Guest Post: Mom Bod, Vol. 8 #LeggingsWearDontCare

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Welcome to Monday!

This #LeggingsWearDontCare guest post comes from my sister/soulmate/BFF/cousin/love/pretend sister wife, Sarah Cupcakes. This delightful creature is one of my favorites and someone I cannot possibly do life without. She’s sharing her fashion sense, style and wardrobe confessions today on the blog. Show her some love!

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Here’s what I think is hogwash: that your body, no matter what size, is something to be ashamed of.

Years ago and pre-pregnancy, I was the queen of the black tights-cute dress-colorful ballet flats combo. Now, as a new-ish nursing mom with a different body than that of yesteryear and someone who works from home where it is all too easy to go days without brushing your hair or teeth, it can be difficult to remember to put myself together some days.  After gaining a fair amount of weight in the last couple years, I had slipped into this dark hole of hiding behind my clothes: dark colors, too-big t-shirts, and forget about all those cute dresses. I wanted to blend into the background with the hope that no one would notice me or my body. After pregnancy and giving birth to a beautiful baby boy, I wanted to crawl into a hole so no one saw how big/jiggly/lumpy/whatever terrible adjective I was using that day my body had become.

Know what? Life is both too long and too short to hate on your bod. I’ve come to realize (thanks in part to Samantha’s influence) that I shouldn’t be hiding behind clothes that make me blend in. I should be using my wardrobe to express my personality and embrace my body. Whether it’s a pair of floral leggings, colorful sunglasses, or just a comfy sweatshirt; my style helps tell my life story. Why not make that story a happy one full of neons and textures and jangly bracelets?

Glasses: Ray Ban | Nursing tank: Macy’s | Top: Target | Pants: Amazon | Shoes: Forever21

Comfy pants, a functional top, and cute shoes make me feel gorgeous.

Top: Target | Leggings: Forever21 | Shoes: Payless | Arm Party: Forever21 and Charming Charlie

Floral leggings scream #LeggingsWearDontCare! I bought these a while back and was too self-conscious to wear them. After my “a-ha, I love my bod!” moment, I wore them out and immediately had someone compliment me. I’m learning that it’s all about confidence.

Is there any better way to punch up an outfit than with cute, colorful flats?

Top: A 5K t-shirt because I need the world to know I ran a 5K | Leggings: Target | Shoes: Crocs

Constellation leggings make running errands MUCH cuter.

Shades:  A tiny store in Chicago that I can’t remember the name of | Top: Kohl’s | Pants: Amazon | Shoes: Target

This was one of those days where you just feel cute for an outing with your babe.

Top: Forever21 | Nursing Tank: Macy’s | Leggings: Target

When I pick out my outfit I have three thoughts: Does it fit? Do I feel good in it? Will it still look cute when it is covered in mashed bananas and baby drool?

Top: Motherhood Maternity | Shorts: Target | Flip Flops: Payless

This is such a good representation of my life: dog on the couch; happy but clingy baby boy; no one is paying attention to the camera,; and my hair is a mess, but know what? I love this picture. I hadn’t worn shorts in fifteen (!) years and I finally felt comfortable enough to do it. The villagers did not chase me with torches, the world didn’t stop spinning. I wore shorts and it was awesome.

My daily threads tell a story about my life. My story is one about being happy with who I am and recognizing all the wonderful things about my body instead of concentrating on the flaws. My story is about being happy and healthy and loving myself. That’s a story I’m proud to tell.

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Are she and my nephew, RO-MAN, not the CUTEST EVER?!

Leggings Look of the Week:

Taylor Swift Leggings on my niece and party-going partner