“Embrace your fancy side today.” – Mia Sanders
Once, I was carefree and youthful, captivated by lovely things and the allure of elegance. Fast forward to today—a time when my children eagerly point out the wrinkles on my forehead (“Hey, Mom, did you know you have—one, two, three, four, five—six wrinkles?”). It’s challenging to feel youthful when faced with such reminders. Over time, the charm of pretty things has morphed into a tedious chore, while the concept of being fancy now feels utterly exhausting.
In moments of nostalgia for my younger, more glamorous self, I find it amusing to compare my past with my present. It’s a favorite pastime for any weary parent, so let’s indulge in some lighthearted reflection, shall we? After all, it’s a great distraction from the wrinkle tallying.
Here are ten ways in which the notion of “fancy” has evolved from then to now:
- Prepping for Outings: Back then, I would spend an hour getting ready for a night out, sipping wine with one hand and styling my hair with the other. Now, “fancy” means a quick three-minute shower, tying my hair back in a ponytail, and grabbing a somewhat clean shirt.
- Handbags: Fancy used to mean a petite Prada clutch, just big enough for my phone and a credit card. Now, it’s an oversized impulse buy from Target—because let’s be honest, everything from Target is an impulse buy—that can fit a wallet, books, Lego pieces, a three-year-old gift card, markers, and even a butter knife (which I’ve found on two separate occasions). But I can’t seem to locate a pen when I need one.
- Dining Experiences: In the past, fancy dinners meant lengthy, wine-filled evenings with my husband followed by a night of dancing, ending with a Sunday spent recovering from the hangover. Now, any meal without crayons on the table qualifies as fancy, and waking up at 7 a.m. on Sunday feels like a luxury.
- Brunch: Fancy brunches used to feature mimosas and Bloody Marys with a beer chaser. These days, a Pumpkin Spice Latte with an espresso chaser suffices.
- Dinnerware: Once, I was on the hunt for china patterns for my bridal registry at Macy’s. Nowadays, it’s all about plastic utensils and divided plates adorned with cartoon animals.
- Fashion Choices: Fancy meant donning designer jeans, sequin tops, and those infamous “come-hither” stilettos. Now, it’s about yoga pants that are miraculously free of yogurt, coffee, or other unidentified stains.
- Beauty Routines: My past self would indulge in high-end makeup from Sephora. Now, it’s a simple tub of Nivea, drugstore mascara, and a wrinkle cream I frequently forget to use, which explains the six prominent lines on my forehead.
- Self-Care: Regular visits to the nail salon were once essential. Now, it’s a quick polish change while my kids are bathing.
- Sleep Quality: Sleeping for nine hours on luxurious sheets was the norm. Today, I’ll settle for five hours of uninterrupted sleep—wherever I can get it. Seriously, I’m exhausted.
- Life’s Pleasures: Once, fancy meant savoring fine wine, decadent chocolate, great literature, loud music, strong embraces, and deep conversations because life is fleeting. Now, it still means those things—because, indeed, life is too short.
While we may not be as young or energetic as we once were, we can still embrace our version of fancy today. And by “fancy,” I mean slipping into our favorite sweatpants, adding an extra spoonful of sugar to our spiced latte, curling up with a cozy blanket, and enjoying a well-deserved nap. Did I mention I’m too darn tired for anything truly fancy?
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our other post on the at-home insemination kit. If you’re navigating challenges like a hysterectomy, consider reading about it here: Facing a Complete Hysterectomy. And for comprehensive information on pregnancy, visit the World Health Organization.
In summary, while our definitions of “fancy” have certainly changed over the years, we can still find joy and comfort in our own unique ways.