“If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love someone else?” – RuPaul Charles

Hello, hi, bonjour – welcome to Lattes+Lace! My name is Rachel. I’m a Michigander, obsessed with all things pop culture, fashion, and dogs (HEY SWATCH FROM PROJECT RUNWAY). I’m a baker, a writer, a feminist, an activist, an event planner, a historian. I love to travel and am on a continual quest to find the world’s best latte. 

Oh, and I’m a self-doubter. 

I’m self-conscious. 

I’m critical of myself. 

I find that often it’s difficult to voice our insecurities out loud – that by keeping them locked away, perhaps no one will notice. Perhaps we can stay hidden. But I have always found myself in the shadows, and I’m my own worst critic, the voices in my head telling me that I’m not pretty enough, skinny enough, good enough. 

So I’m trying something new. I’ve been inspired by body positivity bloggers and plus-sized fashion Instagrammers for many years now, but I’ve always been too afraid to add my voice to the mix. But something finally clicked for me.

I’m a massive fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Every week, I hear Ru repeat the same adage: “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love someone else?” It never sunk in until this year, until I started focusing on creating a healthier relationship with myself. If you truly, deeply, honestly, openly love yourself, you exude confidence. I was also jealous of my favorite Queens, who would positively GLOW on each episode. But that’s what it is, the secret key and formula for success: loving yourself. 

It’s not an easy task. We all still have faults and flaws and criticism. But, my lovely friends, we can support each other. You are gorgeous, handsome, and lovely, just the way you are. Remember that, and help me remember the same. 

Join in the conversation with me on my blog and Instagram page! This is a space dedicated to the joyous and the scary, the happy and the sad – I’ll be honest, I’ll be funny, I’ll be fashionable, I’ll give you a piece of my heart. 

PS please drop recs for your fave coffee shops in the comments!