Steppin' Out

I am so bored of all of my skirts and dresses and I don't have very many to begin with.  I've never been very comfortable in them so I never like to spend money on them only to have them hang in my closet unworn.  This past Memorial weekend however; I wanted to dress it up a little for fun and now on a single family income I have to get creative!  I took my favorite green skirt (my favorite color!) and wore it as a high waist skirt instead of the hipster that it is intended to be.  I wore it with my old old old black and white polka dot shirt.  The heels are kind of old school with the round toe and short heel and the whole outfit together felt almost vintage which I loved!  I actually remind myself a little bit of Rachel from Glee here...not in my physical appearance (clearly!), just the short skirt with the high waist.  lol Do you see it??

(now bear with me as I go off on a rambling tangent)

There are things about my body that I don't love.  I know, I know...think what you will but, I know we all have those things.  I won't bore you with mine, well, really I don't want to tell you and then have you look at the picture below and agree or disagree with me! hahaha.  But, the one thing that constantly gives me confidence to step out is the knowledge that I am only young once.  The body that I have now, that I constantly critique is only getting older by the day.  I am finally at a place in my life where I realize I have to embrace all of me.  I need to embrace my youth and my body.  There is a certain peace that comes with age and I like it.  Contentment.  I would like to add that I try to avoid scales, mirrors and magazines and certain TV shows.  Not all the time of course as that would be impossible but, I keep those things to a minimum.  The way I see it...if those things are not helping my confidence then they are hurting me and ultimately they are toxic influences in my life.  I want to keep things around that build me up not that tear my esteem down.  I totally realize each person is different and perhaps some people have no insecurities whatsoever....could you please leave me a comment if this is you and tell me what your secret is???  But...for the rest of us both men and women it is important to embrace who we are.  Discover your gifts and use them.  Highlight your features that you love.  Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you are perfect just the way you are because God makes no mistakes.  For every lie you hear in your head about who you are, speak 5 truths to counteract them.  Sorry, this is the psychologist in me!  Just wanted to encourage all my beautiful friends out there.  You are ALL beautiful, just the way you are! xoxo

And lastly...I just watched Toddlers and Tiaras on my Netflix account simply out of curiosity.  I wanted to cry more than once while watching this show.  Please don't think I am judging and if any of you have entered your child in a pageant I do not think less of you as some of the moms are really sweet and down to earth but, some of them are just downright sad.  How could a mom force her two year old, who is dying to take a nap to power through a full day of performing.  She is screaming and miserable and being dragged on stage.  All she wanted to do was crawl into her stroller and sleep. I wanted to go hold her and tell her it was okay and that she didn't have to do any silly competitions.  Just be a little girl little one.  No make up, no fake hair or tans; just soak up your childhood and innocence...but, alas it isn't my call to make.  What are your thoughts on subjecting a child to pageants when they are clearly not in to it?

skirt: Old Navy two years ago

Shirt: Don't even remember it has been like 6 years but, I think Ross

Shoes: Target several years ago

Bracelet: Um, sorry too long to remember

Necklace...ummm, shoot I have no idea. ARG. sorry.