I did not expect to find such a gem of a book at Urban Outfitters. It was a Saturday afternoon, and as my friend tried on outfits in the dressing room, I walked around the store looking at the clothing selection when I saw this book. The title,  Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady,  caught my eye.  It seemed like another book that I could add to my collection of books about femininity, elegance and class. I like to think that I am a lady, or I try to be most of the time. I like books about feminine decorum, I think good manners are essential. I picked up the book and began flipping through the pages.  Apparently my expression registered delight, because my friend who had emerged from the dressing room, walked over to me and said “I can tell you like that book, I’ll get it for you.”  I’m so glad that she did.

The book is a gem. It’s hilarious (if you saw a woman on the subway laughing out loud while reading it was probably me), well-written and filled with great advice for the modern day lady – and it’s written by a man! Yes, I thought the same thing, a book about being a lady written by a man? Well, Derek Blasberg does a great job bringing home the message that young ladies can and should lead self-respecting sensible lives. Blasberg celebrates the modern lady by highlighting qualities such as good manners, self-respect and respect for others as the hallmark of a true lady. It’s so refreshing, especially because we live in a society that encourages unseemly behavior. Additionally, he includes “need to know” lists on great films, artists, books and poetry – because a true lady is always expanding her mind.  The lists actually inspired me to brush up on my Art History.  It’s really a great book for any woman who wants to become a more polished well-round and classy lady.  Here are a few quotes from the book:

- “I owed it to myself to do something for others”

- Life isn’t only about fashion, music videos and tacky musicals….Pushing yourself to do something other than the easy and expected is not only educational, it’s invigorating.”

- “It’s o.k. to be the life of the party, but you want to make sure your life is not just parties.”

-”A lady knows how to give a compliment and mean it, she also knows how to receive a compliment gracefully.”

-”Never compromise yourself, you’re all you’ve got.”

Cheers,
Nika