I have to admit, pretty things make me happy. I am shallow, but at least I'm honest. January is one of my favourite times of year, just because of January sales. It's the only time where women become violent, sales assistants have no qualms about crying on shop floors, and small children get lost in mountains of reduced clothes.
However, much to my utter dismay, Topshop is full of shit and nowhere else is worth even mentioning. The January sales usually get me more excited than Christmas. However, this year they have been terrible. Am I alone in thinking this? I've seen quite a lot of complaints about the state of the sales on Facebook, and not once yet has somebody excitedly told me any great sale-related news. A recent article titled 'It's the end of the sales as we know them' highlights my point. (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article6974753.ece)
Ironically, this year I was more excited than ever about the sales, indicating the level of excitement in my life. This has made me wonder – do we set things up to fail by expecting too much? It seems that one irony of life that we may just have to accept is that we can be pleasantly surprised by things that we don't think we'll enjoy. However, we can only really be disappointed by things that we really look forward to.
Of course, it would be terribly pessimistic of me to say that my little theory can relate to everything; most of us look forward to things all of the time. But it's those special things that we anticipate for months that are usually anti-climatic. The things that we imagine going perfectly. The things that seem like they're going to be too good to be true (and usually are).
My friend's birthday last year is the perfect example of this. A big night out was, of course, planned. I got too drunk to leave the house and passed out on my bed. But being retold the night's events the next day – it seemed an uncharacteristically bad night for everyone else, too, including the birthday girl. And why? Because of the anticipation and the thought put into it all. Sod's law, in other words.
I think that looking forward to things is definitely one thing that gets us through life's dull routine. Getting through one thing by looking forward to another is just a second nature, really. But is it a dangerous thing to do? One of the reasons that people love spontaneity is because you can't be disappointed by something that you haven't put any thought into.
Men, if you were to ask girl out on a date, you'd be committing social suicide to arrange it any more than a week in advance. The longer you give a woman to look forward to a date, the better it has to be. Fact. It doesn't take long for us to subconsciously dream up the perfect date in our minds.
But would you rather play it safe and never look forward to things in order to avoid disappointment? There's something to ponder over next time you get bored in the bath. And they're always something to look forward to.
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
26 Nov 2009
Attention!!
Vivienne Westwood is a little bit of a genius (one upside of blog writing is that I can be as opinionated as I please). She once said in an interview that there's no point wearing clothes unless you're going to stand out in them. And it's obvious just by looking at her (hello, orange hair) that she follows her own advice.
It got me to thinking; is standing out always a good thing?
Would life be worth living if we just blended into the background all of the time? I guess it depends on the person you are, but I've never really understood those type of people that are happy always pushing other people into the limelight.
In order to get your dream job, won't you have to stand out above your competitors? Opportunities don't really come to those who sit quietly in the corner, yet there's nothing more annoying than those really loud 'out going' types.
I stood out in Primary school for being the wierdo with big braces and an obsession for Goosebumps books. I stood out in Secondary school for my Spiderman backpack and massive hair. But, at University, I fit in. I might as well have white woolly hair and a tail, because, readers, I think I'm a sheep.
As we grow up, do we loose the urge to stand out? Do we rely on other resources for conversation starters? Do we become okay with knowing that in a world of 6 billion people, we might actually not be that special?
Going back to Vivienne Westwood, she's a perfect example of how standing out can make you successful.
If you're the kind of person that turns heads when you walk into a room, then you're also the kind of person that's likely to attract bitchy comments. It's like people that are famous, there's always someone who has something bad to say.
I'm going to see Alice Cooper in concert this weekend, (I'm very excited!) and one of the main reasons he has been successful is that he's different. Difference is something that everyone craves once in a while. We go shopping to buy new clothes, and employers are always looking for people that can offer something different... but how do we offer something different from everyone else?
I'm going to a party tonight where I won't know the majority of people there. Some people have nightmares about this kind of thing. However, when put in situations like this, it's the people that have something different to talk about that are the ones who won't feel awkward talking to a room full of strangers. If I had the hair of Vivienne Westwood, or the dress sense of Dita Von Tease, maybe I'd find the situation easier.
It seems that there is always that dilemma in social situations; be brave and stand out, or play it safe and keep quiet. Let's just hope I don't take my own words too much to heart. Note to self: do not take Spiderman bag to party.
It got me to thinking; is standing out always a good thing?
Would life be worth living if we just blended into the background all of the time? I guess it depends on the person you are, but I've never really understood those type of people that are happy always pushing other people into the limelight.
In order to get your dream job, won't you have to stand out above your competitors? Opportunities don't really come to those who sit quietly in the corner, yet there's nothing more annoying than those really loud 'out going' types.
I stood out in Primary school for being the wierdo with big braces and an obsession for Goosebumps books. I stood out in Secondary school for my Spiderman backpack and massive hair. But, at University, I fit in. I might as well have white woolly hair and a tail, because, readers, I think I'm a sheep.
As we grow up, do we loose the urge to stand out? Do we rely on other resources for conversation starters? Do we become okay with knowing that in a world of 6 billion people, we might actually not be that special?
Going back to Vivienne Westwood, she's a perfect example of how standing out can make you successful.
If you're the kind of person that turns heads when you walk into a room, then you're also the kind of person that's likely to attract bitchy comments. It's like people that are famous, there's always someone who has something bad to say.
I'm going to see Alice Cooper in concert this weekend, (I'm very excited!) and one of the main reasons he has been successful is that he's different. Difference is something that everyone craves once in a while. We go shopping to buy new clothes, and employers are always looking for people that can offer something different... but how do we offer something different from everyone else?
I'm going to a party tonight where I won't know the majority of people there. Some people have nightmares about this kind of thing. However, when put in situations like this, it's the people that have something different to talk about that are the ones who won't feel awkward talking to a room full of strangers. If I had the hair of Vivienne Westwood, or the dress sense of Dita Von Tease, maybe I'd find the situation easier.
It seems that there is always that dilemma in social situations; be brave and stand out, or play it safe and keep quiet. Let's just hope I don't take my own words too much to heart. Note to self: do not take Spiderman bag to party.
18 Sept 2009
Stiff upper shoe.
I bought a new skirt the other day, and it has since been what my life revolves around. Okay so that's a bit drastic... but I'm wondering if it's just me that's this materialistic. Whenever I purchase something new, the feeling I get wearing it is a feeling that isn't healthy. The effect it has is one that only people should have the capability to do.
I'm horrified by recent talk of high heels being banned from the work place. Women that wear high heels at work probably don't like their job, and use beautiful footwear to make them feel better and get through the day. Well, this is my guess. Why else put your feet through the pain?
However, sometimes I can dress up for a night out, and feel completely horrific about how I look, and if that's the case - I won't enjoy the whole night. We look up to people who look good - even if you disagree - trust me, you do. How could anyone admire someone who takes no care over their appearance? I may know nothing about football - but everyone prefers Beckham over Rooney don't they? That, my friends, is no coincidence. (Just to check, Rooney is a football player, isn't he?)
I've mentioned many times in my blog before that I love London - and the main reason is because everyone dresses immaculately but daring at the same time. The majority of people that grace the streets of London feel confident about themselves. How do I know this? Because you can tell.
With so many people in this world fighting to leave their own mark, to be remembered - sometimes a new pair of shoes help us feel special.
The truth is, as shallow as this sounds, pretty things make me happy. They make me feel better about myself. If I'm wearing a new dress, the new shiny feeling of it makes me ten times more confident than usual. It doesn't matter that no one will notice my new purchase, so why does it matter? I'll tell you why....
My theory is that, if we're dressed up, if we feel good about ourselves, we feel good about everything else. Everything gets a second chance if we get a second glance ;)
I'm horrified by recent talk of high heels being banned from the work place. Women that wear high heels at work probably don't like their job, and use beautiful footwear to make them feel better and get through the day. Well, this is my guess. Why else put your feet through the pain?
However, sometimes I can dress up for a night out, and feel completely horrific about how I look, and if that's the case - I won't enjoy the whole night. We look up to people who look good - even if you disagree - trust me, you do. How could anyone admire someone who takes no care over their appearance? I may know nothing about football - but everyone prefers Beckham over Rooney don't they? That, my friends, is no coincidence. (Just to check, Rooney is a football player, isn't he?)
I've mentioned many times in my blog before that I love London - and the main reason is because everyone dresses immaculately but daring at the same time. The majority of people that grace the streets of London feel confident about themselves. How do I know this? Because you can tell.
With so many people in this world fighting to leave their own mark, to be remembered - sometimes a new pair of shoes help us feel special.
The truth is, as shallow as this sounds, pretty things make me happy. They make me feel better about myself. If I'm wearing a new dress, the new shiny feeling of it makes me ten times more confident than usual. It doesn't matter that no one will notice my new purchase, so why does it matter? I'll tell you why....
My theory is that, if we're dressed up, if we feel good about ourselves, we feel good about everything else. Everything gets a second chance if we get a second glance ;)
2 Sept 2009
The secret tears hidden behind my pretty little dress.
I read something the other day that stuck in my mind - but not so much that I remember it word for word, annoyingly. The gist of it, though, was that someone can be dressed fashionable with anyone's help, and fashion is something that is relatively easy to follow. But style, on the other hand, is what you do with fashion, and style is timeless.
I agree; I read a lot of fashion magazines and would say I'm relatively up to date with trends. However, it's only recently that I've really started to understand fashion, I now really appreciate it, and everything that it stands for and is inspired by.
However, this does not mean that I look particularly stylish, I don't. I may enjoy looking, reading (and yes, longingly stroking) fashion, but I'm not equipped with the 'style' gene (I, instead, inherited thick hair and sticky-out ribs - cheers Mum).
You know the people, the ones who can put on a baggy shirt and lipstick and look amazing. No matter what they wear, there are certain people that just look like they're natural habitat is tucked away inside Elle magazine.
I was recently in London, and I couldn't stop staring at people. Londoners have style. I don't like to generalise, but in this case, it's deserved. They dress so uncomfortably, so creatively, so imperfect, and it really, really works. Therefore, is style something that we can learn? Or is it just a coincidence that all of these clever people live in London?
Someone can walk past wearing an outfit straight from the catwalk, and still have no heads turn in their direction. Just as someone can have be wearing a completely Primark inspired ensemble and look amazing.
When it comes to style, it isn't about the individual pieces, but the creativity behind it, and the means to carry it off; whatever that actually is, I haven't put my finger on.
For those of you who are more aesthetically pleased...
Fashion . . .
Style . . .
Whilst fashion may be the core of our world (please do hesitate to disagree with me here), and while 'fashion' may be the word thrown in every magazine and shop we see; style is the silent sidekick. But fashion cannot exist without style, style is the fun part.
The latest collections from Topshop may be what I lust after, but what I secretly want is the ability to make what I already have look fabulous. I'm almost certain that those gifted with the a good sense of style have it easier in life. They must do. Job interviews...first dates... If I could pull off an amazing outfit effortlessly put together in a modest perfection...I wouldn't need to utter a word to impress. So I will continue to scour magazines, I will hold gazes whenever I return to London, in the hope I will catch this not-so-airborne talent.
Oh what a long wait I have ahead of me...
I agree; I read a lot of fashion magazines and would say I'm relatively up to date with trends. However, it's only recently that I've really started to understand fashion, I now really appreciate it, and everything that it stands for and is inspired by.
However, this does not mean that I look particularly stylish, I don't. I may enjoy looking, reading (and yes, longingly stroking) fashion, but I'm not equipped with the 'style' gene (I, instead, inherited thick hair and sticky-out ribs - cheers Mum).
You know the people, the ones who can put on a baggy shirt and lipstick and look amazing. No matter what they wear, there are certain people that just look like they're natural habitat is tucked away inside Elle magazine.
I was recently in London, and I couldn't stop staring at people. Londoners have style. I don't like to generalise, but in this case, it's deserved. They dress so uncomfortably, so creatively, so imperfect, and it really, really works. Therefore, is style something that we can learn? Or is it just a coincidence that all of these clever people live in London?
Someone can walk past wearing an outfit straight from the catwalk, and still have no heads turn in their direction. Just as someone can have be wearing a completely Primark inspired ensemble and look amazing.
When it comes to style, it isn't about the individual pieces, but the creativity behind it, and the means to carry it off; whatever that actually is, I haven't put my finger on.
For those of you who are more aesthetically pleased...
Fashion . . .
Style . . .
Whilst fashion may be the core of our world (please do hesitate to disagree with me here), and while 'fashion' may be the word thrown in every magazine and shop we see; style is the silent sidekick. But fashion cannot exist without style, style is the fun part.
The latest collections from Topshop may be what I lust after, but what I secretly want is the ability to make what I already have look fabulous. I'm almost certain that those gifted with the a good sense of style have it easier in life. They must do. Job interviews...first dates... If I could pull off an amazing outfit effortlessly put together in a modest perfection...I wouldn't need to utter a word to impress. So I will continue to scour magazines, I will hold gazes whenever I return to London, in the hope I will catch this not-so-airborne talent.
Oh what a long wait I have ahead of me...
12 Apr 2009
Superficial shopping.
I'm a very shallow person, I admit. Is that such a bad thing though? My bad trait was finally admitted yesterday. It all started with a spontaneous adventure to Tesco's. I know what you're thinking, adventurous eh? Anyway, I was in the car park; and in amongst the cars and flyaway trolleys I saw a couple weaving towards me, the woman looked about 50, but she hid it well. She was dressed in a pencil skirt and suit jacket,complimented with pearls and perfect hair. Colourful...clean cut...smart...wonderful. The one thing that let her down, though, was what was attached to her hand. A beast of a man. He looked like the case study for a gastric-bypass gone terribly awry. The icing on the cake was the food spilt down his t-shirt.
My outburst at this, followed by the accusation of me being 'so shallow' has led me to think...is that really such a bad thing?
I read an article recently highlighting that research done has found that 95% of employers, if faced with an overweight person and a person of healthy weight applying for the same job, would hire the thinner person. This was contradicted by research proving that overweight people are actually generally harder working. Look at me, talking about them as if they're a different race. I'm not fatist, I just think that if it can be helped, it should be.
Surely I can't be the only one that double-takes oddly matched couples where one is obviously better looking than the other. I'm no Angelina Jolie myself, but in the past I've had my fair share of facially challenged people asking me on dates, and I just felt a bit insulted.
I don't think that shallowness is a bad thing, or anything to hide. Look at Obama for example, yes he's enviably driven and very smart, but his good looks might contribute a tiny bit to his popularity. I think that people can subconsciously make decisions about people based on their looks, employers included, it's just human nature. I'd hire a Kevin Bacon over a Kevin Spacey any day.
My outburst at this, followed by the accusation of me being 'so shallow' has led me to think...is that really such a bad thing?
I read an article recently highlighting that research done has found that 95% of employers, if faced with an overweight person and a person of healthy weight applying for the same job, would hire the thinner person. This was contradicted by research proving that overweight people are actually generally harder working. Look at me, talking about them as if they're a different race. I'm not fatist, I just think that if it can be helped, it should be.
Surely I can't be the only one that double-takes oddly matched couples where one is obviously better looking than the other. I'm no Angelina Jolie myself, but in the past I've had my fair share of facially challenged people asking me on dates, and I just felt a bit insulted.
I don't think that shallowness is a bad thing, or anything to hide. Look at Obama for example, yes he's enviably driven and very smart, but his good looks might contribute a tiny bit to his popularity. I think that people can subconsciously make decisions about people based on their looks, employers included, it's just human nature. I'd hire a Kevin Bacon over a Kevin Spacey any day.
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