Meet Brianne. Our Model Monday!

Brianne, or Bri as she’s known in Toronto, is a lifestyle blogger who’s still trying to figure out what she wants in life besides a dog and the perfect ratio of guac to chips. She is a freelance writer, social media manager and still trying to find ways to embrace body positivity daily.

Model Monday Brianne Cail

How did you hear about the CGCC? 

Social media – first it spotted it on Instagram, and then it appeared everywhere.  

What motivated you to enter the contest?  

I’ve written for magazines before but I loved the idea of being able to share my own story. 

How would you describe your personal style? Where do you draw your style inspiration from? 

I’ve never had a personal style! I think this stems from me hating shopping for so many years, and I’m still getting used to being able to walk into a store and actually find something that I like and that fits!  

I draw inspiration from a lot of bloggers, both plus and straight sized. Sometimes there’s a learning curve because I’ll see something I love on a blogger’s OOTD post but it doesn’t suit my body at all once I find it! But that alone will give me an idea like maybe that floral pant doesn’t quite work, but the print is gorgeous as a dress as well.  

I’m sure as I try out fashion more, I’ll form a style, but right now I just like trying different things! 

Model Monday Brianne CailDo you have any advice for our readers who perhaps were not confident enough to enter modeling contests, but would really like to model? 

You need to remember that no one has to know you’re not confident. I know it sounds confusing, but it’s something I realized quickly –   if you act confident, no one will question it. It took a bit for my own confidence to catch up with my ‘fake’ confidence, but that was just me convincing myself that I deserved the confidence I was portraying.  

Entering a contest like ours tells us that you are confident, were you always this confident?  Tell us a little bit about the journey to confidence. 

I don’t think so, but I’ve always been told I am.

Sometimes outgoing and confident are used interchangeably, and they’re not the same thing. It’s almost as if I can trick people by walking into a room and chatting with everyone and being friendly, but that doesn’t equal confidence! It’s helped certainly, but sometimes I’m still nervous and doubting everything as I make my way into an event.  

In high school, I was heavily involved with drama and I had no issue speaking in front of large crowds, but playing a part is different from outwardly being yourself and having self-confidence.  

University I was better at being true to myself, but I think it was in college that my confidence stopped wavering. It was a combination of another fresh start, finding my passion and being in a city that I couldn’t help but love.  

Once I realized I was where I wanted, and had somewhat of an idea of what I wanted to do [write] it made it much easier to go confidently in the direction of that, and my confidence in who I am and what I look like came naturally.  

Did you have mentors or role models who helped and inspired you along the way? 

Inspiration for everyday life most definitely my family: Mom with always being hardworking and patient, Dad with his never-ending humour and my sister goes after what she wants always. 

Confidence related, body positivity was not talked about when I was growing up, and I’m so happy that it is discussed so openly now for all the young people! I’ve always used my own inspirations to push me forward, instead of looking at others to motivate me. 

I do greatly admire Tess Holliday though; she radiates confidence like no other and her style is always on point.  

Tell us a little bit about your day to day life and your passions – what does an average day look like for you? 

Every single day is different for me, and I love it. Eventually, I’ll have a job with a routine I’m sure but right now I’m all over the place! Retail, freelance, blogging, social media management, and an office contact – days off don’t exist and I’m constantly checking my schedule.  

Sometimes things line up perfectly and I start my day with a brunch for a brand with fellow bloggers, head home and get caught up on emails and photos (if the lighting is good!), and writing. And then jet off for another event to end the night! These are the most exciting of days, I love seeing friends and seeing different venues across the city.

It’s tiring, but I’m not tired of it.  

For the everyday woman who is on her journey to self-love and being body positive, what are your 3 top tips you would give them? 

  1. Take your time. It’s easy to get caught up in things and trends because of social media especially, but if you’re not ready then that’s okay! Don’t let fear hold you back forever, but you don’t have to rush.  
  1. Surround yourself with people that love you unconditionally and will lift you up when you’re having a hard time. Not every day will be a good day, and it’s nice to have people there to lean on.  
  1. You define what body positivity means to you – if that means embracing what you have? Amazing. If that means having things about yourself you’d like to change? Amazing. It’s about you and how you feel, not a hashtag you see online.  

Thank you for taking time to chat with us today!  What is one message you would like to leave with our readers today?

Everyone’s journey is going to be different. The comparison game is inevitable, but try your best not to focus on that and just do you. In the end, it’s about how you feel about yourself, and trust me when I say it’s worth the time and how good it’ll feel when you get to the place you want to be. For me, it’s still a work in progress, but it’s progress that I’m proud of.

 

Website/Blog: http://www.sincerelybri.ca 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sincerelybriblog/ 
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/briannecail 
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/briannecail/ 
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