Synchronicity
by
Paula Gail Benson
Paula Gail Benson
My
dear blogging partner, Linda Rodriguez, I’m thinking of you and the lessons in courage
you have taught me as I write this post.
dear blogging partner, Linda Rodriguez, I’m thinking of you and the lessons in courage
you have taught me as I write this post.
It’s
always fascinating when the universe seems to have found a common thread,
sending multiple messages along the same wavelength.
always fascinating when the universe seems to have found a common thread,
sending multiple messages along the same wavelength.
Carl
Jung called the idea “synchronicity.” Wikipedia explains it as “a concept . . .
which holds that events are ‘meaningful coincidences’ if they occur with no
causal relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related.”
Jung called the idea “synchronicity.” Wikipedia explains it as “a concept . . .
which holds that events are ‘meaningful coincidences’ if they occur with no
causal relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related.”
Take
for example some recent events that happened just as, this month and next, the
Stiletto Gang celebrates its new logo, featuring bright red stilettos. (Thank
you, Bethany Maines!)
for example some recent events that happened just as, this month and next, the
Stiletto Gang celebrates its new logo, featuring bright red stilettos. (Thank
you, Bethany Maines!)
In
August, Aretha Franklin’s body lay in state in Detroit. She had several outfit
changes, but according to the New York Times, “For the first open-casket viewing, Aretha Franklin was dressed in a lacy
crimson gown and towering scarlet Christian Louboutin heels, with cherry-red
lipstick and nail polish to match.”
August, Aretha Franklin’s body lay in state in Detroit. She had several outfit
changes, but according to the New York Times, “For the first open-casket viewing, Aretha Franklin was dressed in a lacy
crimson gown and towering scarlet Christian Louboutin heels, with cherry-red
lipstick and nail polish to match.”
At
the beginning of September, the FBI revealed that a stolen pair of ruby red
slippers worn by Judy Garland in The
Wizard of Oz had been recovered through a sting operation. These were the shoes worn for “close up” shots, the “clicking your heels” sequences. (Does that remind you of a segment we feature here at the Stiletto Gang on a regular basis?)
the beginning of September, the FBI revealed that a stolen pair of ruby red
slippers worn by Judy Garland in The
Wizard of Oz had been recovered through a sting operation. These were the shoes worn for “close up” shots, the “clicking your heels” sequences. (Does that remind you of a segment we feature here at the Stiletto Gang on a regular basis?)
I
think it’s interesting that red (and pink, if you’re a Legally Blonde Elle Woods fan) signals and symbolizes empowerment
for women. Aretha’s ankles were demurely crossed, but those red shoes made
their statement. She was a lady to be reckoned with. Dorothy’s red slippers started
her on her journey to self-awareness and brought her home to the knowledge that
she had the power within herself.
think it’s interesting that red (and pink, if you’re a Legally Blonde Elle Woods fan) signals and symbolizes empowerment
for women. Aretha’s ankles were demurely crossed, but those red shoes made
their statement. She was a lady to be reckoned with. Dorothy’s red slippers started
her on her journey to self-awareness and brought her home to the knowledge that
she had the power within herself.
This
year, I’ve had my own experience with red as a fashion statement.
year, I’ve had my own experience with red as a fashion statement.
My
main make-up is lipstick. Previously, I’ve stayed with more neutral and natural
looks. Then, a friend of mine, the lovely Cortlin Collins, began selling
LipSense products by SeneGence. She posted the bright reds on her Facebook page,
Your Face First with Cortlin. Please
check it out if you have an interest. Cortlin’s a sweetheart.
main make-up is lipstick. Previously, I’ve stayed with more neutral and natural
looks. Then, a friend of mine, the lovely Cortlin Collins, began selling
LipSense products by SeneGence. She posted the bright reds on her Facebook page,
Your Face First with Cortlin. Please
check it out if you have an interest. Cortlin’s a sweetheart.
I
was intrigued by the deep garnets and how the appearance could be changed by
combining colors or applying a gloss. Fly Girl was my first purchase, quickly
followed by Roseberry. I remember wearing the colors for the first time at
church, fearing I had perhaps been a little too bold. Three gallant gentlemen
independently stopped me to compliment my appearance. The next week, my female co-workers told me they admired my new look. I was sold and haven’t looked back.
was intrigued by the deep garnets and how the appearance could be changed by
combining colors or applying a gloss. Fly Girl was my first purchase, quickly
followed by Roseberry. I remember wearing the colors for the first time at
church, fearing I had perhaps been a little too bold. Three gallant gentlemen
independently stopped me to compliment my appearance. The next week, my female co-workers told me they admired my new look. I was sold and haven’t looked back.
Speaking
of synchronicity: as Hurricane Florence aims for the Carolinas, what is my new
lipstick for this fall? Hurricane.
of synchronicity: as Hurricane Florence aims for the Carolinas, what is my new
lipstick for this fall? Hurricane.
And,
to further validate the power of red lipstick, here are a few words of wisdom
from women who know:
to further validate the power of red lipstick, here are a few words of wisdom
from women who know:
 |
| Andie MacDowell |
“During
my forties, I thought I couldn’t wear red lipstick. I thought it was too much
and I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t know why. But now, I’m going to wear red
lipstick for as long as I want.” — Andie MacDowell
my forties, I thought I couldn’t wear red lipstick. I thought it was too much
and I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t know why. But now, I’m going to wear red
lipstick for as long as I want.” — Andie MacDowell
 |
| Chloe Sevigny |
“I
discovered red lipstick when I did the Oscar season: Chanel sent me one and I
realized how classic and glamorous it can be.” — Chloe Sevigny
discovered red lipstick when I did the Oscar season: Chanel sent me one and I
realized how classic and glamorous it can be.” — Chloe Sevigny
 |
| Gwyneth Paltrow |
“Beauty,
to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red
lipstick.” — Gwyneth Paltrow
to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red
lipstick.” — Gwyneth Paltrow
 |
| Taylor Swift |
“You
got that James Dean daydream look in your eye. And I got that red lip classic
thing that you like.” — Taylor Swift
got that James Dean daydream look in your eye. And I got that red lip classic
thing that you like.” — Taylor Swift
“If
you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” — Coco Chanel
you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” — Coco Chanel
 |
| Coco Chanel |
So,
let’s celebrate our new logo with a signature vermilion shade for the lips. Display your
inner femme fatale!
let’s celebrate our new logo with a signature vermilion shade for the lips. Display your
inner femme fatale!