Ok, is it just me and my age, or are style tips and trend headlines ridiculous? I literally just read a headline that said “Best summer hairstyles based on your zodiac sign”! Like, what!? And the other day there was an article that was apparently written by an “elegance coach”. Is that a thing?
“Designer says what trends you shouldn’t have in your home”…Oh, I’m sorry, did you say MY home? I feel like it’s a level of crazy I can’t even comprehend. So, maybe over 40 somethings look more age appropriate if they aren’t dressing like they are heading out clubbing in 2001, but who cares? As years go by and our limited time becomes more and more limited (in theory and in practice) do what you friggin’ feel like!
I like to follow house design pages (I like pretty things) and I like to get ideas for organizational tactics. (I may love organizational tactics like I love brownies!) But don’t tell me that this season calls for grey pillows and that mirrors are “out”, or whatever other stupid thing that truly has nothing to do with anything beyond fitting in to some weird trend. Who is coming to my home? Why is my home décor up for any debate among anyone but the people who live here?
If there is anything you actually have any autonomy over, it’s your look and your surroundings; given the obvious allowances for what you can afford, dress codes, and other barriers to action. I mean, I LOVE a lot that is offered at Urban Barn and Home Sense, and many places, but money is a barrier to my “living my best life” and truly realizing my home decorating fantasies.
And hair? I mean come on. The choppy bob is this season’s hottest summer do, or the resurgence of the Mullet (for women) is all over the place and that’s a big no for me. But you do you. Also, sure, hair grows but it grows at a rate of like a half inch a month, so good luck with your short choppy summer bob that is ideally a long and straight for winter; with bangs, obviously (which also better be grown out by about 10 inches to fit the new spring trend based on your latitude).
I am increasingly frustrated by trends and even the general concept of anyone being an “influencer”. It makes me feel a deep level of disgust for humankind. You like that thing, colour, or style? Good, do that! We are influenced by what we see and what is “normal” but honestly, life is too short. Wear that orange dress that you love and everyone else hates. Have a purple accent wall in your living room. Design your bedroom oasis in the theme of the show Alf, from 1986. Who cares!?
I read a longish post the other day about the offence of the term “flattering”, it was so annoying. A bunch of women up in arms about the idea of someone saying something is flattering being thinly veiled commentary about how flattering is synonymous with “thinner”; give me a break! Flattering is flattering. Flattering is looking good on you, fitting you well, and accentuating your features in a way that is pleasing to the eye. That’s it. It’s not an insult. It’s not diminishing. Some things fit poorly or draw the eye to parts you aren’t intending them to be drawn to. I once had a great pair of jeans that fit well, felt comfortable and I liked…until I saw the back view! The pocket design was garbage, and my ass looked horrible. Those jeans were not flattering! That’s all. I didn’t want to wear jeans that made my ass look all weird and disproportioned! I would assume that anyone wants to feel like they look their best and are flattered by their clothes, no matter their size. I don’t know why this is a debate and something to dissect and get all “woke” over.
And it’s not that I’m not judgy; I’m totally judgy! I think a lot of things are hideous or look bad or look amazing or are wonderful. But I also don’t really care. I like what I like, you like what you like, cool.
I actually hate my current couches. They are not my taste. They are uncomfortable. I will replace them in my next home. I do not love my bedroom look. I want new bedding and am dying for a king sized bed and a whole new ensemble. Neither of these household areas are “me” or in style. They feel temporary and blah. But if I like modern contemporary when I move to my next living space and the “in” style is cottage chic or some shit; I’m storming the Home Sense Clearance shelves for whatever remnants of Modern Contemporary I can muster because I have to look at this room and mamma wants a vintage dresser, a modern candle holder and a small sign that just says “kindness”!
I don’t know what phase mercury was in on my date of birth and how it pertains to my ideal hair colour; but I venture to say that IT DOESN’T! It’s so outrageous. Life’s too short. Have bangs (or don’t)!
You like your coral kitchen from 1989 with a wallpaper border and a puffy valance over the window? It’s super ugly and you make poor choices, but go right ahead! Own that hideous shit. If it makes you happy in your limited time here, have at it! People will discuss it on the car ride home but that’s their problem. You are, like, totally tubular or wicked, or whatever similarly outdated slang fits your décor and rock on lady! Not everyone needs 37 decorator pillows on their bed, but maybe you do. Enjoy!
Age has made me equal parts more judgy and less judgy. I like what I like and hate basically everything else; but I also think that far too much time is spent caring about what is trendy or cool. I have realized that I have my standards and ideals and you also do, and it all doesn’t matter at all. What the hell is she wearing!? Wow, that’s an ugly painting. Holy, that carpet is all sorts of wrong. End scene. It’s not my outfit, painting or carpet. I don’t have to live with your stupid taste and you also don’t have to live with mine. Horray!
I don’t know, maybe I am getting older and more crotchety by the minute but whatever. I am just so over the idea of what’s #trending. I want to have fun, calm and things/people/colours that I enjoy around me as I continue my slow march towards death. (And I hope it is a slow march). I get saddened by the idea that anyone actually cares what an “influencer” says is cool. I get sad about the idea that any young person would not decorate their body or home in a way that is comfortable and pleasing to them simply because it is “dated” or not current, or because they literally chose a hairstyle based on their zodiac. But maybe I’m wrong, and I surely am, because I have short hair and a Taurus is supposed to have a mane of long extensions. Dammit!
Periscopecake 