aka: Chose the Funky Glasses. Sponsored by Lookmatic
When I was finishing high school they asked what my plans were for the graduation video. I had two ideas for a career: fashion or home decorating. I loved both. Fashion made me feel fancy; houses made me happy. Both felt like creative ways to express personal style.
In the end, home decorating won out, which turned out well for the home blogging world. Looking back, fashion felt easier at eighteen: I was a size two, could borrow my mom’s Nordstrom card and obsess about outfits. Back then what I wore was practically all I worried about.
As life continued, my concerns shifted to jobs, taxes, kids, pets, mortgage payments and health insurance. Shoes and outfits dropped to the bottom of the list. Some days I was lucky to find a matching pair of shoes, let alone a coordinated outfit.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care about how I looked, but fashion became more of a necessity than a joy — often a way to camouflage the latest changes in my body. Where I used to think about what was trendy or what flattered my figure, I now prioritized what might hide the imperfections. Blogging didn’t help either; bloggers will tell you it tends to make you, well, wider.
Funny enough, even at eighteen when I was a size two, I thought I was a little chubby. I was self-conscious for no reason. If only we could be the “chubby” we once imagined, right?
Getting older has been an eye-opening experience. Lately, that realization has been literal: I need glasses. For real.
Many younger bloggers buy nerdy glasses as a trendy accessory for photos. My glasses are nerdy and trendy too, but I got them so I can actually see well enough to blog. Still, beyond better vision, I wanted to have fun with my style and build confidence at this stage of life.
One thing I’m always learning is that, whatever your age and whatever is happening in your life, it’s important to take time for yourself and to dress both yourself and your home in ways that make you feel happy, refreshed and alive. It’s easy to let one or the other slide, but both your surroundings and your appearance reflect an important part of who you are.
Just as creating a style in your home shapes how you live, how you present yourself when you walk out the door affects how you see yourself. Who are you when you leave the kids for an evening out, meet friends for lunch or head to a conference? Do you have enough confidence to forget about your insecurities, or do you spend outings worrying about perceived flaws? If you focus too much on imperfections, perhaps you haven’t given yourself enough time to be at your best — to rest, refresh your haircut, refresh your nails or buy clothes that lift your mood.
You may not be eighteen anymore (if you are, enjoy every moment), but you can embrace being thirty, forty, fifty or beyond and develop a style that fits who you are now.
I’m not advocating spending lots of money or obsessing over appearance. I’m suggesting making yourself and your home more than merely presentable. Have a little fun with your style and find time to care for yourself without apology. You don’t need to overhaul everything — small changes matter.
Maybe start by stepping slightly outside your usual routine. Try a different haircut, a touch of makeup, or choosing a comfortable dress instead of yoga pants at home. Simple shifts — a cute top, stylish jeans and boots — can change how you feel about your day.
Invest in little things that lift your mood and spark your creativity. Choose the funky glasses instead of the sensible pair, buy a coat in a bold color even if it doesn’t match everything, wear a bright scarf or mix patterns if that makes you smile. Do things because you can and because they feel right. Wear what helps you like the person you see in the mirror.
Take time for yourself.
Set the to-do list aside and go for a solitary walk to breathe fresh air. Get a fun haircut. Organize your bag with pretty pouches that make you smile when you leave the house. Little rituals like these make a big difference in how we feel.
Small steps shape a look that reflects who you want to be. Live the life you want and arrange your home so it feels like a place you love, even if it’s not your dream house yet. These choices become part of your personal style.
There will always be reasons to feel insecure — a perceived flaw, a life transition, the stress of daily responsibilities. It’s tempting to hide behind screens and excuses. But surrendering to those whispers won’t help. Instead, do something tangible to move forward.
Life can be tiring and messy, but that’s not a reason to stop creating beauty in your own way. That is what personal style truly is. Young parents, remember to include yourselves in this care — your children benefit when you treat yourself kindly.
Is there something small you could do this week to help you love the life you have more? Something to wake up your style, refresh your home or spark a bit of creativity?
In my quest to embrace personal style, I chose funky new glasses — the Holly frames in black from Lookmatic. Lookmatic is an online boutique for sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses. Ordering online was painless and fun, and I love the modern, slightly quirky look. I’m glad I took the risk.