I am the mother of 4 males. I was the girl in her cheerleading outfit skateboarding with the boys during lunch break in junior high. I have always been more comfortable around men than women. Not that I don't have some wonderful girlfriends, it's just that males are generally easier for me to understand. And yet, I've never forgotten that I'm a woman. And, as a woman, I offer you my list of THINGS (I THINK) EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EXPERIENCE:
1. Having a fabulous picture of herself taken. One that she's proud to show off. Not so photoshopped that she doesn't look like herself, but taken by someone who managed to capture how beautiful she really is in the first place. One where her personality comes through her eyes. My blog avatar is that picture for me.
2. Owning a pair of expensive shoes. Maybe that's $40 for you, or $400---but to buy one pair of shoes (preferably a bold color and dangerously high) that make you own a room when you walk into it.
3. Wearing false eyelashes. You might love them and feel like a vixon. or you might hate them and feel like you have some insect perched just above your eye all day. But every woman should for sure have the false eyelash experience.
4. A kiss that, even for just a few moments, makes you forget your name.
5. Finally, (and I've been advocating this one for a while!) every woman should throw herself at least one splendid, over-the-top party.
I started throwing myself a birthday party the first year after my divorce was final. I needed a reason to celebrate my victory of transitioning into single life. It was such a hit, I repeated it again last year (a grown up carnival!). Then, this year I ran off to California for my birthday instead. I was fine with that, but had several friends request demand that I put on my usual spectacle of a party when I got back. So... I did! And here's just to prove that, if you call in some of your talented friends and make a few initial investments, you can do something spectacular for under a hundred bucks...
3 years ago, I invested about $60 in paper lanterns and fleece material for blankets. The blankets make for cheap, plentiful seating; and, with some care, I've been able to pull the lanterns out each year and have them still be in partying shape. Here's my backyard ready for this year's shindig...
Froofy flavored pop in froofy glass bottles was probably my largest financial investment, but I find that when you're throwing a party with no alcohol--people still want something fancy to drink :)
I'm sure you have a friend who does fabulous things with cakes, right? Well, call her and place an order. You're supporting a friend and getting something unforgettable out of the deal. This cake just said "me". AND it was lemon with raspberry frosting--as yummy on the inside as on the out.
People appreciate silly party favors, like stick-on moustaches. Looking goofy immediately puts a smile on guest's faces. Worth the $15 I spent on them (with leftovers for my boys to play with!)
Now, think of your talented friends and see if they would want to come do some performing. Do they dance? Put on a magic show? Sing? I'm blessed to be surrounded by musicians and got 4 of them to agree to come perform. One of them graciously provided all the sound equipment for the others to use.
In lieu of birthday gifts, I asked that my guests please donate to the "band fund." I then passed the money on to two of the bands who spend a lot of money traveling around. It felt good to hand over money to people for doing something they love. Below is Lisa of Finn Riggins fame. I wrote an article about them for my magazine job. They're pretty much the awesomest.
Another friend's band came in from Utah to perform. So, so grateful. They were fabulous!
As the sun went down and the temperatures dipped, I handed out giant sparklers. My insanely attractive single friends had a blast with these. I love the joy in their faces at something so simple.
And here is me...portrait of a birthday girl who knows she is loved and greatly blessed to love back. Who has crossed off all those things on my opening list, and who is anxiously anticipating adding a few more things to it...
So, WHAT SHOULD I ADD? What do YOU think every woman should experience?
5 comments:
Happy Birthday, wow, too fun. Every girl should go to Europe, with a fabulous camera. AND, every girl should have a professional massage at a spa. Loves!
I am getting my first pedicure today so I would say that!
Looked like a fabulous party!!
Definitely add the spa day! Every woman needs at least one of those!
A facial, at least once. Just had my first (at 41). It was FABulous!
I'm early on in the journey of being a single mom and I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I don't have anything to add - just wanted to let you know I think its a pretty great list.
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