How Do I Look?

When I was in Spain I spent a lot of time writing. I'm just now getting to a point to where I share most of that with you. Which for today's post it seems to be good timing. Over the next few weeks I plan speaking about "Self-Image" aka fashion. If you are a fan of my facebook page; Beautifully Me - you will have seen this already:

Have you ever watched the show "How Do I Look" ?

I see women who come on there that just have NO clue how their appearance is projecting their image and it is probably not the image they are trying so desperately to convey. They've gotten so lost in what 'beauty' is that they've given up. They've lost themselves. Some go to some serious extremes...but then there are those who grab my attention. The ones who just appear so lost, hurt, sad - they have no idea how their appearance speaks for them and no idea how to change it, even if they wanted to. Thankfully, someone loved them enough to put them on the show.

I've always wanted to be on one of those shows...haven't you? How Do I Look, What Not To Wear or 10 Years Younger! (:

If you've watched the show, you probably know what I'm talking about. Not the ones that come in with extreme styles, but the ones that come in looking frumpy, hair in a ponytail and no make up on. Let me ask you a few questions:

1. If you see someone out and about dressed like that what is your first thought of her occupation?
2. Do you think she is lazy?
3. Do you think she cares about herself?
4. Do you think she has a job?
5. Do you think she is nice, pretty, fun?
6. How bout old, boring or fat?
7. Do you see a pretty face hidden beneath all the baggage?

Most of us don't take the time to look deeply. First impressions happen in the first 30 seconds...after that it's over.

Back when I was in school, 8th grade, I won a writing contest. The title of my piece was "Dare to Discover". The piece was about looking a little deeper and not being afraid of what you might discover there within yourself as well as someone else. I'll share a little bit of it here with you.

"Would you dare to discover how much heartache one can have?

The feelings that they've got hidden so deep,

the complicated yet serious thoughts that run through ones mind,

the many times they've wanted to laugh but only been able to cry.

Would you dare to look into the eyes of one, whose eyes are filled with sorrow and pain?

Would you dare to discover what's behind that fake smile?

To pry into the locked away feelings and thoughts without the key?

To share your locked aways with theirs?

To show behind your fake smile?

 To show that with the right touch your eyes can dance with laughter instead of tears?

Would you dare to tell one, that everyone has their ups and downs and discover their reactions? Would you dare to discover the torn pieces that lie behind a broken heart?"

I don't know about you...but I would take that dare, because on the other side is the gift of friendship, love and acceptance. A lot of people dress crazy...alright some are down right freaky, but no matter what they tell you or what they say about their style - there is a reason they dress the way they do.

I like brown. I enjoy wearing brown. I feel comfortable in brown. I actually look nice in brown too...but yes, there is a reason I'm drawn to it.

1. I don't want to stand out and have all eyes on me. If people are looking at me (cause I look amazing) I want to be oblivious to it. I don't need a big head or to be any ones eye candy. But yes, I do want to look pretty.

2. I don't want to stand out in a negative way either. I don't want people looking at me thinking; "Man, that girls a freak!" or "Look how frumpy, old and grouchy she looks".

3. I want to blend in. Look normal. Having people stare at me, hoot and holler over me - is sometimes flattering, sometimes funny and sometimes down right uncomfortable. On the flip side having people ignore me, brush me off and treat me as if I don't exist - hurts, makes me feel ugly and wishing I'd have stayed home. If I'm neutral...I'm safe. Does that make sense?

Lastly, I like to stay 'safe' because I never know how to respond when someone compliments the way I look. Do you?

How many times can you blush, smile and say thank you? Know what I mean? I don't know how to respond, which is why when I make the effort to look nice and wear something other than brown I appreciate a "you look nice" and being oblivious to anyone noticing. Is that crazy?

Women who are overweight tend to dress 2 sizes larger to hide the extra pounds...which actually makes them look bigger. I'll bet they wear a lot of neutral colors too. Who wants to stand out in a crowd when you're overweight and unhappy? Not many people I know.

I've lost 25 lbs and I am slowly branching out from the brown. I will always like brown and it is a color that will most likely always be found in my closet...but I am branching out. It's all about the baby steps and I'm going to share that journey with you. I hope you join me, share your thoughts and opinions and most of all be inspired to branch out a little yourself!

Good luck out there and have a beautiful day!

~T~