Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Beauty-full Tuesday: NieNie

Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues is visiting Cardigan Empire to help us launch a new body image series.  Beauty-full Tuesday features real women with real insecurities moving past them to beautiful.


Before my 2008 airplane accident, my heels were high and my belts were tight.  Comfort folded to fashion. 

I still love fashion, especially being feminine. Frills, slips, soft colors, and fabrics make me feel like a lady, which helps me to act like a lady.  And I've come to realize that I can be beautiful again.

But post-crash I have to prioritize comfort.   And my modesty is even more specialized.  High collars, long sleeves and skirts paired with stockings.  I have a lot of restrictions in selecting clothes that suit my new conditions. But you can still be darling, modest, and fashionable, even with issues.

Pretty isn't in a dress, a lipstick, or a perfect body.  Pretty radiates from a confident, feminine, comfortable soul.  Dress your soul in these qualities first, and you will look beautiful no matter how simply you are dressed.

39 comments:

sara said...

That is lovely.

stephanie said...

oh that stephanie is so wise. i think i'm really going to love this series. we all have insecurities, don't we?

Hank & Laurie said...

Wow - that is beautiful in itself...Love how you put it!

Kim Yamaguchi said...

Preach it sister!

And I hope you don't mind my saying this, but the photo of you that accompanies this post is absolutely, stunningly gorgeous.

Beth said...

well said! I think stephanie has always been beautiful and still is, but now she has this extra inner radiance that is just stunning! I love both of you beautiful girls!

Michele said...

Love it
and a gorgeous gorgeous photo too

Leigh said...

That was beautiful. You are beautiful, Nie. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Karen said...

Stephanie - I've been reading you for years - I think this is one of the best posts I've read, great words, wisdom to live by. Amen.

Beautiful, indeed :-)

Reenie said...

~ <3 ~ beautiful ~ <3 ~

EBeauty03 said...

Stephanie is amazing and such an inspiration! THANK YOU!

Melanie Anne said...

What wise words!! Thank Stephanie for your sweet example of true beauty!

coembrpa said...

blue is your color!! You look gorgeous in that photo Mrs. Nielson.

Lyanna said...

Stephanie is absolutely right, the most important thing to address first is your soul, in any circumstance. I think I need to readdress my lady-ness, yoga pants, jeans, and t-shirts just don't cut it.

Alice said...

Nei...I don't know you and you don't know me but everyday I look to see what you say because it makes me happy. You make me happy. Thank you for being the you the Lord has planned for you to be. You are beautiful.
alice

Ashley@Heart2Heart said...

Stephanie you radiate beauty in every single way possible!! You look stunning in that blue dress, you show what it means to have integrity and be your best self!!

Domestic Diva said...

I have been reading Stephanie for years as well and she is even more beautiful now because her spirit shines through in everything she does. I also agree, a gorgeous photo of NieNie - blue is your color!

Jenny said...

soul beauty...absolutely!

Ranee said...

I absolutely agree! Stephanie you are absolutely beautiful! Both outside and inside! I SO admire your courage and strength and understanding of life and love! Your style is brilliant! Keep on Keepin' On! :0)

djuna rykiel said...

Stephanie is simply gorgeous. I just love this woman.

The Star Gal said...

Stephanie,
A picture speaks a thousand words....and all one has to do is look at you to see what a beautiful person you are. You radiate beauty.
Sometimes I feel like we are the best of friends (although YOU don't know ME)....but it looks like everyone feels that way. Ever ask yourself why? It's because you're a beautiful person.

Deborah said...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

How do you see yourself, the inner and outer self.

Stephanie ROCKS, I wish I had an ounce of her strength

Dawn said...

Beautifully stated....
Stephanie radiates true beauty.

Lucy said...

I love her! She is so inspiring!

Eileen said...

You are amazing and inspire me everyday. I love your blog and your wise and thoughtful post!

irbuanosraL said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
A.L.L. said...

I love the way you wrote this. My friend and I were at W.C. in the 2nd row in the middle. We enjoyed hearing you and your sisters speak.
You just glow, and are so pretty and sweet. Thanks for being an inspiration!

Megan Marie said...

thanks again nie nie for your ever-inspiring advice and example.

Heidi (Todd) Broberg said...

LOVE THAT! Great reminder!

Nicole said...

Absolutely perfect.

... said...

so inspiring!

Lightning Strikes said...

I absolutely agree with Stephanie! She's such an amazing person. She's beautiful!

cidalia said...

A few months ago I fell upon Stephanie's blog.Something about her -her story-her simplicity -her realness inspired me to step out and persue a passion that I have for writing. A week later I started a blog and love expressing myself that way. Stephanie inspired me to be me. Thanks. Really thanks. WWW.istopped.blogspot.com

Sandra Coleman Clarke said...

i too have been following Stephanie's blog for a long time and I really feel that I know each one in her family. She is beautiful in spirit and looks and each day seems to brighten her life. I think she is an amazing lady!!!!
Sandra in Georgia

Lindy D. said...

"...you can still be darling, modest, and fashionable, even with issues." Oh, how I needed to read this today. I had a mastectomy last year and have many fashion limitations. Thanks for showing us how to stay strong.

Wendy Ahlman said...

Love you! You're the best and so brave, such a great example to us all!

Nisha @ Healthy Mom's Kitchen said...

What an amazing series. Se could all benefit from the focus on dressing our souls rather than our bodies. Thanks Stephanie!

The BabbyMama said...

This is such great advice! I just went back to work after 2 years at home with my daughter, and I have to say, while I wish I wasn't working and away from her, I've never looked better. Hopefully when I'm home again, I'll hold onto dressing prettier. I feel prettier and happier when I look good!

he calls me wifey said...

I adore this post as I adore NieNie! Thank you for featuring her brave soul <3
~Andrea @ http://hecallsmewifey.blogspot.com/

Alyssa P said...

this is beautiful! it couldn't be said in a better way. i'm so glad i found your blog and this series. i am still working on this.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails