Wore: Puffy Vest

Wednesday, December 4, 2013


Ok, I have to be honest…when I first put this outfit on, I had an entirely different post in mind. I was going to talk about how fantastic puffy vests are for the colder weather and how fun they can be because they come in a variety of colors and patterns.

But then I started looking through all of my photos to select the ones to post on here and I started to get really down on myself. My first thought was that I looked like a stay puff marshmallow and why on earth did I think this outfit would look decent on me? I even vocalized my thoughts to Tolar who then told me that I was really mean to myself – and he is right. I am very mean to myself. We, as women, are so hard on ourselves and each other. Sometimes I look in the mirror and like what I see, but the majority of the time I am extremely unhappy with what is reflected back to me. It’s really hard to be self confident in a world that tells us that a size 0 or a size 2 is ideal.

I’m not a size 2, never have been, never will be. But what I am is a mother. A mother whose body created life, that carried around a baby for 37 weeks and delivered the most perfect, precious angel this earth ever did see. We all are capable of that; our bodies were created to carry babies. I can’t stand around feeling sorry for myself when my body just did something amazing, something miraculous. I’m not the same person I was this time last year, I just went through something incredible. No, I need to learn to believe my husband when he tells me that I am beautiful. I need to smile and love my hips when I look in the mirror because those hips are a part of this body that brought more life to this earth. I need to remember that I won’t look like this forever (although I’m sure when I’m 80 I’ll be wishing I still looked like this and didn’t hate the way I looked so much), that I can take the steps to improve the way I look, but the way I feel about myself is much more important. And loving myself is what I want to do, that’s a life lesson I so desperately want to teach Baby K.

Please note, I’m not writing this post to have everyone compliment me and tell me wonderful things about myself. No, I’m writing this post to be completely transparent and honest with you – because I’m human. I’m writing this post hoping someone else reading this is feeling the same way and by my typing these words, I’m helping that person to not feel so alone.


Jeans: Old Navy.
Shirt: Zara.
Boots: Target (similar).
Vest: Old Navy (similar).
Necklace: gift.
Earrings: c/o Jay and Amy Creations.


I’m linking up with Style Elixir for Style Sessions, The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesdays and Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesdays.

Comments

  1. I think you look great! And I know you said you did not write this intending to receive compliments/comments like this -- but I really do think you look great :) I struggle with keeping positive about my body/image etc and you writing this post DID help me as well :)

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  2. Right on Sistah! *L*

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  3. I love that puffy vest! Mine won't accommodate my preggo belly this year! Love the boots too.

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  4. You look gorgeous, but I can completely relate to your feelings. I recently bought a faux fur vest because I love them but then couldn't stop focusing on how it made me look extra-wide. It's hard not to get caught up in some negative self-talk sometimes! Way to focus on the positives! ;)

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  5. You know when you really look around there's more of us average Janes than those super moms (or women) who are tiny tiny tiny. And it is amazing what a woman's body can do! We can help create and grow then deliver a life. We can feed that little person and give comfort to them as they grow. And hey let's not forget how amazing our bodies are for our husbands...we're pleasure machines! Plus we can walk, talk, sing, see, hear, smell, taste, touch, etc etc etc. Our bodies are mind blowing when you really think about it.

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  6. 1) I think you look awesome 2) We are all too hard on ourselves, aren't we??? One of my biggest prayers for my daughter is that she loves her body, and that body image isn't a source of negativity in her life!

    Love you friend!

    Carly
    www.lipglossandcrayons.com

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  7. You are not the first woman to put on an outfit look in the mirror and think this doesn't look as good I thought it would, puffy vests are not somthing I own, although many years ago when I was younger I had one but to be honest I don't live in an area that gets that cold.............

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  8. My dear, you look stunning! And I agree with Tolar - quit bullying yourself! Great color! Stopped by from Style Sessions.
    Amy @ http://www.thegiftedgabber.com/

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