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Pro Packing Tips

Jessica Lippe

Happy summer! With a break from school and the normal routine, you may have some travel plans in the works. Are you having any travel challenges, such as figuring out where to go, how to budget, or what to pack?

Have no fear! Did you know that Girlz 4 Christ’s editor Jessica Lippe is also a travel writer? She keeps a travel blog called Jessica Lippe Uncommon Adventures. This week, she gave a sneak peek into something you’ll find in the Summer 2016 issue of Girlz 4 Christ. Check out her top pro packing tips by clicking here! In addition to this, the Summer 2016 issue will have other adventure-seeking articles such as how to shop for summer travel on a limited budget and interviews with Girlz 4 Christ readers around the world.

Have a great summer, and pleasant travels!

Don’t forget to snag a free subscription in time to read Girlz 4 Christ Magazine’s Summer 2016 issue, coming June 20th!

blog, Fashionable Girlz

Spa Night!

Jessica Lippe
Turn an ordinary sleepover into a relaxing night at the spa! Here’s what you need to do:
1.      Get permission before you begin planning this night, and promise to clean up any messes you and your friends make.
2.      Remember that God made each of us just the way we are. The goal of spa night is to take care of the body that God has given us, so make an agreement not to criticize each other or yourselves.
3.      Decide on a few spa recipes to make. Pick them based on what they can do for your skin, or simply on whatever ingredients you have available. (Be sure to ask about allergies ahead of time and don’t make any recipes that your friends are allergic to!) Here are a few favorites!
 
Clay Mask: Bentonite clay absorbs grease and other toxins. Mix bentonite clay with water until it’s the consistency of toothpaste. You can also add a couple drops of tea tree oil if you’d like. Spread on your face, feet, or even hair! Wait until the clay dries and begins to crack, and then wash off.
Breakfast Facial: The nutrients from the most important meal of the day can provide vitamins for your face, too! Mix a quarter cup of dry oatmeal with a mashed-up banana. Add a few tablespoons of honey until the texture feels like something you’d like on your face. The great thing about this recipe is if you’re missing an ingredient, it’s okay to leave it out! Smear on your face and try to keep your facial muscles still for half an hour until you wash it off.
Foot Soak: Fill a plastic tub with water and one half cup of baking soda. Keep your toes in the tub for 15-30 minutes while the baking soda cleans your feet. After drying off, moisturize your feet and legs with olive oil, coconut oil, or regular lotion.
 
Hair Treatment: Keeping your hair conditioned can help it grow and prevent split ends and frizz. Take a handful of coconut oil and rub it onto clean hair. The amount of coconut oil you use will depend on your specific hair; if you have long or thick hair, you’ll use more than your friend with shorter or thinner hair. Once all of your hair is completely covered in oil, wrap it up in a turban or towel and keep it that way for at least an hour. (This is a great time to watch a movie or do another spa treatment, but make sure that your hair doesn’t fall out of the towel and soak through furniture!) Then shampoo and condition as you normally would, making sure to wash away all the coconut oil.
This is a preview of what you can expect to see in the Summer 2016 issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine. Click here to subscribe for free!
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Sneak Peeks at Summer 2016

Jessica Lippe

If you follow us on Facebook, you may have noticed how we announced some exciting new developments in our Summer 2016 issue. In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap.

On our cover, you’ll see John Luke and Mary Kate Robertson, the newlywed college students that you’ve probably seen on Duck Dynasty. John Luke just released a new book called Young & Beardless, so we’ve interviewed them about the book, their lives, and their inspirations. (You’ll even discover who taught John Luke how to shave… after all, in a family of bearded men, you have to wonder…)

John Luke’s sister, Sadie Robertson, will also make an appearance in this upcoming issue! She also wrote a new book that will be released next month. Her first work of fiction is called Life Just Got Real. We may have to start #RobertsonSiblingRivalry to find out which of their books comes out on top.

Today, we’d like to give you a few more sneak peeks…
spring dress // lauren scruggs kennedy

  • In 2011, Lauren Scruggs suffered a traumatizing accident involving an airplane propeller that left her with one eye and one hand. In our next issue, we’re interviewing her to find out how she survived and went on to become a famous fashion journalist.
  • In addition to tips from Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, we’ll get even more style advice from our regular fashion and beauty team. You’ll even get a special coupon to shop for natural beauty products!
  • You’ll get to read the G4C team’s most embarrassing moments. 
  • When you donate to charity, have you ever considered what good your money will do? We’ve got an inside look for you.
  • Meet G4C readers from all around the world!
  • As usual, your copy of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine will allow you to read devotionals and other articles about living a God-honoring life!
You don’t want to miss out on all this and more. Click here to get a free subscription to Girlz 4 Christ Magazine!
blog, Fashionable Girlz

Swimsuit Modesty: Guest Post by Swimwear Designer Bree

Jessica Lippe
Summer will be here before you know it!  Personally, I think that it is one of the best times of the year.  And, of course one of my favorite summertime activities is swimming!  There always has been one major issue though: swimsuits.  Growing up, we would put together whatever we could find, just to go swimming.  When I was a teen, we started sewing our own suits, but the pattern that we found online had so many issues; the main one being that the neckline gaped horribly while I was swimming.  Also, it just looked so “homemade”.  I was frustrated.  I really wanted something cute, but something that was comfortable as well.  I didn’t want to lower my standards either.  So, I started to design swimsuits.  Over the years, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to swimwear.  I have a lot of sisters, which means I have had plenty of opportunities for instant feedback.  In 2013, I started a blog “Cover Up For Christ” in order to encourage modesty, among other things. And, a few months later, the Lord led me to open up a shop to sell my swimwear in.  He has blessed ever since!
What we wear should glorify our Lord and encourage others to look towards Him.  Dressing modestly does not mean that you have to dress frumpy.  Modesty should, and can be beautiful and attractive.  
Finding a swimsuit that fits is difficult.  Finding one that is modest is even harder.  I am happy to offer a solution to both issues, modest swimwear with custom sizing.  It’s simple really; you send me your measurements and I will draft a pattern.  Your swimsuit will be made just for you!  I also have standard sizing available with multiple fabric options to choose from in the shop.  
My newest design features a SwimTop and SwimBottoms which are made of high quality fabric and finished with a professional serger, for comfort and durability. They also make great exercise wear; perfect for jogging, biking, stretching, etc.  The swim skirt is attached to the leggings, which means there are no extra layers, and you only have to deal with one waistband.
I have created quite a few different styles of swimwear over the years, but I have to admit that the Grace SwimTop is my favorite.  
Check out my website, blog, and take a peek at new swimsuit styles for women, teens, girls and even swimwear for toddlers: www.coverupforchrist.com

 


If you have any questions, please feel free to email me anytime: coverupforchrist@gmail.com.
We hoped you enjoyed this guest post by Bree. Want to be modest, fashionable, or just be inspired with your wardrobe? Check out the “Beautiful Girlz” section in every issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine for natural care, beauty tutorials, in-season fashion choices, and healthy living tips! If you aren’t subscribed to Girlz 4 Christ, do so now for free!
 
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G4C’s Cover Girls: Where Are They Now?

Jessica Lippe

If you looked inside of the most recent issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine, you read about five of our past cover girls. But what about the other 20? Here’s our full list!

FIRST ISSUE! March/April 2011:
March/April 2011: Ruby Gomez is one of the girls featured in the issue. Her life of growing up in a mission orphanage has come full circle as she is a missionary in the United States and her home country of Peru.

May/June 2011, Volume 1 Issue 2:
May/June 2011: This issue featured a drawing by Zack Hix, founder of Good Boy Roy. He still sells his designed shirts online, and also published the book Bully Bad in 2013.

July/August 2011:
July/August 2011: Elena, a participant in The Arc Jackson County, danced her way onto this cover. Although the only thing we know about Elena is that she’s now a teenager, The Arc Jackson County continues to help families with developmental disabilities.

September/October 2011:
September/October 2011: This issue featured a special section on the Courageous movie, including a quiz, review, and interviews, one of which was with cover girl Lauren Etchells. Lauren hasn’t acted since Courageous, but she still advocates for the message behind the movie when she’s not busy being a teenager!

Nov/Dec 2011, Volume 1 Issue 5:
November/December 2011: As daughter of a retired NFL quarterback, Camryn Kelly made her own mark as she celebrated in this issue the release of her first book. Camryn wrote an entire series of Hot Chocolate with God and is now living with her dad, Jim Kelly, and author mom, Jill Kelly, while finishing up high school.

Jan/Feb 2012:
January/February 2012: Ellie Ambrose graced this cover for her work as the founder of Ellie’s Run, a Nashville-based run benefiting education in Africa. Ellie’s Run continued to be an annual race for 12 years until 2015. Although the run is over, Ellie is continuing to help education in Africa as effectively as she can.

March/April 2012:
March/April 2012: Our first year as a magazine was commemorated with Peggy, a girl who was an aid recipient of World Vision. Peggy is 14 now, but it has been difficult to get more of an update on her since World Vision continues to support so many child sponsorships around the world.

May/June 2012:
May/June 2012: Gracie Schram sung her way into our hearts and onto our cover! Last year, Gracie released “I Am Me”, and ever since has been doing a lot of concerts and tours!

July/August 2012:
July/August 2012: Author Rachel Coker was interviewed in this issue. After writing Interrupted, Rachel went on to pen Chasing Jupiter. She offers workshops and writing lessons, too!

September/October 2012:
September/October 2012: Amanda L. Davis, author of Cantral Chronicles, got her photo on this issue’s cover. Amanda completed her book series and is hoping to write even more!

Nov/Dec 2012 Volume 2 Issue 5:
November/December 2012: Musician Lily Garay rocked this cover! Not long after this, she became Girlz 4 Christ’s assistant editor, but she is still working hard on her music too! You can catch her in concert if you live near Virginia, or find her music online.

Jan/Feb 2013, Volume 2 Issue 6:
January/February 2013: We partnered with Every Orphan’s Hope to bring Thoko Muchimba to our pages. Thoko continues to live in a home sponsored by Every Orphan’s Hope, where she is helping her brothers and sisters and attending a nearby school.

Spring 2013:
Spring 2013: Madison Weise, founder of Boyfriend Bears, marked our first seasonal issue. As featured in the Spring 2016 issue, Madison began attending college this year and turned the Boyfriend Bears ministry over to her mom, but not before making a DVD curriculum!

Summer 2013:
Summer 2013: The terrific trio cast of Blimey Cow shines from the small screen to the cover page! Jordan, Kelli, and Josh are still sharing their “Messy Mondays” on YouTube every week, plus they have gone into full-time media production!

Fall 2013:
Fall 2013: The ladies from Point of Grace brought grace to our cover as we interviewed Leigh inside. Last year, Point of Grace released their latest album, Directions Home. You could even catch them on tour this summer!

Winter 13/14:
Winter 2013/14: Budding actress Celina Tolbert was interviewed for this cover feature. Celina Tolbert occasionally writes for Girlz 4 Christ Magazine while finishing up college and is in the process of moving to Paris as an au pair.

Spring 2014:
Spring 2014: Christian environmental author and advocate Emma Sleeth shows off a seedling with this issue. You can read about all that she’s been up to in the Spring 2016 issue of Girlz 4 Christ, but as a quick recap: she continues to work for Blessed Earth and is enjoying the married life!

Summer 2014:
Summer 2014: Two of our Girlz 4 Christ readers serving as summer missionaries displayed some of their work on this cover! They went on their mission trips and hopefully inspired other Girlz 4 Christ readers to make a difference as well!

Fall 2014:
Fall 2014: Secret Keeper Girl showed off their show’s skit on the front of this issue. Visit them online to see if you can attend one of their shows or access a wealth of other resources!

Winter 2015:
Winter 2015: This issue brought us none other than editor, author, and speaker Susie Shellenberger. Susie is currently trying to balance speaking across the US and around the world with playing with her dogs at home and visiting relatives in Oklahoma City.

Spring 2015:
Spring 2015: Persecuted for her faith, Somchi was connected with us through Voice of the Martyrs. Voice of the Martyrs still serves Christians in countries where it’s illegal or dangerous to proclaim Christ, and Somchi is happily married and living away from the people who persecuted her!

Summer 2015:
Summer 2015: While we featured her younger sister back in 2011, it was Erin Kelly’s turn to shine for her book, Kelly Tough. Erin attends Liberty University and when she’s not in school, you can often see her in Buffalo Bills garb to support her dad’s team!

Fall 2015:
Fall 2015: With War Room marking her acting debut, Alena Pitts starred in this issue! Alena did a lot of promotion for War Room, and she’s currently a model and journalist.

Winter 15/16:
Winter 2015/16: Project Inspired’s Nicole Weider was the face of an excellent issue! As mentioned in the Spring 2016 issue, Nicole and her team are working on new developments for Project Inspired, and you can find them constantly encouraging girls through social media platforms!

Spring 2016- 5th Birthday!:
Spring 2016: Our most recent cover girl was Cozi Zuehlsdorff. Cozi will be guest starring on Disney Channel shows soon! She’s also working on songwriting as well.

Stay tuned until next month, when we’ll reveal another exciting cover feature! If you don’t receive Girlz 4 Christ Magazine, subscribe for free!

blog, Fashionable Girlz

Arch Angel

Jessica Lippe

A Guide to Really Good Eyebrows by Sarah Fleet

Eyebrows are so important to the face. At first blush, they seem like mostly useless accessories a few inches above the eye, but after imagining what our faces would look like without them (and a quick Google search of celebs without eyebrows- yikes!) their necessity is realized. And even more so in the past year with ‘fleeked’ eyebrows. Scrolling through hashtags of #eyebrowgoals on Instagram can make the quest seem daunting, but some simple tweaks in routine can have you pro in no time.

1. Shaping
Choosing the method of how to shape your eyebrows- or whether to go it alone or seek professional help- is the basis of your results. Choose what is best for you and your needs. Tweezing alone takes a very long time to those with thicker and coarser hair, and can be difficult for anyone with a short attention span. However, you control the results more than any other method. At home waxing is risky (I once removed half my eyelashes in a hard wax incident) but much more effective and quick than tweezing. I would not recommend it for any newbies to the eyebrow situation, however, as it can be very difficult to control, and is best when left only to the between- the-eyebrow- zone. Professional waxing is a great option for someone who doesn’t harbor trust issues, as you are literally putting your face in someone else’s hands. But remember, if something goes wrong, brows grow in very quickly (like, almost too quickly.) A good tip is to look at your aesthetician’s eyebrows. If you go to someone with thin brows, do not be surprised when you end up with thin brows. Just like at a hair cut, it’s a wise idea to bring several images of what you want, though they can’t magically make thin brows thick- that’s for the next step. Threading is my personal favorite, as its uber precise and works well on coarse hair. It takes a good bit longer that waxing, but these ladies know what they’re doing.  Professional eyebrow shapers will know the best shape you’re your bone structure, so make sure to communicate with them to make sure that you’re happy, comfortable, and looking fly.

2. Filling in 
Choosing a product that works best for your needs is just as important as the method of shaping. There are so many on the market that there’s something for everyone, but the most universally flattering tools are simple- concealer, an angled brush, a clear brow gel, and eye shadow that suits your coloring (try not to go darker than one shade deeper than your natural hair color, also stick with neutral tones instead of warm or cool based ones).

Now it’s time to work some magic:

Step one: using your angled brush and some eye shadow, line the bottom of your brow. You won’t need a thick line, but make sure it’s clean, precise, and even.

Step two: starting about one finger’s width in, draw a second outline on the top of your brow. Starting farther in than your natural brow line keeps things from looking too harsh and artificial. Connect the top and bottom lines at the tail of your brow.
Step three: beginning at the tail, fill in your brow. The tail of your brow should be the most bold and filled area, with the beginning looking much lighter and more natural. Use small strokes in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure all lines are well blended and soft.
Step three: use brow gel to set and soften the look.

3. Cleaning up
The most important- yet overlooked- part of a perfect arch is concealer. Simply outlining your finished brows with a small amount of concealer and blending it into your foundation makes your brows look ten thousand times cleaner and precise. Trust me on this guys, its life saving. Plus, concealer under your brow makes an incredible eye highlight.

Obviously, it takes practice to get these steps down to a science. But even if you over fill and look like Groucho Marx, don’t fret, it’s just makeup.

Want to make the most of your God-given beauty? Check out the “Beautiful Girlz” section in each issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine! Click here to get your free subscription!
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Interview with Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Star of Dolphin Tale Movies

Jessica Lippe

In honor of National Dolphin Day (US), enjoy an interview with Dolphin Tale star Cozi Zuehlsdorff!

Have you seen Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2? How about Disney Channel shows like Mighty Med or Liv and Maddie? If so, Cozi Zuehlsdorff needs no introduction! Get to know how this seventeen-year-old actress and musician shines the light of Christ in the spotlight!


Interviewed by Jessica Lippe
What is your favorite song to perform?
My favorite song to perform is probably Handpainted. I pray before I sing it, and the Holy Spirit always lets me get carried away in the music!

Tell us about Handpainted. 

My dear friend Brennley inspired this song. As teenagers, we both can struggle with being overly-critical of our appearance, and I got to thinking about Psalm 139 and the truth that God has carefully and lovingly designed us, and I thought that idea could be translated into a song. Sometimes a song is worth a thousand conversations. 
Why did you decide to get involved in performing at such a young age? Do you think acting and singing is your lifetime career, or are there other jobs that you’re also interested in?
 My mom encouraged me to audition for the musical Annie when I was eight years old; that’s how I got started. I immediately fell in love with performing. I love acting and singing, and definitely would love to continue doing both for the rest of my life. I also love to write, whether its songs or poems or short stories. It’s fun to have interests that can overlap. 
In Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, you got to do lots of things that many girls only dream about, such as swimming with dolphins and starring in a movie. Was it a dream come true for you, or were there challenges associated with movie making?
Both! The Dolphin Tale movies were some of the most beautiful, magical times of my entire life, and the friends I made in the cast and crew will last a lifetime. It was also very challenging—I learned to actively trust the Lord as I worked 9 1/2 hours a day as a twelve-year-old, and swam for long periods of time in some pretty chilly water. Anyone will tell you, though, that if you love doing something, you’re willing to deal with the challenges. 
Who was your favorite animal in the movies? Does your passion for animals transfer to your real life?
I can’t pick a favorite! What if they read this article? Ha-ha!  I love them ALL for different reasons. Winter is sweet and gentle, and Hope is crazy and fun-loving. I have a dog named Bandit, and he is the joy of my life.
What keeps you going and motivates you to stay involved in movies, music, and television?
Acting, singing, and writing are all things I’m very passionate about, so it’s not hard to stay motivated. I’d say songwriting is what’s hardest to constantly keep up on, because it takes a lot of creative energy. Often, I’ve found that songs come to you when you’re not looking for them, so I put in long hours of bouncing around ideas at the piano, and it pays off when I finally find the words later that day at the supermarket or something.
How do you represent Christ in your work?
I am very open about my faith over social media, which is how I stay connected with the people who like my songs and tv or film characters. I have also found that simply praying for someone can make a huge imprint on them; often, if I pray for a crew or cast member on a set, it’s the first time they’ve ever been prayed for. It’s amazing that Jesus lets me share His love with them in such a gentle, simple, profound way. 
How did you come to understand Christ and put your faith in Him?
I asked Jesus to come into my heart when I was six years old. As I’ve grown older, He is knitting me closer and closer to Him through a deeper understanding of His grace. Sometimes, I put pressure on myself to be “perfect” for Jesus—but if I could be perfect, He wouldn’t have had to die on the cross! I’m learning that peace is found in this truth: I am not perfect, and Jesus doesn’t ask me to be. He simply asks me to surrender and let Him hold me, and He will take it from there. I love that.
What do you do outside of the spotlight? Any “typical teen” activities you enjoy?
I love to play piano—I practice daily! I’m homeschooled, and my favorite subjects are writing, history, and psychology. When I’m hanging out with my friends, I love to go see a movie, or just hang around and talk (and if Indian food is involved, I am in heaven). My best friend and I watch our favorite tv show together every week, which I love.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we can look forward to, or goals you’d like to reach?
I just finished shooting as a guest star on Disney Channel’s KC Undercover, and am so excited for it to air. I got to do stunts, which was so fun! I’m also working on a lot of new music, writing both for my own voice and starting to write for others, so that’s been a dream come true. We’ll see where the Lord leads!
Girlz 4 Christ
Read more about Cozi Zuehlsdorff and other Christian actresses, authors, and world-changers in our book, Girls Who Change the World!
This interview originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine. Get your free subscription here!
blog, Fashionable Girlz, Fun 4 Girlz, Girlz in Action, Godly Girlz

Throwback Thursday: Our First Issue!

Jessica Lippe
In the midst of celebrating five years of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine, we decided to take a look back to our very first issue. Wow, things sure have changed!

//e.issuu.com/embed.jsIf you liked this, you’ll LOVE our current and upcoming issues! They’re bigger, better, and jam-packed with even more for Christian girls around the world! Click here to get a free subscription!