{guest speaking}

Do you know what beauty is?  Beauty is being intentional.  It's considering senses and finding best light.  It's color and happy all twirled together. It's being you.  Do you know how beauty feels?  Electric. Strong. Relaxed. Encouraging and inviting.  Possible even.  As if it has a name and could be touched.

The women of First Baptist Church Sevierville know so very much about beauty.  This past May I was invited to come along side them and build more on this idea and what it means to our insides and out outsides too.

The Ladies & Student Ministry gave beauty a name complete with personality alive on festive tabletops with fresh greenery and textures for admiring.

They spoiled company & guests with mountains of yummy goodness for nourishment and enjoyment just the same.  This hope-filled Saturday was chock full of details that would entice and encourage women to exercise the beauty within their very own skin.

There were stations set up about for ways to learn more about self expression and style.  This particular table was reserved for learning new ways to fashionably wear scarves.

Lead speaker, Donna Roland of Faithfully Fashionable, was available to give color analysis to pin point hues best for wearing.

There was a nail station for nail services from a local nail shop.  This booth also offered new techniques for popular nail art trends.

And what's a "Love Your Selfie" event without a photo booth complete with props!  Here I am with a my trusty neighbor making silly underneath the black curtain & auto timer. Oh, I love a good prop. Don't you?

Donna's message was so full of wonderful information.  Not only did I feel engaged, but also encouraged by the great tips and hands-on exercises she provided the audience. Her words were spot on with the idea of outward beauty being secondary and inward beauty being the most crucial of all.  Through her presentation, I so enjoyed how she was able to link our outward to our inward in such a smooth and hopeful way.

Her examples were so concise and easy to understand in reference to the 4 color personas.  Her ideas on ways to strengthen and maximize your body type were so great.  These tips were communicated through her audience participation and could easily be put into practice.

One of my favorite portions of her presentation was actual video footage taken from all ages of men from First Baptist Sevierville.  These men were asked questions regarding what they found beautiful in women, what they valued and how their brain was wired all in reference to biblical scripture and personal opinions. Hearing their perspectives was not only interesting but very encouraging for the pursuit of inward beauty.

Then it was my turn.  Muhahahahaha.  I had such a blast sharing with the audience the dream of how inward beauty and your best fashion can trump the dolla bills, y'all.Examples like the above were showcased.  15 name brand items for a total of $11.66.

To further more Goodwill Hunting glory, I was sure to show them how one can end up with a $69.90 Limited sweater WITH TAGS in your closet for just $3.00.

My methodology came right out in quirky Meghan fashion as if you had any doubt. It' funny how people have always commented to me about how expressive I am when I speak.  People have even said things like, "It's like your face wants to climb inside the words you are sharing."

Um, so I've always took those comments as compliments trusting that they must mean my passion was right where I wanted it to be.  In words.  In sharing.  In expression.  In silly.  In encouraging. In the honest vulnerability that my truth could hand over hope to someone else some way, somehow even if it was for a laugh needed.

What I was unaware of until these viewing these photographs is that perhaps, oh just maybe perhaps, one shouldn't pantomime their speech. That maybe the words alone are just enough. That the circus is hiring for clowns and it might be a good idea if I work in an interview for a part time job or I maybe should have considered sign language as a major in college. To the people who give me face cringes when I talk to you, I get you now. Oopsie on the overkill. Thank goodness there was a risen stage and glass podium in between me and the 15o-ish ladies in the audience.  You don't even need me to bring up my issues with lack of personal space boundaries.

So, I'm working through the whole "less hands" thing. Stop waving them, honey girl. And I may or may not be working on some mirror therapy for the next opportunity my guest speaking abilities will be displayed.  I kid.  Totally.  I am me.  I am a whole lotta face goins-ons when I talk. Just keep the bubble gum out of my mouth and we will call this thing success, okay?

To Donna Roland and First Baptist Church Sevierville, thank you.  Your overwhelming hospitality was epically on display for the wonderful attendees as well as myself as a co-speaker.  The opportunity to share hope, encouragement and the methods to finding the look for less was so very much appreciated.

My mouth open.  Ahem.  It's rare you'll find it closed.  I was chastised awarded with "excessive talking" on the social skills portion of my report card from 1st grade on.  It's important to make lemonade here, people.

Should your women's organization be interested in having me speak regarding ways to be a successful goodwill shopper so to leave more money in your bank and less hanging in your closet, I am at your service. Goodwill hunting, encouragement & excessive talking just so happen to be 3 feathers in my cap.  To view my online resume of sorts, visit here. To schedule speaking engagements, contact meghan@kmaccreations.com.

And, of course, you're always welcome to join me by subscribing to the blog via the rectangular box in the middle right section of this page or follow me on bloglovin'.  I'm also available on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.  Off I go.  I have an interview with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey.

.mac :)