could–if she pleased–journal her answers to the questions provided at the end of each chapter.
• A Zebra Ballpoint Pen–which is the single best pen ever created by man (don’t even try to debate me on this one)–to use for said journaling.
• A Lavender Aromatherapy Candle to provide pretty lighting and a sweet scent.
• Lavender Bath Salts if she chooses to read her new book in the bath.
• A copy of Audrey Assad’s new CD, Heart, to play while she reads, journals, and/or soaks.
• A small collection of Sephora beauty samples that I’ve collected over the last few months.
• And some sort of sweet treat. (The details of this item have yet to be determined as I am searching for something delicious that won’t melt while it is being shipped. Suggestions are welcome!)

To enter:

1. Simply share this post (on FB, Twitter, your blog, etc.)!
2. You can also earn a bonus entry by telling your friends about “Style, Sex, and Substance” (again, on FB, Twitter, your blog, etc.). If you do, please include a direct link to the book’s Amazon page. And please be sure to leave a second comment letting me know you did!

This giveaway will end at 9 pm (EST) on Monday 5/7. I will announce the winner at the top of this post later that evening and ship the package the very next day so that it will be sure to arrive by Mother’s Day.

Take care, friends!

You girls are the best, you know that? Not only did you offer fantastic solutions to my little problem, you commiserated with me!–and with some seriously funny stories of your own at that.

Here is a recap for anyone who missed the awesome combox conversation and might still need a little help keeping underthings under wraps:

• Several people recommended “bike shorts.” I was particularly fond of Jennifer’s suggestion: lace “bike shorts”!
• Pettipants also got several nods. I thought these were cool because you can easily alter their length. I like these, too, though. Oh, and these? LOVE.
• MamaBearJD suggested a kind of retro hot pant (or boy shorts). Something like these, perhaps?
• A bunch of people suggested a half slip. The consensus seemed to be that it should be somewhat fitted. This one is a little pricey but seems ideal in every other way.
• Spanx were a popular suggestion, too! Here is a link to the very many options they provide.
• Slip Shorts were another great suggestion. These are a great Plus Size option. (One question: is there a difference between Pettipants and Slip Shorts? Just curious.)
• Colleen suggested Capri Leggings of which I, too, am quite a fan. I have this pair.
• Alison mentioned that she likes to wear Petticoats under some of her more swingy skirts. I am such a fan of crinoline for special occasions. This option comes in a number of colors and is budget-friendly!
• DIY lace shorts! Oh my gosh! Can you say adorable? Michelle shared this tutorial.
• Tap Pants were also mentioned. I’ve always wanted a pair–though I have yet to procure any. These are pretty darn sweet and saucy.

So, one again, y’all rock. Thank you to everyone who came to my rescue! I feel much better now.

(This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for your support!)

Yesterday I took my kids to a nearby county park. They climbed tall trees, balanced precariously on the rocks above the lake, and ran with abandon through the newly sprouted green grass. I took pictures and chased the roly poly baby around. It was heavenly.

Now this may seem an aside, but I assure you it’s relevant: For our outdoor adventure, I chose a super cute, brand spankin’ new, knee-length jersey skirt. It offered comfort, ease of movement, and–being the lover of skirts that I am–added a spring to my step. Perfect, yes?

No.

As I was mindlessly buckling said roly poly baby back into her carseat, a nefarious gust of wind rose (seemingly out of nowhere), grabbed hold of the hem of my skirt, and revealed my (admittedly cute) unmentionables to the rest of the park-goers. Oh, yes it did.

I call moments such as these Unwelcome Marilyn Monroe Moments and I’m really quite done with them.

I realize the obvious solution would be to wear pants on windy days. I am telling you, though, there is this strange phenomenon that exists where gale force winds seem to rise unannounced from some invisible fissure in the surface of the earth hell-bent on sending my skirts sailing. I know–you’re going to try to convince that there are no invisible fissures in the surface of the earth that exist solely to humiliate women like me but you would be wrong. So very, very wrong. They do exist, and they hate me.

I heard something once about sewing weights into the hem of skirts but let’s just be honest, that’s never going to happen. I guess I could stick to pencil skirts but that’s so limiting! And I’m definitely not giving up on skirts entirely. That would be like letting the wind win! Believe you me, the wind will not win.

So, girls, what do you think? Is there any hope for me? Or am I destined to be that hussy at the park that everyone talks about in hushed tones? And has this ever happened to you? Or am I the only one who can’t seem to keep control of her frisky skirts?

These are things I need to know.

My father-in-law passed away earlier this week. It feels a little weird to refer to him as my “father-in-law” because I always thought of him simply as a dad–not someone I was merely connected to in the legal sense. But my father-in-law he was. He never failed to let me know that he considered me a daughter, though. And it was with such a tender affection that he loved me. I will forever consider it such a privilege to have been so loved by such a great man.

My husband has been awesome. He is so full of hope and peace. But there’s sadness, too. I keep tearing up at the thought that I can no longer sit on the couch with my father-in-law and discuss all those things we loved to discuss together–faith, family, beauty, culture, and more. I miss him so much already.

Please pray for the repose of his soul. Pray, too, that his family and friends may be comforted during this sad time. Thank you, friends! It means the world to us.

So, things will probably be quiet around here for a few days. Though not too quiet. My father-in-law lived life to the fullest and would demand that we continue to savor all the beautiful fruits this world has to offer.

For a little peek into the life of Chuck Lord, here’s a song my husband wrote about his dad a few years ago:

As I mentioned in last Friday’s Quick Takes, I don’t know what I’ve been doing with my life, but I only recently discovered Grace of Camp Patton. I stumbled upon her site after someone told me that she’d written a hilarious blog post about pre-gaming before reading Style, Sex, and Substance. It was love at first sight. I am so smitten with her, in fact, that I twisted her arm into writing another post on pre-gaming for my own blog! She very sweetly agreed. Here, for your reading pleasure, is the awesome result… (Thank you, gorgeous Grace!)

Hopefully I’m not the only one that partook in healthy amounts of pre-gaming in college. But if it is the sad case that I am, let me preface by giving you Urban Dictionary’s definition of pre-gaming:

n. To drink before going to a party. Often pre-gaming happens at the house and involves taking shots.

Let me trust walk you through my beverage suggestions individually tailored to each chapter that I strongly recommend you prepare and enjoy before reading Style, Sex, and Substance . . . (Or was it let me trust walk you through my strong drink recipes individually tailored to each chapter that I recommend?)

Chapter One: How I Fell Out of My Minivan and Found Myself
by Jennifer Fulwiler

Recommendation: Get the party started with a totally morning appropriate Mimosa. I’ll leave ratios up to you, but I enjoy the easy to remember 1 part champagne:1 part OJ and one sprig of fresh mint that I’m sure you have handy in your carefully tended garden of herbs. Not to be consumed before driving — even if it is an innocuous minivan.

Chapter Two: Style: Balance, Beauty, and You
by Hallie Lord

Recommendation: Keep things classy with glass of sweet and trendy Muscato. Wine snobs will argue that this is no more a real glass of wine than White Zin is a restaurant worthy adult beverage but that doesn’t stop me from favoring it above all fancy wine. Also, my brother-in-law (9th grade) informs me that this is, “what all the rappers drink these days.” to which I happily say, “cheers.”

Chapter Three: God and Godiva
By Karen Edmisten

Recommendation: Chocolate wine. Two perfect genres marrying and living happily ever after. The end.

Chapter Four: Sex, Passion, and Purity
by Elizabeth Duffy

Recommendation: Exotic Sangria. Go all out. Scour Pinterest for a good recipe involving tequila, brown sugar, and if you health nuts must: fruit.

Chapter Five: Single and Seeking God’s Plan
by Anna Mitchell

Recommendation: Margarita gone wild. Mix equal parts water, limeade concentrate, tequila, and sprite with one bottle of Corona.

Chapter Six: What Works For You?
by Rebecca Ryskind Teti

Recommendation: Another white wine I enjoy, but that true connoisseurs might grave roll over, is Riesling. Why not take class it up and make a Riesling slushie or three to share: Riesling, strawberry vodka, Sprite, strawberries, and ice. Blend, drink, and enjoy.

Chapter Seven: Fruitful Friendship
by Rachel Balducci

Recommendation: My favorite girly drink recipe courtesy of my brilliant sister-in-law: equal parts gin, triple sec, and lemon juice topped with champagne. Be thirsty and careful. These are equal parts delicious and potent.

Chapter Eight: We Said Yes
by Danielle Bean

Recommendation: One drink my husband and I can agree on is the classic Margarita. Frozen, rocked, shaken, or salted. Your call.

Chapter Nine: Receiving, Creating, and Letting Go: Motherhood in Body and Soul
by Simcha Fisher

Recommendation: Bailey’s Irish Cream in your iced or hot coffee. Suitable for any occasion, but especially perfect for a particularly treacherous Monday morning.

Chapter Ten: Plugging in and Embracing Discipleship in the Twenty-First Century
by Barbara R. Nicolosi

Recommendation: A tame and tasty nightcap. To ease the end of the book pain, mix three parts club soda with two parts Port and a splash of lemon juice to make a Port Spritzer.

Enjoy the book, enjoy the drinks, and remember to follow the sage advice of Saint Thomas Aquinas, “Drink to the point of hilarity.”

Many thanks to Hallie for having me! It was an absolute pleasure.

1.

I’ve long been a huge Jim Gaffigan fan. Imagine my delight–being the lover of home birth that I am–when I discovered this interview in which he discusses he and his wife’s decision to deliver their babies at home. I almost died laughing.

2.

Do any of you live in the Cincinnati area? If so, you simply must start attending Cincinnati Theology on Tap! Last night Fr. Pontifex spoke (I missed it but my husband said it was amazing) and on May 10th some guy named Dan Lord is going to be giving a talk entitled “How God Ruined My Life.” With any luck I’ll be there and would love to see some of you! Let me know if you think you might be able to make it!

3.

I know there are a ton of bloggers who have been promoting Reese’s Rainbow recently. I’m a little late to the game but Jen and Leila have been inspiring me so much lately that I could help but join in.

A very sweet woman named Sara contacted me recently. She and her husband are currently in the process of adopting a sweet boy named Martin and desperately need our help. If you’d take just a minute to head over to her site and read this post, I would be so grateful. These kids are just so amazing and the horrors that they will face if we don’t find a way to rescue them gives me chills. If there’s any way you can help (she has a spot where you can contribute to their adoption fund on her sidebar), please do!

4.

As I mentioned in the Foreword to Style, Sex, and Substance, there is no way I could pick a favorite chapter–or even five. All the contributors rock my socks off. But when Tina Korbe of Hot Air posted the following excerpt from Rebecca Teti’s chapter on work in her fantastic piece on the Ann Romney “women’s work” debate, it reminded me of just how much I’d benefitted from the wisdom she shared in her chapter.

There was a time when each household had to provide everything for itself. Economy, in fact, comes from the Greek word for household management, and it refers to all the activity necessary for a household to have what it needs. Each family planted crops, hunted game, spun its own cloth and so forth in a division of labor that assured that everyone in the household had what he or she needed to live well. And a household typically included not only a nuclear family, but also extended relatives and servants, because it took a lot of people to perform all the necessary tasks.

“Business” is a form of task specialization by which the household outsources to others what it used to have to do by itself. Increasing specialization of this kind has led to massive changes in social organization, but it hasn’t changed the essential nature of the activity, which is to provide households with what they need to live well. We don’t talk about economics in these terms because we have become philosophical materialists, interested only in what and how, never concerning ourselves with the questions of origin (Why does this arise?) or purpose (To what end is it ordered?). It’s not necessary for a woman to “contribute” to the world of work. The world of work exists to be sure she has what she needs for her family (emphasis mine).

I just love how relevant Rebecca’s chapter is to this current conversation. She also has a great piece on the same same subject over here.

5.

Speaking of Catholic books that are timely and relevant to the current brouhaha, have you read Faith at Work (written by Kevin Lowry) yet? I’d assumed when I first heard people raving about this book that it wouldn’t be relevant to my life since I don’t work outside the home. How wrong I was. I LOVED it. Here’s one of my favorite excerpts:

But what if your work is the home? For those who don’t think that being a domestic engineer is work, just visit my house. Kathi’s workplace is challenging (some might even call it a hostile environment at times!), and the rewards are loooong term. She works crazy hours, deals with unreasonable client demands, and has to deal with extraordinary levels of conflict. The paycheck is terrible, there aren’t many employee benefits, and if she’s really successful, the kids leave!

If you are looking for practical tips on how to sanctify yourself (and our world) through integrating faith and work this book is a must-have. Truly, it’s a treasure.

6.

Are you familiar with Grace of Camp Patton? I don’t know what I’ve been doing with my life but I just discovered her. I am utterly smitten. She’s just that awesome. You need to read her entire blog but if I may be so bold, I suggest starting with her “Simon Says” posts. They are solid gold.

7.

Have a lovely weekend, friends! xoxoxo

(Stroll on over to Conversion Diary to check out more of these fun *7 Quick Takes* entries. Thank you, Jen! As always, you’re the hostess with the mostest!)

In light of our fun conversation about flirty pajamas, I thought it might be fun to brainstorm some ideas for turning our bedrooms into inviting love nests. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

Declutter – Do you know what a clean, pretty bedroom says to me? Bring on the love, baby! Clutter, on the other hand, says: The quickest way to make it go away is to go to sleep! No love for you! Clutter, be gone!

Pretty Bedding – I happen to adore layers and layers of soft cotton sheets and blankets and piles of pillows. Maybe you prefer something simple and satiny, though? Either way, sumptuous bedding is a must for a rockin’ love nest.

Candles – Mood lighting! Sweet scents! Yes, please.

Canopy – We have this one. It doesn’t get much play, but I do have fun hanging it up for super special occasions. I’ve found it to be a nice way to set the extra special days apart from the average ones.

Basket o’ Love – I love the idea of taking a nice basket and filling it with lotions, massage oils, and things of that nature. It could be kept under the bed or in a closet. Anywhere that it can be accessed easily, really.

Music – This is one of those things that I always tell myself I’m going to do but never actually get around to doing. My husband and I both adore music so I’m not sure what’s up with that, but I plan on remedying this problem in short order!

Put a Lock on the Door – If you and your guy are parents, a lock on your door is essential. In order to relax and fully focus of your spouse, you kind of need to feel confident that there won’t be any little ones bursting through the door. Don’t worry, if they need you they’ll find a way to let you know.

What am I missing, girls? What are some other things we can do to our bedrooms to optimize them for sweet lovin’?