I always said that--if ever write a book--I'm calling it "Off Trend." And because I'll never have time to write a book, a quick blog will have to do.

I just can't keep up with what's popular. And every time I've tried, I've been disappointed in myself.  Music, fashion, food, you name it: trends change.  Which means you have to continue to change in order to keep up with them.

And change is costly. It costs money.  It costs our environment (how many perfectly good 80's hyper-color shirts are in a landfill somewhere?).  And ultimately, it costs our happiness.

Now I'm not saying that change is a bad thing.  But changing oneself to fit in with the latest means living in a state of constant dissatisfaction.  My whole life, I've been aware of how untrendy I am. Though I've never felt it as much as I have recently.

I'm to the stage of my restaurant build-out where I have to pick light fixtures, furniture, paint, etc.  If you look around on-line or in stores, it's clear that industrial/mid-century modern styles are all the rage.  Edison bulbs, pipe shelving, low back couches: you've seen it.  It looks ok I suppose.  But if I go that route, I'll be out of style in a year or so when the next trend comes around.  What's a woman to do?

Not give a rip.  That's what.

Reader, if you're like me and lack the resources and time to keep up or care about what's en vogue, I invite you to join me in simply loving what you love.  If it happens to be what everybody else loves, great.  If it happens to be what nobody else loves, also great.  Being yourself and doing good things for others is timeless.  

I'm off to work a little more on yet another dorky holiday album, wearing my Salvation Army clothes and drinking my Aldi coffee.  This is me, and I love it.  I leave you with a picture of my friend Carolyn and I, nailing my lumber to the ceiling of my restaurant last week.  It's not conventional and certainly not in style, but I'll be damned if it doesn't make me smile, and we had a hell of a good time making it happen.  Hope you have yourself a great week.  See you next Sunday. -Em