Dressing it up

Occasionally, when someone sees me and asks if I have a job interview or a date, I get the sense that means I've let myself stray a little too far into the comfortable/casual realm of personal care. If someone thinks to ask why I would have clean hair hanging free of a ponytail and anything other than workout wear on my body, it's obvious they think I'm stepping out of my norm and need to know why.

The fact is, having worked from home the last 3 months, most of my decisions on showering, dressing and putting on or taking off my mascara are based around working out and whether I have to be "presentable" at any point in the day. Sure, I'm still bouncing around to the market or the gas station, engaging with all manner of public life throughout the day, but not with anyone that would know - or even care - that I'm still in the yoga pants I fell asleep in after an evening yoga class when I was just too tired to change. By the time I'm bouncing out of bed the next morning for a quick walk to get my blood flowing, there's no reason to change. Ditto my trip to Whole Foods at noon and likewise, my class at Dailey Method that night.

This is an anytime of day outfit good for work, shopping, working out, sleep, or dinner out at a tacqueria.

Add to this the fact that I like to use a temporary hair dye every so often and according to the box it will take me through about 20-30 shampoos. Ever the opportunist, now washing my hair becomes a calculated measure based on how long I can make the color last. To be honest, there isn't much that warrants actually washing my hair regularly except if I'm going into the office or out on the town with friends and even that is 50/50 depending on the friends and where we're going. Remember that episode in Seinfeld where Elaine struggled to consider who was sponge-worthy? It's kind of like that.

Sometimes a hot tub is a shower.

So basically what I've done is streamlined my processes.

To be fair, I've always professed a dislike for showering just for the sake of showering, or god forbid to wake up. If you want to wake up go for a run. Do some self-love. Turn on sports radio or that "Happy" song from Pharrell. And people who shower before they ski? Don't even get me started. You  know who you are. You confound me. Who showers before they're about to put 12 layers on and sweat?

My triggers have been ingrained for so long. Workout, shower. Workout, shower. Most of the time. Sometimes. Depending on the level of sweat or where I have to be next. For a while I was stopping in Pacifica to surf before driving down the peninsula to work. There was just enough time to rinse off underneath the outdoor showers - my hair would be styled by the wind and the ocean! I'd be a natural, sun-kissed beauty! People would love me! But of course the reality never quite matched the vision and my hair usually looked flat with the lingering residue of salt water, never mind the sand still around my ankles.

The interesting effect of my 3 months working from home and being immersed in an endless rotation of active wear (clean, dirty and questionable) is that now, when I've gone back into the mainstream, I've been inspired to go beyond my comfort zone. At an informal dinner with friends a few weeks ago, when I would've put on my classiest yoga pants, a cute hoodie and flip flops, I rocked a short, bun-hugging dress with some killer jewelry and these fantastic Eileen Fisher wedges I'd just picked up on sale. I was 6' tall and adorable, thank you very much.

Then last week at an offsite for work....so in my mind I entered the room like Lucy Liu in Charlie's Angels to the song "Barracuda". But in reality it was a JCrew black pencil skirt, black patent leather slingback pumps, a cashmere v-neck and a colorful scarf. I was more like JCrew girl with a mod-twist but given the comments I might as well have been dressed like the office dominatrix. That's what happens when you take the bohemian skirted, flip-flop wearing, wild-haired girl and dress her up. Of course, the site tour of a 1/2 mile left me crying inside. I don't know how anyone walks anywhere in a heel. Sarah Jessica Parker and your effortless cavorting around Manhattan in all those Manalos - damn you.

Lucy Liu in Charlie's Angels

Next week our peninsula offices reopen but I'll be commuting to San Francisco now. I'd like to think I'll be dressing up more, blending in with the professional business set of the city, powerhouse lunches at fashionable restaurants, hidden wine bars in alleys, flirting with cute baristas as they pour my americanos. You just don't get that kind of inspiration in a business park. Of course it will have to align with my ability to ride my bike to work on occasion, to fit what I can in a backpack, to ride my motorcycle, or to make a gym break at lunch when the need strikes. But I've had a lot of fun playing dress up. I think I'm ready for a little more oomph.

It almost feels like going back to school after summer break. New books, new backpack, new outfits, new me. I'm going to kill it this year. And yes, maybe I WILL be dressed up for a job interview or a date - you'll never be the wiser.

Right. Who am I kidding? If I have a date the world is going to know because I'll be running down the street (high heels in hand) screaming.

(This post is dedicated to Trish who prompted me at the exact right moment to write something.)