Let's talk it out...

I have concluded that key moments in my life are defined by outfits. I have an uncanny recollection of what I (and everyone else) wore at certain times. This is one of those useless skills that I carry around; I am sure it will never have a real use, unless I am the witness to a crime and need to judge an identification parade '...he wore a navy duffel coat!'

I am struck though, at how this observational skill permeates my everyday life. How, if you were to ask, I can remember the EXACT outfit I wore to i) my thirteenth birthday (ra-ra skirt, pastel polka-dot), my graduation (beige skirt suit, circa 1995), our engagement party (black hipsters and a crop top - I was 25!), and when pregnant (leather maternity pants from 'Pea in the Pod' in Boston - I thought I was the bee's knees, newly pregnant, and rocking leather).

Elephantine memory.

When I was at University - a veritable hotbed of fashion disasters - I recall pink angora jumpers and thigh-high socks with checked mini skirts (really). Given that as students, we had no money, we still managed to go out and buy a 'night out' outfit which usually consisted of a top that vaguely went with Levi 501's.

Now of course it is all much more pared back, but I wonder if in years to come I will look back on 2014 and think: what the hell was I wearing??!

Meanwhile, I've stumbled across some new blogs that are written by the 20-something blog sorority. I am all for new blogs; sometimes you just need to look at something fresh. These girls are getting married and forging ahead with their careers. I think back fondly to that time in my life and had there been such a thing as blogging, I SO would have done it.

Also, I got on the 'Linkedin' bandwagon this week in an attempt to maintain my professional credibility. I am doing some consulting work for a small local business and I thought I had better be grown up about it. Linkedin is a phenomenon. Because it is so grown up and career-related, it tells you who has viewed your profile (I believe it's called 'networking' hah) and so every click becomes a discoverable act. It's so unlike every other kind of social media, where you can stalk at your will.

It did occur to me that no matter how serious I am in my professional life, the fact that I still write here about frippery like outfits and my inner-most thoughts would suggest that I am not a serious person. I wonder how these 20-somethings do it? Everything they ever did has been recorded; they don't know a world where it has been any other way. Does this mean they don't have the self-consciousness that I clearly have about my multi-faceted on line identity? One to consider...

It's Friday, I have been to circuit training, walked the dog and am off to see One Direction tonight with a gaggle of teenage girls. Thank goodness I have a friend to accompany me; last time I went I felt rather conspicuous standing alone as my daughter inched away from me. A stark realisation that you are cramping your offspring's style ;-)

I've been back in the swing this week and it has felt so good; I really did fall off the wagon when I was unwell. I know things are back to normal as I am again lusting after summer clothes. I ordered some Birkenstocks - which again is testament to the power of suggestive imagery. I saw my friend sporting some on Facebook, then I saw them on Pinterest, then I thought - time to purchase, click, click. There is a lot of commentary about them at the moment and their resurgence (I had them before - see above regarding 90's fashion; will this be the same?).

Meanwhile, just because, I leave you with this...happy weekend.