Choose Your Sparkle

Define the way you shine

Hello, Gorgeous! and Happy New Year!

I’d like to say that my night was mellow, but between the incessant fireworks and thunder and lightning reminiscent of Poltergeist, it was nearly impossible to simply chill. And yet chill I did.

From gold sequin boots to black stretchy pants

Before the holiday break I presented at a serious in-person meeting, dressed in a way that behooved a serious in-person meeting. I also wore gold sequined boots, which garnered an equal amount of compliments and modified side eye.

While workplace dress has devolved to often include pajama pants (or no pants!) on Zoom meetings, I’ll acknowledge that my disco era boots weren’t the right choice for that particular moment. And yet they were the right choice for me, since I desperately needed a bit of sparkle right then and there.

Last night on the other hand, I embraced the new year with a decidedly un celebratory outfit consisting of comfy stretchy pants and an oversized t-shirt. There may or may not have also been fuzzy pink clogs.

Choose the way you celebrate

When you reach a certain age, you no longer feel the desperation to party when everyone else is partying. You also feel immune to peer pressure attempting to dictate that public celebration is a must. And so last night I treated myself to a subscription to Hallmark+ so I could catch up on some wholly unscary mysteries. I briefly considered chilling a bottle of schmancy champagne I’ve been saving for a special occasion, but resisted. I choose my not so guilty pleasures in moderation!

Instead, I allowed myself to indulge in the always watchable Alison Sweeney as small town baker Hannah Swensen in the Hallmark version of the popular cozy mystery mysteries by Joanne Fluke. I also marveled at the way Cameron Mathison melted into small town detective persona Detective Mike Kingston (as opposed to his loathsome counterpart Drew Cain/Quartermaine on General Hospital).

For years I reviewed and recapped TV shows, or wrote essays about the way pop culture impacts or reflects our lives. That means that instead of getting to enjoy a movie or TV show, I was hypervigilant to every detail or nuance.

Last night I allowed myself to turn off the stress and enjoy a pleasant cast and formulaic story. I say this not with criticism, but with affection. Hallmark’s formula works for a reason. And Last night I simply sank into it and refused to nitpick.

This morning, a friend cameover so I made us cream cheese stuffed rice flour silver-dollar pancakes. Again, for years I developed and wrote recipes. I also baked professionally for a while, so I was always paying attention to and scribbling down details no one should have to notice. Today I simply made up the recipe as I went and hoped for the best. I topped them with Runamok Snow Globe Sparkle Maple Syrup, which shimmered beautifully on my decidedly imperfect pancakes.

Have I sworn off loud celebrations forever? Probably not. But I enjoyed last night and this morning’s non-celebrations more than any glitzy party. And maybe that’s part of my wish for the year ahead. To continue to live life by my rules, celebrating quietly or noisily as I see fit.

How was your New Year’s celebration? Let’s discuss in the comments (unless you’re hungover or cranky. Then we should skip it).

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋