Monday, November 1, 2010

About Happiness and More

m&l9
m&l2
m&l4
m&l5
m&l1

Dress? Marc Jacobs, thrifted
Trench? Mackage, Winners
Shoes? Steve Maddeen, DSW (sooo old)
Clutch? Thrifted
Bracelets? Crazy lady at The Ex
It's me! Jentine from My Edit... When Morgan asked us to do a guest post, she wanted us to post about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I think the last time I heard that question it was during a scholarship interview in my first year of university. And I wanted that scholarship... I had worked for $7.70 an hour for half a year beforehand, to afford my tuition and monthly train pass but that first year I couldn't afford my own place or live in a dorm. I hated my 4 hour daily commutes and I hated that I was missing out on all those dorm bonding moments (um.... lack of sleep, lack of showers and bedbugs?)... But I mostly hated Thursday nights because all the fashion girls would go out to this magical place called Riley's and they do crazy things like dress up, dance on tables and eat pizza at 4 a.m... and I was stuck at home getting healthy meals and fresh laundry. Incidentally, I moved out for the next three years of school; I did go to Riley's once and it still confuses me to this day that of all the great places to go out in Toronto, they went to Riley's. It was 100% dive bar, 0% magic... But that's not important is it? I was talking about scholarships...

By process of elimination I knew that there were only two girls in the running... myself and another girl... and I knew that my marks were a wee bit higher than hers. I had that sucker in the bag, right? Smile and say the right things during the interview and I was going to walk away with the scholarship and upgrade my brown bag lunches for some fancy cafeteria meals. And then the interviewer asked what did I want to do when I grew up?... A simple but loaded question, especially for an 18 year old. And I said I wasn't sure, but that I wanted to be happy. The 'when I grow up, I want to be happy' is a great sentiment but perhaps it is better left as a post on a blog with soft focus photos of cupcakes, kittens and roses (photos would be credited of course). I think they were looking for an answer with a little less fluff and a little more direction. And no, I didn't get that scholarship, it went to the other girl, the one who was sweet as can be but whose parents paid for her tuition and who actually dropped the program after that first year. And it wasn't fair and I stomped my feet but I ate bagged lunches and rode the train for the duration of that year.

And here I am, four years after graduation and when Morgan asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I still have the same answer... I'm not really sure what I want to do but I just want to be happy. I'm only being honest on her blog as Morgan has no money to offer me because if there was a scholarship on the line, I would cue up my CEO speech in a heartbeat... I've learned my lesson.
m&l8

And am I happy? Yes, especially when I found this Marc Jacobs dress at the thrift store for $7...

16 comments:

Sidewalk Chic said...

Oh Jentine, you look fabulous and I love the design of your dress.

And for what it's worth, I really enjoyed reading your answer to the scholarship question. This was a beautiful post!

Linda W said...

I think that is a noble answer, and you seem to have done very well for yourself without the scholarship.

I also read your blog on a regular basis and I am always amazed at the quality of the items you thrift. Someday you will have to teach us minions how you do it!

The Auspicious Life

Caroline said...

I love the shoes and love pretty much this whole outfit!!!

Maresa said...

That's always my answer when I'm asked that question too!

Loving the dress, great find!!

Sophie said...

Awesome dress :)

and i love love love that bag!

aaand, great post! x

Secondhand Stella said...

Aw, such a cute post Jentine! I guess I never realized how lucky I was... my parents let me go to any school I wanted and paid for the whole thing. I am def very grateful. I agree, though... sometimes I don't really care what I do with my life... just as long as I am happy and proud of myself and my achievements.

Now on to the fluffy stuff.... love that dress. The whole outfit is actually amazing.

You are the best Jentine! I am proud to call you a friend :)

amanda said...

oh my goodness, i loved every bit of this. and i totally agree with you. it doesn't matter what i do or where i live, i just want to be happy. as long as i have my little family with me, i feel blessed and satisfied. that means more than a paycheck or a certain status. and you do look super happy in these photos. and lovely :)

Kendi Lea said...

Bravo my friend! You are happy and you look lovely.

$7 Marc Jacobs dress? It's official. We all hate you. :)

Unknown said...

Seriously - you are the best thrifter ever - I bestow the award upon you, for a girl who can find a $7 Marc Jacobs dress gets that award automatically!

I'm glad that you have found happiness and that it is still your goal - no CEO speeches needed here :)

Small Time Style

FutureLint said...

Yeah, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up and I'm staring at the business end of turning 30... I love the trench and all the crazy lady bangles! What a steal on the dress!

rlutz said...

happy is a perfect answer!
the trench and dress are so chic and timeless!
I am 34 and I am not sure what I want to be when I grow up sometimes...and Iam supposed to be a grown up already!

Anonymous said...

You kill me. the end.
ok not really the end... are u wearing the crazy lady bracelets? you have so manyyyyyyyy. who's the crazy one now?
p.s. i need to wear mine out. they will add a little crazy to my 13 for 30 challenge.
p.s. are you not freezing? i can't even go out in bare legs anymore!

Anonymous said...

Happiness is a bargain at $7! Great find.

Daer0n said...

That dress is just gorgeous, for $7 how can you go wrong! Very nice outfit, you look great!

Ashley, Lions Lace Lattes said...

Haha. Love this post! You are so cute Jentine!! And your dress is amazing! Only $7!! eeeep! Lucky.

Amanda @ Life with A.Co said...

You're so good with the words lady, a true talent you have.

What an AMAZING thrift find. THAT's what I'm talkin' about. GO GIRL.

A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984

 
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