Beauty-Full Tuesday

Hi, my name is Kim, and since I can’t afford therapy I write over at Yep, they are all mine.

I have to admit, I was a little taken aback when Reachel asked me

to write this – a post about body confidence and feeling beautiful in my own skin?

Me? Okay, I’ll give it a shot…

I’ve been pregnant three times and have birthed three babies.

Age, stress, and more food/less exercise means that

my body looks very different then it did 10 years ago

{photographic evidence HERE}.

But here’s the thing: I refuse to be sucked into the mom trap.

I’m not a size 6 anymore,

but that doesn’t mean I need to give up on life

and live in black yoga pants {never actually used for yoga} and baggy t-shirts.

There are a few “fashion rules” I try to live by {most days} that help me feel good about myself:

{1}

On the days I don’t work,

it’s really easy to fall into the “lounge around in my jammies all day” routine.

However, I would rather not drop my kids off at school looking like THAT mom,

so I make myself take a shower and get dressed.

When I’m put together, I feel better.

And I don’t embarrass my kids.

{2}

I don’t have a fancy wardrobe.

I buy most of my clothes from Target and thrift stores.

The one thing I splurge on is jeans.

Nordstrom Rack and consignment stores have amazing deals

on premium denim – and it is totally worth the cost.

This ass needs to be properly contained.

{3}

Accessories are my best friends – they punctuate – and distract away from

a potentially boring outfit on those days I don’t have any clean clothes.

Even the 4-year-olds understand.

{4}

I love, love, LOVE colors, patterns, textures, and layers. They make me happy.

And when Mama’s happy, everyone’s happy.

{5}

Wedges.

The only chance I’ll ever have at long legs.

Thanks so much for having me, Reachel!

Feed me fashionably fresh

I love every precious inch of this girl. Read on and try not to adore Gentri Lee in all her darling glory, go on, you can try.

I’m a twenty-something year old who measure’s at a tiny 4feet and 8inches tall. Not only that, but I’ve got curves. It’s in my genes. It’s always been something I’ve struggled to deal with- being short is one thing, but I’m extremely short. Add the curves and you’ve got a body that’s “different”… not to mention hard to dress. Because of that, I’ve struggled with feeling overlooked, like something is keeping me from reaching my full potential. But why should that be? I’ve created these insecurities that only bring me down. “If I were taller I could have done this” “If I were skinnier he would have liked me more” “She can’t do as good of a job because she’s short” Over the years I’ve come (it’s a constant battle really) to accept who I am. These aren’t exactly things I can change. And yet, I wouldn’t want to. Because it’s my differences that make me- ME. My differences make me beautiful. There are times where I feel like these hold me back- but even more times where they make me stand out. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish some of the things I have without being unique. There are people I’ve been able to help because I am different- like them. I wouldn’t change that for the world. Our differences can either bring us down and tear us apart, or they can lift us up and bring us together.

Celebrate your differences and love the differences in others! You are not alone. You were designed to be JUST the way you are. You are beautiful! You are unique. You are perfect. No one else is like you, and that is a wonderful thing.

Feed me fashionably fresh

Beauty-Full Tuesday: Yep, They Are All Mine

Beauty-Full Tuesday: Gentri Lee