Gypsy Girl - Paperblog

Some real talk today, girls: as I looked back through these pictures, I was ready to discard about half of them simply because of one thing: belly squish.

It’s not a part of my body I’ve ever been insecure about before, but now that I’ve had a baby, my stomach has become a lot squishier — if not actually thicker, just less muscled — than it ever was, and when I wear jeans and sit thusly, I get rolls. So I looked at the pictures that I otherwise loved, and thought “ugh, belly squish. I won’t post those ones.” Even though I like everything else about these pictures — the pose, my face, the hair, the setting, the lighting… I was ready to skip them because of that one thing. I felt a little sad about it, but I almost didn’t give it a second thought.

But then I sat back and realized something pretty important: I am not perfect. I’ve had a baby. Even before I had a baby I had a small belly, and I liked it. I’ve never been perfect. I’ve never been skinny, or muscular, or flat-bellied, nor even very fit. I have cellulite. My thighs wobble. And you know something? That’s perfectly okay.

Real women are not cookie cutters. Real women are not perfect. Real women have imperfections, all of them– whether they’re curvacious with jiggle and squish in places they don’t want it, or willowy with angles and bones they’d rather not see. Women are flawed. And that’s the beauty of it. We’re not the same. We all have our own unique features that others see and admire, whether it’s beautiful collarbones or curvaceous hips, whether it’s wide eyes or a perfect nose, long legs or strong arms, luscious hair or pillowy lips… we are wonderful creatures. We are the way God made us to be, and that is beautiful.

So if you’re feeling insecure about your body right now, I want you to step back, thank God for the body He gave you, realize you are amazingly beautiful… and have these pictures of my belly squish.

Let’s be real together. Let’s not let little insecurities get in the way of realizing how much we have to be thankful for, how beautiful we really are, how fearfully and wonderfully made. In other news, I finally have decided that my husband should just solely take my outfit photos. He is so good, and there are so many shots he can get that I can’t get by myself! plus, he can use the better lens for nicer focus, and… ah. I love his photography.

I’m a pretty lucky girl with this man! Not only is he good looking, but talented as well! And very willing to be involved with my pictures. It was pretty funny/awkward: as we were taking these pictures, which are just at the end of our driveway, a guy jogged by and sort of stared at us the whole way. While we patiently waited for him to begone, he jutted his chin at me, threw up his hands in a mime of snapping a picture, and grinned. I’m not sure if he was mocking, or approving.

And then later, a car drove by, and the old man in it shoved his arm out the window and gave me a big thumbs up. Ah, the weirdness of outfit photos.

I wasn’t actually sure I liked this outfit until I saw the pictures. I’m not usually a hippie/gypsy girl, but there’s a vintage scarf and kimono involved, and I’m all about vintage. So, you know. And I do like to shake it up sometimes. I really just wanted to figure out a good outfit to wear with this scarf, because it’s SO gorgeous. The colors, the pattern, the silkiness… I’ve discovered that this is the perfect way to wear silkier scarves; trying to wear them like a headband, they tend to slide off. But as a mock-turban, they stay on so much better!

I really need to buy some new sandals to get me through summer; these are the only pair I have, and I just know I’m going to be falling back on them whenever it gets hot.

I actually just need to do some shoe shopping in general; I haven’t purchased a new pair of shoes in quite a while! My shopping endeavors are usually focused on dresses/skirts, and my shoes get left to the wayside. I’m dying to own a few pairs of colored heels, like these yellow ones especially. But I also want to bulk up my flat shoe collection. I own a pair of flat boots, black flats that are falling apart, houndstooth flats that are ALSO falling apart, and these sandals. And that’s it.

Time for new shoes!

Y’all should appreciate how very brave I felt for sitting here. There are so. many. bees on these flower bushes, and I had one swarming around my head the entire time I sat there. Pretty sure if you stare deep enough into the picture you can see the fear in my eyes. Haha! I’m not a big fan of bees. Ever since that one time when I was young and I sat right next to a bees nest… Vintage silk kimono and scarf, thrifted | rings and necklaces, gifts | Target sandals and jeans | Romy camisole (old) | Kiss brand eyelashes | e.l.f. 150ct eyeshadow palette shadow colors. | Mom’s vintage purse

Also, I think I might start wearing false lashes more. They make me feel so glamorous!

I hope you are all having a beautiful Friday! Happy weekend!