Perfection Pending

By Meredith Ethington

  • My Books
    • The Mother Load
    • Mom Life: Perfection Pending – The Book
    • Free eBook: Sometimes Motherhood Sucks
    • How To Grow Your FB Following
  • Motherhood
    • Inspiration
    • Encouragement
    • Childhood
    • Humor
    • Parenting Memes
    • Friendship
    • Marriage
  • Kid Ideas
    • Recipes
    • Practical Tips
    • Babies & Toddlers
    • teens and tweens
    • The Elementary School Years
  • Mental Health
    • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
  • About
    • Favorite Posts
    • My Portfolio
    • Privacy & Disclosures

Uncategorized

Chevron Peer Pressure. Don’t Give In.

  • Share
  • Tweet

There is something about “trends” that I steer away from. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used self-restraint when it comes to the ever popular, everywhere on pinterest explosion that is the chevron pattern. Let’s face it. It’s everywhere. And, I will proudly admit that I had not a single item in my entire house with the Chevron pattern on it. Until last night.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love this pattern. When it first started exploding in popularity, I kind of felt “eh” about it. Chevron? Eh. It’s just a fancy word for what I’ve always called zig zag. Who cares.  But, then I got sucked into the craze and fell in love. Yet, I didn’t buy a single thing in that pattern. It is almost like I secretly rebel against being cool and trendy. But, inside, I’m craving all of it. Every last zig zag…. I mean Chevron item I can lay my hands on.

Aside from one shirt in my closet that could technically be called Chevron that I never wear because it hugs the mama pooch a little too tightly, I don’t own a single thing in Chevron. No pillows, scarves, throws, no cute painted cup. Nothing.

I remember recently I went into a thrift shop close to my house. Everything in there was adorable. And, my eye caught a sleek, vintage-y yellow and white zig zag chevron table. *Actually, I did a little research, and there is a difference between zig zag and chevron for you die hard pattern enthusiasts. I still say, Meh. Close enough. Anyway, I couldn’t help but ask the owner, “Did you paint this? It’s SO cute.” She replied, “Yes, but painting chevron is not for the weak.” or something like that. I sensed some bitterness in her voice. I couldn’t quite understand it. It’s just a zig zag I thought. How hard can it be? 

Well, last night, I was at a church activity for the 12-18 year old girls. They were painting pumpkins. We had more than were necessary, so somewhere around the end, I decided I would paint one real quick. Now, this is where things start to get a little sketchy. I couldn’t think of anything to do. So, I started out simple. I looked at a couple of pictures someone had printed off of pinterest. And, I got to work. White vertical stripes. I finished that, and thought, now what? It just looked too plain. Someone suggested, “I know! Why don’t you do a chevron pattern in the white stripe. In turquoise.”

I flashed back to the bitter thrift store owner. How hard could it be? Do I dare? I only have about 15 minutes. It’s just a pumpkin. What am I so afraid of?

I grabbed an angled brush, confidently dipped it into the paint, and had visions of having the cutest, trendiest pumpkin on the block. I mean, chevron. I’ve wanted it so badly. And, with just a few strokes, I can have it. My pumpkin will be the talk of the universe. It will get pinned like 212 times. I will be crafty.

And, then I painted the first zig zag. I mean, chevron. It was cute…ish.

But, there was no turning back. I had to do it really quick, and I had already committed. “really quick” and crafts are kind of my thing. But, the problem is, “really quick” and crafts usually mean one thing….UGLY.

But, it’s like I was in chevron peer pressure universe.

“Oh it will be so cute!”

“Oooh, I LOOVE Chevron!”

“No, it looks cute. I swear!”

“You could always drop it off on someone else’s porch.”

I should have known better. Two successful craft projects in one month? Mission Impossible. It was supposed to be adorable and be the envy of everyone on the block. You know, look something like one of these:

pumpkins done lastDIY Chevron Pumpkins from My Sweet Savannah

At least in my head it was supposed to look like that. You mean I’m supposed to tape and measure? Oooooh. I see.  Instead, it turned out a little something like this.

©perfectionpendingP1040843

I especially love how I watermarked this photo. For fear of it being stolen and all.

There was debate as to whether the lines should be skinny in between, or all the same width. And, frankly, my heart couldn’t take it. So, I did the best I could, OK?

©perfectionpendingP1040844

Upon closer inspection, I’m really not sure whether it is a zig zag or chevron. I’m leaning toward zig zag. I think for now, I’ll just say one of the kids did it. I can relate to the bitterness in that thrift store owner’s voice. Poor lady.

Have you ever had a Pinterest/DIY fail? Please tell me you have. Chevron Peer Pressure. Don't Give In. The Story of a Pinterest Fail.

 


26 Comments

« Easy Banana Bread You Can Make In 30 Minutes
10 Things I’ve Learned from Having 7 Blogs in 6 Years. »

Comments

  1. Lindsey says

    October 16, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    This whole post made me laugh until I was crying. So hilarious.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 16, 2013 at 2:43 pm

      share it for me on FB then! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Rayna says

    October 16, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Ok…you seriously need to get off Pinterest. Nothing good comes from being on there. And really…there is a difference between zig zag and chevron? I thought this blog was going to be about the gas station. I never even heard of chevron. LOL! By the way…uh…sort of nice pumpkin? LOLOLOL!!! Your skills are not in painting pumpkins…stick to blogging. HAHAHA!!!

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 16, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      I agree. I’m MUCH better at writing!!

      Reply
  3. bensbitterblog says

    October 16, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    You know that the background on your blog is “chevron” right? Totally funny that you don’t like Chevron, huh?

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 16, 2013 at 5:06 pm

      I KNOW! I said that in my post. 😉 But, I actually LOVE chevron!

      Reply
      • bensbitterblog says

        October 17, 2013 at 10:35 am

        I guess I missed that part. Bitter me!

        Reply
      • bensbitterblog says

        October 17, 2013 at 10:36 am

        Dang! How did I miss that! I thought I was being soooo clever.

        Reply
  4. K.C. Wise says

    October 16, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    See, that’s why I stay away from the Pinterests. Too much group-think goin’ on up in there! Decorating (and cooking, frankly) should be an expression of individuality, not a cacophony of “ohhh I saw that on that one website!”

    That being said, I loved this post. Also… is your background Chevron or zigzag??

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 16, 2013 at 7:10 pm

      Ha! That’s the million dollar question! 🙂

      Reply
  5. The Waiting says

    October 16, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    My entire life is a Pinterest fail, so I empathize.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 16, 2013 at 7:10 pm

      Ha. Best comment ever!

      Reply
  6. whatthemom says

    October 17, 2013 at 8:53 am

    Maybe it’s time for us to change that background :(?.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 17, 2013 at 12:16 pm

      But, that’s the irony, right? 🙂

      Reply
  7. Emily Thomas says

    October 18, 2013 at 5:48 am

    Hilarious!! Yes. Just say one of the kids did it.
    I too am anti-trendy. It took me YEARS to stop thinking capri pants weren’t really ugly. Now that they are probably on their way out, I love them. I hope to go to my grave without ever owning a pair of skinny jeans, however. You have to draw the line somewhere.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:11 am

      hahaha! I just went to Target today and tried on like 5 pairs of skinny jeans. They are not cute. Unless you are indeed…skinny! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Ashley @ Sorry Kid Your Mom Doesn't Play Well W Others says

    November 13, 2013 at 9:37 am

    I have a chevron painted “rug” which is actually a drop cloth that was cut pretty hainously and then sewn even worse. I can’t even talk about the chevron-esque pattern. My hack job makes the pumpkin look professional, it sits upon the two year old washing machine that you tube made me fully believe I could repair on my own,( which I can’t) in the garage for the past 10 months. I am almost tempted not to put my name at the top of this comment, because I get embarassed when people point and laugh….

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      November 13, 2013 at 10:05 am

      hahaha! Thanks for making me feel better!

      Reply
  9. Susan Maccarelli says

    March 10, 2014 at 5:23 am

    HAHAHA! This is great! I have had my eye on a Chevron bag that is way to expensive for me to ever buy and I would look like a little unstylish gnome with a super cool bag if I did have it. I love those pumpkins too. I was inspired to turn my white pumpkin into a snowman since it hung around until Christmas with no rotting, but it was a complete mess. I am done with pumpkin painting — maybe I will just put a picture of those cool chevron pumpkins on my porch next year.

    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    March 12, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    Hysterical! My best “Pinterest fail” was making these Vampire Fang cookies for a group of toddlers – because toddlers obviously care about the SHAPE and CUTENESS of a cookie, right?
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/267401296598781189/
    They are so cute and so simple-looking, right? As if making homemade sugar cookies from scratch wasn’t enough, an even more horrendous burst of perfectionism led me to use whole wheat flour to make the sugar cookie base and BEET JUICE (yes, I said BEET JUICE) instead of food coloring to color the lips. After reading your post and laughing heartily, I’m actually really disappointed I don’t have photography of the outcome. Bravo! I love your version of chevron. Much more “real.”

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      March 12, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      hahaha! Yes, you TOTALLY should have taken a picture! I would have loved to see it. And, beet juice??? SO funny! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
    • Meredith says

      March 12, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      And, those fang cookies are HILARIOUS!!! HAHAHA!

      Reply
  11. Chris Carter says

    October 29, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    HA!! This is SO MEEEEEE!!!! Except my lines would be even worse… and probably a lot more smears would be all over that pumpkin!!

    A for EFFORT!!!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Face Toucher, A Messy Room, and A Head Under A Blanket | Perfection Pending says:
    October 22, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    […] lighten things up a bit. I feel like my posts have been boring even me lately. Except for my failed DIY attempt post. That one was quite entertaining if I do say so […]

    Reply
  2. Reality VS. Pinterest-A Holiday Home Tour of Sorts | Perfection Pending says:
    December 11, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    […] of year to go to Michael’s and purchase items for crafts!! Ahem, I don’t do crafts, remember? Except for this time. And, this one. But, still, everyone makes it all look so simple! Sure, I can […]

    Reply
  3. DIY Valentine “Mistletoe” for Extra Hugs & Kisses | Perfection Pending says:
    February 4, 2014 at 12:01 am

    […] the Chevron Pumpkin debacle? I mean, yeah, me […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome! I’m Meredith.

Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan. Lover of real talk and laughter with a hint of sarcasm mixed in.

The Mother Load

Perfection Pending on Instagram

Meredith Ethington

perfectpending

Mom • Author • Mental Health Therapist In Training
Grab my new book, The Mother Load, available now. 👇👇

Night night! 😤 Night night! 😤
If you missed my last post about how raising teens If you missed my last post about how raising teens can wreck you mentally….wellll this is part of the reason why. So lonely! But we are in this together somehow. 😂 Make sure to check out my latest substack and grab a copy of my book —- The Mother Load!
NEW ---> "When there are problems in these big kid NEW ---> "When there are problems in these big kid years, it’s no longer really acceptable to call a friend and air the annoyances of the situation. At least not the specifics.

Sure, you can commiserate with a fellow parent about teenagers being the worst.

But, to be honest - they’re not the worst. They’re kind of amazing. But their problems make me tired to my core." 

Read the latest on my substack. I promise you'll relate. ❤️
So sweet. ❤️ Follow me @perfectpending and bet So sweet. ❤️
Follow me @perfectpending and better yet buy my book or subscribe to my substack to support me.
"I don’t know about you, but I don’t really wa "I don’t know about you, but I don’t really want same-ness anymore. I want messy. I want admissions that shit is hard and we don’t have it all together. I want to have a makeup free, messy bun in my sweats run in with a mom friend and not feel worried she’s checking out my un-groomed eyebrows.

I don’t want to try to give off this illusion that I’m control of my life any better than the next person. It’s a shitshow for all of us, and we continue to hide it for fear of what? Being human?"

Read the rest on my Substack. Link in profile.
WHAT IF THIS IS THE HAPPIEST I’LL EVER BE AND I WHAT IF THIS IS THE HAPPIEST I’LL EVER BE AND I MISS IT? What if I miss the best time of my life. What if it’s right this second?
What if it’s right now while I’m in finals week of grad school, and have a kid that’s sick? 
I already miss so much. The gummy smiles of babes without any teeth. The squeaky voices of 2 year olds. The babbling of a baby that’s just trying so hard to say mama. The grammar mistakes my kids make when they’re talking that I don’t have the heart to correct because I love it too much. 

I miss a lot about those younger years that have already slipped away. My youngest is sick, much like in this picture, but he is too big to snuggle in my arms now when he’s running a fever. 

Today I had the thought, what if this is it? What if this IS the happiest I’ll ever be?
For a moment, I lingered in that thought as I stood over my sink and did the dishes. I started to cry.
Am I missing it? AM I? I felt a tug that maybe I was. Maybe I wasn’t relishing enough, and enjoying enough, and being present enough.
But, then I realized, it will never be ENOUGH. 

Read the rest in my substack ❤️
New year, same me. 😂 #mentalhealth #anxiety #de New year, same me. 😂
#mentalhealth #anxiety #depression
"I don't care" as I literally care about every sin "I don't care" as I literally care about every single thing.
I’ve got to admit - I’m kind of over all of th I’ve got to admit - I’m kind of over all of this. *sweeps arm generally at planet earth*

Look, I’ve never been a half glass full kind of gal. I can ALWAYS find the negative in every situation. 

But, right now it’s easy to say that I’m over it. It being.....

The state of our economy. Social media. People being unemployed. People being racist and homophobic. The debate over politics. People judging people. ALLLLLL of it. 

Everything is crap right now. We joke about it a lot. We have to in order to survive. 

It’s the one millionth day of January but Spring feels so far away. 

I’m over these four damn walls that we call home. 

Yeah, I know. Even as I’m typing this it all sounds like a bunch of ungrateful whiney BS. I hear it. I don’t need you to point it out, Karen. 

But, my guess is you’re reading this right now and realizing you’re over it too. Whatever “it” is in your life.

Some days the world feels like total crap. Everything is a mess. Everything costs too much. For E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y. 

Yes, even for you Karen. ➡️➡️ to keep reading.
Yes. Boundaries are healthy and good. And they mea Yes. Boundaries are healthy and good. And they mean someone loves you that much to communicate them! Love this wisdom from @wittyidiot
NEW POST ----> "This is not a post about loss of a NEW POST ----> "This is not a post about loss of a loved one. Or loss of a child. Those things are real, and they’re heart wrenching. And, this post is certainly not to compare that loss with the one I’m going to talk about.

But, the loss of yourself in motherhood is real. And It’s not talked about enough." 

Do you feel like you lost yourself in motherhood? How? I really want to know. 

Psss - I am in grad school to become a therapist, and am not ashamed to ask that you subscribe to my paid substack. I just lowered the cost to $36/year! That's like $4/month and you'll have access to all my previous posts, and some new weekly short posts to give you ideas to help with balancing motherhood and your own mental health. I'm learning a lot in school, and will only continue to do so, so subscribe and we'll support each other. ❤️
This memory made me laugh this morning. 🤣 This memory made me laugh this morning. 🤣
Saaaame. @womenwhorunwiththemoon Saaaame. @womenwhorunwiththemoon
I’m sorry are you really wearing doc martens and I’m sorry are you really wearing doc martens and a dress with spaghetti straps and a Tshirt under it while you’re telling me I’m doing it wrong? 🤣 Life is wild. Teenagers are fun.
Found in my pediatricians office. 🤣 What’s th Found in my pediatricians office. 🤣 What’s the moral of the story friends? If you think your household is always sick - it’s because they probably are. Kids make everything more germ-y
Here’s what I do know 👇 No one knows what th Here’s what I do know 👇

No one knows what they’re doing. 
We all feel like imposters. 
Our kids love us anyway. 
We’re all going to be OK. 
You’ve got this (as much as any of us do) 😘

#momspiration #momlife #funnymoms #memtalhealth #parentinglife #parentingquotes
"By trying to be perfect, we're actually trying to "By trying to be perfect, we're actually trying to avoid being human." 

Do you struggle with perfectionism? Parenthood has helped me quite a bit, but It's something I've battled my whole life. I still struggle occasionally, although it's gotten better. But, let's stop trying to avoid being human and instead embrace ourselves an in turn embrace the entire human race. ❤️ I'd love to hear how you embrace being imperfect. 

#perfecționism #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #imperfect #perfectpending #themotherload #thementalload
Mood. Mood.
Some of you wanted sources on my last reel where I Some of you wanted sources on my last reel where I said we only need to be getting it right 30% of the time for our kids to have secure attachments. Well I wrote a bit more about the concept of being the “good enough mother” a term coined in the 50’s by a researcher and pediatrician. Check it all out in my newest post. Link in profile.
It’s true! Researchers have found that as long a It’s true! Researchers have found that as long as you’re doing the repair after mistakes the other times - then 30% is enough! Sometimes I worry I’m not doing it right but I definitely know I’m doing it right 30% of the time! 
Probably a whole lot more to be honest. I bet you are too. #momlife #encouragement #momspiration
Load More Follow on Instagram

You might also like

The Greatest Gift Is To Watch Your Child Leave You

Mom holding baby in nursery and yawning

When Does Parenting Get Less Exhausting? Newsflash – Never.

Dad holding tired girl after trick or treating during Halloween in the 80's

Halloween in The 80’s Was the Best Ever

mom forcing a smile with fingers and blue background

Stop Complaining About Motherhood. Here Are 21 Reasons You Shouldn’t

Here’s How to Deal With Hating Being a Parent

Copyright © 2025 · Perfection Pending · Designed by Krizzy Designs

Copyright © 2025 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in