Rules Of Style – Audrey Hepburn

A list of style icons wouldn’t be complete without the graceful and elegant Audrey Hepburn. With her classic, timeless style, she reminds us all that less is more, good etiquette will never go out of style and a good heart is irreplaceable. Here is a look at a few of the lessons we can take away from such a stunning and unforgettable woman.

Less Is More 

Be Compassionate

 

Ankle Pants & Flats

 

Good Posture

 

Scarves & Sunglasses 

A Classic Trench

 

Go Nautical

 

Boatneck

 

Can’t Go Wrong With Black

 

Rock A Pixie Cut 

When you’re beautiful and strong on the inside, it doesn’t take much to share your beauty with the outer world. The key is to believe that you do indeed possess such qualities. Thinking of others, speaking a kind word, subtly playing up your body’s strengths, we all could be reminded of such elegant simplicity from a very classy lady. Thank you Audrey.

 

Images: (1) Source (2) Source (3)  Source (4) Source (5) Source (6) Source (7) Source (8) Source (9) Source (10) Source (11) Source (12) Source (13)  Source (14) Source

Smiling Despite The Struggle

For as long as I can remember, I have always viewed the many minute, or seemingly mundane, things I come across from day to day as metaphors for life.  For example, once a rain cloud has doused us with rain, 99.9% of the time, a calm, clear sky follows.  My interpretation – it isn’t until we have an opportunity to vent our feelings that we truly feel genuinely calmer and at ease.  Or take for example, a car whose owner never takes the time to change its oil which eventually leads to the engine needing major repairs; – my interpretation – we all need a little pampering now and then to recharge in order to be at our peak.

Why do I bring this up, you may ask?  Whether we are actually paying attention to all of the media or not, it is almost impossible to ignore Sandra Bullock’s situation.  (If for some reason, you’re one of the lucky few who is blissfully unaware, click here for a brief recap.)  None of us will ever know the actual details of the relationship, and so to discuss it seems irrelevant, but here’s my metaphorical interpretation that I am going to try and take away from it.

Sometimes in order to make it through those times in our lives that are excruciatingly painful, heart-wrenching, causing us to question our own decision-making, we need to focus on what is going right in our lives.   By throwing ourselves into those areas that are going well, that are successful, that cause us joy instead of pain, we are engrossing our minds with a distraction until we are ready to accept the reality.  Granted, sometimes certain situations can’t be ignored, but in the meantime or when it is an option,  we really must focus on those things that make us smile – no matter how small. 

I’ve been collecting the photos below for awhile now and was struck by the happiness or sense of ease that exudes despite the metaphorical black dress(es).  Sometimes, we must fake it until we make it. (I apologize for the bit of randomness today.)

 

Images: (1) Daily Radar (2) November 2009 – Vogue (3) Twiggy photographed by Richard Avedon (4) Fame Spy (5) Image Source

Uniquely Perfect

 

“You have to choose your

combination carefully. 

The right choices

will enhance your quilt. 

The wrong choices

will dull the colors,

hide their original beauty. 

There are no rules you can follow. 

You have to go by instinct,

and you have to be brave.”

 (How to Make an American Quilt movie – 1995)

Every day, each one of us steps out into the world with the intention to create a better life for ourselves, to contribute to the world.  How each one of us does this, however, is unique.  How much easier would it be if we only had to follow in someone else’s footsteps, similar to a connect-the-dots instruction manual, and viola, the perfect life would be laid out in front of us?  I have no doubt that the perfect life would be laid out for us if we followed such a path, but it wouldn’t be our definition of perfect; it wouldn’t be perfect for us.

There have been so many times when I just wanted to look up to somebody, to pattern my life after someone else who I admired so I wouldn’t have to worry about making mistakes, being made a fool, being laughed at, but what I’ve come to realize, as I remind myself to snap out of it, is that I wouldn’t want to follow someone else, I don’t want to be somebody else.  The word I want to bring your attention to is the word follow.

It is always easier to follow than to lead or venture out on your own, but no one by the name of Amelia Earhart, Nelle Harper Lee, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Will Smith, Bill Gates or Audrey Hepburn ever wished to be just like someone else because if they had, we wouldn’t recognize their names as people of respectable talent, courage, style or innovation.

Our lives are indeed similar to assembling a quilt.  Many pieces will be considered, but not all will be included in the final product. You will know sometimes immediately when someone or something(a job, a home, a town) doesn’t quite fit in your quilt, and sometimes it will take time for this piece to stick out like a sore thumb and reveal that it is not something that will strengthen the final product and, therefore, must be removed.  And guaranteed, it will take courage to remove it if it has been there for a while, but the extraction must happen.

It is up to the quilter to be continually adjusting, searching and demanding that those certain pieces must be found that will make their quilt the highest of quality.  Take, for example, the image of the sophisticated bathroom above. A theme was determined, but the pieces didn’t come in a kit, the designer had to seek out the exact items.  It is not to say that some other lovely furniture and lighting fixtures existed, they just didn’t fit as well in this particular room.

Good luck on your journey this week to build your quilt.  You have the talent, and there will be times that you are discouraged, but you will find what you are looking for if you venture out on your own.

Have a wonderful week!

Image: Things That Inspire

A Few Essentials

Every women’s wardrobe is a statement of whom she wants to be, is becoming or has established herself to be. However, there is a growing list of essentials that any wardrobe needs at its foundation.  Here are a few to look for this weekend if you are going shopping, or to add to your shopping list if you are still saving up.  And remember, multiples of something you love or wear often are never an indulgence, but a requirement.  After all, walking out of your home confident in how you look radiates to those around you and causes people to take notice for the right reasons. To demonstrate, I’ll let Diane, Audrey, Jennifer and Gisele do the talking.

 

 

A great black dress that shows just enough of your best assets, but reveals the unmistakable classy lady that you are.(Image Source)We hear it every year, a trench coat is an absolute must, and they say it for a reason.(Image Source)

A black or dark brown leather jack that hits at the waist.(Image Source)

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T-shirts for layering, casual outfits and and don’t forget comfort. (Image Source)

 

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  A neutral colored wool coat. (Image Source)

 

 

Flats with jeans or with capri pants or whenever you want to give your feet a breather from your Jimmy Choos.

Scarves for all seasons.(Image Source)

 

Boots, with or without a heel to get through the winter months in style.