The Secrets of Charm

In my previous entry I mentioned the book, The Secrets of Charm, by John Robert Powers and Mary Sue Miller.  John Robert Powers is probably best known for the school/agency of acting and modeling he established that is still running today.   However he was also an author and teacher of programs in self improvement and confidence building by making the most of your natural assets.

Mr. Powers says, "In many years of experience guiding girls and women to their individually chosen goals in every field it is a matter of record that I have never met an unattractive woman--only the one who did not know how to make the most of her natural, attractive self."

The Secrets of Charm was a book written, in 1954, for the average woman of society as a self improvement book.  It seems it covers everything from how you stand, to budgeting for a well put together wardrobe, to even speech grooming.  A sort of "do it yourself"/finishing school book.  Unfortunately this book is out of print.  I just happened across a copy 10 years ago when a then local department store's display department was getting rid of a box full of books.  I remember skimming through it then, however I never read it from cover to cover.  As an experiment I thought I would go through it step by step and do my best to apply myself to what I find in it's pages...

When you know you've had a little too much Austen!

I admit, I have been putting off writing this particular blog now, for about a month. I regret to say that the reason I am so apprehensive of writing is that it I struggle to know where to start. 

After seeing the movie "Julie & Julia" I realized that I wanted a reason for having a blog.  Up until this point I believe that I have had one, in essence, to be like everyone else.  I decided that I needed to find a goal or purpose for my blog, and after much deliberation I have come to a conclusion.  I would like to use this blog as a place where I can research, explore and re-define what it means to be an "accomplished woman" in this day and age.  "Sure," you're telling yourself, "Lacee's been watching too much Jane Austen."  Oddly enough, the idea actually was inspired by a quote from Pride & Prejudice, but as the idea has aged and fermented in my brain, it has come to symbolize my finding a better me.

Here's the quote:

``Oh! certainly,'' cried his faithful assistant, ``no one can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.''

``All this she must possess,'' added Darcy, ``and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.''  (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1.8.46-57)

I think it makes you wonder if today the art of grace and charm as well as the austenian definition of accomplishment has been pushed off to the wayside in mainstream society due to lifestyle change.  As if it was sloughed off as another one of the things associated with the diminutive feminine that became so taboo during the sexual equality war of the 60's.  Now, it seems that most women favor financial and executive success in exchange for that which once merited them the description as "the fairer sex."

Robert Powell said in his book The Secrets of Charm (1954,  introduction):

As a tribute to feminine charm, Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote:

"When you praised her as charming, some asked what you meant,
But the charm of her presence was felt where she went."

No one before or since has been able to better this description.  You cannot define charm in a word, measure it with a ruler, weigh it on a scale.  Still, we know when we are in its presence; we are warmed by it and made to feel that life is good.

By my aim going forward, to explore what it means in this day and age to be "accomplished," I mean to show:  how we as women can cultivate the strength needed to achieve the success we desire, but not loose ourselves in the process.

Out with the Old and In with the New

It's time to roll out the old year and ring in the new..... again. It seems not long ago that I wrote a blog post about new years resolutions, of course if you look at my lack of blogging you might get that impression as well.

Among some of the goals I set for myself this last year I can proudly say that I achieved at least two: learning to knit a cable stitch and I tried at least one new recipe.


It's interesting that although we all have good intentions somehow we always seem to find excuses not to get things done. I'm glad that at the beginning of each year we are given a clean slate and can begin again. I aim this year to be able to not only augment my knowledge but to further create in myself an individual that can walk tall with the confidence and pride.

Happy holidays to all of my friends, family and faithful readers. May this year bring you not only good fortune, but also much better blogging to come!

Must have done something right...

My whole adult life I have wanted a garden. So, this summer I decided to try planting and setting up a container garden on the porch of my apartment. I started out with a few shrubs, three strawberry plants and a tomato plant, hoping that I would be able to keep them alive and happy. I even tried planting some seeds in one of those peat pellet planter things to see if I
could grow myself an herb garden. Well, over the last few days I found evidence that I just might be succeeding!

Who knew that a little green sprout would make someone so happy.

Creative Solution to a Security Problem

Recently the security at my job decided that in order to make their job easier they would prohibit employees from carrying regular purses and handbags on the sales floor or in the store when they are on the clock. They gave us each a 6" X 9" vinyl zipper pouch to replace our purses. They also said that if we needed a bigger bag we were allowed to get them but that they needed to be transparent and we had to pay for them ourselves.

So with Josh in tow I went out in search of a clear vinyl hand bag or tote that could fit my needs. We tried Walmart, Kmart and I also called JoAnn Fabrics, Robberts Crafts and Michael's all of which said they didn't have any prefab bags or as in the case of Walmart you had to spend at least $19 on a mid-sized bag from the cosmetics department filled with makeup stuff. Of course since I have to be able to fit a spare pair of shoes in my bag this was not acceptable. Finally tired and fed-up my patient husband said, " That's it we're going to a fabric store. If we bought the plastic stuff could you make your own bag?"


So we headed over to Hancock Fabrics and $4.48 later I had my vinyl, binding tape, and thread, all ready to make my bag. So with the stuff I bought and the stuff I already had I made the ideal bag for me.
















I have since decided to use the bag that I originally got from security, but since it did match the new bag I decided to fancy it up.

















I decided to try my hand at selling these bags to co-workers that cannot find a bag that they are satisfied with.

Valentine Schmorghesboard

(Or however you spell that word)

Yes once again it's time for the annual valentine's scavenger hunt. Who knew that one year's event could become a favorite tradition. I'm proud of myself that I was still able to pull this off before Josh got home as his new schedule has him getting off of work at 10:30 am.

This year has given me a challenge to find ways of using my talents to come up with gifts made from things we already had. (I'll admit I had to buy one or two things to put this together) I'll be forever grateful for already established traditions, because it's a given that I will be making strawberry rice krispy treats, gingersnaps and chocolate covered Strawberries but I am truly grateful for the ideas I was given for the rest of the gifts I used for this activity.


I think the funnest thing is to see the look on someone's face as they are trying to follow little clues you've written around the house. Even more fun is how they look as they investigate the little treasures left for them and the hugs you get afterward.

I have so much fun coming up with these things but this years was the first time I was home when Josh was solving my game. I've always prepared it before leaving for work and then come home after the fact. Today was a treat!

The Best Surprise

Well, Josh's birthday party was awesome!!!! Unfortunately this ding dong forgot to make sure pictures were taken. Oh well. Hopefully we'll be able to remember the next time. We had such a good time with those that were able to make it. My dad was such a big help taking Josh shooting that day and for keeping him occupied. I still think some of the best moments were when Josh's cousin Cyndee who was standing near the front door came running into the other room saying that some one was trying to come in the house, her facial expression was priceless. I hope that those that were not able to attend are well and that we will be able to see you soon.