{Giveaway} Teri Jon Dress
01.06.14 
(Teri Jon Bouclé
When I turned 40 back in July, I knew this was going to be a journey like no other. I knew changes were happening and that by the time summer crept around again, I would be a different person. I was not wrong. Dealing with a pain disorder, embarking on a new relationship, managing a household, parenting a middle schooler, taking ownership of a new position at work while trying to balance the pros and cons of many awesome opportunities that came my way was a lot to take on. It was year of challenges, triumphs, closed chapters and opened doors. I’ve cried, laughed, unleashed the dragon, reflected, meditated and have let love in in ways I never imagined were possible. 
When I was at the peak of not feeling well, the hardest thing for me to do was dress up or put on makeup. It was during this time that Teri Jon sent me a beautiful cocktail dress that I wasn’t able to wear. For months, it sat in the box as a reminder that I had a way to go before I could feel like my old self again. Inspired by a fellow blogger who was recently diagnosed with cancer but continued sharing her positive outlook on life (no matter how challenging her days were becoming), I stopped seeing the package as a reminder of what was and viewed it was what is now. Her perspective humbled me and really shed light on the power of my thoughts. As a thank you to all those who inspired me, encouraged me, supported me and reached out to me to share their incredible stories, I would like to give one my readers a dress from Teri Jon. They have gorgeous dresses for every occasion and offered to give one of my readers $500.00 to choose from any dress on their site.
Teri Jon dresses, jackets, skirts, gowns and evening separates are available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Their apparel is designed with a woman’s figure in mind and are perfect for any age. There are quite a few lace cocktail dresses I have my eye on!
To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment sharing a time you felt tremendous growth. I know, that’s a bit personal for a giveaway but why not use this post to uplift one another! The winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org. The giveaway ends Thursday, June 5th at 9am PST. On June 6th, the winner will receive an email in addition to me announcing it here on the blog. The winner must respond within 48 hours otherwise another winner be chosen. US only. Good luck!
UPDATE: The giveaway is closed. Congratulations Shana Elliott!
25 comments
I remember my first day of being a “real” teacher. I had survived the internship, where everyone was watching me, critiquing my every move – I was practically under a microscope. That day, when I had my own classroom, my own students, and no one questioning my abilities – I felt such a sense of accomplishment! I am working on my Masters degree now, and am feeling encouraged as I see this second finish line fast approaching.
The time I felt tremendous growth was the first time I was at a healthy weight and was able to accept it after starting my recovery from 8 years of eating disorders. It was very hard to accept my new normal but I had to realize that it was either that or losing everything. It’s hard to have anything when you are lying to everyone, hiding an eating disorder. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to overcome.
When I struggled to become a mother, it was an extremely painful time that ended up bearing many gifts. My struggle made me understand that we cannot fight what we cannot control but that we can try our best to make things work. I also learned patience and to trust my instincts when it came to doctors. Most importantly, this battle taught me to have faith because miracles do happen. It’s hard to figure out whether to keep on going when you are weak, sad and frustrated, but in my case, not giving up hope was key to becoming a mom.
The moment that I gave birth to my daughter, was when I had an incredible personal growth. There was valued when my mother and I realized that my mission in life had begun: ensure that this small has the necessary bases for defenses and grow as a person when have to follow their own life through the realization of their dreams.
I felt tremendous growth when I moved away from my country (and I still do). Being an immigrant has expanded and broaden all of my believes and core values of life. Learning a new language, a new culture and getting to know the new me. Is a permanent sensation of being out of my confort zone, and even when I got accustomed after more than 15 year , I come to realize that I am a much better person, a higher expression of who I was yet I don’t belong to any specific land anymore. Not from here, Not from there. Not from anywhere. I’m from the world
A time I’m feeling tremendous growth is now. After a series of events in my life such as moving to US, losing the financial support of my exhusband, among other things, I’ve haf to reinvent myself and take responsability, owing my power, which has given me strenght and self confidence. Now I am more present in my life and I’m sure I’m doing what I need to do to get my goals
Without a doubt when I left my country and move to the USA, new language, new place, new costumes, new family. This change was terrifying but it was also an opportunity for growth. It was hard but I am very happy I did it! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I felt tremendous growth when I had to serve in the army, I had to learn to be responsible for my actions and put the country’s need first.
The gist of it is, an ex-con broke in and tried to rape and kill me. He was unsuccessful on both counts, thanks to the quick work of the police and that I spent 30 minutes putting up the fight of my life. But I had injuries and broken bones. The PTSD was the worst. I barely slept for almost 3 years. The only reason I was able the fight off this huge man was that I had a surge of what must have just been adrenaline, but it felt like raw animal power, like some ancient, instinctual part of me emerging. I was fearless. I felt like the Hulk! I’d always been a wuss and a worrier, but now I knew there was this side to me. And I nurtured it. I stopped worrying about failure and what others would think. It didn’t happen over night. Old doubts and fears creep up, but now I have this voice in my head that says, “You’ve got this.” The things I have accomplished surprise even me!
I don’t believe that things happen for a reason. Like kids dying of cancer or people being attacked. No. The great thing about humans is that we can glean the good out of the worst situations and work to give everything meaning. And you’re right, we grow from it. Optimism is really an under-valued survival skill!
Seven years ago, my husband (now ex-husband) left me and I became a single mom to a 2 year old little girl. I was terrified, heartbroken, and convinced I would never be able to make it on my own. It has been a long, hard road, but throughout the past seven years I have become stronger, more independent, a better mother, and have found myself again. My nine year old daughter and I are so close and I thank God for her every day. Becoming a single mom was the hardest thing that I have ever had to go through, but it caused me to grow in ways that I never thought possible.
I recently adopted the mantra, “Scary is the new fun.” In the last six months, I’ve started a new job, trained for and run a half marathon, decided to pay off my mortgage by my 30th birthday and applied for, was accepted to, and will start graduate school. To me, that definitely feels like tremendous growth!
I felt the most growth when I graduated from college and got my own apartment.
The time I felt tremendous growth was when my parents split up when I was 16. At first it was extremely hard on me, but after about a year, I started feeling much better and confident about myself.
I felt tremendous growth two years after my dad died, when I moved away from my hometown and started fresh in a new place with my boyfriend. I have tried so many new things since then, and I am finally figuring out who I am and what is important to me.
I felt tremendous growth when I forgave my dad for abusing me. I will never be able to have a relationship with him, but at least I can move on. My future is way too precious to live in the past.
I felt tremendous growth when I beat cancer! It was a long journey but I found out who my true friends were….my family!
Leaving home for the first time… I’m sure that’s a time of growth for everyone!
A time that I felt MAJOR growth was transitioning from middle school to high school. I was fine in middle school, everyone was who they were, we all were transitioning into adolescents, experiencing puberty and such. When I was in high school I was bullied because I was around the wrong crowd. My growth out of this was finding the strength to move on, find true friends, and know that I really was beautiful and loved.
For me I experienced personal growth when I entered high school.
I felt tremendous growth after I decided to go back to Nursing school. I put it off for so long after my dad passing away, then getting married and having children. I will be so proud of myself for finishing with two children and a husband who is deployed!
being a stay at homemom is very difficult.
my patience wears thin
but when my dd says she loves me and i’m the best mom,i realize i can keep going.
When I went to college and was away from my parents and had to learn to be independent
i want to leave my husband
I felt personal growth when I moved to another state away from family.
SO beautiful, I love all your outfits!! Does anyone tell you that you look like Salma Hayek? You are so beautiful and photogenic :)
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