Sometimes I stumble across things written about me on the internet. Most of them are really nice but some tend to think that it's a little bit too much with all the dresses, tattoos and hair done and so on. Lately some small birds told me about this thread on the internet where someone was listing vintage inspired style blogs she liked and I was among those mentioned. As most often most of the comments were positive even though many tended to "worry" about the effort being put into the looks of the girls in the blogs mentioned. Some on the other hand found the effort to be just too much or overdone.
I started thinking about the whole effort thing and find it a bit funny because first of all, dressing up and getting dolled up for me is one part routine that I don't even think about and the other part just fun, kind of like a hobby. And doesn't really all girls, and boys alike, who are keen on looking nice make the same effort but in different ways? Is there really such a huge difference if I pin curl my hair the night before than if I'd go to get a spray tan?
But on the other hand, I am the kid of girl who will schedule my day according to how my hair needs to be washed, dried and rolled if I have to, who will spend days on the internet to find the umbrella that's just right and pay a small fortune to have it home delivered (OK, that's already a bit over the top I admit but that's another story) and dress up in the whole shabadang with girdles, stockings and the prettiest dress for a Sunday walk, just for the joy of it. That's who I am and I like being that way! I like making efforts. Plus let's face it, no matter how glorious ones life is, it's not like one is invited to parties every day. But that doesn't still mean you couldn't dress up on a regular monday. I'm not saying life is one big celebration, because it's not, and that we should all hold hands now and sing Kumbaya in pretty dresses - I just think it's makes any hard or easy day a bit better if you look nice. Well, in some ways at least.
Anyway, last weekend I did go to a party however and then it's nice to roll that hair even a little bit more than normally and get glammed up. This time in my dress that Olivia Rouge made and in a mini beret from Molla Mills that I got from Paula to cheer me up last spring when I was sad.
And my vintage checked jacket. I can't believe I was thinking of selling this jacket away! It matches my shoes for heaven's sake! (And I'm not the only slave to the details out there, many others do notice it too :)
48 comments:
Amen to that, sister!
Du har iallafall öppnat en helt ny värld för mig.
I would agree with you on every count! I feel awful if I havent put enough effort into how I look to make it how I want it...If it makes you happy then thats good for you:)
MargieF
xxx
It's funny how if you spend hours painting a picture of someones eye you're creative but if you spend hours on your own make-up you're seen (by some) as vain...
Not that I spend hours every single day on make up but it is fun! Creativity is so good for the soul and I'm convinced one of the best places to start is your own appearance.
Your blog is an endless source of inspiration so keep up "the effort" girl!
xAoife
p.s...out of interest could you link to the article?
I think most people don't put enough effort into how they look. I think you look beautiful and I think you realize that your look really does suit you. Another thing is that your profession and your lifestyle suits and mirrors your look. You look real and not like you're trying to pull a look you don't feel comfortable in. So keep on doing what you do:)
But... I like Kumbalaya!
Anyway, your style is great and you always look very lovely! I love the little details and your blog is a constant source of inspiration.
tt
whatever. you're awesome and YOU and i'm glad you know it and don't care if some people don't understand!
Indeed! Putting effort on what you wear and how you look is only decent thing to do. You can do it to be considerate to others but you can also do it just for fun and to cheer up yourself. And everybody needs fun things in their lives.
When you start doing it, it doesn't seem like too much effort. You create a routine for it and it becomes flexible part of your everyday-life.
first of all : you are perfect !
it's kind of funny that there are people with this strange hobby of thinking about other people's lives to much. I once had an old schoolmate staying at my house over the weekend, and one morning she asked me with a strange voice : do you really paint your lips everyday ??
ooooh, yuck ! I almost freaked out when she asked me that. why not ? it's fun. it's me ! I don't care if someone puts a toilet seat around his neck every morning....if he likes it, why not ? If I see someone on the street who has a special look or just looks like he feels comfortable with what he's wearing, I am happy and it makes me smile. and in the 50ies, I think, so many more people dressed up, it was kind of natural. I stand up for hollywood glamour, for women wearing hats again and having fun with their own style....oooh la la....sorry, I was in a little rage. maybe that's because someone asked me last week why I was selling old-fashioned hats in my boutique and I should think about doing a little more modern style designs....grrrrrr !!!
you are perfect, your fan, frollein von sofa
You are beautiful and you insipire me with every post. I too am a big fan for dressing up on ordinary days. Rock on, sister.
hugs,
Fritzi Marie
You have an amazing style, I think when people say it's "overdone" it's because they basically don't have what it takes to do it themselves, even though they most secretly wish they could be so stylish ;) Keep doing what ya doing!!
I don't think you could possibly say it any better. I'm in total agreement ;)
I loooove the dress and your curves! :)
Jealousy comes to mind! You look fab always and are an inspiration. Someone once said to my aunt "i love the way you dress, you always look like your going to a party" and she replied "maybe I always am" she lives a life of colour and glamour and I have always loved her for that not caring what others think and being yourself is great. I away look a bit quirky compared to my friends but i like to stand out and not follow the crowd. So keep doing what ya doing cause your great at it x x
Hey,Ulrika!be yourself always!you are a fantastic girl and everyone who says that you do too much effort-they are just envious! It's a normal diagnosis for some people-they also want to look good and live a beautiful life but they are too lazy to do any effort to make it happen-and the only thing left for them is just to criticize someone like you. And BTW I must admit that Minna Parrika couldn't find a better model for her campaign than you! You match the style of this brand perfectly! Think about proposing yourself for this!;)
Regards
Nataly
Geez, people can be so catty! They criticize you if you don't put in enough effort, and now they're getting all riled when they think people put in too much effort?
Style is personal, and those of us who savor clothing and accessories savor our routines. We do this because it makes us happy, and EVERYONE is entitled to happiness.
I adore your style and have to imagine negative comments being based in jealousy. Rock on, lady.
Here I am in South Africa having a rough day at work, when I stopped to take a peak what you´re up to. It puts a smile on my face seeing you all "dolled up" :) I think that people really can get annoyed by pretty much anything, however that being said once in a while I have to cut my self some slack that I don´t do more, wear more vintage etc etc I won´t look like the lovely Fleur or Solahana or Glamourous Housewife or you or anyone else for that matter I have to find "Vintage me"! I say this beacause sometimes when we compare and notice what we believe to be our own shortcomings we tend to be irritated with whom ever we have decided to measure ourselves against. Does that make sense ? On one blog I´m following there this young woman, who´s a pin up model and burlesque hopeful who has, in my humble opinion, way too much make up simply beacause she would be just as beautiful or more with less, BUT that said I love to see her fully make-uped face in one cute little outfit after another! What I´m trying to say ( yeah, I know - get to the point ! ;) Is that it is of absolute importance that we all try to accept "different" even when its not to our/my personal liking. I really only have one rule - That you not hurt yourself or any one else in celebrating ones "uniqueness" - so please, please continue delighting us with your many outfits, dainty shoes and amazingly beautiful eyes! There its said!
Hey whatever!! It's your life and you deserve to dress in whatever way is comfortable to you and pleases you! Women have been doing this since the dawn of creation! *haha!* You don't see anyone giving Dita VonTeese a hard time for it!
p.s. I want your new trenchcoat!
* ; )
just sooo pretty! I love the heart purse!
I started dressing up every day for work about a year ago, and though sometimes I get teased for always wearing skirts and heels, I LOVE it. It makes me feel so awesome about myself. More power to you then, because sometimes it IS the little things that are worth celebrating.
Dressing pretty makes all the difference to one's mood. I just wish I had your patience and natural ability to put things together.
To sympathize a bit - my wife and I love cooking. We love trying new things and experimenting and making elaborate meals. Many people we know think we're crazy that one of our favorite things to do in an evening is just stay at home and cook all evening :) We make our own soup stocks, some of our own breads, and we're starting to make cheeses, as well as growing a small garden for vegetables. Anyway, it's a lot of effort to do all those things, but there aren't many things we enjoy more than that.
If you want to spend time and effort on dressing up, doing your hair, etc, that's your business. Anyone is free to like or dislike your style, or to not understand why you would put so much effort towards those things - but just because someone else doesn't understand, it doesn't mean it isn't a valid and worthwhile use of your time.
You look gorgeous!
People are always telling me that it's silly to wear make up, and asking why I don't just wear the same stuff as everyone else. I have to explain a lot that make up is something I enjoy, and a form of self expression, and I believe in always being my best, and that I don't like what everyone else is wearing, and it does not flatter my figure or make me feel like Rosie.
It sounds a LOT like I'm the one who posted the thread you mentioned. You didn't mention which site for a reason, I'm sure, so I'll keep it that way, but yeah, that was me.
Please know I admire your style a lot, and that's why I included you. It was a compliment. Of course, we cannot always dictate or anticipate other's reactions, but I was very surprised to find some people found the vintage look to be fussy and overdone.
Those people were not the target audience for the post, and I would not be terribly surprised to find them at home in t-shirts and sweatpants. Worry not, my dear. You are lovely and your style is your and yours alone.
To each their own.
If they don't care for the way you style yourself then fuck em! It's not like you're forcing them to dress like you or even look at you. To hell with em!
Don't listen to the haters! I love seeing you all dressed up and if I didn't have two kids I would so be there with you every day - but as it is I only have time to get dressed for special occasions at the moment.
Please take a look at a post I made a few weeks ago about my new novel - the main character is a girl with tattoos who loves vintage clothes, and there is a historical story about her ancestor who also collected tattoos in the 1880s.
http://soundofbutterflies.blogspot.com/2009/08/magpie-hall.html
There has been some discussion on "not letting yourself go" on Super Kawaii Mama and Inside Out Style lately. This post fits in well with those thoughts. If you don't frequent those blogs go scroll back. Both have been within the past two months, I think.
You always look absolutely stunning! It's such a joy to see people such as you who take such pride in their appearance.
I think that maybe, those who feel some take too much effort with their appearance, are spending too much of their own time worrying about other people's lives!
I feel the same as you do about getting dressed up - it makes it easier to face the day, it's a lot of fun and it's part of my routine, anyway.
-Andi x
I think the prevailing "look" on blogs at the moment leans toward the totally undone, denim shorts look, with little visible makeup and unbrushed hair. That's cool too but a lot of effort can also go into looking that way - your effort shows on the surface and I think it's fabulous. Possibly people aren't used to seeing someone revel in their look rather than try to appear as if they were born that way.
I don't think all those commenters were necessarily being catty as everyone has personal tastes. That's the excellent thing about blogs: there's something out there for everyone.
I think it's kind of odd that people would comment on wether or not someone puts to much work in their everyday appearance. If you enjoy it, why not? I have done nothing but studying in the library every day for the past 6 weeks, and some people did consider me 'dressed up' since I did not wear jeans and a t-shirt. But for me, dressing up is fun and when I feel pretty, it makes a day of nothing but studying a little bit better!
I think you have an amazing style and your hair and make up looks good all the time. There is nothing wrong with that. We only live once and theres no point living it in old/boring clothes. Its fun to dress up and look good everyday.
I've been reading your blog for awhile now and absolutely love seeing the outfits you put together as well as the finishing touches with hair/make-up. Keep looking glamorous... if other people think you are overdoing it,
they are probably just bored with their own style/routine. :)
thank you so much for being a slave to the details! I am one as well (I spent 15 minutes yesterday deciding whether the pink or the black earrings would look better with my outfit before I went out!)
I love your blog and I find it very inspiring!!
The world needs glamour! Jeans are not appropriate for every function!
So thank you! And keep up the good work!
Cheers!
Lisa
http://myvintageobsession.blogspot.com/
love your dress! you have fabulous curves! i tend to agree with you when you mention that people put some kind of effort into getting ready regardless of what their "style" is. don't we all?
Vad fin du ser ut.
Fantastisk stil!
You really are a girlie girl and I think it's great that you see effort to look glamorous. Probably due to my work (where there is very little glam in in. Sputum, pee, blood etc.) I very rarely can be bothered to get all "glammed" up. Then again, when I do I really try to make it in to a special occasion. BTW, I love the dress you're wearing!
You always look lovely,stylish. Show pride in your appearance so ignore the few who dont know what a combs for. I get asked all the time if I'm going to a reinactment, or some where nice. 'No I'm on my way to the supermarket'...You only live once be remembered.
I love all of the details you put into your look! I think it's admirable because I don't have the patience. :) And if you enjoy it, there's no reason not to! Some people like to fuss about anything.
Thanks for that little 'rant'. In my 'neck-o-the-woods', I am in the minority since I don't go to the store in my pajamas or where my husband's t shirts. So I can definitely identify with those who 'worry' that you are putting too much effort into your appearance. I happen to enjoy it immensely and will keep on doing it until I'm too old to make a pincurl. ;-) You know, I might get arthritis or something.
don't sell anything ;) you look terrific! and please: don't sing Kumbaya :D there are others themes worth singing ;)
anyway: big big hug! and greetings from Poland!
Thank you all, I do read all and appreciate of your comments even though I don't answer each one individually.
Anna : tack, så roligt!
Abu : I don't remember the link, I didn't save it...
Anonymous : thanks, and there's nothing wrong with singing a little kumbaya every now and then if you feel like it
Tam : What a wonderful aunt you have :)
Diva : I know, sometimes we might not always like the way someone else bring hi/herself out but one should always think that if she feels good abut it then so be it.
Melancholic Optimist : I'm so jealous! MY friend Ina also started to make more and more of her food herself. One day I hope I'll have the time to do that too, keep up the good going !
Lorena Cupcake : I've read different threads every now and then over the past year and like I said, most of them are still pretty positive. But at no time did I find the topic or starting post of the thread anyhow negative, I thought it was just nice and it was fun to be mentioned there :)
Rachel King : Oh, it sounds interesting!
Disconaplondon: yes I know what you mean, and it's true, it does take effort too to look like you just dug whatever out of the closet and it just happened to go together perfectly well :D
Lisa : So did you wear the pink or the black ones then?
You are proof positive that glamour is not a lost artform after all!
Those of us from the glamour and style pool say Thank You!
I say keep doing what you're doing! It's great that you have the balls to express who you are on the outside, rather to just hold it in and wear what everyone else is wearing. Those who critique you probably just go with the crowd. I am inspired by your looks. I love vintage, especially from the 50s, and its great to see someone wear them without looking trashy. Keep it up:)
im GLAD you put effort, i love looking your outfits! please keep it up!
You take such gorgeous pictures and they get better by time.
As Madonna sings on Evita " It don´t matter what the morons say. There´s only twenty of them anyway. "
Keep on shining and being the fabulous you!
I know what you mean - sometime it makes you feel superficial - I was did a post on honesty and the only comments I got were about my skirt, made me feel weird.
kiss
i am apsolutelly in live with your hair... it reminds me of the silly symphony´s i love so much... the one that tells the storry about the spring goddes which has been stolen by hades to live with him in the underworld... and so the world looses the spirit of spring for 3/4 year....and when she returnes, she brings everything to life again!!!my fave one
Making yourself look nice brings a lot of perks. Besides compliments and acknowledgment and whatnot (which I don't actually get, but I dress up anyways!!), knowing that you like what you're wearing is a relatively easy way to feel good about yourself for the whole day. It gives me energy.
Although I sacrifice comfort, so that's sort of a downside. What do you do about that? i.e. if you know you're going to be walking around all day, do you still wear fancy shoes?
You keep doing what you do and let the haters hate!
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