POOL PARTIES // NOT JUST FOR SKINNY BABES

If your body type is characterized as being skinny, I love you just as much as I love my big girls. This message is for everyone, but especially those who have been so highly underrepresented in the media.

I grew up skipping pool parties, or agreeing to go to them but conveniently “forgetting” my swimsuit. I’d go on vacation with friends and would refuse to get in the hot tub. I’d stick my feet in and chat instead of letting myself just live my life. Sound familiar?

WHY.

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY.

The "F" Word

👉🏼FAT👈🏼 this is a word I have struggled with my whole life, ever since that dumb boy made fun of my “fat legs” in 2nd grade.

When the word FAT started being talked about more in the body positive community I had a really, REALLY hard time with it. I’ve been working on it. But this one word has probably been the hardest thing for me to be accepting of.

Beach Body Confidence // The Steps I Took

I’m not always super confident in this swimsuit but I wear it. I wear it because I deserve to rock a two piece just like anyone else. I wear it because I’m no longer trying to hide anything and I love my scars. And I wear it because it’s important to me that we NORMALIZE ALL BODY TYPES.

Looking Back // Body Image

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughJune 19, 2019eating disorder, body image, body positivity, bmi, BMIComment

JUNE Q&A // strapless bras, workout wear, intimacy (gasp!) +MORE

This month, I’m dishing about our personal life, undergarments/bras, our living situation and SO much more - this is a compilation of FAQ’s via email and Instagram!

Q: What is the best strapless bra for a plus size woman?

A: I personally love this Wacoal one. I have worn it for YEARS and used to buy it for clients/actresses as well. It gives you great support and the shape of the cup is perfect. I cannot stand when the cup of a strapless bra looks pointy!!! Like, what’s the deal with that anyway? Ha! It comes in a large variety of sizes.

You're More Than a Size

Hey girl, ever see something cute and think “nah, my body isn’t in shape enough for that yet.” 😳 I used to do that too. In fact, I used to be the QUEEN of that type of behavior.
Here’s the thing I finally realized though. Body love, confidence and acceptance isn’t about how much you weigh or what size you wear.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughJune 15, 2019body image, body positivity, plus size, plus size swimwear, swimswear, summer, postpartum, bikiniComment

YOU ARE ENOUGH // #this_is_postpartum

#this_is_postpartum Hey, you. I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and feel disgusted, worthless, broken. To cry for no reason. To feel too proud to ask for help. To have unexplainable feelings of hopelessness, anger, and resentment. To have all of your expectations of what you think motherhood is going to be like ripped apart.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughJune 10, 2019ppd, ppa, this is postpartum, postpartumComment

Done with Self Doubt

You know that voice in your head... the one that tells you you’re not good enough? I’ve listened to that voice my whole life. It’s told me I’m not athletic enough, smart enough, thin enough, busy enough, pretty enough, funny enough, successful enough, friendly enough.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughMay 30, 2019self worth, self love, plus size, body image, body positivityComment

Postpartum Mental Health // #mentalhealthawarenessweek

I finally get it. I finally know now that I don’t have to live in a constant state of chaos, feeling like I’m drowning all the time. I finally know that I’ll be able to look back at this time with peace and happiness, knowing I was able to enjoy these times with my kids.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughMay 17, 2019mom life, mental health, depression, postpartum, anxietyComment

Exercising Postpartum // #nobeforeandafters

oday was the first time I stepped foot into a gym in over a year. Today, when I walked through those doors, I loved my current self. I didn’t walk in to that building ashamed of my appearance, feeling like I’d done something wrong. Instead, I went because I know it makes me a better person.
I saw the workout equipment, took a deep breath, and went for it. The entire time I worked out I had to tell myself “this is for your mental health” instead of “gotta lose the baby weight.”

Body Image // #Unretouched

When I was in middle school, I started noticing little red marks on my hips, thighs, boobs and arms. I figured out they were “stretch marks” - and to my knowledge and feeling, nothing about these marks were beautiful. I spent the next 15 years or so ashamed of them. I would obsessively workout my arms and go to the tanning bed, hoping it would help. I’d put makeup on my stomach and thighs before wearing a swimsuit in public.
Guess what? At my thinnest and lightest weight, they were still there and I did everything in my power to try and cover them up.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughMay 14, 2019body image, body positivity, plus size style, plus size, dresses, unretouchedComment

Mother's Day 2019

I’ll be honest. For weeks I’ve had something totally different planned for a Mother’s Day post. But today, I woke up with something strong on my heart that I needed to share.

Most people don’t know this, but both of our girls are rainbow babies. They each came after losses, and I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t grieve properly.

BUT WHY MOMMY, WHY?! // I'll tell you why...

JUMPSUIT | SHOES | BANGLES | CUFF BRACELETS | HOOPS

This post is sponsored by Lane Bryant, and all opinions are my own. I only work with brands I believe in and trust, so thank you for your support.

BUT WHY, MOMMY?! WHY?!

Ahh, yes, the unmistakable question coming from my three-year old’s mouth every single hour of every single day. Sound familiar?!

ARMS // #bodylovejourney

💪🏼 ARMS came out to play today 👏🏻 I’ve talked about my legs and stomach as being insecure areas but my ARMS are the body insecurity I’ve let rule my life. A few examples 👉🏼 My entire 9th grade homecoming dance I was so self conscious about my arms and the stretch marks on them. I let this take over me and would barely talk to anyone. 👉🏼 Before my wedding, I obsessively worked out my arms because I was terrified I’d look back on my wedding photos and hate them if they looked fat. Like, even brought my arm weights in the car obsessive.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughApril 23, 2019arms, body positivity, self love, #MOREOFME, #bodylovejourney, plus size style, plus size, body imageComment

HOW I'M (trying) TO RAISE CONFIDENT DAUGHTERS

DRESS | SHOES | EMMIE SHOES | PJ DRESS | EMMIE DRESS

This post is paid for by Walmart, and also contains affiliate links. Thank you for your continued support of House of Dorough, and understanding I only share things I truly love with you.

If you’re new around here, you may not know that I have a 3 year old daughter and a 5 month old daughter. And sometimes the fact that I have these daughters frightens me.

LEGS // Body Positivity PP

LEGS. I’ve always been self-conscious of them but truthfully they were always “better off” to me than the rest of my body. I’ve had cellulite and stretch marks since 7th grade, and I can remember dreaming of having some sort of surgery to remove them. I would buy all the creams to try to erase the marks and dimples. Even at my most physically fit, I wasn’t happy with them. I am naturally “knock kneed” when I stand and always attributed that to being unattractive and due to my weight. See the 2nd pic - I used to see photos like that of me and cringe.

LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughApril 14, 2019Legs, plus size, plus size fashion, dresses, eating disorder, diet culture, self love, body positivityComment

HOW GETTING A KING SIZE BED SAVED OUR MARRIAGE // our master bedroom makeover

… Ok, ok, OK. Call me dramatic. We may not have been on the edge of serious marital issues, but having a toddler who doesn’t sleep very well in her bed, plus a newborn baby, plus the chaos of living in a smaller sized home… you can imagine the amount of anxiety and stress we’ve been under. And having a queen size bed CERTAINLY did not help the situation.

Let’s rewind for a minute. Originally, we bought this house as a starter home but, 7 years later and here we are! Last January, Wes and I made the decision to finally commit to living small. We love our neighborhood so much and the schools are great, and with commute times to work and finances it really doesn’t make sense to move anytime soon.

ATHENS, GA // A SIMPLE TRAVEL GUIDE FOR THE 30-SOMETHING

TOP | LEGGINGS | SHOES | SUNNIES | CARDIGAN

Not in college anymore? Yeah, me neither. I can’t believe I’m saying this but, honestly, there’s so much more to Athens, Georgia than football. This little town… it will always hold a special place in my heart. I really kind of found myself here, so to speak. It took me awhile and several colleges, but once I landed in Athens I magically found my people and a college major I was passionate about (film and tv production).

My senior year of college, I met and fell in love with my husband. Needless to say = we LIVED IT UP our last semester. We graduated together which is such a special memory to me as well. But the biggest and best memory of all was our wedding! We got married at the Foundry right in the heart of downtown Athens.

TRAVEL, LIFESTYLEAshley DoroughMarch 26, 2019travel guide, travel to athens, things to do, weekend getaway, athens, ga, athens ga, uga, football, go dawgs, wedding, marriageComment

OUT & ABOUT WITH KIDS // UPPAbaby makes it easier

Real talk. I hear from you guys and family members that they can’t believe I’m out and about almost daily with my kids. I’ve even had a few people, dare I say it, tell me I make it look EASY.

GUYS.

I so wish it were. It never is. (Read More)

YOU ASKED, I ANSWERED: MY PREGNANCY FAVES

This was my second full term pregnancy, and although I thought I knew it all the first time around… I really had no clue!! This time, with a full time blog business and a wild toddler running around… I was only able to focus on the essentials I needed during pregnancy. Which, to be honest, was kind of awesome.