I have been thinking a lot these past 2 1/2 years as I've been diving into blogging/writing and attempting to stay true to the most AUTHENTIC version of myself.  I have questioned myself over the years and wondered if I should even bother going down this road.  Am I too old?  Pretty enough? Stylish enough?  Smart enough?  Business savvy?  An eloquent writer?  Will anyone care? 

You know what I have figured out?  If I follow my heart and ignore the questions, I always feel like my true self to the fullest extent.  I have figured out that the same goes for my style.  If I stay true to who I REALLY am and wear what I want, I am always happy about it.  Each year that goes by, I attempt to ignore the questions in my mind and the notion of "will people like me and/or care what I have to say?" and just live how I want!  I choose what I wear each day to make MYSELF happy and to feel confident.  It may not always be the most flattering, but I wear what I want.  That is it!  THE secret!  Crazy but I'm telling you women out there...that is it!  WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT!  Whether it's an outfit I blog about or not, it is a huge part of what will make you happy and confident and the truest version of yourself!

I have been trying so hard to let go of any preconceived notion of what a woman or mom my age SHOULD be doing, or what they SHOULD look like, (which is really hard sometimes, especially in the south, am I right?)

Try it tomorrow and see if you don't feel amazing, powerful, and above all else, confident!  Whether it's wearing sweats, leggings, jeans, a dress, or a bold lip like this one that I just discovered, DO YOU!  Do what makes you feel like the absolute best version of yourself!

So whether you come to Honestly West because you want fashion advice, a little pick me up, or because you are my friend, I hope you leave with something that lifts you up!  I want this to be a place for more than just pretty pictures or fashion advice.  It's definitely been heading more in that direction lately, and I'm pretty happy about it!  I hope you are too!

Ps:  I just found this amazing lippie and I am so excited about it!  Also, it's under $10, so there's that too...

Nyx powder puff lippie (only $8.50!)