Recently while  on vacation in Miami, the thought of what to wear to the beach brought up a whole lot of unresolved feelings for me.  I wanted to be cute-sexy but not skanky.  I’m also a mom of three, and I worry about how my body looks since I have love handles, a muffin top, and all that extra stuff you get when you become a mom. I felt so nervous about wearing a bikini–something I hadn’t done since I was on my honeymoon and a whole lot smaller. Thankfully, a few weeks before my trip, I learned about a swimsuit designer who designs high-waist swimsuits. If you are carrying a little extra weight around the tummy, a high waist swimsuit is the swimsuit for you.

High waist swimsuit designed by Allusion by Alekay.

After I put the swimsuit on, I felt uncomfortable, and I started asking myself why I was feeling that way. I told myself in my Beyonce voice, “I’m a grown woman!” I shared my feelings on my facebook page and a friend’s comment literally gave me life: Africa said, “Those curves you have, you earned them.”  I started feeling my confidence rise. Yes I am grown, a mom of three, and dang it, I feel great and look good. No need to feel ashamed of my body–stretch marks, wide hips and all.

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Later in the day after posting a photo on Instagram, I received a text that read, “Those photos are not flattering;” I got so irritated. It’s my body and I am proud of my shape, therefore your opinion is none of  my business?? Heck, I saw women who were three and four times my size and they, too, looked great. Whether you are a size 2 or a size 22, I want to encourage you to be your own kind of beautiful. Embrace who you are and rock that sexy swimsuit–you, Yes, you! You are beautiful, flaws-n-all.