Just when I was getting used to strappy stilettos, Louboutin’s spring collection includes ruffles. Soon this look will be on every runway, on every other celebrity and many a wannabe, with our go-to adjective: FABULOUS. I’ll admit I sprinkle that word in a conversation a few times a month, but I really think it is over used. I mean, when you stop to think about it, is everything that fabulous or is it that, that’s what the marketing media wants us to believe? I think the latter. The sad part is too many of us have been falling for this trick every since the first pair of Air Jordan’s hit the playground way back when. I’m all about style and fashion, but somehow fabulous seems to be constantly linked to the notion that an item, a look, or certain activities make you successful, hip, even sexy. And exactly where has that gotten any of us? Debt is up, creativity is down, and unhappiness is rampant.
You have to define success for yourself. This is “Who Care’s About the Joneses 101”. Just because the woman in the cube next to you wants to live in a McMansion with 2 Lexus and a Mercedes, so what. When you see someone strutting around in high heels, they don’t tell you how much pain they’re in. You don’t see the bunions and band aids in that shoe. And people don’t usually discuss the aches and pains they experience for whatever version of fabulous they are trying to live. And seriously, it doesn’t matter if she’s really just got it like that. For you success may be living without a car note, eating organic foods and having meaningful experiences (i.e. vacations, living abroad, philanthropy). Some people choose not to be tied to a mortgage at all, and contrary to popular opinion, that’s alright too. It is really up to you to decide what a successful life looks like, place yourself in that picture, then set yourself on that path. Only you can do that for you.
By the way, these Loubies will set you back a meager $2,875.