Wonderful Books to Read

Book Review: Tips on Posing for Pictures

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As some of you may have read from my recent blog entries, I am reading a book called A Guide to Elegance. I only have a few chapters left and I am very disappointed. I have really enjoyed reading this book.

It will be a book that I will revisit over and over. A few weeks ago I read the chapter called” Photography” and in this chapter Genevieve discussed how to pose for pictures and to always look your best. Here are some of her tips for great photos. I found them very interesting:

– You should stand straight with your toes turned outward, with one leg placed a little ahead of the other, and with your body turned slightly sideways, so that the camera will capture a three-quarters view.

– Unless you are very young, you should always smile at the photographer; otherwise, the expression lines around the mouth are apt to make you look disagreeable and tired.

– You should always remove your dark glasses for an outdoor snapshot, but never look directly into the sun.

– If you are being photographed stretched out on a beach or the deck of a boat, it is more flattering to prop yourself up on one hip and an elbow and present your body in profile, instead of lying spread out flat like a fried egg.

– The most frequently recommended position for the hands- lightly crossed on your lap- always seems terrible stiff; if you don’t know what to do with them, you can place them behind your back, but never on your hips.

– Lastly, it is better for the camera to be angled at you from a low position rather than from above; which always has a foreshortening effect.

Also, just in case you missed it, please take a look at my post called 100 Ways to be Elegant. I simply love reading this list. It is so much fun! Enjoy!

Photo by Mihai Stefan on Unsplash

(all photos are from of Pinterest)

A Guide to Elegance- Book Review- Girlfriends

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I purchased this book sometime last year and I tell you what I have really enjoyed it!! The tips and suggestions about elegance for the average woman are just fantastic! This book was written by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux in the 60’s.

Some of the suggestions about fashion are a little off but the overall premise of the book is great! I love all the chapters. She discusses from A to Z all of the elements a woman would need in order to have elegance in her life. I will have to admit that I do have a few chapters that have just stayed with me. The chapter called “Girlfriends” will make you think. Below is a little snippet of the chapter:

GIRLFRIENDS

It is a good rule never to go shopping with a girlfriend. Since she is often an unwitting rival as well, she will unconsciously demolish everything that suits you best. Even if she is the most loyal friend in the world, if she simply adores you, and if her only desire is for you to be the most beautiful, I remain just as firm in my opinion; shop alone, and turn only to specialists for guidance.

Besides, as well-intentioned as she may, your girlfriend seldom has exactly the same figure, the same kind of life, the same social condition, the same tastes as you. And so she sees things quite differently, and she can only see them in relation to her own taste, her own budget, her own needs. What you might choose for yourself, she sees on herself, considers that it doesn’t suit her- or, on the contrary, that it suits her better than it does you- and by her comments undermines the little self-confidence you have managed to retain….

You must buy the book it is priced very well and is easy to find. I have not finished the book yet but I will continue to post book reviews from it. A Guide to Elegance, simply elegant!!!