Dress: Modcloth.
Anorak: Thrifted.
Red Beret: Target.
Love Ring, Blue ring: Dahlia, Mother.
Loafers: c/o Pink and Pepper.
Lipstick: MAC's Russian Red.
Glasses: c/o Firmoo.
I had to get my first pair of glasses at just six years old when I entered kindergarden. Even at nearly 20 I remember feeling so hesitant about getting them, the only thing consoling me the fact that my first pair had little bugs bunnies on the side of the rims.
I was never teased in school for wearing glasses yet I still resented them. I felt inferior to my classmates and ugly. I would think that my glasses were the reason for my unpopularity and that if I shed them, I would shed the old Lauren, too. So the summer before my 8th grade year I told my mom I wanted to get contacts and I did. I felt like a whole new person and because of that, I changed my style (very loose term) and hair. I entered the 8th grade with confidence in my new look and since my classmates accepted the new found me with such enthusiasm, I always correlated my old, unfashionable self with my glasses.
It's been five years and I haven't put on glasses since. I don't even wear contacts but rather just go about as I am. I've seen different bloggers all over trying out Firmoo glasses and when they sent me an email asking if I wanted to try, too, I was more than hesitant. Why would I ever want to go back to the girl I promised myself I wouldn't be? The one who was uncomfortable with herself and who she was? Why would I want to go back to 'bornin' Lauren?' as I used to call myself.
I thought I might as well give a pair a try though because I haven't anything to lose. So I picked out some frames, put in my prescription, and they were at my door in a week. I told myself I wouldn't look good in them. Talked myself out of ever liking them before they even arrived.
But upon putting these shiny black cat eye frames with slightly round lenses...I didn't think any of that. For the first time in five years I watched that vision of the old Lauren with glasses, who I thought I remembered clearly, fade away and saw that I was just left with myself. My glasses never made me nerdy or uncool or unfashionable. They were a part of me as much as my brown eyes, thick eye brows, and pouty lips. This whole time I equated glasses with the old me and old fears but in reality? My glasses never defined me as a person; they still don't.
Don't ever feel like anything, whether it's glasses, a facial feature, or even clothing defines who you are. You are whatever and whomever you want to be. You've just got to believe it.
Thank you Firmoo for sending me these glasses and helping me see myself differently. If you'd like to try out a pair, Firmoo has a first pair free program you can check out here. Also, if you're unsure of what suits you they have a virtual try on system that I used to pick out my own pair (since it's been so long!)
Have a wonderful weekend, guys.
With much love, Lauren.
P.S. The winner of the Wizards of the West $50 giveaway is Cindi Peterson! I'll be emailing you soon :)
