Women: 2. The Housewife

This is the second part of the series. Earlier part - Part 1.

The Housewife

You have decided to be a housewife, okay, that is fine, but that does not mean it is something to be glorified. Just so you know I would have had the same opinion even if I was a 'housewife'. Someone sent me a forward that idolized the housewife, how she keeps the house clean, cooks and when her husband comes home all tired she welcomes him with a smile... something of that sort... you get the gist. If doing all this is making you happy, good for you! but again please don't glorify it.

From what I have seen women who go out and about, work in the real world are dealing with more prolific issues than if my bathroom sink looks spotless, they are facing more challenges, they are managing things better, most of them have their own share of responsibilities on the home front which they manage well too.

There are so many women out there that I have seen who manage a job, household chores, kids, exercise along with their hobbies. Just the other day one of my friends, working girl with kids, told me she wakes up at 4:30 every day to be able to achieve all of the above.

To be continued...

Jeans: American Eagle, Tee: Loft, Vegan (faux) Leather Jacket: Blank NYC, Shoes: Nine West

Won't allow

“Everyone who passed through my life has always left something of theirs in me. The memory of a smile, a gesture, a laugh, a word, a kiss. If they hadn’t left anything, it would be because they didn’t exist. Even those who disrespected or hurt me left something in my heart. If anything, they reminded me of what I won’t allow to exist in my life anymore.”

- José Micard Teixeira

Jeans: American Eagle, Shoes: Vaneli, Turtleneck: Banana Republic, Vegan Leather Jacket: Blank NYC

The Facade

On social media - I have seen a couple posting exotic vacation pictures every month (making everyone feel what a great couple they were) and then they got divorced in a few years. You will see people posting pictures partying with their 'friends', but they would nowhere be close to being 'friends', some barely know anything about each other, and some dislike some of them. I have seen people posting amazing pictures with their kids, the very same people who would be spending hardly any time with their kids otherwise. Social media is a facade where people want to share just the good things and show that they live in a rosy la la land but far is the case.

Social media is setting us up for feeling low as if everyone is having fun but us. I have shared this before why I had deactivated my FB account. I am on it now but I am subscribed to just 6 people - Narendra Modi, Aamir Khan, Rujuta Diwekar being 3 of them. I do not want to see what people are drinking, eating, where they are vacationing, who are they hanging out / partying with or what their kids are drawing, it is way too much information for me than what I care to know. I do not visit anyone's profiles as well.

What I have learned from my social media (FB and blogging) experience is -

- Life is not perfect for ANYONE - even if they are trying hard to portray it that way

- It might seem that everyone has it better than you, but they really don't

- Don't believe everything that people write on their blogs/FB posts. People lie. Or there are some like me who reveal just 5% of their life. People have lines drawn for what part of their life they want to share and what they do not want to share.

Social media can cause depression and the feeling of missing out.. If you get affected by the information that is shared by people on social media (that means if you feel low, inferior, jealous, sad, bad, negative and whatnot) then unsubscribe to people who are not adding any value and also think about how much time you want to spend on its usage...

Jeans: American Eagle, Shoes Vaneli, Top: Macy's, Vegan Leather Jacket: Blank NYC

When you go shopping -

• Quality. Look for the quality of the fabrics, good fabrics feel good on the skin and also last a long time.


• Fitting. Nothing looks good if it does not fit your body. We try to fit into clothes from decades back and then get frustrated about our closets and bodies and then completely give up on our style. Accept your body and dress accordingly. This simple change in mindset will make you realize that a little fluctuation in your body weight has absolutely nothing to do with your style and looking good. (I would recommend to not give up efforts to lose weight or stay in shape).


• Color. When it comes to color I have unintentionally made the same mistake over and over again - I have 4 black tops (with varying sleeve lengths), 3 black skirts and such repetitive colors. I wish instead  I had bought tops in all colors - red, pink, brown, yellow, green and whatnot. When you go shopping decide on the colors that you want to buy, something that will go with at least a few items in your closet and avoid colors that you already have.


• Design. There are too many complicated designs out there lately, like frills, belts that you need to tie and stuff, there are other styles like off-shoulder, spaghetti tops, low necklines, no doubt that they make a statement but that is not my style, it doesn’t make me feel comfortable. So yes I do look for a match for the design too. Then the last thing I make sure is it is easy on and off, i.e. doesn't involve wrapping, multiple buttons and complicated stitching/folds, belts. Keep it simple is my style mantra.


• Trends. Be careful on the path of following trends or someone else’s style which you can not relate to. Not all trends/styles are for all body types, and some of them are not even worth trying. Some styles look great only in pictures but in reality, they are the most uncomfortable things.


• Footwear. Never purchase a shoe without trying. If you buy them online make sure that return shipping is offered and is free. Walk around in the pair for at least two minutes and if they are not comfortable then that means they are not about to get comfortable later. I don't buy high heels anymore, I do not feel comfortable in them - does not matter even if the rest of the world is using ladders to walk I am going to buy just flats henceforth. You will always find exciting options within your comfort zone.

I hope you find these tips helpful.

2 combos:

Vegan leather jacket: Blank NYC, Stripes Tee: J crew factory, Jegging: American Eagle, Shoes: Vaneli

Leather

Numerous animals are killed to satisfy taste buds of humans, providing for our fashion statements should be the last thing animals are killed for. I understand that for many of us branded handbags/shoes/belts (like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Coach) are a status-style-andWhatNot symbol but still check out this video to gain some insight on where leather comes from - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcVDSSqdkFs

I try my best to buy non leather products, companies have to specify on the label if it is manmade polyester or real leather. Quality-wise manmade polyester products are as good as real leather. Most of the products that you see on this blog are vegan/faux leather. I admit to buying leather products at a time when I was ignorant about how the leather industry works. And yes, I am guilty of owning those fancy handbags, those will never make it to this blog. If you see any leather products - brands on this blog then they were bought a long time back and I am in no way promoting the use of leather. 

 I am not asking you to give up what you already have but I urge all the readers of this blog to minimize buying leather products. Again, please check out the video and make an informed decision.

Black turtleneck: Banana Republic

Vegan leather jacket: Blank NYC

Red Pant: American Eagle

Black Shoes: Vaneli (manmade)