Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Accessorizing

It's no secret that I'm trying to look nice. I'm not very good at it.

I don't mean that in a self-deprecating way. One of the things I like about myself is that I am not one to spend hours getting ready for anything. Give me a hairbrush, a toothbrush and some moderately clean clothes and I can be ready for whatever in about five minutes.

But, what this usually means is limp hair, no make-up, tennis shoes, jeans and a "dressy" tee shirt. FYI - dressy here means plain with nothing on it. That's about my only requirement for "dressy."

So, I'm trying.


I'm still not wearing make-up because after years of saying I was going to and working at it, I've finally just come to conclusion that I am just not a make-up person. I will wear it to job interviews and cocktail parties and maybe, maybe girls' nights. That don't involve my daughters. But not on a daily basis.

And although I want to work on the tennis shoes, I'm not making much progress.

So, basically, I bought some stuff that makes my already-almost-curly hair actually curl and I'm trying to wear matching clothes. And accessorize.

And that's the fun part.

Apparently, trying doesn't
require smiling or opening my
eyes. Pay no attention to that.
Look instead at the kinda
curly hair and necklace.
Not that the necklace is curly.

You know what I mean.
Because, the thing is that I love accessories. I love clunky necklaces and dangly earrings and scarves - oh how I love scarves. And there is so much more personality in a pair of earrings than in a whole wardrobe of solid tee shirts. I love this stuff. And I have this stuff. I just don't wear this stuff.

Until now.

Holey Pants, this is a full time job.

But it's also inspired in me a desire for more accessories. For instance, despite my all encompassing adoration of all things scarfy, I only have about three. And I have a awe-inspiring collection of fun, little pendants, but most of silver chains have seen better days.

All I've bought so far is a card of big box silver hoops and a couple of pieces on a $1 sale at a little store downtown, but I have needs, here. Scarfy, necklacy, dangly earringy needs.

So, those of you who accessorize: where to you pick this stuff up? Give me some insight into where you shop. I'm hard on jewelry, especially, so I don't like to pay a lot, but I don't want it to be really pitiful quality, so mid-range stuff for bargain budgets? Help me, please.

6 comments:

Suze said...

I'm in the same boat.
Only every time I feel like I need to improve my wardrobe (accessories or otherwise) I just start knitting a new sweater, which sounds nice and all, but I don't need sweaters as much as everything else!

Becca said...

FWIW, I don't wear make-up, either. Most of it breaks me out, dries me out, or turns me into an oil slick. I've come to the conclusion that I look weird with it, like female Survivor contestants at the live reunion show.

As far accessories - I highly recommend Goodwill. Selection varies, of course, but you can find neat stuff. Not just jewelry, but hats, scarves, and purses galore. I'm not a frequent buyer, but I sometimes find a purse or a pair of shoes that I must take home.

Jessi said...

Suze - Yeah, I keep thinking I could crochet something, but I want scarves of the fashion variety, rather than the warm variety.

Becca - I never thought of Goodwill! That's a great idea. We have a little consignment shop in town and I go in there a lot for things for the girls and I always check out their selection, but their adult stuff tends to be a little high end for me - even second hand. That said, it's totally where yesterday's $1 necklace came from. Thanks for the advice!

ann said...

I have found a bangle at JC Penney for $3 (or less) that everybody thinks is from India. I have a necklace from Kohls that I sometimes wear but don't really like that much, and a bangle that I like a lot. I have another bangle that a friend got me at Target. I look at Wal Mart clearance a lot and never see anything cheap enough. I have found some hair accessories (do those count?) at Big Lots, and that's all I can think of right now. :-) I don't like to spend more than $3 for accessories. However, I do have some things that I picked up on vacation that I loved--I like getting accessories as souvenirs. You don't really outgrow them, and have a lot of opportunity to remember your vacation when you wear them. I have a couple of things that my mom didn't want and gave to me. :-)

You don't need makeup. Glad to hear someone else is finally making peace with almost-curly hair.

Jessi said...

AnnI seem to find my best stuff on random clearances too. That's a good point about traveling too. I don't get to travel much, but it's a good point. :)

Unknown said...

Claire's, that is if you can handle being in the tiny store with more people than the fire code allows. There is also Peddler Mall. Sometimes you can find some really good stuff there!