Makeover
I'd like to preface this post by saying I admire all of the other female bloggers in the wings that are trying out for the Microsoft Windows Style Makeover sweepstakes. Among you are some of the smartest, most creative and talented women and moms I know in the business. Truly I'm humbled to be among competitors like you all. Best of luck to everyone with a wish that your ultimate style dreams come true!
Now without further adieu, my post entry...
The Prologue
In As You Like It by William Shakespeare, "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts."
That play's passage may have first been uttered between 1599 and the early 1600s, but I think it still rings true today if you interpret as I do the reference to "man" to extend to woman as well. In a nutshell this piece of classic literature pretty much sums up my perspective on BlogHer 2012 as well as my roles in life professionally as a blogger and personally as a mom, wife, daughter, and friend.
At the upcoming conference whether one has the lead role, a supporting part or working as a background actress each woman attending is an integral member of the cast of characters. Based on all the current buzz on Twitter and Facebook I'd say just about everyone wants to make a grand entrance next weekend. As a blogger myself I'm no exception. In between my crazy busy life as a mom of four -- including triplets that were born within a year and who once were all in diapers at the same time -- it seems for sure that I've been rehearsing for this all-important part ever since the last big event 12 months ago.
With opening night just a week away, it's almost time for the big performance event and I feel like I'm ready to shine on the stage. I know my lines, I have my flight and hotel booked, and I've got my schedule organized. Homemade meals have been cooked for my family and already are tucked into the freezer so my hubbie and kids won't starve while I'm away. And, believe it or not, I'm finally caught up on all the laundry a family of six that includes four teens produces. Even my bags are all packed and standing by the door. Oh, how I can't wait to get to New York to connect with brands and bloggers, rekindling old relationships while building new, long-lasting ones.
Everything appears to be going great. Then I wake up from this daydream. Uh-oh. I've just realized there's a problem, a very big one at that. The show's makeup artists and costume designers are no where to be found and I really need help with my head to toe look so I can make a splash on the BlogHer red carpet. Right now I may be just an understudy for one of leading characters but I sure could use the help of the Windows Makeover stylist team to have a crack at a chance to step into the spotlight with four other leading ladies come August 3 when the winners will be announced.
What's My Style?
From an artistic perspective I think I'm a blank canvas ready to be painted. Or rather to keep within the theme of this post, I'm a modern-day Shakespeare masterpiece waiting to be written. A story that makes the most of my body type taking into account my long arms and legs and 5'9" average frame.
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| Me modeling a symmetrical coat by British Designer Isabella Oliver |
With that said if I had to pin my type on Pinterest and via the various images I've picked to illustrate this post entry, I'd say I'm a fun-loving woman who revels in mixing things up, blending this season's classic and feminine styles with things already in my closet accented by vintage finds and an artistic thread that runs through everything, pulling it all together.
I'm also admittedly a tech geek both in my work and family lives so my look will of course not be complete without the latest tech gear and gadgets which I hope include a brand new Windows 7 PC with Windows 8 upgrade offer. If I'm privileged to be selected as a winner not only will I wear this trendy laptop to accessorize my makeover and new wardrobe. I'll also use it while working as a blogger both in my home office and on the road when traveling.
This Microsoft technological wonder would certainly be a G-d send to help manage our busy family home life and the community service projects I volunteer for, too. That's not even to mention that this will make it possible for my entire family to enjoy some time together tapping into all its entertainment capabilities. And, how could I forget especially since the workers just cut the power off accidentally this morning while I was trying to finish writing? I can't think of a more awesome tool than this to assist me with the major kids bathroom renovation that's going on in the next room as I type out this post!
The Wrap Up
At 55 I'm probably the oldest contestant in this contest. Then again, I'm likely also to be the only gal who can make the dubious claim to have started my career right around the time when the first PC came out and when Microsoft, the company, was just beginning to bloom. What a privilege it has been to have lived through that era and to still be alive today and to see how far technology has advanced during my lifetime.
Personality wise I'm at ease as a mother, wife and mommy blogger, leading an equally active and introspective lifestyle. I'm a Renaissance woman, passionate about everything I do from writing Mommy Blog Expert to skiing in winter and playing tennis in summer to traveling domestically and abroad to tending my organic garden, all while striving to fit a quality family lifestyle and the nurturing of deep friendships into the formula.
Age for me is an asset rather than a liability. I actually only feel like I'm in my late 30s or early 40s and have the energy to match which is one reason why I find BlogHer so invigorating. But, at the same time, I definitely am not trying to directly compete with my two darling 15 year-old daughters who are budding drama queens and fashionistas either in overall attitude or style.
I wish I could say that my present wardrobe evokes that fashion and tech style vibe, but to be honest neither does. Yet. That in fact is why I'm hoping to be selected for a makeover at BlogHer courtesy of the Microsoft Windows brand.
It's almost last curtain call now and I wish everyone else who also wants to be there when the curtain goes up and the winners are revealed to as they say in show business, "Break a leg."
The suspense is building and the hush of the crowd is ironically almost deafening. Rest assured, though, that BlogHer will be here very soon and the Final Five will be unveiled. If you ask me that day can't come soon enough.
As for me, to quote the opening line of Hamlet, another Shakespeare play, "To be or not to be? That is the question."
In writing this post, I'm entering the Microsoft Windows Style
Makeover sweepstakes for a chance to win a head to toe makeover!
FTC Disclosure: I did not receive payment for this post. As explained in the content above I have written this post as my entry into the Microsoft Windows Style Makeover sweepstakes. See detailed FTC disclosure at the bottom of this and every post more details.
