Let us be elegant or die!

Elegance is not in the shoes you meticulously choose every morning, the crimson shade of lipstick you delicately paint onto your lips, or the couture gown you wear to the gala at the Metropolitan Opera House. It is so much more: an air, an aura of refinement, grace, style, and poise. It can't be bought at any store, from Payless to Prada. Elegance will take no bribes... and although the stores will hate me for saying this, elegance cannot be manufactured. There is no one size fits all. The bag the latest celebrity is sporting won't give you lasting confidence, and that is so fundamental to true elegance. 

Elegance is a state of the heart and mind. There have been countless times I have noticed beautiful women, sophisticated ones, even stylish ones. Yet so few women possess unforgettable, ingenious elegance. It doesn't work its way from the outside in; elegance radiates from the heart. It is respect of oneself and others.... 

Elegant women aren't prancing through every single bar at 2 am, baring all for the world to see; they respect themselves more than that. They aren't sticking up their noses at everyone else, taking pride in their sparkling Louboutins or Prada bag, laughing over their colleague's dress from H&M. They respect others more than that. 

Elegance comes from rooting your identity in Christ; confidence in who God created you to be: Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 Elegance consists of so much more than designer labels, high end boyfriends, and Jimmy Choos; true elegance comes from the depths of your soul.

Absolute Gorgeousness

Isn't she lovely?
{images from international business news and mail online}

The Era of Elegance

Oh, take me back to the time when...

People had chandeliers in their house. {I know I will! Someday.}

~When...

Women wore beautiful dresses everyday :)

 ~When....

Flower gardens decorated your home.

~When...

Ballet was respected and admired. {all right, it still is by some,
but many people have a stereotypical image of ballet}

~When....

All houses had grand majestic staircases

~When....

Forests filled the land

~When.....

Every woman had a boudoir

 ~When...

Wearing whimsical, pink jewelry was not sneered at.

~When...

People had beautiful mirrors :)

 ~When....

People had dresses for every occasion: tea dresses, day dresses,
evening gowns, cocktail dresses, afternoon dresses... etc.

 ~When....

People lived on mountains covered with snow :)

~When....

There were secret passageways and stairs =)

~When...

People had vases full of flowers :)

~When....

Chivalry existed. {think: Mr. Knightley}

~When....

Women carried parasols. :)

~When....

People lived in mansions {this particular one was Mr. Darcy's}

~When....

Men wore suits. And ties. Frequently.

~When....

There were fields of untouched wild flowers :)

~When....

People took the time to write hand written letters... 

~When....

Girls were witty and sweet like Miss Lizzie :)

~Yes... I know... I love parasols! :)

~When....

Men fought for worthy causes, and did so with honor.

~When....

There were balls. Wouldn't that be SO lovely? 

~When....

Women wore hoopskirts and ballgowns...

~When....

Chess wasn't dorky. {All right,  I admit it, I don't like chess. But
I HAD to find a reason to put this photo up here... he is so *cute*}

~When....

Elegance and beauty reigned freely {don't you
just love her hair?}

~When...

Femininity was admired :)

~When....

Men looked like this ^ (along the lines of Mr.
Darcy, Mr. Thornton, and other notable heros :)

~When....

Love was pure ♥

~When....

Little boys wore neckties :) 

~When....

Little girls carried parasols and looked their age!

~When....

You were introduced to people, and conversation was actually interesting ;)

*Screeches to a halt* You have got to see this quote....

I know this is off topic, but isn't he SO sweet? His looks.... well,
that is another story ;)

~When....

People were educated and read *good* books

~When....

Tea was a normal, beautiful affair with teacups, strawberries,
biscuits, cake, bread, and jam :)

~When...

British dandy was a popular look :)

~When...

Women wore gloves, and Dior's New Look was popular :)

~When...

It wasn't only little girls who had tea parties

~When...

You could wear ballgowns everyday.

Weren't those the days? My favorite era would have to be the Edwardian Era, when the Gibson Girl look was popular. The pompadour, beautiful dresses, and gorgeous hats captivate me. However, the 1950s runs a close second, while the Regency Era is third. Which era is your favorite? :)
Blessings!

A True Lady {No, not Scarlett!}

We've all seen her; maybe even envied her. Laughing brashly and surrounded by scores of suitors, she drew eyes like a magnet. The gaudy make-up, simpering smiles, flirtatious flounces, and flesh-baring clothes set her apart like a peacock amongst doves. Except, in that crowd, there weren't any doves. Oh, yes, you're hearing right. This vain, conceited peacock was only one of the flock. 
Our culture is full of women who flaunt their bodies, displaying themselves for all the world to see. They pursue and preserve their outward beauty, yet they allow their inner beauty to rot like an ancient, moth-eaten book. Yes, these are the people I am talking about when I refer to "women." But *who* do I denote when I speak of a lady?
Definition of a Lady: A courteous, decorous, or genteel female.

Before I move on, I would like to announce that I am not condemning the term "woman" or a person who is a woman. In this article, the word "woman" does not refer to females but rather the opposite of this gentlewoman defined above. If the term "woman" did refer to a female, I would proudly call myself a woman. But, that isn't what I am talking about here. :)

The concept of a lady didn't start with the dictionary. As you may have already guessed, it originated in the Bible:
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external -- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear -- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. Proverbs 11:12 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 
Ladylike qualities:
~Courteous
~Genteel
~Decorous
~Polite
~Honest
~Pure
~Discreet
~Gracious
~Poised
~Classy
~Graceful
~Charming {though not as the world knows it}
~Full of Christ-like love
~Respectful
~Honorable
~Conducting yourself with dignity {but please, let us not be pompous!}
~Cheerful
~Having a sunny disposition
~Determined
~Diligent
~Tactful
~Stylish
~Submissive
~Gentle
~Feminine
~Modest
~Demure
~Elegant

The point of this post? Well, I have started a series on "Ladylike Elegance", and it talks about practical ways to become more ladylike in your daily life. {You know, sitting down, standing, etc.} But before I continue that, I feel a need to define what I meant by the words a "Lady" and a "Woman". We're not talking about carrying a handkerchief all the time or never being with matching gloves, hat, and a handbag. Being a lady is about cultivating your inner beauty, while in the process, growing in your outer beauty. Now... which are you aspiring towards? As for me, I have determined to become a true lady in every aspect of my life! Blessings!! =)

~Southern Belle

Beauty

For lovely eyes, see the good in all people.

Remember if you ever are in need of a helping hand, 

you will find one at the end of your arm.

 For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never 

walk alone, for the Lord is always by your side.

As you grow older, you will understand that you have two hands, 

one for helping yourself, and the second for helping others. 

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 

{From Godey's Lady's Book, 1856}

Blessings :)

~Southern Belle