Hot Topic:  My hot topics are just ideas I have that made me stop and think. I hope they will inspire you to do the same.

So we all do it to an extent… care about the make and model of the car we buy, the label of the clothes we wear, the section of town we live in… and not just because we really care, but because ‘people’ care, or ‘everyone’ will see, know - what we have… It’s become a measure of our success to a large extent in today’s society.  I know it’s not a new concept, it just seems that lately… it’s a way of life.  In a time when everyone could stand to be a bit practical, especially with their money, I find myself questioning how pathetic the idea really is.  Success, to me, should be a measure of happiness.

I’m not saying I don’t do it myself.  My eight year old has a pair of overpriced designer jeans I happened to find at TJMaxx at a significant discount.  Still more than the $14 Old Navy jeans that always look cute and fit her perfectly, but I was momentarily thrilled and compelled when I found my ‘showy’ score.  She’s in second grade.  She is starting to care about what she wears, but let’s face it:  those were for me.  Me and if I’m getting down to the ugly crux of the matter, my ego and how somewhere in my mind it’s a reflection of how cool we are.  She gets compliments on them and I like it.

Where am I going with this?  I guess I am trying to change camps.  –All the way, and in my psyche.  I don’t want to be that kind of person.  The people who redo the outside of their homes first because they need it to look good before it works well.  The couples that lease a really expensive car because they can’t afford to buy it, but it represents status so they do it anyway.  I already lean towards trying not to care.  I have a solid, nice SUV because I need the size with my family, but not the most expensive one I could have purchased.  I bought my house and remodeled it for my family because of space, I love to design, I can walk to the beach and it’s a terrific trick or treat neighborhood.  But there’s still that nagging sensation inside me that wonders would I be so proud of how happy I am with what I have if it happened to be located a mile down the road?? –If all I could do was vinyl siding instead of cedar shakes?  -If I had to drive a lesser sedan?

So I’m sticking to those wistful days when I’m with my family in my backyard.  I haven’t showered, cloaked in ratty sweats that are barely passable for being outside in, and I’m sitting in a pollen laden deck chair.  My husband, Marc, walks past me and gently touches the side of my arm while still in motion towards the kids.  Charlie says something ridiculous and brilliant about something he discovered in the treehouse.  Addie kicks a soccer ball into the net and turns to me with an elated smile that impossibly makes her more gorgeous than she already is.  Jake growls and laughs at some weird bug he found in the grass, and then proceeds to make the cutest disgusted noise only a toddler can get away with.  Pure happiness.  In that moment I am the most successful person I know.

So my kids will never have the most expensive bike on the block, and I’ll never be clad in the runway gear some dream of, but I will be part of the family that I always hoped I’d have.  We will be the ones laughing and smiling like we’re up to something.  Something like a private joke ‘people’ haven’t figured out yet.  The only kind of ‘Jones’’ I care to be part of or will strive to be.

Which camp do you want to live in….?

By Emily Loverin

Emily Loverin is our creative go-to-girl.  Her column Everything-Emily incorporates projects from fine arts to crafts and always keeps even the smallest designers in mind.  She is a Scituate native where she currently lives with her husband Marc, and their three children Addison, Charlie and Jake.  Visit EVERYTHING EMILY to learn more about her services, featuring full service interior design, planning of events, house staging, mural painting, invitations & graphic design.