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May. 22, 2006
Is cute a style?
I was thinking the other day as I was dressing that I'm not sure I have a style. My friend, OreoSouza,
is a hippie individualist. She dresses in that style and it fits
her. I don't have a style. I'm stuck somewhere between
individualistic and conservative Mom ... which often translates to
frumpy. I'm an individual in that I really am not one to follow
the current fashion trends, but I'm still a conservative lady and not a
wild individualist. I have another friend who has her style really
defined. Kristie knows what she likes and what her husband likes
on her and she shops to fit that very specific style. I like too
many different types of styles ... long bohemian flowing skirts and
dresses, feminine graceful styles, girlish big floral prints, tailored
fitting skirts, and a wide range of colors.
When I
look at a catalog, I can't say "That outfit is the epitome of
me!" But I can choose many items I like and would wear ... in
several different styles. I'm stuck somewhere between practical
and my ideal, too. Many of the clothes I just love are totally
impractical for a stay at home Mom with little ones. And while I
adore broomstick/gypsy/hippie skirts, they just are NOT modest in windy
Kansas.
I love my Birkenstock sandals, but I also love
my little black leather Mary Janes. Practicality sometimes forces
me to wear plain brown "closed-heel clogs," which to be honest, are
just a modernized loafer. Comfort at times forces me to wear my
New Balance tennis shoes ... I have foot problems and must wear these
if we're going to be walking alot. Comfort is vital to me.
I look at some women's shoes and just can't believe what women will try
to force their feet into and balance on. And what they're willing
to pay for that torture, too.
This morning I was reminded of
yet another aspect where I can't identify my style, as I sipped half a
cup of Irish Breakfast Tea before the other half grew cold and was
dumped out. A couple years ago I asked my family for a tea set
for Christmas. I was tired of using ordinary mugs like everyone
else around me, and wanted to use the more lady-like and individualist
method of actual tea cups. I received a beautiful blue and white
transferware set (the ones with blue scenic pictures on a white
background). I love them!! I feel so Beatrix Potterish with
them. Except I have to very carefully guard them whenever I use
them. I imagined lounging in my rocking recliner, curled up
reading a book, while sipping hot tea or cocoa from my tea cups.
Well, I try to do that, but every few seconds I have to reach out and
protect my cup as a child or object gets too near the end table.
And although I want to switch from iced tea and soda to hot teas and
coffee ... I don't drink hot drinks regularly. So, my lovely tea
set sits mostly unused since more often than not, I use a mug for my
occasional hot drinks.
I had a mug I really liked ... it was
quirky and individualistic and cute. I found it at a yard
sale. Frolicking bunnies were outlined all over the natural toned
mug. I set it on my stove top and it served as a
spoon-drip-catcher when I wasn't drinking out of it. It sat there
for 2 years before I looked at it one day and realized the bunnies'
play was not so innocent. I was horrified as I turned the mug
this way and that and saw more and more bunnies in compromising
positions. How could I have NOT noticed that all that time ...
and more importantly ... did any of my GUESTS see what I had not?
I had to get rid of that one! Now, I need to find some other
quirky individualistic "Me" mugs, I guess. Something more sturdy
than my tea cups, but not so plain and ordinary as the mugs I already
own.
My Mom says I have a style all my own. But, it must
not be an easily classified or identifiable one. I can't classify
it. I'm just stuck somewhere in the middle of a bunch of styles,
it feels like.
Even with homeschooling. I'm a
relaxed homeschooler, for lack of a better word. Not quite an
unschooler, not quite Charlotte Mason, and although I use a classical
curriculum, I know I'm far from being a true classical educator.
Hmm ... no wonder my husband has a hard time figuring me out. At
least he won't get bored. And I'm told that somehow out of all
this muddle, I come out as being cute. So I guess I'll settle for
cute. I hated that word in high school, but I guess it's grown on
me over the years. "You're so cute." I've been hearing it all my
life, it seems. Is cute a style? Well, I know it's not a
homeschool style.
Did I really just write a whole post about
myself? With no real value to it other than to whine that I am
style-lessly individualistically frumpy? Yep, I did. Can't
deny it. I'll have to come up with something with more substance
next time.
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May. 23, 2006 - long lost twin?