Every good thing takes time and hard work, and is thus repugnant to me
November 18, 2009
I’ve written about my colleagues before, in particular how put together they are when compared to me. Their wardrobe doesn’t contain a million different pieces but the pieces they have were chosen to work together. When you throw accessories into the mix, it seems that some never wear the exact same outfit twice. Something tells me they don’t put together outfits seven minutes before bus is due, and I suspect they don’t rifle through a laundry basket of clean (but wrinkled) clothing during this outfit selection process.
Today’s outfit would be the perfect picture to accompany this entry but I can’t do that to myself (talk less, to you). Suffice to say, I’m wearing navy pants that are a smidgen short with a red turtleneck that is at least six inches too short everywhere, including the sleeves. It covers my stomach but a sharp gasp or reaching to scratch my ear exposes a lovely expanse of brown jiggly belly. It’s going into the wash and onto my shelf of clothing for giveaway ASAP. The good news is a not-too-stylish, plus-sized petite person will get a lot of use out of it.
I also think this particular style of bra that has served me well for the past five plus years is no longer doing it for me, though to be fair I think gravity is also playing a large role in why I’m displeased. I am seriously seeking a permanent, non-surgical breast lift so if you have any leads in that direction, please let me know. The thought that I may lose some weight in the chest area should be reason enough to have me hopping on the treadmill but well, I have a reputation around these parts where exercise is concerned.
But enough of that: all these things I envy in others — body, hair, makeup, skin, wardrobe — come with hard work. Sure, some are blessed and come by their clear skin naturally, or they may have wash and go hair, but they usually do their part by eating food that is good for their skin, or spending extra money to get a cut that will fall just so. And crafting the perfect wardrobe is time consuming and often requires stops at many stores over many months or even years to find all the pieces required for a stellar wardrobe. And then there’s the whole eating healthy and exercising consistently to get a body that looks good in said clothing.
I have to stop hoping for a magic (and quick) pill to fix it all. Nothing I want to improve in my life has a quick fix attached to it. Annoying, sure, but that’s what real life is like.
I hear you Jummy. It is really difficult to keep oneself together. I fail miserably most times but the other times, I try & I think succeed. I find that little things really make a difference. I hate makeup but think it adds something to the face so I throw on a light application of base and blush. Finish off with a whisk of lip glass-Done! I am way too lazy for anything else.
With the accessories, I actually started buying a few classic yet inexpensive pieces and I gotta tell ya, they really make the outfit. Throwing on a ring or some cute earrings take no time at all and really make me feel good during the day.
As for exercise (sigh) I started on that horse again and I hope I stay on this time. I have to still lose some pounds.
Taking care of oneself I find is either really hard (like with myself) or really easy (like with my sister). The secret is catering your lifestyle to incorporate what you feel is important. Trust me (who is lazy admittedly) that dressing up an outfit is easy. Now, ironing-yuck!, I still hate but try to do it once a week to get it over with. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I am sure that those girls at your job might seem so put together but in reality, you are probably light years ahead of them in other avenues.
I hear yah on the outfits thing. I can throw together a mean sporty outfit, including ball cap and tracky pants and look fab, but make me wear work clothes? Oh boy, I’m a mess. I feel like I look so old. I just can’t pull off the fashionable stuff, I feel like I’d look like a dork. I have forever coveted a pair up black boots that go to the knee…but I think I’d look so silly in them…and I don’t have anything to wear with them anyways!
Bra – have you had a proper bra fitting?? I’ve heard MANY good things about the store at Westgate mall (Marianne’s I think??). I plan on going once I’m done breastfeeding and getting a proper fitting. That could solve all your lift/hold/squish problems. Just a thought!
Or you could just learn to love you as you are…
Late to the party on this one, but OH! this is so close to my heart. I’ve been trying, REALLY TRYING, to get my act together on my wardrobe since I can’t really justify buying more with the recent lack of income. I have been addicted to the flickr group The Working Closet (http://www.flickr.com/groups/theworkingcloset/) because they are real people, and I can pick out those that have body shapes some-what similar to me and try to put something similar together in my wardrobe.
No joke on this – I have 10 outfits that I have written down (accessories as various options on each one) for my recollection. OCD? Maybe. But getting ready in the morning in less than 10 minutes. PRICELESS. Get a girlfriend to come over and do this with you!
A year ago I bit the bullet and at the ripe age of 35 I spent $70 on a make-up lesson with Bobbi Brown. For someone who always hated makeup, I have a morning routine down to less than 5 minutes that makes me presentable to the rest of the world.
Also, BRAS! I could talk for days about these. I am an E cup (E for Egads those are Enormous) and I HATE HATE HATE parting with so much cash for a decent bra. I would sign myself up for a breast reduction today if:
a) I had lost 15 pounds through my own effort
b) I had a private medical plan that would pay for it.
Just imagine how great I would be at running with smaller boobs! BLISS.
Amy is right though – you could love you as you are, just like we do :)