Hi Sweethearts!
The beautiful bloggerista of The Merry Traveller paid me the most wonderful compliment recently, she had me laughing out loud when I read this:
“You my dear can be cast in a mix match of the most perplexing prints and emerge a victorious and gorgeous being! Kudos!”
Looking at this outfit that I wore a few days ago I see that she does has a point about the perplexing prints! You know me, I am such a thinker with a sensitive heart, always observing and pondering the big and small things of life. It struck me that her comment also applies the human experience.
Surviving, getting by, living, redefining, overcoming, growing, really feeling, really being present in our lives. My own growth is mirrored in my fashion.
For most of my life I have battled depression and anxeity beacuse of things that happened to me growing up. For over twenty years I was so deeply ashamed of my self, wanting to remove my self all together, believing that I was a burden to others, that just looking at me discusted others. I cloaked my self in black skirts that dragged on the ground, wore clothes that hid my body, walking around grieving my uglyness and shortcomings inside and out.
I still have those thoughts sometimes, but as you know, this is not what is prominent about me these days. I have fought long and hard, still am, to get to a state of self love, self acceptance, dignity.
I am emerging, I am done apologizing for being me, I am celebrating my self with my fashion - colours, prints, figurehugging dresses and all. I am a self worth activist, fiercly standing up for all of our right to define ourselves by own standards, both in my professional life and blogger-life.
The outfit: I designed the dress my self. I combined the top with a belt taken from a miniskirt (H&M) that I wear as a scarf, but that is growing smaller in size lol. I layered the dress with my olive leopard number (H&M and reworked by me), a tribal print scarf (Zara), feather, ring and hairband (H&M) and leopard booties (Nilson).
I was cast into a perplexing mix of obstacles, and I am emerging victoriosly. Didn`t think I would see this day.
Sweethearts, I want to thank you each and every one for reading my blog, for commenting, for becoming my friends. You are impacting my life in a tangible and beautiful way. I love you.
Would you like to contact me? I would love to connect with you!
anikack@gmail.com @AnikaByAnika Facebook
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: Mode_Plus
May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pm
“I was cast into a perplexing mix of obstacles, and I am emerging victoriosly”, Anika I’m a member of this group. On point with your content. Keep sharing your heart with us. Lots of <3. Nef
Mode Plus recently posted..FBFF- Fitness and Fashion
Twitter: apple_franca
May 4, 2011 at 5:50 pm
you know what: you are the most wonderful person! xxx
Franca recently posted..A vintage dress with yellow- and some thoughts on editorial style outfit photos
Anika you never cease to inspire! I can feel the power of the hate you have turned into love! Thank you so much for sharing your vision of beauty and honor with the world, we are all better for having you in our lives!! And yea we need to have an ass shakin celebration, on multi contintents!!!
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Thank you so much for being you, and for your wise words. There is a reason why I am all about love, BIG love, and you are spot on. As for the ass shakin, I am happy to report that I am training for it every day, and will expect to do a dance off with you when we paint Sacramento red
Lots of love to you!
Twitter: kristyelena
May 4, 2011 at 6:54 pm
this is such a beautiful post. i love the way you found deeper meaning in the comment she made. and your analysis is one hundred percent spot on. i can totally see that. it’s like you were cast into the most perplexing mixmatch of life events only to emerge victoriously as well. you find the beauty in things and you make them known. you are the sweetest, most humble, most beautiful blogger out there. i am so glad that thinking you’re ugly no longer dominates your days. because you are truly gorgeous, inside and out. and you’re one of the most inspiring bloggers i’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know.
so many hugs to you sweetheart.
kristy recently posted..tribeca photo diary
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Kristy, you are all soul and heart, and I see it, and I LOVE it, and you. Thank you so very much. I am so looking forward to our fantastic conversations and fun toghether, I am vizualising it! Hugs and kisses for you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How could looking at you disgust anyone? You are GORGEOUS!
Kirstin recently posted..Little House
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Well, when you are told something for long enough you start to believe it, at least I did. Thank you so much for the love! I was thinking about you today, and wondering how everything is with you. Will be over chez toi soon!
your style= Fearless&Fab but what stands out the most is your great heart and confidence! xo
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Kenyetta=a total sweetheart that makes me happy every time I hear from you! xxx
Twitter: made2travel
May 4, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Omigosh Anika, I got chills from reading this. I really do look forward to all your posts and you never fail to provide inspiration and beauty. Dignity is a great word, friend and I’m so happy to see you are not only kind and generous to others but you are kind and generous with yourself as well. I need to learn this more and more. LOVE YOU like it’s my job!
PS -I think I commented on Mode Plus telling her you are my friggin print inspiration for real! Fearless and incredibly successful you are miss print mixer extraordinaire!
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Bleedinheck you are so cute! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I love you like it is MY job! hehe. Well darling, as for the prints. don`t hold back. Let it rip and report back. Kisses for you!
Twitter: made2travel
May 5, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Oh! It was My Heart Blogged, doh…that’s where I professed you as my print idol!!! I’m going to try, friend!!! I AM GOING TO TRY!
Anika, you are such an inspirational writer because you write about your personal experiences and how this experiences have shape you into who you are now. By writing about you, you write about me and about many of us that had to deal with adversity. The more personal a story is the more universal it becomes!
Ofelia recently posted..Sunday we visited Mami- observed the Day of Remembrance and
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Thank you so much Ofelia, I really needed to hear this. Sometimes I wonder if I come across as self absorbed, writing about my own process, but it is as you say, I am writing about me because I have to start with me to be authentic. That is what I am thinking. Thank you so much again for your feedback. You are a true friend. I will surf over to yours soon love.
Twitter: arashmazinani
May 4, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I love your outfit I also loved how you revealed a bit more about yourself in the post and opened up which is quite a brave thing for anyone to do on a blog, bravo!
Arash Mazinani recently posted..Dress Sizes & Self Esteem
Twitter: AnikaByAnika
May 4, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Thank you Arash, I appreciate your feedback! Big hugs coming your way xx
Apologizing for being you? People should thank you for being you! You are a Little Miss Sunshine! The world needs more people like you! By the way, I just really really like this one!
DC
xx
http://dentelleetchocolat.blogspot.com/
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Have you try this Harem Pants before.
It’s very comfy.
Twitter: Joy_Featherby
May 5, 2011 at 1:48 am
Anika,
You are a radiant beauty. And you have the most beautiful eyes and these pictures really show them off – love it.
It’s heartbreaking to hear that you suffered, and yet your life is inspirational. Your kindness, intelligence, courage, creativity is a light to others and it shines through the blog-o-sphere. Thank you.
(((hugs))))
Joy recently posted..Plus Size Swimwear- Always for Me
Twitter: WendyBrandes
May 5, 2011 at 3:22 am
Good! Just be you!
Twitter: sheblog
May 5, 2011 at 3:25 am
Girl, you preach it! You are such an inspiration and I encourage you to continue pressing forward and loving yourself every second of every day!
The clothes are fine and all, but I really think the reason I come back to your blog time and time again is because you have insightful, uplifting, inspiring things to say. You validate my teenage self who hated her body when it was much larger and your prove that beauty is basically all in the brains and the sass. Love it!
Twitter: thestyleconfess
May 5, 2011 at 7:01 am
Very uplifting!
Love,
Heather
Heather Fonseca recently posted..How to look great in jeans
Ingen gjør mønstermiks som deg:)
MyFavouriteThings recently posted..Hello- Goodbye
It’s been a while since I commented but you… you’re still gorgeous and so bloody talented with your magical sewing
I just love the strong presence in every single shot/outfit you do.
I love the way you mix fabrics.. but over all you look fantastic!
I adore you too. xo
Lee x
Lee Oliveira recently posted..Rosemount Australia Fashion Week…Day 4
Twitter: citizenrosebudz
May 5, 2011 at 8:58 pm
i believe that people who love to mix patterns love the dynamics of living life. you look gorgeous!
Bella Q recently posted..outfit post- Striped Like Santina
Twitter: curvycdn
May 10, 2011 at 5:58 am
“Sweethearts, I want to thank you each and every one for reading my blog, for commenting, for becoming my friends. You are impacting my life in a tangible and beautiful way. I love you.”
We feel this way about you too, Anika! You are inspiring to start cutting things up and sew! I’m starting with old t-shirts, but I am sure I will get better over time.
The Hamlet reference is not lost on me! You are from Denmark, right? You must love that play! LOL. I am studying towards a phd in English drama.
Great outfit, and great outlook. You’re fab.
Curvy Canadian recently posted..Im the Toast of Paris – in my own Backyard!
oh wow i love the clash of the prints, the leopard shirt looks phenomenal. oh and you always know how to wear the accessories. the scarf looks amazing. and i love the ring so so much. smashing as always girl
Absolutely Mrs. K recently posted..leader of the fanny pack
I love the leopard shirt .I wish I had one like you.Thank for sharing.
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jolie tenue,j aime bcp
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