I feel pretty.

"No matter how plain a woman may be if truth and loyalty are stamped upon her face all will be attracted to her".

-Eleanor Roosevelt

I love these words. I want to be someone who is known more for her character and values, than success or appearance. Naturally, I appreciate and admire others who encompass these same traits. Though there is nothing that can sway my outlook on beauty being shown through inner character, lets get real here... what woman doesn't enjoy feeling physically beautiful/pretty/attractive?

I don't know many... or actually... any.

Last night, while chatting about life and all its complexities, my good friend and I hit on the subject of beauty and feeling attractive. I realize that this "feeling" can come and go, though we may never outwardly look any different to anyone else. There are so many things that can contribute to these feelings. One I idea we brought up, and one I find interesting, is the fact that most of us women have little rituals, for just ourselves, that  keep us feeling put-together or attractive... aka feeling like a real person, really.

Whether its keeping up with a workout routine, getting our hair done, keeping our eyebrows pristine, putting on makeup, eating healthy, or having our nails painted... we all have something. I've noticed that once I fall off the wagon with my "something", some of my feelings of attractiveness seem to run away with that wagon I've so slowly slipped off of.

So, what can you do when you've lost your mojo?

One thought is... take time for YOU.

Seriously. I know life gets busy... really busy. Sometimes it seems that all there is time for is to roll out of bed and just go until its time to crawl back into bed again. I get it. Sometimes I just don't feel like I have enough energy to keep up with my wagon. However, when you feel yourself slipping off, or already fallen off, I'd like to encourage you, or more-so, challenge you to find one or two things you can do for yourself, to make you feel good about you.

I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again... feeling good about you goes a long way. And even if it makes no difference to anyone else, feeling good about how you look can encourage that positive outlook toward yourself. 

When I was in college, I remember one of my professors telling our class to always wake up early on finals' mornings. No, she wasn't suggesting that we get up to make a nutritious meal, but that we should take time to dress up and make ourselves look extra nice for our test. Weird no? No! She mentioned the fact that when you feel confident in how you look, your confidence reflects in your work and your response to so many things in life. That being the case, I'll wore heels to my finals, thank you.

My tie into today's outfit with all this thought, is that I realized I wanted to start showing a little more care in my appearance. Even if it takes a little more time. Yes, I know that I'm the girl who puts outfits together for others... but most work days my hair is up, I'm sans makeup, and my outfits are easy, with not much creativity or thought put into them. So, I told myself that today would be different.

And so, this is what I came up with...

I fixed my hair, put on some lipstick and mascara, and wore a dress that I rarely wear. I wrote down a weekly workout plan in my goal book, and stopped for coffee by the beach on my way to work. I took time to visit with friends, and hopefully, I encouraged someone today. It was a good day. 

I don't need to have a certain look to bring out the best in me, but I do want to always remember to appreciate me, and if that's giving myself a little extra love every now and then, its a good thing.

Attitude goes a long way, not just in yourself but affecting others around you. Be good to yourself. Be good to others. 

Makeup-less or done up, you are beautiful. Just remember to keep shining your light.

Oh and I can't forget:

Outfit Breakdown

Dress: Loft $24

Cardigan: BR Outlet Banana Republic $19

Necklace: Banana Republic $12

Tights: Gap $7

Leather Boots: Cathy Jean $60