 |
| Top, Jacket, Scarf: Old Navy. Pants: Thrifted then dyed by me. Shoes: Target. Lips: MAC pro-longwear: Lasting Lust. |
I spent a large part of last week despising my body.
Most of the time I’m okay with my height, or lack thereof, but last week I all I wanted was to be a little taller.
With long slender legs.
Calves lanky enough to buy regular riding boots without them landing at the wrong part of my leg.
Leaner arms.
Not-so-short and stubby fingers and toes.
And while we’re at it, maybe a bit more in the general chest area.
You get the picture.
Add to that the fact that I felt rotten all week, and well…
Not a great week for getting dressed.
But, at some point, and I don’t know when, something struck me.
This is my body. The only one I’ll ever get. And while I can exercise, and eat well, get in the best shape I can, my legs are never getting any longer. My fingers will always look like a child’s. And let’s face it, if my cheeks haven’t thinned out by 29, I don’t see it happening. Ever.
But.
This body has still done some amazing things.
Even though it’s small, not even 5 feet,
it has carried three babies, without a single stretch mark.
It has birthed them, without c-sections, and without complications,
It has nursed all three, despite my small chest.
It has pulled all nighters when it was necessary, and still got me through the next day.
Lifted things I didn’t think possible.
Run races without stopping.
So yeah, maybe it’s not perfect.
It never will be.
But it’s my body, and the more I think about it, I’m pretty amazed by what it can do.
I love how you mixed the stripes with the pattern on the blouse! It works so well together because they’re both in the same color palette.
Sometimes I wish I wasn’t petite and then I remember my 6’4 hubby is there to reach the items on the high shelf :)
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
This a very inspiring and humbling post. Love it :) I get that way sometimes because I’m short and have a large chest, making shopping modestly a huge hassle and expensive. But it’s always good to remember everything that my body has done for me and got me through. :)
This is just what every woman needs to hear. Thanks, Cori. You are beautiful, inside and out!
And you dyed your own pants? I think we need a tutorial!
♥Abbey
Along Abbey Road
DownEast Basics Giveaway
You are so right. I used to be very overweight and got back in shape, then had my child and then had to lose weight again. I am the smallest I have been since I was in my early 20’s but I still have fat days. But it’s because of things I can’t change, like a round face, short torso, big hips and chest that just don’t change size no matter what overall size I am :P I too am short but I am slowly learning to live with them.
PS I think you are gorgeous :)
Girl, you are beautiful. You have nothing to worry about. I love your hair, your lips, your cute frame, your complexion. You are gorgeous exactly the way you are. And I’m saying this hoping you don’t think I’m some freaky stalker. lol Own what you’ve got. You are lucky!
But, I know where you come from. Sometimes we all want what we don’t have. I wish I were taller and less curvy. So, its good to know that even those that we see as gorgeous are a little self conscious as well.
beautiful post. We all struggle with this at times, so its wonderful to hear how you handled it – recognizing our bodies as a gift from God and all the wonderful gifts He has given us through it. Not to mention you look adorable, love love love the outfit, the hair, the colors. Would love to see a tutorial on your hair!
I love your outfit, but I love your sentiments even more. This is something I am struggling with.
love this post! and that blouse is so gorgeous!
http://www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com
Beautifully written by a BEAUTIFUL person.
I feel the same way on all counts. 4’10”, sometimes love, and sometimes not. No stretch marks here either!
I love this post! We should love our bodies, although we sometimes don’t, cause they are the only ones we’ll ever get. Thanks for this great reminder!
You look great in all your posts! As a fellow petite gal, I totally understand the boot dilemma.
great post!
I love the color of your trousers, I should try dying some. Went out shopping today to find a red pair but never found the shade I was after. They were either too pink or too orange. Dying could be the answer.
Might be a silly question but you start of with white trousers right?
Sooo beautiful. Your pics, and your writing. :)
I just came across your blog a day ago. We are the same height and some days I feel exactly like you!! I thought, if she can do it, so can i!! I always have trouble finding stuff that fits, pants too long, shirts too bulky, i have normal size feet so I guess i got blessed in that department!
Anyways, i just love your style, inspirational!
This is my favorite post that you have written so far :)
I can totally relate, being just under 5 feet, muscular legs, and basically flat chested.
Glad to know that I’m not alone and that I’m not the only one with nice round cheeks haha!
Thanks for posting this, girl!
Happy Tuesday!
xo
Oh Cori I loved this post. I actually love your whole blog! You’re such a beautiful person, even though we have never met I feel you like a good friend. I like how you see life, how you love your family, and how you can so beautifully express your feelings! Keep up the good work, I’m loving it.
Greetings from Germany,
Maria
PS: I’m almost 6 feet tall and sometimes I wish I could be smaller! the grass is always greener on the other side I guess.
AW, I love this post! I’m right at 5 feet and I know the feeling of wanting to be taller. But for the most part, I love being small, dainty, and well, petite. :) You are so adorable the way you are. Seriously. One thing I wish, was that I was skinny like you! :-)
Thank you for reminding me to be thankful for my body and all my perceived “imperfections”. I am like you, a shorty who has carried three babies who sometimes sees myself through critical eyes. I also would like to thank you for your post a few days ago about your brother…you inspired me to talk with my 3rd grade students about words and the impact they can have. Thanks again and I love your blog!
Beautiful post and so true too! I love the colorful outfit and the denim jacket!
What a great post Cori! You are so very beautiful and an amazing writer to boot! I am also a mother of three with stubby legs, a small chest and a knack for hating my own body at times too. Thank you for reminding yourself and the rest of us how truly amazing our bodies can be. Your blog is a real treat.
and all those things you mention ARE what makes your body AWESOME!
Loving the outfit as always
You’re practically perfect in every way! :) Even though we may not always love our bodies, we are so blessed to have them. They truly are amazing. And, you especially realize this after having babies…stretch marks, swelling, flabby and all. Thanks for this reminder! And, thank you for your phone calls and thinking of me this week. You’re so sweet and such a great friend. Love you!
This is Mo, by the way…for some reason my mom (Linda) was still signed in to her google account and my comment went under her name. Sorry!
I would also love a tutorial about dying jeans. Many of the new spring color jeans and crops are very expensive, and I can’t help but think there is a more cost effective way to get in on this trend without breaking the bank. Please tell us how you did it!
Corey, you are so sweet and pretty. I love your blog and feel like I gained a friend when I found your blog. Keep up the great work of inspiring everyone. love ya!
Meg
http://biglifeblogspot.blogspot.com/
Cori, I read often but comment rarely but this post was really beautiful and REAL. I’m also a 5′ gal and have been having a similar week and just wanted to say hi and your post really inspired me to think about what my body has provided me. Thanks for sharing, and love your outfit, like always!
You give me hope & style! We are the same height, age & size in all the same areas…lol! & I have those days too! but I think everybody does. We are always our own worst critic. But I have come to the place that the lord designed me just how he wants me & in his eyes I’m perfect & that’s all that matters! & my husband thinks I’m great so I’m thinking I’m pretty lucky :) Now you say no stretch marks oh you give me hope…we have no children yet & I have always been so scared that I will blow up & get them everywhere please tell me did you have a secret???? You see I have a rather plump booty & from the stretch marks there I look like I have birthed 3 babies…lol! Please tell me you secret & pics I bet you were styling then as well :)
Ok, I just found you and spent the last hour going through every single one of your posts and pinning outfits so I can remember to dress as cute as you do!! I love your modest style! Thanks for all the great ideas. Can’t wait to see more!!
I can totally relate! I am about an inch taller but not 5 feet either. I get totally frustrated with trying to find clothes and shoes that fit and are fairly affordable. I will never understand why petite clothes are so big and so “old” looking. I also have to remind myself that this body has served me well…three kids, daily activities, no major health issues. Although you are a little younger than me, I find outfit inspiration on your blog. Your outfits are beautiful and tastefully done.
One of the reasons why I love petite blogs so much is that many of the bloggers share the same body/shopping “issues” that I do. You can try to talk to your family and friends about them, but they just don’t understand.
That said, you are one of the prettier women in the world, despite all the things that you mentioned. I think you should just take that and run with it.
I love your blog. I love this outfit as well! I am 5’7 and I WISH that I could have carried my four babies without stretch marks. The grass really is always greener. It is so easy to be critical of something that we are around all of the times especially…ourselves! You just never know who else is WISHING to be just like you (and I am sure that more than a few people are :)
creamyclothes.blogspot.com
So true! We have to appreciate ourselves more! You are so pretty!
If you had a different body, then I wouldn’t have a style role model, and I definitely need one!!! I absolutely love what you do with clothes on our body type!!!
Thanks for sharing your honest opinions. In a blogging world, where you want what others have, it’s easy to get lost in the coveting shuffle. I’m so guilty of it. Thanks for putting a fresh spin on it. I am blessed. I DO have plenty. And I am thankful for your nugget today. And your red lipstick. :)
I read your blog almost daily because you are a beautiful person inside and out! I have the longer legs and taller frame but I also struggle with how to dress! I think you are a wonderful inspiration and I enjoy seeing what new ideas you have. You inspire me to pull together things I hadn’t seen and that inspiration isn’t affected by the fact that you think you are too short. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! God bless :)
Thank you so much for writing this!! Now I feel a bit better about my own tiny body :)
Thank you so much for writing this. We women take our bodies for granted and are very harsh on ourselves. You are right, this is the body we were born with and we should learn to love it. By the way I love your blog. It has inspired me to buy brighter clothing and to re-examine the clothes in my closet and to make up new outfits. I live in Vancouver, so we have very similar weather to yours in Seattle. Thanks for your blog. I look forward to it everyday.
Awesome message! I think we all have those days…
I think we also need a tutorial on how you dyed those pants! They’re awesome!
http://easy-life-blog.com/
Great thought here! I love love love your outfit today. I have been so into Old Navy lately and love that scarf and dotted top pairing!
I absolutely adore this post. We’ve all had those “hate my body” moments (or weeks or months), and it is so wonderful to see how you managed to remind yourself of how awesome your body really is. Fabulous. And such a great outfit to boot :)
Cute outfit!
I’m 4’11”. I feel ya.
-Lauren
I was just wishing that I was your size and then read this post! Totally relate with the height struggle – I feel like a little kid around the 6′ co-workers when I talk to their hips… Your outfits are wonderful and your posts are so genuine. Oh – and you’re beautiful enough to allow pics to be taken of you all the time. Lucky you to pull your outfits off flawlessly!
Can I just say as a petite lady i feel the same sometimes, but when I see someone like you or one of my faves Elizabeth Taylor (5’3) It makes me realize that you don’t have to be 5’10 or even 5’5 to be absolutely fabulous and beautiful. Not to mention your lovely personality. So thanks for all the inspiration!