Some time ago I purchased this lovely little book adorned in Tiffany Blue on a whim. First published in 1964, it is interesting how some of its content has stood the test of time.
My dear friend, Bliss, is in the midst of a wonderful series of life lessons originally published in 1948. And again, it is amazing how some of the ideas have endured. Even more amazing is the longing to return to a time when these lessons were the norm, not the exception.
One section I would like to share from Madame Dariaux's guidebook on elegance is Personality.
The first line states, "To be elegant is first of all to know oneself, and to know oneself well requires a certain amount of reflection and intelligence." Interesting concept. To me this translates into a true examination of self. What do we cherish? What do we hold true? Where is the line of intolerance? What do we fight for? How do we choose to entertain ourselves? What do we read? Do we read? How do we spend our solitude? Who do we spend our time with? Without possessing the answers how can we go out into the world and represent ourselves?
The next paragraph advises, "It requires a certain strength of character in order to disengage your own personality from the setting or entourage that may confine it." This gives us permission to step away from the crowd and be ourselves. This gives me permission to sing out loud in joy, to give people I adore a hug and a kiss hello, to laugh at myself and allow others to join me, to love with a heart sans boundaries or borders.
The section closes with the wisdom, "Personality means knowing everything about oneself. Once a woman has defined her personality she will find it easier to achieve not only elegance but also happiness." Boiled down, for me this means to thine own self be true. All the quirks, all the nuances, all the good as well as the bad. In retrospect, the women I have seen exuding elegance are true to themselves and have been, at their very core, happy.
I can do happy. Truth is, I'm not very good being someone else...but I'm pretty good at being me.
I would love to read this book. I love this:
ReplyDelete"Longing to return to a time when these lessons were the norm, not the exception."
Fabulous and true :)
...traigo
ReplyDeletesangre
de
la
tarde
herida
en
la
mano
y
una
vela
de
mi
corazón
para
invitarte
y
darte
este
alma
que
viene
para
compartir
contigo
tu
bello
blog
con
un
ramillete
de
oro
y
claveles
dentro...
desde mis
HORAS ROTAS
Y AULA DE PAZ
COMPARTIENDO ILUSION
BETH
CON saludos de la luna al
reflejarse en el mar de la
poesía...
ESPERO SEAN DE VUESTRO AGRADO EL POST POETIZADO DE MEMORIAS DE AFRICA , CHAPLIN MONOCULO NOMBRE DE LA ROSA, ALBATROS GLADIATOR, ACEBO CUMBRES BORRASCOSAS, ENEMIGO A LAS PUERTAS, CACHORRO, FANTASMA DE LA OPERA, BLADE RUUNER ,CHOCOLATE Y CREPUSCULO 1 Y2.
José
Ramón...
José Ramón's lovely words translated (according to Google translate)
ReplyDeleteGracias! Gracias! Gracias, José Ramón!
... bring
blood
of
the
later
wound
in
the
hand
and
a
Sailing
of
my
heart
for
invite
and
give
this
soul
that
comes
for
share
you
your
beautiful
Blog
with
a
nosegay
of
gold
and
Carnations
inside ...
from my
BROKEN HOURS
PEACE AND CLASSROOM
SHARING ILLUSION
BETH
WITH regards to the moon
reflected in the sea of
poetry ...
I HOPE YOUR PLEASURE IS IN THE POST Poetess MEMORY OF AFRICA, CHAPLIN MONOCULAR NAME OF THE ROSE, ALBATROS GLADIATOR, HOLLY Wuthering Heights, ENEMY AT THE GATES, CUB, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, BLADE Ruun, CHOCOLATE AND TWILIGHT 1 Y2.
Hey Beth, thank you for the mention. I also own this book (and a copy of the original)--love it! I think because I was reading/referencing these type of books so often--and finding that many fellow bloggers also hold similar libraries and interests--I felt compelled to do this series. If the majority of people around us refuse to live by manners, good graces and a level of refinement that doesn't mean we have to. And how nice to find a community of people who share the same values--even if we can't be neighbors. : (. xxBliss
ReplyDeleteBeth: Hello, lovely! I stopped by to thank you for following Ooh La Frou Frou and to let you know that anytime anyone leaves a comment, I leave a little response afterward in comments and one awaits you for next time you're around! http://tiny.cc/dmro9
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the little Guide to Elegance too! It sits in my studio with other books that I use for reference! Isn't it adorable? And the fact that it's that pretty tiffany blue is a side benefit! ;) xoxo So nice to meet you!
Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
Beth -
ReplyDeleteI've meant to read your blog for a while as we seem to read so many of the same blogs (Bliss, fojoy, etc.).
I picked up this book five years ago, and it really changed my life. It is the Style Bible for me, not just for clothes, but how to live an elegant life. I reinterpreted the clothing pieces to fit my lifestyle at the time, but the overall layout of conducting yourself in an elegant, ladylike manner is timeless. And sorely lacking today...
Enjoy reading the book; I revisit it twice a year to remind myself of the person I want to be.
Hi Beth, I don't own the book, but I just found your blog and want to say I like your quotes.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much truth and beauty in the words within this book -- I must find a copy! Thank you for sharing this with us, Beth.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a fabulous weekend,
xo