Saturday, December 13, 2008

Tis the season to be classy!

Holidays are filled with social events. Work parties, family gatherings, and school pageants all of which require us to step out of our comfort zones and face the season. Although not an expert, I do like to think of myself as classy. Souly based on my observations and personal upbringing I can tell you a little of what I know to be true.

In this economy you do not need money to be classy. Money doesn't buy class and you don't need money to be uber classy. Class is something that comes from inside. Here are five FREE things you can do this holiday season to remain classy:

1. Confidence
Whether you are entering a grand holiday extravaganza or picking up your children at school be confident by holding your head up high and shoulders pulled back. Walk into a room with confidence, not to be confused with arrogance, by gracefully exhibiting pride in your self. Try it out this season, walk into a room holding your head up and see how great it feels. I love observing people and can point out people lacking confidence from a mile away. If I can do this, so can others. You do not need to be a size 6 to be confident, it comes from inside and can be faked. Be happy and hold your head up high and stay looking strong.

2. Wardrobe
It does matters. Make sure clothes are clean, fitted, and well taken care off. Nothing bothers me more then seeing a perfectly put together woman wearing scuffed up shoes. Actually, shoes are one of the first things I notice about a person's outfit. My mother never allowed me out of the house with dirty shoes. A classy woman takes pride in her appearance by flaunting her femininity with shoes, simple jewelry, and clean clothes. Preferably without Disney characters. Women in Europe have small closets with little clothes; however, they take pride in what they own. Their clothes are of high quality and well taken care off. They celebrate their femininity. The same goes for women in Africa, per my sister's observations, even the poorest of women grace themselves with jewelry. During the summer season when wearing flip flops, capris, and a wife beater tank I still throw on a necklace. Try it out this season, celebrate your femininity, and throw on some bling-bling (no-one needs to know it's from Target).

3. Grooming
When you are clean you feel clean. Nothing makes me feel cleaner than a nice bath, lotion, and a touch of makeup as in powder, blush, and gloss. One of my biggest pet peeves is nails. As in nails that are too short or too long or half polished. Hair is equally as important and there's nothing better then going to hug a person with a fresh bed of shiny hair. Personal grooming should reflect freshness and cleanliness.

4. Words
Listen, think, choose your words, think again, and then speak. There is nothing more un-classy then gossiping and/or degrading people. Treat others as if you would like to be treated. Words are like toothpaste and once you squeeze them out you'll have a hard time taking them back. Profanity, as much as I love my sailor mouths of bloggers (yes, YOU, I heart you), isn't so much classy in real life conversations during holiday events. Stay away from controversial topics such as politics, religion, and money. People have opinions and drama isn't classy. I have an acquaintance that constantly comments on my clothes and where I purchased them and how much I paid. Not classy. Don't discuss money, don't whisper, and don't exclude people nearby from conversations. "My friend Anna has a similar cropped jacket" would be a classy way to include Anna in the conversation and dodge the bullet with my acquaintance who's wondering if my jacket is from Old Navy or Neimans.

5. Laughter
Live. Love. Laugh. When someone offers you a compliment do not shrug it off. Smile. Accept it. And laugh with them in conversation. I have given out so many compliments to many great women only for them to shrug it off and proclaim "No, big deal." This holiday season, embrace the compliments given to you, smile, and laugh in your conversation, "Thanks. I feel great." Try it... you have worked hard. Laugh a little, for it burns a lot of calories. There is nothing more classy than an honest to goodness laugh. Walk into a room with a smile, it will be your best accessory yet.

Be confident, take pride in what you wear, feel clean, think before you speak, and laugh. Live. Love. Laugh. It's all free and so very classy.

52classy comments:

Rachel said...

Brilliant sweetness.
I think you hit the nail on the head. all good advice.

mwah.

Dennis and Leslie said...

Beautifully written, I 100% agree with all of these, no matter where you are financially, especially with the economy these days, there are always little things you can do to present yourself in a classy way.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Writing a post like this is what makes YOU classy. ;-)

Mr Lady said...

That's a really brilliant list, OhMommy. I am sooo guilty of the shoes and nails part, but I think I do alright on the others.

Now, to polish my flats!

Crystal D said...

Did you know I have a Christmas party to go to tomorrow? :) I am going out in the morning to buy a new outfit and then I have an appointment to get my hair cut. I am going to paint my nails, apply make-up and put on jewelry. Feels good just thinking about it.

Miss said...

Yikes. I might be in trouble if this is the list to go by.

Then again, I've known I lack class most days. I DO try when I need to make some sort of impression. All other times, all bets are off.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

What a perfect list.

Now, I just need a shower and some clothes that fit (that aren't yoga pants) and I'll be good to go:)

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

I love this...its very true.
Very classy lady indeed!

Although-I got everything else down...I def. FAIL in the dang on SHOE department! haha
Im very much NOT a shoe person...and since thats the 1st thing you look at Id be gone before you hit my knees. lol

Kaci said...

AWESOME! My company Christmas party is tonight and I've been dreading it. But now that I read this piece of brilliance I'm going to knock them dead! => Have a great weekend.

*Jac* said...

Great list. ALthough I am guilty in the nails department (I can't stop biting!) But I do love to laugh. And I love shoes. So I'd say I'm 75% classy, lol.

Anonymous said...

I have to say this whole shoe thing really bothers me. I agree with you, but what do you do when you wear a size 11WWW and most places simply don't make shoes in your size? I have had some luck on shoebuy, but I don't always have the right shoe for the right occassion. A lot of times I am reduced to wearing mens tennis shoes b/c they are easier to find in my size. I don't like them. I hate them, in fact, but sometimes reality has to enter the picture. I know you are trying to be classy and give advice, but when I am already struggling with this issue it is hard to hear about how everyone is staring at my shoes.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

All such wonderful advice.....and you are right....money does not buy class!!

Have a great weekend!!

Happy Holidays:)

Lisa

Unknown said...

Ummm you're just talking no Disney outside the house to a social event right? LOL 80% of my "work" wardrobe is Disney. I do clean up nicely though ;) Great post, especially the confidence part. Funny story, when Glitter Gurl was younger and babysitting in the neighborhood, she would often walk home alone. She always called from the house before she left (in the time of no cell phones) and I reminded her to please be careful. Her response was "it's ok Momba (she calls me Momba, a story for another day) I'm walking home with Confidence" It's so important to raise confident children and you OHMommy are doing a wonderful job.
p.s. Thank your mamusia, she was right about the shoes.

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

Absolutely true. I never go out without a bit of jewelry. Just don't pile it on, people! Make it one statement piece or a couple of simple items. you DON'T need to wear your pearl necklace, diamond rings and gold hoops all in one go :-)

Rhea said...

Sweet Classy tidbits and advice. You make me want to go take a shower and wash my hair and change out of my sweats. :o)

I always wear a pair of small gold hoops and my Roman coin necklace from 330 AD. It's my standard standby.

Musings of a Housewife said...

Great list! Last night I had on this blingy necklace from Tar-Jay and a David Yurman ring. Guess what people noticed? The Tar-Jay necklace. Just goes to show, it's the effort in the accessorizing, not necessarily the quality that matters.

And DITTO on the nails. If there's no time to polish, at least file them! Sheesh!

Anonymous said...

I do think adding just a simple necklace (longer, strand of faux pearls or whatever) works wonders. Look at Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City movie - she wore one with her pjs. Super cute and classy. It just makes the hum-drum more fun. xo

Anonymous said...

I never thought of that all as being 'classy'....I kinda just thought that was what you were supposed to do. And to think I learned it all from Emily Post! Pshaw!

krissy said...

Lady...It's like you just spoke to me personally. I need it all (except clean...I'm a clean nut!)

I'm going to go put a classy outfit on, smile and ooze confidence.

April said...

Very classy post!

Miss Lisa said...

And this is the stuff I say to my kids daily nail part. Chipped nails is a no-no in this house ;)

I do have issues with the shoes sometimes though--I just hate fixing shoes shoes so I can get them rescuffed at the park.

Tyne said...

You are super classy! Thanks for spreading the Holiday Class.

Tami said...

Such great words of advice! I am taking them to heart and trying out holding my head up instead of looking down to blend into the crowd! :)

Jeni said...

As always -some very classy advice from and extremely classy lady! The compliment acceptance thing -often way too many of us -women in particular -have a lot of difficulty with that deal and we really ALL need to pay a bit more attention to it!
Great post! Keep 'em coming!

Anonymous said...

Yep.. I agree and the only thing I really need to work on is Confidence.. I swear one day I will have it.

Anonymous said...

Amin!

Indy said...

Oh the pressure. Since we are friends in real life, I will hope that you will forgive my half polished nails and scruffy cuticles, my scuffed brown loafers that I wear instead of boots since the weather stinks in Ohio, my swearing that I love to do when no kids are around (love an f bomb now and then for fun), my favorite sweater that has a little hole in it that I can't stand to part with, the gossip that I sometimes like to share and the comments about how much things cost. I love to brag about how cheap I bought something. I know you will say nothing in this post is about me. But, I know I am guilty of so many violations. Hopefully our frienship is unconditional. Right?

Zoeyjane said...

Ah, opposites....If I only OWNED a pair of unscuffed shoes :P

Lisa said...

I agree with every other commenter...brilliant and classy post!
Pride in one's self is very classy indeed!
Winnie the Pooh sweatshirts? Not so much.

Blessings From Above said...

This is a great post. Thanks for the classy reminders.

Now, I am off to fix my nails! :)

Cynthia said...

Great advice my dear:)

CC said...

Great advice. Maybe these will be my new year's resolutions.

Val said...

~This~
is why you are classy!
Great post. I always have to remember to accept compliments. It's hard for me but I am getting better.

Noob Mommy said...

Great list OHMommy! Thoughtful and worth a reminder.

Nan Patience said...

It's not easy to be classy!

Don Mills Diva said...

Execllent advice on all counts. I especially agree with faking confidence even if you're feeling anxious. I've been doing it for years and it works!

the planet of janet said...

excellent advice, my dear! excellent.

Clare said...

love your holiday advice!! so true:)

Mama Smurf said...

Fantastic list! I could use help in the "accepting compliments" category. Not sure why that is as I consider myself a relatively confident woman. But I will try harder with a "thank you" and a smile.

Thank you for the reminders.

Unknown said...

I think Obama should bring you into the Administration as the Cabinet member in charge of Enhancing Femininity.

MommyTime said...

This is all great advice. I will admit to owning a few slouchy comfy sweaters and well-beloved imperfect boots. But I am all for the general notion of making an effort as a part of being confident. Thanks for the great reminders.

2 Little Irish Boys said...

Wonderful.Thanks for reminding me how to stay classy. It is really not that hard!

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful! Thanks!

BusyDad said...

Please make a list for guys. Not that I need it *cough*. I'm just, um, curious.

Jill said...

Such a true list! I truly believe that women start projecting a much more confident image when they feel good about themselves. It all starts from within...

Frugal Jen said...

Great post! I am linking this to my Tuesday tip on frugal holiday attire.

Jaina said...

Those are great tips, and excellent for all times of year. :)

A Crafty Mom said...

Excellent - I love it. A list that should be circulated among the masses!! I totally agree about the shoes and accepting a compliment. I can't stand when I'm at a party and say to someone, "you look terrific" only to be met with "oh, I look fat/gross/silly". "Thank you" is all that is necessary, and appropriate.

3 Peanuts said...

Very classy, my friend:)

Anonymous said...

Awesome and soem very classy advice there!

tiarastantrums said...

well said - love it! (I'm with you on the nails - even though mine are fake - they are nicely shortened every two weeks!)

Amy said...

Love all this fab advice!
Of course I'm usually wearing flip flops, but my toes are always done! When it gets colder I throw on the Converse, this year's favorite pairs are the red and the black sequins, oh yes, those Converse are FINE!

 

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