Acceptance

We all have "things" about ourselves we would prefer were different or don't like. For example, after three children and an amazingly expandable stomach (who knew they could get that big!), my abs are no more and shall never return. In their place I have this soft mass, covered in what looks like a road map...also known as stretch marks! For this reason, you will never see me in a bikini, I mean NEVER! Perhaps I could get laser surgery to fix the road map, and I understand they can even give ab implants (no way!), however, rather than worrying about what I would prefer were different, I accept it as it is and move on.

I don't look at other women's stomach's with envy either. Jealousy makes no sense...that only makes ME feel bad, and why would I want that? 

I also have that incredible gummy smile you see there. Huge teeth and massive gums right?! I used to only half smile when I was much younger as I felt embarrassed by my smile.Now I smile almost constantly...really, people have called me "smiley," and do you know I get tons of compliments on my smile? Do you know why? Not because my gums are sexy, but because my smile is genuine, when it's offered it is from a place of sincerity and that's what people see! I learned a while ago to accept me as I am...even when there were things I needed to change. For example before I lost a little weight, I accepted myself at the weight I was and was happier that way, but my low cholesterol diet resulted in some weight loss and I'm OK with that too.

Whatever you do. start it by accepting your own appearance. Love the skin you are in, love your body in all it's flawed perfection, it's your temple, carrying you through this world...no one elses body can do that for you and wishing it were different hurts one person...you! See that flawed smile of mine up there, as flawed as it is, my lips are my favorite feature, you will rarely see me without lipstick because I like to accentuate the positive! So accept you as YOU are RIGHT NOW! and feel free to play with parts of you that you love, rock that cinched belt to highlight your hourglass figure, wear those rockin heels to show off your hot legs, but most of all wear the confidence of knowing you are so beautiful! You are fabulous! You are so uniquely and amazingly and perfectly YOU! I love that about you!

Dress, Scarf and Belt/H&M/Cardigan:Kohl's/Shoes:Kohl's/Necklace:Lia Sophia/Ring:Ruche

P.S. you'll note that I'm wearing H&M, and I had mentioned them in my post the other day. Well, I've continued my research and found this: Worthy of praise H&M demonstrates a sophisticated understanding and commitment to improving their ethical credentials for all their clothes. They're up-front about what they've done and how much more there is to do and have more than the odd tokenistic project or case study to prove they're serious. They have a great Corporate Social Responsibility section on their website - something markedly lacking amongst less pro-active stores. So, for now, I'm thinking H&M is working really hard and I'm grateful!

If I Were a Rich Man....

....1. I would still work, but perhaps at least one less job

2. I would take care of my family

3. I would adopt a child from a Romanian orphanage

4. I would start a business to be operated by, and employ people with disabilities, so they could earn a living wage and spread awareness that people with disabilities are equal, contributing members of society. Profits would go toward establishing similar businesses for women, children and people with disabilities in impoverished countries.

5. I would take in foster kids, mostly siblings and kids with disabilities

6. I would buy a slightly larger house to accommodate all those kids!

7. I would visit family in England twice a year and pay for their visits to the U.S.

8. I would build James a studio

9. I would donate buckets of money to Noah's Arc Childcare where my kids used to go

10. I'd squeeze in the occasional shopping trip!

Bangles:H&M/Ring:Silpada/Earrings:Vintage/Pearls:Lane Bryant/Shine Necklace:The Shine Project

Shoes: Payless/Jeans:Gap/Blouse:Shop Kempt(remix)/Blazer:Ruche/Clutch:Trendz The Salon Spa/Belt:NY&Co.

See Ashton playing Peek a boo behind me? haha!

Well, I'm not rich, so I'll fantasize for now, until I win the lottery or otherwise become independently wealthy. I'd better go work on a budget for my non-rich reality!

Pastel and Neutral

Well, my little monkey, Ashton decided to join me for pics today...she's so cute! While Ashton is decked out in blue, I have worn too much cerulean lately and decided to go with some pastel pink...and I added my little sweater vest that I've been dying to wear...come fall it will be paired with button downs, blazers and boots...yippeeee!

 

 On Ashton: Skirt:Justice/Tank:Old Navy/Vest:Macy's/Shoes:Target

On me: T:Danskin(Wal-mart)/Skirt:Ruche/Vest and earrings:NY&Co/Shoes:Kohl's/Necklace:Lia Sophia

Beautiful day!

Today it was finally NOT unbearably hot and muggy! There was a cool breeze, sunny skies and warm weather, it was a beautiful day...until I was sitting on a wall outside of the building I was training at, talking to participants when the wind blew and my skirt went up! Ummmmm, yup, they definitely saw my underwear! I love this skirt, especially paired with a relaxed tee...but I won't be wearing it again on a windy day!

 

Skirt, Earrings and Gold Bangle:B.Moss/Tee and Beaded Bracelet:Target/Ring:LOFT/Silver Bangles:H&M/Blue RESPECT bracelet:Special Olympics/Shoes:TJ Maxx/Shine Necklace:The Shine Project/Elephant Necklace and Belt:Ruche

Switzerland

Dressed in a neutral pallet, I decided to name this post Switzerland (get it?)-tee hee!

I love that I'm covered from practically head to toe in flowers, yet it's all so subtle,one may not even notice until close inspection.It's like I'm a magician! Well, OK not really, but let's not quibble over details!

Almost this entire outfit comes from Ruche...what can I say? they are one of my favorites!

Shoes:Target/Skirt, Blouse, Necklace, Purse, Ring, Flower Cuff:Ruche/Gold Cuff:B.Moss

Psssst: yup, you, click on one of these pretty pics to follow!

 

holding my heart forever

Ashton, Savannah, Tyler, Me

Finally, all 3 of my kids are here and awake...and dressed to get their faces plastered all over the blog!

 Aren't they fabulous?

On Ashton:T-shirt:Littlest Pet Shop/Shorts:Justice/Shoes:Adidas/ Here little friend? that's Beary, he has been her companion since she was born, her first gift from her Great-Grandmother.

 The only problem with trying to get pics with all three? We can never get them all looking at the camera, or not pulling a face! Hence Tyler is not pictured above because his eyes were closed, but I had to have a picture of Ashton actually looking ahead!

 On me: Dress:DKNY (Remixed)/Necklace:Thrifted/Earrings:Target/Bangles:H&M/Cuff:Gift/Shoes:Kohl's

On Tyler: T:Hanes/Shorts: American Eagle/Shoes:Etnies

On Savannah:Black Tank and Skirt:H&M/Grey Tank: Aeropostale/Leggings:Hollister/Shoes:Mootsie tootsie

These aren't from today

About a month ago, you may remember me writing about my nephew's birthday party. During the party, Savannah and I, along with my niece, Taylor and her friend took a walk. Savannah enjoyed snapping pictures. These pictures are from that day. It's not that I didn't get dressed today...I did. It's not that I don't look fabulous...of course I do! I've just been hanging onto these waiting for a day when I didn't look fab, and it hasn't happened yet! LOL I make me giggle!

My neice is a fashionista after my own heart!

Jeans:NY and Co/ Scarf, Necklace, Cuff and Ring:Ruche/Dress:Ruche (remix)

Belt:Target/Flip Flops:Target

To The "Max"

You like that don't you...how I'm wearing a maxi dress and did the whole play on words with the title? yup, I'm witty like that! Here's something else I'd like to "max" out (I just did it again)...my followers. I know some of you have visited more than once, so why not follow? I'm so grateful that in the past 3 weeks I've gained 41 people so far on Facebook and 10 here on Blogger and 8 on Bloglovin...but I'd love to see more. So do me a solid yo (hahahahaha!), click one of those buttons on the right hand of the screen to follow...show me some love! You can also visit the Just Fab Facebook page if you'd like! It'll cheer me up since my week "staycation" ends today!

 Dress and Belt:Target/Shoes:Payless/Ring:Trendz The Salon Spa/ Silver Bangles:H&M/

Blazer, Earrings and Elephant Necklace:Ruche

For some final inspiration, here is Audrey Hepburn's favorite poem on beauty:

Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,  reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the  figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

-Sam Levenson

Not Matchy Matchy

Savannah took one look at me today and said "ewwww, go change...that doesn't match." I'm ok with it not matching...in fact, I think I like it. What do you think?

 I love this zipper detail down the back!

 Top: Shop Kempt/Pants:Thrifted/Shoes:Kohl's/Ring, Earrings and Necklace:Ruche/

Silver and Blue Bangles:H&M/

Gold Cuff:B. Moss

 

My Beautiful Savannah...who says I should change!

 

On Savannah: Tank:H&M/Jeans:Justice

"I love your look! It's all retro...."

The young girl behind the counter at American Eagle kept eyeing me up as she chatted, and then she said to me "I love your look! It's all retro." So, nice little ego boost today as I shopped for my son's birthday presents. Yes, today is his birthday (and yes I JUST picked up his gifts----bad mommy!). My little baby boy is a big grown 15! One of these days I'll have a picture of him on here, but between working out and hanging out he hardly has time for mommy's blog!

  Tee and Coral Bead Bracelets:Target/Skirt and Silver Bangles:H&M/Belt, Necklace and Shoes:Thrifted

So...today's outfit is colorful, a little classic and appeals to a demographic of the younger kind!

...and wishing a most HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my first born, my one and only son and my comedic relief. Love you Tyler!

Independence

For the first time I can remember we have no plans for the 4th of July. No picnic, no fireworks...nothing. This is probably due to the fact that James is working all day...and I'm a-okay with having no plans...we will just see where the day takes us.

I put on this skirt today and was thrilled with how "youthful" it is. I feel like a little co-ed or something in it, so maybe I'm too old to wear it, but do I look like I care? nope! I'm a strong, independent woman and if I want to wear a youthful skirt and feel free then why not? What I wear is about what feels good to me!

 Speaking of feeling good to me...I picked up a nail polish called "minted". Mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice-cream, and as soon as I saw it I had to have it. I put it on last night and I swear I could smell mint chip ice cream...it looks so good I could take a lick! I think the kids and I have some plans for the day now...we're going to the ice-cream parlor! I'll let you know if while we are there I get mistaken for a sister to my kids...ya know, with the fabulous youthful skirt and all!

 Skirt and Blue Bangles:H&M/Shoes, Tank,Button Down and Bangles:Target/Necklace:Ruche/Belt :I've had it so long I honestly can't remember! (oops, tell tale sign that I'm not as youthful as I look)

I felt so free and young, I had to twirl....

...and then I got dizzy and almost fell over. No hips were broken in the making of this blog post.

 P.S. Thanks to Tyler, my oldest for taking the pictures today! He was out of bed and ready for the day and happily volunteered (He also helped me decide how to style it...and now he may kill me for sharing that!)