Style Tips -- 13th April 2009

[ 13 April 2009 ]

Diana Vreeland / John & Yoko
Diana Vreeland chilling at International Playgirl HQ / John & Yoko

<3 Buy strange, sparkly, clunky pieces of costume jewellery & hang them from the push-pins you already have in place holding up pictures or prints. They serve as a kind of fabulous impromptu frame.

<3 Make a regular midnight snack date with someone who makes you laugh until your sides ache.

<3 Schedule a nap into your day. Better than that, schedule an entire bed day.

<3 Start holding International Playgirl breakfasts. (All this really requires is a bunch of fun, cute girls & some breakfast foods!)

<3 Wear a suspender belt with stockings. Every day. (I swear, there is no better morale booster!)

<3 If something upsetting has happened to your friend, throw a party for them in celebration of new opportunities.

<3 Stage a love-in. Or a bed-in.

<3 Be honest with yourself.

<3 Invite a bunch of people over for an informal Tuesday night dinner party.

<3 Devote one wall in your apartment to photos of your friends.

<3 Realise that there is no better time than right now to break the old patterns that don’t serve you any more.

<3 Kiss.

<3 Drop your defences.

<3 Work the phrase l’esprit de l’escalier into a sentence.


Love letters & feather headdresses,

<3
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Comment

  1. Lovely loveliness as always Gala! Soon I am going to be partaking in a Gala-inspired project… mouth zipped for now though, but I’m pretty excited. xx

    <3 kitten` · Apr 13, 09:16 AM · #

  2. I love the 4th from the bottom. Definitely need to hear that right now.

    <3 Cassandra · Apr 13, 09:36 AM · #

  3. I like the “breakfast with the girls” and “tuesday night dinner party” ideas! Food + talking = good times :)

    <3 cassie · Apr 13, 09:42 AM · #

  4. Kissing ALWAYS makes me feel better.

    <3 Kitty · Apr 13, 09:47 AM · #

  5. oh how i’ve missed style tips!
    i think i shall treat myself to a suspender belt and some fabulous stockings for my 18th birthday this week!!
    xx

    <3 holly · Apr 13, 09:48 AM · #

  6. Great inspiration. I would really love to have a regular dinner night with some girlfriends. & the 4th from last is also an eye opener for me.

    <3 Danabelle · Apr 13, 09:49 AM · #

  7. hahah, I already do this:

    - Buy strange, sparkly, clunky pieces of costume jewellery & hang them from the push-pins you already have in place holding up pictures or prints. They serve as a kind of fabulous impromptu frame.

    My corkboard looks like a mess…a FABULOUS mess, mind you.

    <3 Kate · Apr 13, 09:50 AM · #

  8. These are great! When I’m energised enough to schedule, normally I’m too energised to nap!

    <3 Julianne le Fay · Apr 13, 09:51 AM · #

  9. Mmm, I needed this today. I am shirking off basically my whole life right now to pursue new opportunities and free myself from the cubicle I never thought I’d work in. Thanks for the boost!

    <3 Freya · Apr 13, 10:13 AM · #

  10. I am constantly the victim of l’esprit de l’escalier! :)

    <3 Teresa · Apr 13, 10:16 AM · #

  11. This is a great combination of fun/silly and serious things. I especially love the first one, the one about being honest with yourself, and the one about breaking old patterns. very uplifting =)

    <3 Nicole Ioma · Apr 13, 10:22 AM · #

  12. Wonderful! I’ve been hanging crazy fun jewelry around the photos and mementos on my bulletin boards for ages and it never stops looking fabulous!

    I think the midnight snack date is a great idea. My favorite late night snack hangout is the Lyric Diner on 22nd and 3rd. Yummy waffle fries, amazing shakes and there’s always some madness to be had there!

    I definitely need to think about ways to break old patterns and get out of this rut I’ve been in. Thanks for the nudge! :)

    <3 Alzy · Apr 13, 10:46 AM · #

  13. Hah! I had no idea that thinking of a comeback too late had its very own French descriptor. Love it.

    <3 Sal · Apr 13, 10:59 AM · #

  14. I’ve been doing the costume jewelry + cork board thang for years, too—looking at the sparkles makes me happy!

    <3 liz · Apr 13, 11:03 AM · #

  15. l’esprit de l’escalier
    I always hoped there was a term for this. Story of my effing life.
    s

    <3 s · Apr 13, 11:09 AM · #

  16. The best best best thing about l’esprit de l’escalier is that it is MEGA fun to say.

    <3 Gala · Apr 13, 11:10 AM · #

  17. Does covering your wall with gorgeous BPAL postcards count? I have a bunch of those on one of my walls. Staring at them has been a source of inspiration for me when I’m writing.

    l’esprit de l’escalier… I love how that sounds. Will be working that into quite a few sentences any chance I can get.

    Thanks, Gala, you made my Monday bright. :D

    <3 R. · Apr 13, 11:28 AM · #

  18. Haha, I had just scheduled a day in bed before reading this post.

    <3 miku · Apr 13, 11:39 AM · #

  19. Gala – I was wondering –

    Do your business cards say “International Playgirl”?
    Because I think they should.

    <3 jess · Apr 13, 12:04 PM · #

  20. jess — I actually don’t have business cards right now, just postcards, but yes, the mocks say “Writer, visionary & international playgirl” ;D

    <3 Gala · Apr 13, 12:12 PM · #

  21. Yay! Style tips, these are my favourite part of your blog Gala!
    I do the midnight snack dates with one of my best friends every other day during the holidays, they are the best! We have a midnight tea party and really do laugh till our sides ache! :D

    <3 http://fashionistan.wordpress.com · Apr 13, 12:24 PM · #

  22. I definitely have call to say l’esprit de l’escalier on a regular basis, it’s always happening to me! I love these ideas, and I agree, there’s no better time than now to make any change you want to make.

    <3 Vixel · Apr 13, 12:59 PM · #

  23. the garter belt/stocking thing is so true! as an added bonus, it drives men completely crazy, ha! i’ve had a guy nonchalantly laugh and put his hand on my leg only to feel the garter belt and look at me in a way that can only say “i had no idea you were such a sex goddess!”

    <3 Taylor · Apr 13, 01:55 PM · #

  24. Nothing like a good bed day.

    <3 Nadine · Apr 13, 03:03 PM · #

  25. Yay for the return of style tips! :D

    <3 Alice · Apr 13, 03:07 PM · #

  26. Ooh, what a delicious post! I really enjoyed reading it and I’m definitely inspired. Thanks! :)

    <3 Positively Present · Apr 13, 03:07 PM · #

  27. hehe, I love naps…

    <3 Ash · Apr 13, 03:23 PM · #

  28. I’m so glad that there’s actually a term for thought-of-too-late comebacks! Story of my life :-P

    <3 Vanessa · Apr 13, 03:37 PM · #

  29. This is all wonderful and timely, as I piece together my new Japanese apartment :D It’s gorgeous here, and everyone wears FANTASTIC clothes. There are so many empty walls to fill with experiences.

    <3 Amy · Apr 13, 04:03 PM · #

  30. Wow, I never knew there was a phrase describing that perfect comeback which came far too late.

    And even better that there’s a German version (Treppenwitz)!

    <3 Ms Constantine · Apr 13, 04:38 PM · #

  31. today is my one month with my adorable boyfriend.
    we celebrated with a sleepover where we cuddled well into the morning
    well noon actually :D

    he’s so sweet and i am so lucky

    he’s taking a vacation day at work so we can spend the whole day laying in bed together.

    <3 BRITT · Apr 13, 04:49 PM · #

  32. I actually do prefer the poetic and beautiful “treppenwitz” to the gnarly and primitive french version. *wink wink

    <3 Sam Bard · Apr 13, 05:05 PM · #

  33. Good tips Gala thankyou :)
    On the weekend I did two of those – I dropped my defences and it resulted in a kiss.
    A kiss I’ve been waiting for from this particular boy for quite some time.
    Heheee.

    <3 L · Apr 13, 06:26 PM · #

  34. Realise that there is no better time than right now to break the old patterns that don’t serve you any more.

    I really wish I could take this advice. I really need to.

    <3 [ t a y l o r ] · Apr 13, 06:36 PM · #

  35. Gala-
    I always love love love your style tips!
    And these are delicious as usual. I’m lovin the idea of an international playgirl breakfast. =]

    <3 Caitlyn · Apr 13, 06:56 PM · #

  36. I am SO thrilled that style tips is back…! Love these :)

    <3 Penelope · Apr 13, 08:11 PM · #

  37. i would love to see a post on how to truly become an international playgirl :)

    <3 denise · Apr 13, 08:19 PM · #

  38. Hello :)
    I love this website and haven’t posted anything yet so I though it was about time I did.

    I just wanted to say that these are fabulous Style Tips as always, and I really miss them and think you should do them more often. Please.

    Thank you and Happy Tuesday xx

    <3 Lisey · Apr 13, 08:31 PM · #

  39. I L.O.V.E this list! #11 is my fav. I think I’m going to write it on my bathroom mirror.

    <3 Cat · Apr 13, 08:53 PM · #

  40. As always, a great list that brings a smile to my face. I totally adore any one who drops foreign phrases into their conversations, not to be pretentious, but with a grin and spirit of fun.

    Also: midnight snack dates? Yes please!! Food always tastes better at night, like forbidden fruit, have you noticed?

    <3 Limespark · Apr 13, 09:14 PM · #

  41. I’m gonna try the impromptu frame thingy! That sounds awesome :) + I say a mobile “Galadarling” would be amazing!! It would make my life 1,000 better. Honest.

    <3 Stephanie · Apr 13, 10:04 PM · #

  42. “Drop your defences.”

    I’ve been working on this one extra hard lately.

    <3 Kate · Apr 13, 10:13 PM · #

  43. Invite a bunch of people over for an informal Tuesday night dinner party.

    ..That is EXACTLY what I did! Haha, I haven’t even finished reading but that just made me crack up laughing since I just texted a whole bunch of cuties in my phonebook and said to come around and make a big mess of my kitchen!

    <3 Teresa · Apr 13, 10:45 PM · #

  44. Oh, I’m so glad you mentioned International Playgirl breakfasts! I do them nocturnally with my girls at breakfast diners, and sometimes we invite along our international playboys too.

    Our goal: find the dirtiest restaurant in Dallas.
    Our problem: we keep finding dirtier ones. Shame, shame.

    Love the tips!

    <3 Maddi · Apr 13, 10:56 PM · #

  45. oh love this post! so many good ideas, thankyou once again gala! xx

    & just wondering, can you ask for advice in these comment sections if it’s unrelated to the topic?

    <3 alice · Apr 13, 11:13 PM · #

  46. www.cracked.com/article_17251_…

    your new french saying is #9!

    <3 e · Apr 13, 11:20 PM · #

  47. Style Tips are my favourite feature of the site!

    <3 Kuri. · Apr 14, 12:08 AM · #

  48. If you guys want a fun and easy way to put up your pictures I’d suggest a magnet board. I made mine out of this huge sheet of scrap metal I scored for 100% free by fluttering my lashes at a sheet metal place and then just drilled two holes in it and hung it on my wall. It is now covered in polaroids and magnets and tickets etc. :)

    <3 Lauren · Apr 14, 03:14 AM · #

  49. Kissing also helps get rid of hiccups!!

    Also- I like the idea of throwing a party for a friend who is going through a bad time. I have a girlfriend who is struggling a lot right now and I should definitely do that for her!

    <3 Sasha · Apr 14, 04:07 AM · #

  50. “Wear a suspender belt with stockings. Every day. (I swear, there is no better morale booster!)”

    I used to do this, thank you for reminding me of something that never failed to make me feel awesome!

    <3 Joanne · Apr 14, 04:35 AM · #

  51. I love those style tips you give out because there is always one (or every) little star that reaches out to me/us, non pareils. Inspiration starlight nation!!!

    My fave this time is ‘Be honest with yourself.’
    Once again advice that hits me spot on. Thanks Gala! I really need to get that head of mine, to look up to the sky and see the possibilities instead of looking to the people around me for answers that only i can tell myself.

    Oh yeah i have to add this to the list “You’re like spiritual chocolate “ thats what my note to the universe said.

    <3 amika · Apr 14, 04:43 AM · #

  52. Stumbled across your blog and adore it. Love your writing, love your style. You must spend a lot of time on your hair because the color is perfect.

    <3 Olya · Apr 14, 08:08 AM · #

  53. Bed-In Scheduled.

    <3 Philip McCluskey · Apr 14, 08:38 AM · #

  54. Note to self: use more French in everyday conversation. Gala says so, and she’s usually right!

    I also find walking around and pretending you’re Lauren Bacall in a noir flick lends one an air of siren-like confidence :)

    <3 RazorCandy · Apr 14, 01:30 PM · #

  55. to Lauren, 7-ish posts up – that scrap metal magnet board idea is AWESOMENESS!

    Also, like others have said, Gala – style tips is the best! Please do more soon!

    <3 cassie · Apr 14, 04:08 PM · #

  56. L’esprit de l’escalier: sounds so much sexier than it means! hehe

    <3 The Love Diaries · Apr 14, 04:18 PM · #

  57. ah yes, the kiss cures all!

    <3 yaymaryann · Apr 14, 10:47 PM · #

  58. i’m thinking of getting a small ankle tattoo
    any suggestions?

    <3 Rebecca :) · Apr 15, 03:39 AM · #

  59. suspender belt with stockings sounds cute xD

    <3 Laura · Apr 15, 05:12 AM · #

  60. Oh how I love wearing thigh highs with suspenders !! I always get a different kinda bump in my walk when I wear them, I just feel hot hahahahaha
    PS. Speaking of hot, your Twitter display pic, WHOAAAA lassie, babeee !

    <3 Courtney · Apr 15, 05:24 AM · #

  61. 1. BOYS IN MY DRIVERS ED CLASS
    2. MY HAIR
    3. NO SCHOOL
    4. ZAC EFRON????
    5. MY MOMMY
    6. feeling LOUD

    <3 lyra · Apr 16, 05:30 PM · #