The Dress - or, the day I had 6 NSV's

The plus-size section at my Target is in a really weird place; it's randomly thrown in between clearance (yes!), maternity, and regular clothing. Due to its placement, and the fact that the setup seems to change every other week, I'm constantly looking at clothes that are NOT my size (see map below).

Red=clearance; Blue=regular; Green=maternity; Purple=Plus
Note: Not to scale, nor is this map intended for use in an actual Target store

Okay, so I always wander around the Clearance and Plus-size clothing, but during my last couple of trips I noticed this really cute blue and green striped dress in the regular sizes that are on the wall directly behind the clearance stuff. During my most recent trip there, I noticed that they had an XXL, and the material was actually pretty stretchy. I decided to try it on, just for shits and giggles.

Well, you guys, it zipped! It actually zipped! I had to take a picture.

I did not buy the dress, as it's way too short and I would never ever wear it out (probably a good 4-5 inches above my knee, though you can't tell in the pic), but there are so many NSV's in this one picture!

A) I had the confidence to even attempt trying it on
B) It actually fit
C) I didn't instantly burst into tears upon seeing my belly rolls or my jiggly legs
D) I took a picture
E) I did not crop my legs out of the picture
F) I PUT THE PICTURE ON THE INTERNET WITH NO FILTER WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE MY ROLLS AND JIGGLY LEGS!

Seeing this picture just makes me smile; it represents so much for me. All the effort, all the work I've done over the last 13 months--it's so worth it just to have this picture and to be able to have so many reasons why I love it. I'm still fighting the voices in my head that are saying, "Ugh, your legs are so ugly," "Definitely can't post this without cropping it," "You really need some Spanx..." But you know what? I'm ignoring them. I'm posting the picture despite what those voices are telling me, because I deserve it.