And I quote....

So, I wanted to pass along something that I have actually known since I was a teenager, yet for some reason it really rang true to me this past weekend when I heard it from my husband's mouth. Let me rewind real fast. When my sister and I were growing up and hit our pre-teens/teens, we were naturally wanting to start showing some midriff, let our shirt hang off of our shoulder, and wear a shirt that was 2 sizes too small so it was nice and tight. Our mom, however, would NOT buy clothes like that for us. We of course, felt like she didn't understand and that we weren't going to be viewed as 'cool' in school, or more importantly, with the boys. However, my mom always stood by her decision to keep us on the more conservative side (and I can see now, that is was preserving our youth and innocence) and backed it up with this quote that her dad, my grandpa, told her, " I can guarantee that if a man walks into a bar and sees two beautiful women, one which has more clothing covering her, he will probably look at the one bearing more first, BUT he will remember the women that is covered up far more because there is something so sexy when a women leaves something to the imagination". Of course a 14 yr old hearing that isn't really listening to this, but instead thinking of what she can borrow from her friend.

Fast forward to this weekend when I showed my husband this lovely suit that I purchased, after waiting for it to go on clearance with VS...and it did!

Well, of course he loves it and gave me the whole "yea, baby that will look good" stuff. But when I showed him how I missed wearing things like this (which I don't, due to my stretch marks on my tummy from babies..just don't feel as attractive baring them, like to keep those for my viewing only;)

....this is what my husband told me "I actually have always preferred something like this "
I was, of course, surprised and when I asked him why, what do you think he told me? "Well, of course the bikinis are hot (go figure) but I have always thought that it is more sexy when you see a beautiful women with something on that leaves a little to the imagination". Was my granddaddy right, or what?? I had heard that same thing over 15,16 yrs ago, yet when I heard it from my husbands mouth again it just really made what my mom always preached, and that example from my grandpa, ring so true to my sweet ears.

I have actually always held that close in the back of my mind, and really never revealed too much, my sister being the same way, because of that example my mom used. But don't let me fool you, I have always made sure to keep myself in style and can proudly say I have turned a few heads......JK....well, kind of;)

Now that I have a daughter boy does that really mean something. I am not knocking anyone who might like to dress wearing something that is "less is more", but I am saying that these young girls today have skin right in front of their faces. From the TV, to magazines and the internet we see women with very little on and it is so important to educate and reassure them that "baring a little extra" is not always as sexy as it seems to be. Don't believe me? Ask a couple of different men and see what you come up with.

I hope for all of you with daughters out there that you can pass that on to them too. How a women holds herself with confidence, dresses with class and exudes the respect that she has for herself, is definitely going to hold her in a man's head longer than that women who might have caught his first glance.

**On that note, I also just wanted to post some suits that look fabulous on some women of plus size (according to who?)....cough, the average women.....to show that it's all about how you wear it...and wear something that fits. This rule of thumb actually goes for you little size 2's as well. Oh, I have seen some little thin women have a droopy, saggy butt in their bikini bottoms that are too big on them....just sayin'.....not cute. On that note take a look...

All images via: Victoria Secret and Layne Bryant

Have a FABULOUS summer, leaving a little to the imagination lovelies!!!!

Oxox

Women of 2009.

As most of you have probably already seen, this picture is everywhere. Rhianna is gracing the newest issue of Glamour Magazine, representing one of 50 of this years nominated top women and I have to say that I just love everything about this picture...beautiful! Most of these women were picked not only for their sense of style, but also for their confidence, drive, and influence with their charities. I am also making a an issue of this post because I think it is so great to see women doing so well. I recently watched a CNN report where Anderson Cooper interviewed 4 successful women, and when asked what they all agreed on as "key" to reaching the top, they all said aggressiveness. Women are simply not as aggressive as men and that is why most ( granted this not being the only reason, but a big one) women make less ( $.58-$.78 on the dollar) than men do. Men are known to be bolder and ask for what they feel they are worth. Women tend to act more on feelings and worry more about stepping on toes, or grateful that they got the position, so why not wait to demand more money. All of the 4 women agreed that women need to simply be aggressive. In other words, "ask and you shall receive".

Here are my top 20 (I couldn't narrow it down to top 10) women that inspire me both with their sense of style, along with their drive, and attitudes to give back.

Miss O

Tina Fey

Meryl Streep

Michelle Obama






Kate Winslet

Heidi Klum

Reese Witherspoon







Queen Latifa

Halle Berry

Gwyneth Paltrow

Iman

Gwen Stefani



Jennifer Lopez

Eva Mendes

Jennifer Aniston




America Fererra

Kate Moss




Kate Beckinsale

Salma Hayek

I encourage all you fabulous women, and men too, to go for those things that you want. As I have already mentioned previously:

Sometimes we have to do some things we have never done, to get those things we have never had...and want.

Have a Blessed Monday Lovelies!!!

images courtesy: glamourmagazine

Feel comfortable in your own skin.

I love this picture of Eva Mendez. While she, undoubtedly, looks beautiful, she also looks so confident and comfortable in her own skin. She always looks this way and I love that about her. She is not always one we see heavy in the spotlight, but when we do, she is strutin' her stuff...no matter what she is wearing! The confidence she exudes always shines through making her that much more attractive to the eye. There have actually been some fashion statements of hers that I have seen and probably would not have worn myself, but Eva wore it as though it were the hottest thing out there at the moment, making herself look amazing in it! That is being comfortable in your own skin!!

Always wear things that have you feeling that way. The more comfortable you are with how you look, and the more you feel good in your own skin, the more you are going to strut it = the more heads you will turn.... not that it is about that...right;)?

Blessings!!

A Key To Looking Good

Love yourself. Learn to embrace everything about yourself. This will have a snowball affect. When you are happy with yourself, you naturally take better care of yourself which = loving how you look. Learn to not pay attention to sizes, and weight but more looking healthy and good in what fits you. Now I am not saying to just let it all go. Exercise, eating well, taking care of your skin, drinking lots of water, and daily positive affirmations are all important to your health, so you should definitely incorporate these things into your lifestyle. However, don't be too hard on yourself. We are all beautiful in our own way, that is why "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". This doesn't mean to not set goals for yourself, or strive to be better. Know that if you have set a goal weight for yourself that you CAN achieve it, but don't base your happiness on that alone. Learn to FEEL beautiful and you will LOOK beautiful. Also, surround yourself with a good group of friends who are positive. This will always keep you feeling good. There is nothing like those good times and laughs with your close girlfriends. Let go of those that drain you, or make you feel like you have to please them. If they don't know your true value as a friend, and base their attitudes towards you off of things like what you do or do not do for them etc., then their season with is up. You will be amazed at what letting these kind of people go from your life will do for the love and confidence that you have for yourself. So, enjoy this weekend and give yourself some extra lovin'....for me that will be chocolate!

It's All About Balance

Part of loving how you look really does come from how you feel within. If you are having a day that you feel great on the inside it always shows on the outside. The reverse has the same effect as well. The are many reasons in which our moods can change. This thing called life tends to have some great highs and some really awful lows. It is none-the-less LIFE and precious at that. Keeping a good balance in your life is definitely a way to help ensure more of those mornings that you wake up, feel great and have a positive outlook on your new day. It is amazing how much better we take care of ourselves, and those around us, when we are happy on the inside. Taking care of our bodies is just one of many ways to instill some balance in our daily routines. Drinking lots of H2O, eating well (definitely not saying you shouldn't enjoy that chocolate or cheese cake here and there), exercising and spending time with positive people,who make us happy, are all good things for our bodies and minds. Taking time once a month to get a massage, pedicure, facial or even an eyebrow wax ($7-$15), is a great thing to do for yourself and sort of put yourself back in reset mode, especially if you are chasing after kids all the time (better known as mommy mode), working long hours, commuting much of the time, etc. My point being, that when you create a balance in your life to take care of yourself, it not only keeps you feeling good about yourself but it also builds confidence. Who doesn't take extra time with their make up, picking out an outfit, or trying something new with their hair when they are just feeling fabulous? Yes, we all have those days that, let's face it, just suck, but why not have more of those days where we do feel fabulous! Creating an overall balance in your lifestyle is an important way to keep that happiness and beauty that come from within.