passion for fashion #1 & mini-view on beauty

Two purposes for today is share my passion for fashion and to address the topic of beauty. 

First, I am posting a fashion post on a friday because i want to..and because i felt motivated to really get dressed today and put some effort into my appearance. It's almost my first time linking up with Beth and Lena for Passion for Fashion Fridayyyy!! woot woot! a clap of hands all around everybody!

 I liked what Lena & Beth say that, "Fashion is for everyone. Whether you're single in the city or a stay at home mom from the country... we all have a passion for fashion!"

With fashion, we are most likely talking about the clothes, accessories, shoes we wear and that's great! What we decide to make or buy to wear is our choice and our choice alone. It's a choice that expresses our creativity, style, comfort and personality.

 I can't afford fancy, expensive designer brands, but might occasionally "splurge" on such brands IF i happen to see a good deal like a huge percentage of savings & free shipping or coupon codes! I am pretty content shopping clearance racks first then browsing around Target, Oldnavy, Ross, Forever21 or Walmart.

Everyone has a sense of fashion, their fashion and what they like. For me, when I get nicely dressed and put makeup on, I feel better and most of the time, feel beautiful. Let me take this moment to say that we are beautiful no matter what...you, me, us. Even if I don't feel like putting a stitch of makeup on and wear my capri yoga pants and a tee shirt, I am still beautiful.

I LOVE Ellie and her mission to empower women, young & old, by reminding them that self-love, self-respect and self-confidence makes you beautiful! Have you heard of Ellie? She's a wise beyond her years teenager who founded Speak Now.

We've all heard the cliche saying, "beauty counts more on the inside of a person." and to me, that is quite true. In my 30 years of existence, I've encountered more than a handful of people who were so beautiful on the exterior--what I thought they had perfect makeup, perfect hair, outfits so stylish and put together BUT their personalities and behaviors made them ugly. I actually felt bad for them.

It doesn't matter if you're a size 2 or size 22, each of us IS beautiful because we are loved SO much by our Creator! Our worth is not based on a number!! Our beauty speaks louder in the displays of kindness, love & service that we do. I am still learning to fully love myself despite being a size 18 jean with my budha belly as I call it lol. All I can do is live right now. Be in the now.

Sure, I do and can take baby steps toward being more healthy, just like with anything else, improvement takes times, but I can be present and embrace who I am now and still feel beautiful barefaced or dolled up intentionally. I will love myself today. Can't worry about tomorrow, nope. Though, i will then too :)

This is me today.

undershirt: downeast basics
shirt: ross
skirt: target
headband: gussy sews
earrings: gift