Have you heard about former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s new book Read My Pins? In it, she talks about the importance of her brooches to her wardrobe. It started when Saddam Hussein referred to her as a serpent, so the next time she met with representatives from Iraq, she wore an antique snake pin. This led to Ms. Albright wearing more pins, such as balloons, butterflies, and flowers when she was feeling sunny and optimistic. Turtles and crabs signified frustration. A dove meant peace. After the Russians were caught bugging the State Department, she wore a large bug.
This got me to thinking. What would I wear to express my mood? Naturally, this led to an Etsy search…
I’m feeling friendly and people should know it:
I’m feeling bookish today:
I’m a bit down:
I’m having one of those days:
For those less-than-cheerful days:
Or possibly, mess with me and die:
I think you’re a jackass:
Or maybe you’re just a bit cuckoo:
But then, some days, I need a friendly reminder and so do other people:
And, of course, what if I need to warn someone that I’m out for revenge:
Tell me, what would YOUR pin be?
No, we don’t have any spaces.
I know your daughter wants to go with her friends but we don’t have room for any more girls.
[Both would be very handy for every day outside the school, when people ask me about Brownies]
A bottle of Prozac?
My buttons would say:
Please to push the pregnant girl.
Please don’t anger or patronize the pregnant girl.
Nope, I cannot and I will not go above and beyond to cover for you. Sorry.
Do your own work.
Yep – those would be my buttons – a mix of personal and professional life.
I need something that would fully convey my irritation with my kids (son, mostly). A straightjacket? A lady with clumps of hair in her hands? A scream bubble?
I love the ‘mess with me and you die’ pin!
Integrity
Only I would reverse the image so that everytime I looked in the mirror I would remind myself. Probably sounds corny but as I get older it becomes more important to me.
You are too funny!
But I want that Princess Bride button!
Hmmm…probably “Less than a month and no, we don’t know what we’re having. Deal with it.” And “Ask *before* you try to fondle the belly.” (I saw a t-shirt once that said something along the lines of “Every been slapped by a pregnant chick? Touch the belly and live the experience.”) I don’t mind people wanting to touch…just ask first for heaven’s sake. Unless you’re some weird dude I don’t know. Then stay the hell away from me.
I want some to wear to work.Messages for my customers:
GET OFF THE PHONE FOR ONE FREAKING MINUTE!
YOUR KID TRASHES MY STORE-YOU CLEAN IT UP.
YOUR KID TRASHES MY STORE-WE CHARGE YOU AN EXTRA 10%
I love your examples! I blogged on the same thing here: http://mollyfulton.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/another-reason-to-love-madeleine-albright/
and my choice was the skull with laser eyes. My kids, friends and family are well aquainted with “the look” so I’d like to give it some firepower.
I may have to borrow that jackass one
I’d like to have a button that says:
I DON’T KNOW IF WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER
YES, I WOULD LIKE MY SON TO HAVE A SIBLING
Then there are days I’d like to have a pin that just has a hand flipping the bird.
Oh, Jen, you are SO FUNNY. My pin would say in very tiny elegant letters “piss off.” At least today it would.
My favorite is “I’ll try to be nicer if you try to be smarter.” Heh.
all those pins were exquisite!
I have no ideas for what mine would say, today or any other. . . I’m plumb out of brain juice, I think.
Hey, how ’bout “I’m plumb out of Brain Juice”? I think I”m brilliant. Out of the blue like that and all. . . !
I think mine would very simply be:
STFU
Maybe on a pair of lips? Sewn shut.