Conscientious mothers often face the conundrum of aiming for fabulousness in all they do and, well, sometimes feeling too tired. In all areas of life (and mothers have many), one can seemingly always do more, do better. But striving to be and do everything can be exhausting. When I lived in Paris, I witnessed and started discovering the concept of One Simple Fabulous Thing. The French are particularly incredible at doing more, with less, and stylishly. The idea of one simple fabulous thing is that it only takes one stand-out item or concept to raise the quality quotient of what you're working with. When you begin to live consistently with this concept in mind, you can create the aesthetic and you're striving for while conserving thought and energy.
Here are some areas where one simple fabulous thing can give you one big bang for your buck:
Fake a Fabulous Dinner. If one minute you're energetically perfecting your coq au vin to Vivaldi and the next minute slopping down Sloppy Joes, shorten the gap between the two by adding one special ingredient or element to a simple dinner. To a simple grilled salmon, add French creme fraiche and dill. Add wine or Pellegrino to even the most humble of meals. Drop drop biscuits into the oven (they take only 10 minutes) and top with berries and whipped cream for a grand slam finish. Put a gourmet cheese (gruyere is yummy) or cranberry chutney on regular turkey sandwiches.
Look sartorially together, always. When you're a mom on the go and often put yourself last, you may feel like you're (and literally be) throwing on your clothes before running out the door. First of all, have an I'm-running-out-the-door-now go-to outfit so you don't panic and, say, end up in a track suit. A fab-fitting jeans, white Hanes shirt, and ballet flats for instance. Pair even the simplest of outfits with one fabulous thing for a signature, finished look. A favorite scarf. Three or four chunky gold bracelets. A fabulous leather bag. A trench. Diamond studs. Holly Golightly Wayfarers. Whatever it is, own it with confidence and love it. You will instantly feel (and be) better put together, and those who see you will notice your fabulous sense of style (how does she have the time?) and not the fact that you forgot to put mascara on both eyes.
Look finished when makeup and hair glam isn't an option. When you're three minutes short of being able to do the five-minute face and Jennifer-Anniston-esque blow out, remember first that the foundation of a finished and natural look is, well, foundation. If all you do is apply fabulous foundation and a little lip gloss and don your shades for preschool drop off, you'll look fabulous. For a quick but elegant hair fix, twist your hair into a classic bun (think a clean and finished look, not fast and furious) or twist it low and elegantly to the side.
Be an everyday Maria von Trapp. When you want to be a singing and inspiring activity leader for your children but the toys and the needs seem to pile up, think: one great thing a day. One planned activity, one focus, also allowing for down time and play time and life as it happens. Focusing on one daily event not only invites ritual--so important for family life--but it gives stability to you and your children. Think mornings of the week, like:
Monday: baking day (this can be as easy as cutting a Pillsbury premade cookie roll)
Tuesday: art day (crayons, fridge display, voila)
Wednesday: park day
Thursday: library day
Friday: fieldtrip day (museums, city hall, the post office, the drug store even, a bookstore--and tea for you!)
Be a lady of leisure without requiring much more leisure time. Add to your everyday life one rejuvenating ritual just for you. For me, it's one cup of tea during afternoon nap time. Honestly, it takes no time out of my day--I sometimes sip and contemplate life. No. I never do that. I always sip while finishing writing projects or organizing my in-box or some other task, but the idea that I have chosen one simple consistent (fabulous) thing just for me adds an ever sweeter flavor to my day. Make it a magazine during nightly bath time. Get into bed fifteen minutes earlier to read. Make your morning coffee a must. Do sun salutations five minutes before you normally rise.
Get a life. No really. You know that you're more well-rounded and recharged when you have personal interests and pursuits. It can be easy to overwhelm your schedule by trying to do some of everything, or feel an anxious urgency about all the things you want to experience--or to feel stunned into inactivity. Choose one "extracurricular" activity, give it your all, and move on when ready. Play tennis for a season. Take Italian. Attend a series of cooking classes. Compete in a triathlon. Focus and enjoy.
Give back. Jackie O, with all of her resources, was a wonderful example of focusing her philanthropy on one or two causes at a time. Annually as a family choose one cause to give care to. Join the Gorilla Foundation. Walk for cancer. For the heart association. Do card tricks at the local rest home.
[For home design ideas, see me at houzz.]
Whatever it is, whatever you do, make it simple, make it you, make it fabulous.
3 comments:
Really good advice. Thank you. It IS so much better to do a few things well, than many things poorly. I needed this reminder.
Well said. I know I set some new goals from this article. Thanx!
And you, my dear, are the epitomy of fabulous!
Great post!!
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