Ladylike Resolutions

Each autumn, I feel a familiar urge to remake my life.  Chalk it up to nearly 20 years of back-to-school jitters, but fall has come to mean fresh notebook pages and a new wardrobe.  As an adult, January 1^st hardly seems like a good time to shake off bad habits and adopt new ones.  Now that I can stop worrying about my GPA, I think of ways to better my life.

This year has been topsy-turvy (to say the least).  I’ve embarked on the first year of my career, moved into my first post-grad apartment, and have met so many interesting people.  While none of it came easily, I’m glad the successes outweigh the struggles.  Since many of my big hurdles are out of the way, this coming year could use some polishing.  I’ve decided that my goal is to become more “ladylike.”

No—I don’t want to start vacuuming in high heals, and it isn’t an expression of Mad Men nostalgia.  Rather, I want to incorporate little bits of glamour, sophistication, and style into my daily routines.  On the subway or walking around New York, there are beautiful, chic women everywhere.  And it’s all in the details.  It isn’t the expensive dresses or purses that make these women glamorous (though it doesn’t hurt!), it’s that they took the time to put themselves together.  There are a few very small changes I can make that, I think, will make me feel better and be more productive.

• Keep my fingernails clean.

I’ve always admired those who manage this.  Polish never lasts longer than an afternoon, and manicures are chipped and nicked in less than a week.  I’m making a concerted effort to keep my nails even, smooth, buffed, and shinned.  If I can manage to take care of my fingernails, I can manage to take care of the rest of my life.  If I’m too busy for this small task, what does that mean for everything else?

• Work-ready wardrobe.

In the morning, I never want to get out of my pajamas.  I wear the clothes nearest to me—usually jeans and a cardigan.  By the time I rush to the subway platform, standing alongside women who obviously take pride in their appearance at 8 a.m., I start to feel self-conscious.  I think, Really? Am I too lazy to get dressed for work in the morning?  Throughout the rest of the day, I’m anxious to go home and hide. On days I take the time to look polished, I sit straighter and conduct myself more confidently.  Looking good enhances my productivity—who knew?  My simple solution:  Sort though my closet, making a list of all the work-appropriate wear.  By pre-planning work-ready outfits, I won’t scramble for a clean pair of jeans after hitting the third snooze button, but be ready and happy throughout the day.

• Take better care of my skin.

Nothing quite says beauty and sophistication like good skin, and in this department I’m pretty lucky.  Because my complexion can go without a ton of attention, especially if I skip makeup, I usually fall victim to “computer face” (dark circles and dulled, grey undertones.)  Being “ladylike” is about making a ritual of washing the city-grime off of my skin at night with a calming cleanser, and moisturizing with a gentle cream.  In my experience, if I try to cover up the flaws, they only get worse.  By taking the time to take care of my skin, I can also de-stress at night.

• Drink more tea and water.

The year I drank tea and about 2 or 3 liters of water every day was the best I’ve ever felt.  To get back into this habit, I think I’ll dress it up.  By using an elegant tea cup and saucer and drinking out of a recycled glass bottle, I can evoke Jackie O’s editor’s desk, rather than the stacks of coffee cups and messy papers of a newsroom.

• Fill my home with the things I love.

Special stationary and early editions of books, chic intimates (a la Anthropologie & Journelle) and lovely perfumes just make me happy.  The day-to-day doldrums are instantly cured by setting an elegant table for dinner, rather than eating in front of the TV.  If I fill my life with lovely, special things—like taking a long walk through the Chelsea galleries, watching a classic movie, or having a glass of Champagne at happy hour—the stresses melt away.  It’s time to dress up my exhausting everyday, by being more ladylike.