Channeling Bridget Jones

One of those days…a day when I’m not comfortable in my own skin, when I look at my baggy jeans and clunky shoes and down vest and think, “You should try harder.”

When I wish I was the type of woman who has her hair professionally colored and highlighted, who buys underwear that’s sold off a rack and not in a package, who can walk gracefully in heels, who can look good in a low cut shirt.

The problem with planning a romantic weekend in London is that it reminds me of how far I fall from the carefully marketed and packaged ideal sexy woman. I think one of the reasons I love the Bridget Jones movies is that Bridget is such a mess. She makes trying too hard look silly, and she succeeds in spite of herself. The movie’s message is that being a bit of a wreck is endearing—well, at least some of the time.

So I guess I should quiet the critical voices in my head and tell myself it’s OK not to be thin, beautiful, and perfectly turned out. In spite of wild hair, cotton underwear, and comfortable shoes, I can have a “v. good time on my holiday mini-break.” Right Bridget?

March 9, 2007

Comments

[Di]

Have the best time this weekend and you're beautiful ... I didn't see Bridget when I photographed you, silly billy. We may have to clean that mirror of yours when you get back.

You have it all, it seems like you just don't realise. Time for another photography session huh :)

[V-Grrrl]

Di,

I think Bridget would recommend more "alcohol units" and perhaps a pack of fags--the ones you smoke, not the ones who do makeovers.

[Di]

LOL ... probably.
Then again ... I too would recommend more alcohol units ;)

[Lynn]

I agree with Di, you're BEAUTIFUL! There. Go, have a good time, and feel good!:-)

[Mary-LUE]

Of course you can! Sexy is all a state of mind.

[t]

All you need to do is take a quick look down at your feet. See the confidence there that suddenly slipped away like a pair of baggy silk stockings. (it happens, and you're right, the simplest thing like a peek into our lingere drawers can cause it). Lift it on up, wear it all over! Getcho bad self to London and let your husband revel in the presence of his vibrant, warm, beautiful, sexy, exciting, intelligent chosen partner. He loves you, you love you, stilettos be damned. Enjoy this celebration and all that it is.
Cherrio!

[mamatulip]

You take your wild hair, cotton undies and clunky shoes and have the best damn mini-break ever. And I'll be right here, cheering you on, in the sweatshirt I've had since college (and have no plans of getting rid of despite the stain in the centre and the rips in the sleeves) and my own cotton undies...not to mention my frizzy, unwashed hair. Because you and me? We're BEAUTIFUL.

[RD]

I don't know if you've seen Dove's new ad campaign called Campaign for Real Beauty--ProAge. Those skinny airbrushed models be damned, Dove features beautiful middle-aged women with slightly sagging bodies, gray hair and twinkling, wrinkled eyes reminding us that we are GORGEOUS in our own skin. Take a look:
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

[furiousBall]

As the husband of a wife that doubts her own beauty I can honestly tell you we (the collective husband) love all your collective imperfections. Life is too damn cruel to not hold and love each other behind the rock our own relationships from the winds of crap ideals that are sold as the images we should all aspire to. Happiness is harder than being Pam Anderson or if I were to try and be a sit-up machine man with perfect sideburns, suits, and hit homeruns playing softball on the weekends and then high five my buddies while I hop into my $80000 BMW.

All that said, I know for women the perception of beaaty isn't 100% about their mates perception at all, it's more internal.

I drive a POS 98 VW Golf by the way and love my wife's body, face and everything about her. I'm sure your hubby thinks the same too and probably drives a better car.

[Amber]

Right! And I don't think all that matters when you are in the sack making holy monkey love, anyway. The husband type never care as much as we do, and long as they get our time, if you know what I'm sayin'

Have fun!

:)

[Char]

Love the new springy look!! Orange must be the feel good color right now - I just redid my header and its orange.

Enjoy your weekend - you are gorgeous and you know it! Just remind him of your leather mini skirt days and let the imagination do the rest.

[J]

I don't know about your fashion or your looks, being new over here, but what I can say is that when I obsess about mine, about looking a certain way, when I "Try too hard" as you very aptly put it, I bore the hell out of my husband, and honestly, myself as well. When I set out to have a good time and enjoy myself, it's a lot more fun. Be comfortable in your clothes, etc., and maybe you'll be more comfortable in your own skin. That's the sexiest thing, anyway. ;) Enjoy London!

[Nance]

You know what you look pretty in; you know when you look your best and feel your best. If you spend time perseverating over stuff, you'll lose a great time in London with the man whose seen you at your worst for the past 25 years.

Now...do you want to add to the memories of the bad times or the good times?

DON'T MAKE ME HAVE TO COME OVER THERE!

[Shirley]

Remember the passion and excitement of 25 years ago that still lives within you and go from there!! I am pretty sure that just having adult alone time will make everything else you are worrying about fade away ... from the stimulating adult conversations (with NO interruptions) that result to uh, other stuff LOL. The main thing is ENJOY, girlfriend!!!

[deezee]

ooooh, did you have your colors done? Like the look. Feels springy.

And yeah, embodying our own form of sexy woman and having it seen...interesting business that is.

[platypus]

I know exactly what you mean when myou say those things but at the end of the day your husband and your kids love you for who you are. Have the best time ever in London and make the most of the chance to be together. I am sure it will be a fantastic mini-break. :)

[Di]

Ummmm that would be unanimous then ;)

We're all in agreement, you're beautiful just as you are ... hope you learnt something Ms V otherwise I'll photograph you until you say it yourself.

Have a great time xo

[Julie]

Being yourself is more beautiful than anything else you give to the world.

[wendy]

Just watched "what's it all about..Alphie" Very interesting film..A part that I found very interesting..is how he started out calling all the "birds" it...as is the were generic..all the same. Then as he came to know them..he would see something beautiful in them. At first just one part or thing. He would always use that as a justification for his desire. At the very end of this sad movie.. He realizes that they were all beautiful. He says you don't see beauty with the eyes, rather, by what the heart yearns for.keeps hidden from the brain.

All the things that make you "you", and not an "it" are what makes you beautiful.

Go celebrate you...and let your husband celebrate and remember you too...

[therapydoc]

Is it way to corny to go with, You're never fully dressed without a smile? I sort of think it's true.