November 15, 2023; The Party Prep Issue
Tonya's Diary
As the holiday season wraps its arms around us, I am drawn to the sparkling allure of festive glamour. You know me—I believe in dressing to the nines, with sequins that catch the light just so, dancing with every step I take. It's not just an aesthetic, it's a statement that every day matters. Tonight, I slipped into a sequin skirt that makes you feel like you’re the leading lady in a classic Hollywood film. It was an ordinary Tuesday evening, yet as I looked in the mirror, I thought, "Why not?"
A beige fluffy coat, white sherpa jacket, and a beige sequence blouse hanging on a clothes rack.
Glamour shouldn’t just be reserved for grand events; it's a treat, like the finest Champagne, that we deserve to savor—even if the most exclusive party of the evening is one's own living room.
Cheers with 2 champagne glasses
How can you add glamour to your every day, Tom? Maybe it’s a bit of jazz music or the warm, amber scent that fills the room with mystique. Or perhaps it’s the sound of clinking Champagne flutes between you and your friends when you’re celebrating a year of challenges and triumphs. Here’s the heart of it: adding glamour to our everyday life is not about grand gestures but about the little luxuries that make our daily grind a bit more bearable, a bit more beautiful. It's about embracing the beauty of now rather than waiting for a "special occasion." Life is the occasion.

Every day is an event worthy of our best china, finest silk, and brightest jewels.

As the holidays approach, I want to remind you (and myself) to infuse a little glamour into each day. Throw on that sparkling number for a night in, pour yourself a glass of bubbly on a Wednesday, turn on some jazz, and let it transport you to an era of elegance. It's a little rebellion against the mundane, a sparkle of joy in a sometimes-grey world.

Let's promise not to wait for glamour but to create it in every corner of our lives. Because, my friend, if not now—when?

With love and a dash of sparkle,

The thought edit: A new thought to restyle your mind

A Gift To Yourself: Stepping Out With Poise

As you add events to your holiday calendar – fancy parties, laidback gatherings, or cherished family meals – your thoughts likely turn to what you can contribute to each occasion. This year, in addition to a hostess gift or a covered dish, I want you to carry something truly invaluable: Poise. Poise, in essence, is the art of maintaining a graceful and composed demeanor, regardless of the circumstances. Given the diverse people, places, and events that may be on your agenda, poise is the one constant that is always welcomed. Arriving with grace and calm equips you to navigate nearly any social situation with ease and acts as a powerful catalyst for confidence. With poise as your guide, you can:
  • Navigate family gatherings with differing viewpoints without descending into heated debates.
  • Maintain your composure and adapt gracefully when faced with unexpected hiccups at holiday events.
  • Allow room for your emotions and seek support when dealing with grief.
When you know you can rely on yourself to show up with poise, you unlock unshakeable confidence. No matter what unfolds, you know you have your own back. This holiday season, prioritize cultivating and stepping out with poise, ensuring you show up confidently in every situation.
Sophisticates: Ideas for Elevating from Our Members

On Showing Up With Poise With Ingrid Seger-Woznicki

I'm in  this icky situation as I've discovered a colleague behaving underhandedly towards me professionally and undermining what I bring to the company.

 I've been observing my thoughts as though I'm watching various pictures popping in front of my mind, like flashes in the sky.

I don’t like being the protagonist witness to the ugly of humanity.

I have had a gut feeling this was coming and sat quietly as reality exposed itself. I wanted the person to become comfortable and thus reveal their intentions.

And they did.

I also recognize this is an untrained muscle in my character.

In the past, I'd get upset and ether avoid the person or confront them in an unplanned way. Now, I want to play chess with poise, Queen energy, and humor.
Humor keeps me feeling that I've got this too. As I move my first piece on the chess board, I move forward like a Queen.
In the Bag: Tips for Reinvention

Spectacular Sparkle

Embrace your own leading lady moment with the skirt Tonya mentioned in this week’s diary entry. Her exact skirt is going fast (it’s easy to see why), so we added a few links below for you to try. Plus, we found a lookalike that delivers the same sensational style. Whether you wear it at home or don it for a festive event, these skirts bring glamour to the holidays and beyond.

My Top 3 Tips For Elegant Eating

The holiday season is often packed with events, traditions, and get-togethers that revolve around food.

For many, this festive focus can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety, overshadowing the intended joy and celebration. But, there is a way to shift this narrative.

In this week’s podcast, Tonya reveals how adopting an elegant approach to eating transformed her relationship with food. Plus, she shares her top 3 tips for cultivating an elegant eating experience – not just at the holidays but throughout the year.

Episode number 363; My Top 3 Tips for Elegant Eating

// TheEDIT

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