Ya gotta think ahead, pigeons, take it from your Auntie PeaceBang. Like, I’m thinking that I have a Saturday coming up where I will be a keynote speaker and workshop leader for the annual meeting of the MA Council of Churches, and from there I go to a Gala Auction Fundraiser on behalf of an organization for which I am on the board. THAT’s a dressing challenge for you! I think it will have to be the old “Swap-Out,” as in, dress in a tailored outfit for the conference and then swap out heels for flats and bling for day-time jewelry. Add some sparkly eyeshadow and huge eyelashes and I’ll be ready to mix, mingle and smile for a good cause. It will be a Multiple Iced Lattes Day.
And then there’s a summer wedding in June. I am close to the family and to the couple, so I don’t want to wear something blandly professional but to be appropriately festive. There will be a welcome luncheon, a rehearsal dinner, hanging out time, and wedding. I will quickly switch suitcases from the wedding, not even stop at home, and leave in the wee hours of that next morning to fly to a retreat in Wisconsin (for which I need to pack four days’ worth of comfortable but neat clothing, and a swimsuit).
On top of all of these outfits to organize, there’s the scheduling of manicures, hair salon visits, Botox, facials and pedicures in coordination with important events. Let’s all join in a chorus of “I ENJOY being a GIRL!”
HA ha! I slipped that Botox one in, did you catch that? It’s TRUE. I’m going to do it. I just bought a Groupon for 20 units of Botox from a local salon. You know why? Because all my years of close reading, study and furrowing my brow at the keyboard are giving me major frown lines that I don’t like. I don’t want my face to settle into a scowl because that’s not how I feel and that’s not who I am. I’ll be sure to report back as soon as I get botulism injected into my face.
Of course, darlings, we all do what we can and what we want to do. If scrubbing your nails and filing them to a neat oval, powdering your nose, combing your hair and holding it with a bit of spray is your idea of prepping for a big appearance, you go for it. It is the intentionality that gives your actions their power – the sense of connecting your inner and exterior selves before you go forth to minister – that matters. If going for a 2-mile run, washing your face and shaving gives you the healthy glow and sense of beauty and confidence you need before joining the community to do God’s work, rock on, baby! If getting your hair “did” and a mani/pedi helps you feel your very best, enjoy the primping and may it serve you well.
While it is plain good sense not to be taken by surprise by upcoming events that will require an especially polished appearance, there is no need to obsess about it to the extent that PeaceBang does. To me, thinking about clothes is fun and a welcome distraction at the end of a heavy-duty day. I also have a very difficult body type to work with and if I don’t think about things in advance, I am not going to look even half-decent if I throw something together fast. You are probably not built like a multi-layered meatball with short arms and legs that taper off into tiny pod hands and feet. So bless you for being able to think ahead and make a mental note to self: “Oh yea, I should probably take that blue suit to the cleaners and get a shirt pressed for that wedding.” Just make sure to give yourself a good once-over before you leave the house so that you have time to get out the Norelco Nose Hair Trimmer if you need to.
Kiss, kiss!!
Hi PeaceBang, I so enjoy your blog entries on our embodied selves. I have come to have a new appreciation for wrinkles since reading Jean Haner’s “The Wisdom of your Face,” which explores the ancient Chinese principles of seeing meaning in faces. Horizontal wrinkles on the forehead signify lessons learned in our 20’s, for example. I have not looked at faces the same since encountering this book (eyebrows are especially fascinating). Thank you for your blogging ministry. You have greatly influenced my own understanding of how I present myself.
I did NOT notice the Botox mention until you pointed it out…clearly my own iced latte hasn’t kicked in yet this morning!
If you’re willing to share, I would love to hear how your Botox experience goes. I’m curious how much controllable a person has over the final result…i.e., was what happened to poor ole frozen-faced Nicole Kidman avoidable? Etc etc etc.
PB – when I have one of those friend/family weddings at which I officiate I will sometimes wear the black dress/suit for the ceremonials and then before the reception “fun it up” with a brightly colored pashmina, statement jewelery, cool shoes, or other great accesories, like a zebra print bustier. (hah, just kidding) I’ve also done the robe for ceremonials with a more festive dress underneath for reception. Have fun!
I tried Botox five years ago for the same reason as you- I didn’t feel as angry as I thought I looked. I didn’t get Botox again because no one, including myself, noticed a difference. I couple of weeks ago I did have some red veins on my nose lasered ( not a word but…). The laser did a great job of getting rid of the redness on my nose and was only $25. I am going back in a week to get a couple of dark age spots done.
As always, wonderful words of praise and ponder. I’m officiating the wedding of my sister-in-law at an outdoor venue. It’s a late afternoon wedding – 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of a historic old building with a cocktail reception to follow. I had been pondering what to wear, but I think now I’m going to start trying stuff on to see what fits, what works and what is hidden well under the vestments so I don’t have to get changed twice.
Do please let me know how the Botox thing goes…a friend of mine gets Botox in her forehead for migraines…
Botox sounds like a pretty risky venture for someone who needs an expressive face for her job–I’ve heard too many stories about a flat affect and an inability to raise one’s eyebrows. You might want to ask around among people who are some months out from their treatment before you take that step. [I know,and good point. I’ll keep you posted about any “Frozen Face” side effects and if anything bad happens I can be the Cautionary Tale for Botoxed pastors. – PB]
So looking forward to your opinions on Botox. At only 35, I think I could use it for the same reasons you mention. We are putting aside enough money in our flexible spending account for me to have Limelight next year to take care of all the years of riding horses without sunscreen (not a big deal when I was growing up).
I got my first real facial from an licensed professional (with professional products) and bought some of the products a week ago–every day someone has said something nice about my skin. I am in favor of aggressive skin management. I’ve never done botox or fillers but I’m not saying I won’t someday. I am also interested in a eye and jaw lift in the somewhat distant future.
Being proactive and conservative about it helps avoid the pinned back or frozen look. As anyone will tell you, sunscreen, sleep, not smoking, and drinking water are the most important things we can do to protect our skin and if we are not doing those things we probably should save our money on products…..
Yes, you MUST do an update on Botox. Personally, I love it. I got redone about a month ago. I love how it opens up the upper half of my face.
The first time I had it done, though, was when I wore my hair in a blunt bob cut with thick bangs. And it was also during the summer when the “Star Trek” reboot came out. And given that Botox tends to make your eyebrows rise and point a bit more … well, here’s how that worked out: http://robinabrahams.com/2009/06/12/etiquette-is-a-blunt-instrument/