Confidence is Key Part II

So I know that I promised a second post about the photoshoot I did with Dylan Wilson Weddings (makeup by Elijana Cosmetics, styled by Alta moda and jewelry by Bourbon and Boweties and Bent by Courtney, but available at Alta moda) so here it is.

Like I said in my last post, I'm not a super confident person, but as soon as I put on my first outfit, I knew it was going to be a good day. I will say that it took a glass of wine to loosen me up, but I really did feel pretty. I think it's easy to feel beautiful with the right makeup and a cute outfit. I am by no means a model...you can probably tell by these pictures that I'm not. It's not about that. It's about feeling good in your own skin and owning it. I'm pretty sure I had more confidence as a blonde than I do as a brunette. I'm not sure why, but it's taken me awhile to adjust to being brunette, but it is my God-given color, so I feel like I should love and appreciate it :)

I have a healthy unhealthy obsession with clothes. I guess part of me feels like clothes cover up any imperfections you have and make you feel better about yourself. Well, that's not really true. Even in an amazing outfit, you can feel awful about yourself. If you own your outfit and own your look then you're automatically going to be confident.

I think one thing that moms struggle with is that they feel like they have to look after everyone except for themselves. I think that only becomes true if you let it. If you take time to make yourself beautiful then you'll feel a million times better. I don't mean you have to put on a full face of makeup everyday, but do something for yourself. I find one of the things that makes me feel the best is running. Running has kept me in shape and it gives me "me" time where I can clear my head and reflect (or not). When I feel fit, that makes me happy and way more confident.

Sweater top, jeans (Kensie) and Moro Cobb boots from Alta moda; Longhorn and Double Drop earrings from Bent by Courtney.

I love this look because it says "you can look cute even when running errands." I have lots of people say "I can't believe you dress up to go to the grocery." Truth be told, this is what makes me feel confident. I feel awful in a t-shirt and jeans at the grocery...I want to look cute even if it's just to go run a few errands. If you weren't wearing this to run errands like me, you could completely wear this look out to dinner or as an everyday look.

Military Jacket, Moro Cob boots and Splendid t-shirt from Alta moda; Double Drop earrings and Studded Horn Necklace by Bent by Courtney; bangles by Bourbon and Boweties. 

I was skeptical on this look...really, really skeptical. I thought "there's no way in hell I'm going to feel confident in that." I am a girly girl and never in a million years thought I'd be wearing a military jacket (in fact, my brother laughed at me when I showed it to him). Lindsey talked me into this one, because she honestly looks amazing in a military jacket. Truth be told, I wouldn't have picked it out on my own, but damn I felt like a badass (pardon my language friends, but that's honestly the only word I could think of). It wasn't the same kind of confidence I felt in the first outfit...which was kind of cool. It was a "I look way cooler than I really am" kind of confidence. I'd rock this to a concert, to a hip dinner spot or maybe I could get up the nerve to be like Lindsey and rock the military jacket on a regular basis. :)

Dress and shoes (Bamboo) from Alta moda; earrings by Bent by Courtney; bangles and necklace from Bourbon and Boweties. 

How chic is this look? I kind of love the v-neck of this dress and how flirty and fun it is. It's got lots of girly detail with a tie-waist...and it's one of those dresses that you could spin for days in. The wedges that were paired with it are comfy and classy...you could pretty much wear them with anything. This dress really made me super confident because it was girly yet sophisticated. I'd wear it to a wedding and dance the night away or to a nice dinner with the hubs. I could also make it more work-appropriate with a jacket and different heels. Dresses can make anyone feel confident because it's easy to find a style that looks best on your body...and you can camouflage certain body parts that you aren't crazy about.  

 Dress and shoes from Alta moda; necklace from Bourbon and Boweties; earrings Bent by Courtney.

Y'all I adore this dress. Talk about confident, this dress wins the award. I love how it fit and wasn't too snug, yet still super flattering. The best part about these pictures is my boys made an appearance! E hates getting his picture taken, so it was a struggle! I would probably attempt to wear this every dress because I love it that much, but on a serious note would wear it to dinner, a party, out for drinks and anytime I could find a reason to wear it.

No matter what you're wearing, you should feel good about it. If you feel good in running pants and a t-shirt (hey, sometimes I think "darn my butt looks good in these running pants") then rock it. There's no reason for any woman to have low self-esteem and not feel confident in her skin. If you're a mom, you should be proud of your body...you gave birthday to a tiny human and carried that kid for 9 months (that's pretty freakin' awesome).

If it's clothes that make you feel better, check out some of my looks (and tons more) at Alta moda...if it's jewelry Bent by Courtney and Bourbon and Boweties have some awesome pieces...and if it's makeup, I swear to you, Elijana Cosmetics will make you feel amazing!

Xo,