I was happy when Bubby Makes Three gave me the opportunity to let it all hang out. As much as I adore the aesthetics of life, I’ve got a bit of an issue with the Over-Styled Life. I previously mentioned Fleur Wood’s book and how much it made me cringe. Even though I couldn’t get into the over-done images and seemingly forced bubbliness of the whole thing, at least it was authentically Fleur Wood. I think she’s really, genuinely like that.
Although sometimes I’m rather too preoccupied with the way life looks for comfort, I’m not really in danger of leading an OLS any time soon. It’s the kind of life where at a party the host worries more that everything looks perfect than the happiness of the people attending. It’s perpetuating the myth that women leap out of bed fully airbrushed into homes that look like a magazine spread. A world where only a $495 rubbish bin from Top 3 by Design will save our homes from becoming land fill. It’s eating Donna Hay food rather than just looking at it. It’s shopping at boutique grocery stores and paying $36 for a slice of cheese without batting a Bimatoprost coated eyelash.
It’s sands and taupes and camels. It’s definitely never beige.
It’s the woman watching the people watching her children frolicking in their matching white sundresses rather than watching the children herself. Her husband smiles indulgently and wonders if she’s put on a bit.
It’s over-bright smiles and self-conscious fussing. It’s forced whimsy and copy-cat cutesy. It’s like we stopped looking at Pretty in mags and decided that we wanted that stylist-created, airbrushed life for ourselves. Without the stylist or the airbrushing.
It’s all so samey same same and it’s infiltrating more and more sectors of my life and it’s driving me a bit bonkers! Fortunately, I am far too frizzy, beigey and generally lazy to really fall victim to the OSL phenomenon. But, I know it… oh, yes, we’ve met and I didn’t instantly turn my back like I should have…
Kate says
Not me!
Not even trying to keep up because I’d fail embarrasingly. BUT I did for the first time ever borrow a hair straightener to do my hair for my craft night dinner tonight and it is POURING and I don’t wanna leave the house. For once in my life I wanted to look styled (not Over styled) but I’m afraid its not to be. Oh well, its personality that counts isn’t it??
brismod says
$495 for a rubbish bin? That’s just extravagant, whether you’re striving to be stylish or not. (I couldn’t separate the money from my pocket no matter how nice it may be). Am I a victim? I like things to be a bit rough around the edges, so I wouldn’t even make the grade. xx
fairchildstreet says
No not me. We are too busy participating and creating to live in a magazine home with no mess. Just need to be true to yourself. Now I really must go and have a rest. Charmaine
A Farmer's Wife says
“It’s sands and taupes and camels. It’s definitely never beige”
Love it.
Michelle says
So definitely not an overstyled life here! (Actually lucky to be styled-enough). It truly sounds like life imitating life.
Lulu says
Nope – overstyled houses make me want to rifle through all the cupboards and draws to find where all the real life crap is.
In fact I have done it once or twice..with the owners permission of course!
Cate says
The ONLY time my house is ever over-styled is when it’s on the market – and keeping up the pace, even for a 4 week campaign is HELL (I’ve been known to hide the washing in the boot of my car before an open inspection!!) xxxCate
Naturally Carol says
Usually before my brother comes to visit I make sure the house is the best it can be etc etc etc..but this time with a sore leg I couldn’t. Well, you saw the picture where my son was cooking and my brother wiped the dishes on Saturday. I think he had the most relaxing time he’s ever had at our house…he just joined in, ate what he wanted to and had a good time with the kids. No airbrushed life exists here…lol.
Simone - honeyandfizz says
My home has been described as looking like a display home but that’s me! I love to have things tidy and pretty things around me and it looks like that whether people are coming over or it’s just us. Each to their own, I say. I never did the matchy clothes though 🙂
MultipleMum says
You know me. Always living in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine 🙂 Quality post Wal. x
Raine and Sage says
I like nice stuff, but I’ve no time, nor budget for that OSL either. I’ve possibly fallen into the same-same category in that I like to thrift and renovate $5 tables etc, like so many. I do dream of having a dishwasher again though! Cool post – I hear ya sista! My son’s Kindy is clique beyond belief. European 4wd’s (that never leave the CBD), with manicured Mum’s dropping child off before heading off to gym, hair salon and getting their nails done. So I know the type you speak of! 🙂
Paula says
No, not I said the fly but I definitely have moments of OSL envy..wouldn’t that be nice etc.
Little Ted Canvas says
I don’t think I could bare the stress that would come with it! I do my best to have order & I am a bit of a neat freak, but there is only so much one can do when surrounded by boystrous boys! I have learned that white is not a practical colour for mother or child…and truely who would really want ‘perfect’ anyway, not me…
Jess says
I LOVE how you write! This is my fave post so far 🙂
And thank you for making me think again… even though it bloody hurts at 40 weeks gestation!!
I have OCD when it comes to keeping things tidy and in order and I have always been that way. Even as an angsty teen (who was out of control) my room was very ‘controlled’ Its a Virgo thang and I take great pride in making things ‘pretty’ – It makes ME happy but its not really about what other people think.
So whilst I have this internal battle with asthetic perfection that needs to be reined in often.. I am way to ‘hippie at heart’ to lead an overstyled life for long enough for it to worry me!
Ok, so you have to answer me honestly – do I come across that way?!! I really hope not!
Jess says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mammamusing says
I’m experiencing the USL otherwise known as Understyled Life and longingly wish for something slightly more styled.
That being said I’d never pay $495 for a bin!
Kate x
Curvaceous Queen says
or as I like to refer to them the “happy happy joy joy” club. Don’t pity them, the botox in their cheeks mean they don’t feel a thing
life in a pink fibro says
Good grief no. No styling here. But I LOVE that image. It says so much about so much that’s wrong about today.
Selina says
OMG how I try for the OSL !! however … my kids wipe crap on the walls daily and my boy dresses himself in clothes that dont coordinate, my husband refuses to keep the office looking like the ones in the magazines and my 4wd has food spread around the inside and scratches all over the outside because no one will cut the bushes up the driveway… and I need to go on a diet… how am I ever going to lead a OSL when everyone around here is ‘normal’ ??
Gill@OurParklife says
oh god no…i am far too haphazard, messy and lazy to work the over styled look in any area of my life…
my two kids are the ones with stained shirts and odd socks…we have a permanent pile of junk on our kitchen counter that means our kitchen would NEVER make it into any magazine (except perhaps as a “before” shot) and i generally work the no make up, birds hair look (not because I want to necessarily, but because I am too disorganised to look any other way)
I could honestly do with a little more styling…not over styling, but a little would be nice!
Fab post as always!
Gill xo
Gill@OurParklife says
oh god no…i am far too haphazard, messy and lazy to work the over styled look in any area of my life…
my two kids are the ones with stained shirts and odd socks…we have a permanent pile of junk on our kitchen counter that means our kitchen would NEVER make it into any magazine (except perhaps as a “before” shot) and i generally work the no make up, birds hair look (not because I want to necessarily, but because I am too disorganised to look any other way)
I could honestly do with a little more styling…not over styling, but a little would be nice!
Fab post as always!
Gill xo
Kevin says
OSL, not here! Maybe OCD. I don’t care if I’m or my kids are wearing the coolest brands. I’m not even aware of the latest fads. I’m the guy that has a closet full of cargo pants and tshirts with underarm stains.
A Country Wife says
At home, definitely not, although I do try and keep my ‘living’ areas spick and span in case someone pops over. When I head out… hmmmm… perhaps. Not so much myself, but my two little cherubs. I’m a sucker for quality kiddies clothes, but not so that I can be pretentious. Sure they’re branded and expensive but my argument is at least they don’t disinegrate in the wash. You could argue my little ones are overstyled; hair, clothes, shoes, but I prefer just to say they’re impeccably dressed.
Gina says
Ha! Great post. I hate the OSL, but never had a word or phrase for it, so thanks! I like to be me and real and I am too practical to be over styled. Even though I do like style and pretty things and positivity, I am just not over the top about it, you know?
KristiMcMurry says
I definitely don’t live the OSL. I am more picky about cleanliness than I used to be, but when it comes to clothing and fixing myself up, I’m pretty easy going.
I love the way you write!
Stacia says
“It’s sands and taupes and camels. It’s definitely never beige.”
I’m definitely a beige girl. Raising my beige coffee cup in a toast to you, my beige friend! =>
So Now What? says
Yeah, little chance of that happening to me. Although I reckon I could get off the computer and watch the children frolicking more.
I saw parents on the weekend with a brand new white leather pram on the weekend. That to me was a sign that instead of focusing on the little bub they were about to have, they were focused on how they would look pushing said baby around. Ah well, one mustard poo and it that will be the end of that I guess. 🙂 Great blog x
Kristy says
I’m too tired to ever try to be OSL. No way. Not one bit. I don’t even change if I notice the sweatpants I’m wearing has a mysterious stain on the leg. Happened yesterday.
BabyMac says
I have a touch of the OSL I think. In fact, I think it’s one of my MANY flaws. I NEVER let it get in the way of living though…but will always put things back just so before the night is out. I know…it’s anal, a little virgo, boring and ridiculous…but it’s me. I am trying to embrace it.
But I am most certainly NOT an unhappy hipster. Promise.
Bek says
I was never really aware of this phenomenon before I joined blog land and yet now I know exactly what you are talking about. I am always tempted, never by $500 bins though, but there is a lot of prettiness going on out there. Sometimes I need a break from blog land to re calibrate.
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PEACHES says
WELL SAID MY FRIEND!
I am so fed up with seeing photos, beautiful photos, of cups of coffee dribbled on purpose to make the sequin coaster seem “authentic”…. Give me a break!
There is something to be said for the “mood” of an environment, but there is much more to be said for beauty in flaws. We all have them. It’s what makes us interesting. It’s something to celebrate 😉
PS: saw the comment you left on my blog and had to pop over to see what you are cooking up…sure glad I did. I’ll be back!
Tania says
Oh, thank ye highest heavens for this post.