Defining Beauty

Since I got a little promotion it seemed meet that I should splurge and get myself something to celebrate.


So I bought myself this dress today:

Except it is an electric blue and I couldn't find the picture online. I took a picture of myself in it, but this lovely morena looks much better in it so you can appreciate the dress for what it is.


I bought it because I was already in the store buying some makeup. Why was I buying makeup? Because of this article a colleague sent to prompt critical thinking among students about gender role construction.

I can't tell you why I am so disappointed in my own actions today but I will share them with you in an attempt to have you explain them to me.



1) I bought the makeup so I would look more competent. Collaborative, but competent. I asked the 19-year old girl working the make up counter (who knows nothing about me) what looked good on me and trusted her instinct. I did NOT buy the very heavy black eyeliner she put on me, but I did buy the other stuff. I walked around wondering if people thought I looked more competent.

I went upstairs and asked if they had any wrap dresses. I so love them, but they are hard to find and expensivo. The cute little 19-year old who worked there was thrilled with herself when she showed it to me. I put on the dress and fell in love with it. It is a sleek fit, perfectly tailored, and has such a nice karma about it. It feels like a lovely dress and plus, the Nordy mirror! It is such a divine mirror, I wish I had one of my own. And the dress was 50% off!! How could I have such luck??!! But when I got home this is what I got:

Oh. I have never seen that color on you before.

2)  And then I read the reviews here on the site where people said they thought the fabric looked cheap and I was going to take it back.

WHAT ON EARTH would motivate a 36-year old supposedly confident woman to take back a dress I fell so perfectly in love with an hour previously? The unenthusiastic response of a man who loves everything about me and doesn't care a thing for clothing? A review of a snobby woman who probably thinks everything in my closet looks cheap?

And why would I buy makeup so other people would think I look more competent? Shouldn't my actions speak for themselves?

Save me from myself, advice needed (but seriously, isn't it a beautiful dress?)

Opinion please

My beautiful and delightful friend Chellese took some profile pictures for me that I can use in my professional world (I have a new position at work, thank you very much!)

I like all of them, but these two are the ones I am considering. I would like to solicit some opinions about which one I should use.

Hint: I want to look sincere, not intimidating or annoying.

Option A:

Option B:

Halloween Costume

These days it isn't really cost effective to sew. It isn't. There is some upcycling going on, but I haven't gotten into it quite yet. But to buy fabric, the pattern, and all the notions, you are looking at way more money for, in my case, a lower quality product.

However, I do make a costume each year for halloween for my eldest daughter who is really the only one to appreciate my antics. I have to say it has turned into an annual event which I enjoy tremendously.

This year I have actually finished the costume prior to Halloween which apparently gives me enough time to make one for Gillian.

Don't look too closely of course, but it was a fun costume to put together. My aunt Judy contributed the petticoat which really makes the whole thing anyway.