Full disclosure? When I sat down to write this blog, I felt an instant tension. Half of me is so excited to lean into my confidence and dispel any negativity around loving my body and then the other half, the obviously vulnerable and human half, knows that I am still a work in progress – I love my body, yes, but will other people be as kind to me as I am trying to be to myself? Perhaps the stunning Blush Lingerie helps, since it inspired me let it all out and be playful with myself.

It’s a practice, that’s for sure. But I practice that I bust my butt on every day, not just for myself but for my children as well. When they look at me they don’t see wrinkles, flab, and excess whatever. They see mom. Super woman. The person who loves them unconditionally. So I try to mirror what they see and love myself unconditionally. What better role model can I be if not a strong a*s woman who loves herself!

So without much further ado, here goes. I think an obvious part of my body I love is my eyes. Portal into my soul and all that, but also, superficially speaking, I love the shape and the colour. One of my favourite activities, and this is no surprise to me long-time readers, is makeup and I love how my eyes can transform and take on heavy looks or a more natural vibe. My eyes are my canvas, but they are also the rose-coloured lenses with which I view the world. My eyes see beauty because that’s what they search for.

I was a dancer growing up so whether I like to admit it or not, my legs are effing awesome. They look good, yup, not afraid to say it, mostly because I work damn hard exercising and all that. But, my legs are also strong. They help me move and keep me going. Rarely do my legs fail me – when I see a mountain, I know I can climb it. When I am served escalator or stairs, it’s stairs every time for me. I have legs that work and that is a gift.

As an extension of all that exercise, I have to say my butt is perky and exactly where I want it to be. Admittedly, I would love for it to be less flat, but I would be remiss to not be grateful for the anti-gravity my butt enjoys. When I wear the right lace undies that lift me in the right places, I mean the possibilities are endless! It took me a long time to get to a place where I could say, I have a nice a*s, but there you have it! (link to cheeky maze undies here)

One of my most delicate parts is my collarbone. It’s feminine and soft and I just love that although it is this sharp bone, it’s also where my hubby will gently kiss me, or my secret place for dabbing a bit of perfume. It’s a sensual spot and I definitely choose clothing that allows me to not only reveal my collarbone but also accentuate it. Like a sexy bralette or an off the shoulder, deep plunging neck line (yes, please!).

And then, back to being more practical about the abilities of my body, I bring you my shoulders. Years of cheerleading built up my lean and strong body and I am thankful. I embrace everything my mom and dad gave me and you know what, I love it all. The only other choice is to not like my body and that’s the kind of negativity I just don’t have space for. I love my skin, because it envelopes me; I love my lips, because they allow me to kiss my loved one and to speak up when needed; I love my feet, because I love to dance… I love it all, because it is me.

Photography by Patricia Brochu