My mother taught me to represent myself well at all times. Hair? Done. Face? Beat. Clothes? Ironed. Shoulders? Back.  Beauty tips came with the package of growing into my womanhood.

And as a girly girl, I loved it. Even the annoying parts.

If she saw me slouching, she’d just look over at me and I’d just know to stand upright. We laugh about it all the time because she still does it ’til this day!

When we need new foundation, we hit up Sephora together. If I’m pondering a new hairstyle, I scrounge the internet to find her the perfect photo. We send each other texts asking each other for advice on great deals we’ll find at the mall. (I’m a graduating senior from college and I text my mother multiple times in the day! And don’t get me started on our phone calls.)

While my mom taught me all the girl and surface-y stuff, the real foundation of our relationship are the heart things. She has always been reminding me of my beauty and worth every single day, showed me how to carry myself with respect and dignity, brings up my past accomplishments and then goes even further to encourage me about the promise of my future.

Her words and acts aren’t the only components that illustrate the huge, gracious an loving heart she has. She is beauty, dignity, and hope personified. I have the utmost respect for her, not just because she’s my mom and I have to but because God blessed me with her.

In raising the young women of our household, my mother has taught us to to pay close attention to our hearts. No no no, I’m not talking that corny mess, of “listening” to it. I’m talking about the spiritually condition.

What’s in it? What flows from it? Who does it beat for?

She showed us that real beauty comes from knowing our identity in Christ. Daughters of the King of Kings. Royalty.

Having the beatest face and the most tasteful clothing aren’t the most important things in life. Having a sincere heart that loves God and with a mission to love others is what matters most.

Now I have a chance to do the latter through my love for fashion!

I was gifted this beautiful bracelet and tote in dedication of my awesome mother and to also raise awareness of the non-profit boutique.

Fashion & Compassion aims to connect caring consumers with vulnerable female artisans to bring dignity through economic opportunity and beauty through the lovely creations these women produce. The main mission is to give hope to women who are trying to build a life after serious hardships – from poverty to sex-trafficking. F&C is run by a team of amazing women determined to help those less-fortunate to heal spiritually, emotionally & physically.

The items, such as my bracelet, comes with a tag that has the artisan’s name so that you can pray for her. So legit, right? My artisan’s name is Becky. Let’s pray for her, guys!

This Mother’s day, I have teamed up with Fashion & Compassion and other faith and inspo bloggers to honor the women in our lives and share the worth of what beauty and dignity truly is!

Click here to join in on the love and enter to win a $150 F&C gift card!