How to have style in all areas of your life

I’ve been having such a great time this week thinning out my style files in preparation for packing (or rather, in procrastination instead of packing…)  I am updating them – throwing out what no longer speaks to me and only keeping the gems, plus looking at a different way to house them because I have decided to donate the filing cabinet they are in.

There are magazine articles, printed out blog posts and newspaper snippets.  Some have survived many, many culls, and I want to share one such piece with you.  May I present a magazine article that I would guess is from the mid-90s, from a magazine called She, which I believe was Australian.

 

I remember She magazine being very inspiring for a city-dwelling twenty-something, with uplifting articles and classic/modern fashion pages.  You can click on each page of the article to enlarge them.

When I am going through my style files, deciding what to recycle and what still deserves space, a piece has to give me a flutter of excitement when I read it.  This piece certainly does.  The title ‘Chic tricks: How to do everything with style’ – firstly, how fun and enticing does that sound?

 

I love that there are different categories covering various aspects of your life – wardrobe, outings, gifts, meeting guys, entertaining, romantic outings, home décor, at work, wine, making a good first impression, travel and beauty.

Part of personal style to me is being stylish and ‘of your own style’ in every part of your life, not just clothing. 

The outfits – yes they are somewhat dated, but they still really appeal to me.  The colours and basic components, if updated to today’s silhouettes, I would still wear.  Considering this article is probably close to twenty-five years old that’s pretty impressive.  Oh, how I love classic style!

 

Articles such as this inspired me to come up with my own ‘chic lists’ where I would detail how I wanted to be in different areas of my life that were important to me.

I found a printed out list I wrote probably circa 2001 or 2002 from the looks of it.

One category was how I wanted to look – my weight, good (vibrant, energetic and balanced) health, and the fact that I desired to be kind, generous, thoughtful and fun to be with.  I noted that I wished to curate a small, well-put-together wardrobe of simple, chic, elegant and stylish clothes and accessories and simple jewellery.

Other categories were my ideal husband because I had not met yet him.  I wanted him to be romantic, to enjoy telling people how we met and how lucky he is, that he is in excellent health and a good dresser.  Everything I wrote down, my husband turned out to be.

I detailed how our home would be – lovely and modern in a desired part of town; orderly, with a calm, relaxed feel about it, ‘still with energy though’, and a sensual haven.

Under my ‘career’ category, there is writing; at that stage though I thought I would write novels.  Who knows what the future will bring?  In my hobbies I list that I’d like to do photography, framing, sewing, reading, walking and going to the gym.  Photography and framing are not things I have pursued, but the others still appeal to me.

I finish off my ‘My Life’ list with my beliefs:

I am brave and strong

I am kind and generous

And my standards.  I love these!

I pay my bills on time

I don’t partake in gossip

I buy quality

I eat quality food and drink quality drink

I clear my credit card each month

The great thing about doing an exercise like this – listing out categories and then brainstorming your ideal under each one – is that not only is it quite fun to do at the time, but when you come across them later, they are fascinating to read, and very motivating.

I also believe that you are putting your wishes out there into the universe (like a prayer) and in my opinion, this greatly increases your chances of getting what you want.  It’s not only telling the universe, it’s telling you what you want.

I think you’re either a list person or you’re not.  I inherited the gene from my mother.  Are you a list girl like myself?

See you next week, I’m off to procrastinate, er pack some more.

--Fiona--

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