Short girl stands tall!

My Super Spine

So far, this series of blogs have focused on external features, but our body appreciation should go deeper than that. And so this blog is in praise of my spine. Not my back, specifically my spine - because, already in preparing for these blogs I've started to look at all the parts of my body in a new way, one of which is not to clump them all together.

Moving on! 
Today's thought is this...

One of the give-aways of a lack of body confidence is, in my opinion, a person's' posture (though of course poor posture is the result of a lot of things). Slouching is often associated with tall women and girls, but it's not just tall girls who slouch. When we want to 'hide', it's something many of us do. But, its widely accepted that if we stand tall we give off the appearance of being comfortable in our own skin - even if we're not.

And here's what I'm thinking - slouching shows our spines no respect: it says my flaws are bigger than you. And how can they be? Our super spines support us.

Image idea thanks to the creative mind of Mary from Mary & Mick Design!

My advice: Do your spine and your confidence a favour... Sit up, and stand as straight as a meerkat! 

My affirmation: Today I salute my super spine, and promise to stand tall in support of it. 
(Note: This is probably the only time tall and me fit in the same sentence! #petiteandproud)

Thanks  for reading!

Denise x

PS: Find out more about the project that's behind #30daysofbodypraise at: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/BodyConfidence and please support us however you can.

Happy to be Hippy?

Hips are hot, honestly!

I think we all stand a little taller and feel a little more confident when we read Maya Angelou’s poem "Phenomenal Woman". It proves that by consciously celebrating our bodies we become more confident, even if only temporarily.

I had a friend who used to be teased about her childbearing hips (she’s a classic ‘pear’ shape), but Maya told us that these hips are womanly - I agree and so believe we should shake ‘em proudly (in appropriate places only of course!), whatever size.  Just ask Shakira.

Personally, I'm happy with “the span of my hips” as Maya described hers.

Hips are great – many of the worlds’ commonly considered beauties: Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren for example, boast(ed) them. However, if you’re pear shape and don’t want to accentuate your hips my stylist top tips are… Avoid anything that cuts off around that area, draw attention elsewhere and be wary of peplums.

Now, who’ll join me in listening to this homage by poet Lucille Clifton? 
Hands on hips of course! 

(Also available at: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/homage-to-my-hips/comments/page-2/)

Find out more about Lucille Clifton: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Clifton

Thanks for reading and hopefully see you tomorrow!

Denise x

PS: Find out more about the project that's behind #30daysofbodypraise at: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/BodyConfidence and please support us however you can.

Hands Up!

It's not yet 11am and I've already had my hands hard at work starting with pulling the covers off and turning off my alarm to typing this blog, and numerous things in between.

Here are some facts about my hands:

- As a child I had arthritis and as a result my fingers are quite bent.
- As I get older, my hands got more wrinkly.
- My hands have modelled. Yes, it's true.

As seen in the new CMB book: http://www.colourmebeautifulshop.co.uk/product/books/colour-me-beautiful

As with many other parts of my body I've tended to focus on the flaws rather than the fabulous functionality of my hands. And they really are amazing!

Furthermore it seems that others are less bothered about their flaws than I, and when I took part in a photo shoot for CMB earlier this year, my hands were chosen to go in the book.

My point is: how can/do we talk confidently about something we don't really like or appreciate?  And that's what this series of blogs is about - if we can start by appreciating our bodies, I believe we can move closer to loving our bodies and being body confident. So stop focussing on the negative and show some gratitude!...

"Dear Hands,

Thank you for all you do. Sorry that I take you for granted most of the time. I promise to be more considerate in the future, and to pamper* you more.

Love ya,
Denise"

*Pampering my hands may include:
Wearing gloves when washing up, using hand cream more regularly... and massaging them at the same time, getting a professional hand massage, having a manicure.

How will you pamper yours?

Thanks for reading, and if you've used your hands to print out or scroll down don't forget to say thank you!
Denise x

PS - You should also use them to TLC: http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/about-breast-cancer/touch-look-check and support out Body Confidence calendar: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/BodyConfidence

It has to be boobs!

What it's all about... 

Welcome to blog one of my 30 day challenge - #30daysofbodypraise. This is going to be one of the tougher ones for me because I'm not used to praising my bust (which I usually describe as a 'lack of').

To me my breasts don't really serve a purpose (and don't start me on my trials with breastfeeding!), at least not in the way my eyes or legs do but this is probably the most important blog of them all because it's why this series exists.

Our marvellous Maria

A group of CMB consultants including myself are producing a calendar for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a disease our cover girl Maria Hastings has. Our aim is to raise £50k, raise awareness about the disease (which affects men as well as women), and boost body confidence. 

Many women have a 'problem' with their boobs, and breast reduction and enlargements were still the most common forms of cosmetic surgery in the UK in 2013. (Source: http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/feb/03/uk-plastic-surgery-2013-most-popular)

But, whether our boobs are big or small, real or fake, shapely or odd-shaped, if they are causing no medical problems and are cancer free - we should be grateful, truly grateful. However, as is often the case, we don't always appreciate what we've got until it's gone, it's not working properly or it's at risk and that's just not good enough... So, heres my little ditty of thanks for my baby B's:

"Forgive me if you think it's rude, but I'm just gonna touch my boobs*

I need to check that they're healthy, I'm grateful they came for free.

They're not that big, but they are mine. 

So thank you Lord, they'll do just fine!"

*Check out http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/about-breast-cancer/touch-look-check

Thanks for reading and hopefully see you tomorrow!

Denise x

PS: Find out more about our project here: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/BodyConfidence and please support us however you can.

30 days of Body Praise

Building-up Body Confidence by saying 'Thank You'

Earlier this week, there was a tweet on @_BodyConfidence - a project I'm part of and that night I did a general thank you to my body for what it did for me that day and does for me, every minute of everyday.

The tweet was:

I starting thinking 'what a healthy perspective of our bodies it would give us' if we did it regularly. But rather than just a general thank you, I've decided to spend the next 30 day documenting my gratitude for different body parts. I hope to blog a healthy mix of stories, quotes, advice and quotes along with the gratitude, which I'm sure will be easier for some of my bits than others!

I plan on using the hastag: #30daysofbodypraise so do follow it on Twitter if you're on there.

I hope a few people will follow it and even take part, which in turn I hope raises the profile of our Body Confidence Calendar project to raise £50k for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

What do you think of my 30 day challenge?

Thanks for reading and hopefully see you tomorrow!

Denise x

PS: Find out more about our project here: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/BodyConfidence and please support us however you can.

How to: Stay stylish in sunshine or showers!

All change... with the weather! 

With the weather being so changeable at the moment, it can be a bit of a challenge to know what to wear from one minute to the next.

If, like me, you need to keep dry when it rains and warm when it's cool, here are a few of my tips:

Keep your feet in:

Ankle/shoe boots or at least closed in shoes like on-trend brogues are the thing for now. If you must wear sandals or cute heels, carry them with you or keep them under your desk.

(Note: I am not 'natural' enough to condone the 'wear your trainers to work' trend!) 

Get a big bag out:

Pick the right one with these tips (http://damsonbelle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/im-bag-lady.html) but remember, whatever else it is, it'll need to be big enough to carry everything you might need including...

...My number one accessory of the moment:  An umbrella, obviously. Go for a bright one as you'll probably need it to cheer you up in the rain!

I love this one: http://www.shop.masato.co.uk/collections/umbrella-s-by-klair

But, you should carry your sunglasses too, so that you can instantly look more spring-like when the sun comes out.

Layer up

You probably don't want to be wearing your winter coat in May, so go for a shirt under your dress or a light cardigan under your jacket for example, and a wear a scarf around your neck (PS: make it a bright one in the right colour please!).

Bottom half:

Whatever you're wearing on your bottom half, I learnt a valuable lesson this week: Have a pair of socks in your handbag - light to carry and warming in a 'I got soaked coming back from lunch' emergency. 

http://www.mytights.com/gb/miss-oroblu-heroes-knee-highs.html

And finally, just a little reminder to take care of your skin and protect it from the elements... there are lots of them!

Stay warm, cool & dry peeps!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
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Fashion Fever!

If you know me, you'll know that I don't consider myself a fashion blogger and so try to avoid 'promoting' brands and products. If you read my Twitter account, however, you'll know that I do have a wee crush on the classy, yet affordable, Fever Designs (http://www.feverdesigns.co.uk/) which I came across by accident.

In April I entered a competition to try and win yet another Fever item to add to my collection. The task was to say where you'd wear each dress, and I couldn't help but add the 'how' too!

http://www.feverdesigns.co.uk/blog/2014/04/competition-where-to-wear-spring-edition/

My opening line was a deliberate attempt to get noticed by the universe, even though they said the winner would be chosen at random. And, to my great joy (I kid you not, I was a very happy bunny because I never win anything*), I WON!

On Friday I went to the London store to meet Lauren to decide which dress to get, and though it was a tough choice I chose this one with the help of the super kind and patient staff. I'm really glad I tried them all on along with numerous other things (all lovely), as I might not have chosen this one if I'd have simply 'shopped' on-line. Like all my Fever dresses it's well made and cut perfectly for my petite frame, and the pockets are a bonus! I know it's going to become a staple - I can dress it up with heels and a pretty cardi' or down with wedge trainers and my denim jacket as just two options.

http://www.feverdesigns.co.uk/apple-dress-ink-lime-lemonade.html

Which one would you have chosen?

*I don't normally enter competitions which might account for some of this! Note to self: Enter more competitions to get clothes and save money ;-)

Until next time.....

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
• Check out my Pintrest: Denise Sanderson-Estcourt
• Like me at: Damson Belle on Facebook
• Join: This blog!