I have been thinking today about style, and what it is that makes one person more stylish than another. I might as well try to catch the fog in my hands! There is a really hard to define element about the individual who stands out in the crowd. Why is it that one person can wear an outfit and look stunning and yet her twin can wear the same thing and just look good?
I have come to the conclusion that style is in all the not so obvious elements of a person. I remember my grandmother. She had a definite style for her era. When I think of her I have a collage of impressions in my mind that all add up to her.
What do I remember about her?
La Vie en Rose: It was the first time I had heard music sung in this way and still brings tears to my eyes today. This was one of her favourite songs and whenever I hear it I think of her. The clip above is the famous Edith Piaf singing La Vie en Rose, one of her signature tunes.
Pearls : Whenever she went to a ‘good’ place she would wear her double strand of pearls.
White Magnolia perfume: Whenever she went out she left a soft scent trail behind her. Traces of the scent pop up in modern perfumes such as Curious, by Britney Spears and bring me memories of my Grandmother.
Suits: The suits were made of the knit so popular in past generations, and she wore hers with pride. It was immaculately clean and pressed and fitted her perfectly. It suited all occasions which made it her regular choice of dress.
So if all these elements represent my Grandmother’s style, could that be what contributes to individual style? Is style something to do with the elements of you as well as what you wear? Unless you are famous no one is going to be writing a commentary or critique on the nights outfit. If you are not famous, what is it that conjures up images of you? Music” A book? A place? What is your style? Ask yourself “What are the things that my family will remember best about me?” (other than your personality of course.) Are you comfortable with the elements that make up ‘you’?
You have the time now to spend finding the things that you really like - colours, scents, shapes, films and so on. Think about them and experiment. enjoy the process of self-discovery. All these elements add up to you and your style. Enjoy it while you find out more about yourself and think of the pleasure you will leave behind in memories.
Don’t start that new business until you check yourself against this! It is the definitive A-Z guide for any Mum starting a new business.
a- Attitude If you haven’t got it, fake it. Attitude is everything. People will believe in the ‘you’ that they see. Just don’t try to be Monroe when you’re more like Bridget Jones.
b- Balance Don’t forget that you will, on occasion, need to feed the kids and possibly yourself. Hunger pangs can be much more urgent than the telephone.
c- Creativity The ability to invent an answer on the spot even if you have no idea what to say. This skill is essential in customer relationship management.
d- Deafness What screaming? If you are working from home let nothing distract you except blood and fire.
e- E-business This is the best way for many of us to do business. It is like having a shop window that your customers can’t see you through. What, no lipstick?
f- Fortune This is something that you either make or lose when you’re in business. You can plan for it either way. Select wisely.
g- Garage For storage or just escape purposes. I find that no one ever looks behind the rubbish bin in my garage. That’s probably because no one ever puts the rubbish out.
h- Housework Don’t do it. You will need something to feel guilty about. That’s what true work/home balance is all about.
i – Image You only have to look the part when you’re in public unless you have the web cam turned on. Oops.
j- Just do it! Need I say more? It works for some companies.
k- Kids Known in business circles as ‘the slaves’. Use them while you can because when they become teenagers they’ll stage a business takeover if it can make them any money.
l – Launch No point starting a business unless you can have a launch party for it. I’ll bring the champagne. I am invited, aren’t I?
m – Mentors A mentor is a person who has proven themselves successful in your area of business and is prepared to show you the way – but if you’re going to walk in their shoes make sure your feet are big enough.
n- Networking Who said that the party had to finish after the launch? Hic!
o- Open desk policy Nothing ever really belongs to the business because it is actually yours, which translates as ‘available to all.’
p- Positivity I’m positive that I left it there…Oh yes, refer to “O’.
q- Questions As a parent you should have this skill down pat. The best way to answer a question is with a question. “Why do you ask that, dear?†“What did I say to you this morning, Junior?†It works well with customers too. “Do you want fries with that?â€
r- Research Before you start any enterprise you will need to do some research to make sure that there is a need for your product or service. This is your opportunity to target all the good looking men and this time you’ll have a genuine reason to approach them.
s –Speaking skills You have to at least sound good on the phone. When you get it right save it for future use on your answering machine.
t –Tim Tams (or therapist) You will only need the therapist when the Tim Tams run out.
u- Understanding Forget it! You’ll only get true understanding from another business mum. Don’t forget to share the Tim Tams with her.
v- Virtual Virtual business is the kind of business you will have in the beginning. The profit is there, but it is not quite reality.
w-Website Every real business must have a website even if they don’t know how to use it.. How else can you prove that you’re in business?
x –X spot Forget the G-Spot. Yes, it is still there even though you haven’t seen it since the kids were born. Your new one is called the X-spot and it is located somewhere in your brain. It only kicks in when you have a great business idea but it can give you a better buzz than the G-Spot ever did.
y –Yelling skills Make yourself heard over the kids, dog and Playstation. Who yells, wins.
z – Zzzzzzzzzzz Forget about bed………. The ability to work with your eyes closed or sleep with your eyes open is the sign of a successful business Mum.
If you can do all that then you are powered up and ready to go. Who says we can’t do it all?
Summer is here and skins are bared in strappy dresses and tops. Whether you have a tan or not, some skin shimmer will add luminosity to your skin. It looks fantastic under lights and brings a sense of instant party to your looks.
Diamond Dust by Masquerade is a very fine, triple milled powder with mica which shimmers beautifully. It is available in pink, silver or gold and silver, so there is a shade to suit all skin colours. Dust some across your cheekbones for a dramatic sheen. Powder your shoulders to emphasise your smooth skin. It gives skin a look of radiance and lustre without the tacky look of glitter. The powder is very fine and it is best applied with a puff or a soft brush.
Available from Diva Days in 1/2 ounce pots (will last your for ages) these shimmers are currently on special. RRP $19.95, they are now selling for only$10. Only at Diva Days.
