Less is more. Project Natural Beauty

"Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself".

We live in a world were comparison is hard to avoid.  

I did an Instagram poll and over 800 people voted that they wear make-up every day, and over 500 people said they needed make-up to feel pretty. I decided to do a "natural beauty" project to capture different women in their true beauty. I wanted them to wear minimal to no makeup and I am so grateful for each and one of these girls for making my vision come true.
Ps. I have no make-up, and I did not use photoshop*

As cheesy as it sounds, we all need this reminder every once in awhile.

You are beautiful just the way you are.

xo

How to find your mom village!

Encouragement from moms for moms is like the air we breathe:

We need it,

It fills us up,

it allows us to do what we do everyday.

 "It takes a village to raise a child!" This phrase is as old as time and at one point or another we have all heard it. To me, a village is being surrounded by family/friends that are there through thick and thin. So if you think about it, you've most likely been surrounded by a village at least once. 

When I moved to America from Sweden, as you can image that was one of the hardest and most terrifying things ever. I didn't know a single soul. At 19 years old, I had to step out of my comfort zone BIG time and speak a language I hardly even spoke. My BYU family became my village. They helped me in ways I didn't know was possible. Then I got married, and we had Noah a year later. I was so lucky to be surrounded by family and friends so I hardly felt alone. I had my friends but I quickly realized that I also needed mom friends. 

Noah needed kids to play with, I needed to have adult conversations besides my husband. As a first time mom, I had no idea what I was doing so what better way to learn, than from moms. To feel like you weren't the only one that had a fussy kid, or that wasn't getting enough sleep at night. What better person to ask about breastfeeding than a fellow mom. Now that I have three, it has become even MORE important to me to have mom friends. 

When we moved to Arizona, we moved to an area with people who had lived there for years. I assumed most of these moms had their own "village", and some did but a majority did not. Here is the thing, we often assume that we know what other people have/need. We psych ourselves out before we even know, thus, we miss out on major opportunities. 

Momming is hard, whether you're a new mom or have 5 kids, it is still hard. Do not be afraid to reach out, step out of your comfort zone and do not assume you know other people's stories. Finding a mom village does not have to be difficult, I think we are the ones that make it hard. We live in a digital word where we can connect with other moms through FB groups, Instagram but also neighborhood groups. These places help us connect with people we probably never would've met. I am a living example of that, a lot of my close friends that I've met since we moved started online. And I am still alive haha :)

                                                                            My Sisters Closet 

The next time you see another mom with the baby item you’re thinking about buying, or their child who looks to be the same age as your little one, go over and say hi, because I am sure that they are hoping that they have the courage to do the same…

We are all in this together <3

xo

Dear mothers, your belly is beautiful.

"Family is the center of life, it is the key to eternal happiness"

- L. Tom Perry

As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a Mother. Never once did I think about the fact about my body changing. Growing up, I watched a whole bunch of women including my mother and sisters give birth. Never once did I look at them and think about their postpartum bodies. Maybe I was too little to understand, maybe I didn't get it because I wasn't a mother, maybe I didn't notice or maybe I was too busy snuggling babies. Either way, it was never about their bodies. 

Fast forward to when I had Noah. One of the first comments I got, mind you I just birthed a baby, was "wow fatty, let me see your belly". At the time I didn't think much about it, but looking back that bothered me so much. All of a sudden I started stressing, I needed to be back to my fit self instantly! All of a sudden my thoughts shifted and for a time I wasn't myself. My thoughts were consumed with "how can I get my pre-baby belly back??". I remember poking my belly and I am pretty sure my finger touched my back. After a good meltdown, or several... I thought, "Forget about that comment Fatty, you just had a baby...that is freaking amazing."

We live in a world were we are being told to be perfect. To look flawless during and after delivery, to have a videographer and capture every moment of that day, to have Pinterest worthy photos. Because if we don't, we "missed" the point or we aren't keeping up with the Jones'. 

Why why why?

Instead of women being hopeful of one day being able to carry a child, some are too scared to give up their bodies. Scared because they have heard horror stories. 

"You will never be able to hold your pee again. You will never have abs again. Your boobs will hit the floor, etc."

Let me tell you something, forget about all the horror stories you've heard! There's nothing more incredible than holding your baby in your arms. The moment you have longed for, for 9 months, enjoy it to the fullest. There's nothing more special than watching your spouse become a parent. Let that be your focus, not what your body looks like the day after.

Your body may not look the exact same, it will be even better! You carried one/multiple children, that is freaking amazing. You discovered strengths you had no idea even existed. You can now carry a carseat, grocery bags and talk on the phone at the same time. Skills! You can change a diaper in record time with no skid marks down your finger. You can sleep with one eye open, literally. You can prepare a bottle in the dark. You can read a bedtime story by heart. You get countless of kisses and hugs every day. Each day you keep your kids fed, happy and safe.

I can go on and on... because you my dear, YOU ARE AMAZING! 

                                                                  Matching outfits from Flexi Lexi

Your belly is beautiful because it created life. That is hard work.

If you are worrying about getting "back" or you're currently in that phase, my advice to you is- enjoy the journey, and know that your fit self will be back. Be patient with yourself, a lot happens with our bodies during pregnancy, so let your's take the time it needs to adjust back. 

Learn to love yourself in every stage, and you will learn to appreciate what you've done so much more.

xo

How to handle comparison.

 Don't compare yourself to others,

that is when you start to lose confidence in yourself.

- Will Smith

The comparison game on social media is so toxic, and has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. I was sitting on the couch, scrolling through my Instagram feed (waisting time) and I automatically started wishing I had "this and that". Comparison truly is the thief of joy. Insecurities are developed because we compare our "behind-the-scenes" with everyone else's "highlight reel". 

A lot of the time when we start comparing ourselves with someone else, we don't realize how that person worked HARD to get where they are. It is so easy to look at people's highlights and think that their lives are perfect. I promise you this, everybody has trials, big or small. 

Here is the thing; just because someone has reached certain milestones before you did, doesn't mean you won't get there too. 

Your worth is not measured by likes, comments, notes or followers; but in your ability to love, support, encourage, take note and lead.

What should you do when social media gets under your skin?

DELETE DELETE AND DELETE!!!

Seriously, it's that simple. There's no need to follow someone that makes you feel bad about yourself. Nobody wants to be friends with someone that doesn't bring positive thoughts to the plate. Remove all that negativity from your feeds and fill it with inspirational, fun, motivating, whatever it is that you like fill it with that. 

Dress: Piper and Scoot

xo