It's all in the name!

Décolletage...

... What's not to love about this sexy body part when it's very name sounds so beautiful and feminine. Personally, I love mine!

The décolletage includes the neck, shoulders and chest; and most necklines exist to show off this area (not our boobs).

To keep it at its best, it's important that this area is well moisturised (especially as we age), but in my opinion the best treatments for each area are these...

• Neck: kisses
• Shoulders: a massage
• Chest: perfume

Ooh er Mrs!

And on that note, bon nuit!

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.

Baby got back!

I've been too busy to stop and think about how fabulously functional my body is today.  I've let my body do its' thing, and now at the end of this long day I wish to express my thanks to my...

Bottom,

Behind,

Butt,

Derriere,

Seat,

Posteria,

Bum!

Whatever you call it, mine may not win me "Rear of the Year" but today I'm glad "I've got back!"* as I've as I've sat in numerous meetings and at an evening lecture. 

I've got a big butt and I cannot lie* but rather than being upset about that I am grateful for my abundance of natural padding and more importantly it's an area I am more than happy about.

Seems as if I'm getting the hang of this (grateful + happy =) body confidence thing!

http://www.rearoftheyearcompetition.com/past-winners/

See ya next later!

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.

*A rather naughty, but award winning song.

Mouthy Monday!

Don't put a sock in it!

As anyone who knows me would tell you I love to talk... Always have according to my school reports!

Over the years there have been times when I've been quiet for fear of overdoing it, but in reality this is an easy praise for me because my mouth is my main source if income.

As a HR professional and trainer (oh yes I am), being able to talk is usually a pretty handy skill. And I obviously have to present to groups and talk a fair bit with clients re my image consultancy work too.

I also like to eat, and my mouth is pretty darn good for that too!

There's so much to it too: Tongue, taste buds, gums that hold in the teeth that I use to chew the food I love to eat!

And there you have it, I have no trouble singing the praises of my mouth (others may be less enamoured!). Now, if only I could sing like an angel...

Discussion point:

Is there a body part that's key to how you make your living?

Enjoy the week ahead!

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.

Your beautiful Mind

Celebrate your Cerebral!

If we're celebrating our bodies, we simply have to include celebrating our brains.

It is said...

Quote from Bruce Lee

...and so if we think confidently about our bodies and believe them to be wonderful, that we can make them so.

We should also use our minds to think about what is healthy, sensible and reasonable for our bodies.

By having confident thoughts, we feel more confident. The more positively we carry ourselves, the more others believe we are body confident. And the more this all happens, the more we reinforce the original thought(s). How wonderful that, in the main, having body confidence is a choice we can actively trigger a la my chat with the girls in yesterday's blog (http://damsonbelle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/first-response.html)

So, in the battle for body confidence engage your most powerful weapon - your beautiful mind! And give thanks for it and the power of thought.

Think positively in the week ahead!

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.

First response.

I was out today with a group of friends when the subject of this blog came up. We talked around the Body Confidence project, and subject of how body confidence in the media etc affects young boys and girls. However, when I asked them to say which body parts they were confident about, the first response was this:

"I hate my hair"
"I don't like anything about my body"
"I wish I had a flat stomach"

This, from three beautiful, intelligent, fabulous ladies (of course, they're friends with me!).
Aaaaargh.


So, I asked them again - reminding them not just of the question I'd actually asked but also that their responses could be overheard by those same young people we'd talked about earlier.

To my relief, the second set of responses (with no further prompting) brought a much better list:

"I like my shoulders, and my legs - everything really apart from my tummy" 
"I'm quite pleased with my body actually, it's pretty good for my age - not too saggy!"
"I've got great skin, and hair"
And better still, we went on to list about the things we love about each other... easily!

Lots of funny body stories then followed too, so:

- Today's lessons: 

1. Watch you first response - a young person might be listening.
2. Encourage others to be body confident
3. Focus on what you know to be beautiful.

Keep it positive people!

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.

Not to be twisted!

Without our ankles allowing the up and down movement of the foot there'd be no ballet, running, jumping, cycling or tip-toeing; and if you've ever twisted your ankle you'll appreciate the great job they do with little or no thanks (most of the time) especially if, like me, you're a high heels kinda girl.

But if just for today - Appreciate your awesome ankles, whether you've got skinny ones or 'cankles', and keep them strong with these tips: http://www.wikihow.com/Strengthen-Your-Ankles

"A slim, graceful ankle is a thing of beauty and many a woman has a pretty ankle to thank for her claim to beauty"...

From "how to be ADORED : A girls guide to Hollywood Glamour" by Caroline Cox

... Got ankles you want to show off? 
Simply draw attention the them with a tattoo, ankle chain or fetching ankle strap shoes!

That's all folks, 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.

Ear, ear! It's #30daysofbodypraise

Listen Up!

We all know the ear is 'the organ that detects sound' but did you know it also aids our balance? So as well as my personal thanks to them because I can hear poetry, music, my son saying 'I love you mummy' and more, my ears also give me a place to hang my earrings and enable me to wear stiletto's! 

... Love 'em!

• How your ears can boost your body confidence: 

Find a fave body confidence song and (a) listen to it with your eyes closed so you can fully appreciate the song and your ears or (b) whilst looking at yourself in the mirror so you fully embrace yourself!

Question: Do you have favourite body confidence song? 

Here are five I'd recommend:

- India Arie: "Video" (So many great lyrics, just listen to the whole song!)
- Jonny Diaz: (The song says: There could never be a...) "More Beautiful You" (Believe it)
- Philippa Hanna: "I Am Amazing" (title says it all, say it to yourself)
- Bruno Mars: "Just the way You are" (listen to the positive commentators, not the haters)
- Prince: "Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (whenever you hear this question, the answer is "Hell yeah"!)


Don't forget to tell me your fave body confidence song!

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.