This Girl Was Born With Glitter in Her Veins

What would happen if we were our authentic selves at all times? Like, really think about that….

Are you a different person around your friends and family then you are in public, or with that of the opposite sex? Are you less confident in the life situations where you aren’t surrounded by those you know really well and are close to you? I know that I’ve struggled with being me in all situations – afraid that people aren’t going to like me, accept me and not judge me for just being who I am – inside and out.

One area I found myself to feel like a duck out of water was the day after Full Figured Fashion Week last year. Let me paint the picture for you…I was in NYC and for 5 days was surrounded by all things body positive – where it was ok to wear crop tops or walk around in your underwear in the dressing room without even a second thought. But then Sunday happened – the day I headed home and I put on my Size Sexy tank for some last minute sightseeing with my mom and then catch our plane. Only when I walked out of the hotel I couldn’t figure out why people were staring at me and the words written across my chest…then I looked down and was reminded that my shirt said Size Sexy.

For a moment I was like – I need a sweater, I need to cover this up, people must think some way about me and I don’t like it. But alas, it was way too hot to put on a sweater and my luggage was being stored at my hotel so I had no choice but to snap to and realize that I need to be me where ever I go. How I can encourage women (and men) to embrace who they are if I can only do it sometimes.

And then there are situations when it comes to being around those of the opposite sex. Let me tell ya – I’m captain awkward when it comes to being around men. Or at least until late I felt super awkward, insecure and like I wasn’t good enough. I used to think that I had to be this person that I wasn’t really in order for anyone to like me – this was in direct correlation to not being confident in who I was and seeing the positive qualities in me. But here’s what I’ve learned in this department….I am me no matter what way I slice it and it’s better that someone gets to know the real me rather than some pretend version cause the real deal is actually pretty awesome. But, learning to see the beauty in who I was as a woman – inside and out – was the biggest, longest process and it’s still ongoing if I’m being honest. But, in order to be me at all times, I need to stay on this train and be me 24/7, regardless of the situation or room I’m in.

It’s also really easy to wear a bikini in my own back yard tanning, post a photo to Instagram about it where I have people who follow me that are like minded and body positive, but could I wear a bikini (like we’re talking not a high waisted one) in public, on the beach and still walk with my head held high? Well the first time I did it, I had to take a few deep breaths, I avoided eye contact with anyone (except the ground) and I walked with my hands in front of my tummy which didn’t actually hide a thing. But then, the next day, it got just a little easier.

So why do I give you all these examples and what on earth does this have to do with these photos you are seeing? Well, here’s the point…

Regardless of where you are, who you are with or what you are doing – being who YOU are is always your best choice. Walking with your head held high and confidently is not just something you do on Instagram, it’s not just for when you are with those closest to you, you should be YOU, authentically at all times. Loving who you are as a person – inside and out – is a very big key in being confident and YOU in all situations and it certainly takes work to get there but it’s possible – I’m proof of that. I used to spend my life working on pleasing those around me and in the process I lost all of who I was and I was left depleted, sad and always felt inadequate.

In the last 6 months I have had to walk out this confident version of myself and not everyone liked everything I did. The old Sarah would have crumbled and said uncle and stopped pushing forward but I knew that God had brought me too far to just give up because I made others uncomfortable. As a result, over the last year – and even more so the last 6 months, I’ve had to just keep pushing forward, keep doing what I know I’m supposed to do and keep on being me. And you know what is kind of cool….those people who had some not nice things to say because of the things I was doing (and we’re talking about the blogs I write, posting the photos to encourage people to love their bodies, being super busy with all this in general, etc.) – well, they’ve actually changed their tune and are supportive. But, I had to focus on me, what I knew I was supposed to be doing and ignore the naysayers and just focus on the positive.

Now, if you know anything about me…you know I love all things sparkly. I love me some glitter and bling in any form I can have it really. Which is why when choosing a dress for the WINGS Maternity Home Gala I set my eyes on this beautiful masterpiece from Sydney’s Closet. The sweetheart neckline has got to be my fav of all necklines and this dress has it. It also is curve hugging (which we all know I love) and I quite honestly felt like a princess in it….and if we’re choosing princes we’re going to go with Ariel – because truth be told I felt a little bit like a mermaid. I paired this dress with a pair of peep toe sparkly pumps and adorned my neck with one of my fav pieces from Fifth Avenue.

As you’ve noticed, this dress was shot in some very different places than usual – signifying that you can sparkle wherever you go and that there is so much glitter in life, even in the everyday things – in a dug out, walking in a forest or in the water. My goal in life is to be authentically me where ever I go. You should get the same Sarah every day of the week and the same goes for you – we should get the same version of you, any day of the week. You are allowed to shine bright, even in the small daily tasks – and in fact, I encourage it heavily. Be YOU and learn to love YOU to see that YOU, are amazing!

If I could wear a sequins dress wherever I go, I probably would – may not be the most realistic everyday but I did it for a day. It’s actually kind of funny too because as I was preparing to shoot for this outfit I told a couple people what the plan was and they asked me – are you going to be ok just walking into a grocery store, or at a park in this dress, and I was like ya, why wouldn’t I be – you’re sure, yes, I’m sure. 5 years ago I wouldn’t be caught dead in doing this – but on the journey to loving me – it just doesn’t really matter the negative things people think…I choose to be me in all situations.

Dress from Sydney’s Closet – The Va-Va-Voom Evening Gown

Accessories from Fifth Avenue Collection

Makeup by Sara Bella Makeup – she not only did my makeup, she has her own line of makeup and used that! I’m in love with her stuff and she’s just all around amazing- be sure to check her out!

Hair by Lavish Salon & Spa