Mirror, Mirror

I have three check point mirrors in my house, and the one outside my closet is the most treacherous. Not much gets past its merciless gaze. I have two others, one in the bathroom for close inspection, and another by my front door for a final inspection.

The first checkpoint mirror is like the lady at the DMV: nothing gets past her with ease, you never have the right documents in order. I wait until I am nearly done with an outfit before I dare a glance at the first mirror. Some days when I am short on time (which is almost always) I just slip past and try to make it to the second check point mirror (in my bathroom). Then to the third to make sure I haven’t tucked my shirt in my under wear or something. But if I am heading somewhere that I want to be sure I look good...the battle with my reflection and those mirrors begins.

One afternoon my friend Rachel and I were discussing New Years Eve dress options when she stood up in front of “checkpoint number one” and declared that I must get rid of the thing immediately. "It’s a fat mirror, it's warped, it squashes you, it’s a fat mirror, its got to go!" I am five feet tall and a little heavy in the hips with a good dose of body dysmorphic disorder. I need no extra help with warping and/or squashing. No woman does.

Then came the enlightenment…

On my trip to New York with Jess we made an interesting discovery about the mirror in the closet. A skinny mirror! Once in awhile you come across one when you find yourself in a dressing room and EVERYTHING seems to look good. You buy it all, even the lie.

We both stood in front of it for a long time, trying on clothes we'd brought and bought. We spun around and went out feeling long, lean, and fabulous.

Someone sees you like that skinny mirror: maybe your husband, or your little sister. Why not let it be you? It is all about perception, right?

Soon I will replace checkpoint number one with something closer to reality than my 'fat mirror'. Then, I will search for a 'skinny one' to put by my front door. It's not that I want the quintessential 'yes man', just a little boost and a nod in the right direction...