Reading IK's response reminds me that I also have trouble with words but I do well with pictures ....so I pin on pinterest. It is sort of like the Supreme Court judge who said that he couldn't describe porn but he knew it when he saw it. ; )

hmmm. If I'm so all-fired pragmatic - which I am - that could mean that I should get rid of a whole slew of visually nice purses (in terms of completing a look) that are, in fact, the worst nuisances to get anything into and out of. We went to the market today and I had one of those hard bodied vintage bucket purses, the kind with a side zipper compartment inside that had no give and was hard to put anything into or take anything out. And I kept struggling just to take out a little notebook, everything was wedged in so tightly - and I don't carry very much in a handbag! Must get used to the idea of parting with all those darling little handbags that won't even hold a legal size envelope so I have to carry it in my hand on the way to the post office. Should the whole world know my business?

Aziraphale - wow, I am the opposite totally sentimental about most things. Big mush over here , so that's really interesting that that is your core. Why do you think people consider you a free spirit? Why doesn't this feel right? Thoughts on another word?
MuseumGal - I so adore your SS!! It so fits your outfits and what you say in your posts. E is so insightful with such a wonderful sense of humor. I am still chuckling. You know I will never be able to read another if your posts without hearing that in my head!! Simply brilliant!!
Torontogirl - I am so thrilled that was helpful. I think essential is such a great and evocative quality!!
Aubergine - that's a really astute point. Some times it's not the message but the messenger that puts us off. I like soft, quiet and relaxed. I see that very much in your style and tranquil could embrace all of that too. But then you have dynamic words in urban, sophisticated and cultured. I really like cultured but it's all about what feels right to you!!
Joy - you may want to be a special snowflake but I see you as a shining star !!
Gaylene - no idea of the reference but it sounds pretty funny!! Up there with "what animal are you?" I am a meerkat, a curious animal!!
Suz - you have a beautiful home. I am a firm believer that the fixed elements in home need to drive the style of the decor if you want to achieve optimal harmony. That's why it's so hard to find a house that truly feels like home. You've created such a warm, inviting, cosy space with color, art,fabric, light, it's like the house is wrapping you in a hug. It must be wonderful to get to spend so much time there when you get to work at home!
Isabel - that's such an astute observation!! I wonder how many things the golden mean could be applied to!!
Vildy - talk about tension and duality!! A pragmatic hedonist!! You go girl!! Some one who knows how to get what they want and enjoy it!! Kudos!!
Isabel - we all learn and express ourselves differently. I think that is a real gift. When we are able to share the very different ways we see the world it offers us an insight that we might never reach in our own.
Vildy - but your a hedonist too. So sometimes you need to do or keep things just because they feel good!! ;-).

The only words I've ever picked for myself are Country Punk last fall. I really enjoyed that, but I don't feel it plays at all in the big city...

Why don't they feel right rachy? Do you think you've changed in a new environment?

It's the Siren's Lure of matching my environment. I'm in a high-rise office building - all shiny marble tile, synthetic carpet, and brass trim. Country Punk just looks messy in this building. It looks like a failure to understand.

Also, the chickens are a problem...

rachy - Love the chickens!! gosh girl what happened to thing own self be true? Plus can't country punk adapt to a new environment? Honestly, I have every faith in you to stay true to yourself but adapt to your audience!!

Thine own self be true? Whatcha talking about, girl? *I was not brought up that way.* Hee hee

Maybe I should study Nashville videos or something. But I haven't a clue as to how Country Punk can adapt to the city. Wouldn't it be City Punk, then? The diametric opposite? Also, the RATE-ness is so discordant with the polish of this building.

Hi Gryffin. To answer your question, I imagine people call me a free spirit because I look, walk and talk a little "off-centre", if that makes sense. Like, if everybody is wearing and doing a certain thing, I always seem to be (and not totally intentionally, btw) doing something related, but a bit off on a tangent. A lateral interpretation of the spirit of the times, sort of.

The reason "free spirit" isn't what I would use to describe myself has to do with my own associations with the term. It calls to mind Woodstock and the flower children of the 1960s, with all the free love and bohemian clothes and Mary Jane. Not my scene (obviously, since it was before my time), and not my style. At all. Not even a filtered reflection of it.

But I do understand what other people mean by it -- I act as though the rules don't completely apply to me. And I guess they're right. It's not in subversive way, though. I'm not actively rebellious; I've just always tended to think of myself in one category and everybody else in another. I've got much better as I've got older at seeing myself as part of the big picture, and of taking other people's viewpoints into consideration.

I just thought of a funny quote that illustrates my approach to style, as well as to life. Remember in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, when Captain Barbossa says of the pirate code, "the code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules"? That pretty much sums it up.

I don't even dress that weird, though. I never have. I just never see clothing quite the way others see it.

....aaaand I just realized that the above comments make me sound (a) egotistical and (b) not respectful of other people's feelings. That's not right! Even as a youth, I was not unkind. And it's not that I thought (or think) of myself as better than other people, just...not in the same box. Same sun, different sandbox. Sort of.

Rachy - sorry autocorrect is a bear at times!! I hate to misquote! Let's put this in another context: What would Dolly Parton wear in the big city? I think we need to have you rewatch 9 to 5!!
Aziraphale - does "blithe spirit" call to you at all? No woodstock associations but a cute movie!! Did you know it was Shelley's "To a Skylark?" Great poem!! "Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!" BTW love Pirates of the Carribean! Fun flick and some really great lines, that is definitely one of them!! Plus nothing wrong with having your own vision. I think that's great, after all it's personal style!!

Aziraphale - don't make yourself uneasy!! You did not remotely have a negative or judgemental tone and never unkind. It's sounds exactly as you meant it, you feel that you stand apart. I think everyone does at some time or other, only more or less, depending on who they are.

Hmm, blithe...that's closer. Although it means carefree, which doesn't quite describe me. I've got worries a-plenty, lol.

Can I be *blithering spirit*? Lol.

I should watch 9 to 5 again. Or Beverly Hillbillies (!)

Rachy, visit some parts of Dallas, and Austin, if you want a taste of urban country punk.

Ooh, Rachy -- or Calgary. There's a cool visual art scene there but they wear cowboy hats for realz. Plus they have a much cooler mayor than Toronto.

LOL, Suz! But you and Janet are opening whole new vistas for me... Calgary, Dallas and Austin. Fascinating!

ETA: Just had to google a bit... Did you know that Wikipedia has an entry for "cowpunk/country punk"? And even some of my bands are on the list. Go figure.