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"Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone." ~ Shannon L. Alder
For almost a year now, I have been working as a First Fit Reviewer for Gwynnie Bee. I basically act as a fit model for new styles and provide honest reviews on the styles I try, in order to help other women find styles at GB that will work for them.I take my job seriously. Shopping is a challenge for me because I have large upper arms, a small waist, wide hips and large calves. I also tend to be between a petite and average length in pants - I'm 5'7" and sometimes pants are either too long or too short. I'm also a size 26/28 and you don't see many of us represented on websites and campaigns. So I love being able to try things on at Gwynnie Bee and offer my honest opinion on the fit.
Some pieces are definitely not my style and I have tried things I thought I would never wear, like a jumpsuit, a mini dress and a body con dress. This job has opened my eyes to the fashion out there and has helped me get out of my comfort zone. My style has evolved and is now more about what suits my personality and less about my own hang-ups that feed my fear to try new styles.
So every month, I will be giving all of you a sneak peek as to what's to come the following month that are my favorite styles. I also will be sharing some styles that are on the site that I love. As always, check out my reviews for a more detailed description of my fit experience and if you have any questions, you can always reach out to me on Facebook and Instagram.
I tried this Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Space Dyed Asymmetrical Cardigan yesterday and am in love with it so much!
I'm wearing a size 4X and it fits so well! I love the neckline and the thumb holes! This will be launching on the site on January 10, 2017.
This Kiyonna Foxfire Dress in Purple was a style I did not think I could pull off. But I was so wrong. I love it so much. I definitely felt sexy but chic in this number. I am wearing a 4. This will launch on January 3, 2017.
Another win from Melissa McCarthy Seven7! This Kiss Stain Pintuck Blouse is amazing. I love that you can tie it in the front or back. I'm wearing a 4X. I'm definitely closeting this and buying it. This will also launch on the GB site on January 3, 2017.
My two closet picks for the month are:
I'm wearing a 3X (!) and this cape blazer is simply fabulous. This was my first time wearing a cape style (another venture outside my comfort zone) and I am sold!
As always you can read my full reviews on the GB site. If you aren't a member of Gwynnie Bee and want to try the service out, you can try it for 30 days FREE of charge. Just click here to sign up. You won't be disappointed and you'll never know until you try.
Happy holidays and stay tuned for next month where I will share my faves for January 2017.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein
I have made no secret of my hunt for the perfect fitting jean. I especially have yet to find a pair of skinny jeans that fit me.When you're plus size, you know all too well how sizing is inconsistent across the board and that because of all of our different shapes and sizes, shopping is a challenge.
For me, I have a small waist, wide hips and turkey leg shaped calves, where my upper calves measure 22" around but then I have smaller ankles.
Most skinny jeans fit tight on the calves and I can't even get them up my leg. Some boot cut jeans fit tight in the knee but super baggy in the calves. And let's not discuss the gaping at the back of my waist. I hate wearing belts but to keep my pants up, it's a necessary evil.
Jeans are not the only item I have fit issues with.
My hips are wide so sometimes with coats, I struggle to find one that fits well AND will button up without looking like I'm going to burst out of it. So most times with coats, I leave the bottom button undone. And then there's my larger upper arms, which make sleeves the enemy.
After making do with what I have available to me and having many "making it work" moments, the day has come when my dreams have finally come true.
fullbeauty delivered a Christmas miracle my way this year BIG TIME. Not only did they have skinny jeans that fit me but also mid-calf boots that I am able to wear OVER my jeans as well as a comfy plaid coat that fits perfectly.
These Woman Within Premium Denim Skinny Ankle Jeans are amazing. They're a true skinny fit and the stretch denim fabric makes them so comfortable. I ordered the regular women's length and at 5'7", they are long enough where I can roll them up and still have a decent length. I opted for the Indigo wash, which I love. The jeans come in six other washes and I plan to stock up on them.
What I love the most about fullbeauty is their massive shoe selection in wide and double wide widths. I have flat feet with no arch so I wear custom insoles in my shoes to give me arch support. So I always opt for a double wide shoe when I can.
These Madison Booties by Comfortview are so comfy and had more than enough room for me to add my insoles. They're available in M, W, and WW widths and also have half sizes! I'm a solid 9 but always get 9 1/2 because of my insoles.
The boots fit perfectly over my jeans and this is something I have not been able to do since high school! I was so happy that my confidence went from a 10 to 100.
Last but certainly not least... this coat!!!! I have been on the hunt for a coat with a hood that's warm without feeling bulky. I tend to get hot quickly and since I live in New York City, winters can be unpredictable.
I have never owned a plaid coat before so when I saw this Jessica London Shawl Collar Hooded Coat, it called out to me. The neutral grey and black print would go with almost everything and the hood looked super warm. I also loved how it had a tie waist and snap button closure.
This is definitely a cozy winter look that I will be wearing on repeat this season. I love the casual aspect of it but it also has a stylish touch to it courtesy of the boots and skinny jean. I would so throw on a sequin sweatshirt for some bling or maybe add a fur hat. I'm all about having fun with fashion but still making it work on a daily basis since I am always running around town or at work.
You can shop my look at the links below:
Woman Within Premium Denim Skinny Ankle Jeans, available in sizes 12W to 34W in Average, Petite and Tall (I'm wearing a 28W in Indigo)
Madison Booties by Comfortview, available in sizes 7 to 12 in M, W, WW in burgundy, black and brown (I'm wearing a 9 1/2 WW in black)
Jessica London Shawl Collar Hooded Coat, available in sizes 12 to 28 (I'm wearing a 28)
What do you think of my look? What about your fashion struggles? Comment below and let's chat!
**Clothing was sponsored via fullbeauty but all opinions are my own.
"When women support each other, incredible things happen." - Anonymous
I've been in this place in my life where I am evolving and growing. It's crazy. Just when you think you know what you're doing or think you know the industry, something happens to change your perception and enlighten you.
This lookbook I am about to discuss with y'all has changed my life and outlook on the plus size community and industry on a whole.
I am a big believer in creating opportunities for myself. I spent a long time complaining and being resentful that others were getting opportunities and I was being turned down and passed over. Then one day, I realized that I needed to get out of this pity party because at the end of the day, I am in control of my life. I can make things happen.
Why not create opportunities for myself and others?
My biggest gripe has always been that there is not enough representation of women my size in campaigns and in the media. I yearned to see bodies like mine. In talking to many in the industry, I have heard an array of reasons why diversity hasn't fully taken its place in the plus size industry. From fat phobia within brands run by straight size people to the masses not being ready to see larger bodies, I have had so many conversations about this.
However, those conversations did not change the fact that I, as a size 26/28 woman, often feels ignored by the plus size fashion industry. Hell, sometimes I feel excluded by my own community including the activists. It often feels like I straddle the line between the fashion community and the activists and feel like I have to choose a side. But why should I?
I love fashion and dressing up. I also love speaking out against fat bias, discrimination and lack of support. I want to join the fight in pushing size diversity to the masses and bringing attention to what's going on in the world. I mean, Marilyn Wann is my hero and has been for years. But I also love showing my outfits of the day and talking to women about fit and style, especially those above a size 22. This is when the idea of creating a style book came about.
Bloggers put out lookbooks all the time to promote a brand, a trend or season. It's a great visual way to show the products on a non-model body, gain exposure and provide some style inspiration. So I thought, why not use a lookbook as a way to introduce a group of bloggers over a size 22 to the masses while offering their quotes on confidence, body image, style and fit? And it was then that the Style 22+ lookbook was born.
So I began creating my dream list of bloggers I wanted to include in this lookbook. I tend to follow a lot of bloggers because of my current job at PLUS Model Magazine and tend to gravitate towards bloggers who are not only stylish but fearless, genuine and down-to-earth. I tend to not look at numbers or how fancy images are.
Images can be strong on their own when the person in the image is exuding confidence and true happiness from within while knowing that while they are not perfect, they are beautiful. I also wanted to show bodies that you normally do not see in the media or campaigns like those apple shaped girls who carry most of their weight on top.
And I wanted this lookbook to be different. So not only did I ask the women to submit images of them wearing their favorite looks that showcase their style, but I also asked them to answer questions from which I pulled quotes from and placed throughout the lookbook. The quotes talked to topics such as confidence, inspiration, body image, shopping, fit and more.
The lookbook is almost like a mini book that introduces these fabulous women who are all different in style but have the same intent... to live fully in the bodies they are in now, happy and confident. It shows that women above a size 22 can be happy and dress to the nines.
This lookbook taught me the importance of community. It taught me the importance of support. It taught me the importance of having a tribe. Most of all, it taught me that my purpose is bigger than I could have ever imagined.
In the blogger world, there are those who are all about themselves... ME, ME, ME. However, if any change is going to be made in the industry on a whole, we need to support, help and teach each other. We should never view each other as competition because at the end of the day, I believe that there is room at the table for ALL of us.
It's so easy to compare yourself to others and resent their successes because you wonder why you didn't get that opportunity. But honestly, if that opportunity was meant for you, it would be yours. Again, it's about creating your own opportunities and putting your best foot forward. Never giving up and being true to your purpose.
We are all unique and should showcase that. There's no one else like you in the world so why would you think you're competing with someone? The only person you're competing with is yourself.
All of the women in this lookbook are amazing. And they inspire me to keep going. We've already been featured in Buzzfeed, The Curvy Fashionista, Estrella Fashion Report, Daily Venus Diva, PLUS Model Magazine and Dressing Room 8. And it is not over.
This lookbook has me excited for 2017. Because I am so ready to see where this takes me. I have big dreams and ideas that I am going to make happen. I'm already working on the next lookbook, which will be about body love.
I want to show the world that you don't have to be naked to be body positive. I want to show the world that an activist can also be a fashionista. I want to show that all bodies are beautiful. I want to tell the world that fashion is for everyone. And style isn't dictated by size.
Madonna recently spoke about how she's a rebel and rebels are fighters. She then said:
"At the end of the day, it's the rebels who change the world."
That's what I am... a rebel. I will never give up on my mission to support ALL women and inspire them to know that they are beautiful and worthy at ANY SIZE. And health and fashion/style should never be in the same sentence.
Click here to check out the Style 22+ lookbook. Or view it below. And stay tuned for other body diverse and positive projects from yours truly. :-)
Special THANK YOU to the amazing women who joined me in the Style 22+ Lookbook Project:
ShaKera of The Real Sample Size
Amanda W. of Bella Moxie
Meshel of The Muffin Queen's Closet
Ashley of Simply Curvy
Lisa of MustangSallyTwo
Amanda K. of The Koker Chronicles
Meagan of This is Meagan Kerr
Corissa of Fat Girl Flow
Amanda A. of Fashion, Love & Martinis
Emily of Authentically Emmie
Rebecca of The Plus Side of Me
All of them are incredible women that are leaders in this big girl revolution taking place. Yes!
"The more my confidence grows, the more I feel free." ~ Me
As I was looking at fall items this morning and planning what I was going to wear to NY Fashion Week this month, I came to a revelation that kind of shocked me. I was happy and I was looking at items that normally I would pass over.Sleeveless dresses... cutout detailing... crop tops! I would have never thought I would get to this place where I was feeling confident and comfortable enough to bare my arms, show my tummy and wear dresses that were above the knee.
This evolution has spilled over into other areas in my life. Feeling more confident about myself has helped me with being more assertive and not caring too much what others think. It has also helped me with dating because now that I fully know my worth, I refuse to accept any mistreatment from a man.
Let me explain... I've always been confident but it hasn't been consistent. I learned that over time, I had to strengthen my confidence to keep it intact and the way to do that was to take it one day at a time and be kind to myself. I had to truly fall in love with myself.
My inner saboteur was constantly sabotaging me (yes, I watch Rupaul's Drag Race religiously and this really hit home for me when Ru told Adore Delano this).
Falling in love with yourself is just like falling in love with someone else. It's not easy. It requires a lot of work and commitment but you have to make the choice to step up and make an effort. You have to show up for yourself just like you would show up for your significant other.
You have to speak life into yourself and give yourself support and compliments. Too often, we give so much love to others but not enough to ourselves. I'm a caregiver by nature and tend to help others with no hesitation. But often, I forget to put myself first. I wasn't helping myself. And the less I helped myself and the more I helped others, the more my dreams drifted further away.
And that didn't help my confidence, especially within my career that had seemed to stall and my love life, which was a mess. I had so many dreams but I was not pursuing them.
I was so focused on that role of being a caregiver, that I didn't give myself care. And my life was not flourishing in the way it should.
I had to recharge my life and put myself first. I had to nurture a relationship with myself. I had to learn to accept my body, even the parts I don't like. I have a love/hate relationship with my legs but when I thought about my life and what my legs have done for me, I realized that I should be grateful for them period. And not worry too much about how they look. Their purpose is not to be gazed at. Their purpose is to enable me to walk and see the world.
My legs have taken me on this wonderful journey where I have seen so many amazing and incredible things. And they are mine. I have to own them and see the beauty in them. I had to validate myself and not seek validation from others. At the end of the day, what counts is how I view myself and not how I am viewed by others. This is my body and I have to live in it. It is up to me how I choose to live.
I had to also put myself out in the world more. I had to go after what I wanted. Pursuing your dreams is not easy. You have to be willing to put in the work in laying the groundwork. Once you put in the work and have faith, that is when your dreams come into fruition.
You have to believe in yourself, even when it seems like nothing is going right. I know that's hard but it is so necessary in order to push through and stay positive.
Let me explain... I've always been confident but it hasn't been consistent. I learned that over time, I had to strengthen my confidence to keep it intact and the way to do that was to take it one day at a time and be kind to myself. I had to truly fall in love with myself.
My inner saboteur was constantly sabotaging me (yes, I watch Rupaul's Drag Race religiously and this really hit home for me when Ru told Adore Delano this).
Falling in love with yourself is just like falling in love with someone else. It's not easy. It requires a lot of work and commitment but you have to make the choice to step up and make an effort. You have to show up for yourself just like you would show up for your significant other.
You have to speak life into yourself and give yourself support and compliments. Too often, we give so much love to others but not enough to ourselves. I'm a caregiver by nature and tend to help others with no hesitation. But often, I forget to put myself first. I wasn't helping myself. And the less I helped myself and the more I helped others, the more my dreams drifted further away.
And that didn't help my confidence, especially within my career that had seemed to stall and my love life, which was a mess. I had so many dreams but I was not pursuing them.
I was so focused on that role of being a caregiver, that I didn't give myself care. And my life was not flourishing in the way it should.
I had to recharge my life and put myself first. I had to nurture a relationship with myself. I had to learn to accept my body, even the parts I don't like. I have a love/hate relationship with my legs but when I thought about my life and what my legs have done for me, I realized that I should be grateful for them period. And not worry too much about how they look. Their purpose is not to be gazed at. Their purpose is to enable me to walk and see the world.
My legs have taken me on this wonderful journey where I have seen so many amazing and incredible things. And they are mine. I have to own them and see the beauty in them. I had to validate myself and not seek validation from others. At the end of the day, what counts is how I view myself and not how I am viewed by others. This is my body and I have to live in it. It is up to me how I choose to live.
I had to also put myself out in the world more. I had to go after what I wanted. Pursuing your dreams is not easy. You have to be willing to put in the work in laying the groundwork. Once you put in the work and have faith, that is when your dreams come into fruition.
You have to believe in yourself, even when it seems like nothing is going right. I know that's hard but it is so necessary in order to push through and stay positive.
I'm still working on me and will probably be working on me for the rest of my life. That's what all relationships require. Daily work and commitment. But I know better now. Life is good. And the more confident I feel, the more stronger I feel at tackling life and pursuing my dreams. I believe in me. And I know my dreams will come true.
I'm happy. I'm loving myself. And I am about to rock a crop top this fall. And wear more pants and not worry about all my lumps, bumps and rolls. Because I am beautiful and I feel so free.
"Sometimes when you lose your way, you find YOURSELF." ~ Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass
I said goodbye to Year 45 on August 19 as I celebrated my birthday. And I have to say, Year 45 was a pretty damn good year.
My image was featured on Shape Magazine's website! |
It's scary and so unbelievably hard to start over. I learned things about myself that I had ignored for a very long time. I had to revisit painful things in my past in order to heal myself and be better. I had to be accountable for all the choices I've made in my life.
It's so much easier to stay in bed and hide from the world. Be in that state of nothingness where you don't have to deal with the world. But easy is not always good. You will never know what amazing things await you if you don't get out of bed and step out into the world.
Grief led me on this journey to taking care of myself by going into therapy. Therapy has taught me to be more self-aware, more confident and know my worth. I wasn't fully living my life. I have done amazing things in my life but my zest for life and my confidence was not consistent.
Me at my brother's grave -- I had no idea this pic was being taken |
I miss my dad and brother so much. My grief is still a part of my life. But I have learned that I can grieve for them but still live. I'm still here and I have the gift of life. My dad and brother would not want me to waste that gift. It's okay to be happy after a loss. Is it hard? Yes, definitely. But I had to let go of that guilt. I thought about what my dad and Danny would want for me. And they would want me to be happy.
The SmartGlamour #ImFlattered Shoot |
Confidence comes in many forms. It can be loving yourself, knowing your worth, knowing that you're enough and being motivated to put yourself out there and just believe. I believe in myself again. I believe in the possibilities. I believe that it's never too late to start over.
Being comfortable is not always a good thing. Sometimes being uncomfortable has more to do about how you feel about yourself and less about the situation. I never want to settle for anything less than what makes me happy. And I have to learned to trust my gut more and really think about my choices.
Me with my $12 Walmart dress this summer, LOL |
I'm learning to not be scared to try new styles, meet new people, write more and live in the moment. That is what Year 45 gave me... the courage to live. So I start Year 46 hopeful, excited, happy and looking forward to the amazing opportunities and possibilities that await me.
On set at Gwynnie Bee |
On set at Gwynnie Bee |
I did a Revelist video -- wearing a 2-piece for the first time |
Wearing a cut out dress for the first time |
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME! This year has been one of many firsts and I can't wait to conquer even more firsts in Year 46.
Memories are the key, not to the past, but to the future. ~ Corrie Ten Boom
Oh, the prom. It wasn't a total bad experience for me. But finding a dress was a major mission and that is something I will never forget.
I didn't know it back then but my prom experience was a prologue to who I was becoming... confident, secure and driven. When I look back, I smile because I had such a fearless attitude back then and didn't let anything hold me back from doing what I wanted to do.
I couldn't afford a designer/custom prom dress and couldn't find one in stores that fit me like my thinner friends could. The year was 1988 and my options at the time were Lane Bryant, Avenue (called "Sizes Unlimited" back then), May's and Alexander's.
After having no luck, I decided to wear my white confirmation dress that had been sitting in a garment bag for a year -- my mom found my dress at a bridal shop and it worked perfectly for me. It was the prettiest dress I owned and I felt beautiful in it... it was lace and satin and had a mermaid silhouette. I also wore my satin white pumps from my confirmation. Borrowed a clutch from my mom and I was ready, with my Salt N' Pepa asymmetrical haircut, cat eye and red lipstick.
I had no date and my dad drove me in his white Nova that had the front bumper falling off. But I went to my prom, held my head up high and walked in like I owned the place. I had so much fun, danced with some friends and then went home, feeling great that I decided to go. It felt empowering. I mean, who wears a wedding dress to a prom? Me, LOL.
Fast forward almost 30 years later and I got the opportunity to relive my prom again when Full Figured Fashion Week added a plus size prom event to their schedule.
This time, I wanted to get the dress that I wanted and that would certainly not be a wedding dress. I wanted something different and unique. And that's when the amazing Hannah Olsen of Hannah Caroline Couture stepped in.
Hannah is an up-and-coming fashion designer that passionately believes in inclusive fashion. She wants to offer clothing to every woman. She offers standardized sizing up to a 5X but will also do custom work as well. What I loved about working with her on my dress was that she made sure I was part of the process at every step. I chose my fabric, told her what silhouette I wanted and etc.
I love prints so I wanted to incorporate that in with a bold color.
We did everything virtually since I am based in New York and Hannah in Nebraska. I loved her attention to detail and honest opinions/answers to all my questions.
When I received my dress, I was in love. It was a dress I envisioned in my head that came to life. The prom event had a masquerade theme so I loved how the dress paired with my mask looked amazing.
I also connected with the wonderful Cameo Mccottrell-Phillips through Hannah, who is also a fashion designer and makes the most wonderful custom clutches under her Cameo de Bore brand. When she heard I was getting a dress made by Hannah, she offered to create a matching custom clutch for me.
I LOVED my look and had an amazing time at the prom event. I didn't have a date like last time but that's okay. I saw friends and had fun regardless. I never let me lacking a date, stop me from going anywhere.
I wore my blinged out sandals from Avenue (Indie Glass v-Strap Wedge Sandal) and opted for some subtle accessories. The dress makes a statement on its own.
A special thank you to Hannah and Cameo for making my plus size prom do-over an amazing time and a night to remember.
You can check out Hannah Caroline Couture at http://www.hccdesign.co/
You can check out Cameo de Bore at http://cameodebore.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CameoDeBore. Sometimes Cameo will show new products and sales on her Facebook page so it's well worth it to follow her on FB.
I love my prom dress so much and it's so cozy that I want to wear it every day. So If you see me in the supermarket wearing this dress, that's why. :-)
If you care what other people think, you will always be their prisoner. ~ Lao Tzu
If you have been a regular reader of this blog, you know I have been going through a style evolution in the last couple of years. My style has improved in the sense that I am now wearing clothing that properly fits and looks amazing on my size 26/28 body.When you look good, you feel good, as you can see in recent pictures of me. AND... it had nothing to do with losing weight.
For many years, I was programmed to always reach for the larger size and wear baggy clothing to hide my fat. I grew up in a time where polyester pull-on pants were one of my few fashion options and if I wanted to wear jeans, I had to shop in the men's section.
My lifesaver in the 80's was Gloria Vanderbilt who made plus size jeans that fit amazing and was within my parents' budget. I had a pair of turquoise jeans that I loved and wished I still had, to this very day. Thanks Miss Gloria!
I'm so overjoyed that I get to see plus size fashion expand and evolve in my lifetime. While it is not perfect, believe me, if you grew up as a teen in the 80's, you know how much better it is now.
At the start of this year, I realized that dressing better for my body was not enough. I still hid parts of me under clothing but now it was not as noticeable since my clothing fit well and I was daring to wear more of what I love, which are prints and bold colors. However, I knew deep down that I was still hiding. And I felt ashamed.
I preach loving yourself to the world and here I am, not fully loving all of me and continuing to hide the parts of my body I hated. This was limiting me in how far I could go in terms of my style and wearing what I love.
So I decided that in 2016, I would take more fashion risks and take baby steps outside of my comfort zone.
What I have learned so far this year is that some baby steps happen when you least expect it and once you take one baby step forward, the next step is easier. And once you take a few baby steps, you feel reborn and the love for yourself will grow larger than you expected.
As I blogged about previously, this year kicked off amazingly, with me being a part of SmartGlamour's #ImFlattered campaign and also scoring a gig as a First Fit Reviewer for Gwynnie Bee. You can read more about that here.
With the #ImFlattered campaign, I wore a fitted dress that was mid-thigh. I always hide my thighs and never wear dresses above the knee so this was HUGE for me. I have lumpy thighs so I try to hide them as much as I can.
#ImFlattered Campaign |
Being in front of the camera has taught me to be less stiff and more free with my body in terms of movement. I'm a perfectionist and my own worst critic so I tend to look stiff when taking pictures.
I also have no control of what I am trying on for GB so it forced me to try new styles that I wouldn't even dream of looking at. I've gotten the opportunity to try on a mini dress, a cape dress, open back styles, sleeveless styles and more.
Working for GB has further opened my mind to the fashion possibilities out there. It has also helped me be more comfortable in my skin. I look at my professional shots and the love for me just continues to grow.
It's also amazing to be able to inspire other women to try new styles. They see me and can relate because my body looks like their body. It really fills my heart and spirit when I see the positive feedback from customers.
The months of April and May have been MAJOR for me. I made two more baby steps that I am so proud of myself for taking.
Shape Magazine contacted me in early April, asking me if I would be interested in participating in their #LoveMyShape campaign. They sent me a sports bra with the hashtag on it and all I had to do was take a picture of myself wearing the bra and send it in with a quote answering the question, "Why do I love my shape?".
Sounds easy, right? Uh, NO!
Wearing a bra in a picture for the public to see was a big thing for me. I was concerned about how I would be received. I hear horror stories about internet trolls and I have been lucky in the sense where I have not been bothered much by negative comments. I was also scared of how my peers, family and friends would see me and how they would react.
BUT... this IS Shape Magazine. This would be major exposure in an arena where I can inspire other women to be healthy and fit at any size. This is an opportunity that I was lucky to get since my blog numbers are not high in comparison to other bloggers out there.
So in the snow and freezing cold, I had my best friend Herman take my pic. And it felt liberating. It felt empowering. Also, I thought I looked great.
When the feature launched on Shape.com, I was so proud to see that I was the largest girl in the group featured and received so many wonderful comments on social media from other women who were so inspired.
Click here to check out the Shape.com feature (I'm slide #18).
About a week after the Shape.com feature, I got asked to be a part of a Revelist video featuring three women who have never worn a two-piece swimsuit.
It took me a week to think it over. I was freaking out at the thought of being seen in a two-piece swimsuit. What would people say? What would they think? But honestly, deep down, my inner voice was telling me to do it. I knew deep down that this is yet another baby step I needed to make, for myself and for all women out there. So I did it!
And.... it wasn't bad at all! I won't front; I was terrified. But I pushed myself to do it and have no regrets at all. The Revelist folks are so wonderful and supportive. And I loved how I looked in my swimsuit! So much so, that I swear I'm hitting the beach this year. I haven't worn a swimsuit in about 20 years so this is MAJOR.
I just made the decision that me and my lady lumps (on my thighs) would rock this video out and be fabulous. I kept telling myself I can do this.
You can check out the video here on Instagram and here on Facebook.
After wearing a sports bra and then a two-piece swimsuit, I am feeling like I can do anything I set my mind to. If you would have told me years ago that I would have worn a swimsuit in public, I would have given you the side eye and thought you were bugging out. LOL!
I'm feeling pretty kick ass at the moment and am ready for my next baby step. It's all a process. You just have to be ready for it.
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