I am not a hipster, though sometimes I find myself wanting to be.
My favorite sweater is fifteen years old and the elbows are wearing through. I don't know what I will do when it is no longer wearable.
I like clothes that are old looking, worn in, used. Loved. I like taking what I have and putting it together in a new combination (green tshirt with brown 30's bias skirt). My style might be refered to as "piecemeal". I am still wearing a felt hat from the 80's that has lost all of it's shape, (in it's former life it paid hommage to Duran Duran). I like to wear my hair in braids, socks are best striped. The bag I wear is chosen by my mood. Plaid for when I am feeling relaxed and lazy, leather satchel for when I am feeling literary, black rectangle for when I am feeling organized and business-like (not so often). I prefer my bags to be sewn by hand.
I don't like tags, or labels. or logos.
Sometimes I rediscover a shirt I haven't worn for a few months and wear it several days in a row.
Sometimes I wear the same jeans for a week.
A tube of lipstick lasts me for an entire year.
The person I am prefers to spend money on books rather than clothes. Proust over Prada. Lawrence over Lacoste. (I had to look those up).
I went to buy new jeans for my birthday and felt like an imposter the whole time as if people could tell I did not belong. Changerooms can be intimidating places. (I needed a lot of help from the salesperson to figure out the sizes, and I still have no idea what size I am. Things have changed drastically in the last few years.) I don't like to listen to loud music when I am trying on clothes.
I feel safest if i have a book with me everywhere I go.
I feel unsafe without my journal.
My favorite boots could not be pinned down to any specific time or era. across time. anachronistic.
maybe I am anachronistic.
I think I would prefer to live in the 20's and 30's away from the machine of mass culture. In a way I have for the last few years. It scares me a bit to be thrown back into it. I don't need billboards, or box stores, or malls. Give me straw hats, long skirts, trousers. (how come no one uses the term trousers anymore?)
I don't need tv, or cell phones, or stuff.
I would rather get my food from the person who grows it. Or have the person who made my shoes be the one who fixes them when there are holes. Has anyone noticed that there are no repair shops anymore?
I used to watch Oprah everyday but I haven't for the last couple of years because I find her to be extremely contradictory. Seems to be more about shopping than living.
I have my own contradictions.
I like candy.
I feel compelled to read the headlines on the trashy magazines in the checkout aisle even though I don't want to.
I used to wish that my boobs were bigger (in my 20's) but I don't anymore.
some days I wish I was cooler, but maybe it's o.k. that I'm not.
(the above confessions are subject to change.)
Posted by kerismith at July 12, 2005 03:59 PMAmen on the Oprah comment. I am glad I am not the only one who feels that she is more into marketing than into people.
Posted by: Michelle on July 15, 2005 10:20 AMWOW me too
Be Bold, Be Strong, Be YOU! (that is the line from Soul Sista here in Holland, but itis what I feel)
Renee
Posted by: Renee Wagemans on July 15, 2005 07:18 AMMe too, me too!
Posted by: Melanie on July 14, 2005 06:56 PMhalleluja! hehehe. and your little sister is funny.
Posted by: kerstin on July 14, 2005 05:29 PMdear keri,
your blog is like the warmth of the sun on a winter day! you never cease to inspire and cheer me. your words make me realize that it's ok to be stuck in the wrong decade and to aspire to live a simple (but creative) life. you're like a faerie, your words are magical...
thank you for sharing with us
Dear Sister. I think that it would be really cool to live in the thirties, but the more that I think about it, there were no tampons back then. Now you may want to reconsider. love your little sister, Jenxo
Posted by: Jenny on July 13, 2005 09:20 PMYou could turn your sweater into a pillow when it's no longer wearable. Then you could enjoy it for many more years to come!
Great blog!
Posted by: librarianguish on July 13, 2005 05:19 PMMe too!
Drove through Flesherton on Sunday! Stopped at Aggies for coffee. Found a sidewalk daisy. Found your cottage...looked very wild and 'independent' (not a slave to fashion), like you. Too shy to knock on your door (if I could find a path to a door!) but said a silent 'hello' to you. ;-)
Posted by: Chickadee on July 13, 2005 12:07 PMHow strange to read your bag comment. Just yesterday i had a nighttime business class(ugh) and on the desk i was at i noted everyone had a rectangular black bag that was sitting upright and businesslike, and my red canvas satchel was slouching on the table so relaxed. It was just a blatent sign of how much i don't belong in that class. Too bad. Its already paid for.
Do you ever think that your mind jsut isn't cut out for linear thinking?!
Loved this post. Very funny observations and entertaining.
Posted by: Lu on July 13, 2005 10:54 AMThe ONLY way I get around the jeans issue is by wearing the same ones for the last 35 years. Not the same PAIR...the same STYLE...Levi's men's 501's. I love this list...it brought to mind all of my Luddite tendencies (because I tend to be one, and not just with technology).
Posted by: Marilyn on July 13, 2005 09:05 AMI understand what you mean about the clothes. About two years ago I had a boyfriend who wanted me to look differently and I went out and bought a lot of new clothes. Now whenever I wear those things I feel strange, like I raided someone else's closet and wore her clothes.
Posted by: Carolyn on July 13, 2005 09:00 AMHello Keri,
Reading your journal is like taking a warm soothing bath; there is something oddly comforting about you. And today's entry added some lovely scented candles, I don't know, cinnamon or patchouli perhaps.
I am always so conscious of being a stranger who feels she knows you quite well but not vice versa. I am glad that you don't mind this as your weblog and Christine's (Swirlygirl) are my favourite reads; each in your own way you both have the wonderful gift of perspicacity and inducing your words with life, warmth and love.
Thank you, Kerstin
Posted by: Kerstin on July 13, 2005 05:42 AMI have a sweater like that. It's one of the first things I knitted and has holes in both elbows but I can't give it up.
Shoe repair shops! We still have them in finland, thank god. This reminds me I have to get my favourite 10 year old sandals fixed. :)
Posted by: emma on July 13, 2005 03:35 AMAh! Thank you Keri, start from this minute, I will think about this.... Thank you thank you!
Posted by: four on July 13, 2005 02:14 AMI love this particular post. I have never been the stylish type and I still have lipsticks from 5 years ago! (I know, need to toss those...)
Thank you Keri!
Hi Keri,
I think I live in 'your' world. I love clothes with history (though I admit this is partially due to lack of money!) and have lived in op shop numbers since my teens now I dont think I could go back to 'real' clothes shops as part of the thrill in is the suprise find. For the last eight years since I had kids I have pretty much fully clothed myself second hand except for shoes and underwear! I can then live the life I want to live, ie being a stay at home mother-simplifying my life allows me to do that. This also involves lipstick which lasts a year..and lots of homemade food.
I got a pair of my daughters shoes fixed last week-I agree everything is thrown away if it doesnt work.
I think Oprah has lost touch with reality-we are behind here but the last show I saw was Designer clothes what average woman can afford that..
Can I join you in the 20's
Michal
Posted by: Michal on July 12, 2005 10:50 PMI want my MTV.
I am writing this next to my fourteen year old niece, and she didn't know what that meant. And she is brilliant.
I feel old.
Posted by: Donavan on July 12, 2005 10:18 PMDitto on choosing to spend money on books over designer clothes. The last thing I want in my life is more useless STUFF.
Ditto on changerooms and loud music and all those weird clothes that make me feel like an old lady. I wish I could sew.
Ditto on the cell phone (I will NEVER own one); but I do enjoy some TV (though not much; just the brit shows).
Ditto on Oprah. Blechh.
You don't want big boobs. Trust me. I know.
Great post.
Posted by: patricia on July 12, 2005 09:13 PMI just love your journal and this post! Living simply and in the 20's or 30's has such appeal to me too. Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts.
Posted by: Lollybob on July 12, 2005 07:50 PMOMG, thank you!
thanks for the reality check, thanks for writing out loud, and most of all- thanks for making me laugh out loud at least three times while i was reading this. i hadn't realized how much i needed to laugh today. ; )
thanks!
this post makes me feel sane. i shall write my own rant on similar ordinary things.
Posted by: Jen Lemen on July 12, 2005 05:14 PMOne time I went to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with my fiance. He had to go run an errand, so what did I do in the area considered America's shopping mecca?
I went to a coffee shop and read my book. :)
Posted by: Swirly on July 12, 2005 04:57 PMYay for another Duranie! :)
Posted by: Chel Micheline on July 12, 2005 04:45 PM