Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Ramblings of a Sleep Deprived Mind

First things first - no word on the physics exam. I anticipate I'll get the results on Thursday. Wait, let me re-phrase that. Our professor will give us back our tests on Thursday so as not to awaken the sleeping beast that is Emily's rage and cause her to go postal from the unbearable suspense.

This morning, I was racking my brain for blog fodder and my mind drifted back to the past weekend of bliss. Bliss because I unexpectedly ignored all responsibilities and stress and had a fantastic time. Of course, that weekend led to late nights of homework every night this week, but I think that's an even trade. The weekend was bliss.

It began with a trip to my hometown to pick up Blue and a father/daughter date. After a free movie and satisfying lunch, I planned to meet up with my friend for an evening out....at a BAR!

I was initially conflicted about the evening out. For the drive home (3 hours plus) and to see my dad, I was dressed casually in sneakers and a Colts sweatshirt. This sort of outfit has become my uniform when not at work. I honestly can't remember the last time I put on makeup.... and fixing my hair? Shoot, I haven't even used my hair dryer in MONTHS. Getting up with enough time to get into the office at 7:00am is difficult enough for a morning-hater like me. When I have to decide whether to sleep 10 more minutes, or fix my hair? Sleep wins every time.

But going out to a bar? I mean, how often do I go out? I'm either at work, school, or cuddled up under a blanket at home with a dog. I don't put much stock in appearances anyway, and in those three situations who am I trying to impress?

But going out? With another single female? Ready to have a glass of wine and go OUT?!

Oh, but the effort to get ready. And for what? It's not like I'm trying to pick up men. I know someone who might be upset if that was my goal.

So I did what any female would do. I called the other female going out with me and we discussed how we should dress. Luckily she was as excited about an evening out as I was (apparently neither of us gets out much) and so we decided that high heels were appropriate. Her excitement was contagious, so when I hung up the phone I practically skipped to my room to get ready.

Dude. We were HOTTT!

Which lead us to discuss why women would fix themselves up to look their very best every day. I mean, if you look your best every day, where's the 'wow factor' when you get really dressed up? I waffle on this subject. Sometimes I think it's insecurity that leads women to refuse to leave their house without full makeup. They must not think they're pretty enough otherwise, right? But other times, I think it's insecurity that keeps women from wearing makeup every day. After all, if you're not TRYING to compete with other women, you can't lose, right? What I finally settled on is that neither theory is correct, and it's all about whatever makes you feel comfortable.* I have several friends who look perfectly put together every time I see them, and yet, I'm perfectly comfortable next to them in my tennis shoes because they're comfortable with themselves. And I also know people who are perfectly put together with an edge. I don't know how else to describe it, but I feel uncomfortable in my tennis shoes because I feel like they're measuring up to see how they look in relation to those around them instead of how they feel about themselves. I tend not to like being around those people.

Me personally? I really just don't care enough to put effort into appearance. It's not that important to me. I can appreciate my friends who can dress well (and I would LOVE to have one of them come shopping with me and dress me. Any takers? Please? Your fashion-challenged friend is begging you.) But I love the 'wow factor.' I love being rewarded with compliments when I actually put effort into my appearance. I love the excitement of knowing I look good** and spending an evening doing something I wouldn't normally do.

My friend and I were both giddy with wearing high heels and makeup. As an added bonus, it turned out that we went to high school with the head bartender at the bar we chose. We didn't pick up men, but that wasn't the point. We caught up, talked to random men who approached us, judged the VERY short skirt that made her way around the bar*** and had a great evening.

Haven't worn makeup since.

Women? I would love opinions on this. To wear makeup or not to wear makeup? To dress up or not to dress up? To sneaker or not to sneaker. Those are the questions. Opinions appreciated.

*But I hold on to the caveat that it's a fine line between wearing makeup every day, and eventually getting to the point where you're wearing full makeup to the gym because OH MY GOD you can't be seen in public without MAKEUP!! I worry about women when it gets to that point.

**Reality really doesn't matter much here...it's all about how I feel. I tend to avoid mirrors. I know I look hot, reality does not need to confirm or deny the facts.

***Dude! We could totally see snatch. Well groomed... but still!!

8 comments:

Candace said...

You really said snatch. I am shocked!

As you know I am a no make-up and sneaker sort of girl. You will have to imagine the shock when I showed up at a party a couple weeks ago in a skirt. I don't think anyone noticed the make-up because the skirt was such a large shock.

So I do like the idea of a "Wow" factor. If you look great every day what do you do on special occasions?

I vote jeans and sneakers every single day! That would be my ideal uniform.

AnnD said...

Um, you can probably predict my answer too!

Comfort before looks. Every time.

I too have always chosen the extra half an hour of sleep over getting up and fixing my hair!

My theory is that I'll probably live 10 years longer than women who worry and obsess over their appearance.

Anonymous said...

For years, I wore makeup every day and refused to wear gym shoes unless at a gym. While I am all for comfort, I believe some people can get away with super casual and some cannot. (Just stop by a Wal-mart for visual examples). There is a fine line between comfortable and sloppy.

punkinmama said...

You mean you think I'm crazy for getting up an hour earlier to put on full make-up before Hubs wakes up so he doesn't see me without my face on?!




BWAH!!! Now, back to reality! I can't imagine!

I'll take jeans/sweatshirt/crocs every day! The biggest reason I do wear make-up is because my face hasn't caught on that I'm not 16 anymore and it likes to breakout. A lot. But there are plenty of days where I do leave the house without any make-up at all. Like when going to Wal-Mart. Heh.

Farmerspice said...

I went from the world where it was acceptable to wear jeans and a sweatshirts or tshirts on occasion to the suit when needed. Now my office is nothin but suits, jackets, dress shirts and even pants if need be. I'm in a nice shirt and jeans with heels today for causual day. Really? Yeah, never saw this coming and yes, make-up is the full requirement. Lovely. Who am I and where did the real farmerspice go??

The Carrels said...

I agree with your anonymous poster who said that there is a fine line between comfortable and sloppy. For me - and this is just me - a sweatshirt is sloppy. I don't like how I feel in a sweatshirt and jeans. It's just not 'me.' I can't even remember the last time I had on a sweatshirt.

I don't wear my tennis shoes unless I'm working out. I have cute sneakers to wear with jeans and a top/cardigan for my everyday wear.

And I do spend the 5 minutes it takes me to put on some tinted moisturizer, concealer (because let's face it...my kids keep me up way too much at night to go with out it!), mascara, blush and lip gloss. But like I said this is just 'me.' I feel better about myself no matter how tired I am when I do get dressed. I personally feel worse if I am not 'done.'

That being said, I'm not going to judge anyone based on how their attire compares to mine. I choose to get dressed every day and wear make-up - I'm not going to judge you for your decision not to.

Kat(i)e said...

I'm sure you're not surprised but Jill said it best for me. Especially that last paragraph.

To make things especially intersting, in my current job I HAVE to wear jeans and converse sneakers. And you know what - I miss the hell out of my skirts and heels. I think they're feeling neglected on that side of the closet. So now I'm the girl who goes to run errands on the weekend in a skirt. And just like you don't care what people think of you in your sweatshirt, I don't care if people think I'm over dressed. I want to wear my cute skirt!

Jaclyn said...

I personally hate going to work unless I'm at least a dressy business casual. I prefer to wear heels to work and I LOVE to wear a nice suit. I usually do my hair (if it is 95% humid I have to go curly though) and I at least wear moisturizer, powder and some blush every day. For big meetings and big nights out I add the eye make-up. However, when I'm at home I'm great with jeans and a sweater. When we move to Denver I'm sure I'll spend more time in "outdoorsy" clothes out of necessity. I think it's all a balance. :)