Here it is folks… 52 weeks of Real Momma, Real Style has landed us here.

I started this little link up as an experiment, to see how many mommas, and non-mommas alike, would join me each week in working on our own style. Style that works for your life, style that pushes you, style that makes you feel beautiful. No popularity contest, no Next Top Model search, just real fashion.

The FIRST RMRS

 While fashion may be the medium, it has never been the main target of RMRS. Too often, we women put ourselves last on the priority list, and I was one of the worst offenders. I have worked hard to develop not only RMRS, but the blog as a whole, into a place where women of all sizes, shapes, ages, budgets, locations, and anything else I may have overlooked, can come, be themselves, and feel good that for one moment of one day, we did something solely for ourselves.

While I was thinking about what I wanted to say in this post tonight, I stumbled upon a horrible forum where myself, and some women I call dear friends, are bashed and made fun of for our outfits, poses, what we talk about in our posts, what we don’t talk about, etc. I will not do this forum the dignity of linking to it from here, but if you must see, google Momma Go Round and sadly it comes up on the first page of results.

I’m disgusted to see women turning against each other like some crap that immature high school girls pull. ARE YOU SERIOUS???? I really don’t give a rat’s a** if you don’t like my outfit, or my “sultry eyes” pose, if you don’t enjoy they way my dear friend refers to her kids and husband, or if a fellow blogger has been slacking since she brought a beautiful child into this world.

I’m sorry you failed kindergarten.

I’m PROUD to see gorgeous women like Jeanine come here week after week to show her style. I LOVE to see what amazing outfit Abbie has thrifted each week. I’m MOTIVATED by Hanna sharing her story, her journey, and her daily run. I’m ENCOURAGED by Aubree’s willingness to try anything while teaching our youth everyday.

THIS my friends, is what has a place here. Positivity, encouragement, motivation, pride, love. I know with any measure of success comes the haters, but you have no place here.

One year later, I’ve learned that I still have much work to do. More women to encourage that they matter. More haters to teach the golden rule. More perceptions to change. We are all beautiful, no matter what we wear, what pose we strike, how much spit up is on our shirt, despite chocolate wiped on your pants, or in my case…the bags under my eyes. YOU TRIED, and some days, that’s all that matters.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for putting yourself out there each week. For sharing your accomplishments, your fails, your “go for it” moments. You will always encourage me.