New Website!

Hi Friends,

I’m thrilled to announce that Simple Silhouette has a new home! We’ve relocated to www.simplesilhouette.net 

As welcomed guests, we’d like for you to not merely visit our new home but become part of the Simple Silhouette community by joining our mailing list. We have a gift waiting for you so click on the new address and stop by today! 

KEEP, Top Fashion App, Features Simple Silhouette Founder Rachel Ruth As Guest Stylist

I’m thrilled to announce that KEEP—one of the Top Fashion Apps today with high praises in Vogue, ForbesLife and numerous other publications—has featured me as a Guest Stylist for the week!

KEEP is blazing a tech-savvy chic trail in the fashion world and I’m honored to be associated with their brand + I love the app!

CLICK HERE to view my collections and shop my keeps! With latest trends, great deals and a slew of products at your fingertips—you’ll find KEEP makes it easy to shop smart and look chic. {And I predict you'll fall in love with the app just as much as I have}

To learn more about KEEP {how it works, the perks + link to creating your own profile} click here!  

The Secret To Overcoming Your Fears

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”

-Unknown-

My brain’s immediate response in reading the above quote is to fill-in the blank as to why we wait so long to begin life. My conclusion lies in the quote rephrased below:

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it because of fear.”

How many of you can relate to the revised quote? How many of you have goals, dreams and ambitions that {quite frankly} scare you a little bit and the fear of failing in your pursuit is holding you back? How many of you wrestle with fear of falling short, of believing your mistakes define you, of not feeling equipped to tackle the unknown? How many of you fear your fears will come true? 

I do.

Fear manifests itself in people’s lives in a myriad of ways for a number of different reasons. However, regardless of the reason for fear in your life—the role you allow it to have in your life is more important than its presence. Often times we live life out of fear not faith which in essence prevents us from fully living.

So how does one live by faith?

When I was a little girl, my father and I would play a modified version of leapfrog. My father would place me on top of the kitchen counter and then {facing me} he would start backing up creating distance between us until I said the magic word, stop! Once my father was anchored in place, on the count of three I would leap into his arms. Laughing at the thrill of making it safely into my father’s embrace, he would place me atop the counter again and we would repeat the process—except this time the distance between us was greater than the first time around and it continued to grow with every leap until my father was so far away I had a fear of jumping.

This story, as trivial as it may seem, contains three mighty truths that dispel the power of fear in your life.

1. God Places You In A Specific Position For A Specific Purpose

Just as my father picked me up and placed me on top of the counter, in the same way God {our Heavenly Father} places us individually where we should be. There is a plan and purpose for every circumstance you encounter in life and whatever fear(s) you are combating, if you are a child of God, you are in a position to overcome!

Fear Dispelled: You are going to fail because you’re not in a position to succeed. 

2. Trust Is The Foundation Of Living By Faith

If I didn’t trust my father to catch me when I leaped, I would have been stuck on the counter top and I would have missed out on experiencing the safety of his embrace. The same principle applies to your walk with Jesus Christ—you must exercise trust in order to build faith and experience God’s goodness. The more you trust God, the more you live by faith and leave a “counter top life” behind.

Fear Dispelled: There is no one to trust or to catch you when you fall, so stay put.

3. You Cannot Overcome By Your Own Strength

When my father was so far away I didn’t believe I could safely reach his embrace, fear was instilled in me because I relied on my own strength to surmount the distance. In the same way, we cannot rely on our own power to overcome challenges in life—we will fail every time! It’s only by God’s power and strength that we can claim victory over sin, fears and other troubles in life.

Fear Dispelled: There is nothing strong enough to cast away your fears.

Fear has no claim on your life, God does—because he created you! He also supplies you with the tools you need to live a life in faith. God’s word says in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 

Fully living is to live by faith and living by faith is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and to trust God in all things knowing the power of the Holy Spirit within you is greater than dictating fears.

So join me in choosing faith—it won’t be easy, but it will be liberating! Strip your fears of their power and start living!

Motivation Monday

Today’s Motivation Monday is inspired by the Bible verse Ephesians 4:32 "And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender hearted [compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted], forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you." (Amplified Version)

A small act of kindness goes a long way. Nice people are a blessing to those around them. I challenge you to be a woman of exemplary character by being nice...showing kindness in word and/or deed to at least 1 person this week.

Wear It Wednesday: Lokai Bracelet Isn't Just An Accessory, It's A Powerful Life Lesson

I’m thrilled to share with you all a new product on the market that functions as an accessory, yet also carries a message—the lokai bracelet.

The lokai bracelet is easy and comfortable to wear. Based on what you fancy, you can show it off as a single bangle or stack it to achieve a more full look. Composed mainly of translucent beads, with the exception of one black and one white bead, the lokai bracelet matches with virtually anything! However, the distinctive characteristic of this bracelet goes beyond its wardrobe versatility.

The black bead holds mud from the Dead Sea (the lowest point on the earth) and the white bead carries water from Mount Everest  (the highest point on the earth). The message lies therein—Sometimes you’ve hit a low, stay hopeful. Sometimes you’re on top of the world, stay humble.

Here at Simple Silhouette we advocate sharing a positive message with the world and our friends at lokai have accomplished that through their message—thank you for the powerful reminder!

Get The Look

Bracelet: lokai

Slim Fit Trousers: H&M

Leopard Top: H&M

Purse: H&M

Shoes: Michael Kors

Wear It Wednesday: Tribal Scarf

Who gets excited about a sale?! I know I do. Our friends at TO THE MARKET| Survivor-made Goods (TTM) are having a Spring Sale—yay! With promo code: SPIRNG15 you can get 15% off your purchase.

As if the sale isn’t cause for celebration enough, TTM is also a social enterprise that combines the powers of commerce and storytelling to empower the world’s most courageous survivor populations, in the belief that resilience is more powerful than suffering. 

In other words, when you shop TTM goods, your reward is three-fold because:

      1. Your purchase directly contributes to a survivor’s economic empowerment

      2. You raise awareness about the perils of abuse, conflict and disease around the world and how it’s

           affecting women of all ages. (When you’re sporting your TTM purchase and get that sweet

           compliment—that’s your time to shine as an advocate!)

      3. You receive an amazing hand-made good that makes you more stylish than you were before

To learn more about TTM and how the company is empowering women around the world, read my interview with TTM Founder/CEO Jane Mosbacher Morris.

To shop the goods, show your support and join in on the Spring Sale action—CLICK HERE.

Today I am wearing my TTM Tribal Scarf. The vibrant colors that nicely blend (yet pop!) add a dose of liveliness to my ensemble. I decided to pair the scarf with a neutral cashmere shirt, hunter green skinny jeans and my multi-colored sparkle ballet flats to balance out the burst of color from the scarf. The tassels that adorn the scarf around the edges, is a detail I love because it delivers a pinch sophisticated flare and (bonus) it mirrors the tassel that charms my bracelet! Lastly, I love my tea—so tribal scarf + cup of tea made for a happy start to the day. (Besides, what proper lady doesn’t like tea?)

Skinny Jeans: MANGO

Cashmere Top: United Colors of Benetton

Scarf: TTM Tribal Scarf

Shoes: Steve Madden

Motivation Monday

Designed by Emily Arnaut of EverythingHome Blog

Wear It Wednesday: Nautical Edition

One of my favorite places to be is on the water and this past weekend I went sailing with my family for my birthday! We had a lovely time cruising along the beautiful Southern California coast admiring the beauty of the expansive ocean and the marine life the surfaced. While I very much enjoyed the excursion, I also had fun putting together a nautical themed outfit.

There are two basic principles for sophisticated nautical ware: one, Sperrys on your feet for stylish footwear and two, a color scheme that includes white as your base. Striped patterns and anchor designs are added details that always look good at sea.

I chose to base my outfit on a white and navy blue color scheme adding a pink blouse for a pop of color! The gold accessories tied in with my gold shoes, which neatly pulled together the entire look. Sophisticated yet appropriate for the occasion, I’m a huge advocate for expressing your personality through style whether on land or at sea.

My wonderful siblings: Rebekah Josephine and Joshuah Timothy 

Blouse: Nordstrom

Shorts: H&M

Blazer: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders

Necklace: Francesca’s Collections

Bracelet: C Wonder

Scarf: CollectionEighteen

Happy Birthday Post for Our Lovely Leading Lady

Motivation Monday

On this first Monday of Spring, I wish you a season of new birth filled with blossoming dreams, colorful joy and a peaceful heart. 

May your loveliness shine and your elegance captivate as you continue to discover and embrace your all-encompassing beauty. 

Keep waltzing to life’s graceful tune. You’re a radiant flower.

XO,

Rachel Ruth

Monday Motivation

Don't stop exploring and growing. Resolve to be optimistic and stay challenged.

Wear It Wednesday: Jumpsuit and Jazzy Bling

Highly Recommend Merchant, REBECCA HURON.
Click Here to shop her amazing collection! 

I’m thrilled to feature Chloe + Isabel jewelry today!

Chloe + Isabel is a brand inspired by the concept behind “The Friendship Philosophy”—the idea of two best friends with different personalities and styles, united by their passion for style and self-expression. “Chloe” is a fearless fashionista, always in search of the seasons’ hottest trends, while “Isabel” appreciates (above all) timeless, beautifully-crafted pieces.

However, creating quality, hand-crafted jewelry isn’t the only gem about this company. Chloe + Isabel’s mission is to help tackle the financial needs of the modern woman. Every piece purchased through a Merchandiser helps her reach a personal goal, whether it’s paying off a college bill, supporting the needs of her family, or starting out on a new career path.

Praised in GLAMOUR and VOGUE for style and named one of The 25 Most Innovative Businesses In New York City by Business Insider (click here for more press) Chloe + Isabel is making a stylish impact in the world.

The theme of my outfit for today is contrast. I chose to pair my Chloe + Isabel Beau Monde Statement Necklace with a black jumpsuit in order to draw attention to the intricate craftsmanship of the piece. Enhancing the colors in the necklace with a bold royal blue cardigan provides a neat structure to keep the eyes focused on the main element. Whether you’re going out on the town, dressing up for a date or perhaps visiting an art exhibit—the principles of contrast will have others notice your chicness.

Necklace: Beau Monde Statement Necklace BUY HERE ; Shop with merchant, REBECCA HURON

Jumpsuit: Nordstrom BUY HERE

Cardigan: Nordstrom BUY HERE

Stylish Character

Some people define a successful shopping excursion by the quantity of clothing items purchased or perhaps how much money they saved in the process. However, my definition of a successful shopping excursion is measured by the quality of articles acquired.

Usually when you go shopping it’s nice to get a second opinion right? Does the cut of this dress flatter my figure? Do these pants fit me like a glove? Does this shirt match with this scarf? What do you think of this color, this style, this pattern, etc. on me?

Fitting rooms exist so we can try things on in order to rule out what looks good and what doesn’t. Second opinions are the voice of reason we rely on to help us discern what decision to make because ultimately our desire is to look our best.

When you stop and think about it, the same basic principles apply to character.

Because of our sinful nature it’s easy for us to live by the flesh—which means we tend to get angry, hold grudges, be jealous, envious, gossip, hate, be unforgiving, use foul language and seek revenge (amongst other things).

NEWS FLASH: None of those qualities are a good look!

Instead, the Bible tells us that those who belong to Christ live by the spirit not the flesh and ought to “clothe [them]selves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

This verse is a spiritual dress code.

When it comes to character, prayer is the fitting room; through prayer we chat with God about what we’re wearing (sinful attitudes) and ask him to show us what we need to change—and God’s word is our second opinion; we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our sinful nature and live according to God’s standards because ultimately our desire is to be like Jesus.

You were created in the image of God, in His likeness—so stop allowing your character to reflect anything less and focus on living by the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) which exudes celestial quality. 

Top Three Featured Styles

Happy March! For the third month of this year, we rounded up our top 3 favorite outfits so far. Which style is your favorite—the darling dress with handsome coat, the elegant lace trousers with chic pearls or the business look with a flirty blouse?

Follow Simple Silhouette on Instagram & Twitter @rachelruth_ss and visit our Facebook Page to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.

xo

Rachel Ruth

Wear It Wednesday: Gold and Green

Gold and green (emerald green to be exact) is one of my favorite color pairings because the coupling of the two displays refined elegance. The deep, rich beauty of emerald green naturally establishes a strong base upon which elements of gold add new dimension and seamless enhancement. In the outfit below I simply paired an emerald green dress with a gold jacket and nude pumps. My clutch (a survivor-made good handmade in India purchased through TO THE MARKET, read all about the social enterprise here) tied my outfit together by way of pattern (chevron stripes) and color (gold and green) making a statement that was in-tune with the outfit’s melody—refined elegance.

Dress: J. Crew

Jacket: 1.State

Shoes: Steve Madden

Clutch: TO THE MARKET | Survivor-made Goods

Motivation Monday

Jewel Box Wedding: Brittany & Anthony Kennada

Meet the Bride

Name: Brittany Dawn Brannon

The Future: Mrs. Kennada

Age: 25

Dated Her Man: 1 year 5 months

Engaged: 7 months

Ring Cut: Radiant Round

Brittany is an ambitious and talented young woman who lives life to the fullest. The shining moments in her bedazzled life include being Miss Arizona USA 2011, starting her own company that produces TV Hosting videos for fashion and tech companies, traveling around the world and (of course) marrying her incredible husband who is a strong spiritual leader and everything she imagined in a man and beyond. Brittany is passionate about young women and their potential to be leaders in all aspects of life. Her fashion blog, fromdesktodinner.com, emphasizes her beliefs that women should be able to embrace their femininity without being considered pretentious and be able to be the boss and not be considered bossy. In addition, Brittany advocates for leading with a purpose to make the world a better place which is why she works with organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project, Sex Trafficking Rescues and is involved in mentoring high-school aged girls. There is no end to Brittany’s generous heart and her bright outlook on life coupled with her sparkling personality simply bring joy to the people she meets.

When asked, she answered:

What is the best part about planning the wedding?

I would have to say the absolute best part was sharing the incredible memories of making my dream Jewel Box wedding come true with my mom and dad. We shared so many laughs and memories between designing the invitations, tasting the cake and seeing my wedding gown come to life. Also my mom and I planned all the details of our wedding—we spent countless hours running around looking at vases, flowers, Swarovski stones, etc. This was the best part because those memories will live with me the rest of my life.

What is the worst part about planning the wedding?

Having to wait for the day to actually be here! I was so anxious to actually see all our hard work come to fruition, but I needed preparation for perfection. 

What is something you’d do different?

Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so grateful to say that my parents made my dream wedding a reality. I just wish I had more time to dance with my Dad, Grandpa and Brother!

Advice for Brides-to-Be?

A few things I would highly recommend, that I did- and have shared with others:

1. Yes, the wedding is about YOU but it is also bringing everyone together from your life and your husband’s life under one roof to celebrate! Make sure you appreciate that and let your guests know you appreciate it.
2. If you’re not happy with something in the planning- FIX IT. We literally tweaked our custom monogram about 50 times until it was perfection. Pick vendors that are great and easy to work with but who also are there to help make your day your dream.
3. Advice we received that we did and I HIGHLY recommend is: when the ceremony finishes, and you’re walking down the aisle. When you and your new husband get to the end, turn around and look at everyone cheering for you. It makes time stop. 

What celebrity would you invite to your wedding and why?

The celebrities to me are the people who have made a difference in my life. I invited all my friends, family, and those who have had an influence on me and journey thus far. I am so glad I had the chance to have had all my celebrities there.

The Celebration

Brittany and Anthony met on a blind date. Set up by a mutual friend, the two had an evening that beat the odds of a blind date gone wrong and left a lasting impression of a blind date gone very right. After almost one year and a half of dating, Anthony planned a dreamy vineyard proposal in Napa Valley, CA and shortly thereafter, the two were standing at the altar.

Brittany and Anthony wed on March 22, 2014—a beautiful spring day with promise of a wonderful new season in life. Friends and family from across the country gathered at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Phoenix, to witness the couple’s union and celebrate true love. The outdoor ceremony took place on Squaw Peak Terrace—a stunning, spacious hexagonal shaped lawn with colorful flowerbeds and a sparking fountain set against the backdrop of The Phoenix Mountain Preserve—whose elegant natural beauty effortlessly complimented the regal wedding ambiance. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a life-size glitter gold “B&A” initials surrounded by brilliant white flowers, they were handed a detailed wedding program which explained the symbolic meaning behind Messianic traditions integrated in the ceremony and once seated, guests were left to gaze upon a wooden cross—the centerpiece of all the décor as well as a symbolic representation of the Christian faith and centerpiece of the couple’s relationship.

Brittany’s bridal party consisted of a junior bridesmaid and nine bridesmaids who wore gold floor-length Sherri Hill dresses that gracefully flowed as they each floated down the aisle. After the traditional processional, Brittany emerged in an exquisite fit and flare gown with a deep-v sweetheart neckline connected to an off the shoulders strap and decorated with elegant crystal beading. Brittany designed the gown herself and paired it with a cathedral length veil which created a beautifully dramatic grand entrance. United with her prince at the altar, Brittany and Anthony exchanged vows, prayed under a Tallit and officially became Mr. and Mrs. Kennada.

The celebration continued indoors in the Gold Room that was completely transformed to reflect Brittany’s dream vision—the inside of a jewel box. “I wanted the guests to feel as if they were in a dream,” she said. From the draping on the ceiling to the gold sequined table cloths to the interactive ten person band, everything was designed to create an inviting atmosphere and make guests feel like they were the precious jewels in Brittany & Anthony’s jewel box. 

Aside from the ornate décor, the couple also focused on incorporating meaning into the reception with details such as embroidered napkins, hand etched wine glasses for each guest and custom take-home champagne bottles that Brittany’s parents also gave away at their wedding. The newlyweds shared a special moment dancing to I Have and I Always Will by Dave Barns and cherished every moment spent surrounded by loved ones. Happily married, Brittany and Anthony cherish the wedding memories they have and are excited about sharing a lifetime of memories to come. 

Wedding Highlights

Date of Wedding: March 22, 2014

Number of Guests: 335

Wedding Colors: Gold and White

First Dance Song: I Have and I Always Will- Dave Barns.

Honeymoon Destination: African Safari

 

Best Wishes Mr. & Mrs. Kennada

Photos by: Kimberly Jarman Photography

Blush Magazine Spring/Summer 2015

The latest issue of Blush, a wedding and lifestyle magazine, is available on newsstands and online.

Featuring articles composed by yours truly, relationship advice, bold bridal trends of 2015 and more—this magazine is a treasure box of inspiration!

Click here to order your copy today.

Happy reading!

XOXO,

Rachel Ruth