It was a busy weekend here in Northern Alabama! The Heart of Dixie chapter participated in a local event called Female & Fabulous at the civic center. There were health, beauty, and lifestyle booths spread around the center, lots of giveaways, and Clinton Kelly from TLC's What Not to Wear made an appearance.
I've never watched WNTW, but I think I will in the future. I liked what Clinton said. He said one thing that really impressed me: “Don't dress to please a man.” The other thing he talked about was young women and the pressure to dress like Paris, Britney, or Lindsay. Those clothes, the ones that show lots of skin, aren't necessary. You don't have to dress like a ho to be beautiful. After that, I figured I was in love. 🙂 When he continued on to say that catalog models weren't women to emulate because they weren't typical, well, the applause was deafening. The guy was funny, engaging, and entertaining. Other than the women who just wanted to smell or hug him, it was a great question and answer session he gave. (And what's with people anyway that they raise their hand for a question and then just want to smell the guy when he comes over? Sheesh.)
As romance writers, we often write women who are smart and confident. They may not start out that way, but they end up that way by the end of the book. Confident women moving forward with the man they've fallen in love with. They don't compromise who they are to be with the hero. Nor does the hero want them to. I guess that's why I love romance. 🙂
So, let's remember that even though real life isn't fiction, we can still be confident women who have every right to our own sense of self-worth that is NOT dependent upon a man. A man is your partner, not your reason for existing. No romance heroine would ever make that mistake, so why is it that romance novels get the reputation for being fluffy and trashy? Just another thing I don't get. 🙂
What's the worst thing you've ever worn? I can't remember the worse thing I've ever worn, but when I was about nine, I got into my mother's makeup and proceeded to cake it on. Then I went outside to wait for my grandmother to pick me up for my trip to the skating rink. She took one look and went ballistic. Since she never, ever raised her voice or got upset, I guess I must have looked pretty awful. Needless to say, she made me wipe it all off. 🙂
Interesting, Lynn. The weird thing with teenage girls is… when they first start wearing make-up, they really do want to cake it on. There’s some sort of mysticism about the process. Color is fascinating and they don’t feel like they’re wearing enough. I’ve had to watch that with my girls. #2 used too much. No matter what I said, she thought it wasn’t enough. Then as she grew older, she toned down her make-up so that she doesn’t look like she’s wearing it. I got lucky with #4, #2 taught her her methods. I haven’t had to worry about her.
Clothes. All the girls want to attract the boys or imitate Britney or Christina. Sometimes I do have to say something about the clothes. But I’ve always taught my girls that they aren’t defined by a boyfriend. So many of the girls at school gauge their popularity by whether or not they have a boyfriend. I’ve taught my girls that throughout their lives, what’s inside of them will make them happy, not a man.
Wish I could have been there. Sounds like you had a great time. Honestly though, were people really trying to sniff him?
Fabulous insight, Kathy! That’s exactly what Clinton said: what’s inside is what will make you happy. Dress for YOU, find your own style.
And yes, at least one person did want to smell him! Several just wanted to hug him. Wish you could have been there too, but we were fine. We had plenty of people!
When I was nine my mother made me wear the butt-ugliest red plaid suit to school for picture day. I think it was October (in texas) and this darned thing had long sleeves and OMG i Cried. It was HORRID! The fact I still remember it 29 years later says a lot
OMG, hugs!!! What’s wrong with mothers sometimes? *g* I can’t really remember a traumatic outfit, but I know I wore some butt ugly stuff from time to time. I used to have an electric blue corduroy outfit — pants and vest — that I wore a lot.
Ummm… some of my favorite clothes were butt ugly. I made myself a jungle print blouse (looked something like Olivia Newton John get physical video)… I guess I looked OKay, but I can’t believe I liked it soooooo much.
🙂 Cyn
Honey, the entire 80s is one long bad acid-washed-leather-fringed-tapered-
legged-big-haired fashion faux pas for me.
Someone once said hell would be standing in front of God and being told to explain yourself and your actions. My hell will include a fashion show of what I was wearing at the time…
Jungle print, Cyn? 🙂 Wow, yeah, that might be bad. It depends, though!
PC: oh yeah, the big 80s hair (bangs that stood three inches high!), the jeans with zippers at the ankle because they were so narrow, shoulder-freaking-pads, and black eye makeup (which I wore abundantly — my dad used to say I looked like a raccoon). *sigh* I guess it is possible to remember awful things I wore…. 😉
Clinton sounds great!
I have 2 worst outfits:
1) A flower power little girl coolotte thing I had to wear the first day of 7th grade. Ugh!!
2) White stirup leggings with very itchy gold thread and very thin 4 inch gold heels. I can handle heels but not quite that thin.
BTW, the Princelings send their regards! How are your babies?
Hi, Morag! I’m very much afraid stirrup pants are coming back. And leg warmers. I’ve seen them recently. It’s enough to make your hair stand on end, LOL!
The Princelings are simply gorgeous! My babies are fine. I’ve noticed they still don’t have any respect for me, though. When I’m working, they still bug me. I tell them I must get this book done, and they don’t care. What’s up with that? 🙂
Yep.. I remember the 80s very well.
LOL Ponytails, high bangs, layered clothing, salmon pink.
Cyn
No! Tell me it isn’t true, Lynn! Leg warmers and stirups?! Won’t do it this time around.
The Princelings always howl at me when I’m on the computer. Any activity that doesn’t directly involve Princelings is a waste of time, acording to them. I plan to brush them today. I believe I need a Saphire martini or two before I reach for that de-shedder. Princelings do not care to be brushed, and as they are such large and strong beasties it will take a bit of gin courage:-)
LOL! Did the martinis work? 🙂