Etiquette {challenge #17}

Table Etiquette, more precisely.

I'm actually fairly pre-disposed to this subject. My grandmother, and the women I've always lived with since I was born, is kind of a fanatic about these things, and for 6 years she taught an etiquette class within our local church. 

Some basic rules are simple. Chew with your mouth closed, because obviously no one wants to see what you're chewing. Sit with your left hand (or right if you're left handed) in your lap, where napkin should be. Don't put your elbows on the table, etc. At least I hope you know most of these. 

But I guess one of the things that should be addressed first is WHY we care about table manners. Basically it's a courtesy to the people around you, without courtesy and respect, basically we'd all fall into heathenism, so I vote we try to be courteous people. 

So let me ask you a question. Do you know how to set a table? Like, how to really set a table? As you read young adulthood, and when you enter the world of wives and mothers, you'll want to know. Here's a graph I found on pinterest. 

This is something we did alot in my grandma's class. It's pretty interesting, setting a table correctly. 

And I know you're thinking, why should I care? But trust me, you'll thank me one day when you're eating with the president. Between now and then, I say we practice. Eating and setting. And respect those around us. 

So the challenge for the week/month (i.e. until whenever I get back to post) is to make an effort to eat properly. And have a sit down dinner with SOMEONE at least once this workweek, and once this weekend, and set the table informally. Please and thank you. 

Much Love, 

Bleah 

Help?

Perhaps I'm the biggest failure of a blog author and friend to fail as miserably as I've been failing. But I'm just stuck in a total and utter block. So I'm going to ask you, and beg you to please reciprocate. What has this blog done for you? What else would you like to see, and what is class to you?

Thanks so much you guys,
Bleah

class > music? Challenge #16

I was recently contemplating the relation between our reputation and the music we openly listen to. Should a person of faith restrict herself to only inspirational and otherwise religious tunes? Or is some secular mainstream music allowed? And a classy girl, what kind of music should she subject herself too? Do they go hand in hand or are we keeping them separated?

The way I see it, is that if you're truly to be an honorable, classy, young man or women then you have to be classy through and through. You can't just skim the surface, and you can't just play pretend.

The music you listen to will definitely have an influence on you. And I'm not saying that we, as a generation rising in class, can only listen to Christian/Faith based music, or inspirational things of the sort. I'm saying that we have to inspect ourselves as a person, as an individual and have the self control to hold ourselves to a particular standard.

For instance. Studies show, and my own personal experimenting backs up, the fact that when you spend hours on end listening to depressing music, about death, gore, murder, screaming, so on and so forth -- you begin to feel lower. You're more tired, more moody, grumpy, irritable. And it's unhealthy. I'm not saying, if this is the type of music you like, you have to cut it out. I'm saying you have to be more aware of what you're doing, and how it's making you act.

So my challenge for you, is that over the next 21 days, or three weeks, set up a playlist. Listen to whatever you want. But try to make sure that what you're listening to has a happier, lighter, gentler message. Some bands that I really enjoy that don't seem to effect me negatively are The Civil Wars, Mumford & Sons, Vampire Weekend (I know the name is weird, but they're lovely. Really they are), and Fun. Add in a couple faith based songs if it's not offensive to you. And just -- listen. Like you normally would. And take note of if you're mood is effected, if you feel better at all. If you don't. Then you win, and I was wrong. But if you do, come back and tell me about it. I'd love to know. And I'll be doing this with you, of course.

So let the music commence!

moderation (challenge #15)

There's that saying that, done in moderation, everything is okay. Usually we associate this thought with food, but today I'm thinking more along the lines of -- makeup.

Ah, this can be a fun subject or an incredibly touchy one. Now, just to clear the air I'm not one of those people who is under the belief that you shouldn't wear makeup, and if that's your belief then more power to you. You may or may not agree with this post. And I do look forward to reading your comments, so please, enlighten me.

My opinion of makeup in relationship to class is as follows: Makeup is something that enhances your features. I'm a bit believer on drawing attention to the eyes, simply because many people think that my eyes are my best feature.
Find your best feature whether it's your lips, your cheek bones, your eyes, even your eyebrows, and accentuate that.
Perhaps you have really blue eyes. If I were you, I'd probably apply a light eyeliner, use some mascara, and use a light eye shadow that makes them pop.
But if you're eyes aren't very attention-catching, then you'll probably want to do something alot lighter, and focus on a bright lipstick. Blondes tend to look better in pinks and corals, while brunets, and often times redheads will look fabulous in maroons and reds. Find the right, most flattering color for you, and I promise you'll look your best.
Someone with fantastic cheek bones may focus more on blush, and so on and so forth.
Something else is, if you don't have a bad complexion then stay away from foundation as much as possible. Let your freckles show, and your natural blush. Foundation can get pasty and unless you're going through that monthly breakout, of there's something that really needs to be covered up, I don't recommend it.

To many people put on pounds and pounds of makeup when it's just not necessary. You're beautiful. And we want to see YOU. Not the makeup company you're wearing.

So my challenge to you is this... take time this week to focus on your best feature. Take multiple pictures, with and without makeup of your best feature, until you find the perfect combination. Once you do, post them on your blog, or send me a link (bleahpatterson@Yahoo.com) so we can share in how beautiful YOU are.
Let's all be beautiful, really beautiful, naturally beautiful. And let's celebrate in each other's beauty.

Much Love,
Bleah

Composure

I couldn't convince myself whether or not to make this a "challenge", in which it would be #14, or if to just write this and see if it does indeed cause you to challenge yourself.

I'm in no position to assume that anyone, much less everyone, reading this thinks the way that I do, or views things the way that I do. So if this does challenge you, as it did me, then I encourage you to tell me all about your story. None of us like feeling alone, you know. 

So as I was writing this, or considering writing this -- I was a bit of a wreck. You see, my life has been quite hectic. And I know that most of you don't know me, and so this will mean very little to you. But the last thing, quite honestly I wanted to do was take on another project (i.e. this blog). I'm dealing with relationship issues, spiritual issues, family issues, and all around inner-self issues, and I have alot on my mind. 

I didn't know what to write or where to start, or how to appease you as an audience, and then it struck me. 

I think something that I kind of think of when I invision a classy women, is someone who is composed even when she has alot on her mind. Something I am not would be composed, but I know it's something that I need to work on. 

Now, I'll tell you -- composure is not hiding your feelings, shoving them down for them explode. No, it's having tact, and consideration for those around you. It's not making everything about you, using retrospect, and realizing how good off you really are. It's strength, it's remembering that things will in fact get better, lifting your chin, and moving onward. 

To me, composure reminds me of the ocean. You look at the ocean and you do not think of some timid, scared, fake, thing do you? No, you something strong, full of passion, something that is infinite and beautiful. But that ocean, if given the freedom to do what it wills, without God holding it back, could swallow us whole and take us over. Your emotions have the same power over those around you. And when you compose yourself you're not being weak, I think that you're being even stronger. 

That, my loves, is composure. And that's something that I need to work on, and I believe it's something that is definitely the embodiment of class. 

Please comment with your thoughts. 

Much Love, 

Bleah Briann 

Hello's and what not.

Hello, my name is Bleah Briann. I am both friends with Alexandria, and author of "Lovely" by Bleah Briann, a blog and life journal. I've posted on here once of twice before, and recently Alexandria asked me to take over this blog for her. I'm not sure how temporary or permanent this will be, and I have quite a bit going on in my life right now. But give me until the end of the week and I will do my best to have some details for you about the layout for this blog over the next, however many out of 100, days we have left to go. Myself and Alexandria thank you so much for your patience, and I hope you'll accept me as your new author.

Much Love,
Bleah Briann

Hospitality (Challenge #13)

Class, to me, represents the classic lady. Someone who respects herself, and is generous, caring, and open to others. Iconic views like Audrey Hepburn and even June Cleaver portray this. But the need to be hospitable to others didn't end in the 50's. Perhaps you would be surprised by how the people around you react if you just went the extra step to welcome society in with open arms.

There's something about a guest who can load the dishwasher after dinner that someone wants to invite back. When you're hospitable, not just when someone is in your home, but when you're in someone else's home, it shows that you're grateful. And we all know, from experience, that when your guest is ungrateful for what you've provided your inclination to invite them back anytime soon is lowered drastically.

My challenge to you is, next time you're invited to someone's house, take the initiative. Leave your shoes at the door, ask if they need help preparing, and be the first to clean up your mess and even those around yous messes. Bring a hostess gift, even. And send a thank you note after you leave.

But who knows when you'll have the opportunity to go to someone's home. So the "do" part of this challenge, is to invite someone over to your home. Maybe someone you don't usually have over. Make some tea, bring out some cookies, pretty magazines, and have a lovely time. Take note of your attitude, and theirs.

This has been another post by Bleah Briann. Check out my blog if you have a free moment.