Hi All! Randi here and I am excited for my first blog takeover!
I have been a part of LRP for a little over a year now, and have never been more inspired or felt more unity than I do sharing in the amazing stories that make up this incredible group of women.
What I have grown to realize is that we all share similar experiences, feelings, insecurities and achievements, no matter what path we may walk.
I met this particular woman about two years ago when i was lucky enough to help her prepare for her maternity shoot. I remember being in awe of how easy going and relaxed she was, a dream client! We continued on to bridal party styling, and finally to style her shoot with Lindsay. I had never heard her story before reading her words below, and now realize how much more we have in common than our fashion style. Sometimes the people who love us the most can also be our harshest critics, and our past can be haunting. I come from a long line of women who care very much about their appearances. I was scrutinized beginning at a young age to watch my eating, maybe a diet would be a good idea. The irony was anytime i was my most unhealthy was when i was being praised for how wonderful i looked and to “keep up the good work”. Even to this day, after two pregnancies and delivering two beautiful, healthy baby girls, i hear “don’t worry, I’m sure one day you’ll get back there.” The thing is, it’s battle that never seems to ends. Some days i feel strong and can be proud of my post pregnancy body, and others i find it hard to accept the changes my body has gone through. The best i can do is try, and remind myself that my girls are watching, and if i expect them to live themselves no matter what, i better do the same. If we can learn to ignore the chatter and love ourselves, we are truly set free.
I am so glad that she was able to have this experience and that she knows what a fierce beauty she is and always has been.
Read below to see the email this #LRPBoudieBeauty sent to Lindsay about her Self Love Experience:
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“Dear Lindsay,
This was such an amazing experience, I’m not sure I can fully put it into words, but I will sure try.
I think I tried to convince myself in the beginning that this was for my future husband (now husband). And, I’m not saying that it wasn’t for him (he LOVED the book), but I also think, if I’m being totally honest, that it was a lot for me too. In my early twenties, I was always extremely confident with my body. I could basically eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight (those were the days!) But, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and that was the case here. I gained weight throughout my late twenties (about 30 pounds), and with that, my confidence in my body started to shift.
It’s hard to gain weight in my family. My grandmother, who I do love for her many many amazing qualities, is, for lack of a better word, blunt. A few days after I got engaged, my grandmother asked what my weight loss plans were (and said she ordered me some slim fast). At this point she didn’t know that I was already about a month pregnant, so needless to say I rejected her slim fast offer. But this was just one comment, in a long line of comments, that I had been receiving, and that had slowly been diminishing my confidence in myself. I think with family it’s really tough. I know they want what’s best for us usually (to be healthy and happy), but sometimes their delivery is extremely harsh.
After I had my daughter, I lost the twenty pounds I had gained with her, along with the thirty extra pounds that I had gained prior to getting pregnant. All of a sudden, the same people in my life who had been making comments about how heavy I had gotten, were now telling me how great I looked. And not just them, everyone was – the people I worked with, friends, family friends, etc. I felt really great about my body, but also really scared. I felt like I hadn’t done enough to deserve losing the weight (breast feeding and caring for a newborn is a magical diet), and that once I was done breast feeding I would gain all of the weight back.
When I booked this shoot, I was going to use it as a deadline to get in the best shape of my life. But, when the day to try on my lingerie and pick my looks came, my body looked the same, and my confidence was low. I started to second guess myself as to why I booked the shoot. What was I thinking, I’m not a super model. I’m a mom to an almost one year old who I’ll have to leave with her grandmother in order to take a day to do the shoot. I started to feel foolish and selfish (#momguilt). But, I went to meet with Lindsay and Randi, and within about 30 seconds of trying on my first option for look, they made me feel so special. I kept pointing out things on my body I didn’t like, and Lindsay basically told me to cut it out. And she was so right. I had all of a sudden become my biggest critic. I hate that we do this sometimes as women.
I felt a little embarrassed that I had been so critical of myself. But I’m glad I felt that embarrassment, because, I vowed to come to the day of the shoot and own my looks and own that shoot. I deserved to feel good and enjoy my experience. And I did just that. I had a great time, and I felt so amazing when I left. This isn’t just a photoshoot. This is an experience. And a worthwhile one at that. Thank you Lindsay. ~ Danielle”
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Check out this babes amazing art and the gorgeous shot of her groom opening his gift by my talented friend JP Elario!
Seriously though….that smile says everything. <3
Hair and Makeup by Erin Marie Artistry
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