Put on those pearls girls!
Live Your Best Life: Add Drama, Sparkle, and Spice
Pet peeve
When my daughters started kindergarten, I wanted to get to know some of the moms in their class since we would be spending the next 9 years together. I put together a luncheon in my home for 12 women. I worked hard to clean up my house, set a beautiful table, arrange fresh flowers, make my favorite soup and salad, hot rolls, and bake my famous cherry cake for dessert. I got dressed up and waited for my guests to arrive. Which they did. All but one. I was worried about her, but after 20 minutes I served the food. Twenty minutes after that, the tardy guest arrived. In old dirty sweats, her husband’s old t-shirt, dirty hair. Whatever. “Oh,” I said. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I was worried…”. “Oh,” she said. “I just remembered today was the day of your luncheon.” What did I learn about her? And about me?
People don’t get dressed like they used to.
I returned from NYC after a week there. One night we went out to a fancy restaurant with a view of Central Park. It was lovely. I was so excited to be there. The view, the top notch food, time with my friend. It was exciting to get dressed up… deciding what we were going to wear… prepping is a big part of the whole experience for me… Like for Prom in high school. The fun is the planning and prepping… once your date arrives, the time flies by… Just like vacation… planning is everything. Once you’re there, time flies by.
But at the restaurant in NYC, this wonderful place, the other guests were in jeans… they were dressed so casually. Like they couldn’t put in the effort to make the whole evening special. They looked like they had just wandered in off the street. Like my guest thought so little of my luncheon that she had forgotten about it… made no effort at all.
Think of the chef. She labors over the menu. Shops for the best ingredients, prepares everything with great care... and the guests... they could at least make an effort to present themselves nicely.
So I see these young people in their flannel pajama bottoms and Uggs walking down Union street in San Francisco.
People don’t get dressed like they used to. It’s actually fun to see someone who puts in the effort to show they care about their presentation of self in everyday life. Now you look around and it’s all Lululemon. Comfort is the ruling style guide. So I see these young people in their flannel pajama bottoms and Uggs walking down Union street in San Francisco. Disappointing. What does this tell me about them? (What does this tell you about me???)
Why is it that people have stopped making an effort? What does that say about us as a culture?
Honestly, I’m not that much better. I hate to wear make-up. Well, I hate to NOT wear make-up, but I’m often too lazy to put it on.
The one I admire is my daughter Audrey. She dresses up every day for work– full make-up, nice clothes and shoes. And she works at home in her office upstairs. Often the only other person she sees is me. She dresses for herself. To feel her best. To be her best.
She is my role model. To make the effort to be and do my best every day.
Do you want to take the shortcut through life? Or show up as your finest self?
f you’re not wearing your pearls every day, when are you going to wear them? What are you saving them for?
I remember my mom buying cookies to have on hand in case someone dropped in. We weren’t allowed to eat those cookies. They were for special moments.
What I have found is that it’s important to have those special moments every day. To enjoy the times together we have. For years I didn’t wear my nice clothes because I was saving them for a nice occasion. But those occasions rarely arrived.
So now we plan nice occasions. We put them on the calendar. Special dinners out to get those clothes out of the closet.
Ironically, I started a business called Women’s Marketing Luncheons where I organized monthly luncheons for women to network. I started it because, with 3 small kids, I rarely got to get dressed up and go out. My clothes just hung in my closet waiting. I decided to create the opportunity for them to get out, and me too! I picked restaurants I wanted to go to and invited interesting women to attend. It was quite fun. Of course that ended with Covid.
French women don’t save their sexy lingerie for date nights. They wear it every day. They wear that lingerie for themselves so they feel good and sexy.
It’s time to put those Carter’s Cotton briefs behind you. No. Not on your behind but as a thing of the past and step into something with a bit more flair.
I think I’ll get my pearls out and be a bit more flashy.
Time to add some drama and flash to every day.
Yes. Why not red lipstick?
Why not get a blowout because it’s Friday?
Why not get a manicure so I can look my best for myself?
Why not wear the red lacey bra for fun under my white t-shirt?
Add drama.
Add effervescence to your every day.
Add spice.
Add sparkle.
Live your life in living color.
Go big.
Enjoy each day.
Because life is happening now.
Tarot Card of the Week:
Today I pulled the Kind of Wands Reversed. What is this telling us? Upright, the King of Wands is bold, charismatic, and full of energy. Reversed it can mean the spark is there, but there's hesitation, a sense of being overcontrolled...
The King is wanted to tell us not to just look bold but to BE BOLD. To own your energy. To fully show up. Don't worry about being too much. Inspire others by example. Radiate self-assurance.
Essentially: don't just wear your sparkle. LIVE IT! Live your life outloud.
Have a great week!
Thanks! Alicia