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!
- Read: read the news, read books, read people
- Invest in stationary: now send letters weekly
- Find your signature scent
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Stop judging: others and yourself
- Drink Bourbon: know when and how to do so
- Play dress up
- 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
- Be gracious: always
- Learn to dance
- 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
- Travel: alone, and with someone. Go out and explore. Find yourself in cities and people all around the world
- Photograph everything: the internet holds most of our memories now but print out pictures and keep them in books
- Call your grandparents: they want to know you are ok, they also have the best advice and recipes
- Invest: in your shoes, your bed, and your coats
- Eat alone: find a place where you can grab a seat and enjoy your own company
- Go on dates: with yourself, "treat yo self"
- Workout: how you want and when you want. French women walk to cafes, some women run marathons, do what you love
- Shoot: get comfortable with a gun in your hands
- Gamble: learn to play poker
- Party: gather everyone around a table and have yourself a dinner party
- 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
- Collect art
- Wear vintage
- Cultivate your passions
- Know how to walk in 6" heels but always have black flats in your bag
- Invest in a beautiful handbag
- Don't Settle: in any aspect of your life
- Kiss the gentleman
- Find your "style"
- Take care of your skin
- Get manicures and pedicures
- When you meet the family, bring them something special
- Write thank you's
- Stand up for yourself and for others
- Buy the drinks sometimes
- Learn a language (or 2 or 3)
- Put away electronics: you will enjoy those couple hours without interruption
- Write your own stories: every day
- Know the dress code: when in doubt overdress
- Buy fresh flowers
- Laugh and make those around you laugh
- Find your signature red lip
- Know when to say no but never say no to an adventure
- 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
- 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
- High standards are not high maintenance
- Maturity doesn’t mean age; it means sensitivity, manners, and how you react
- Give your time to the people who need it most
- Prioritize: you don't have to have it all together but you should be put together
- Do not gossip, just don't
- Drama is best served on a stage or in a movie not in your life
- Wit is admirable, learn to dish it with ease
- Care too much
- Become unforgettable
- Be kind: overly kind, kind to everyone, cultivate kindness in every aspect of your life
- Embrace your flaws: they very well might be your greatest strengths
- Remember that you are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work of art simultaneously
- Believe in fairytales
- Always tell the truth
- Never stop learning: intelligence is utterly sexy
- You know what else is sexy, confidence! Own who you are and who you are becoming
- On that note: continue evolving
- Understand that ambition is not a dirty word
- Wear pretty things under your pretty things, even better under you sweats
- Be able to use and understand sarcasm, it is a sign of social competence
- Being a good person will never go out of style
- Embrace the ability to tell people what they mean to you
- Do not ever pressure anyone into anything, this includes your boyfriend and putting a ring on it
- Compliment everyone
- Years, lovers, and glasses of wine are things that should never be counted
- How you treat people will ultimately always describe the kind of person you are
- 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
- "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
