Beauty: Beauty or Bust

Dear Reader,

To-day we will discuss a topic of a most intimate nature: bust beauty. I shall now ask my male readers to avail their eyes from the remainder of this post, as this is a matter that is most delicate and private, and is for ladies only.

Alright...now that the gentleman have left the room, let's discuss bust beauty. You might think to yourself, "why do I need to care about my brassiere line?". Well, dear reader, take a look around you and notice how unsightly and ungainly so many women keep this part of their form, a part of the body which should be kept in high esteem, as it is one of the main physical atrributes that separates us from the men, and can be one of the more attractive, if properly respected. I will go down the list of some habits you should develop in order to maintain your bust loveliness...

1. Ladies of poise and charm never show cleavage during the daylight hours, and only a hint after dark, and only in the most formal of circumstances, i.e, a charity ball, not a Junior League committee meeting and certainly not at the office, if you do have the unfortunate circumstance of having to work. If you do nothing else, dear, keep yourself modestly covered in this area. Now, I do not mean to say here that you should outfit yourself in unattractive, boyish, or ill-fitting clothes, but rather ensure that your neckline does not reveal too much of your "personality". Yes, I know that Marilyn did it, but she also had three husbands...hmmm...need I say more? If you want to keep your reputation out of the gutter, guard your daintiness.

2. Playtex recently advertised that 70% of women are wearing an incorrectly sized brassiere. No wonder the bustlines of America are compromised! Dear, get yourself to a good corsetier and be properly measured. A proper fit is the first step in bust beauty. We have all witnessed the woman with her bust pouring out of her brassiere--what a shame; even a slender girl appears to be chubby in this situation. Watch out for the back fat as well!

3. Once you have been properly fitted for your foundation garments, wear those which enhance your bustline. Unless you are expecting or nursing a child, always wear brassieres with underwire, regardless of your cup size. The wire gives you that little "lift" that you need to appear toned and feminine. The shape you want is round. No more are the days where we ironed our brassieres to points like the missiles being sent overseas to get those Germans! Round and natural, albeit a little uplifted, is the key.

4. Find brassieres which are seamless in the cup area. With the invention of more delicate materials in garments, seams on brassieres, even when properly covered with a camisole, still show through. This not only makes you look like an old lady, but it also detracts from your bust beauty. You do not want people looking at your chest (they really should not be looking at all if they are of any sort of breeding) because they notice your seams!

5. Wear brassieres made of silken fabrics. I am sure that you have noticed the woman walking around with a portion of her blouse or shirt bunched up over her brassiere because the fabric does not glide delicately over her foundation garments. Cotton is comfortable, but try corsets which are made of nylon or silk so your clothes hang well. Save your cotton corsets for when you are wearing heavier or lined fabrics.

6. Exercise when possible and try to make it a part of your daily routine. Strength training in the upper chest area really gives your bust a lift! Don't overdo it, however. You don't want to look like one of those women on the front cover of "Bodybuilder" Magazine. Poor dears! They are so misguided--they think that they appear attractive--they really just look like men.

7. Finally, stand up straight! Do not be ashamed of your bustline. Good posture can only enhance your femininity and poise. Also, any cup size over a B should be housed in a "minimizer" brassiere. Ask your corsetier about this. You certainly don't want to appear like those misguided women who look like they are carrying around a pair of watermelons under their blouses.

Well dear, I hope that this posting has put your on your way to bustline beauty. I fully expect to see a reformation of bustlines in the next few weeks.

Until next time...

HF

Charm: Personality--the "P" in "P's and Q's"

Dear Reader,

What a lovely day this has been to-day! The northeast finally has some nicer weather and I have all of the windows open in my home. Of course, the heat is on as well, but really, money is meant to be spent, isn't it? The fresh air has inspired me to write to you about the fragrance of your personality...so let us not delay...

I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to develop a charming and gracious personality. Even if mother nature has not blessed you with such, a shame dear, really, it is your responsibility to make efforts to develop one that is pleasing to others. No one wants to be associated with someone who is a "wet mop" or someone who is negative and complains all of the time. It is time to turn over your leaf and become the cheerful and positive person that I know you can be. You want to be a person who attracts others and makes friends easily. Let's face it: the Scarsdale Charity League is not looking for "sour puss Sally" to join! It also wouldn't hurt to catch that suitor you have been after! Let's take a look at some of the following tips to help you on your way to personality perfection:

1. If you are a "gloomy gus", find out what is making you so. Are there some other flaws in your life which bring you down? Well, pick up yourself by your boot straps and get moving. If it is exercise you need, start walking. If you have a bland face and appearance, by all means, see a beauty specialist and get some of that new lipstick and beauty cream. If you have some circumstances in your life which are making your demeanor less than appealing to others, change them, or at least get those lemons out and start squeezing. You need to make positives out of all of the negatives in your life. It is how you respond to what comes your way which can help you strengthen your outlook. Perhaps contact your clergyman and see if he has anything to say about it. Have a positive attitude!

2. Are you boring? Do you offend others with a sarcastic or off-color sense of humor? Well, the remedy here is to find some interests that you can share with others, without offending them. Try some new activities in your life to make it more exciting. You can only discuss your garden for so long, dear. Try a new sport or or hobby. You will feel better about yourself and make some new friends, too. Stay current with what is happening in the world, even if you only can view 20 minutes of the morning news. Be interesting!

3. Are you rude or lacking in manners? Well, the first solution is to read my posts, and weekly! You cannot allow these personality flaws to continue. Once you are current in your reading, take some etiquette and dance classes at your local community center or, if you have a charming and poised friend, invite her over for tea and some manners lessons. You also need to remove youself from any circle of friends with these characteristics. Beauty is as beauty does--associate with people who are lovely and charming...osmosis is a wonderful thing!

4. Now that you have gotten beyond your circumstances, you need to keep that positive outlook each and every day. EVERY day when you wake up, put yourself together and try to be your beauty best, even if you are ill. Most people are much happier if they take care of their appearance. Take a beauty bath, get dressed, put on some makeup and perfume, and smile at yourself in the mirror. You are worth the time it takes to prepare for the day. Don't listen to "speedy Susan" who can get ready in 5 minutes. She probably looks it, too! Take at least an hour every day for yourself.

5. Smile, smile, smile (and by all means, have your teeth whitened, if needed). Smiling is contagious. Others will enjoy being around a person who is positive and happy. Now, don't over do it--there is no need to be fake. As you take my tips under advisement, the positivity in your life will come naturally.

Well dear reader, I did enjoy a late start to my morning to-day. I am going to enjoy a beauty bath of my own and a cup of tea, of course with milk and sugar.

Until next time...

HF

Charm: Hen-Pecked Henry

Dear Reader,

I could not avail myself of sleep tonight without writing to you about a certain subject. I simply must tell you of a situation I encountered at the doctor's office the other day. I was sitting in the waiting room, charmingly of course, when I overheard a woman belittling her husband, most likely of 50 years or so, and telling him what to do in a most ungracious manner. I was appalled at her behavior as I shared a "knowing glance" with one of the other waiting room patrons. This woman, definitely NOT a lady, was treating her husband terribly and was showing her lack of decorum in a most unbecoming manner. She threw on her own coat in haste as her elderly husband was trying to gather his belongings and walked up to the reception desk to check out at least five or six paces IN FRONT of her husband. What a disgrace. The lesson to be learned here is simply this: ladies, you must respect your husbands!

Now, let's move on to more detail. I cannot express how important it is for a lady to treat her husband well and to respect him, especially in public. I do understand that some husbands leave something to be desired, but dear, you should have known that before you married him and should have made better decisions! I am speaking here of your average, decent husband, although this advice will work on even the most ungentlemanly of men out there. Do you think for even a second that your husband works hard all day at the office wanting to come home to hear you squawking about mishaps of the day? Do you think that you husband enjoys your critiques of him, just as he is sitting down to relax from a hard day of business, or at any time of day, for that matter? Absolutely not. Now dear, I know the days of putting a ribbon in your hair before your husband comes home are long gone, and I know that we have supposedly been "liberated", but dear, really, do you think that disrespectful behaviors such as these are going to endear yourself to your husband? They certainly aren't going to get you that mink you have been eyeing! Especially for those of us who have the opportunity to leave the workplace to stay at home with our families--do you realize that your husband's efforts are what are allowing you such a lifestyle? Why in the world are you going to undermine him and emasculate him by your bossy comments and recommendations? My dear, we have so much to discuss! For the sake of brevity, I will provide a few pointers to keep your husband happy and your marriage in tip top shape:

1. Always speak well of your husband, especially in public.
2. Always treat your husband as you would want to be treated. There are times when each of us can annoy another person (although they will become few and far between if you follow the advice in my posts), but never let your frustration be shown in public. If you need to address a certain issue, by all means, use the privacy of your own home to do so.
3. Never greet your husband with your problems at the door when he comes home from his business. Unless your home has just recently been torched to the ground by a housefire, let him enjoy a cup of coffee or tea that you have lovingly prepared for him. Let him have some unwinding time after a hard day at the office, if only for a few minutes. When you come home from a long day of charity meetings and spa appointments, don't you like a few minutes to yourself?
4. Never give your husband a "honey-do list" on his day off or on the weekends, or ever for that matter. Your husband knows what needs to be done around the house. Let him decide when the work is to be done. If you are frustrated by something not getting done, by all means, hire out the work and surprise him!
5. If your husband is not the handy sort, you poor dear, don't nag him about this deficiency. Each man has specific strengths and weaknesses. Again, do the job yourself or by all means, hire it out. But--do not nag your husband about it.
6. Always remember that your husband is the head of the family. This means that you are to show respect for him, not only in front of others in public, but more importantly, in front of your children at home. Your children learn respect for others by what they witness on a daily basis in the home.
7. Let your husband know that he is special in every room of the house.

Ladies, trust Mrs. Fillmore, you will reap the rewards of your changed behavior toward your husbands. Treat him like a gentleman and the favor will surely be returned. You will find that your husband will be more frequently "at the ready" to open doors for you, to help you with your coat, and to pull your chair out for you at home and at the club. If you make your husband feel like a "man", he will feel confident about himself and will be much more eager to treat you like the "lady" that you are becoming. Add a touch of that signature fragrance and some lipstick and there will be no stopping you!

Until next time...

HF