On How To Be Popular Fabulous

My friend Mel recently posted this on her MySpace account:

So, in 2008, I would like to be fabulous. But what does this mean, exactly? I get a sense of what "fabulousness" is...but I need more than a sense. I need a definition. I THINK it means being good at what you do, running your life well, being happy, having similarly fabulous friends...but is it?

I know some of my alternative-lifestyle friends use this term, but so do my more stereotypically conventional friends. So I am curious: to you, what does it mean to be fabulous?

It's been several days, in not a week, and I still find myself thinking on this idea.
Fabulousness is talked about, filmed about (Sex and the City anyone?), desired and not easily attained. It's almost become commodified, like beauty has, yet it's an anomaly unto itself as its definition varies from person to person. Yet, we all recognize it when we see it, and in many ways, are probably all attracted to those that are fabulous (I know that's kind of what I'm thinking when I present "The Dramatis Personae").


So what is Fabulous?
When I think about the men and women in my life who I find fabulous, there is one thing that comes to mind: They are all confident, secure, and unapologetic about who they are, what they do, and what they love.

We all have that friend-- the friend whose hobbies may include something "dorky," but somehow they make it seem cool. I have friends who rapier fight, create period costumes, and own weaponry, but they're some of the most fabulous people I know. There are people I know, friends I have who play Dungeons and Dragons and are shameless about loving it. Heck, prior to her downfall of shame and glory, I was guilt free about my collection of Brittany Spears tracks. I've got girlfriends who are in their mid-30s, fiercely independent, single, and the ones who would drive me home at 9 a.m. after a night of drinking and dancing. I get teased to bits about my love of tiny top hats, but I know my friends love me all the more because of them.

There's no easy way to attain fabulousness-- no matter how great my shoe collection is, it's not going to make or break my ability to be fabulous. I had to think long and hard about the people in my life I found fabulous, and I recognized the things they all had in common: their own sense of style, a love and passion for what they do, their own thoughts and reactions to the world around them, and fulfilling and nourishing their minds and bodies.

Now that I've spent too long thinking on the topic, what do you think makes someone fabulous? Who are those you admire and find fabulous traits and inspiration in?


Above photographs by: 1. fabulous, 2. the fabulous naomi singer and the fabulous lindsey 'long legs' shepek, 3. la notte ti penso, 4. Have a Fabulous Weekend Kiwi Drink, 5. Stationary Inspiration, 6. Absolutely Fabulous, 7. HAPPY FABULOUS BIRTHDAY JAMES, 8. Terror Fabulous... 06