Dainty Alice


A pretty little LUSH, Beauty & Lifestyle blog.


Embracing My Curves In Summer

I've always been so used to eating whatever I want without putting on weight throughout my teen years, but it's finally starting to catch up with me. When I saw I'd put on almost a stone of weight, I simply sat in the bathroom and cried.

However, the compliments started pouring in. My family told me how good I looked for putting on some weight, my boyfriend loved my new curvy bum. Yes everyone is obsessed with having a 'bikini body', but I've just started to realise that doesn't mean being teeny-tiny and it's more about being confident with who you are.





Observe my darlings, for I am the Lord of the Thighs. A softly rounded tummy, thick thighs, and legs that haven't been shaved in days. Normally posting a photo like this online would make me feel physically sick, but as of recently I just don't see why there's an issue. I think I look fabulous.

I love being curvier. I feel softer, more feminine than I used to. Yes I have days where I miss the jutting out hipbones when I laid on my back, but instead they've been replaced by something I never had before - a proper bum!

I'm not fat. Yes, I now fit more snugly into my jeans than I used to, but I'm still relatively slim. But even if I was, being 'fat' is not the worst thing you can be, despite how magazines and gossip rags portray it. They act as if daring to step outside in a bikini if you're not a size 6 is a deadly offence.

Oddly enough, I'm actually a lot more confident wearing a bikini with the few extra pounds than I was before. I've left the house recently in short-shorts, playsuits and dresses without tights, whereas last year I felt constantly nervous and covered my legs with flesh-coloured tights at the least. I'm even wanting to experiment with wearing crop tops (though that might take a bit longer for me to adjust to!)

I apologise for this post seeming a bit rambling, but I couldn't really find a better way to express how I'm feeling. I used to think being a size 8 was absolutely everything and putting on weight was the worst thing in the world, but now it's actually happened, I'm not that bothered. I feel better about myself. I love being a tad bit curvier than I was before, when I used to hate that I didn't have any hips or a waist. My biggest inspiration through all of this is the model Crystal Renn, after reading her autobiography about how she accepted her natural shape, it really changed my mindset towards these things.

I'm 100% going to live in shorts and bikinis this summer without a damned care in the world, and I suggest all my readers do too! There's more to summer than having a 'bikini body' and as my gorgeous friend Rachel said in her 'Pressures of Being Bikini Ready' post, step one: Find a bikini. Step two: Put bikini on. Wise words indeed!

By all means, eat healthy, go to the gym, lose weight if you feel you really need to, but when you put that bikini on this summer, know that you're bloody fabulous just the way you are. I sure as hell know it.

16 comments

  1. Love this post! Everyone should feel confident and happy in their body whatever their size or shape! Every body is unique and it's up to the individual to define with is happy for them! As long as you're healthy and happy I say to hell with the media dictating a certain "bikini body" I recently wrote a post on my blog about bikini body and confidence http://www.theprintedparade.com/how-to-get-the-ultimate-beach-body/ so check it out! I also posted a bikini photo which before would have been scary but now I love!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this post! I'll definitely check out your post xx

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  2. This is so empowering! I have an upcoming post on loving the skin you're in! Go you girly! You're a beauty!
    Katie xo
    http://misskatief.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

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    1. Thank you! I'll keep a look out for your post xx

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  3. I love this post! And you look incredible! Imbrace your body and love it! You look fab! :) if only I could have your confidence! :)

    Erin @ MakeErinOver

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    1. Thank you so much!! It's taken a long time for me to gain some confidence, but I believe in 'fake it until you make it!' xx

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  4. What a lovely post and such great inspiration. It definitely takes confidence from within to accept yourself the way you are especially when we are constantly surrounded by images of what the 'perfect' body should look like. But you're right we're all beautiful the way we are and feeling happy within ourselves is most important x

    Beauty with charm | Benefit Cheekathon Giveaway

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    1. I'm so glad you found this post inspiring! xx

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  5. Love this! It's so hard to actually feel confident though.
    We should spend more time making ourselves happy.

    xxx
    Claire
    http://www.theclairediary.co.uk

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  6. This post gave me the biggest girl power feeling ever, body confidence is such a big thing for everyone and we all need to give ourselves a bit of a break every now and then, who cares if my legs are a little curvy, they carry my around and make me able to walk everyday! beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, very inspiring to read!xx

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    1. Ah yay! Thank you so much, girl power! xx

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  7. Yay,I love this! Good on you 😀 xx

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  8. Amazing Post! You'll often find no one is even paying attention to other's body shapes on the beach & they're just enjoying themselves! This is what i do anyway! Wear what you want and look god damn fabulous doing it love :)

    ..x
    www.beverbeeee.com

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  9. I bloody loved this post. I've had the same issue coming up regularly over the past few years, but on my last holiday I just decided to not care about it. I was so surprised when I went to the beach and the guys there still approached me. They didn't care. I didn't care. And it was the best feeling ever.

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  10. I love this post. Thanks for the uplifting and positive message. Keep 'em coming!

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Every single comment means so much to me, thanks for making me smile! :)