{"id":5629,"date":"2013-03-14T10:00:19","date_gmt":"2013-03-14T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/abitcoquettish.wordpress.com\/?p=5629"},"modified":"2022-02-17T15:21:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T23:21:09","slug":"a-bit-coquettish-manifesto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kimberlypearl.co\/blog\/a-bit-coquettish-manifesto\/","title":{"rendered":"The “A Bit Coquettish” Manifesto"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"macbook<\/p>\n

A Bit Coquettish\u00a0is a lot of things: a m\u00e9lange of things important to girls and women alike, and in essence, a pretty good reflection of what goes on in my head. I can\u2019t quite categorize ABC as anything specific. I like to think it\u2019s multifaceted (labels are limiting), covering\u00a0fashion, lifestyle, beauty<\/strong>. It\u2019s\u00a0life<\/strong>\u00a0lessons, musings,\u00a0 advice<\/strong>. It\u2019s often\u00a0haphazard<\/strong>\u00a0and strewn with\u00a0silly things<\/strong>. But regardless of the article at hand, I always offer a whole lot of perspective (I can\u2019t help it, blame it on being born an Aries). It was impossible to keep my writing strictly fashion-based.\u00a0I don\u2019t love fashion.<\/strong>\u00a0I can\u2019t. But I indulge in it.<\/p>\n

Is fashion frivolous?<\/a> Yes, and no. I sometimes rant on about the inner debate. But it\u00a0is<\/em> far more dinner table friendly than politics. For the record, I’m a Democrat\/liberal by choice (and by birth). Should that deter you from reading further? So be it. Behold, the manifesto.<\/p>\n

.\u00a0\u00a0 .\u00a0\u00a0 .<\/p>\n

My initial intention when venturing into the blogosphere was to create a strictly fashion-based blog. The only thing that hasn\u2019t changed since my very first blog, La Couturier,<\/a>\u00a0was\u00a0my mission to inspire in some way or another<\/strong>; that credo remains as is. All else has changed. It has since evolved into focusing more intently on\u00a0the importance of style<\/strong> rather than current fashions, which made more sense on my end: I\u2019ve never liked the idea of trends, nor was I too keen on the concept of disposable fashion. Consistency, mes ch\u00e9ries!\u00a0Know who you are and where you stand in all aspects of life, clothing inclusive.<\/strong>\u00a0I hate waffling and staccato \u2013 cohesiveness and fluidity, always. (Unless it comes to ordering food\u2026)<\/p>\n

And as much as Boy #3 and that shiny new tube of Yves Saint Laurent lipstick may make you happy for the time being, keep in mind that they\u2019re only the extras. The sprinkles on the cake, as the saying goes, are essential for that bit of flair and finishing touch, but not crucial in determining whether or not the actual cake tastes delicious<\/em>\u00a0(be forewarned: I can get ridiculously cheesy at times). So here, in this\u00a0petit<\/em>\u00a0nook in the Internet, is more\u00a0perspective<\/strong>,\u00a0advice,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0emphasis on self-confidence and self-empowerment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Why style?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I believe in cultivating style because that\u2014style\u2014is who you are<\/strong>. Start on the surface. Fake it \u2019til you make it. Chip your way into your core, your\u00a0self<\/em>. Find the things which inspire you and let them set fire to your soul.<\/p>\n

But why is style so fashion-oriented?<\/strong>\u00a0Style is etiquette. Your perceptions. Your voice. (Hello, \u201cwriting\u00a0styles<\/em>\u201d ring a bell?) Your daily rituals. Who you are\u2014your culture, your background. It\u2019s effervescent and pervasive. It\u2019s an extension of self, and the fashion aspect is a portion of it, and perhaps the most important in terms what matters in societal standards. But it\u2019s how<\/em>\u00a0you wear it that ultimately counts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe essence of style is how you live your life; what you do with your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Oscar de la Renta<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The way you choose to live your life is a defining factor of who you are. I love aesthetics. I love beauty. I live on the feeling of always being inspired. And so, I try to bring it into all I do\u2014in the things I own, the things I read, what I surround myself in. It\u2019s how I am and who I am.<\/p>\n

Some women choose not to \u201cbe involved\u201d in fashion as a statement\u2014but embracing fashion is not a rejection of feminism. You have to care about how you look to a certain extent; if not for first impression’s sake, then for you. How much do you value yourself?<\/strong>\u00a0You take care of the things you love (say, your beloved laptop). You dote on those you love (family, friends, kids, etc.).\u00a0Does the same not apply to yourself?<\/strong>\u00a0Start with self-love & indulgence<\/a>. But the fact of the matter is this: first impressions\u00a0do\u00a0<\/em>count. That first look\u2014first blink\u2014is everything. Take advantage of it.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think thinking is stylish. Looking is stylish. Culture is stylish. I think you need to be inspired by something in order to be stylish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Isabella Blow<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I believe that minimalism and the complete rejection of frivolity in the extremity can be depressing. Miserable, even. What makes the human race distinct is our emotions<\/strong>: as human beings, it is inevitable to be moved by aesthetics. We thrive on beauty.<\/strong> We dote, observe, drink it in to satiate and feed our souls. Why do we dream as we do? We are artists, whether we keep it to ourselves or have made a profession out of it. If that handbag makes you happy, if that tube of lipstick makes you smile, why not? Why punish a desire? It is no one\u2019s place to judge your decisions.<\/p>\n

But of course, all must be done with pragmatism.<\/strong>\u00a0There is a line between reason and pure materialism. I can always justify my purchases and consider myself financially literate.\u00a0Be aware.<\/strong>\u00a0Keep tabs on what you\u2019ve purchased, how much you\u2019ve spent. Budget. Pre-plan. Do you absolutely\u00a0need<\/em>\u00a0it? Or simply want it? There\u2019s a viable difference between that and an impulsive need to fill an emotional void as a means of distracting ourselves from the real problem.<\/p>\n

Learn to balance the practical and the desirable.\u00a0Smart shopping is sexy<\/strong>. It shows you\u2019re a woman who knows what she wants and exactly when to get it. You are always in control of your desires \u2013 but also aren\u2019t afraid to unleash them.<\/strong>\u00a0Think like a coquette, always!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA woman uses her intelligence to find reasons to support her intuition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Gilbert K. Chesterton<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I\u2019m a realistic idealist.<\/strong>\u00a0I believe in a lot of things. In women. In the practical and the ideal. In dressing for the job you want, the life you want. In never settling for less. In compromise. The power of lipstick and a great pair of heels. The importance of self-confidence, even if it takes faking it to make it. I believe in dancing with the soul, your very core. I believe in meditation and music and philosophy and self-indulgence in moderation.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to being\u00a0a bit coquettish<\/a>\u2014living coquettishly and flirting with life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

. \u00a0 .\u00a0\u00a0 .<\/p>\n

Where to start, you ask?
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Admittedly, I write a lot. Sometimes I ramble. But these are the essentials (and most popular articles) on ABC:<\/p>\n