Dare to Wear: Acceptance

Well Happy (good) Friday all....what a gorgeous day it is today (in New Jersey)...today's high is supposed to reach a whopping

7 6    D E G R E E S

woot woot, shout it out

Today's Dare to Wear is Acceptance. 

Huh? 

I know what you're thinking - wtf does that mean? Let me give you a bit of preface - I've spent the last 4 or more years of my life trying so hard to be something I wasn't and it always had to do with vanity.  I think the issue of vanity has gotten so far out of hand in our country that it's just impossible to ever accept who and what you really are.  The pressures to be thin and beautiful, perfect and fashion forward, great hair, great makeup, etc. it is just so overwhelming and I know, obviously, as a woman the pressure even in the 'normalcy' of non-celebrity life is hard enough. I don't think that we accept ourselves enough.  I don't think that we ever sit back and say 'wow, I am great the way I am' or just accept that the way we look is the way we look and stop trying so hard to change it.  I know girls, have friends, co-workers, etc. who scrutinize things about themselves that are clearly so beautiful or fabulous, just because it isn't "up to par" to what's "socially accepted". 

Maybe this isn't you...maybe you are 100% satisfied from head to toe with your appearance and the way you look.  If so, then KUDOS to you - bravo for sure.  I honestly cannot remember a time in my adult life that I felt that way.  There has always been something I felt needed to be better or different or like this person's or that person's...whether its weight, hair, style, height, size, etc.  it's always been something.  So today's Dare to Wear is Acceptance. Accept who you are as an individual and what makes you unique.  Accept your frizzy curls or jiggly underarms, accept your voluminous hair or perfectly structured eyebrows.  Accept your muffin top or tight buns. Whether it's too big or too small, too thin or too thick, curly or straight, short or tall --- accept, accept, accept 

For me, I am accepting that

I weigh 143 lbs. and I have 22" thighs and that's who I am

I have thin, less than voluminous hair...oh and grey's

I have very fair skin and will always carry that 'pale' look even when tanned

My hips...are huge, enough said

That little pregnancy belly is here to stay no matter how many sit ups I do

lol - this picture is clearly the BEST I've ever taken!! Poolside antics on my honeymoon

And for me, this is how I accept those things in stride

I gave birth to a nearly 9 lb. child and gained 94 lbs. in the process, I lost more than 100 lbs. so I should be damn proud of that weight and those "huge" thighs (btw huge thighs are the new black) hahahaa

I have a 'daring' hair cut that most people cannot pull off and well, the grey's - it is what it is

Fair skin is better than the leather look of over tanned skin

My huge hips beared a beautiful little boy with ease

That little pregnancy belly, although not cute at all, is the aftermath of pregnancy and now I know better not to eat so many Oreo's because a fetus does not share those calories!

I think if you take even 1/10 of the amount of time you spend trying to perfect or change your so-called imperfections and spend that time embracing them for what they really are, it would make you so much happier and prouder of what ya got!

Own it.

Dare to wear...acceptance.

Want to share what your accepting? Comments, Questions, Suggestions Always Welcome!

Inspiration

There are so many levels of inspiration out there...Personally, I am inspred every single day by someone or something, well every single moment really.  My family inspires me, my husband inspires me, my friends, my boss and even fellow bloggers.  Inspiration is technically defined as stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity and when you pick apart each word of the definition it is easier to realize how often you are inspired.  You don't have to accomplish life goals or create something life changing to put inspiration to use; think about it - what stimulates your mind to a high level of feeling? Or what stimulates your emotions enough to result in activity? Almost everything, right? Here are my biggest inspirations in life and what they directly inspire me to do or feel...

My Son, Justin.  

This little booger right here is the epicenter of my inspiration.  Just looking at him each and every morning inspires me to be a better woman all together.  He drives me to succeed in life and pursue each and every dream I've ever had.  He inspires me to have better morals and to be a role model.  I inspire to be not only a better mother, but a better person all together - there's nothing like making your own children proud of who you are and when he gets older I want him to think that way of me.  Basically every success that I've had over the last 4 years is due to him...and he doesn't even know it yet!

My Husband, Justin.

There's definitely something to be said for a man who chooses to put up with me (for life).  I am not an easy person and this man right here does the best job possible! He is the greatest husband and he would do anything in this world at a drop of a dime for me.  He has the kindest heart and he inspires me greatly to be a kinder, gentler person, his ways of dealing with issues so gracefully and not making a mountain out of a mole hill are truly inspirational, I hope that over time I can be as generous and loving as he is.  

My best friend Jess. 

She inspires me for reasons that I find hard to put to words.  There has always been a very special bond between her and I and we've always seemed to be so freakishly similar in every single way shape and form that its funny how she inspires me considering we're practically 2 of a kind.  She has a personality practically identical to mine although she carries this level of class that is a force to be reckoned with...the thing is, I don't think she even tries - at all.  Its just second nature to her.  She's very outgoing and does what only she wants.  I inspire to obtain not only her classiness but her abundance of confidence that she carries with ease.  Not to mention she's as fit as can be, so she is definitely inspirational on the fitness level. 

While I have sentimental inspirations I, of course, have superficial ones as well.  I am inspired by celebrities, designers and even store window displays.  Here is a snapshot of some of my superficial inspirations:

Inspirational by justinsmami featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

I am a big analyzer of everything, I try to see the best of each and every person and every event to derive what may work for me or again, inspire me to do or feel something. I'm always seeking inspiration although it does not seem hard to find.  It's what you make of it, really. 

Lastly, I'll share some of my favorite blogs that inspire me on many levels:

Coley's Closet Cravings    Veronika's Blushing    The Chloe Conspiracy   The Look for Less 

and most recently, I found Fit for Fashion which should definitely cause for inspiration

What or who inspires you? Your career, your life choices or even what color you paint your nails? I'd love to hear about 'em!