Enjoying the Glam Life

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I'm trying to keep upbeat despite my winter lag. Family business is truly behind me; while not forgotten, it's done and I refuse to add any more drama.  Except perhaps a little drama in a different mode. There are only so many moments in life that a woman feel truly glamorous. For me those included my high school prom and my wedding. I could include the myriad of weddings in which I was a bridesmaid, but then, really, I was an accessory to the bride herself. A company DH once worked for was a corporate sponsor for an NFL Children's Charity gala. Another time, early in our marriage, a national conference for his industry was in town and culminated with a formal dinner and dance. Feeling out of my element in both, where diamonds and in at least a couple instances, diamond tiaras adorned the Twin cities upper crust, I dressed as glam as I could muster. Despite the fact that I just inhaled two slices of leftover frozen pizza for a late lunch/early supper, eaten off a paper towel, standing at the kitchen sink, even I like to exude a glimpse of glam every once in a while.

What though, is glamorous anyway?  I like the  the free dictionary definitions of glamor. While glamor is usually associated with beauty, riches, or celebrity status, the word usually gives license to exception. The second definition, magic-spell binding, I like even more. I find women interesting beings, capable of multiple likes and different persuasions depending on the moment. Using this second definition, I just might have more glamor to my life than outward appearances would lead someone to believe. When I travelled so much for work, often sharing tidbits on Facebook, I'd have friends or acquaintances that were homebodies in their careers express that they thought I had an exciting career full of travel. It was pretty mundane to me but for them, I suppose it was the mystery, the foreignness of my travel that was intriguing and perhaps seemed glamorous. 

glam·our

 also glam·or 

n.

1. Exciting or mysterious attractiveness usually associated with striking physical beauty, luxury, or celebrity.

2. Archaic Magic cast by a spell; enchantment.

Trying new recipes, experimenting with spices, ingredients, and serving styles that are utterly not midwest adds a touch of glam to an otherwise ordinary dinner. In my head, I am travelling to those places that the spice or the recipe (even if modified) originated. I enjoy our wine hobby and find a touch of glam there. As I learn more about how each grape is grown, harvested, and then aged to make a unique blend, I feel like I am let in on the great winemakers secrets. And while our wine club is the exact opposite of a pretentious, exclusionary  club, the tastings themselves with wine aficionados has a touch of glam about it.

I don't shop for clothes; I tend to just restock. But every now and then, and I'm trying to be more bold and do so more often, I wear something that has been languishing in my closet that I bought on a whim, or was a gift from someone. If I get a positive comment, I have that little glamorous feeling as If I pulled off wearing something that was not meant for me.

I have a sari fabric wrap skirt, a gift from my mother-in-law, that has been languishing in my closet for two years. The colors are gorgeous, and being a wrap skirt, with plenty of fabric give, would be quite comfortable. I just haven't quite figured out with what and how to wear it. DD#1 threatens to rescue it, and save it from a wasted life. I should just put the darn thing on, and no doubt, I would feel a little special feeling the lovely fabric, originally created for a woman with an exotic life in another culture.

I like the comfort of  cozy sweaters and tights. A rustic soup and piece of crusty bread is about as satisfying a meal as I can think of. Relaxing at night with old episodes of Doctor Who or Friends helps fill my travel and big city fix. Though enjoying different things now and then, shaking up my dull days, gives a little twinge of mystery. There may be little glamor in my humble life afterall. 

Reversible sari wrap skirt.

Detail of reverse side.