I can’t begin to collect my thoughts about this subject matter.  A young mother giving her 8 year old daughter Botox injections to further her “pageant” desires.  Any mother who has any affection for their children would find this story appalling and disgraceful.  Lying or not, true or false….a bad parent is a bad parent.  I impressed a sentiment to my daughters for several years;  you need a license to shoot a duck, to cut someones hair, to practice law, to catch a fish and in Memphis you cannot panhandle without a license!!  In Massachusetts you need a license to tell fortunes!  But ANYONE can procreate!

As a rule, I hate bring attention to a story that brings that “15 minutes of fame” to an individual who is less than deserving of the media crazy…I have no problem showcasing this mother’s interview!  Look, watch, think…is procreation a right or responsibility?

ABC NEWS!

Another lifetime ago I was a nail technician.  A profession that served me well when my girls were in elementary school.  I held woman’s hands while massaging, removed, soaking, repainting, constructing and shaping. Some day I will write about the tales regaled, the secret use of nails and the remnants of life experience left under the nails of my clients.  (Not pretty!)

Once I began my marketing career I chose to maintain the resilience of sculpted acrylic nails.  I once dreamed my life would be filled colors, brushes and charcoal.  I guess in a minimalistic sort of way, sculpting nails gives me a feeling of artistic creation.  And I only fashion “french manicured” nails.  (Those are the nails that have white tips and pink on the base of the nail bed)  It involves mixing powders and liquids, sculpting brushes, mini shot glasses and over sized emery boards.  Ok…I’m explaining as if for some reason it has some relevance or there is some sort of tutorial about to abound…so be ready!!

Having manicured, well sculpted digits gives a feeling of comfort and beauty.  The hands are freckled, the fingers are thick and the knuckles could use some sit-ups.  (If there was such a thing)  But the moon glow of a pink hue flared with a pure white crescent tip that extend the stout numbed hands of a 40+ year old woman brings happiness.  Happiness on one element that makes a less perfect being feel a bit more elevated.  Grasping a pen, clicking on an apple and most of all, caressing a glass of wine…the buffed finished look of well manicured nails cannot be understated.  It’s a mini luxury and feels so frickin’ good!  At least for the next 10 days!

Each morning I stand in front of the mirror and wonder “what do I wear today?”  Being a woman in the business world use to mean business suits only…and personally I feel most comfortable in them today.  But what message does my attire send out to a potential client?

I’ve often pondered this question and I realize I’m not unique.  Being in advertising sales industry for so many years I’ve walked into a wide range of diverse businesses.  From tattoo parlors to fine jewelry shops!  Does the clothing I wear effect how a business owner deals with me?  Can wearing a suit give the impression that what I’m selling is to costly or that I can’t relate to the tattoo artist behind the counter?  

I have always felt that suits are a must for me.  I think it’s a mix of wanting to be appreciated as business professional and showing respect for the businesses I call on.  But what if I’m wrong?  As much as your wardrobe is a reflection of your personality is it good business to dress more for others than yourself? 

Working in Michigan it was common place to see my fellow employees wearing suits daily.  Maybe you’d see a dress or something a bit more casual on occasion, but for the most part it was a business suit workplace.  Certainly personalities were reflected even with the business attire.   And there were some who stretched the meaning of “business suit”.  One woman who would sport a suit regularly but her skirt length or lack there-of gave little to the imagination.  My manager would cringe every time she bent down to retrieve a pen from the floor!  (mental image??)  However, it was a business suit!  Utilizing the female allure to sell…a topic for another blog. 

I’ve noticed recently and certainly since my relocation to Charlottesville that business clothing is much less structured.  A local business owner commented when I inquired about my outfit that I will be “out of place” by wearing heels and suits.   I must admit, it seems to be true.  There’s lots of articles on what to wear and what not to wear.  Yet I feel most comfortable the way I dress.  Should I let others influence my choices?  What concerns me most is does my dress have an influence on whether a client does business with me? 

Ok, more questions than answers.  When writing this it comes to mind is this more of a man question than a woman.  I think I have a pulse on what woman think about how to dress or do I?    What do you think? 

In my search for feedback on this subject, I came across 007 breasts website.  Why woman wear bras, the history of the bra, are they comfortable, bras and breast cancer and the myths of this strange garment.  I was to young in the 60′s to have participated in “bra burning”.  Although I’ve never found them to be uncomfortable maybe the article is right?  Maybe I’ve been somewhat brainwashed into believing their necessity?  Maybe it’s oppression of the female sex and I’m helping to facilitate it!?  I can tell you this…I wouldn’t mind burning a few of my high heel shoes!

Picture by Katelyn Vonfeldt