Christmas is just one week away. I've been reminiscing on my elementary school days where we had a Christmas program and sang songs like "I'm gettin nuttin for Christmas", "Jingle Bells" and "Away in a Manger". Those songs were always my favorite. The ones about Christ, for that truly is who this beloved Holiday is all about.
The other night, I had two adorable missionary girls in. Both heading out after the new year to serve the Lord. They were here trying on lots of clothes and shoes. We had a great time, getting to know them and hearing how excited they are for their missions. One missionary was here with her mom, the other with her grandmother. The two girls got talking. At one point the grandmother came up to the register where I was and said, "I want to pay for one of that cute missionaries dresses, how do I do that?" I told her I would just not charge the other missionary for one of her dresses, and when the grandmother came to pay for her granddaughters clothes, I would charge her for the dress.
It was the sweetest gesture. And especially appropriate for the season we are in. The Christmas season, where peoples hearts are a little warmer and a little bigger. When the missionary and her mother came up to pay for their items, I quietly told them of the grandmothers kindness. They were so shocked that a woman they'd just met would do something so kind for them.
It always touches my heart to see things like this. And here at The Sister Shop, we see them all the time and all year round. People coming in to shop for others, or paying for others items. I also had a lady in here just the other day to get a $50 gift card for a Sub-for-Santa present. I get to see little miracles everyday.
I absolutely love working in a place where there is so much goodness and service. I think there is something about missionary work and service that brings people together. It brings out the best in people.
I hope this Christmas season brings you peace and joy and time with family. But I also hope that it puts a little more service in your heart. I hope that you will take the time to serve those in need around you. And that you will make service and kindness a part of your life not only in this Christmas Season, but in every season.
Missionary Bags. How do you find one that has ALL of the features you need?
Look no further than right here at The Sister Shop! Zion bags are the one bag you need for your mission. Their quality and durability can't be beat!
The Harvest Bag with pink accents.
The back of this fabulous bag. You can see the comfortable padding, it also has a waist strap hidden from view!
Read this little blurb from the creators of Zion Bags!
"Zion bags are built with the most durable all weather materials like 1680D Ballistic Nylon and Tarpaulin bottom, tough YKK zippers and soft, yet strong seat belt webbing. To give the Harvest a more stylish appearance without sacrificing strength.
The Harvest (name of the pink Zion bag) is ready for whatever Mother Nature will throw at you with a detachable rain cover that hides in its own dedicated storage pocket until needed. Added compression straps keep an umbrella tight against the waterproof bottom panel to ensure protection.
For further protection we’ve incorporated many safety features such as padded air mesh panels on all touch points, a Cam Lock adjusted shoulder strap, and a hideaway lumbar support belt that supports the weight of your bag on those long bike rides and walks.
To make travel and transfers easier we’ve incorporated a pass through panel for luggage handles, reflective piping accents the exterior for increased visibility and for the ultimate defense we’ve included a Guardian LED safety light with every missionary bag.
We know you will be taking materials, tools and technology with you wherever you go and the Harvest bag is ready to assist you. Internal and external organization panels and pockets have been specifically designed for all your missionary necessities, including tablets and mobile phone devices. With the Harvest bag you are in control with multiple stowage options at your fingertips. And when you return and go off to school, there’s even room for a laptop."
The Embark Bag, with yellow accents.
Now that you've read just why Zion Bags are the perfect bag for your mission, let me tell you about ALL of the features. There are so many.
Internal / external compartments to organize and protect all your personal items and missionary necessities (external pocket is PERFECT for pass along cards!!)
Laptop bag exterior made from 1680D water resistant ballistic nylon
Tarpaulin waterproof protective bottom
Fleece lined pockets for phone, camera, optics, etc.
Internal fleece lined padded laptop and tablet compartments fit most 13” laptops and most all tablets
Padded air mesh back panel with airflow design
Deluxe reflective air mesh shoulder pad
Reflective piping on flap, sides & rain cover
Adjustable Cam-Lock shoulder strap with foam padded shoulder pad and soft seatbelt webbing
Rugged YKK zippers and durable hardware
External access to all missionary materials such as planner, pamphlets, pass-along cards, scriptures, etc.
Rear organization compartment with multiple storage pockets
Adjustable tuck-away padded lumbar support belt (perfect for you biking sisters!!)
Suitable for business with padded top handle
Umbrella/weather gear stowage loops
Detachable fitted rain cover in zippered waterproof pocket
Side gear loops for attaching bicycle helmet, lock, etc.
Custom luggage tag with steel cable / barrel lock
Guardian military grade LED safety light, attaches to gear loop on bag and rain cover
Internal detachable key fob to keep keys secure and easy to find
Luggage pass through for attaching to your wheeled companion
Mesh water bottle pocket with adjustable compression strap
Have I convinced you yet? If not, here is my favorite feature: The rain fly! Now that is waterproof.
This wonderful rain fly comes from a zipper pouch at the bottom of the bag. As you can see it covers your entire bag! Every nook and cranny that could get rain water in it is covered. Truly a genius idea.
What you don't see pictured in any of these pictures is the awesome super padded strap. The thick padding will definitely help your shoulders!
Here is our cute Lexi with the Embark Bag.
This bag really has it ALL. There isn't a feature they didn't think of. Also, here is a short video from the founder of Zion Bags.
So, if you are going on a mission and need a bag that will fit all of your needs, you've found it right here.
Zion Bags.
To learn more about The Sister Shop, visit our website
Ever heard of a 'little black dress'? How about a little striped dress but a little more modest.
These beauties have arrived at The Sister Shop and are flying off the rack! We have them in white with black stripes, white with navy stripes and white with mint stripes.
The beauty of this classic cut dress is that it is so {VERSATILE}. You can dress it up or dress it down. Add tights, boots and a cardigan and you are set for fall. Throw on a waist belt and sandals or a long pendant necklace and flip flops to dress it down. Add heels and pearls to dress it up. It really has limitless possibilities. And it's just so cute. Here is the beautiful Lexi in this timeless dress ready for any occasion and any season!
long pendant + flip flops = simple chic
red belt + the cutest red shoes by Taos = classic
dressed down with a simple belt + flip flops = perfect for summer
infinity scarf + leather boots = ready for fall
snap cardigan + leather boots = winter lovin'
cognac belt + cognac shoes = perfection
Mint has arrived and it is flawless.
Navy has also joined the party. Just restocked, but not for long!
Come try one on or order yours from our online store.
It really is the perfect dress.
From versatility to comfort, this dress has it all.
3. The Sister Shop gives you good value for your money. We try to sell top quality items that will last for a long time. Watch our Instagram and Facebook page for specials, and we always have a
coupon in the Cache Valley Hometown Values magazine. Also, join our email list!
Custom Made Missionary Bags
4. Sister missionaries get 10% off. 15% if you buy $500 or more of what you need for your mission
at one time. Hey, less hassle and more savings! We have custom missionary bags,
travel accessories, rain jackets and coats all perfect for missionaries.
Charles River Rain Jackets
5. Most of our clothing is made from durable knit
fabric that lets you look great and feel comfortable all
day long. We’ve had the comment many times that it’s like wearing pajamas, only
you look fabulous!
Beautifully classic Perfect Skirt
6.We don’t sell pants. Pants can be found lots of places! We sell
hard to find items like modest skirts and dresses that are at knee length or
longer, great modest blouses and tops, high quality slips, and fabulous shoes
and accessories. We do sell JUNIEblake, Adelaide*, Hush Puppies and Taos Footwear, plus lots of other great brands.
Ardene Dress by JUNIEblake
7. Sensible shoes don’t have to be boring! We carry
Hush Puppies and Taos women’s shoes that are high quality real leather with
real foot support. These shoes look great with a skirt or dress, and still let
you walk all day in comfort. A necessity for sister missionaries, and everyone
else, really. Aren’t you tired of having your feel hurt after just a couple of
hours, not to mention the damage that is being done to your feet!
Taos and Hush Puppies Shoes
8. Customer service is alive and well at The Sister
Shop. Have you ever gone into a big department store and wandered around
forever looking for someone to answer a question? At The Sister Shop customer
service is our specialty and our favorite thing! We love helping you find just
what you’re looking for. Need help putting together an outfit, or even a whole
wardrobe? We’re here to help! Plus our store is fun and cute,
so that makes shopping just that much better.
Cute, fun store!
9. Remember the name Adelaide*. That is the name of
our own line of clothes that we design because fabulous modest clothes are so
hard to find. The Annie dress is our newest creation and is only found at The
Sister Shop!
Annie Dress by Adelaide*
10. If you don’t live in Cache Valley, don’t
despair! We launched our online store this fall and you can find many of our
great items at www.the-sister-shop.com.
Biking while on a mission can seem a bit daunting, especially in a skirt.
"How do I ride a bike in a skirt?" is a question nearly all girls called on biking missions ask. Luckily our dear friend Jami served a mission in the Netherlands and rode a bike nearly her entire mission. Here are her tips from an expert for all you future biking sisters!
Jami biking in The Netherlands, isn't she cute??
1- Bike shorts or a biking slip are your best friend. These allow you to ride your bike without the fear of showing a bit too much. Normal leggings will also work. We have a big variety of biking shorts and slips at The Sister Shop. Getting a slip with 'legs' will help to keep your skirt right where you want it while you bike! We call this lovely slip our 'pantaloons'; they may look old fashioned but they will save lots of stress and discomfort while riding a bike.
2- Stretchy straight/pencil skirts for the win! Walking in a pencil skirt with no stretch is difficult enough, so riding a bike in one is never a good idea. Luckily a modified pencil skirt with a lot of stretch will work just fine, and stay in place. Here at The Sister Shop we have the PERFECT biking skirts. They are a knit stretchy modified pencil and will stay right by your knees as you bike. They won't get caught in your gears or blow up with a gust of wind.
Pencil will hit most average height girls below the knee-- beautiful Jami is 5'11":)
3- Learn how to use gears. Change gears every time you stop at a light so you don't hurt your knees when you get started. This will save your legs a lot of ache and pain. When going up hill, switch to a lower gear, your legs will thank you!
4- Skirts that are too flowy or long will get caught in your tires. Instead choose skirts that are just below your knee so you can avoid damaging them or getting hurt yourself.
5- The bigger your seat the better your bum will feel. This may sound silly but it's true. Try to get a wider seat so you'll be more comfortable while riding. Trust us, you'll thank us later. If your bike has a smaller seat, have no fear! You can buy gel pads that attach to your seat for more comfortable riding.
6- Get a bike light. Especially in northern countries it gets dark very early in the winter. A bike light is a great way to help you stay safe when it's starting to get dark outside. Get one that has a flash setting that attaches to the rear of your bike. It will help drivers and other bikers see you when it's dark.
7- Follow bike traffic rules. This is a huge one. Especially in many places in Europe, there are thousands of people riding bikes all the time. In order to keep yourself and others safe you'll need to learn the bike traffic rules of where you're serving and follow them.
Double-decker bike racks are common in many European countries
8 - Biking is a great time to get to know your companion. Biking can get monotonous just as any activity can. Use your time wisely to get to know your companion or play fun games. It'll help your relationship and help the time pass quickly. Play get to know you games, quiz each other with scripture mastery and Preach My Gospel lessons.
9- Use a hair tie or Velcro to keep flowy skirts from getting caught in your gears/tires/chain.
You can hand sew a small piece of Velcro on hem the inside of your skirt, just between your legs on the front and back of the skirt. You can also use a hair tie, gather up your skirt at the bottom and tie the hair tie around the gathered part. You can also get a large safety pin and pin the bottom of your skirt together between your knees, but at the hem.
10- Get a Messenger Bag with waist or back pack straps.
This will help distribute the weight of your bag and make it so it doesn't hang off one side of your bike! Balancing on a bike in a skirt is hard enough, having the weight of your bag up around your waist will help a lot.
These wonderful bags are called Zion Bags and are sold right here at The Sister Shop. Zion Bags are literally the best bag for your mission. Durable, water resistant, rain fly, waist buckle, padded straps, safety light, thief protection and more!
Come in to The Sister Shop today, or shop online. We have all the skirts, bags and slips you need for biking on your mission.
For more information about The Sister Shop, visit our online store or follow us:
Saturday March 29, 2014 was the first semi-annual General Women's Conference Meeting for the LDS church. All girls and women ages eight and up were invited to attend. During the meeting the Primary General President, Young Woman General President, the Relief Society General President as well as President Henry B. Eyring all spoke. This meeting focused on our value as daughters of God and how important it is to make and keep covenants and be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It was an amazing meeting full of great words of guidance and inspiration. Here are some of our favorite quotes from the meeting:
One of the hardest parts of serving a mission is the limited amount of space you have for personal belongings. At The Sister Shop it's our goal to help you maximize your wardrobe and get the most out of the clothes you take with you. In this post we'll show you how to style a solid colored blouse with eight different skirts.
1- Pair it with a coordinating patterned maxi skirt. Yellow is a fantastic color because it matches so
many other colors. Here Jami pairs it with a patterned maxi skirt that has a slightly darker yellow
already in the skirt.
2- Pair it with a coordinating patterned pencil skirt. This JUNIEblake pencil is so fun! Nothing is classier than a pencil skirt with a blouse tucked in. Many girls tend to stay away from patterned skirts because they're afraid they won't be able to match their shirts with them. We believe a patterned skirt is one of the best ways to mix up your wardrobe. If you find a skirt that has multiple colors in it you'll be able to match several solid colored shirts with it. These black Hush Puppies are a perfect finish to the outfit.
3- Pair it with a plain colored, below the knee skirt with a belt. Our "slinky" skirt is a perfect choice that comes in black or navy! A plain, just below the knee black skirt is an essential for almost every missionary. This skirt is super versatile, and will match almost every shirt you bring. Add a little more flair to this outfit by adding a waist belt.
4- Pair it with a minimal patterned pencil skirt. Another fun JUNIEblake pencil, black with a grey pattern. Once again, pencil skirts dress up any outfit. This pencil skirt is fabulous because of it's neutral colors, but still has a subtle pattern.
5- Pair it with our ruffle skirt. Our ruffle skirts are one of our best selling skirts. They flatter nearly every body type and are very comfortable because of their elastic waist. The ruffles on the bottom add just enough frills to make it a bit more exciting than a plain skirt. This plum color goes especially well with the cheery yellow. These Taos mary janes have a slight heel to add a dressy touch, but are still so comfortable!
6- Pair it with a plain, contrasting color pencil skirt and an infinity scarf. We love colors, and especially these two colors together. Yellow and blue nearly always look fantastic together. The color of this skirt brightens up the muted tones of the top and make for a bright and happy outfit. The sand colored Taos shoes Jami is wearing are so neutral they will go with just about any outfit, so cute and comfy!
7- Pair it with a contrasting maxi skirt. This outfit is tons of fun. The green and yellow are a bit unexpected, but go together so well.
8- Pair it with a plain colored maxi and belt it. A plain colored maxi skirt can be hemmed just above the ankle or mid-calf and is an essential for any missionary. This skirt will match nearly everything and is very versatile. It is super breezy for summer or can be paired with leggings or fleece tights in the winter to keep your legs extra warm.
Please note: our beautiful model Jami is 5'11" tall, so the pencil skirts will be missionary standard on
anyone shorter than that! Also, maxi skirts can be hemmed to any length for mission standards. Maxi skirt patterns come and go in our shop, but our basic skirts are always here for you!