What's The Alternative?

Friday, February 12, 2010

A few days ago some anonymous commentator posted the following:
"You look extremely old for your age. Hello crows feet and eye bags! Yuck."

Um, okay... thanks for stopping by. No really, you know just how to make a girl feel good about herself. I'm sure you will have lots of good karma coming your way.*

That being said my question is what's the alternative? Should I a) botox myself until I look more like a Real Housewife of (Insert City Here) or b) rush in for emergency plastic surgery at age 30 a la Heidi Montag, c) spend my monthly clothing budget on high end skin cream, or d) grow old gracefully and fully embrace my crows feet and "eye bags?"

Yeah, I think I'll go with (d).

The truth is I always thought I looked pretty good for my age. No, I will never be mistaken for a co-ed but at the same time I don't think I will ever get mistaken as the LM's grandmother either. I feel as though I look like I am in my late 20's- early 30's which is a good thing considering that is exactly where I am. Sure I don't love wrinkles, but I feel as though I earned every single one of them and with a good skin care regimen and lots and lots of sunscreen I am hoping that I will look my age (or maybe a few years younger) for the rest of my life.

Bottom line, I am just not a huge fan of artificial beauty. Sure I color my hair and bleach my teeth, but you will not see me at the tanning salon, plastic surgeon, or wearing acrylic nails anytime soon. I think the way to remain "youthful" is more likely found by dressing well (ahem dressing your age,) working out, and accepting that you will never look like you are twenty when you are 30+. My role models are people in their 40s who look great for their age, not necessarily younger than their age. Women like Sheryl Crow, Courtney Cox, and Jennifer Aniston who are fit, beautiful, and real, crows feet and all.**

So thank you Anon for your comment. If you have the secret to eternal youth and beauty please feel free to share it with my readers, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated. While you're at it can you please pass on the key to eternal happiness as well? Until then I'll just be happy with myself exactly the way that I am if you don't mind.

Here are Jen, Courtney, and Sheryl celebrating Jen's 41st birthday last week.
These women make 40 look damn good!



*Bitch
**Yes, I'm sure they have had some injections/ work done over the years, but I think that they look pretty close to their age.

Photo Credit (From Here.)

30 comments :

Anonymous said...

Oh, stop. You do not look old for your age. People are just being petty and mean.

I'm sure anonymous is no beauty queen herself. In fact, ugly on the inside often shows on the outside.

Mari said...

Great response! You are beautiful and with your work out regimen, a great role model for us all! You have to be a really unhappy person to take the time to make such a mean comment - I don't get it.

sandy said...

i think you look fabulous! what a classy way to respond to an obnoxious comment. me thinks anon is jealous.

Jodi said...

How come people only say the mean comments under anonymous? Cowards!
You look great. Having said that I want surgery! I guess i should have married someone rich, or not had kids ( ;

Grace in CO said...

Loved your post today! Seriously, what is the point of being negative to others. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said. Also, anyone with a baby/toddler doesn't always have the luxury of looking fresh faced and dewy! Great job taking the power back from this rude comment and affirming yourself and your choices.

Me said...

I hate anonymous trolls who have nothing better to do with their time than leave nasty comments.

You look your age. And this is a great age to be. And you will still be yummy, even when you are in your 40s.

Vicki @ Grams Made It said...

Take it from someone who's headed rapidly toward 60 years old, there is no right or wrong answer. You should do whatever makes you feel good about yourself. And, trust me on this, the way you feel about it at 30 may be vastly different from how you're going to feel about it at 40, 50 or 60. That's the beauty of it though, how we feel about age and beauty constantly evolving. Honestly, I feel younger at 56 than I did at 45. Age truly is a state of mind.

And BTW, Anon should get her own life, she's way too interested in commenting on yours.

Anonymous said...

I think anon is just jealous of all you have and needs to be mean -- a la middle school. I wish I had the determination to put my child in a backpack to get to yoga. That is a drive I only dream of. So, keep up the good work and all the fun blogs.

sashabro said...

That is RIDICULOUS. I cannot believe someone had the nerve to come on here and say that to you. Your response did make me laugh, though. Whoever said that has issues of their own. No one makes anonymous comments unless they do. I dare that person to post a photo of themselves. Let us be the judges of who looks "old." Keep it natural!!

AMW said...

I agree with everyone else - only a jealous, insecure person makes a comment like that. I'm your age, and I'm definitely jealous of how you look in those pictures!

MVB said...

I hate petty, negative anonymous commenters! What kind of person trolls around just to tear strangers down?

Our society has a messed up relationship with age, and I would rather age with grace and wisdom (and gray hair and wrinkles) than pretend to be 21 for the rest of my life.

Lindsey said...

In the future I wouldn't even respond to nasty comments...they get what they want by any response given, whether appropriate or not! Just ignore and they'll leave you alone.

April Elizabeth said...

Jealousy is an ugly bitch. Particularly when you have no confidence in yourself, then it shoes itself i mean petty angry rather than jealousy.

Anon had a lot to be jealous of. I think you look fabulous for your age, but you look your age. Heres the truth Id rather look as amazing as you do than look you ng for my age. Young looking doesnt mean looking fit, or lookin beautiful. You are both.

Anonymous said...

I think you are sooooo yummy!!!! Never ever listen to negativity but you know that already!!!!! As everyone said he/she is so jealous and since they seem to be reading your posts they must want to be you. I love ya babe!! xoxo mm

KT said...

I think people who leave mean, anonymous comments are jerks. Ugh.
Anyway, I did Botox for the first time last year after debating it forever. I have to say I LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

You know, I promised myself that I would figure out how to get a google name/URL or whatever it is so I am not lumped in with the "anon" category of asshole people (apologies for swearing).

I too agree, I think you look fabulous and are full of class. Speaking of class, I bought myself a Burberry wallet YM! Back to the point - you've got the right attitude and I think you are beautiful.

At the age of 50, I did get a little help with Botox and I love it too. It's my secret BFF.

Enjoy your day YM and shine on!

Cdn Mom - soon to have a real name

Sarah at The Stroller Ballet said...

I agree with KT, as well. Botox is a miracle concoction and I love it. And I am pretty young (31). That being said, I don't think you look old at all. Beautiful, in fact. There are far too many haters out there on the internet. Don't pay it any attention!

Anonymous said...

Did you really say you wanted to age gracefully like Courtney Cox? She can't even blink. GET OVER YOURSELF!!! Why do you care so much what people think? So you look old, so what! Get a makeover and move on.

Nelli said...

I was really surprised about the anonymous opinion, because I always look at your pictures thinking "you`re looking so good and fresh." (especially for beeing a mom!!!) I´m in my 20´s and there are days (eg. after three sleepless nights because my son is teething) on which I would be happy to look like you!
By the way I love your style ; ) I would love to have your wardrobe...
Your post was such a good way to reakt to the comment. I liked it. Go on!
Sory, my English isn`t the best, I´m a German mommy...

Tinyholder said...

Well, first of all even if that comment were true, it's extremely rude and unnecessary! I would be really upset if someone said that of me. Personally I want to wait until I get a bit older and then maybe think about more drastic action re anti-ageing. What worries me is that I see celebs my age (29) - they were really pretty, have surgery/botox and suddenly look a bit odd. I almost want to be 'me' for as long as I can.

I imagine the person who made such a cruel comment was probably jealous of your lifestyle so try not to take it too personally.

Sian x

Lilian said...

Wow. Just. Wow.
Total troll. You rock, YM!

Polly said...

Amen to that Yum.

lunarossa said...

I agree with Nelli and all the others. You look fab and don't let anybody get at you! Chin up! Ciao. A.

Catherine said...

I'm still at the 'can't believe the audacity of that person, hiding behind their silly anonymous comment'. Sounds like a case of jealousy to me!

You shall reign as the Yummy Mummy, and I for one embrace growing old. Those who don't shall likely never be happy.

Laura Lohr : My Beautiful Life said...

I believe having a troll criticize you is the first sign of success as a blogger. LOL.

Pay no mind to Anon. It only fuels their fire.

You are gorgeous, Darling!

Julie Q said...

My advice to you? Don't change a thing. xoxo

TheOnlineStylist said...

Seriously.... what is with these anon trolls? Get a life you boring MoFo's! You're gorgeous YM and I love your response. You know what is really ageing though? Negativity. It's a bitch and will give trolls wrinkles every time! xx

Anonymous said...

we all get old...it's a mere fact of life. But we don't all have hearts filled with love....this is what true beauty is....close your eyes and think of someone you love very much..it is their warmth and spirit that makes you think of them...this anonymous person has much to learn about beauty...try to understand that they are hurting and you will love even them. This is the only way we can break the cycle of hate...I think you are very beautiful. You are a loving mother and wife, you appreciate your friends and have a sharp mind. You are strong and intelligent. You're doing a great job at being a kind person and a relevant writer. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Yummy- I have to agree with everyone and was so upset for you to see that post... What a true donkey.

You are a beautiful Mummy- inside and out- Love your blog! xoxo Kate

Anonymous said...

oh my god! coming in to this convo a little late, but i cant believe anyone said that! people can be so whack. you are gorgeous, in awesome shape and in an amazing place in your life! if you have a few wrinkles (which a) i have never seen - you always look super fresh in your pics; and b) who doesnt have wrinkles?!?!?) so what? i've got them myself, and i was just thinking last night, that i feel the best i've ever felt about myself. that's a trade-off i can live with! so we make the most of exercise and eye-cream, and we ENJOY life!!!

xoxo - bri