Do you work from home or stay at home with your kids? If so, you’ve probably noticed how easy it is to wear PJ’s from noon to night and feel like you’re #winning at life. Gone are the days of stiff, structured suit separates and itchy sweaters. Yoga pants, workout wear, and oversized sweaters are your new uniform. When I transitioned to running my business full-time, I was curious to discover how I’d feel wearing around-the-house clothing for work. I was scared I’d fall in love with leggings and oversized sweaters and feel shameful for loving them so much as a stylist.

And then it happened...

The first time I noticed the wrinkle was in a selfie. “Wait what is that!? What’s wrong with my face??” I couldn’t seem to disguise my newfound flaw. This was a month or so before I called the dermatologist to schedule an appointment for a bump on my leg. It had been bugging me for a long time, and with a tropical vacation coming up in just a few weeks, I was tired of looking at it. Perhaps you can relate. Do you have a physical flaw you can’t seem to get past?

Read this blog for the lesson I learned after leaving the dermatologist fuming…

Do you put your worth in what you look like? I know I do. I have for years. I’m reminded of it when I go to the mall, gazing up sheepishly at the giant posters of beautiful women. I wander inside a store, unconscious of the desire the image has sparked inside my heart. I want to look beautiful…to captivate an audience. I try on clothing in the dressing room and begin to feel anxiety when I don’t measure up. I stand in line at Victoria’s Secret and wonder if it’s possible to actually have a body with such perfect proportions. The women look so happy, so fulfilled. Their radiance speaks of the worth they must feel. The value behind their beautiful face.

All of a sudden, the comparison game has started. And it really has nothing to do with clothing…

This week I went shopping for jeans (for myself). I haven’t bought denim in a couple years and was due for a year-round pair I could wear with flats or tuck into boots. I thought I’d find what I needed at The Limited, where pants have worked well for me in the past. I tried on a couple pairs, but found the styles at The Limited more jegging than jean, and I needed something more sturdy. I moved on to Macy’s and tried on just about every affordable pair I could get my hands on. Lucky, Levi’s, Bar III, Free People, and Maison Jules to name a few, without any luck. 

I began to think I wasn’t going to find denim today. I was looking at myself different in the mirror…

This isn't something you expect to hear from a stylist, is it? You should see the reaction I get when I tell people what I do for a living. Their expression often changes to one of insecurity. They look down…they make excuses for what they’re wearing. I’ve realized this is the #1 reason I’ve avoided talking about my business in the past. It’s like people expect I’ll think less of them if they’re dressed casually!

Read my reason for supporting whatever you choose to wear inside this blog…