Her Daughter Didn't Inherit That Gene

Flo's Story continued

My mom was always a sharp dresser. She took pride in her appearance and was always "put together." Mom says she got to experiment with her older sister's clothes, much to her sister's chagrin since Mom usually looked better in them than she did. But it was an attitude really. Mom would turn the hat just so, or wear a certain pair of pumps and it would all work out. It's ironic that it was her sister's sewing skills that filled my mom's closet.

Flo and Ann came from humble backgrounds. Their family wasn't wealthy and their mother instilled frugal ways, which continue to impact Mom to this day. No matter how much she wants a piece of clothing, if it's not on sale, it's just not being bought. She makes accommodations for inflation, but just barely. In fact, Mom likes to befriend the sales clerks at her favorite stores who call her as soon as this dress or that skirt is being marked down.

Unfortunately for Mom, her daughter did not inherit the fashion gene. I like looking nice but shopping bores me to tears and if an outfit takes too long to figure out then it's history. It's not like Mom didn't try. She would dress us alike or put me in cute outfits ~ many of which her sister made for us.

(I'm about 3 here.)

I will admit that I inherited the propensity towards frugality when it comes to clothes. It pains me to pay full price which I have to do regularly with shoes. I do not have a set of generic feet that fits beautifully in sale rack shoes.

(check out these snappy patent leather shoes)

I used to cringe when Mom told me I looked nice. I used to think her positive remark was balanced out by the many times she didn't make a comment. I used to have a hang up about that. But I realized it was my problem not her perception so I let it go. Now I just grin and say "thank you."

I think she's just hoping that maybe I really did inherit her fashion gene and that someday I will be stylin' just like her. It's nice to have hope.

(Check out Mom's bracelet and my hair bows.
But my tongue says it all.)