perception vs reality

when you look into a mirror… is what you see your reality?

OR

when you see a picture… is THAT what you believe your reality is?

i just came back from a trip i packed outfits for.

meaning… i planned ahead what I was going to wear for certain events that were happening on said trip.

i tried some outfits on & some I did not.

the outfits i chose… some items to create the outfit were new & some where not.

these fits were on my IG story throughout the weekend but I wanted to have some [back]story time about my experience… bc once again… i KNOW i’m not alone in feeling this way.

this outfit was for a happy hour girls night.

new top from tjmaxx paired w/ a pair of jeans i’ve had for a bit. loved this look. [trying to find these jeans in actually jean…]

next… the outfit that made me feel pretty & excited that i put it together… but the one i ended up hating the look of when photographed.

i got ready in the mirror… took this photo before we left…

still feeling good about my decisions & how these 2 pieces i hadn’t put together before…

i was excited!

& then we took group photos.

ew. yuck. i literally hated it.

it didn’t create the look i thought I made. the tank looked too light. the sheet top looked too sheer. the tutu was perfect [it always is]… but the top wasn’t doing it.

to ME… it made me look SO much bigger than i thought i was.

but that’s my question here…

what is reality?

is our perception of ourselves in a mirror, reality?

or is our reality the photo that we take & look at bc that’s what others see in front of them?

also... did i hate the outfit bc i was the only one wearing light colors? meaning… my pieces together weren’t as visibly slimming bc they weren’t a darker tone?

maybe i would have liked the outfit more if it had been a black, navy or hunter green?

these are the questions i ask my clients while styling them… we talk about priorities, colors, events, etc.

i didn’t think I needed to ask mySELF these questions bc this top & this skirt… i had already worn… but not together.

& I took NOTES. ha.

BUT… my lesson was learned about what I feel good & confident in.

i’m going to put together 2 outfits w/ each of those pieces… take pictures… & have ya’ll vote to see if they look better separate. :)

you won’t hurt my feelings.

anywayyyyyyy...

the next ensemble of the day was killllllerrrrr.

i was obsessed & you could tell.

i felt confident, pretty & stylish.

i felt so good.

a new body suit from target paired w/ a suede skirt.

my favorite colors were screaming “YESSSSS” at me.

look...

we all have these feelings. sometimes we need a 2nd opinion.

& sometimes we need to have someone take pictures & give us a reality check.

or sometimes we just need a 2nd outfit to make us feel good about the rest of the day.

it sounds silly to some…

but some of you know what I mean.

you’re here for me & I’m here for you.

QUESTIONS:

we’ve all packed a suitcase...

do you pack outfits or do you pack items to eventually make an outfit?

love yall.

tk