Darlings, PB flings her arms heavenward while reading this article from The Boston Globe.
She has a few remarks to make.
1. Bostonians ALWAYS look schlubby. We’re KNOWN for it. This has made PeaceBang crazy for years. Ride our public transportation in the winter and try to decide which is more drab: the landscape outside (dirty snow piled against curbs, bare trees spiking the grey sky) or the people on the T in their jeans, blue, black and tattle-tale gray outfits, wan complexions and colorless winter accessories (oh, for a fun striped muffler or a bright hat!). Our society dames are notorious for attending black tie events in fabulous frocks with nary a stitch of make-up on their faces or a blow-dryer applied to their dull do’s. Ack.
2. We can be frugal without being frumpy.
3. Now, more than ever, we need to keep our spirits up. Walking around in a dreary fashion is no way to do that.
4. Repeat after me, clergymen and women: “We shall not use the recession as an excuse for sloppiness!”
5. We can cut out luxuries without resorting to Schlubdom.
6. One practical tip: now is a good time to divest our closets of all the “lastest fashions” that were hot last year, pare down to the true classics and bring out our most tailored and elegant accessories (the best and most well-made belts, wristwatches, pearls, pumps, boots, silk scarves). Keep these items in perfect repair and eschew “the latest fashion” in favor of timeless classics.
I’m so glad you are back! I actually saw something on TV where women are making a lot of money working for Mary Kay because a lot of women who can’t afford other stuff will splurge on a $10 lipstick to make them feel good.
I’ve taken to getting the Clinque and Estee Lauder and other department store samples when you buy something else. I’m at an age where I need the $30 moisturizer so I wait until they have one of the sample give aways, buy my pricey eye cream or what not, and then get some free mascara and lipstick while I’m at it. I just don’t know what to do wtih all those pretty bags they come in!
Re: what to do with your un-needed pretty Clinique bags, etc…..
Our church Outreach Board assembles personal care kits for homeless and for those in one night shelters or those coming into the local shelter for victims of domestic violence..
We include all the basics like small towels, soap, combs, shaving cream, razors, toothpaste and brushes, etc. – and the womens’ kits include whatever nice things we gather….like the samples that aren’t in someone else’s favorite color pallette. Anyway, smallish items go into those bags that people donate to us.
I’m not including all the details of this project, but if anyone is interested in it I would be glad to reply ….
That’s a great idea. We also put those kinds of kits together — just never thought of my little clinque bags.
I think there’s a lot of ways you can look good without spending tons of money. And I am really hoping this recession will mean greater attention to things that are good quality, have enduring appeal (rather than just novelty), and show some respect for those who made them (which ‘fast fashion’ does NOT do!).
As far as the reporter’s snide little thing about Botox….has anyone ever actually HAD a facial paralysis? I got slammed with Bell’s Palsy on 8 December 2008, and have not fully blinked my left eye since. I’ve made huge progress, but I have to say that if someone offered me Botox right now I’d tell them where to stick that needle…anything that interferes with facial movement is something I’m very displeased with.
It has, though, been fun to have a face that matches my politics–hard pull to the left…
I was worried about you when I saw the article this week–I knew it would push all the buttons!
Glad you survived…and now, go write a letter to the editor!