Real Simple magazine has an article in the April issue entitled, What Makes You Feel Beautiful? Different writers take turns describing events, people, and things which contribute to an inner feeling of beauty. Since all of us in the home blogging world share a passion for beauty, I thought it would be fun to take a moment to ponder what makes us feel beautiful.
Here are some things that are helping me feel beautiful these days:
Physically Beautiful
1200 Calories: I am currently on a 1200 calorie diet right now, and it is already helping me feel more in control of myself and better about my weight. I’ll blog more about it at a different time, but I have dropped about five pounds so far without depriving myself of things I want to eat. It’s working for me.
Lovely pajamas: I love lingerie. I just feel better about myself when I have a cute undergarment wardrobe to choose from. It has to be comfortable if I’m actually going to be wearing it for any length of time (snicker, snicker, wink, wink). So each night, I’m typically sleeping in something similar to what pretty lady in yellow has going on.
Spa in a bucket: I really want a spa day but my budget does not allow for such luxuries. Instead, I have been treating myself to spa items on clearance at B.J.’s. (Somehow just writing that last sentence makes it seem so-not-beautiful!) However, I have a lovely bathroom with a fantastic jacuzzi tub, and I have been taking full advantage of my fun, yummy smelling, cheapo spa items!
Ruffles: I own two white ruffley blouses and I always feel beautiful in them. They are flirty and feminine and look fantastic when worn with jeans.
My man: Matt gets me. He gets my humor and my moodiness. He loves my laugh and he laughs at my jokes. He forgives my many foibles and he encourages me to be me. He appreciates my mind and challenges my thinking. He compliments my total beauty, he lights my inner fire, and I feel all aglow in his presence. I love him.
Emotionally Beautiful
You: I continue to be humbled and amazed by the encouraging comments and emails I receive from readers. Some of the most amazing emails come from those of you who don’t own your own blog. You have reached out to me to let me know that you’re praying for me, to check on me, to ask me to pray for you. You have shared with me your heartaches, your secrets, your hurts and asked my advice. You have delighted in something I’ve done and taken the time out of your day to let me know. A few of you have let me know that you read my entire blog in one sitting (God bless you for that one)! You have filled my emotional tank when it was running on fumes. Thank you.
Water: The women in my family are emotionally attached to bodies of water. It can be a river, a lake, a waterfall, or a sea, but just don’t take us away from the water. I feel most alive and connected to God when surrounded by water. Better yet, give me water AND mountains and I will be on a spiritual high for weeks! It’s my favorite beauty drug. Gotta have some water to look at!
My boys: Looking at the little people my boys are being molded into under my care makes me feel spiritually beautiful. It is a beauty I couldn’t ever have imagined before. Motherhood is certainly filled with it’s days of unglamorous monotony, but the spiritual lessons these little rascals teach me is so worth it.
My home: I love my home. I love having people over and celebrating life within its walls. I love to connect here and relax here. It’s an evolving reflection of me and my own growth. It’s a sacred space for me and truly makes me feel beautiful.
For those of you who appreciate things of beauty, you will appreciate my current giveaway! Be sure to enter here for your chance to win a custom clock by Staci@Craftify It.
Stephanie Lynn says
Beautiful post Beth. I need to work on mine – I started a post but forgot to go back and finish it! Glad I still have time…I'll be back!!!
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says
Awww I missed it. What a beautiful post!! Your boys are too CUTE!! 🙂 You are a such a pretty lady too. Loved this.
Not too shabby says
What a beautiful post! I loved it! And I love your blog also. Thanks for sharing!
kelly says
lovely post . your house is very cool! and hawaii has mountains and water, you should come visit sometime!
jenjen says
Hey Beth,
Sorry I really wanted to join in your slumber party. Your parties are always such fun! I ended up working in my yard because it was so nice this afternoon. I will be at your next one for sure!!!
Love ya!
XOXO
Jen
Aimee says
So I never join parties… I guess I am a little afraid of them but I am thinking of joining in on this one! Its so great.
I love your breakdown and your answers:) they are great…
Thats awesome you are inspired by your blog friends… that's the beauty of the blogging world.
I am also drawn to water, so soothing and relaxing:)
MommaKiss says
well stinker! i missed this one.
what a gorgeous post. 😉
Lovely Scribbles says
This is a beautiful post, Beth! It's amazing how counting our blessings can truly make us feel beautiful. Love it!
Ann says
Love the post and the subject? Feeling Beautiful is: the look in my kids eyes when I tuck them in at night….my husband holding my hand…kitty when he rubs on my leg to say: thank you…..
Centsational Girl says
Such a lovely post, it's nice getting a peek into your life ! What a beautiful family, and yes it's true, surrounding yourself with what makes you feel beautiful only helps you radiate even more beauty for your family.
Blessings
Kate
AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage says
What a beautiful post! (no pun intended) Your family is beautiful, and I love everything you said…and I seriously need some new pajamas :).
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
What a lovely post, Beth! It's a great idea for us to think of these things; I think it helps us realize and be thankful for what we've got. I love that dress your wearing in the picture you shared ~ really pretty. I do know I would be nothing without my family. My hubby and kids complete me.
Kristi @ Creative Kristi says
I agree with Jill- I am a stay at home mom with a 2 & 1/2 year old and am 33 weeks pregnant and have entered the "nothing fits right, I feel like a whale, my hair/skin are oily & I'll just wear pjs all day" phase of pregnancy so just about nothing makes me feel beautiful. I'll be posting a short but sweet convo I had last night that made all of the above go away & bring me back to why I do what I do! Thanks!
Jennifer says
Thanks for your inspirations…Filling our lives with beauty raises our awareness & spirits! I will be thinking of things today…
Hope the Lord is carrying you thru your loss. God is so faithful. He is near the broken hearted. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
McCarthy Designs says
I love your list of things that make you feel beautiful Beth! I am with you on all of them except substitute Nick for Matt and Boy for boys! Oh and I am not on a 1200 calorie diet but I should be! I don't own a shirt with ruffles but I am going to go looking for one just like in your picture and I don't live near water! But I do buy the budget spa items and love relaxing in my tub at home! See just the same ; ) xx
michelle@somedaycrafts says
I apologize that I only became an "official" follower tonight. I thought I had long ago. you are beautiful!
Natalie says
Great lists.. I actually have a similiar post I'm working from another issue of Real Simple. I think you just gave me the incentive to go finish. Thanks!
PS ITA about the water.. there' sjust something refreshing & rejuvinating about being near the lake or ocean. Maybe it's a woman thing. I tried talking to the hubby about how I feel whole when I'm near the water & he just looked & smiled at me like I was speaking Greek. Oh well, at least I knew what I was saying right?
jenjen says
Wonderful post Beth! It is so fun to learn more about you. I love that you are so beautiful on the inside and the outside.
Love ya my friend!
XOOX
Jen
melissa * 320 Sycamore says
BEAUTIFUL post! Such a precious picture of your boys and I really need to turn in my tshirt and old yoga pants pajamas, huh?
Wendy says
Beth, What a fun post to read tonight! I love my PJ's too…sometimes I have them on even before the kids! Can't wait to hear more about your diet! Hope you're having a great week 🙂
Wendy
Jenny says
Great post! Those jammies are so cute! I always want cute pj's, but never want to spend the money on them.
You are beautiful! That picture of you by the water is perfect. Your family is beautiful too!
I am on vacation right now and have been feeling very NOT beautiful.
Nothing like seeing a bunch of skinny girls at the beach to make you feel like crap! LOL!
Pam says
Great post. So interested in hearing about the diet….does it take a lot of planning?
Jill says
Wow! I am a stay-at-home mom of two boys and am pregnant with a third. NOTHING has made me feel beautiful lately. THANK YOU for this post today to remind me of all the things in my life I should be noticing! I feel cuter already just from reading about you. 🙂
(Plus, I've gotta get me some yellow jammies!)
Magic Brush says
First of all my pajamas are horrible.
Second, I hope my link was ok.
Third, your family is stinking cute.
Fourth, please put me on a diet.