Friday, June 16, 2017

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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30 comments:

  1. There is a lot of research that shows that when you write something down, you are more likely to do it. So your lists are a very smart move.
    The French edition of Elle has a feature with a classic article of clothing and photos of it from their archives over the years. Very interesting! It really shows how you can choose certain pieces that will look chic years later (more specifically, that when you see photos of yourself wearing them years later you will think, "great!" instead of cringing).

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    1. The French are still leading the way as style icons!

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  2. Hi Fiona, this post took me a long way down memory lane, to 1977 to be exact! In my last year of secondary school in Scotland, where I was studying modern languages, there was a time all the language students from several schools in my city congregated at one school for a week of special events. We met the language assistants (some of whom I knew, of course) and we did various things; I remember we did a treasure hunt and baked a German marble cake. We also had access to some foreign fashion magazines, which I loved and still do. I remember one in particular, an Italian magazine. The fashion was stunning - I remember cognac coloured leather boots and handbags, a beautiful advert for Lancôme's Ô de Lancôme with a girl in summer clothes riding a bike. How I wish I had asked to keep that magazine! I also have my boxes and files of magazine clippings - time to go through them again I think!

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    1. Hope Fiona won't mind my commenting here, but as we speak, I am wearing Lancôme's O de Lancôme! Still love it!
      Margaret P

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    2. I still love it too Margaret!

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    3. How wonderful, thanks so much for sharing your memories, Patricia! I hope you have put aside some time to enjoy your clippings :)

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  3. I love that you saved these articles. They are timeless! Remember when magazines were what we used to see the latest styles and read articles like these before the internet, pinterest, blogs, and everything else online? I remember being drawn to the Ralph Lauren look. So classic! Oh, and of course you know I'm going to suggest for your new storage solution...notebook with plastic page protectors so you can slide your articles in and read them like a book. It is my current new hobby storing things like this :)

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    1. I'm definitely going to investigate a way to get the most out of my clippings once we move, Stephanie, and you know I am inspired by your example.

      I love the country-house Ralph Lauren style so much. It's strange that I have never been drawn to buy his clothes, but I love his aesthetic. Probably not the outcome he was going for, but he seems to be doing alright for himself ;)

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  4. In the next to the last picture, the picture above the title, "wine wizardry" - that huge over-nighter she's carrying? Flipped me out! I purchased that exact bag at Goodwill. It was in need of a good refurbishing (I only paid $5 for it) and the lining needed sewing, but overall it is in unbelievable shape and I love it. To see it in a picture was so great! I am such a list maker, I make lists to remember where I put my lists! I have two lateral filing cabinets. My husband says I need to scan everything and save to a CD or external hard drive. But where is the tactical feel - holding it in your hand, reading an old magazine, etc.? I think I will keep my filing cabinet in our move.

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  5. Oh my goodness, Fiona.... I love the article....true....the fashion style aspect needs alittle updating but either than that, the rest resonates with moi. Thank you so much for sharing. So deliciously inspired! I never get tired how you met Paul... I love how magical it was.... To list what I want and send them out to the Universe is definitely not airy fairy for it gives me rekindled hope and excitement for what is to come, and at the same time, letting go of the outcome, believing that whatever happens is for the best, is pure magic. Don't you think? This is also the best way for me to get out of any funk that I maybe in. Thank you, chic Fiona.❤️

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    1. Wish lists aren't just for your ideal partner either, I love to daydream about the future in a list. Then, put it out to the universe :) It DOES provide hope and excitement for what is to come, which feels amazing.

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  6. Hi Fiona! I'm not a list maker other than what I need to buy at the store lol. I don't like writing personal things down.....not one to keep a diary, etc. I'd probably feel funny if anyone read my "to do" list lol. I'm really glad you are not afraid to share all your chic ideas tho.

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    1. You are definitely a minima-list, Carla. Okay, that was a pretty weak joke :) I couldn't stop writing lists even if I wanted to. I try to confine them to notebooks now; I used to have scraps of paper everywhere. Even now I can see three scraps in front of me and I've already binned two today. Oh dear, maybe I am incurable :)

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  7. I have hundreds, if not thousands of magazines, but they are not fashion magazines but décor magazines, and I love them all.
    I am a list maker when I need something new to complete an outfit or complete several outfits, i.e. something that will complete more than one outfit, not buying several things! I don't like clothes buying all that much and prefer to stick to neutralsn and prefer winter to summer clothes. I do have a lovely cream-colured light-wool blazer that comes out year after year - it can be dressed up with smart trousers or dressed down with jeans, it's a very useful article of clothing. Some things don't change all that much and a few years ago when I thought it was too 'boxy' and too long, I had it taken in slightly and shortened slightly. I still love it and always feel smart in it.
    Yes you could scan all the articles but it really isn't like holding the actual magazine article, is it?
    Margaret P

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    1. You are so smart to have your blazer tailored to make it more current, Margaret.

      I love my clippings and it's not the same having them on the computer screen, I agree.

      Apart from that, I'm quietly having palpitations over here at the thought of having thousands of magazines in the house...

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  8. Truthfully, I've never been a spiritual person despite attending Catholic schools for nine years. Science was my first love and continues to dominate my way of seeing the world. But for the past few years, the idea of showing faith to the Universe and believing that it will take care of me in whatever way I need and want is so soothing and reassuring. It's a form of positive thinking and that whatever the outcome is, I can try to see the silver lining in the situation because I believe the Universe has my back. I'm actually happier since adopting this belief as I have worried less about everything. It has helped me see the bigger perspective.

    And to answer your question, I am a massive list girl! I write things down so that my brain doesn't have to work so hard in remembering all the small and big details in the everyday life. Feeling great when crossing them off is the cherry on top!

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    1. You put that in such a nice way, Natalie. I love the soothing thought that I am exactly where I need to be right now :)

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  9. I'm big on writing lists. I figure that if I write it down where I can see it, then I don't have to try to remember it (and usually fail!) and I cease to worry about it. I have a blackboard in my mudroom for my shopping list, a dry-erase board in my kitchen for things that have to be done that day (a black marker for my stuff, a red marker for my husband), a notepad by the computer for things I have to look up or order online, plus a "quote book", in which I write epigrams that resonate with me ("Our worst fears lie in anticipation" -- Mad Men), words that I like the sound of ("juxtaposition"), and the names of theories that I will forget if I don't write them down somewhere ("Hobson's Choice" -- a choice between two equally bad alternatives).

    Our brains are like very outdated computers in a world where one is constantly barraged by information and distraction. Lists are a great way to "offload data" so that one can concentrate on what one is actually doing.

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    1. I love the idea of a big blackboard, Mimi, for lists and quotes, my favourite things!

      You're so right that lists offload stuff from your head and free up mental space. Well said.

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  10. I used to love that magazine! It was one of the best.

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  11. Hi There Fiona,

    Please excuse how terribly belated my congratulations are!! That said, Wow! How absolutely, smoothly wonderful your new chapter has been so far. I am so delighted for you. Selling your home so quickly was amazing, and finding such a perfect gem just when you needed to is even more so. Ok, you almost do make me believe in Universal forces! They certainly smile on you, Chic Girl. Thanks for sharing with us all; I loved seeing the photos of your new home, and look forward to more once you've moved in. I showed them to my husband, and he said "Stunning!" I couldn't agree more. What a setting, and won't it be something else to take your daily walks around four acres of your own land!!

    Smiles and happiness,
    Erina

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    1. Thank you, Erina! I truly do believe that this was divinely guided. When I said to my husband that it will be July by the time we move and that we initially planned to relocate 'in the new year', he responded 'but this house wouldn't have been available then, so that's what the holdup was'. I even have him believing and saying it back to me when I was doubting!

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  12. I love lists! Not just "to do" lists, but lists of my favorite books, movies, etc. or of places I want to visit. You did a post a few years ago about "The Twenty Ideas Method" which I found exceedingly inspirational. The idea was to ask yourself a question (such as "What does my perfect lifestyle look like?" or "How can I become more healthy") and then challenge yourself to come up with at least 20 answers to that question. I still have the file of 29 questions I asked myself and the lists of answers I came up with. I read through them every now and then, and sometimes add more answers. I am always reminded and inspired to be my best self. Your readers my enjoy and fresh link to that particular blog post, Fiona, if you can provide it.

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    1. Oops . . . "MAY enjoy A fresh link."

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    2. I love that exercise too Karen. The original post is here: http://www.howtobechic.com/2014/08/the-twenty-ideas-method.html

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  13. I am a list-maker too. I really don't know how I would function without my lists! And once I organize my thoughts and make my plans and write it all down, I feel like half the job is done. I've kept all my old Victoria magazines and love to look through them occasionally. Some things are just timeless. xo Deborah

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    1. Perusing Victoria magazines old and new is such a soothing pastime!

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

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