Tuesday, 30 April 2013

This Is Me (The Gallery)


Here I am
This is me
Stripped bare
No make up
No photo editing
No special lighting
Just me
No children lying besides me or on me to sway the viewer's gaze away from my face and on to their adorable ones

I am in front of the camera
Not behind it
 Showing myself in my natural state

Slightly dark bags under my eyes - some of it tiredness some of it probably the leftovers from yesterdays mascara that hasn't been wiped off properly
My eyebrows that need plucking
My top lip which could do with a wax
A spot below my mouth
The white hairs peeping out of my parting because my hair is due another colour
The sun marks and lines around the base of my neck and on the top of my chest from too much sun worshipping during my late teens and 20's

My face - naked for all to see
Not perfect
Not horrendous
Could be better
Could be worse
Not bad for someone approaching their 40's
Who has lived a good life really
Was once fresh faced and innocent
Now not so fresh faced or innocent
Had some wild nights out
Had some cosy nights in
Done some travelling
Been exposed to the suns rays and the cold wintry winds
Had lots of late nights and early mornings
Done a few things I shouldn't have done
And many more that maybe I should
Laughed a lot
Cried a lot
And smiled a lot more
Been in love
Felt love
Carried two bumps filled with new life and love
And now facing all the challenges that being a mummy can bring
And all the future ones still to come
I have a lot to be thankful for
I am grateful for that

So here I am
Me, by myself in front of the camera
Something I don't do very often
Something I don't like doing anymore 
But I am doing it nonetheless 
Now you have seen the 'real' me
(well my face at least!)

I am Jenny
Pleased to meet you


TheGallery

Self Portrait
at

88 comments:

  1. stressymummy1 May 2013 at 05:53

    What an amazing post!! And you look fine to me x

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  2. Lauren_W1 May 2013 at 07:09

    This is so beautifully written.
    You are a very beautiful lady xx

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  3. Sandy Calico1 May 2013 at 08:15

    The first word that came to mind when I saw your photo was beautiful. I didn't see anything else. Wonderful post and lovely to see you.

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  4. Susan Mann1 May 2013 at 08:24

    What a lovely post and you are so beautiful xx

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  5. Kara1 May 2013 at 08:27

    Gorgeous post and stunning photograph - you are very beautiful!

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  6. Michelle Ashmore1 May 2013 at 08:32

    Wonderful photo and post :) xx

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  7. turningtroglodyte1 May 2013 at 08:42

    Pleased to meet you too Jenny!!! Love seeing the faces behind the stories!

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  8. OneDad3Girls1 May 2013 at 08:43

    Brilliant post and a beautiful photo

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  9. turningtroglodyte1 May 2013 at 08:43

    For some reason it's posted this from my 'other' blog. I am Helen from SaveEveryStep!!!!

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  10. Mama makes1 May 2013 at 08:43

    You have such a pretty face, love how you describe yourself in this post x

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  11. Jaime Oliver1 May 2013 at 08:46

    Jenny this is such a lovely post! and i am somewhat jealous you look so blooming good without makeup!

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  12. K J S1 May 2013 at 08:47

    Fabulous post and wonderful photo, Jenny. Love it. xx

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  13. Tas1 May 2013 at 09:01

    You are gorgeous stripped bare!! I actually scrolled back up after you said about your top lip...I can't see anything!! :)

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  14. jfb571 May 2013 at 09:28

    Love the pic but the words are fab!!

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  15. Jennifer Howze1 May 2013 at 09:30

    Beautiful

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  16. Aly1 May 2013 at 09:54

    I think we pick faults in ourselves that others don't see.You look great.P.S I'm 40 next year.

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  17. familyfourfun1 May 2013 at 11:41

    You're beautiful, your face is serving you very well ;)) and I can see anything on your top lip!! Xx

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  18. LauraCYMFT1 May 2013 at 11:41

    Gorgeous post and photo. You look fab!!

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  19. Jo1 May 2013 at 11:50

    Gorgeous photo. You look amazing!

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  20. motherventing1 May 2013 at 12:38

    Absolutely no need to point out what you think are flaws. You are incredibly pretty, innit x

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  21. Stay At Home Mum ~ In Training1 May 2013 at 13:02

    Lovely photo!! Xxxx

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  22. Deborah Patrick1 May 2013 at 14:19

    Lovely photo!

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  23. Mother Goutte1 May 2013 at 16:15

    Lovely photo and a great post! Pleased to meet you :)

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  24. Katie @mummydaddyme1 May 2013 at 16:34

    This is a FAB post Jenny- I love it, I love the words, almost like it is you stripped back. Gorgeous. x

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  25. Ruth1 May 2013 at 16:37

    Pleased to meet you too, Ms Jenny, tis a lovely pic xx

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  26. Kahanka1 May 2013 at 18:14

    Nice picture ;)

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  27. Gailann Houston1 May 2013 at 18:21

    Lovely post, pleased to meet you too x

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  28. Melissa from Talk About York1 May 2013 at 18:48

    Lovely post and pleased to meet you too

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  29. Herding Cats1 May 2013 at 19:56

    Great post and a fabulous picture.

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  30. HELEN1 May 2013 at 20:22

    I read this first thing this morning & thought what a fab post it is....and you know what Jenny, you do not need one scrap of makeup...look at that face,,,,,no lines whatsoever. I actually think no makeup suits you better, you definitely have a natural beauty....damn I missed an opportunity to share a bed with you again! ;-)
    x

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  31. Katie R1 May 2013 at 21:08

    This is beautiful.

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  32. Lous lake Views1 May 2013 at 21:19

    Pleased to meet you too :-) What a great post, I love your honesty and openness

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  33. innocentcharmer1 May 2013 at 21:42

    You look beautiful, fantastic post x

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  34. Bex @ The Mummy Adventure1 May 2013 at 21:50

    you are beautiful and I love this post! x

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  35. Faded Seaside Mama1 May 2013 at 22:58

    Gorgeous photo. Beautiful words!

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  36. Kimberly Fanson1 May 2013 at 23:03

    You are my beautiful best friend without or with make-up. You have perfect skin, round and gorgeous cheekbones, perfect teeth with a stunning smile and an adorable cupids bow, but most of all, you are simply beautiful inside and out. I love this post, for you are fulfilling one of your New Years Resolutions in being in more photos . . . so go forth and fulfil another by sharing this with your Mum, for that is where you get your great genes, skin and personality from. Love ya, Kxxx

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  37. TheBoyandMe1 May 2013 at 23:53

    I bloody love this post Jenny Paulin! You're fabulous and one of the best mates I've had, sun lines and all. One of the most genuine and caring people I've ever met, a true friend. Gorgeous!

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  38. Tara Cain2 May 2013 at 00:00

    What an amazing post Jenny. Funnily enough I didn't notice any of the 'negatives' until you pointed them out!
    Hello Jenny, you are fab x

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  39. Richmond Mummy2 May 2013 at 01:10

    I think you look gorgeous in this photo, you even have natural eye-liner! Wish I looked that good without make-up on! xx

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  40. Emma Garratt2 May 2013 at 09:32

    I think you look fantastic, regardless of age. Your eyes are very pretty x

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  41. pinkoddy2 May 2013 at 15:19

    What a great post Jenny - and you don't even mention how beautiful you are on the inside - and how it shines out. Gorgeous photo - can't wait to meet you at Britmums :)

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  42. Karen Davidson3 May 2013 at 09:57

    This is a gorgeous photo and you are beautiful! You may see imperfections but I don't see any, I think you just look lovely.

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  43. Alison Pike3 May 2013 at 10:28

    I see a beautiful woman who knows how to put a lovely blog post together. See you at Britmums x

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  44. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:04

    thank you and i look forward to meeting you x x

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  45. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:05

    awww thank you - i think we always see more faults in ourselves dont we? x

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  46. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:05

    *blushes* thank you for such kind words and i look forward to meeting you at last x

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  47. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:05

    thank you x

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  48. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:06

    thanks i dont look so good first thing when i wake up after not much sleep though!! x

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  49. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:06

    hello Tania :) thank you so much for your lovely comment x

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  50. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:07

    thank you lovely and for such lovely words too x

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  51. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:07

    love you too bestie :)
    hmmm i must tell Mum i know I must x x x

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  52. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:08

    thank you i felt compelled to just go with the flow and these were the words which came out of nowhere really x

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  53. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:08

    you are very lovely for saying so, thank you x

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  54. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:08

    thanks Kara xx

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  55. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:09

    thank you I wanted to be completely honest and say it how it is just as my photo does xx

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  56. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:09

    thank you very much x

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  57. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:10

    thanks Helen, i dont really where much anyway to be fair, but find i need more help as my skin ages!!! and its not too late to spend the night with me again lol x x x

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  58. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:10

    thank you x

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  59. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:10

    thank you and thanks for popping by x x

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  60. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:10

    thank you for visiting me x

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  61. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:10

    thanks Mirka x

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  62. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:11

    awww thanks Ruth and thanks for stopping by x

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  63. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:11

    thank you Katie. I wanted to strip right back just as I had with my face. be open and honest with my words as i was with my skin. (if that make seense!!??) xx

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  64. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:12

    thank you very much :) x

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  65. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:12

    thank you x

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  66. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:12

    thanks very much x

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  67. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:12

    awwww fanks homie ;) you are too kind innit???? x x

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  68. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:13

    thank you Jo thats very kind x

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  69. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:13

    *blushes* thank you x

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  70. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:13

    you are so nice to say that - thank you (my top lip doesnt look so bad in that light!!) x

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  71. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:15

    we do dont we? i have been blown away with how nice everyone has been and I dont see it myself!!! and yes i know you are 40 same year as me i recall from a previous discusion - month after me in July I think???? eeeeek not long is it???? xx
    thank you for popping by

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  72. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:15

    thank you x

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  73. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:15

    thanks Julia - it was the words which meant the most when I put this post together x x

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  74. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:16

    *blushes* thanks Tas you are too nice. and my top lip does look ok here i admit, but when i look in the mirror i can see that it does need a little defuzzing x x

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  75. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:16

    thank you and for commenting x

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  76. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:17

    thanks Jaime - although i dont look quite so good when I 1st wake up that's for sure lol x x

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  77. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:17

    thank you Mama, I wanted to say it how i see things x

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  78. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:17

    thank you kind sir x

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  79. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:17

    thank you Helen x

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  80. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:18

    thanks Michelle and for popping by x

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  81. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:18

    awww you are too nice *blushes* but thank you x x

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  82. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:18

    its very lovely of you to say Susan even if I dont see it myself x x

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  83. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:19

    thank you so much for saying such lovely things x

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  84. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:19

    thank you Lauren and for being so lovely x x

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  85. Jenny Paulin4 May 2013 at 16:19

    thanks lovely you are too kind x

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  86. HPMcQ4 May 2013 at 16:24

    Looking good lady, looking very good indeed x

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  87. Angie5 May 2013 at 18:04

    Lovely :D xxx

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  88. Aly5 May 2013 at 23:07

    That's right.I shall be in denial

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