Golden Times September 2016

ELEGANCE by Michele Duke
Elegance is a word we
rarely hear these days.
It sounds rather dated
but I believe it is more
relevant now than ever.
With so many lifestyle
choices, we can be
forgiven for chopping
and changing to try
to keep up with the world. Rushing
around, skipping meals, multi-tasking
like crazy – who has time for refinement,
graciousness, elegance? I get it – really
I do. But here’s the good bit. Once you
decide to bring elegance into your life
you’ll find it easier to negotiate through
the challenges of modern life.
Here are my top 10 tips to make you
look – and feel – more elegant.
1. Plan your day. Before you go to sleep
at night make your schedule for the
next day. And decide what to wear that
will take you from one appointment to
another. Make a note of any extras to
take – a different pair of shoes, top-up
makeup, a scarf or jacket to smarten up
for the evening.
2. Start your day with mental poise.
Take a few minutes to get your brain
and body composed before opening the
bedroom door.
3. Allow yourself time to get from
one place to another – there’s nothing
elegant about arriving flustered and
dishevelled. Put travel time into your
diary and don’t (like me!) assume you
are superhuman and can be teleported
from one place to another.
4. Dress everyday as if you will meet
the person of your dreams. That doesn’t
mean you need to dress up – just ensure
you’ll never feel embarrassed when that
tall, dark stranger smiles at you.
5. Choose quality over quantity. Food,
wine, clothes, travel – whatever you love,
enjoy the best you can afford.
6. Be kind – to yourself and others. An
ex-boss told me that a good leader was
one who spent their time finding reasons
to praise others. It’s a good outlook on
life generally.
7. Be polite. Learn from the Italians –
they say “good morning” every time they
enter a shop – Ok maybe not in Tesco
but you get the idea. ALWAYS remember
your “please” and “thank-you”.
8. Be discrete – nobody needs to know
everything about you. A few secrets, a
little wink, a suggestion of hidden depth
is très elegante.
9. Watch the news. Read quality
newspapers but don’t be snobbish
about cultural trends. Celebrity gossip
might not be your thing but sometimes
knowing the latest breaking story is what
you need to open up a conversation with
the coolest person at the party.
10. Smile – you’ll look like you’re in
control even if your life is all over the
place. A warm, genuine smile will open
doors, encourage others to offer help,
give people confidence that you know
what you’re doing. We all suffer ups and
downs but the person who always has
a ready smile is the one we want to be
with.
And that’s it. Easy eh? No, of course it’s
not easy. But each tip is a behaviour we
can try to adopt little by little, day by
day until one day it becomes a habit.
And there’s only ten so I reckon it can
easily be achieved in a lifetime or two!!
Michèle x
I am Michèle Duke and I run a Style &
Beauty business in St Leonards with
tutorials and workshops to learn how
to look and feel fabulous. I help others
start small businesses from home and
provide ongoing support to help them
grow and prosper. If you’d like to know
more please give me a ring on 07801
621310. Demonstrations, workshops
and tutorials. Call me for dates and
more details on 07801 621310. See
my website at www.micheleduke.co.uk.
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