It's That Time of Year...

 ....when the sun finally decides to show its face and that means its time to put the heavy pants and boots in the back of the closet and to break free those few summer dresses and tops that get rather lonely. And in my case, to also chop off those long winter locks and get a cute summer bob.

I sure have missed my cute summer dresses. I always have a hard time finding dresses that I absolutely love, because I'm tall and usually have a picture in my mind of just what I want. Most dresses tend to be too short on me, so when I find one that fits, I'm thrilled! I'm excited to break out my dresses this year and see what fun things I can do with them to give them that "classic" feel.

                                                                                 

My Dream Dress

  

     Somethings just are classic without trying to be. Somethings are just beautiful. And when something is beautiful, you know it the moment you see it. 

In a Class by Myself

  Yes, there are certainly days where I feel like I was born in the wrong century. I'm such an old fashioned girl. When I talk about people like Fred Astaire, books like Little Women, and movies like My Fair Lady, most of my friends look at me like I just spoke in Norwegian or something. So, because of that, I don't talk about that kind of stuff very much. But my love for all those things is still there, I just keep it hidden. Sometimes I hide it like I'm almost embarrassed by it, and I've realized that its hard to hide something that's so much a part of you. So I'm going to do better at being old fashioned. I've kinda forgot that part of me for a while, but not anymore. I just bought a ton of old classic books and I cant wait to curl up and get lost in the pages.  Bring on the gentlemen, the   fine ladies, and the old fashioned courtesies. I'm going to have a tete-a-tete with myself and remind myself of what I love. It might sound strange, but you can just call me classic.

If Life Was A Musical...

     Today i realized, with a little grimace and chuckle, that most of the movies I own and watch, are musicals. I know that wasn't one of my life goals or something, but I wonder how it happened.  Or maybe the better question, is why do I like musicals (or why do musicals like me)? haha!  In a musical, life seems simpler and easier. When trouble comes, you sing. When there is a big decision to make, you sing. When you're in love, you sing.  When you're happy, you sing. When you're mad, you sing.   Sing, sing, sing!!!   They can solve everything by singing!  But, I realize that's not real life. You probably aren't going to walk down the street, bump into your ideal guy, and then burst out in song, declaring undying love for one another.  And the world is not going to suddenly come along side you in a perfect choreographed dance.
     As much as I know this, sometimes I do wish a little. Ok, ok, not really for the choreographed dances, cause that would be a little creepy ( some spontaneous background music would be cool though!), but for some of that spark and passion, and that sense of "Dance and sing like no one is watching".  I know that we tend to romanticize the past, but some of that is good, because it motivates us live better.  haha and I don't just mean how nice it would be if guys would still open doors and give up their seats for girls.
     So what is it about a musical that captures us? I don't think it's the music or the dancing, it's the spirit of story. The feeling of passion and unity and togetherness. Even if all the characters some from different worlds, they come together to simply sing.  And actually, there is nothing wrong with that. That is what we love. That anyone can be friends, anyone can find happiness in song.
   If you know me at all, you know that I am always bursting out into song. It's something that I've learned, to sing like no one is listening. So if you're ever around me when I burst into song, prepare to sing along!!

It's just so Chic!

     I found the most amazing website a few weeks ago and I spent hours on it when I probably should have been studying. It's http://www.modcloth.com/ !!  As I hope you know by now, I love all things classic and this website has the cutest vintage clothes! There's no way I could show you all the things I found, but I just want to show you a few of the dresses that I chose as favorites. What do you think?

The Death of the Gentleman??

     The other day I had a guy I know ask me why, when he wanted to open a door for a girl, his friends thought he was flirting with her, when all he was doing was trying to be nice.  Well, first it surprised me that this guy would open a door for a girl when I don't normally see him do such gentlemanly tasks, and secondly I wondered why his friends assumed he was flirting.  I was curious about this. Now days, people assume that being gentlmanly has to mean something more than politeness and chivalry. If you are being nice to a girl, then that attomactically means you are hitting on her?  Unfortunately, I guess so. So why is this? Why aren't more guys real gentlemen anymore?
      Guys don't know how to BE gentlemen. No one really teaches them anymore. And frankly, I don't think most of them even think about, and if they did they probably wouldn't want to be taught.  Why? Well I think guys have lowered their expectations of what girls expect from them. And isn't  that true? Girls have lowered their expectations of how they want to be treated by guys. Girls "put up"with a lot less than, I believe, they should.
     I also think that guys assume that being gentlemanly somehow makes them less manly, or less "macho".  Well, lets take a look at what the definition of a gentleman is: A well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior. How about chivalry, which goes hand in hand with true gentility:  The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.
     In reality, being chivalrous and gentlemanly is all about bravery and honor, which seems very "manly" to me. Of course, I think it's a two way street. Girls should act as true ladies towards guys. What is the definition of a lady? A lady is a woman who is refined, polite, and well-spoken;  the object of chivalrous devotion. Some girls think that when guys are chivalrous toward them, that it is somehow degrading to women. But in reality, chivalry is just outward respect and honor for women.
    Now some people might think this is all a bunch of sappy nonsense. Maybe it is. But if so, I think we all should be a little more sappy and nonsensical. You can just call me classic.

     SO.... what really is classic? What does it mean to be classic? What does classic look like?  Well if you want a literal definition, then it is something of enduring interest, quality, or style. Something having lasting worth. Many people automatically think "stiff, formal, refined, or strained" when they hear the word classic. But when I think of something classic, I think of something lovely and fun. Something worth loving. I find classic things all around me every day. From objects of beauty, to simple ways that people bless you.
     Of  course, many things that are classic are from the days of yester-years. It's true that back then they perhaps lived in a more classic way. But I want to look for ways to make my life more classic. In the best sense. I'm just going to look around me every day for things that remind me of the classics. Anything from old movies, classic books, old traditions, long gone fashions, and simple manners.  Traights like chivarly, courtesy, and valor. How old-fasioned does that sound? haha. But really, wouldn't we all like a little more of that in our lives?