I’m a little slow updating photos for the 30 for 30 challenge, but I assure you, I’m wearing my 30 items!
The summer heat has arrived in full force and I’m loving every minute of it. Sure, it’s blazing hot outside and all I want to do is lay down on the cool marble floors with some frozen watermelon and indulge in lemon sorbet all day long, but I do want to get a little color on my skin.
I’m as pale as a ghost since I spend most days indoors. Plus, I don’t tan easily…if at all. It’s great if I was in Asia, but here, I stick out like a sore thumb. So many people have that radiant golden glow and I’m blindingly white.
Over the weekend, I tried a light self-tanner, but it had glitter in it and I literally looked like a vampire from Twilight…not exactly the look I was going for.
When the weather heats up, it becomes more obvious how self-conscious we are about our bodies. I know so many people who want that “beach body” by this time so they can rock their swimsuits without wearing rash guards, board shorts, sarongs, and cover-ups. And if they fail, they’ll spend the summer in said cover-ups. Then comes the obligatory body hate monologue, “Gosh, I’m so fat, this is monstrous, I need to lose weight, I’m not going to eat breakfast OR lunch, I’ll go to the gym everyday or maybe I should do a cleanse…”
It took me a long time for me to stop saying these things to myself. Every so often, I catch myself mid-monologue and it surprises me. We spend most of our days showing others how resourceful and capable we are to deal with big issues and problems. Then, we go home and worry about this bulge here or that wrinkle there. We have to accept our bodies and if we want to change to it, then do it the right way. There is no quick fix or instant body shaper that can fully replace what a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a positive mindset can accomplish. If you’re confident and comfortable in your own skin, you’ll enjoy yourself so much more.
I’ve learned to let go of the things I cannot control and focus on things that I can change. I want to train for a triathalon, so I plan accordingly. I want to make sure that I have the endurance to last through the entire event, so I run more, I bike every so often, and I’m going to swim. I know my body is changing because of these activities, but I don’t focus unnecessarily on it. It doesn’t matter that my legs bloat after a run or if the definition in my arms is less than ideal…because if you’re fit and healthy, everything else works itself out naturally.
I know I’ll never be as slim as Nicole Richie or as curvaceous as Kim Kardashian and that’s ok. My body is built differently and I appreciate all that it allows me to do. We are capable of so much…the only thing that limits us is ourselves.
In my wishlist, I wanted a colorful handbag and something with fringe. Now I can cross two items off the list. I’ve gotten over the shopping bug sickness and I’m back to normal. I browse, I try things on, but no purchasing allowed. This time around, instead of focusing on the shopping ban portion of the 30 for 30 challenge, I can direct my energy toward remixing outfits.
Outfit Details: F21 tank – S, F21 shorts – 25 (waist altered), French Connection bag, F21 pendant, Muzina sandals
With the 30 for 30 in full swing, I’ve been trying to visit the participants to discover new blogs to read. Here are a few I’m loving right now:
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
No pictures of the Twilight version of you?
Perhaps in small doses, the self-tanner could work well?
There aren’t a whole lot of beach body insecurities floating around on the East Coast because there aren’t many beaches to go to, haha. In a way I’m secretly relieved. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve got hangups about my body… protruding ribs that look kinda sickly in a bikini or hip bones that stick out. But like you, I’m slowly getting over it, by removing one layer at a time and feeling more comfortable in just a tank and shorts when out in public.
You’re off to a great start, Jess. Keep it up!
I used to be so self-conscious about a certain flaw on my body but I have never been a kind of woman who feels so insecured about my body that I let it bug me constantly or wanting to go under a knife. Not that I have perfect body but somehow I feel that can live with it and work with what I have. After having a child, my body is different, I don’t have a flat belly anymore and I would love to work on that, yet too lazy and tired. No beach body for me.
I feel that the most beautiful woman is someone who is confident in herself and embraces her natural beauty. Plus I have a man who loves me for who I am regardless of how my body has changed. I am blessed.
Plus you look lovely, chic and confident. Your confidence shines through your smile
Yeah, I’m the same way with the body talk. Summers make me cringe and feel like I have GOT to lose more weight before getting into a bathing suit. We should all stop that.
You look fabulous in those shorts and I love the bright blue top!
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This is a really pretty look, Jess. I’m really obsessed over some flaws on my lower half and every time I pull on a pair of shorts, it just reaffirms my obsession. It’s hard to just “accept” yourself when you read blogs where every one is thin or has boy hips and still say they need some “fixing”.
i really like this post. im very much a perfectionist type, and its no different when it comes to my body. i always hope to fix this or that. its nice to remember that other people feel the same way. your pics are so pretty, too.
I love this look! So casual and cute, and colorful! Love this post, too – self-confidence is all you need
Good luck with your 30 for 30 challenge! You’re doing great so far — cute casual outfit!
amen, sister!!!
i love the color of that tank, and the white makes it the perfect summer outfit!
caroline – pictures & words
Great post Jess- and loving that royal blue color on you! I have really been loving this color A LOT lately!
I like your sunglasses. What kind are they?
Thanks! They’re the smaller version of the Rayban Wayfarers. =)
That royal blue looks killer on you!
you look great in this outfit and i’ve also had to learn to appreciate my body over time. good luck training for your triathlon!
cute & little
thank you for visiting my blog!
every once in awhile i’ll look at myself and nitpick, but for the most part i’ve accepted my petite, but overweight size. my main goal this year is to be active, so i’ve been participating in 5Ks, half marathons, and my first sprint triathlon this september! i’m nervous, but excited.
can’t wait to see more 30 for 30 outfits!
i loved reading this post and its so true… there are bigger issues that need to be dealt with than a wrinkle or a pimple, etc. the background in your photos look so familiar. is that foster city? xx
You are right…it’s Foster City. =)
Great Post! Thank you for reminding us that negativity does not do any of us good. Like you I think about all the great things my body (as it is) can do and am grateful for it.
Love the blue top too!
I love this outfit and all the colors you incorporated. I adore your new bag!
Like Cee said there aren’t too many beaches here on the East Coast so my swimsuits are pretty useless but I hear you about body shame. I used to feel really bad about my body when I was younger but have come to embrace it because, like you said, our bodies allow us to do some amazing things so why get down on ourselves because of it?
Really love the blue and white combo! I can relate to dreading summer for not having the “right” beach body, but as you said, we have to learn to love the way we are. Thank you for being a source of inspiration, especially when much of the media suggests otherwise.
Also, I think it’s great that you commit yourself to an active lifestyle. I’ve been trying to do regular exercises to maintain my weight and stay in good health, but sometimes I get lazy, heh.
Lastly, great new blog finds!
Thanks Nia! I’ve been active for most of my life so it’s kind of strange when I have periods of non-activity…it’s like something’s missing. lol. I just have to get in the habit of regular exercise so it becomes more natural and I don’t have to think about it. =)
Your outfit makes me long for the beach! Very cute!
What a great post! We are indeed too hard on ourselves sometimes.
i love your positivity!! you’re a great inspiration.
good luck on the challenge!
thanks for the encouraging post on my blog, by the way
This is a fun, casual look for the summer! I love the pop of color on your tank!
Thank you so much for your comment! And I am having troubles uploading my photos too! The outfit is adorable, I love it. One question though, how do you put the “read more” button on your blog?
Great post…just what i needed to hear. And LOVE that bag…I’m on the lookout for something colorful, too!
Ahh! we have the exact same skin. I’m so jealous of my sister and husband who turn dark after 15 min in the sun, whereas I could sit in the sun for weeks and not get a shade darker… probably just a burn.
And twilight self-tanner. HILARIOUS.
Loving this blue on you, and love your photo location!
Ah… Some of those words I don’t like to hear. I just complained about having a stomach and then had a burger at midnight. It sucks that there are no fast solutions. A lot of it depends on everyday will.
These photos are BEAUTIFUL. And so are your thoughtful words on body image. Amen to stopping the hate monologue we so often give ourselves, and focusing on being happy and healthy instead!
Great post! It’s good to hear that you are happy with the way you look. I feel that everyone is always their own worst critic, and with the societal pressure to look “perfect” being pushed on us everyday, we tend to find faults in ourselves that probably have no merit. As for the pale thing, you shouldn’t feel self conscious about it; judging from your photos, I am even paler than you but I don’t let my color (or lack of) stop me from wearing shorts and skirts in the summer. Honestly I would rather be pale as a ghost now than have my skin look like a wrinkled leather handbag when I’m older
I love how casual and fun this outfit is! Definitely something I’d love to wear. You make me want to go out and buy some white shorts!
I also love what you wrote about being happy with the way you look. And you should, because you’re gorgeous! Although it’s hard for a lot of women, getting to that point of comfort is definitely amazing and something that everyone should do.
And thank you so much for the mention! You’re so sweet!