Is there anything more feminine and flirty than a top that shows off your shoulders?

Obviously that trend is everything (not to mention, everywhere) and has been for awhile but I just love the way it so effortlessly transitions into fall.

On the days when I’m feeling not so confident and just simply not myself, an off the shoulder top is the perfect way to show a little skin, be a little saucey but not feel like you’re putting your entire pasty body out there for the world to see. Unless you’re into that, in which case, do what makes you happy girl.

But this ghostly gal has been feeling a little less than lately. And this is so not some weird fishing for compliments scenario and no I’m not delusional and think that I’m hideous. I like to save that level of dramatics for the Bachelor finale, thank you very much.

Don’t we all have days (or years) where we wake up and we feel gross and unsatisfied with our bodies and nothing in our closets seem to work and we’re wondering why we were born with this nose and why our hair isn’t thicker…

And even though we know we’re attractive and we also know that more importantly, we’re also interesting and funny and intelligent and just fucking cool in general…it’s easy to forget.

The thing is, even though I have no shame in dragging my tripod into the middle of the street and taking pictures of my outfits, or constantly posting selfies for all the world to see and wearing whatever the fuck I want (I mean, I literally do it for a living) there are still days where I agonize over my pictures. I’ll debate if I should just scrap the whole post. I’ll think about how I really should get a trainer like I’ve been thinking about. How I really should eat less and run more and get a spray tan before I blind someone.

There are also days where I wake up and I feel totally beautiful and my outfit is on point and my makeup is flawless. I’m a fairly confident person. I really believe in myself. You have to, to be able to put yourself out there in the ways that I have over the last year. But no one can be confident every minute of every day.

Even writing this makes me squirm in my seat. I hate admitting my insecurities. I feel like confidence is my thing. So if I don’t have that, what do I have? Well, upon further inspection, a whole fucking lot.

I have amazing friends who share my sense of humor, a job that I adore, family who support me with so much unconditional love and encouragement I wish I could bottle it up, and huge dreams with a fiery determination to achieve them all to go along.

I think the key to confidence and getting over those days where you feel like trash is to just realize that you’re being totally ridiculous. Make a list of all the things you love about yourself (hey, don’t knock it till you try it!), hang out with friends who make you feel good, do a face mask, take a bath, watch a romcom, whatever makes you feel better.

At the end of the day I know that I’ll never be perfect. I love pasta. I have thick thighs. I’m essentially translucent and I can’t tan. Those are things that I doubt will ever change. But I really don’t think I was meant to waste my time worrying about things that are either out of my control or are important parts of my life (i.e. enjoying delicious food).

I put a lot of pressure on myself to be this perfect version of Sheila and to maintain this brand that I’ve built over the last few years. I wanted to be a writer so badly and when I realized I could make it happen with blogging I threw myself in 100%. Sometimes I forget that if I give myself a break (literally and figuratively) once in awhile my entire world won’t come crashing down. I don’t have to be perfect. I can just be me.

Alrighty, the gushy self love session is over! We can move onto the good stuff:

SHOP THIS LOOK:

This adorable off the shoulder button down was only $14 on sale from my new favorite fast fashion site, boohoo.com. These jeans are ridiculously comfortable and are obviously from Express because #foreverandalways. These blue floral print mules are the real MVP (tell me why I think I’m cool enough to use sports references? Is that even a sport reference? Bleh) because 1. obviously SO cute 2. they go with everything, trust me and 3. they’re only $35 at Target! They’re a part of the WhoWhatWear collection and I’m obsessed. This bag has been seen all over my instagram because it’s perfect and fabulous and I really just can’t make myself stop using it. I got it at a NYFW event from Gina La Morte who designed the line and not only was she truly the sweetest, warmest person ever but her line Trade does more than just sell beautiful bags. Trade donates 20% of their net profits to charities that fight against human trafficking and violence against women. Literally there’s no reason not to buy their stuff. This gorgeous dusty rose cross body is the perfect size for trekking through the city and it’s made of Italian suede so the quality is amazing. Shop it here.

Xoxo,

She