Top: Target
Skirt: Sanctuary (thrifted)
Flats: Target
Bracelets: H&M
Ring: Forever 21
When I woke up yesterday morning, the sun was shining bright, and I thought it would be a good day to go bare-legged. Nevermind that it was still a little chilly, but it was such a beautiful day and I'm so glad spring is finally here!
I do have a cupboard full of self-tanning lotions, as well as a bunch of ultra-high tanning sessions left on my account at the salon (that I purchased before I got married THREE YEARS AGO)... but I just can't stand the smell of self-tanners, and I'm too worried about intentionally damaging my skin now.
Sometimes I wish I lived in Asia where fair skin is highly desired (because being tan means you're laboring out in the sun). But too bad I live where fair skin is thought of as pasty and sick, and tan signifies that you're healthy and active. Now that I'm older, I'm trying really hard to embrace my natural skin color and trying to be happy with what I was born with. It's really difficult though, especially when I see pictures of perfectly sun-kissed and tan girls, but I know that's never going to be me, and I just have to come to accept that.
So from now on, I vow to not complain about how pale my skin is, or how much I wish I was tanner. It might slip out once in awhile, but I think this is a good start.
Good for you Kimmie! I still haven't come to terms with my paste so I use "Boost" on Picnik when I need a little color.
ReplyDeleteyou are absolutely gorgeous, pale or not!
ReplyDeleteYay! your legs are just as gorgeous as you!
ReplyDeleteFirstly, wowzas you have AMAZING legs. Just sayin'. Secondly, pale is the new cool. Didn't you hear? No seriously, though, I think the vampire craze made it cool because I constantly get compliments on my pasty skin now. It's awesome. I've always refused to tan because I want wrinkle and cancer free skin as I age, but suddenly it's cool again. Embrace it girl! God made you this way, and He doesn't make mistakes. : )
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, bare legs! You have great legs! I'm jealous. Love the outfit as well! I'm not sure if your skirt is corduroy, but I'm on the lookout for one.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally know the whole light skin thing in Asia. It's exactly the same in the Philippines. It's funny how it's so different over here. I actually love it when people embrace their skin! I think your complexion is especially gorgeous (:
yay for warmer weather and bare legs!! i actually started embracing my paleness a few years ago and try to stay as pale as can be, even through summer (i stock up on SPF 90 sunblock, lol). i personally think i look better with pale skin instead of tan but it was definitely a shift in thinking!
ReplyDeletecute & little
Haha, I know. I was tempted to photoshop my legs a little, but it got to be too annoying. Laziness, man.
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes! pale is the new cool. And I'm pretty glad that we live up in the PNW, because I don't know if those girls down in sunnier states share the same sentiments :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Julie! It's funny to go to Asia and they have all those whitening creams and stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe skirt is just a chino (maybe?) like cargo-pant material :)
Oh but Kileen, you're not as pale as me (oops, there goes my "I'm too pale" nonsense again) I think you have the perfect skin tone!
ReplyDeleteSPF 90? Dang! You are hardcore.
I have very fair skin which doesn't tan whatsoever. Over the years I've grown to embrace my paleness, in the same way that I learned to embrace being petite. I used to hate being short, but I wouldn't have it any other way now! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen you get these wanting-to-be-tan thoughts, just think of Twilight (or anything vampire related), because being pale is all the rage right now! I'm naturally dark and my relatives are forever shoving umbrellas at me when I visit Asia. Not cool :) It seems we're forever wanting what we don't have. So kudos to embracing you for who you are, Kimmie!
ReplyDeleteGreat Legs! I think they look great as it is. I love how you wore your plaid shirt, so down to the earth and still look hot!
ReplyDeleteHere living in a community largely populated by Asians, we see the opposite. People wore those ridiculous visors that cover most of their face.
Yes! Do it! :-D I embraced my light skin quite a while ago, and I feel good with it and in it. I can't count the times though that I read other bloggers complain about their too-light skin. Geezus. I know it's culturally stereotyped... but it makes me a little sad each time I read it. Everyone, grow a pair and go out there and be proud of who you are! You have every right to be :-)
ReplyDeleteRelatable Style
my friend in Burma laughed the other day about how people there try so hard to be pale and people in the US try so hard to be tan. She was like it's just so comical. I agree with the commicalness of it, but I long ago came to terms with my paleness... but then I'm a redhead so everyone sort of expects me to be pale.
ReplyDeleteI really love this outfit by the way. That skirt is great!
HAHA. I remember when I was younger, my grandma would always yell at me not to play in the sun, or I'd look like a peasant. I love this cute simple outfit. I've just found your blog :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! I have a combination of pasty and blotchy leg which is less than desirable. But after having some precancerous moles removed, I'd rather be save than sorry when it come to the sun. So lookout Austin, Texas and put your sunglasses on when your around me b/c the glare off of these pasty legs is blinding!
ReplyDeleteI used to hate being short and pale too, but I'm learning to be happy with who I am, and starting to love my body more. :) Plus, being short is good sometimes. We can wear tall shoes without towering over everyone :) and you can always hem pants, but it's difficult to lengthen them!
ReplyDeleteHaha! i know. It's good that I live in Seattle, that's where baby vampires were bred to go attack the Cullens! LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know. the grass is always greener on the other side. :(
HAHAHA those visors. Hilarious. Oh man, I've seen old ladies around here wear those rice paddy straw hats. So embarrassing to be Asian sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! Everyone seems to think it's embarrassing to not be tan, but it's just not natural when everyone has to fake-tan to get to be that color. All those chemicals and tanning beds are so bad for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to hear that a lot of people are able to embrace their light skin. I hope I can be just like you guys!
I know! When I think of tan redheads, I think of Lindsay Lohan with her unnaturally orange skin and bleached hair and it just looks wrong. Red hair goes so well with pale skin, I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, i know! My mom always made us wear hats when we went outside to play. :) So funny, Asian parents.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's totally better to be safe than sorry! It's so scary how fast the numbers for skin cancer is rising. Good for you :)
ReplyDeleteAs a good friend of mine always says to me - embrace the pale.
ReplyDeletePS I mentioned you in my blog today :)
Kel xo
AMEN. I think that it is getting easier socially to have paler skin but it is still hard to shake that stigma in your brain. I think especially because we kind of came of age during a time where tanning was EVERYTHING, I had friends who went every single day to the tanning salon in high school.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Kelly! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I know. Embrace the pale. Easy to say, so hard to do!
Sometimes I think a tan looks tacky - I even though Pippa and Kate were a bit too tan for a royal wedding.
ReplyDeleteSo i say flaunt your light skin and your hair is gorgeous!
I seriously think you look amazing Kimmie, I personally get tired of seeing almost-orange people in the summer. Also, those flats are super cute! Are they a recent purchase?
ReplyDeleteI used to use a tanning bed in high school/college, but I just feel like knowing everything I know about how bad that is for me, I just can't do it anymore. But I do miss the days of the healthy glow, and I'm not above sunning myself a little from time to time (always with sunscreen, of course!), especially since I live in Georgia, and it's hard to avoid.
ReplyDeleteI think you're a pretty pale, anyway :)
I am glad you are going with embracing your natural paleness...so am I. Your pale legs look great in that mini skirt!
ReplyDeleteGirl I am so with you! I always joke that I don't tan- I go straight from white to red and back again. And who looks good in lobster color?? No one! It is really hard to learn to accept something about yourself that may be different from "the normal" definition of beauty, but I think it is really healthy when we can get to the point of saying, this is me, and I like it :)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the cornball moment, but it is true!
Haha, I know! I was never a hardcore tanner because I'd go and go, and I never got any tanner and it was more of a waste of money. I just never wore shorts or skirts back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that being pale is slowing becoming socially OK. :)
Thanks, Lydia! Orange people remind me too much of Jersey Shore. haha!
ReplyDeleteI got the flats maybe a year or two ago? So comfy! I love Target :)
I know. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much about cancer risks and stuff. I get too worried about everything these days.
ReplyDeleteYay for you, Randi! We can embrace paleness together :)
ReplyDeleteHAHHA that comment totally made me laugh. My sister calls me a "crustacean" because I just go from white to bright red, then back to white. It's not fair because she has the "easily tans" genes.
ReplyDeleteAcceptance comes easier now, but man, in high school it was just painful. I never wore shorts or skirts.
Kimmie, I have the same feeling since I'm super pale too. But natural is the best way to go in the long run! =)
ReplyDeleteThat outfit is adorable and you look fab in it. I can definitely feel you on the paleness. If there's snow outside I'll glow in pictures!
ReplyDelete