DeanStSoc + IHOD introduce #EncourageBeauty
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 8:00AM My sweet friend Tree is in her 50's & one Sunday I commented on her plum sweater, "That color is just stunning on you!". Months went by & she said in passing one day, "You know, you told me once that I looked pretty in my purple sweater & I think about that every time I put it on."
I got teary-eyed right then & there. I'm still getting choked up about it as I type this.
How often do you see a stranger in the grocery line & think, "Wow her hair color is stunning" ...
Glimpse a friend's profile picture on Facebook & muse, "I swear she gets prettier every year" ...
Pass a woman who works on the floor below you noting, "She looks incredible in that coral lipstick" ...
And you keep it to yourself.
You don't want to bother her. Sound silly. Make a fuss. Have it come out wrong.
But have you ever felt bothered when another woman paid you a compliment?
Or did it light you up? Make your day? Inspire you with how thoughtful & generous they were?
Who do you see that is absolutely beautiful?
{My friend Joelle looks so chic & Parisian in spectacles! Jean Michelle & Kristen are simply radiant in bright jewel tone colors! Downing always makes red lips look so effortless & Laurel is having the most bangin hair day here! Thanks to Downing, who's both of our hair stylist.}
How can we encourage one another's beauty?
The root of the word "encourage" is "to put courage in".
You have the power every day, to put courage in another woman.
You have the power to make her think every time she pulls out that plum sweater, "I look beautiful in this".
And what does that woman do when she walks out of the house feeling beautiful?
She has the courage to say to the stranger on the subway, "By the way, that dress looks gorgeous on you."
And so this month, in lieu of a #StyleMe Instagram Challenge, instead of taking our style to the next level by starting with ourselves, let's take everyone's to the next level, by starting with one another.
The #EncourageBeauty Manifesto {Part 2 of 2}:
We can't wait to share the rest of the details with you tomorrow. But for now, go visit Anna's post to see Part 1 of the #EncourageBeauty Manifesto! If you're with us in this commitment to #EncourageBeauty this March, Pin/Tweet/Facebook/Instagram & spread the word. Share it with your friends. The more the merrier because beauty begets beauty, & courage begets courage ...
See you back here tomorrow with more details ...
Reader Comments (11)
I am going to love this series! Excited to read what is to come ;)
Thanks Sheila! I am just so thrilled to be sharing it & so excited to be doing it alongside Anna!
As a sister of someone who has suffered from an eating disorder for 15 years, a mother of a daughter, and a high school teacher who has seen far too many girls criticize rather than praise one another I cannot put into words how deeply inspiring I find this idea. Bravo ladies; I look forward to all the beauty and inspiration that March holds!
LOVE this idea. i couldn't agree more. women need more of this these days.
thank you!
www.delightfulbybridget.blogspot.com
Oh Style Tutor, this comment just warms my heart so much, thank you! Wouldn't it be cool if we could get some teachers to encourage their high school girls to join us in this?!
Bridget, thank YOU for being with us! Truly the power from this will come the more people are a part of it & the more we feel even in quiet ways that people all around us are thinking this way or would be if only they were invited.
I love this! It's something I try and make a point of doing, no matter where I am. Sometimes you get that strange look,but more often than not, it's a look of shock followed by gratitude. Knowing that someone noticed noticed you,someone who you maybe didn't notice, can be such a shot of confidence. I can't wait to read more!
XO
This reminds me of something that happened well over a year ago. I was walking in the West Village and gaining ground on a tiny little white-haired lady with... amazing legs. Modest skirt, low heel, stockings, and just the perfect curve of calf to ankle--and I couldn't help but stop momentarily and say to her,
"Excuse me, but I just have to tell you--I hope that when I am your age, my legs are as beautiful as yours!"
She gasped! and then her face lit up! but she was still speechless when I walked away.
STILL one of my favorite New York moments!!
Katie & Deirdre, it can be so hard in New York City when everyone's bustling! I often try to compliment someone working at a register, because you already have that one-on-one interaction. Or in line, especially if they're behind you so you can be the one to turn around & aren't tapping them on the shoulder. I love how already #EncourageBeauty is challenging me to think about it more & make the extra effort though!
Absolutely love this idea. People need to join this!!
Shared it on my blog: http://sparrowlanebeauty.blogspot.ca/2013/03/encourage-beauty.html
Love that Gillian! Also I adore your blog name. So lovely!