Is that wrong... caring what other people think? Yes it is. Do I care? Yes. Yes I do. I hate the feeling of having judging eyes on me. It's an endless mind game that I never seem to come out victorious on. My terrible body confidence is unfortunately something that rules my life. I let it rule my life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I have to get a grip on this though. I'm 29 years old and this is me. My mom told me something rather recently that hit home, she said you're going to look back on these years of your life and feel like you've wasted it. She's right. I don't have kids, I don't have that many responsibilities. I have happiness and love and I let my big butt overshadow all of the other good in my world. That was not a pun.
Every year, without fail, I let my insecurities over my legs/arms/butt ruin my Summer. Next year I'll be 30, I'm getting too old for this. From what I've read in every Buzzfeed article ever, I'm pretty sure 30 is the age when you decide what other people think just does not matter. I promise you guys that I am going to try this whole, not caring thing. I promise I will try.
If you read this post about swimsuit shopping, you'll know that I also made a promise to CB that I would not skip out on Summer activities just because I don't want to be in a bathing suit. After that post, I took matters into my own hands and contacted Swimsuits for All who a few of you had actually recommended to me. Yes, I contacted them, and just bit the bullet, knowing full well it would mean I had to post swimsuit pictures on the blog.
I wanted to collaborate with them for two reasons. The first, and far less important reason, is because I have a massive, ridiculous, in your face girl crush on Ashley Graham. Ashley actually models and even has her own line of suits for them. Sad for me, but this line of suits came out after I ordered mine.
If you don't know Ashley, you need to follow her because she will bring out your body confidence. Everything she does, I just want to stand up and give her a round of applause. She is who us mediums need in our life!
If you don't know Ashley, you need to follow her because she will bring out your body confidence. Everything she does, I just want to stand up and give her a round of applause. She is who us mediums need in our life!
The other far more important reason I contacted them is because of their Summer of #MySwimBody campaign. It is EXACTLY what I'm trying to talk myself into. Here is my swim body. It goes in the water, just like everyone else's. The campaign encourages you to share your swim body, then tag a friend to challenge them to share theirs.
So here goes nothing!
I got three suits from Swimsuits For All and I loved each one more than the next. Also, CB took all these photos for me and I can't believe I didn't punch him in the face!
Did you hear me?! WE MADE IT THROUGH TAKING BATHING SUIT PHOTOS TOGETHER, UNHARMED. That right there folks, is what we call a miracle.
Bathing Suit One || Classic Red High Waisted Bikini
Fit Notes: The top was probably way too big for me, but it was the smallest size they had. I wore it with the optional straps and it ended up fitting fine. Bottoms fit perfectly, true to size.
Fit Notes: The top was a bit too big on me, but with the straps ended up being totally ok. Big boobs are not exactly an asset I have. I read the reviews and sized up a size on the bottoms and they fit great!
CB Note: This was the boyfriend's favorite, I think I could have probably guessed that before even putting it on.
Shockingly, no, I didn't spray tan. I know, I'm naturally just this brown. LOLZZZ.
Bathing Suit Three || The Explorer Bikini
Fit Notes: My favorite of all three suits. The details are adorable, as you'll see on the back and the cute tie around the bikini bottoms. Ran true to size and fits excellently. Highly recommend this one, it was so so SO cute.
Girl I love all of those on you. Especially the red! You look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteall beautiful! i can't pick one! great post - thank you! i am also pear shaped!! and yes, ethan and eli are my cousins... hoping to make it to a game to cheer on the vols this fall! yay! {go rocky top}
ReplyDeletei was a 'wolf' for 30 years! haha
DeleteI love love loveeee that you posted these! And you look GORG-tastic!!!
ReplyDeletePLEASE believe me when I say you look AWESOME in all those suits! I'm 32 so I recently went through the "I'm too old to care, I have to be good to myself" phase and I'm telling you...it's the best thing I ever did for myself.
ReplyDeleteLast summer I bought my very first bikini and I wore that thing every time I had to touch the water. I was paranoid, anxious and found new ways to use my arms as body shields that never existed. But I forced myself to do it. I would put on the bikini and leave the house with no cover-up and just bite the bullet.
Ya know what? This year...the first swimsuit I grabbed was my bikini! Then I have went on to buy 3 more bikni tops because I LOVE them. I am no model, I'm a mom of two with body flaws galore. But no one cares about that stuff half as much as me. And when I decided I stopped caring, life....SUMMER....just got that much sweeter!
Proud of you for posting those pics and looking fabulous!!
I LOVE the red one, you look amazing!
ReplyDeletehttp://dogmomchic.blogspot.com/
Thanks Heather! The red style actually comes in several colors too! I was digging the blue one they have!
Deletealright, you look stunning! seriously so gorgeous. and these are so flattering I am definitely purchasing one!! thank you so so sos much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteYou look great in them all, but love the last one. Kudos to you! And p.s. even at 30-er 33 I still care what people think to some degree, so dumb.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing in all of these! I love the bright, fun colors.
ReplyDeleteX,
Cristina
cristinawashere.com
Thank you!! I've only owned traditional bikinis in the past, with far less fabric. It made such a difference to have that extra bit of coverage!
DeleteI really adore all 3 of these suits and you look AMAZING in them! How did ordering online go? Were the sizes accurate to the measurements? I always get nervous when ordering things online.
ReplyDeleteI would read the reviews, and I'll be writing a review on each of these as well. The red and the more tribal feeling one were both true to size, and the reviews said that. The Blue bottoms were NOT true to size and it suggested ordering up and I did just that and that worked great. The red and blue tops were both a little big on me but I have small boobs... I felt much more secure with the straps on those suits!
DeleteWow that BLUE! I'm definitely anxious about picking out swimsuits, but this post is actually making me a little bit excited!!
ReplyDeleteThis is hands down the greatest thing I could possibly read today!! If I help just one person get over swimsuit anxiety it's worth it!!
DeleteYaaaas you look fantastic! I love all three of these suits on you! Pear-shaped ladies unite! Gonna have to check out their suits...but my tatas are probably even smaller so maybe nothing will fit me.
ReplyDeleteI will be 30 next month and I am still waiting for the full effects of not caring to occur. It is funny though, because it does come about, I promise. Also, I love, love, love that red bikini on you! It is adorable! They all are, but the red is my favorite. Cheers to summers in bikinis with booze!
ReplyDeleteReally love this post! I's always so self conscious about my hips and butt. I hate hating swimsuits because (you're right)it ruins summer!
ReplyDeleteAshley
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
Sarah, I love all three looks you're rocking them and look amazing.
ReplyDeleteSarah you look beautiful in all of these! I am so proud of you for sharing this, because it is so real and so genuine!
ReplyDeleteI'm 31 and I can tell you that caring about what others think starts to diminish... Though it's hard to quiet it completely. I love this post and think you look beautiful. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteI think the red is my favorite. You look FABULOUS & I'm so proud of you!! I totally get the "wasting these years" thing- I spent my late teenage years miserable, treating my body horribly & missing out on things. And I've kind of spent my 20s so far doing the same thing... & it's like enough is enough, ya know? Thank you so much for sharing this :)
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero! ox
ReplyDeleteSarah, I thin you look gorgeous and your confidence shines through in this post! Thank you for spreading happy vibes! I loved this post!
ReplyDeletehttp://eloiseedition.blogspot.com/
You are my precious child and my hero!!
ReplyDeleteThe bottom two are amazing, however, I think I have to agree with CB that tealish one is your jam! You look great and you need to rock all that goodness. I think 28 was my year to not give a f*c& about what people thought of me, my looks or my cellulite! :) Here's to a fun-filled Summer on water with lots of booze, friend! Cheers!
ReplyDeletegirl you're rocking these swim suits.
ReplyDeleteYou look AMAZING. And you are a hero for doing this. I love the second one so much!
ReplyDeleteBring out the fire emojis because girl you look SMOKING! Love the second one!
ReplyDeleteLove all your new swimsuits. Sarah you look absolutely beautiful
ReplyDeleteMy girl crush grows every time I read your blog. Thank you for sharing the medium love. I will be checking out what options are available so I can rock the bikini too this summer!
ReplyDeleteyou look amazing. Love the suits and kudos for being brave and bold and not letting perceptions affect you. Enjoy your summer
ReplyDeleteGirl, you are my hero. You are absolutely radiating and you look so.darn.happy. To be honest, I haven't been in a bikini for about two years because I don't feel comfortable in my body any more. I am in the process of making a change because life is too short. So for me, my goal is to stop the self negativity and GET IN THE DAMN POOL. #getitgirl
ReplyDeleteYou are AMAZING!!! YOU deserve a round of applause as well.
ReplyDeleteThe red one is my fave and I will seriously consider ordering that. I've never been a bikini person because belly, so I always opted for tankini styled suits with boy shorts. Although I did wear a high-waisted one last summer and loved it. These all look great though. Excellent choices.
As someone who turns 32 this gal I can tell you that 30 is a milestone birthday. Not because you'll be 30, but mentally. You truly reevaluate what matters. I was fortunate that my IDGAF about other people's opinions started at around 25, but turning 30 just sealed the box. This is MY life and MY happiness and I'll be damned if I let someone else's judgment stand in the way. EVERYONE has insecurities. So while my stomach may be my issue, I guarantee that someone out there wishes they had my stomach instead of their own.
Looking lovely as always! You go girl! :)
ReplyDeleteLove that you are embracing yourself as is, which by the way is perfect and real and wonderful. We all need to do this yet it is so hard to do. Self acceptance is a rare thing in my world. Thanks for encouraging it!
ReplyDeleteThe older you get, the more you find who you are and the more you accept yourself. Anyway, I know you are a hockey fan and I wanted to share this post with you:
ReplyDeletehttp://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-stanley-cup-finals-hit-san-jose.html
These all look amazing on you! I know how you feel. I told my boyfriend Memorial Day Weekend that I didn't want to go to the pool because I didn't want to wear a bathing suit in front of our friends. I've invested in a couple one-piece suits that I feel a little more comfortable in. And I'm trying to make working out and eating healthier a priority so I feel more comfortable in my own skin.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!! I love swimsuits for all, I love all these suits and I love this post!! I turned 30 last year, and yes, you really do just let a lot of body confidence issues go. For me I think it has been following so many inspirational body-positive models on insta (including Ashley Graham <3), and the more I see it, the more it just becomes normal -- like, yes, this is a normal body. Rock it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat. A. Bombshell. I know everyone is self-conscious, but I'm honestly having a hard time figuring out why you ever second guessed wearing a bathing suit out?! Love all of these bathing suits, but especially the red one!
ReplyDeleteYou are gorgeous! I am so inspired by these bathing suits! Our vacation this year is to a cold-weather destination, otherwise I'd have already bought the blue and black one. You are an inspiration to women like me who would do nothing but pick apart the parts of my body I don't like instead of being in the moment and enjoying it. This summer, (even though we aren't going to the beach, we will be doing pool and lake moments) I vow to be in the moment and not worry about how I look or how I think others think I look. It's about spending time with my husband, my family and enjoying life. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so incredibly kind, thank you April!! I've spent MY WHOLE LIFE picking apart everything on my body, OR, just not going. Actually, just not going somewhere that involves a bathing suit is more my speed, how dumb is that?? I'm so proud of you!!! I can't wait to hear how much fun you have this summer, I bet it will be so freeing trying to let go of caring!! GET IT GIRL.
Deletethe blue and black is my fav! So cute, so sexy, yet not overly skimpy. You found some fabulous suits for your bod and you are rocking it. : )
ReplyDeleteSuch an inspiration sharing your bathing suit pictures. I'm not sure i'd be that brave. You looked amazing in all three but I totally agree with you that the 3rd one is the best.
ReplyDeleteI love you for posting this! You look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAHHHH. I don't know which one is my favorite. The 3rd one has such a great print. You look incredible and you found three AWESOME suits. Also, a note from the future: 30 somethings have more fun and give less fucks :)
ReplyDeleteThis couldn't be more timely, Sarah! I've always been insecure about my body shape (pear shape, that is)—it's something I have yet to love and embrace. Having gained weight since I April last year when I came here to US, I thought I'd hide in my wet suit for the rest of the summer.
ReplyDeleteI'm not gonna lie - I think you look great in all those swimsuits! One thing I did in high school to boost my self esteem that sounds dumb but it really did help. I put a little sticky note on my mirror that said "You look awesome today!" and I forced myself to read it every day before I left my room. In time, it starts to sink in. Enjoy your swimsuit filled summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I absolutely love all 3 and you look great in them!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to tell you about you this diet that is kick ass. I did it and it is seriously magic. I know you are frustrated with weight watchers so you might want to try this. It's called body for life. Google it. You eat every two hours and you eat a carb with a protein. You work out six days a week and don't eat any sugar or sweets. There are certain things you can eat. It's kind of like paleo. You get one cheat day a week where you can eat whatever. But that would make me feel sick so I would eat bits of dessert throughout the week instead of on one day. It ks seriously magic. My stomach got flat in like two weeks and that was when I had my best body. You can eat protein bars as meals. But you eat 6-8 meals a day. Just a thought since you're frustrated. You might have already heard of it. I'm having major body confidence issues so I think i am going to do it again. and did you get my email?
ReplyDelete