Wednesday French Inspiration

Shelle from Blok Thoughts commented that my hat was cute on last week's Wednesday French Inspiration. This reminded me that I have been meaning to post about the hat.

Before I went to France I had two things I wanted to buy there:
1. An Awesome Scarf (never got that one)
2. An Adorable Hat (absolutely love mine)

My husband and I had a morning to visit the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame before we were to meet his aunt and uncle at the Museé d'Orsay. We wanted to grab a bite to eat before we met them. On our way to an AWESOME pastry shop in the Latin Quartier, we passed the hat I was picturing in my head. I told Hubby that I had to have it. So he dealt over some Euros and told me I had to make the purchase solo. (My husband is rather fluent in french after serving a 2 year mission for our church in Paris; I draw from my high school and college courses.) I survived and was even able to tell him I wanted to wear it so he cut the tags off. Decked out with my new Anastatia-like hat, I felt like a princess.

The following day I'm standing in the Louve marveling at the Mona Lisa while surrounded by high school groups that are touring. I look up and no joke see about 5 high school girls wearing the same hat. It was like a game of connect the dots, the hat being the dots. (Notice it was high school girls; then me in my late 20s with the hat. I have a hard time shopping in the misses/women sections.) I felt my individuality being sucked away; I was no longer a princess but a wannabe - a girl at the prom wearing the same dress as 5 other girls. Only I was the chaperone instead of a student. LOL However, every time I wear my hat, I still feel cute. Why give up something you love just because other people love it too?

If you are writing something you love and you find out other people are working on similar projects do you give up your work? If you found out when picking out new tile that your friend had the same tile you wanted, would you chose a new tile? What about baby names? Would you change your choice if someone else named their child first?

This experience taught me if you love what you have or want then don't love it less because someone loves it too. Be yourself, even if there are some people who have similar tastes.