Gentlewoman: Etiquette for a Lady, From a Gentleman (20 page)

It Looks Better in Black!

“Women who wear Black lead colourful lives.” –Neiman Marcus

You don’t have to be gothic to enjoy the simplicity of black. Black speaks for you. It’s your personal spokesperson that states: “I have arrived.”

Black is posh. Black is elegant. Black is cool. Black is clean and gives the illusion of sleek and fit.

Be certain your blacks match. Black comes in many different shades. What you think matches can be proven otherwise under harsh light. It’s best to purchase black pieces together so you’re sure they match.

Bedtime.

La Perla under the sweats. Sometimes it’s enough to be sexy for you and you only. Perhaps you prefer a robe or nothing at all. Just don’t wear dirty daytime clothes to bed!

Trends.

Your style is what’s in style. What works for you will always be best for you and look best on you because style is your internal worn externally.

Trends are suitable for the moment, but you don’t have to focus on keeping up with all of them. Occasionally a trend will come around that entices you. Feel free to subscribe to the flavor of the month, but know that it will eventually lose its taste. It’s always wise to invest in what’s classic and what’s timeless.

Arm Candy

G’s on your purse isn’t the same as G’s in your purse – an expensive empty bag reflects its carrier.

I learned at an early age never to take candy from my mother’s purse. A man has no business going in there. To this day, I’m shocked at the many things a Lady keeps in a purse. From money to mints, to makeup and meals, a woman’s purse contains every option necessary for the day:

• Healthy Snack
  
• Hairbrush/Comb
  
• Phone Charger
  
• Sanitary Items
  
• Extra pair of stockings
  

NOTE:
Using your breasts as your purse is poor public etiquette, but I’m sure perverts don’t mind watching.

Gloves: Nothing quite says elegant and cool like a Lady in evening gloves. These full-length accessories are still a symbol of class unmatched. They can be dressed up or dressed down and are a fun and unique way to bring a simple outfit alive. Whether you’re grabbing your full-face sunglasses and scarf rushing to the airport to catch a flight or heading to a formal gala with a beau – don’t forget your gloves.

Art Collecting: Darks, lights, blues, hues, clashing, passion, hands in action. The lines, the tones, the movements, the texture, the shapes–the highs, the lows, the fluids, the pressure, the mistakes–toss it up, fix your stroke–and do it again…and again…and do it again…and again, because empty walls are meant to be touched.

Art is a visual climatic culmination of thought, imagination and purpose dripped on sheets. It’s the human spirit regurgitated on canvas. Art reflects culture, dictates fashion and sparks something in the mind that inspires us all to be great. It’s the perfect spill.

A home without art is just a square with a roof on it–like gums with just a tooth on it, it’s excess space. Interior design doesn’t just consist of a mattress, magazines and mint ice cream. Your home is your castle. The personality of a home is indefinable but should reflect the charm of its owner. Your décor is the perfect opportunity to display style by comfortably exposing your soul. Take honor in your home. Those walls are meant to be touched, so put some art up. No, you don’t have to go out and get a Munch or Basquiat. There are thousands of local talented artists to support!

I present, the art to art collecting:

• Buy it because you like it, because it moves you and because it’ll enhance your life–not because you’re trying to fit into some high society.
  
• Once you’ve educated yourself and have fallen in love with a particular work of art, purchase it, take it home and enjoy it.
  
• Don’t rely on others. Do your research. Visit as many art galleries as you can. Staff can be helpful guides in art education.
  
• Get on gallery mailing lists so you’ll be invited to openings and special events.
  
• Visit and join your local art museums and non-profit art centers. Curators sometimes give lectures on collecting art.
  
• Check to see if your city has an art walk where you can view works of art from artists in your neighborhood at your pace.
  Art walk is the first Friday of every month in most metropolitan cities
  .
  
• Increase your network. If you don’t know any artists, Social Media stalk them. If you know art collectors, talk to them and find out what they know.
  
• Subscribe to some cool art magazines.
  
• Support independent local artists!
  

A big part of the pleasure in collecting art is the educational process and gradual development of greater self-confidence. Trust your instincts if you care to collect art meaningfully. Meet someone who’ll take the time to educate you more in order to help with confidence in your taste. Art galleries and art shows are some of the cheapest, yet coolest and educational dates. Learn about new artists and be prepared to add different pieces in the collection. The more you go, the more you know.

The way you begin art collecting is simple–you begin. Go slowly, ask questions and be sure you can’t live without it. Build your visual vocabulary and visual literacy. This could take time, so don’t rush it. There are many benefits to owning original art. The most important by far is simply for the love of it. Enjoy.

Travel:
Exposure develops style. Go everywhere and see everything. Expect delays. Bring this book along on your journeys.

A Gentlewoman Writes:
Her words paint murals–her murals flow like writings. Her work is beyond the human experience. Consuming her art becomes overwhelming. It’s difficult to digest such beauty in a single setting. Does such a woman exist?

Writing is the art of the hand keeping pace with the mind. It’s important to write things down. Not just as a means to organize the day, but to excrete your thoughts. Writing is a connection that keeps you in-tune with yourself. Thoughts are intended to leave the mind, but sometimes there’s no one to talk to. Writing is the release. Writing is cathartic and therapeutic. It’s an exercise of the mind that stimulates growth and fosters intellect. But sometimes it’s best kept to yourself. Be careful when blogging or posting your thoughts online. Sometimes your frustrating and expressive words can backfire. If you can potentially lose a job, relationship or your life, limit your words to a journal…or a priest.

A Gentlewoman Reads:
A gentlewoman pursues intelligence. She’s a lover of it, in fact. Reading is a great way to expand the mind. Literature allows you to learn unfamiliar words, live vicariously through others and travel the world, all without leaving your bedside. There’s something to be said about a woman with a library. Book owners are beautiful. Book readers are sexy. Well, you’re perusing this book, aren’t you?

NOTE:
You no longer have to go anywhere to get a good book. Just download your favorite author right on your smartphone, tablet or computer!

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -
St. Augustine

Beverly’s Heels

Beverly’s Heels:
California

Just as shoes require their own small and separate closet, this section requires its own small and separate chapter.

I grew up in California where women dressed like women. They could be seen at the schools, supermarket or Sunday service. One particular commonality was their love for shoes. Stiletto connoisseurs gathered and discussed heels like orthopedists. A woman’s affinity for shoes seemed to be a love affair. I’ve never seen a romance as intense.

But there’s nothing romantic about funky feet. If you plan on wearing open-toes, make sure your toes don’t look like opened toes. A pedicure costs twenty dollars. And beware of suicide feet, a.k.a. hanging toes. They’re against the law. Don’t force large feet into small shoes. If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit. Heels are cool, but nothing compares to a woman walking in her greatness!

Sole searching doesn’t require soul searching. After you have your basic shoes, the rest are merely a matter of choice. Don’t let Cinderella and Dorothy fool you into thinking shoes can change your life. If
all
you have to show for your relationship are high heels, you’re in a fashion show, not love.

The sole of a shoe is the portion that comes in direct contact with the ground, often wearing out first. Each sole is created according to the owner of the shoes’ lifestyle. A dancer uses leather outsoles to turn and glide, while a hiker needs a thicker and more durable sole. Put your feet in someone else’s shoes, and you just might stumble. Don’t compare yourself to others because your lifestyle is unique to your life. You’re not perfect, but every day remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Keep striding in greatness. But walk in the shoe soles that are meant for you.

Intermission
Throne

Throne
: Art Show