Hello Darling: The Rules of Being a Lady

I recently read an article on the rules governing what makes a gentleman, and I thought, why haven't I ever read something like this for women! Sure there are books on manners and how to host a dinner party and of course, the "how to win a husband" ones but why can't I just find a quick read on how to be a modern lady. I quickly began compiling a list of things I believe in, have been told by my mother, or have observed from women I am in awe of.  As the list fell together not only did I have a better sense of the woman I am becoming everyday,  I knew I had to share this with as many other women as possible.  So without further adieu, my rules!

1. Read: read the news, read books, read people
2. Invest in stationary: now send letters weekly
3. Find your signature scent
4. Call your parents: we often forget as we get older that they to are getting older and they miss the little kids we used to be
5. Embrace your tribe: these are your people, they have your back when you can't get out of bed and when you are on top of the world                                                           
6. Color your hair: but remember that the color you were born with was given to you for a reason but go crazy.  Just don't forget your roots
7. Stop judging: others and yourself
8. Drink Bourbon: know when and how to do so
9. Play dress up
10. Learn to listen: listen to everyone, you never know when you will need someone to hear you or what you will learn by hearing others
11. Be gracious: always
12. Learn to dance
13. Learn to cook: know 3 recipes well and experiment from there.  You will cook for lovers, friends and the family of your lover as well as your family so it's a skill worth cultivating
14. Travel: alone, and with someone. Go out and explore. Find yourself in cities and people all around the world
15. Photograph everything: the internet holds most of our memories now but print out pictures and keep them in books 
16. Call your grandparents: they want to know you are ok, they also have the best advice and recipes
17. Invest:  in your shoes, your bed, and your coats
18. Eat alone:  find a place where you can grab a seat and enjoy your own company
19. Go on dates: with yourself, "treat yo self"
20. Workout: how you want and when you want.  French women walk to cafes, some women run marathons, do what you love
21. Shoot: get comfortable with a gun in your hands
22. Gamble: learn to play poker
23. Party: gather everyone around a table and have yourself a dinner party
24. Love hard: give boys(or girls) a chance to know you and love you.  The greatest love is that which you have for yourself and the love you give to those around you without needing it in return.  LOVE HARD 
25. Collect art
26. Wear vintage
27. Cultivate your passions
28. Know how to walk in 6" heels but always have black flats in your bag
29. Invest in a beautiful handbag
30. Don't Settle:  in any aspect of your life
31. Kiss the gentleman 
32. Find your "style"
33. Take care of your skin
34. Get manicures and pedicures
35. When you meet the family, bring them something special
36. Write thank you's 
37. Stand up for yourself and for others
38. Buy the drinks sometimes
39. Learn a language (or 2 or 3)
40. Put away electronics: you will enjoy those couple hours without interruption
41. Write your own stories: every day
42. Know the dress code: when in doubt overdress
43. Buy fresh flowers
44. Laugh and make those around you laugh
45. Find your signature red lip
46. Know when to say no but never say no to an adventure
47. Have lunch with the women you admire and pick their brains because they have stood where you do and they know things you do not
48. Accept nothing less than the best from the men you allow into your life.  He should open doors for you and never leave you wondering how he feels about you
49. High standards are not high maintenance
50. Maturity doesn’t mean age; it means sensitivity, manners, and how you react
51. Give your time to the people who need it most
52. Prioritize: you don't have to have it all together but you should be put together
53. Do not gossip, just don't
54. Drama is best served on a stage or in a movie not in your life
55. Wit is admirable, learn to dish it with ease
56. Care too much
57. Become unforgettable
58. Be kind: overly kind, kind to everyone, cultivate kindness in every aspect of your life
59. Embrace your flaws: they very well might be your greatest strengths
60. Remember that you are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work of art simultaneously
61. Believe in fairytales
62. Always tell the truth
63. Never stop learning: intelligence is utterly sexy
64. You know what else is sexy, confidence! Own who you are and who you are becoming
65. On that note: continue evolving
66. Understand that ambition is not a dirty word
67. Wear pretty things under your pretty things, even better under you sweats
68. Be able to use and understand sarcasm, it is a sign of social competence
69. Being a good person will never go out of style
70. Embrace the ability to tell people what they mean to you
71. Do not ever pressure anyone into anything, this includes your boyfriend and putting a ring on it
72. Compliment everyone
73. Years, lovers, and glasses of wine are things that should never be counted
74. How you treat people will ultimately always describe the kind of person you are
75. Love people through the worst of times and in the best of times.  You have the ability to change someones life with love, never take that for granted
76. "You're a woman, bring every man you meet to his knees"

There is nothing sexier than a woman who knows who she is and where she is going.   You are amazing now go out and change the world!

I would love to keep adding to this list so please add all your rules in the comments!

xxx

B