Friday, February 18, 2011

Day 17 (9+5+20)

19 UO horse tank + 5 tie dyed jeans + 20 high heeled docs =

Day 17 (9+5+20)

Today's Friend Friday questions dictated both my choice of outfit and my photo selection.

Day 17 (9+5+20)

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?
I'm not sure. Not much I don't think. The change for me came before I started blogging, and in fact was the reason I had the courage to start blogging at all. You have to have a certain level of confidence and comfort with your body to post pictures of yourself everyday!

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?
Absolutely. I'm self conscious of both my chin (or depending on how you look at it, chins) as well as my arms. I have what I call matronly arms. My arms are larger than I'd like and less firm. I don't normally feel comfortable in sleeveless tops or dresses without some sort of jacket, shrug or cardigan. And my chin is sort of a family curse. It's the first thing we check on a baby and we always apologize to them when we realize they have in fact inherited it. I do normally choose photos that showcase these at the best possible angle and I tend to really loath candid shots of myself from any angle. I am that girl who untags the picture you tagged of me on Facebook 10 seconds after you tag it. But today I've chosen pictures that highlight both my double chin and my bare arms, because really, neither is that bad.


3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?

I've noticed that I feel more comfortable with myself the older I get. I hope that continues to be the case as I age. I'd like to be 50 and feel absolutely at home in a bathing suit at the beach!

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you’re having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?

I take most of my own photos. My husband does sometimes as well but I'm back to taking most of my own pictures now. I don't remember the last time I didn't post photos. I've only done it once or twice and it was always down to the quality of the pictures and nothing to do with how I looked in them. Since I take most of my pictures myself and have been doing it for a couple of years now it feels like the most natural thing in the world to me. I get up and wash my face and brush my teeth, I put on my make-up and style my hair, and then I get dressed and document the results. It's second nature.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?
Whatever the flaw is that you see, whatever it is that bothers you, NO ONE, notices it the way you do. In fact, I bet most people never notice it at all.

Tank, Urban Outfitters
Jeans, Target
Boots, Docs


37 comments:

Unknown said...

I have to admit when I saw the first shot you posted, I thought "Wowza! What a hot pose!"

I have had "matronly arms" since I was like 14, so sleeveless tops are a struggle for me, too! But I think both these photos are really inspiring.

Liz said...

OMG SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! Seriously, shut it. You look smokin' {no g, cause that's hotter}! You have got some seriously smeyes going on.

Anonymous said...

I didn't see arms or a chin - only an amazingly sassy looking lady!
-Katie

Brittney said...

hello, hotness. your pants, my friend, are to die for. LOVE. and i'm loving this round of friend friday questions, too. couldn't agree more with your answers.
-brittney
http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com

A said...

I love these pictures SO much. Before I even read what you'd written, I just sat there looking at them for a good 5 minutes. They are so charming and cute and ohmygahadorable. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

I'm so glad you posted them (and by the way, I have always wondered why you didn't show your arms more! Your tattoos are sooo gorgeous.

Elissa said...

I'm just gonna say it - you look beautiful in these photos. Really, really beautiful.

I too am anxious about my arms. I don't know what I'm going to do when it's warm enough to need to go sleeveless. I admire you for putting yourself out there. I don't see matronly arms. But I do I see a hot lady.

www.dresswithcourage.com

Melody said...

Oh my god. You are hott girl!! and i love your tattoo!

Sammi J. said...

Erin, that first photo is seriously hot. You look gorg.

Erin said...

I'm going to second everyone else. That first photo is foxxxy.

Chalkdust and Boots said...

You look so beautiful/hot! As soon as your page loaded, I did the "Ow! Ow!" high-pitched shriek that is the universally recognized sign for "Yowza, hot!" Your arms are lovely (I also have matronly arms AND I work out. A. LOT. So...they're staying) and I couldn't find more than one chin, so you're absolutely right. No one else notices your own little foibles. You look great.

Erin said...

Snickers to myself...When I saw the photo, I thought "Wow, Erin has a nice ass!" And you're totally right, I'VE never noticed your supposed matronly arms or mysterious double chin.

TrophyBoutique said...

Can we please talk about how hot you look in this outfit? Hello 80 degree weather...hello shoulders!

Homebody said...

yup, that's right, the first pose is great! You hair (always gorgeous) looks great in that style!

Tabitha said...

Great responses to all questions but you really hit it on the nail about other people not noticing what we consider our own flaws. In fact, the thing that I find the most intersting is sometimes the things that we don't like about ourselves are the things that people admire.

I personally have always hated that I have butt chin, but growing up people said it was a unique feature. I still think it looks like a butt. As my husband calls it, "Face ass". Jay Leno has one so that's gotta mean something.

BTW I love this look on you - that shirt fits you so well!

Kelly said...

OMG. That first pic of you is absolutely gorgeous!!

Kelly said...

(Oh and by the way, you are totally right that other people don't notice. For example, I have never seen the "flaws" you said you're worried about.)

(ALSO can I get more information on what's going on with your hair? I love how your left side is sort of swooped over. Did you tease that? Is it clipped to the side? Or is it just naturally voluminous and swooshy and just held with a ponytail holder? Because I would love to duplicate that on my own head.)

Anja said...

In that first photo you look ravishing! Thought I would never say that about a combo with pants, but wow!!
You also are are person that really can pull off the mixing of prints! Great!

Rebecca said...

You look amazing, Erin!

A Beautiful Life said...

i think we all tend to see the worst in ourselves and nitpick every little "flaw" we may think we see. when most of the time the world just sees a beautiful person. you're a total breath of fresh air, all pretty and sassy and tatted up.
I totally did that this year too, i looked in my closet and realize i don't even wear 1/2 the clothes i have, i need to be more creative!!! it's cheaper that way too..hahaha
i also love the lace up boots and floral dress in the previous post too!

hillary-www.helpamutha.blogspot.com

EvaNadine said...

sweetie, that first photo is seXXXy! meYOWza! your booty looks especially fab. ;)
and im loving the back of that top! have you shown us the back before? i love all the criss-cross straps!

Keep Warm (Danielle) said...

Good answers! I think it's so interesting that the things that we worry about the most, no one else ever sees. After reading I scrolled back to see if I could see what you were talking about... I couldn't... You look great!

Kasmira said...

That top picture of you is stunning!

I've learned to be grateful for "face fat" because it really keeps one looking younger! I couldn't believe that you aren't 25!

Anonymous said...

Your pictures are gorgeous!

Amanda said...

These are actually the best pictures I've ever seen of you on your blog (and I've been following for several months). As someone who is concerned about the state of my own upper arms, I've got to say that yours look fine. Seriously, if I had your arms I'd be that obnoxious person who always asks folks if they want tickets to the gun show and then flexes. :p

Anonymous said...

i love this edgy outfit on you. and i hardy ever show my arms because i'm self-conscious about them, too.

http://snappycasual.tumblr.com

Bekah McDuffie said...

This is such a good post! I loved reading it and I love your outfit!
Bekah- Matters of Merrymaking

softspoken said...

i never noticed anything wrong with those features you mentioned either! i also bemoan my matronly arms - as well as the fact that through weight gains and losses they have their share of stretch marks which make me even more conscious, but as i get a little older i care less and less. but shrugs and 3/4 length sleeves have been longtime friends :)

Lee said...

I am diggin' this outfit! So Rock 'n Roll. And I love your arm tatt.

Laurel Ann said...

Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad that you addressed how you feel about the flaws you see because before I ever read about your "matronly" arms, I was thinking about how awesome you looked in this top and how cool the pose was with your arm/shoulder tattoo showing. There's proof right there that people don't notice the things that you do. How inspiring!

http://one-girl-vs-world.blogspot.com

Fashnlvr said...

I absolutely LOVE this outfit! Wow! Your tattoo is really beautiful too. If you were self-conscious about your arms you picked the perfect location for the tat! My eyes were drawn to its beautiful color and design. I think you have great arms!
www.fashnlvr.blogspot.com

Melissa said...

Holy hotness, woman. You look super amazing in this outfit!

I love all of your answers, as usual. I love that you're so real and honest and NORMAL.

Come take a look inside A Working Mom's Closet

Cherish @ My Cup of Tea said...

You are absolutely ADORABLE!

grace said...

I love it when you go sleeveless! Shows of that beautiful tat. You look great with your hair like this, too.

April said...

dayumm you be lookin' hott :) love the outfit!

ape-z.blogspot.com

myownlittleuniverse said...

oh la la, you look like a hottie in that first pic!

Kyla said...

Oh, snap. Love. This. That first photo is so hot! You're a scorher, lady!

Unknown said...

acid wash finishes are ruling my life right now, love this ansemble