For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.
Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:
Tonight’s post comes to you live via Eden Park in Auckland, where New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks are pummelling the French team (at least at the 56 minute point). Sorry, Vivienne, but the 2007 rugby world cup hosted by France, when Adrienne was there with her handsome husband is a very fresh memory.
If you aren’t so much into rugby, please know that France knocked New Zealand out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and at the time, I was seriously worried that my boyfriend of four years (now my husband) was slumping into a deep depression. He is only just now reviving, and Lord help me if we don’t win this thing.
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But before the game even started I was focused on a different goal. I’ve borrowed Style Statement from the library and sat down tonight with lined sheets of paper to answer the questions. They are quite random and interesting questions, and at the end of the exercise I will have a better idea of my personal style (which encompasses all areas of one’s life, not just clothing).
I feel like I already have a quite clear idea of what I like and don’t like, but find the whole thing quite intriguing. And people who have already worked out their two word ‘Style Statement’ are quite effusive with praise for this book. Now it’s my turn!
I was charmed in the early pages with the list ‘Manifesto of Style’. Some of my favourites:
'Communicate who you are in all you do. Consistency is power. When the various parts of your life reflect your essence, your life moves in the direction you want it to.
Authenticity is energising, economical, and efficient. The better you know yourself, the clearer your choices. Self-awareness leads to true style.
Cheap is expensive in the long run. Why buy twice when you can buy once? Commit to quality and it will commit to you.
Use your best every day. Life is too short to wait for a special occasion to bring our your finery, your treasures, your brilliance, and the best of your love.
Choose from your heart, and your life will fill up with things you love. What works is what feels right.
Beauty transforms. Its capacity to generate pleasure, healing, and connection is divinely powerful. Beauty affects its maker and beholder every time.
Make more choices – moment to moment, day to day. You are the designer of your life. Be selective, creative, and intentional in every possible way.'
I especially like 'use your best every day' and 'choose from your heart'. What good is it saving your best for some day that may not come? Use everything you own now and if something is ripped, broken or used up quickly, so be it. Just what are we saving things for?
And as for 'Choose from your heart', that's how I decorate my house and dress my body. If you really love everything you choose, it will all go together and create your own personal and unique style.
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But before even that, once we got home from work I touched up my makeup. I almost never do this. I usually put my makeup on in the morning, and touch up during the day, but once I get home I feel free to forget about it.
Tonight though I lightly dusted my nose with powder, combed my brows, applied a touch more blush and a clear lipstick. It cost nothing and took a few minutes, yet I felt polished and pretty, and all for myself and my husband.
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Decided not to look further into selling my Cartier watch. I will own my purchasing decision and wear it happily. Plus, my husband banned me from doing it when I mentioned to him my thoughts! He wants me to wear it and love it. And I do. I am very happy.
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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!
Image 'St Lazare' by Claude Monet
Good for you! (the Cartier watch)
ReplyDelete...and thanks for passing on those "tips" from Style Statement. They're inspiring!
I've been pondering doing a blog post on Style Statement, and now I think you've convinced me! You're always one step ahead of me...
ReplyDeletexo,
Vivienne
I agree, keep the watch. It's one of your signature pieces. I need to re-read this book. It's been a long time.
ReplyDeleteStyle Statement is a **GREAT** book. I did it several years ago and came up with "Refined Gamine" as my guiding words. I carry a Moleskine notebook in my handbag and wrote Refined Gamine and all of the associated words that came of the exercises. Then in a separate list, I've written the wardrobe items I'm still lacking toward that end. I hardly EVER make impulse purchases now, unless it's an accessory (like a scarf -- can't have too many of those -- or a piece of good costume jewelry from J.Crew). I just can't praise Style Statement enough. It's quite a bit of work to get through the book, but it can change your life if you let it.
ReplyDeletexo --
Marsi
What a lovely post. I liked Style Statement too and your list of helpful ideas is great.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that paying cheap is more expensive. The only thing I've bought cheap that I actually still have (but should toss) is a dress I bought from Conway in NYC for $12 five years ago on my honeymoon....it is finally starting to wear out now. Otherwise I have been disappointed over and over by not holding out and paying the money for a good quality item after the cheap stuff was turfed.
ReplyDeleteOne of the lawyers I used to work with (who is now retired) used to say that if you buy cheap, you pay twice....and he used to say that about charging legal fees too if a client grilled him after they got their bill (and he did a massive amount of work on the file)....if you pay cheap fees, you'll get cheap service! So true!
Glad you are keeping the watch. It's one of your forever jewelry pieces.
I must read that book, I agree with the points.
Hope your team wins! :)
Great ideas! Glad you are keeping the watch too - I have a few signature pieces that I love and will never part with! I have been loving this series! xxoo :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed "Style Statement" and owned it until just a couple of weeks ago...it didn't survive my last book purge. It was an interesting book--I should still have my style notes somewhere around here.
ReplyDeleteGood for you on keeping your watch. You have it, enjoy it. xxBliss
Okay, I just got to watch the match, and I SWEAR I saw you in the crowd. Seriously, were you near the front row? And the AB's were magnificent, I must confess. Richard Kahui can just come to Chicago any time...
ReplyDeleteAll of New Zealand should be enormously proud of the way the World Cup is going. The crowds are wonderful, everything seems very peaceful and happy, the way the national anthems are presented is just BEAUTIFUL, and overall it appears to be a grand success. I hope it is both memorable and profitable for all of New Zealand!
big hug,
Vivienne
Rebecca, thanks, and you're welcome!
ReplyDeleteVivienne, I would love to hear your Style Statement views and type.
Stephanie, did you find out your two word thingie?
Marsi, you're so inspiring. Asking yourself would the Refined Gamine wear this would help tremendously with shopping and the wardrobe in general.
Juhli, thanks! Did you work out your style?
LR, I like your colleague's advice - buy cheap, pay twice. So wise.
Cathi, you are lovely!
Pret a Porter P, price is no guarantee I agree. You can pay a lot for appalling quality, and pay an inexpensive price for something you will love that will last a while. The trick is knowing which is which! I would love to read along with your chic month if you choose to.
Bliss, thank you for helping me decide whether I should invest in this book for my own libary. Once you've done the exercises you don't really need to keep the book.
Vivienne, I apologise for mentioning how the game was going yesterday when you hadn't seen it yet. No, I wasn't there. I meant we were watching it 'Live' from our living room. Sorry to misinform!
Yes, Richard Kahui is something else. He is one of the few manly men you can say are truly beautiful. Or did you mean the way he was playing? Mmm, me too. Our neighbour saw him walking down town the other day and said he was with an unbelievably gorgeous girl. Because our neighbour is male he mentioned the girl, and not Richard Kahui. Even my husband admits he's something else.
I always commit to quality. Knowing oneself is where style begins.
ReplyDeleteDearest Fiona,
ReplyDeleteI sort of had a hunch how that match was going to turn out anyway! But you understand that the AB's only played so well because the referee was Irish, right? (it's really ALL about the Irish, in the end).
Speaking of which, didn't Ireland look good again? They're going to get our hopes up and dash them, AGAIN. They're fiends for that type of thing...
xo,
Vivienne
Fashion, Art and other fancies, you are so wise.
ReplyDeleteVivienne, Ireland beating Australia was fabulous, a real upset for sure.
Make more choices – moment to moment, day to day.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Yes. to be the master of your life, this is my primary target now. What makes the difference? the decision. Just what you pick up and decide to do, say, offer, make. The decisions in row will offer your new life, the desidered parisienne style life of a French Madam. Well,, of a madam in general.
deb