Lessons Learned, From a Few Months of Blogging

my sister, age 3-ish

It turns out it’s quite humbling to look at pictures of yourself frequently. This, I’m thinking, is probably the reason we usually don’t.

(Sidenote: it’s giving me new respect for celebrities who are photographed anytime they they leave their house, even to take out the garbage.)

But it’s been helpful also, and I’ve learned a few things that seemed worth sharing:

1. I could wear tighter things on top. I feel – say it with me, ladies – sort of jiggly in the middle (those damn kids) and so usually hide that with long/empire-waist/ thick/ blousy/ baggy-type tops. But I’m thinking I could go a bit tighter and still be OK.

2. Low cut jeans are simply not for me. I must stop.

3. Wear better shoes. This is a long-term goal of mine, since way back when I was 22 and went to my first day working at a high school, and the receptionist asked me if my parents had come to register me and I realized that in terms of setting yourself apart from the teenagers, it’s all about the shoes. I’m trying to wean myself from the daily clog wear, while being sure not to let it turn into daily Uggs wear.

4. My legs are not quite as long and slender as I have – up to now – believed them to be. They are certainly long-ish, and slender-ish. Maybe it’s just a matter of adjusting my mental picture a bit.

5. Shorter skirts are better on me. Above the knee. Below the thigh. A delicate balance, for sure, but attainable.

6. As both my sisters mentioned when I bought my new brown boots this winter, higher ones might have been better. They do hit me a bit funny on the calf. Auxiliary lesson to go along: do what my sisters say.

7. My hair does not look great pulled straight back into a ponytail. Thought that was my best look. It’s not.

8. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. Say it again with me, nice and loud. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. Target is good, Target is cheap. Target cannot be the main source of my wardrobe just because I can come home with 15 new items for under $50.

9. Right alongside that note is the one about spending money on something I love and will wear until it is rags. I come by cheapness honestly - my mother took us shopping at our local Goodwill(s) for new school clothes, so I am down with thrifting and thrifti-ness. But sometimes (I’M SORRY, MOM) it is worth spending a little more cash.

10. Take more risks. Self, I know you feel like even a day without black is as if you’ve made a trip to the moon, but you could go further. Higher. More colorful. Patterns, even. Just try.

Is there anything I missed? Go on...you know I can take it.