To Leaping With A Net

A year ago I would have been too nervous to wear this outfit on the blog.

I was afraid you might look at it and think, "She looks great but if I wore that to work people would give me looks all day ... She can pull that off in fancy New York City but that's never going to fly in my daily mom life ..."

It seems laughable now, because let's be honest -- it's a top, skirt, necklace, shoes and sunglasses. It's not rocket science.

Yet, I was holding myself back. I told myself that I needed to dress relatable, in a way that didn't push the envelope. While most style bloggers are thrilled to push the envelope, Dean Street Society is not about being fashion forward, it's about making style attainable for you, giving you an educated style that makes you feel beautiful and empowered more easily than you ever realized was possible.

And I had an aha moment that if I was playing small in my life, how could I ask you to play bigger in yours?

So I decided to wear what I want to wear. Which is exactly what I want for you.

What are you afraid of?

To be too big, too bold, too fancy, too sexy, too much?

To look like you're trying too hard, like you want attention?

You may not believe me now, but I promise no one else would think that.

They'll notice. Absolutely. Dressing better, brighter, bolder brings compliments! Which can feel uncomfortable when we're not used to them.

But betty, there is a joy that comes when we as women are complimented on our beauty ... I can't put into words what a deep, soul-filling place that is when you're owning your loveliness.

Shop this Style { Black & White Blouse : Asos | Black & White Midi Skirt : Asos : Similar | Statement Necklace : J.Crew : Similar | Blue Suede Heels : Jessica Simpson : Similar | Sunglasses : Target : Similar } + Brooklyn Photography by Bethany Michaela

What would happen if you started taking risks?

Think about your answer over the next couple of days, but I have great news for you. You don't have to leap alone. Or without a net.

Style & Styleability is coming back this week. It's a community of women committed to shining brighter -- to being more joyful professionals, confident mothers, glowing wives, beautiful friends.

Pop in your email so you don't miss my FREE video series as we go deeper into this heart-to-heart conversation. {Sneak peek: The final video we dive into this specific conversation around fear.}

The winds are changing here in Brooklyn as we enter into fall, a new season, and I can feel it in my bones that there's a new season right around the corner.

P.S. I have another confession to make.

I shot these photos six months ago. {The summer got busy and not everything made it onto the blog right away.}

At the time, they did feel like pushing the envelope. Now, they feel so comfortable it felt silly to write that they had ever felt risky.

You have no idea how much you can grow in your confidence in the next six months.

There's no reason to wait. Take the little leap of watching this series. Set aside time to honor yourself and your growth, and see what happens ...