“Embrace your inner fancy today!” – Tara Smith
Once upon a time, I was carefree and youthful. I had a fondness for beautiful things and an aspiration to be elegant. Fast forward to today, and while it’s often said that age is merely a state of mind, it’s hard to feel youthful when my kids are counting the creases on my forehead. (“Mom, did you know you have—one, two, three, four, five—six lines up there?”) Somewhere along this journey, beautiful things transformed into a chore, and elegance? Well, I’m just too darn exhausted for that.
When I find myself reminiscing about my younger, more glamorous days, I remind myself of how much has changed. Let’s indulge in a little nostalgia; after all, this is a favorite pastime of many tired parents. It’s certainly a welcome distraction from the wrinkle-counting!
Here are 10 ways that the concept of “fancy” has evolved from then to now:
- Getting Ready: Back in the day, fancy meant spending an hour getting ready for a night out, a glass of wine in one hand and a flatiron in the other. Nowadays, fancy is a three-minute shower followed by tying my hair in a ponytail and grabbing a shirt that’s somewhat clean.
- Bags of Choice: Fancy used to mean carrying a tiny Prada clutch that held nothing but a cell phone and a credit card. Now, it’s an impulsive buy from Target (aren’t they all?) that’s big enough to contain a wallet, three books, a bunch of Legos, a gift card from three years ago, and, believe it or not, a butter knife—twice. Still, I can never find a pen when I need one!
- Dining Experiences: Fancy once involved lengthy, wine-filled dinners with my spouse, followed by a night of dancing and antics, which usually ended with a Sunday spent nursing a hangover. Today, fancy is any meal where crayons don’t end up on the table, and waking up at 7 a.m. on a Sunday feels like a victory.
- Brunching: Sunday brunches used to feature mimosas and Bloody Marys chased with beer. Now, it’s a Pumpkin Spice Latte paired with espresso.
- Table Settings: Fancy back then was all about choosing a china pattern for a Macy’s bridal registry. These days, it means plastic utensils and partitioned plates adorned with cartoon animals.
- Fashion Choices: Once, it was all about designer jeans, sparkling tops, and those “come-hither” stilettos. Now, it’s yoga pants that are miraculously free of yogurt, coffee, or other mystery stains.
- Beauty Routines: Fancy was having a stash of high-end makeup from Sephora after hours of browsing. Now, it’s a tub of Nivea, drugstore mascara, and wrinkle cream I keep forgetting to apply—hence the six noticeable lines on my forehead.
- Nail Care: Regular mani-pedis used to be the norm. Now, I’m lucky if I can sneak in a quick polish change while my kids are bathing.
- Sleep Quality: Fancy meant blissful nights of nine hours on luxurious sheets. Now, I’m grateful for five uninterrupted hours, and I can sleep just about anywhere (seriously, I’m exhausted).
- Simple Pleasures: Fancy once revolved around rich wine, decadent chocolate, captivating books, lively music, warm hugs, and lengthy conversations. Fortunately, that hasn’t changed! Life is still too short to forgo these joys.
Although we may not be as young (or as 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 that spiced latte, curling up under a cozy blanket, and indulging in a well-deserved nap. Did I mention how tired I am of the old definition of fancy?
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In summary, while our definitions of “fancy” have transformed over the years, the essence of enjoying life and the little things remains the same. So let’s redefine what it means to be fancy today!