Flaunt Your Mom Bod: Swimsuit Edition
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of the things we can probably all agree on is the fact that swimsuit shopping would be a very effective form of torture. And it only gets worse after you buy the swimsuit, because then you get to wear it in public.
It wasn’t always that way, though.
Ok, maybe it was for some women, but another thing we can all agree on is that after kids, swimsuit shopping is worse.
But why? Why do we let our self-perceived “flaws” define us? Why do we let them keep us from enjoying our time with our family? How much more enjoyable would vacation and pool time be if we just gave all those haters staring and judging us a hair flip and went about our lives? The point is, these “flaws” that keep us from living summer to the fullest are really all in our heads.
We’ve teamed up with C’est Belle Boudoir to capture some of Memphis Moms Blog’s team members in all their swimsuit-clad glory, and to show that moms can still rock swimsuits with the best of them. All four of these contributors have different insecurities, different personalities, and different body types. One thing is for sure, though: all four of them are beautiful, and have earned the right to flaunt their mom bods.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Amanda
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Where did you get your swimsuit and accessories?
My suit is from Aerie–I’ve recently converted to Aerie from Victoria’s Secret. I love their (more affordable) underwear, bras, and lounge clothes, and they even have adorable swimsuits! Aerie also advocates for women’s body positivity with a slogan called aerieREAL, and features un-retouched images of women of all sizes modeling their products. Love!
My earrings are from AlinaInWonderland on Etsy.
The gorgeous necklace is from Ivory Closet.
Those wedges? They’re Vince Camuto.
How many kids do you have?
I have one: my daughter Madison is 17 months old.
What part of your physical appearance have you struggled with the most since becoming a mom?
I miss my waist!
What part of your body do you love the most?
I like my big butt and I cannot lie.
When do you feel the most beautiful?
When I have fresh hair color. It’s amazing what a little bleach can accomplish!
What do you hope people see when they look at you?
My big heart.
What advice do you have for that mom struggling to take off the cover-up this summer?
First, find a swimsuit that highlights your favorite part of your body. Next, try to remember how much your children love to play in the water with you, and that you’re the most beautiful mom in the world to them! Last, try self tanner or spray tan– I always feel more confident in less clothing if I have a great tan!
What do you hope other moms take away from this project?
Confidence, love, and acceptance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
Belinda
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Where did you get your swimsuit and accessories?
Good ole Tarjay!! Target for suit & hat.
How many kids do you have?
I am the proud mother of two boys, and they are 15 & 17.
What part of your physical appearance have you struggled with the most since becoming a mom?
My stomach area, although this didn’t become an issue until after I turned 45.
What part of your body do you love the most?
My booty, I think it’s just the right size.
When do you feel the most beautiful?
When my sons say “Mom, you look beautiful,” because I know it’s from the heart.
What do you think people see when they look at you?
Energy, happiness, and confidence (although I might not feel it at the time).
What advice do you have for that mom struggling to take off the cover-up this summer?
JUST DO IT!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
Lindsay
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Where did you get your swimsuit and accessories?
Target! I’m sort of a swimsuit junkie, and the vast majority of my swimsuits come from Target. This specific one is several years old, and I love it because it’s a bikini, but it covers my whole butt, which seems to be hard to find these days. My earrings are from Treasure Box on Union Avenue, and all my bracelets are from a variety of places.
How many kids do you have?
One firecracker son: Grady. He’s four and a half.
What part of your physical appearance have you struggled with the most since becoming a mom?
My boobs. I never really had any before, but they are completely nonexistent now.
What part of your body do you love the most?
My big ol’ butt. It’s hard to find things that fit both my waist and my butt, which is a total pain, but big butts are “in,” and that’s lucky for someone like me!
When do you feel the most beautiful?
When my son or my husband smile at me. It sounds so cheesy–but those two really know how to make me feel beautiful.
What do you hope people see when they look at you?
Big red hair, and a big personality to match.
What advice do you have for that mom struggling to take off the cover-up this summer?
Is it really worth it? Yeah, there will always be those people at the swimming pool or beach that people watch and judge, but who is having more fun? Them sitting there and being snarky, or you splashing around, laughing and having a good time with your family? Yeah. That’s what I thought.
What do you hope other moms take away from this project?
I hope they realize that beauty doesn’t come in a specific size, or with specific measurements. If you’re beautiful on the inside, it’ll shine through, regardless of what you’re wearing (or how little you’re wearing) on the outside. Your best accessory is your smile, and the best smile is a confident one.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
Mary
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Where did you get your swimsuit and accessories?
I ordered the swimsuit from ModCloth.com. They have a really great selection of all varieties, especially ones I feel comfortable in with my mom bod. This particular suit is an “Esther Williams.” I love the retro look and color. I feel like retro cuts show off the right curves and hide the not-so-flattering ones well. Accessories: earrings are I-N-C, bracelet is Target.
How many kids do you have?
Two kids. My daughter, Josephine, is 3. My son, Ari, is 2.
What part of your physical appearance have you struggled with the most since becoming a mom?
My stomach and my chest. I was always a little large in the chest, but now I am really large and I have a hard time covering them up. Also, my tummy really took a beating. Not only am I rocking a C-section scar, I have a lot of stretch marks and lot of belly where I once had none.
What part of your body do you love the most?
My legs! They never failed me through the many pounds I gained. I find short shorts, skirts, wedges and high heels to be a big confidence-booster for me these days.
When do you feel the most beautiful?
I feel the most beautiful when I actually take a long time to get ready. A nice long shower, shaved legs, makeup done just right, and a hairdo complete with the straightener or curling iron and product goes a long way! I could even wear sweatpants and still feel like a million bucks if I start my day with my “just right” routine. Which, let’s be honest, isn’t very frequent unless I start my day at 5:00 AM. I’m a night owl by nature, but I will sacrifice an early wake up if I feel the need to have a beautiful kind of day.
What do you think people see when they look at you?
An aging, swollen, frumpy, and tired mom most days.
What advice do you have for that mom struggling to take off the cover-up this summer?
Just take it off! You are beautiful. You may not look like you used to, but you have earned the new look. You have created life and continue to keep that life alive and thriving. I think we are far too difficult on ourselves. Beauty shines out from the inside. Take off that cover up and enjoy the pool and the ocean and a little bit of Vitamin D with your family! Your kids will most definitely thank you and they truly do think you are the most beautiful woman in the world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]We’d like to give a very special thank you to Denise from C’est Belle Boudoir for all of her hard work and the time she put into helping us make this project a success. Also, a huge shout out to Kasey Acuff for her fabulous makeup skills! Kasey is a pro at making women look beautiful, and she went over and beyond for us![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
