The Dress...

I have never been much of a "dress girl" - definitely more of a tom boy this one haha... but we are attending a wedding this Saturday and as the dress code is formal - a dress seemed fitting. Throughout my life, I have been incredibly judgmental of myself on a physical level and I think this was one of the reasons that I never gravitated to dresses. It's not that I don't love them... it was simply a matter of lacking the confidence to pull it off. I also used to have the most enormous complex over my legs as a kid because I was very fair skinned (and have freckles to boot) so I got teased a LOT! Red hair, freckles, pale skin... what a bloody combo! hahahaha!!!

This insecurity has diminished over the years as I have slowly learnt to accept myself and my body, but I cannot say that I have EVER felt completely 100% comfortable in a dress.... so needless to say, the "dress hunting" for this wedding has proven rather challenging haha!

I am also extremely particular in my tastes in terms of style, colours etc. which makes the "hunt" even more difficult.

As many of you know, I got back onto the healthy bandwagon at the beginning of this year, because the weight I was carrying was making me feel really uncomfortable in my own skin... so something needed to happen. I have been kicking every single morning off with a 5km brisk walk and have cut out all carbs and dairy and have also gotten back to intermittent fasting.

I have really loved the change in the way I am feeling and yes - the weight has started to vanish (thank goodness haha)

...but even with all of that, I have been loathing this whole "dress shopping escapade" because like I said... confidence.

Today was the third time we have gone out to look for a dress and I was beginning to get quite despondent to be honest... until we walked into a boutique store of a local designer "Jenny Button". I normally don't ask for assistance but the ladies in the store immediately came up to me to find out what it was that I was looking for. Again my insecurity and walls kicked in and I honestly just wanted to be left alone to browse by myself... but they were not having it (good sales ladies) haha!

Anyhow, after many changing sessions and countless dresses, she brought forward a range of dresses that I absolutely fell in love with... except I really didn't think I could pull it off! She insisted that I try them ALL on and then make a decision.

Well, I have to say... I am so glad that she shut the horrible little voices in my head up because the second I put the turqouise and navy dress on - I felt really amazing in it! Not in an egotistical kind of way, but rather a "oh my goodness... I really don't look horrid" kind of way lol!

It felt good... to feel good!

And that is pretty much my only point here... So many of us (including myself) put ourselves down and under sell ourselves when we really shouldn't! The world is pretty tough on us girls... and I think many of us lack confidence in our physical bodies and what others think of them - and we really shouldn't.

So! Now, I have a dress! I felt amazing in it... despite the horrid picture with my "get out the shower and run bun", the oversized stilettos she gave me to see the dress with and my wonderful secret socks sticking out the top because I had sneakers on hahahaha!!!

Now, tomorrow is time for the other fun stuff... mani and pedi and then to decide on the hair.... oh and I just mustnt eat anything until Saturday hahahaha!!! KIDDING!

Ladies, we need to be kinder to ourselves!

You are a beautiful and wonderful soul. Recognise and illuminate it. Lailah Gifty Akita