These arms are made for hugging, and that`s just what they`ll do!

Today I enjoyed another lovely day in sunny and warm Oslo with my sugarpie and lovely friends and my handsome brother :). Gay parade, parklife, endeless coffeshops, shopping, peoplewatching and lots of snuggeling up to my sweetheart, oh happy holiday!

My outfit changed during the day, as I added my new earrings and black sheer top (that I cut to size in the dressing room LOL -ignoring the funny looks from the shopgirl :D) (both Vero Moda),

and my latest scarf (H&M). The rest of the outfit was a white dress that I sewed from two dresses (Vero Moda),bangle (H&M), peacock head dress (Indiska),

taupe studded sandals (DNA) 

and studded bag from New York, USA, honey!

(I`ve never been, but my fab sis has! <3)

I have always been very shy about my body, and have spent years working on loving my self, or at least not letting my looks hold me back. I`m still not fully there, all though funnily enough I feel better at nude beaches than in a swimsuit LOL, Rubens in sunset etc, do you get the picture? LOL. Oh dear. Anyways, I am out of my black tents, showing off part of my legs (very risque, I know..), over the whole double-chin thing (chin` chin`! ;D), and even wearing sandals (hooooold the phone!!). I do realize this is all in my head, and that other people probably don`t get shocked be seing me swaying down the streets (that really is the only way to walk with these hips)..but as you probably find your selves, self perception can be a funny thing, even when you are blessed with a husbond and friends and family who are supportive, like I thankfully am.

 So, my latest groundbreaking project is this:

I`m working on not covering my arms up like I used to! After some practise I am happy to report that I am getting to a point where I am feeling more comfortable with these chubby and freakled arms of mine.
 I don`t have a muscle to save my life, but, and this is where the confidence by choice-approach of mine comes in handy; these loving arms are very good for hugging!  ;D!

 

So, lots of warm hugs all around for you sweetheart readers of mine that I appreciate so!

xoxo Anika

Sweetfaced Style

Zebra summer eve - taking on my body issues

Today I enjoyed a lovely walk home in the warm summer evening with my sweetheart.

Bliss!

I faced my insecurities about my body that always get to me this time of year

and went out to enjoy the summer in my latest project; a black and greyish blue zebra print dress that I have reworked completely.

I played up the dress with my new studded sandals, studded bag,

a fringed keychain used as a neckless, white ring and black glasses.

Here`s how the dress looked when I bought it at H&M.

With this dress it was all about the printed fabric of the dress for me,

because all though I would love to get away with the flowy maxidress-shape...

..I really can`t:

(Hello treetrunk!) This really doesn`t work on my hourglass shape,

my waist and legs disappear in dresses that are straight with high necklines and as wide as my hips. 

So, I got to work, chopping and tailoring the dress, and I quite like the result:

I created an asymmetrical hemline, tailored the dress to suit my curves by taking it in at the back

and changed the neckline completely to balance my proportions better.

It`s just one of those things, there are lots of shapes I can work, and there are some that I just can`t.

Also, I`m done hiding my body, getting out there in the summer heat is hard enough if I`m not also gonna feel like I`m not really embracing my curves. Mind you, I do struggle with this a great deal, but I just have to keep moving forward, overriding that voice in my head telling me negative things about my self, and focusing on the fun and peace that self acceptance brings.

Be great if this was as easily done as said, no?

 Another one of my body issues have always been my legs and feet. My tac now is simply wearing lovely shoes that I feel good in! :D

I toughened the dress up with my studded sandals from Økonomisko:

Sending you all good thoughts and wishing you lovely summer eves free of worries!

xoxo Anika

Sweetfaced Style