How To Stop Selling Yourself Short

Yesterday someone asked me if I was a designer. Immediately I responded no, referring to my 9-5 conference planning job. After chatting with this person and talking a bit about what I love and my blog, I came to the realization that I am a designer. It may not be what I went to school for or my so called career, but I design all the time. Whether it's in my home, with my outfits, or a makeup look, I am designing. This person then went on about how she is never wrong with her intuition and that she knew I had a knack for the creative/design world. She also went on to say how special this gift is and when something comes more natural to you that we often forget it is not like that for everyone. Just like I cannot perform acupuncture, some people can not fathom putting outfits together. Sometimes we think that we all have the same innate knowledge, but we do not.  No one on this planet has the same eye as you do. You see things differently than everyone else and your perceptions are what makes you unique.

I really took this to heart and started reflecting on our conversation more and more. I realized that you don't need to have a degree in something to be something. You don't need to go to school to become a master at something and you are so much more than a piece of paper or what you do for a living. We cannot sell ourselves short. Do you love to bake? You're a baker! Do you love to bicycle? Then you're a cyclist! It's so important to not put these limitations on ourselves as they will just end up impeding on our dreams.

So how do we stop selling ourselves short?

Acknowledge your successes. Do not brush things off and do not play down your accomplishments. When someone says you put together a fabulous outfit do not just brush it off and say "oh, this old thing!". Say thank you and really appreciate that yes you did put together a fabulous outfit. Accept the praise in all walks of life.

Forgot the word "just". We all do it. I "just" write a blog, or I am "just" working here. Um, hello! Do you know how much goes into "just" writing a blog? The workload is insane. And you're not "just" working here. You are gaining valuable experience every day to take you where you need to go.

Do something every day to get you closer to your dreams. Take the little steps to get you where you want to be. Don't say no to opportunities. Take something out of the suckiest of situations and put yourself out there.

Accept that you are so much more. You do not need to compare yourself to your own expectations or someone else's experience. We all need to stop selling ourselves short and focus on our current achievements and future successes.

W H A T  I ' M  W E A R I N G:
Shop LangSURA top (similar, similar), Tobi maxi skirt (similar), Old Navy sandals (similar), DIY straw bag


P.S. The lavender fields at Terre Bleu are a dream come true! Also, did you know I made this bag? Check out the DIY here.

DIY Natural Lavender Body Scrub

I have become obsessed with trying out all-natural body/beauty body and all things skincare lately. I mean the skin is the largest organ right? Why would we want to taint it with chemicals, parabens and freakish oils and fake junk?  Gross. No thanks. With the changing season, it's no secret the skin gets dry. I mean it's trying to adjust to the heat, the cold, and the wind, the sun, and then the lack of sun. Body scrubs become my best friend during this time of year! Vanilla, coffee, grapefruit, I'm all for them! But did you know how easy it is to make a scrub at home? We're talking 5 minutes easy. And with ingredients I already had on hand. Now that's something! This all-natural, lavender sugar scrub I whipped up with my Thursday Plantation essential oil, can be made with 3 ingredients-- coconut oil, sugar, lavender essential oil. I added in tea tree oil for extra disinfectant properties, and dried lavender for mainly cosmetic reasons (I like the way it looks and the added scent).

Lavender oil has pure, calming therapeutic properties and it is amazing for relieving symptoms of stress and anxiety. I love to use it before bed in the bath to really make sure I'll get a fantastic night's sleep. You can also use lavender oil to clean make-up brushes, or just add a few drops to the bath for ultra calm sensations.

I also added just a few drops of tea tree oil for it's antiseptic purposes. Most people known tea tree oil as an acne fighter, but it's also known to reduce redness, inflammation and pain. And it removes bacteria. The best of both worlds, right? The scrub is insanely moisturizing because of the coconut oil and will leave your skin so soft. I urge you to try this one out. It couldn't be simpler, and it makes the perfect little gifts... hello, the holidays are vastly approaching! Store it in a glass jar, add a pretty ribbon and you had your bestie gifts done! Way better than spending $20 on a store bought body scrub!

Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon 100% pure lavender essential oil; around 25 drops  (c/o Thursday Plantation)
1/2 cup coconut oil (hardened state)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (add more if you want it more texturized)
Dried Lavender
*optional: a few drops of tea tree oil

Directions:
Makes 1 small jar
1. Combine all ingredients in bowl and stir until combined
2. Store in airtight glass container or jar at room temperature

How easy was that?! Enjoy! And let me know what else you use lavender oil for.

Plenitude of Pastels

During the spring and summer months my favoured ensemble is often comprised of an abundance of pastels. Yes, I do pair pastel pieces with neutrals in fall and winter, but I seem to go pastel crazy when the warmer weather hits and the sun is shining! In contrast to the perceived ideology, pastels do not have to be faint and subdued, and I often find that wearing a combination of mint, lavender and pink can be just as bright and dazzling as your favourite neon pieces. The pairing of pastels makes me most happiest, and I hope you now understand where the "pastels" in "pastels and pastries" came from. And yes, you may remember my obsession with this Coach Mini Tanner from this post ... I caved. 

{and the fact that it matches this 1957 Cadillac is amazing.. but purely coincidental}

{Blouse & Necklace- Forever 21, Jeans- Topshop, Shoes- Shoedazzle, Purse & Wallet -Coach, Sunglasses- D&G}