I Cleaned My Pool in a Cocktail Dress

Over the last year, I lost 10-15 pounds. Last month, while assessing my closet for our annual Christmas card photo, I eyed a blue number hanging in the back. The vintage-inspired, satiny fit and flare with black bow was too small when it was given to me. But it was so beautiful I kept it anyway, because you know, maybe one day it would fit. So low and behold, I was thrilled to find it fit perfectly just in time for our family portrait.

We took the photo in our color coordinated outfits and then sat down to lunch. And I decided not to change first. So what if our toddler smeared me with soup? I have a washing machine, so who cares? The dress actually fit, and I was going to wear it, even if it was just to family lunch at my dining room table.

2020 was a weird year. The COVID-19 global pandemic has taken things from us, and it’s okay to grieve what you have missed out on and lost over the last year. But on that day, I decided that cocktail dresses weren’t going to be among the lost.

I kept the dress on and enjoyed wearing it. I didn’t even change when my favorite weekly chore rolled around – cleaning the pool. (Seriously, I love cleaning the pool. It’s like an active meditation.)

woman cleaning pool

I cleaned the pool wearing a blue cocktail dress. And heels. And you know what? It was great. So put on the lipstick. Wear the dress. And do something that makes you really happy, even if it is just cleaning the pool. We may not have anywhere to go or any parties to host or attend as we hunker down and wait for vaccines to save us from the pandemic, but we can still take joy from the little things we love.

Jess
Jess Allain is a mom of two, an attorney, a triathlete, and a yoga teacher. She is a member of the Junior League of Lafayette and serves on the board of The Family Tree. When she isn't swimming, biking, running, reading, practicing yoga, litigating, or cooking something up in the kitchen, you will find her playing with her two beautiful girls. Adventure is out there!