Flying Monkey

Black and navy jacket, Forever 21. Black dress, London Times. Patent navy belt, The Limited. Black patent maryjanes, Xhilaration. Stainless steel watch, Gucci. Rhinestone star earrings.

I asked Mike what he thought of my outfit and he said, “It’s cute.”

I said, “No, no, no. Tell me something funny! My readers love to hear what you have to say!”

“Okay, you look like a flying monkey.”

“From the Wizard of Oz?”

“Yes.”

I guess it was the jacket.



When I dressed myself I didn’t feel flying monkey-ish. In fact, I actually felt too formal. I tried to dress down the ensemble by wearing a mannish watch, conservative shoes and tiny earrings. I twisted my hair up into a casual chignon and secured it with a paintbrush to tell the world, “I’m artsy and approachable.” (Or maybe just, “I’m silly.”)

I tried the smokey eye thing again, but used a deep blue-green instead of black shadow and was more conscientious about using a highlighter at the inner corner and along the crease. I liked it better this time, but Mike said it looked as if I had been “playing in Mommy’s makeup box.” What do you think? I’m going to try it again next week, with only browns. (Bear in mind that these pictures were taken at the end of a work day that included teaching a killer aerobics class. I'm kind of smudgy!)


(Sorry the last picture is so awful! I just can’t bear the bright light outside. I squint to matter how hard I try not to.)