Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Beauty-full Tuesday: NieNie

Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues is visiting Cardigan Empire to help us launch a new body image series.  Beauty-full Tuesday features real women with real insecurities moving past them to beautiful.


Before my 2008 airplane accident, my heels were high and my belts were tight.  Comfort folded to fashion. 

I still love fashion, especially being feminine. Frills, slips, soft colors, and fabrics make me feel like a lady, which helps me to act like a lady.  And I've come to realize that I can be beautiful again.

But post-crash I have to prioritize comfort.   And my modesty is even more specialized.  High collars, long sleeves and skirts paired with stockings.  I have a lot of restrictions in selecting clothes that suit my new conditions. But you can still be darling, modest, and fashionable, even with issues.

Pretty isn't in a dress, a lipstick, or a perfect body.  Pretty radiates from a confident, feminine, comfortable soul.  Dress your soul in these qualities first, and you will look beautiful no matter how simply you are dressed.
Posted by at
Labels: ,

38 comments:

  1. saraMay 3, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    That is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  2. stephanieMay 3, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    oh that stephanie is so wise. i think i'm really going to love this series. we all have insecurities, don't we?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hank & LaurieMay 3, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Wow - that is beautiful in itself...Love how you put it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kim YamaguchiMay 3, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Preach it sister!

    And I hope you don't mind my saying this, but the photo of you that accompanies this post is absolutely, stunningly gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BethMay 3, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    well said! I think stephanie has always been beautiful and still is, but now she has this extra inner radiance that is just stunning! I love both of you beautiful girls!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MicheleMay 4, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Love it
    and a gorgeous gorgeous photo too

    ReplyDelete
  7. LeighMay 4, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    That was beautiful. You are beautiful, Nie. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KarenMay 4, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    Stephanie - I've been reading you for years - I think this is one of the best posts I've read, great words, wisdom to live by. Amen.

    Beautiful, indeed :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. ReenieMay 4, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    ~ <3 ~ beautiful ~ <3 ~

    ReplyDelete
  10. EBeauty03May 4, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    Stephanie is amazing and such an inspiration! THANK YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Melanie AnneMay 4, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    What wise words!! Thank Stephanie for your sweet example of true beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  12. coembrpaMay 4, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    blue is your color!! You look gorgeous in that photo Mrs. Nielson.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LyannaMay 4, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Stephanie is absolutely right, the most important thing to address first is your soul, in any circumstance. I think I need to readdress my lady-ness, yoga pants, jeans, and t-shirts just don't cut it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AliceMay 4, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Nei...I don't know you and you don't know me but everyday I look to see what you say because it makes me happy. You make me happy. Thank you for being the you the Lord has planned for you to be. You are beautiful.
    alice

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ashley@Heart2HeartMay 4, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Stephanie you radiate beauty in every single way possible!! You look stunning in that blue dress, you show what it means to have integrity and be your best self!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Domestic DivaMay 4, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    I have been reading Stephanie for years as well and she is even more beautiful now because her spirit shines through in everything she does. I also agree, a gorgeous photo of NieNie - blue is your color!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JennyMay 4, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    soul beauty...absolutely!

    ReplyDelete
  18. RaneeMay 4, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    I absolutely agree! Stephanie you are absolutely beautiful! Both outside and inside! I SO admire your courage and strength and understanding of life and love! Your style is brilliant! Keep on Keepin' On! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  19. djuna rykielMay 4, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Stephanie is simply gorgeous. I just love this woman.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Star GalMay 4, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Stephanie,
    A picture speaks a thousand words....and all one has to do is look at you to see what a beautiful person you are. You radiate beauty.
    Sometimes I feel like we are the best of friends (although YOU don't know ME)....but it looks like everyone feels that way. Ever ask yourself why? It's because you're a beautiful person.

    ReplyDelete
  21. DeborahMay 4, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    How do you see yourself, the inner and outer self.

    Stephanie ROCKS, I wish I had an ounce of her strength

    ReplyDelete
  22. DawnMay 4, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Beautifully stated....
    Stephanie radiates true beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  23. LucyMay 4, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    I love her! She is so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  24. EileenMay 4, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    You are amazing and inspire me everyday. I love your blog and your wise and thoughtful post!

    ReplyDelete
  25. A.L.L.May 4, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    I love the way you wrote this. My friend and I were at W.C. in the 2nd row in the middle. We enjoyed hearing you and your sisters speak.
    You just glow, and are so pretty and sweet. Thanks for being an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Megan MarieMay 4, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    thanks again nie nie for your ever-inspiring advice and example.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Heidi (Todd) BrobergMay 4, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    LOVE THAT! Great reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  28. NicoleMay 4, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Absolutely perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  29. ...May 4, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lightning StrikesMay 4, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    I absolutely agree with Stephanie! She's such an amazing person. She's beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  31. cidaliaMay 4, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    A few months ago I fell upon Stephanie's blog.Something about her -her story-her simplicity -her realness inspired me to step out and persue a passion that I have for writing. A week later I started a blog and love expressing myself that way. Stephanie inspired me to be me. Thanks. Really thanks. WWW.istopped.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sandra Coleman ClarkeMay 4, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    i too have been following Stephanie's blog for a long time and I really feel that I know each one in her family. She is beautiful in spirit and looks and each day seems to brighten her life. I think she is an amazing lady!!!!
    Sandra in Georgia

    ReplyDelete
  33. Lindy D.May 5, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    "...you can still be darling, modest, and fashionable, even with issues." Oh, how I needed to read this today. I had a mastectomy last year and have many fashion limitations. Thanks for showing us how to stay strong.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wendy AhlmanMay 5, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Love you! You're the best and so brave, such a great example to us all!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Nisha @ Healthy Mom's KitchenMay 6, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    What an amazing series. Se could all benefit from the focus on dressing our souls rather than our bodies. Thanks Stephanie!

    ReplyDelete
  36. The BabbyMamaMay 6, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    This is such great advice! I just went back to work after 2 years at home with my daughter, and I have to say, while I wish I wasn't working and away from her, I've never looked better. Hopefully when I'm home again, I'll hold onto dressing prettier. I feel prettier and happier when I look good!

    ReplyDelete
  37. he calls me wifeyMay 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I adore this post as I adore NieNie! Thank you for featuring her brave soul <3
    ~Andrea @ http://hecallsmewifey.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  38. Alyssa PMay 30, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    this is beautiful! it couldn't be said in a better way. i'm so glad i found your blog and this series. i am still working on this.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin