I try very hard to continue being a positive role model not for only my younger cousin Presley, but also for all girls her age. She is getting older, and she asks a lot more questions than she use to, but I continue to answer them honestly. I am so proud of the person she is growing to be, and I am even more amazed at the lessons she’s still teaching me.

I was at her house last weekend and she asked if I would help her pick out an outfit for school. I was super excited because she still thinks I’m cool and fashionable. We started talking and she mentioned a boy at her school that she likes as we were looking through her closet, so I had to give her a hard time and ask if she wanted to wear something cute because of him.

“Um, no I want to look cute for me, not boys,” she immediately responded with the upmost sincerity.

As if it were possible to be more proud, or love her even more, I did in that moment because at only 14, she at times makes me feel like she has more figured out than I do. She has her own style and personality and she is so genuine. She is everything I wanted to be at that age, but was too insecure. I tell her all the time how important it is for her to stay that way, and I how much I wish I had discovered how important that was when I was younger, instead of now. It is also times like these that instead of thinking how I wish I could change the past and my insecurities as a teenager, I can at least look to her and give her a little more guidance, when she lets me.

She also made me think a lot about what makes me decide what I am going to wear. Usually I pick something out the night before, or just throw something together in the few minutes I have in the morning. Now, I am going to consciously think before picking an outfit, because if for one second I start dressing for someone else, I will stop. Clothing is self expression and its too important to allow someone else to make you feel bad about it, and how am I suppose to set any type of example if I’m too consumed with how others think?

Steal my look today: Forever 21 black pants: Forever 21, Gold headband: Francesca’s