We've both worked in the fashion industry for more than 15 years, but the industry's narrow vision of the "ideal" woman has always troubled us. Less than 5 percent of women meet this criteria, yet it's the measuring stick against which so many women compare themselves. And unfortunately, many women use this same measuring stick to beat themselves up!
Now with the digital age in full swing, this generation of young women is bombarded like never before with images of women whom they perceive to be the norm. Comparisons naturally follow with tragic results: As women we need to give our daughters, and the young women observing our attitude and behavior, an example of women that are comfortable and confident with their body as it is.
TAKE ACTION! Join the women below in the celebration of ALL women... every size, every shape! LOVE your body and your differences, FLAUNT your curves, have CONFIDENCE in your femininity, and ACCEPT yourself as you are! |
Alicia ~ Founder
...helping other women to see themselves as beautiful and accept their bodies, as they are right now, which enables them to be a better wife, role model as a mother and a happier person in every aspect of their life.
I know what it's like to struggle with body image. Years ago I was involved in a serious car accident and have since had 15+ surgeries, most of them on my face. I went to my high school reunion and wasn't recognized by my own friends. I know what it's like to avoid mirrors and have since dedicated myself to helping women to become confident in their personal best. This new found confidence will helps daughters to have a healthier body image as well as they model the behavior of women they are around. Emily ~ 3
...recognizing that watching a monarch butterfly
dry its wings is more important than a perfect dinner. I celebrate those
moments when I accept my strengths as they are and forgive my weaknesses. I am
a mother with an insatiable affinity for science. I am being REAL when I stop trying to be someone else and take
my toddlers on a journey to discover earth worms instead.
Dee ~ 6
...embracing the blessings that I do have and not focusing on what I lost. It is about embracing my purpose in life even though over the years that purpose has changed or shifted. It is about accepting those changes and making the most of each opportunity because that makes all the difference in the world.
Ani ~ 9
...learning to love my own life and living each day to the fullest, with no regrets. By loving myself for the woman I am today and not looking at the past for who I use to be and mistakes I made.
Sharon ~ 12
...embracing all that makes me who I am, daughter, sister, aunt and friend striving to be MY best. And remembering what Christopher Robin said, “Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.” Believing the positive and shunning the negative in life.
Meegan ~ 15
...embracing my quirks and flaws and sharing those vulnerabilities with others because being open and authentic is much more freeing than maintaining a mask of "perfection." Knowing that someone, somewhere has experienced similar pitfalls and triumphs as I have, is what makes me love connecting with women from all over and sharing in those life experiences!
JoAnna ~ 19
...having the knowledge that I am beautiful. There are not un-beautiful women in this world, it is just that they haven't learned yet that they ARE beautiful. I am trying to help my daughter learn this early in her life so that she can bring the power of women that we need in this world today. Just remember YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!
You ~ Your Number
Who's missing here? YOU!
Debbie ~ 22
...believing in myself and my accomplishments. By always striving to do my best. Not just getting by, but really putting forth an effort. Whether it be a social setting, or in private with family, I try to be genuine, honest, fair, compassionate and supportive. We woman have to be many things to many people and if we are not true to ourselves, and love ourselves for who we are right now, right this minute, we can not do what is needed by others. I try to strive to be the BEST Me I can be. That is all that I can do.
Krystal ~ 28
...slowly realizing that I am probably never going to be that "certain" size and being ok with that and loving the body that I have been given. As long as I am working to improve and become healthy my size doesn't matter. I have many insecurities, but this year my goal was to put myself out there more and by doing that I have felt more and more confident about being me and my body. I am finding when I look at myself and focus on what I do like it makes me love my whole body just a little more each day. Its a slow process, but I am working to get there.
Jamie ~ 29
My shape used to bother me and make me so self-conscious but then I realized I have 2 beautiful children. I realized being happy and healthy and not perfect, makes me who I am, I don't have to be a size 0 to be where I want to be in my life.
Lori ~ 36
...embracing my body's uniqueness and not constantly comparing myself with others. I am me, complete with flaws and all. As I've grown older, I find it more important to accept myself as I am and accentuate the positives. We all have goodness in life and self to celebrate.
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Erin ~ 1
...embracing who I am and what I have achieved! Fourteen years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer! Instead of letting it scar and beat me physically and mentally, I have used it to strengthen and mold me. It has helped me become a wonderful friend, family-member, wife, mother and especially to celebrate the gift of being an amazing real woman! I can honestly say I Know I am beautiful!
Amber ~ 4
...not denying myself dessert! I am curvy and a bit fluffy, but after years of hating my body I finally learned to embrace it. I learned that size and beauty are entirely unrelated. A real woman carries a confidence and grace about her that compliments her beauty, and that is what I strive for every day. I have seen time and time again that a positive outlook will make a woman more beautiful than any makeup. I am proud of my curves and don't intend on hiding behind old insecurity again!
Mel ~ 7
...giving myself time every morning to make myself feel good by dressing up. I enjoy working every day mostly cause I get my exercise (by walking around a lot), and also I get to help people. I also enjoy having a time by myself to ponder on life, evaluate what I need to change in my life. I love myself when I talk to people, it makes me happy.
Can women come together and create significant change from the inside-out?
Dominique ~ 10
...taking advantage of all the options in life that are available to me as a modern woman. Our generation of women is strong, and versatile, but still lovely and sophisticated. We can go from a long sweaty hike in the mountains, to getting all dolled-up and putting on a cute dress and heels for an evening out. We can manage a company, we can run for political office, all while having a family. Women today have the unprecedented ability to do just about anything we want. Our opportunities are limitless.
Catherine ~ 14
...being myself. I am confident with who I am and don't let others negativity get to me.
Sarah ~ 17
...enjoying life, with all of its craziness and surprises. I try not to stress about being perfect but rather focus on doing my best and being satisfied with whatever my best produces, since that is the best I can do.
Adrian ~ 20
...having fun with things. Now that I'm a little bit older, I don't care as much what people think. I drive a bright orange car, I do crazy things with my fingernails, I let my hair go completely grey and cut it very short, and I even got two ankle tattoos. And I wear clothes that I like - pretty things, layers, bright colors, lace, and pretty jewelry. I don't have to be the boring Mom, I can be the fun, sassy Grandma now.
Tracy ~ 23
...understanding just what an incredible gift this body is. Not because its perfect, I have scars and stretchmarks and so on. But I try every day to thank and praise God with exercise,healthy food and a true appreciation for all that my body is able to do. Its taken some years to realize this, to overcome some extreme insecurities but I have. And its such a happy place to be. I am not perfect, nor is my body but everyday, I come to love myself and body even more. Id love to help other women do the same. Young, old, short, tall, skinny, chunky... whatever the shape size or color, we all have something to love and celebrate.
Frenchell ~ 26
...by being grateful I have a Healthy body. I've really come to embrace my curves, I didn't always. As I've become more confident in myself I've come to appreciate the beauty of different shapes and sizes.
Jenny ~ 31
...enjoying being outdoors and playing sports. My shape is integral in my life and accomplishments.
Alison ~ 32
...living life to its fullest! Our bodies are so incredible and life is so short that you can't spend time worrying about the little things. The friendships you build and the relationships you foster are the best parts of life!
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Megan ~ 2
...embracing me! I'm unique. I don't look, act, have the same dreams and talents as anyone else. I celebrate being ME! My nose might be bigger and my chest might be smaller but I love life! Each day is a new opportunity to make memories, be the good, reach out, change, grow and learn.
Lauren ~ 5
...knowing, embracing and being comfortable with who I am before someone expresses their opinion! Head up, shoulders back, and always remembering...Boldness is Beautiful!!! To be REAL...is to celebrate My Truth.
Laurie ~ 8
...working full time as the Shelter Manager for the Women and Children in a Crisis Center. When I am not at work I am busy with my 12 year old daughter helping her with school work, taking her to gymnastics, sewing or choir. I find that for me being a REAL woman is about being grounded in the truth of who I am, helping my daughter recognize the truth of who she is and nurturing her unique self each day. I celebrate being a REAL woman by helping the women I work with on a daily basis giving hope and encouragement for a new beginning. Being a REAL woman is about embracing the truth in all of us--that we are all connected, needed and loved.
Jessica ~ 11
...pursuing my dreams no matter how difficult it gets or what anyone says and by being proud of what I've already accomplished.
Vanasa ~ 13
...tackling new adventures and challenges with enthusiasm and giving myself permission to make mistakes.
Myrna Lisa ~ 16
...answering the call to peace, beauty, and grace.
I take the time to let myself know that I am beautiful and amazing. I paint my
nails, do my hair, and enjoy having a wardrobe of soft and vibrant colors. I
take the time to play, laugh, and be silly knowing that is part of who I am. I
nurture others as well as myself.
Mona ~ 18
...believing in myself and the opportunities opening to me every day! I try to go through those doors one by one and learn what each one can bring and enhance to my life. While I'm a Mother, a Worker, and a Wife, I try to juggle all those roles and apply what I learn, on a daily basis, so I can become the best person I can be in life!
Denisha ~ 21
...keeping a positive attitude, eating right and embracing my curves. I appreciate the body I have been given and I am learning to love myself more and more each day. I deserve to feel beautiful every day.
Windy ~ 24
...doing what makes me feel great! I stay active, involved and share that with my friends. I love to serve and help when, who and where I can.
Ashley ~ 25
...helping other women SHINE!! Whether that be through clothes, make up, kind words or a helping hand I love celebrating the fact that being a woman is amazing! I truly believe that as moms, daughters, wives, sisters and friends we have been given so many talents and abilities. We shouldn't shrink and hide...we should SHINE!
Rosie ~ 27
...always being 100% authentic and giving every endeavor all I have, no matter who is watching! In my business as a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a Certified Success Trainer this means being willing to get up and train and present in front of hundreds of people and it can be easy to allow myself to worry about what they think of how I look. I push those thoughts aside because all of us can have thoughts like that and they do not help any of us become the best we can be. I'm grateful I am a woman. Grateful for my strong, reliable and healthy body, my quick mind and my compassionate and service orientated heart and all the ways I get to inspire other women to step into their strengths.
Andie ~ 30
...embracing my self "as is"... As a health and fitness blogger it's really easy for me to get into competition with fellow bloggers to have the best, most fit body! I work out religiously, but unless I cut out all carbs and am really strict with my diet, my weight barely changes! So I have learned to love the athletic build I was given and have embraced all my lovely lady lumps!
Caryn ~ 34
...FINALLY accepting who I am at this stage in life: a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, blogger, and community activist. I know I can take care of me by embracing a healthy lifestyle that includes dismissing fears on how I compare to others. Being over 50 is nifty!
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Michelle Money and Nicea DeGering. TELL THE WORLD that we are women with REAL bodies; we're not mannequins and we are perfect just the way we are! We celebrate our differences and what makes unique as women. We join together in our ambitions and determination to live a fearless and fabulous life!
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