Self Image and Red Carpet Days

Self image has never been an easy topic for me. As a child, I was always a little heavier than other children, and my struggles with low confidence started early, as chronicled here.

Over the years, I've dealt with an eating disorder and countless days of low confidence. Very, very low. Depression tends to make low confidence even worse, and the two issues can spiral into an ugly, overwhelming mess. You feel you have nothing to dress up for, and then you feel that dressing up is too much work. In turn, you feel bad about yourself, and it continues on and on. You lose all hope of having a red carpet day again.

After all, the bad thoughts say, you have nothing to celebrate, and no one will want to celebrate you. If you were a stronger/smarter/better/more beautiful person, you would have the strength to put yourself together. Look how easy it is for other people!

But sometimes you need to break out your favorite lipstick or mascara, even when you don't plan to go anywhere, or see anyone. Sometimes there's magic in the physicality of setting out your favorite 'getting ready' tools. Sometimes there's magic in the right black eyeliner.

Lately I've fought back at low confidence and depression through a variety of means, but one of them has been busting out my favorite makeup and jewelry and getting red-carpet ready. Any day can be a red carpet day, if you feel like you need one. Get dressed up. Take some great pictures. Wear your amazing outfit just for sitting at your computer to write, or draw, or meditate, or bake a pie, or watch your favorite movie.

You can have a red carpet day at 2am or 6am or noon or 7pm. You can do it ANY time you want.

Here's a few pictures from recent "red carpet days."

London In 3, 2, 1...

Nothing like going to England to make you take a long second look at your wardrobe. I must have tried on at least 20 outfits today, in all sorts of combinations, and that doesn't even include jewelry and accessories! Keeping in mind the November weather, the London sophisticated style, travel comfort and needing to take up as little space as possible in a bag, I've snagged some Kendry Bird staples, including:

*The Mod Dress. This is what I describe as my signature dress, because I can always count on it and have worn it for so many amazing days in my life since rescuing it from a second hand shop. It's truly a dress that people have come to associate with Kendry Bird.

*Kate Hudson for Ann Taylor dress. This dress is just plain sexy, while still being comfortable. I've only worn it a couple times, so it's perfect for a club, should I hit one up while in London. Watch out, English cuties!

*The Sparkly Black Skirt. This is another signature piece in my wardrobe. Since buying it a few years ago, I've worn it maybe 100 times. It never goes out of style, it never stops being fun, and it always makes people smile. It's getting a bit old and the sequins sometimes scratch my skin, but there's always a little pain in the name of fashion, right?

Only a few days away now! Can't wait to head to England after years and years of dreaming of it!

Kendry Bird October Style Files

This month has been a tough one in a lot of respects, so far, but I've tried to make sure to keep true to my love of color, eccentricity and good old fun when it came to style, at least.

Here's some snaps from October so far:

A Fashionable #TBT

Tonight's a new episode of Project Runway, so here's a #TBT to Fashion Week last year, with some wonderful ladies.

What was your favorite moment at NYFW'13? Who are you rooting for on PR this season?

Wellbeing Spotlight: Pure Indulgence Day Spa

Yesterday I had the great opportunity to visit Pure Indulgence Day Spa in Concord, NH. A lady with gorgeous bubble-gum pink nails had mentioned Pure Indulgence to me as a fabulous spot for manicures and many other delights, so I made an appointment right away!

Once inside Pure Indulgence Day Spa, I was greeted by the most adorable French Bulldog in the world, five year old Petunia. Petunia wandered over to me for inspection and then retrieved her toy so we could play. Truly the best way to start any spa visit!

Just as friendly and wonderful was Pure Indulgence's owner, Heidi. Heidi greeted me personally, welcomed me in and told me a little about some of the services they offer (nails, facials, massages, oh my!) I was able to enjoy a relaxing cup of tea by a fireplace (fake, of course, since it was roasting hot outside) while looking through some fun magazines (Cosmo and Allure. Perfect!) After a very busy and sometimes painful last two months, it was wonderful to unwind somewhere so homey and pleasant.

Heidi, who received training from one of the most talented massage therapists (or massage WIZARDS, I would call her!) Amber Flanders, was able to communicate with me about my painful shoulder and the issues I have with my back and neck. She brought me to a cozy room and helped break up tension in my very, very unhappy muscles. As someone who has chronically tight muscles in the neck, shoulders and back, thanks to a lot of stress and a slightly misaligned spine (hellllllooo one shoulder that is an inch higher than the other!), this was a godsend. I carry my stress in my upper body usually, and Heidi knew just what to do to help it! Heidi is empathetic and just as great with working magic on sore muscles as Amber.

You should definitely make a visit to Pure Indulgence next time you're in the area. Everything is wonderful from the moment you walk in the door until the moment you leave, including the relaxing music and smells you'll experience. I can't wait to get back and try my very first facial at Pure Indulgence... but that will be an adventure for another blog post!


-Kendry Bird

Pure Indulgence is located at  244 N Main St Concord, New Hampshire

Call to make an appointment: (603) 228-7873
Like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pure-Indulgence-Day-Spa/146999783477
Tell them that Kendry Bird sent you!

 (If nothing else, you have to visit to meet Petunia!)