I'm Flingin' Into Spring!
By Mee Tracy -McCormick 'Princess Know it all'

It is the middle of frigid February, yet here I sit in my hot, steamy office in the Convent. The office is hot and steamy, the old radiator still shoots water into the air, much like it did 40 years ago when it was first introduced to this space. The only difference between then and now is that I am the one that inhabits this room, not a nun. I’m certain that the nuns that lived in this old Convent were not laying around milling through fashion pages, they knew that their choices for Spring were limited. The folks that work in this pre-civil war building say that these halls are haunted; I think the sisters that lived in my office space are whispering for me to have some fun and change my style!

I happened to be dreaming about SPRING!!

I get all crazy about Spring, not only because the weather outside is GNARLEY COLD, but because the fabulous fashion mags that cover my desk keep catching my eyes with glimpses of travel places and packing for paradise!

I love it all, not only is it fun to reinvent myself through my seasonal gear, but also to imagine who I will become when the days of green grass and blue skies appear!

Don’t get me wrong, it was fun in November, piling on all sorts of items, wrapping my neck in scarves, rockin’ sweaters and pulling on boots. I totally welcomed the rainy cold days and got excited when the first snowfall tumbled down from the sky. However, February is here and I’m starting to peel the onion – after a long season of covering up and being practical my “HI I’M JUST SOMETHING TO LOOK AT” is clawing at my closet door! No, she’s not the most sensible or traditional and depth is not something she aspires to, however I’ve learned to embrace all the characters that live inside of me and she too holds a seat a the dinner table of Mee. “HI I’M JUST SOMETHING TO LOOK AT” is about not taking everything too seriously and every once and a while a pretty mask is all it takes.

In December, I said that winter was meant for digging deep, planting seeds under a warm blanket of earth. I feel very much like a tulip growing in someone’s basement – I know that underneath all these layers of sweaters and t-shirts is a brightly colored tangible gal!

I’ve been thinking and looking at all sides of things, reading and analyzing, planning, strategizing, and working hard. Spring is about leaping forward, putting on a new brightly colored dress that allows me to breath.

I usually run into the stores and buy a bunch of new things but this year I made a pledge for lent (I’m thinking that my sisterly ghosts would dig this) and the first thing I’m giving up is letting myself leave my house in sweat suits, yoga pants or waffle tees - I will come to my office rockin’ some type of style! You see, the only way to get through the last legs of winter and the first cold weeks of spring is to inspire myself and I must begin with my presentation to the world. EVEN if NO one else sees Mee, I do, and my opinion about my appearance is the only one that truly matters.

The second thing I am giving up is buying more clothes and accessories; instead I will use what I’ve already got inside of my closet and truly become the Tulip that I am. I will refurbish my previous fashion and wear everything that I already own. I KNOW I have enough gear to mix and match for 40 days!
I do have an idea for you folks out there: Host a Clothing Swap Party!!

Invite your gals to come for snacks & cocktails and bring their clothes (laundered of course) and any shoes or accessories that they have grown tired of wearing. You can buy a portable garment rack for less than 20 dollars at Target (have every one chip in). Use it to display the goods and swap away! Do the same in summer, fall & winter!

Big Blend Radio - Mee Tracy-McCormick, Princess Know It All- was a featured guest on Ultimate Living Radio show on March 26, 2010.  To listen to Mee's interview, please double click on the Play Button below.