4 the Better: Bedecked to Connect, Greenwashing, Mini-exercise Bites

Bite-sized inspiration and information in 4 minutes

Bedecked to Connect

Mollie Kaye Instagram turned_out_tuesdays

I have a snapshot memory from when I was about six years old. My mom came home from a late evening Mass around Christmastime, and she was dressed to the nines: elegant pumps, a dreamy cape coat, and a dapper little 1950s velvet cap hat with netting that she particularly fancied. My mom loved hats. I remember sneaking into her room, trying on her fun toppers from the 40s and 50s, and admiring myself in the mirror. I thought I was something!

Those memory floodgates burst open when I came across a TEDxSurrey presentation that left me with such a huge smile that I had to share this witty woman’s experiment-turned-mission..

Meet Mollie Kaye. Every Tuesday, she dons fabulous ‘50s fashions to run errands or simply go out and about. A fortuitous dress-up in 2019 to assist at a vintage clothing fair has now turned into her weekly “Turned-out Tuesdays,” which are eagerly awaited by her nearly 20,000 Instagram followers and fellow shoppers. It has become a social-connection passion and a healthspan booster

Mollie realized that her penchant for black, semi-athletic “invisiwear” made her disappear, and that she had become an unwitting participant in the loneliest game of hide-and-seek. Dressing up is now her antidote to the epidemic of isolation that is cutting our lives short by hastening heart disease, dementia, depression, and cancers. Connections, by contrast, can save us. Using fashion as the bridge, she crosses paths with countless strangers, connecting with smiles, waves, greetings, and impromptu chats.

Mollie rightly says, “These little interactions with strangers can actually help us live longer, healthier lives.” Dressing up is a big part of showing up. It confirms her intention to be part of her community. She gives compliments generously and receives compliments graciously. And, during the trying times of lockdown loungewear, she shared that these interactions not only kept her afloat, but lifted others. 

She recommends starting by adding one noticeable item at or above your collarbone, which she has coined the “hello zone.” She has beautiful pins, eye-catching chokers and earring sets, and—of course—stupendous hats.

Now, instead of disappearing behind her “invisiwear,” her goal is to be seen and beheld. As she puts it, “When we are seen, we belong. Belonging is the opposite of isolation.” She discovered the cure for loneliness was right outside her door. “We are terrified to be noticed but dying to be seen.”

By asking the question, “Why would we want to blend in and miss out?” Mollie’s life has been transformed. Not only do clothes influence mood and productivity, but when you “elect to connect,” you are choosing better health for yourself and the people around you. Her motto is, “Don’t wait for a special occasion. Rock your smile, and share your style.”

I have my own penchant for scarves, which, come to think of it, are in the “hello zone.” Friends often smile and comment on them when I wear one. (I'm not sure it brightens strangers' days, but you never know.) Mollie has inspired me to make more of an effort when I step out of the house, especially on Tuesdays.

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A new term: Greenwashing

If you care about living a more natural lifestyle—which for me means using non-toxic products, eating clean, whole foods, and being conscientious about my environment—you need to be extra cautious about this new feel-good term.

Essentially, greenwashing is a marketing ploy to make well-meaning consumers think a product or company is more environmentally sound (or less toxic) than it actually is. Here is an excellent example from Investopedia:

“An area rug is labeled “50% more recycled content than before.” In fact, the manufacturer increased the recycled content to 3% from 2%. Although technically true, the message conveys the false impression that the rug contains a significant amount of recycled fiber.”

I know, yet another reason to keep our antennae up! But it's better to be aware than to be greenwashed.

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Squeak in mini-exercise bites

I made a quick trip to the grocery store today. As a habit, I parked at the very end of the lot, which precipitated a decision when exiting the store. I only had two bags, but they were fairly weighty, and there was a cart return in close proximity to my car. Hence my conundrum: I could either take the easy route and cart the bags to my car, or I could put on a smile and carry the heavy bags one in each hand, farmer-style.

Serendipitously, I had just seen a clip of Peter Attia talking about how beneficial the “farmer’s walk” is (for women in particular) because it simulates many everyday situations, such as this. In the gym, the farmer’s walk involves holding heavy weights in each hand and literally walking from one side of the room to the other or down a long hallway; any distance will suffice. 

I told myself not to be lazy, so I left the cart at the store and lugged the bags for a mini-exercise bite.

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