by Glitter | Jul 12, 2015 | Disney Inspired, Fashion
Up where they walk, up where they run, up where they stay all day in the sun.
Wandering free, wish I could be, part of that world
I think Ariel was talking about Hawaii in that song. Well that what I think when I’ve been singing it while prepping for this look. When I was a kid I got really into Beanie Babies. Like REALLY into them. I bought and sold those suckers like they were high ticket stocks. Buy! Buy! Sell! Sell! I actually made so much money that I was able to cash out early and pay for exchange trips to Brasil and Finland. I come from a long line of weirdly obsessed collectors. It’s a thing. My mom was way into collecting pretty much anything that was collectible. Our house was like a museum and spent most of my childhood fear I might break pretty much anything I touched. I suppose that one of the reasons I relate to Ariel so much. We’re both collectors. But the connection runs deeper, we’re both women forging our own paths against what our respective cultures tells us is status quo. Ariel is the Disney bad ass and I am here IRL blonde counterpart.
I took a little liberty with Ariel’s look because I feel like it’s what she would have wanted, if you know she was actually real. I am wearing a metallic “Shell Yeah” imprinted tank purchased from asos, paired with a sea foam green stretchy pencil skirt from Amazon. Underneath I am beach ready with an amazing jelly fish print bikini from Swimsuits for All. For accessories I rocked a metallic clam necklace I picked up here in Hawaii, a pair of super comfy sneaker style flats from Target’s collaboration with Sam & Libby, retro inspired white shades from Charlotte Russe, a five below beach tote and a sea urchin looking hair accessory I purchased somewhere in the dark depths of the internet.
For make up I kept it super simple. I dotted the face with some sunscreen because I am preventing a future of leather face. I let my sunglasses carry my attitude and added a pop of pink on the lip to as a nod to Ariel’s rosy lips. For my hair I rocked her signature side hair part with straight hair. I used my “sea urchin” barrette to sweep my bangs out of my face and up my sex appeal. Turns out wearing a flower on the right side in Hawaii is a public announcement you are single and ready to mingle. So I wore it there, because I am.
Overall the look was sassy and fun and oh so mermaid with an issue following society’s orders. Also this photo is the closest I will ever come to a wet t-shirt contest. Enjoy it. I look good.
by Glitter | Apr 19, 2015 | Inspiration, Life
I have a new theory. If a woman needs to love their body or feel better about themselves, they should do a photo shoot. I am not talking about a tripod in your bedroom or an awkward selfies with outfit changes in the bathroom mirror. I am referring to letting someone else take the reigns and giving up a bit of control. There is something about forcing yourself to let go, putting your image in someone else’s hands and getting comfortable being you in front of a camera that is uber de duper liberating. It forces you to stop thinking about working those angles and allows you the rare opportunity to see yourself through the eyes of someone else. I think it’s a genuine recipe for all kinds of self love and Facebook profile picture updates. 
This weekend I had the awesome pleasure of hanging out with my rad friend, Allyson and her adorable nuclear family. I mean look at that little sassafras in the photo. ADORABLE. Look how she works that inflatable dolphin like it’s her job. Anyways, these super amazing friends [read saints] agreed to put up with my insane ideas and help me snap some sassy shots for a little swimsuit company’s competition. Because, Bermuda. Because, vacation. Because, I have sun, beach, and tropical cocktail needs.
I should mention every single one of the outfits I post daily on instagram, I take myself with my iphone on a tripod. I know my angles, and I must admit look uniformly (damn) good. I am a master at working the hell out of that $15 amazon budget photography investment. However, most of these shots are not me hanging out in real life. Sure some of my quirk comes through (there’s a little too much sass in this ole body o’ mine to shut it out), but at the end of the day, it’s the manufactured version of me. The me I want you to see.
I love these photos because they show a side of me I rarely see in pictures. I still look rad… I would even venture to say better then I do in my ooh la la, white backgroundy, artsy selfies. They show a quiet confidence, versus a loud in your face “I love who I am for all the internet to see” version of me. I love how they capture both my insatiable curiosity and my uncontrollable silliness. I didn’t manipulate my body into just the perfect pose and she captured beautiful ways I move and exist on film ( err photo card?) for the first time. As a result, I now see myself a bit differently. And, that’s a good thing.
I think all women to deserve to find a special beauty in who they are. Maybe allowing someone else to take the reigns of how we see ourselves is another step in loving ourselves just lil bit more.
(Both bikinis are from swimsuitesforall.com. They didn’t give me anything for this post, I just have a excellent trigger finger when it comes to cute swimwear.)
For make up I kept it super simple. I dotted the face with some sunscreen because I am preventing a future of leather face. I let my sunglasses carry my attitude and added a pop of pink on the lip to as a nod to Ariel’s rosy lips. For my hair I rocked her signature side hair part with straight hair. I used my “sea urchin” barrette to sweep my bangs out of my face and up my sex appeal. Turns out wearing a flower on the right side in Hawaii is a public announcement you are single and ready to mingle. So I wore it there, because I am.
Overall the look was sassy and fun and oh so mermaid with an issue following society’s orders. Also this photo is the closest I will ever come to a wet t-shirt contest. Enjoy it. I look good.
