Tag Archives: confidence

How Hearing Loss Affects More Than Just Your Hearing

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How Hearing Loss Affects More Than Just Your Hearing

Hearing loss can feel like a gradual change at first, but it affects far more than just the sounds you hear. It can change the way you move through your day, how you communicate and even how confident you feel. Because it often develops slowly, you might not notice the full impact right away, but those little struggles can add up over time. Understanding how hearing loss reaches into different parts of your life can help you spot changes earlier and get the support you need. A simple hearing evaluation can give you clarity, but paying attention to the emotional and social effects is just as important:

When sounds become harder to follow, it’s natural to lose a bit of confidence in certain situations. You might avoid busy restaurants, step back during group conversations or worry that you’ll miss something important. These small moments can slowly change how comfortable you feel in everyday life. Over time, this can make you second-guess yourself, even in settings where you used to feel relaxed. Getting support early helps you feel more secure, because clearer sound reduces the effort you need to keep up and brings some of that lost confidence back.

Clear communication is a big part of staying close to the people you care about. When hearing becomes difficult, you might miss jokes, misunderstand comments or feel a step behind in conversations. These small gaps can make socializing feel more tiring than enjoyable. If this keeps happening, it can quietly hinder your friendships, because you may start turning down plans or avoiding noisy places where conversation is harder. With the right support, you can stay fully involved and enjoy those moments again without feeling stressed or left out.

Hearing loss doesn’t just change what you hear. It makes your brain work harder to fill in missing sounds, which can lead to mental fatigue. You might notice you feel drained after conversations or struggle to stay focused in meetings, even if you’re trying your best. This extra effort can affect your productivity and your ability to concentrate throughout the day.

Small adjustments in your routines often appear before you realize they’re linked to hearing loss. You might turn the TV volume up a little higher, avoid phone calls or worry more about being in loud environments. These changes can creep in slowly and completely change how you plan your day. Being aware of these shifts helps you understand what your hearing needs. With early support, your routines can stay simple and enjoyable instead of built around avoiding uncomfortable listening situations.

Hearing loss affects many parts of life, not just the sounds you hear. By paying attention early and reaching out for support, you can protect your confidence, your relationships and your daily comfort!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

How To Increase Your Body Confidence This Year

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How To Increase Your Body Confidence This Year

Feeling confident in your own skin is something that we all deserve to experience, yet so many of us don’t. If you know that you’d really like to take control of your body confidence this year, it’s time to do something about it! Here’s how to get started:

When you’re done with feeling down and you know you want to feel more confident, the best way to start is by making sure that you’re kind to yourself. It’s counterintuitive to want to feel more confident, yet constantly be self-deprecating. When you aim to make a big change in life, it can feel overwhelming, and you can resist it. Start off small, be kind to yourself mentally and physically, and let yourself embrace the change as it comes.

The next thing for you to focus on is movement. This isn’t to change your body type unless it’s something that you want to do. The whole idea here is that exercise is going to bring you endorphins, and they’re going to make you feel good. Alongside that, as you start to gain more energy and you build more muscle in your body, it’s going to make you feel much more confident in your own skin. What’s not to love about that?

If you do have insecurities, it’s important to make sure that you’re tackling them rather than letting yourself worry about parts of your body that you don’t like. Looking to change them or transform them can make a difference. For example, if you’ve spent years trying to lose stubborn belly fat and it’s not shifting, opting for a tummy tuck could be the perfect thing for you. Turning to surgery used to be such a taboo topic but there is absolutely no shame in it. You can learn to love your insecurities, but sometimes changing them is exactly what you need.

One really easy trick to make sure that you feel more body confident is to make sure that you’re dressing for your body shape. It’s easy to look at the different trends and want to adopt them, but if they don’t work for your figure, you may not feel good. Instead, when you focus on wearing clothes that work with your body shape and make you feel more confident, it’s going to really impact how you feel on a daily basis.

Ultimately, it’s all about empowering yourself. This is something that you need to curate and you need to drive. When you feel more empowered, you naturally feel more confident. It’s not just about working on the way that you look, it’s working on your mind too. Adopting a more positive, self-supportive, and encouraging mindset is the best gift you can give yourself. When you start to speak to yourself better and treat yourself better, you’ll feel a lot more empowered. Empowerment is a state of being that can create more confidence, and it is exactly what you need this year.

Boosting your confidence is all about talking the talk and walking the walk too. Set small goals to start with and you will keep feeling better and better!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Deja Vu OOTD

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Deja Vu OOTD

Hello! I couldn’t wait to take OOTD pictures after getting my hair done and I knew exactly what I wanted to wear. Normally when I shoot outfits, I want to style something brand new every time. However, I had a perfect outfit to show off my new do that had already been worn way back in 2021! Regardless of the deja vu of shooting it again, I didn’t care one bit because I felt like a star. This look is also a really good visual for mixing and matching patterns by pulling from the same color palette and pairing one bold pattern with a minimal one. Check it out:

Striped Sweater: Cynthia Rowley, TJMaxx

Plaid High Rise Skinnies: Sound & Style, TJMaxx

Plaid Platforms: Dolls Kill

Sparkle Earrings: SugarFix By BaubleBar, Target

There are some outfits that you just feel SO good in and this is the one for me. In the original post, my sister told me I looked like a Bratz doll when I wore it and that compliment has stayed with me. 1) They were my absolute favorites growing up. And 2) Who doesn’t want to be a Bratz girl?! This look is quirky and demands confidence to pull it off and I found myself not walking but STRUTTING when I wore it this past weekend. As I mentioned above, I felt like a star in this look and received star treatment at my go to gas station…

I always say that if you’re feeling low, get yourself dolled up and hit up your local gas station. You have the Lil Red Guarantee that you will be complimented so much that your spirits will be lifted. That was very much the case when I went to the Mapco up the road to get some of my beloved Diet Coke. I kid you not, every single person complimented me and I even got free Skittles from the cashiers lol. NICE! I was literally on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

It felt amazing to have this look be appreciated because it is loud, bold, and might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The thing is, is that I felt great in it and it showed. As the old saying goes, don’t let the clothes wear you and it’s so true. When your natural confidence shines, you could be wearing the craziest OOTD or a potato sack and it would still work. So wear what you like and wear what you want because when your fabulous self shows out like the king or queen you are, everyone is going to notice. Embrace your inner and outer beauty and don’t apologize for it. It will transform any outfit into a runway moment!

This is my “I’m a star, damnit” OOTD and I loved every minute of wearing it. This is your sign to go for it if you are questioning an outfit choice. I promise that you look fierce AF!

What is an outfit that makes you feel amazing? What makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Tap Into Fashion OOTD

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Tap Into Fashion OOTD

Hello! Johnny and I went on a fabulous Middle Class Fancy date night this past weekend. We went to Applebee’s and to the opening day to see Spinal Tap II in theaters. The Tap sequel has been a long time coming and we couldn’t have been more excited. We really come alive during a Middle Class Fancy night on the town! In honor of the great Nigel Tufnel, Johnny and I had to show out in matching tank tops that were worn in the first movie. Of course, I had to make it fashion! Check it out:

Skeleton Muscle Tank Top: Johnny purchased this off of Amazon as a T-shirt and cut off the sleeves

Jean Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Gemstone Fishnets: Urban Outfitters

Platform Boots: Dolls Kill

The chain earrings were purchased forever ago from Target

I am just as surprised as all of you that there is nothing from TJMaxx in this fit!

As Johnny and I already planned to match in our Nigel Tufnel best, my top was already pre decided. However, the trick was to make it look feminine as this was a men’s muscle tank and it felt like it. This top had zero shape whatsoever and was definitely not the most flattering. To combat the sack of potatoes silhouette, I knew that I wanted to serve sex appeal on the bottom half of the outfit. Once the styling of this look was complete, I felt so much better and was ready to work it for a Middle Class Fancy outing.

In the words of Nigel Tufnel, “what’s wrong with being sexy?” and merely pairing this top with shorts wasn’t enough. Rather than do the bare minimum, leave it to Lil Red to do the most! I always want the eyes to dance in every OOTD I style but it was even more necessary for this look as the top was downright frumpy lol. To add some bling and crank the sexy up to eleven, I wore a pair of gorgeous gemstone fishnet tights under the shorts. This was much more like it and allowed for a sleeker silhouette. What I really needed now was length.

For my shoes, I chose one of my favorite pairs of platform boots from Dolls Kill. They feature a vertebrae pattern and a high, high, high heel that gave me all the length I was looking for and then some. These platforms are ones you don’t simply walk in but strut and as soon as they were on I felt infinitely more confident. The muscle tank is something I would never normally wear and the additional styling provided me with the comfort that I was making it work anyways. With blingy tights and my tattoos on display, I put on a long pair of dangly chain earrings as no further accessories were needed. With that, I was ready for a big night out!

This Tap Into Fashion OOTD is a shining example that you can make any piece of clothing work if it is styled well. I went from feeling zero confidence to an eleven!

Have you seen Spinal Tap II yet? What was your favorite part? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Feel More Confident In Your Skin

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How To Feel More Confident In Your Skin

More often than not, most of us will feel insecure. It may not be intense insecurity, and it may not severely impact our daily lives, but we can feel it all the same. It might be not feeling that confident in our jobs or worrying about how we look when we’re out with friends. As much as it can be frustrating, it’s quite common. But that doesn’t mean that you have to accept it as normal and live that way forever. In fact, you can look to do something about it as soon as possible!

It’s easy to think that some people are confident and others aren’t, but that’s not strictly true. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something that’s built. If you’d love to be able to feel more confident in your skin and say goodbye to your insecurities, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the best ways for you to feel more confident in who you are:

First of all, you may want to change the way you talk to yourself. If you’re used to being tough on yourself and beating yourself up in the way you think and speak about yourself, it’s going to really lower your confidence. When you’re more positive, it can help you to feel a lot more confident and happier in yourself.

It can also help to look after yourself a little better. It’s easy to think that self-care is just pampering and caring too much about your appearance, but it’s far from that. It can be relaxing, helping your mental health, and boosting your mood as well as your confidence. You may find that starting a self-care routine drastically changes how you feel.

You should also be proactive about feeling good in yourself. Buying new bras, taking yourself for a walk, or even having a little solo date night could help you to feel recharged and boost your mood. Treat yourself to something nice, grab a coffee from your favorite cafe, or simply take a pause when you feel like you could use a pick me up. When you find what works to boost your mood, you can keep turning back to it as often as you need.

You can also look to what you wear for a lot more confidence. You may find that if you’re wearing things that don’t make you feel good, getting excited about what you wear can change everything. Take yourself out shopping or order some options online. Once you find some pieces you love, you may feel a lot more confident in your skin. When you dress with clothes that fit well and enhance your best features, you are going to love what you see when you look in the mirror.

Embrace yourself, your quirks, and what makes you you. Doing so will always make you feel so much happier and confident in who you are!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

New Hair Obsessed!

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New Hair Obsessed!

Hello!! I enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Shear Shop to get my hair right for spring in mid April and your girl has been feeling herself ever since! My amazing stylist, Anna, painted a beautiful palette with Pulp Riot’s finest in Pyro, Lemon, Blue Muse, and Desert Sky and it created pure Rainbow Ice magic. I am having so much fun with my new look and have been loving showing it off as often as I can get in OOTD posts while it is still at its freshest.

As I was shooting my 70s Spring OOTD, I realized that I had not changed my profile picture on literally any platforms in a PHAT minute. I decided to rectify that by taking some ready for my closeup shots and am so happy with how these turned out. And, yes, I do realize they both look exactly the same but I just don’t care lolol:

Whenever Anna does my hair, I always revel in the excitement of a brand new change. It’s such fun to experiment with different colors and I leave the salon feeling like a billion bucks and then some. I can definitely tell how good I feel in the photos above and the sentiment still remains the same! This trip to the Shear Shop couldn’t have come at a better time because I had a pretty crummy few months prior to. The new hair and taking pictures when I was feeling my absolute best was a major confidence boost. It was like turning a new page and I had the photographic proof that Lil Red was back, baby, and better than ever!

The moral of the story is that you can always bounce back to living your best life and sometimes you might need a little push. In my case, it was a new look to close a chapter with and I am ready to take on the next one with a better outlook AND better hair!

What makes you feel confident? What is your favorite thing about yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Being The Hostess With The Mostest

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Being The Hostess With The Mostest

Howdy!! I have always worked in an environment that involves interacting with the general public. I started out working retail, then I became an Independent Provider for people with special needs, and now I work a lot of events as the social media manager for Tim Misny. All of these jobs require an outgoing, can do personality and that’s perfect for me as I like to think I have an outgoing and can do attitude lol. I have really enjoyed being at the events with Tim and Johnny and I agree that I come alive during them. I love to be a part of someone’s day being special so it’s no wonder why! With a substantial background in customer service, I have learned a lot about putting your best face forward. These are some of my pro tips that keep myself and guests happy as can be:

You know that song from Annie (I think?), “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”? It’s so true! The best way you can set the tone for work or an event is with your best and brightest smile. Even if you’re not feeling it, smile anyways because no one will be any wiser for it. A smile is not only friendly but it offers reassurance to whomever you are interacting with that you want to be there and are enjoying yourself. And who knows? It might put you in a better mood from smiling too!

It might seem like a no brainer, but it is SO important to learn the names of everyone on your guest list. This is true even if people are wearing name tags so you can avoid any awkward gazes. Spend some time with the guest list, pull up social media profiles if you can and do what you can to put those names to faces. I always tend to find that greetings are so much warmer when you can address the invitee by name. Of course, mental slips can happen and all you need to do is handle that situation gracefully if it arises – perhaps with the old “you wouldn’t believe how much you look like my friend so and so”.

Who doesn’t like to be complimented?! If you don’t have any key talking points, lead with a compliment! Remember, compliments feel just as good to give as they are to receive as long as they are genuine. You would also be amazed at how a conversation happens so naturally after something as simple as a compliment on a pair of earrings. It could turn into talking about your favorite local boutiques, the artist who hand made them, that they feature a favorite color, and so on and so forth. A compliment puts the ball in the recipient’s court and it is up to them to throw it back.

Events or high interaction periods at work can be very stressful because there’s so much that could go wrong. So focus on what’s going right instead because you have to act like nothing is wrong. This can be easier said than done, but try and relax and focus on your own specific task at hand. Do your best and have a breezy air about you because it will put other people at ease too, despite any disruptions that might occur.

Sometimes you just don’t feel like talking and in that case, fake it till you make it baby! We all have off days and that’s totally okay, the trick is to keep it under wraps. Think about the fun that can be had with each interaction you have. It’s a chance to hear a hilarious joke, learn an interesting new fact, or simply shoot the breeze about the weather. After fifteen minutes or so of keeping up with the motions, you might find that you just needed to get warmed up!

These sentiments have served me well and continue to do so in my career. What works for me might not work for you, but it’s always worth a try! 🙂

What do you love about your job? What was the first job you had? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What To Expect During A Lip Enhancement Consultation

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What To Expect During A Lip Enhancement Consultation

Lip enhancement procedures have become increasingly popular, offering individuals a chance to boost their confidence and achieve the perfect pout. However, before you take the plunge into lip enhancement, it’s crucial to start with a consultation to ensure a tailored and successful journey to the beautiful lips you desire:

Understanding the Basics: What is Lip Enhancement?

Lip enhancement, also known as lip augmentation, involves various procedures aimed at improving the appearance of the lips. This can include adding volume, defining the lip border, and reducing the appearance of fine lines. The most common methods include dermal fillers and lip implants, each with its own set of benefits and considerations. No matter which route you choose, the importance of selecting an expert like The Dermatology and Laser Group simply cannot be underestimated.

Why Consider Lip Enhancement?

  • Boosting self-confidence: Many individuals seek lip enhancement to feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin.
  • Achieving balance: Enhancing your lips can help create a harmonious balance with the rest of your facial features.
  • Addressing signs of aging: Lip enhancement is often chosen to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.

The Importance of a Consultation:

Before diving into any cosmetic procedure, including lip enhancement, a thorough consultation with a qualified professional like those at quinnplasticsurgery.com (or a similar practitioner in your local area) is essential. This is not just a formality; it’s a crucial step in ensuring the procedure is tailored to your unique needs and desires.

What to Expect During a Lip Enhancement Consultation:

  1. Medical History Discussion: Your practitioner will start by discussing your medical history. It’s crucial to disclose any existing medical conditions, allergies, or medications you are currently taking.
  2. Understanding Your Goals: The practitioner will take the time to understand your goals and expectations. Whether you’re looking for a subtle enhancement or a more dramatic change, clear communication is key.
  3. Assessment of Your Lips: A detailed examination of your lips will be conducted. This includes assessing the shape, volume, and symmetry to determine the most suitable approach for enhancement.
  4. Explaining the Procedure: The practitioner will explain the different options available for lip enhancement, detailing the procedures, potential risks, and expected outcomes. This is the time to ask any questions you may have.
  5. Addressing Concerns: If you have concerns or reservations, the consultation is the perfect opportunity to discuss them. A reputable practitioner will provide honest and realistic feedback.

Choosing the Right Practitioner:

Selecting the right practitioner for your lip enhancement is a critical decision that can significantly impact the outcome. Here are some key considerations:

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Ensure your practitioner is a licensed and certified professional with experience in cosmetic procedures.
  • Ask for before-and-after photos of previous clients to assess their skill and expertise.

Facility Accreditation:

  • Verify that the facility where the procedure will be performed is accredited and meets safety standards.

Client Reviews:

  • Read reviews from previous clients to get insights into their experiences. Honest feedback can be invaluable in making an informed decision.

The Cost Factor: Balancing Quality and Budget:

While cost is undoubtedly a consideration, it’s important not to compromise on quality for the sake of a lower price. Lip enhancement is an investment in yourself, and choosing a qualified practitioner is crucial for a safe and satisfying experience.

Factors Influencing Cost:

  • Type of filler or implant used
  • Practitioner’s experience and reputation
  • Geographic location of the clinic

Post-Consultation Steps: Planning for the Procedure

Once you’ve had a thorough consultation and chosen a practitioner, the next steps involve planning for the actual procedure.

Timeline:

  • Discuss the timeline for the procedure, including any pre-treatment preparations and the expected downtime afterward.

Aftercare Instructions:

  • Understand and commit to the aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner. This may include avoiding certain activities and medications.

Follow-Up Appointments:

  • Schedule any necessary follow-up appointments to ensure the success of the procedure and address any concerns.

Embarking on a lip enhancement journey is an exciting step towards achieving the look you’ve always wanted. A well-planned consultation sets the foundation for a personalized and successful experience. Remember, it’s not just about the destination; it’s about enjoying the journey to your most confident and beautiful self!

How To Boost Your Kids’ Confidence

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How To Boost Your Kids’ Confidence

During the pandemic years, it was tough for little ones to learn social skills without being around other children their age. As we’ve moved past the COVID times and into the open world again, some of our kiddos might be shy and need a little confidence when starting school or engaging with other kids. This article will share some advice on how to boost your kids’ confidence:

Enroll Them In A Literacy Program:

Literacy programs can help kids improve their written and verbal communication and engage with other kids around them. Foundations like Scottish Rite have speech-language and literacy programs in California. The foundation provides fully-funded courses to help children overcome speech or language obstacles and become confident individuals who enjoy engaging with written and spoken language.

Teach Them Responsibility:

Giving kids a taste of manageable independence can help them become more resilient and able to complete tasks independently. Teaching your kids how to look after a garden can teach them a lot about responsibility, patience, and allow them to see their work rewarded as plants grow and flourish. You could also give them a small item of responsibility if they are younger, like selecting an activity for the weekend.

Set An Example:

Your children learn from you and how you interact with the world around you. Try to set a good example by being positive and engaging with other parents in a group setting. Let them see you try something new and enjoy the experience. Help them to persevere by ensuring they see you follow a task through to the end. Your kids will learn from your example if they see you happy and confident.

Help Them Get Comfortable With Failure:

Studies show that up to a third of the population could be considered perfectionists. Perfectionists often find it hard to handle failure and tend to over prepare for events so they can constantly meet high standards. It’s important to get kids comfortable trying new things without fearing failure. This will teach them to be well-rounded adults who can adapt and thrive in new environments. They will also learn essential life skills like resilience and problem-solving.

Get Them Engaged In Learning:

Getting kids engaged in learning is fundamental to giving them confidence in school. Try Learn Bright’s hands-on learning programs to give them a taste of real-life experiments that they can engage with and complete in groups or independently. Getting kids involved in hands-on learning is a great way to appeal to visual learners and help boost their confidence in a school environment.

Encourage Team Work:

You can encourage kids to work better together in groups at home. You can do everyday things like letting them plan a meal with you or playing collaborative board games together. Help them build their confidence by encouraging them to work with you and the family to get things done. When they have play dates, you can also get the kids involved in a team activity or encourage them to join an after-school club to engage with children of a similar age.

Praise Perseverance Over Results:

Praise your child for persevering through a hard task, not just for the results they get. Teaching them to keep going even when things get tough is important to raise resilient children. Remember, top marks aren’t always the goal. If your child struggles in math, going up from a C to a C+ can be a significant achievement. If they aren’t into sports, getting them to join a soccer club is something to be celebrated.

There are many ways to engage children through learning or playing and, in doing so, raise them into confident and well-rounded adults.

Featured Image By: Pexels

New Barbie Girl Dress!

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New Barbie Girl Dress!

Hello!!! With plans to see the Barbie movie, I needed to style a look that served. The only problem? I literally don’t own any pink clothing. None. None whatsoever. I had a TJMaxx shopping date scheduled with Johnny’s mom and if I didn’t find anything there, I reserved myself to wearing my wedding dress to the movie to be Emo Wedding Barbie lol. I was expecting the pink selection at TJMaxx to be picked over to nonexistent and, luckily, that wasn’t the case at all! There were tons of options available and I found a winner with this dress by See You Monday. Check it out:

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^^^ Such an artistic shot of the side cutouts haha

When I shop at TJs, I have no agenda and let whatever is there speak to me. This time was different because I had a plan in place and it involved looking for all things pink! It’s not that I don’t like the color pink, but it’s not my first choice for clothing at all. During a normal shopping trip, I would skip pink clothes on the rack and go straight to my preferred All Black Everything. Not in this case, though, and I swarmed to every pink thing I saw like bees to honey.

As I made my rounds, I was impressed with the selection of pink clothes and felt lucky that I made it before all of the Barbie goers picked everything clean. I found a few things that had the potential to work like a pink crop top and skirt and a romper. What I was really pulling for, however, was the See You Monday midi dress that I found. It was the only one in the entire store and the only thing that could have been an issue was the Small size.

When I slipped the dress on in the fitting room, it was a unique experience and it wasn’t just from the color. This dress is probably the most form fitting thing I have tried on aside from a few bodycon skirts in my closet. It felt foreign to wear something so close to the body that hugged every single curve. While this felt kind of weird at first, I began to like what I was seeing upon closer examination. I also found comfort in the fact that if this dress were in a Medium, it wouldn’t have fit just so and felt good about the size I had.

Once I shook off the initial shock of seeing myself in such a polar opposite piece to my preferences, I was feeling my goddamn self. The color was like an explosion against my pasty pale self and tattoos and it begged the question of why I avoided it before. The fit also turned into something that made me a bit uncomfortable into fully confident. This dress fit like a glove and it showed my body off in an entirely different way. It really flattered me and the side cutouts were everything! The placement of them was A+ too because they appeared where a bra typically ends to eliminate any peek a boos.

Without a doubt, this was the dress for me and I cannot wait to get dolled up for the Barbie movie. Keep it locked for this look as well as a review of the movie and more from my TJMaxx haul!

What is a color that you don’t normally wear? What kind of clothes puts you out of your comfort zone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah