04.21.2025 Rebel, Rebel

Circa 1980 - in Lands' End

I know many members of my community - hardworking, conscientious adults - who had what they would describe as a "misspent youth".  

I am not one of those people.

I was a nerdy, Jewish kid with parents who instilled deep, liberal values in me (and my brother).  I grew up in an upper class suburb of Washington, DC - had friends, and fun - but did well (really well) in school, didn't cut classes, break curfew or drink too much. 

I graduated from an affluent public high school and went to the University of Virginia when The Official Preppy Handbook was on the New York Times bestseller list.

Circa 2024 - in LLBean

I might have looked like a preppy (I'm using the past tense - however - I've worn the same basic wardrobe for 40+ years), but the truth is, I am anything but a WASP with deep roots and old money.

I am the descendant of immigrants - Eastern European Jewish refugees - and because they came to America three generations back, I am now a White Woman with privilege.  If you read my last few posts, you know I am very, very unhappy about the current administration and the ever disintegrating state of our democracy.

But how do I convey that when I'm walking down the street? 

With my conservative clothes, nice bag and jewelry - I look like I might have cast my ballot on the wrong side of history; that bothers me.

I'm never going to have a tattoo - no judgement, just not me - and I'm never going to be "cool" or "edgy"...

Photo credit: Vinylize

Side note: I have a very cool pair of sunglasses from a company called Vinylize - they make their frames out of old LPs - Oprah wears, them, QuestLove wears them, rock and roll musicians have them custom crafted from their own records.  I suggested to my kids that they made me cool, too.  Nope - the glasses are indeed, VERY COOL - but, sadly I am not.

I decided if I can't be cool, maybe I could do something a little out of my comfort zone - and let my jewelry do the talking. I got a second piercing in my ears.  

I wouldn't - or couldn't - have done it without the help of my friends.

When I decided I wanted to make a statement, so to speak, one of my best friends (and Sunday market buddy) said "me too" - and we made a plan to do it together.

Of course, I wanted diamonds - and because I am that problem child - I also wanted white gold (which often has nickel in it, making it less suitable for piercings).

A huge thank you to Zanny and Sirandyn at Eliza Page, who did the research and found the perfect earrings. 

Photo credit: Maria Tash

They sourced these beauties from Maria Tash, specifically because they have no nickel in them...and then Sirandyn did the piercing - painlessly!

To me, as I mark another year past 60, this feels like a not so small act of rebellion.

Maybe no one will notice, maybe they will (honestly, they are really sparkly diamonds, so they're kind of hard to miss). 

Hopefully, people will see an older woman trying to be on the right side of history; someone who is fighting with them, not against them and who believes personal identity and bodily autonomy are fundamental human rights.

Until next time.