There was a time when I wore a lot of black and it was totally a depiction of what was going on inside was showing on the outside. I changed my hair color a lot and never felt comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t feel confident in anything and so when someone started telling me what to wear and especially how I should never wear my human hair wigs, I didn’t even blink.
That’s right. The classic pony tail was never allowed to happen on my head. Always down. Never up. It was a sure sign of subliminal defiance when I broke things off and wore a bun in my hair one spring day. Years later, while the memories are still there they don’t hold value or sway like they once did. I revel in black and how powerful I feel when I wear it. Or whatever I want on any day. And that includes how I do my hair. Up or down, it’s all me and I feel just fine and beautiful. And thanks in part to many friends, family members, myself, prayer and various services over the years I am safe. And I want others to feel that too.
SHOP THE LOOK
Vintage Milly Top (similar)/Edyson Jeans/ASOS Gold Ballet Flats (similar) (similar)/ASOS Doorknocker bracelet (similar) (similar)
I’m grateful and always encouraged that I have reached this point and it means I will never stop doing what I feel is my duty to help and educate others on domestic violence. This pervasive life-threatening crime affects millions of women, children and men everywhere. Whether it is physical, emotional abuse or stalking, fear pervades and infiltrates their life and the outcome can be missed school and work, homelessness, committing their own sexual crimes and children running away from home. That’s just the minimum. The statistics for men, women and children are staggering.
-1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
-Men exposed to physical and sexual abuse and/or domestic violence as kids are 4 times more likely to continue the cycle of abuse as adults.
This is just the tip of it all. What I want you do think about before linking up this week is how great you feel in all these photos. Your hair is done. Your look is on point. You smile for the camera and the world sees a happy image. Give that sense of joy to someone else.
Share a Haircut. Mark your calender for May 4-5 and know that every haircut purchased at one of Hair Cuttery’s nearly 900 salons up and down the East Coast and into the Midwest gives a free haircut certificate donation to a victim of domestic violence through NNEDV‘s national network. The partnership of Hair Cuttery and NNEDV is to give these certificates to the women, children and men most in need. Their goal is 75,000 hair cut certificates. I think we can handle that!
Now show me what you got!
TMC’s Whatcha Wearing Wednesday is looking for Co-Host’s! Interested? Just send me an email for more details! Are you trying to grow your blog or store? If so, I’m currently taking advertising bookings! For more details, email me.
Linking up with Mix It Mondays /The Pleated Poppy/Because Shanna Said So/Style Elixir/Manic Monday/RealMomStyle/
*This is a sponsored post. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Looking stunning today, Victoria. Such a pretty top!
love your simple and stylish style! beautiful and elegant top!
Irene
http://www.thedailylace.com
Thank you for sharing this message! What a great cause to support! I love this classic and elegant look!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Thanks for sharing this message. It’s so important that each one of us feels comfortable and confident with who we are and how we look. You look classy and chic in this outfit. I love black and white. ~Cynthia
Great top! My Wednesday link up is now live. Would love it if you stopped by 🙂
http://www.sydneyfashionhunter.com/
Love seeing your confident and flawless style!!!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Thank you for sharing this message, I have always been blessed and have been in an environment that was negative at all. Looking so elegant in your black and white outfit.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Love the simple black and cream look, very sophisticated. Your confidence is evident and so glad you are out there showing other women what it looks and feels like. Thank you for the link up. Come on over and link up your great look with SHOE AND TELL FASHION WEEK on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Thank you for sharing such an honest and heartfelt post. My good friend Nirvana has been very involved in the women’s rights community and is currently helping promote the campaign, “Red my Lips.” I will pass along this post to her and really, thank you for such a thoughtful message with this post.
Chelsea
Ginger Side of Life
Thank you Chelsea! I can’t wait to learn more about “Red My Lips” as well!
I love the simplicity of the style! Casual, yet elegant! Lovely!
What a lovely outfit! The black and white blouse is so bold and elegant.
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com
Oh sweet friend….I am so sorry your endured this violence in your life. Thank you for sharing!! And most importantly, I am so thankful you broke free and leanred to be confident in yourself again…without being scared. Hugs to you!
Thank you, Shanna. As I like to say, “Everyone has their thing.” This is just mine. My story to tell and I will always tell it. I especially think it is important for parents to realize that it can happen at a young age. I was in high school. It changed how I viewed relationships and dating before they even had time to really develop any views at all. Thank God for free counseling in college! 🙂 It put me on the path to finding my way free.
You are a really beautiful woman!…in clothes of any color!
Cute blouse! Looking so elegant!
Alena & http://garmentsspeech.blogspot.com
What a great campaign HC is doing! and you look gorgeous as always….we shall name you Lady Victoria 🙂 I’m off to Mom 2.0 I know you aren’t going but you are one of the reasons I decided to go 🙂 xoxo
Have a WONDERFUL time!!!! Thank you for reading and your lovely compliment. You made my day! 🙂