A thought occurred to me recently as I heard about another tradwife-inspired hosting and lifestyle show. Have we evolved as college educated women and career girls? Or have we turned back to our roots? Why, I ask myself, does it seem like we’re all striving to live pretty? And isn’t this blog somewhat awkwardly trying to hit the sweet spot in this Venn diagram where the professional overlaps with organic which overlaps with simple which overlaps with good taste which overlaps with decorating? Like, deep down, am I a conflicted career-girl-turned-wannabe-homemaking-maven?
The answer may be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s also relatively simple: yes. I am somehow trying to walk the line between the executive and the traditional. Paradoxically, this is where I’m happiest. Standing here in the awkward gap between commanding the board room and making spring flower arrangements of tulips, I get a deep sense of fulfillment. This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed it, but it’s the first time I stopped apologizing for it.
All along, seeking this balance was a bit like being a professional apologist. To the real mavens out there, I wanted to apologize and let them know that I knew I wasn’t the real deal. To the young career girls out there trying to climb that incredibly demanding and slippery career ladder, I also wanted to deliver a heartfelt mea culpa. I felt bad about going soft on them. Today? Nah. I never was – nor should I have been – anyone’s role model. I’m not smart enough or driven enough on the career side; not nearly as curious or dedicated on the maven side. Instead, I am this complex (or maybe not so complex) blend of me which resembles more of a jack of all trades and definitely not a master of anything. And that me wants to live pretty.
These next few days are a good example. Now that the snow is largely melted, life feels less suspended in time. During the dog days of winter, when the snow is deep and spring seems so far away, it’s easy to get trapped in the “it’s never gonna come” cycle. But it’s pretty definite now: spring is on its way. Yesterday and today have been a bit lighter at work and that’s allowed me to pivot to home. Spring is giving me the inspiration and a light workweek is giving me the energy. Time to soften the edges around here and escape – just a little bit – into a world that is softer, gentler, more carefree and simple. Just typing that out makes me happy.
But how, praytell, do I plan on doing that? Well, that’s the fun part. Thanks to our architect friend coming over on Tuesday to see the house and give us some advice on our main bathroom project, the house has been well-cleaned this week already. That means that it will take an hour – not a day – to get the house cleaned and settled again tomorrow. That also means I’ll have more time to sink into my “maven mode.” So, what’s up first?
Well, in the part of me that’s not honoring my organic or local roots, I’m getting myself some tulips. There is nothing I love better, honestly. Tulips are my absolute favorite flower, followed by hydrangeas then hyacinths. I’ve tried several times to plant tulips around here (as I have hyacinths). The rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks LOVE them. Turns out they are very tasty snacks. But I can buy a bunch and make an arrangement for my kitchen island. That fulfills both my creative and craving beauty sides. So, there are fresh flowers in my very near future. Honestly? Nothing feels better than fresh flowers. It’s like a little bit of summery hope sprinkled into my emerging-from-winter home.
Then? Well, we had squirreled away a couple of bottles of our favorite champagne for a future celebration last fall. Doesn’t seem like a bad time to have some. We can celebrate the new contract I just received, the beginning of spring and a work milestone for my husband. Additionally, as an early birthday gift, my husband got me a new slide of stars in the southern hemisphere for us to enjoy. It’s time to “see” the Southern Cross for the second (or possibly third) time. For dinner, I had found some pre-made ravioli stuffed with shrimp and crab. I like to make a lemon-butter garlic sauce to serve them in along with a fresh salad. That is honestly making me hungry just typing about it now.
The rest of our weekend? I need to finish the final touches on our Florida and Louisiana trips. I also need to find some really nice, fitted t-shirts for summer (ideas anyone?). I’d like to go for a long walk/hike at our local state park and we may go out to dinner with some friends one night. I’m also in desperate need of a new bag of coffee beans from the coffee roaster near my sisters’ houses. I emptied the last of the bag into the grinder last weekend. These are all tasks that are both tradwife life and in support of living pretty (and caffeinated). What’s not on my docket? Engaging in work. While I’ll be ready on Monday to hit the ground running again, escaping for three days is a well-timed effort to keep me and my life in balance.
Yet, here’s the thing I’m also discovering: I don’t want to live pretty all of the time. If I did, it would become routine and less enjoyable or inspiring. Just like working part-time and from home eventually lost its luster, so would the idea of living pretty. There was a time when I completely marveled at being in the grocery store at 11 a.m. or running out to do an errand at two in the afternoon. These days? Routine. And I remember that first day when I worked from home and how I had my home office set up just so adorable and was so satisfied that I could hear the sounds of home just outside my door. Today? My office needs some serious filing done (it’s all stacked neatly in piles) and I tend to avoid that room, sometimes even when I’m working. The lessons have been learned. It is vitally important to me that I save living pretty for just sometimes. It can’t become mundane for me. Otherwise, I’m not sure where else I would have to go or what else I’d have to invent to find “the special.”
So, I’ll strive to live pretty… but just sometimes. Other times? I can be my typical hot mess. 😊 Turns out, that’s not all that hard for me to do.
The Yuppie Homesteader 