chic sheep

I somehow got roped into taking a consumer survey that ate up a good chunk of my lifetime in a mind- numbingly boring sort of way (Have you read a magazine in the past 6 months? How many times? Which ones? What is the average time spent reading each magazine? Have you consumed pasta in the last 6 months.....AAGGHH! How do I know!) Anyway, one thing that did capture my attention was how easily played we are by advertising. Some of the questions were on a scale of 1- 10. How important is it that I out-do and impress my neighbours with my possessions (you mean our second hand, fake wood, wal-mart and whatever's on clearance at Ikea furniture? We try to be humble, but I can't help it if people are jealous.) How important it is that people admire the things I own? Do I feel more confidant when wearing new clothes and is it essential they are brand name? Does it influence my purchase if marketed by a celebrity? Does my confidence tie directly in to the things I own? Do I reward myself with purchases? I felt embarrassed for the masses and also for myself. I'm not a stylish gal, but I don't want to be unstylish or frumpy, either (except for right now. I'm wearing mismatched pjs and my hair is in nest mode, but I'm just sayin- usually). And I enjoy putting some time, effort and $ into our home. Where's the balance between taking care of your things and your appearance vs being a consumer sheep, spending where you're told to spend on what you're told is "in". I mean, who's the ultimate decider on what's fashionable, anyway? And what's the point if it's all just to be viewed in a certain way- where's the integrity in that? In protest, I'm going to wear something totally out of fashion today- bring out the high waisted jeans and tucked in turtle neck with matching socks! And throw in some loafers for good measure! Actually, I don't own those things- shoot. Maybe I'll just go out with nest hair. Maybe.
Or not.
At least I got $25 for doing the survey- that's cool.
Ang