an illustrated a to z of lady wisdom

Edith Wren VarcoeAn A-Z of lady wisdom from Heather Louisa Crookes

A[ TAKE AN INTEREST. TRY IT OUT. DON’T WORRY IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT ALL ]

Go to galleries - they’re a great reason to travel.In my experience, Vienna has the best variety and curation.Skies are the indicator of an excellent painter.

BBooks[ ARE WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT, BUT IF YOU’RE NOT ENJOYING IT AFTER CHAPTER 3

CONSIDER CHANGING TO SOMETHING YOU WILL ]

Escape and discover.My favourites are The Great Gatsby and pretty much anything byFrancois Sagan.It’s really OK if you preferred the film.

C Confidence

It can be found in an excellent handbag, a glass of wine, a sense of achievement, a good hair day or figuring something out.Channel it.

[ DOESN’T ALWAYS COME NATURALLY. GET GOOD AT FAKING IT ]

DAsk your mum for my number.If in doubt, the Scandinavians have it nailed.‘I like it - what does it do?’ Function is as important as form.

[ LIKE ART, IS SUBJECTIVE. FIND YOUR STYLE AND STICK TO IT ]

E Eyebrows

For reference: Audrey Hepburn, Rooney Mara, Elizabeth Taylor.Maintainance: Invest in a good set of tweezers and a suitable pencil.If you’re rocking a fringe, it will cover a multitude of eyebrow sins.

[ CAN CHANGE YOUR WHOLE FACE. SERIOUSLY, FIND AND MAINTAIN YOUR SHAPE ]

FFriendship

Keep nice people around you - sounds easy, right?Negative people take you down with them - they’ll leave your life eventually, it may as well be today.

[ SCHOOLFRIENDS, FAMILY, HAIR-HOLDERS, ROLE MODELS, DANCING PARTNERS ]

GGood food

Start practicing dinner parties. They’re one of the best bits of your twenties.Sweet tea and cake have medicinal qualities. Fact.Always use a good olive oil.

[ EAT IT. COOK IT. TRAVEL TO FIND IT. NEVER REGRET ANY OF IT ]

H #Hashtag

What’s trending in 2015?#SquadGoals: See ‘F’#Bae: See ‘L’#FML: See ‘S’

[ THESE ARE #VERYCOOL RIGHT NOW ]

I Invest

Time: Is well spent on people you love and learning something newEffort: Push yourself constantly - it will lead to great things.Money: Nice things are even nicer when you’ve worked hard for them (see ‘T’)

[ TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY ]

JJumpsuits

Words of warning:Prison chic is not a thing.If you do find one that looks nice, practice using the toilet before you go out in it.Always with heels. Always.

[ THESE MAY OR MAY NOT BE YOUR FRIEND ]

K Kissing

Two to four in FranceAir in PRAlways close your eyes.

[ TAKES PRACTICE ]

L Love interests

It’s good to fight (sometimes) - it’s part of a functional relationshipThey have the capacity to ruin everything, but you’ll get over it.Do get married, it’s excellent fun.

[ COME AND GO. YOU’LL KNOW WHEN THEY SHOULD STICK AROUND ]

M Media

Do: Consider it as a career, it’s pretty fun.Listen to your mother on this subject, she’s a pro.

[ DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ]

NNest

A wonderful home gives you incentive to leave work at areasonable hour.Bijou or palacial, size doesn’t matter - but a red door is always elegant.

[ IF IN DOUBT, GREY IS A GREAT WALL COLOUR ]

OOpenness

People won’t always want your opinion, but there is a time and place for honesty - it’s usually for the best.Take opportunities when they present themselves (see ‘Y’)

[ IS A WONDERFUL CHARACTERISTIC. WORK ON IT ]

PParis

Visit the Picasso Museum, one of the best in the world.Invest in an excellent coat. It’s often rainy and Parisian women still look immaculate.Watch Paris Je T’aime, Midnight in Paris and Amelie. They really celebrate the city.

[ GO IMMEDIATELY. STAY FOR SOME TIME ]

QQuestion

Change is good.Nobody is always right.Don’t be afraid to ask.

[ EVERYTHING ]

R Risks

Always have a plan (however rough).* Disclaimer: No dark streets on your own, ill-informed financial investments or questionable dance moves at civilised weddings.

[ TAKE THEM, NO REGRETS* ]

S Set-backs

Chin up! Glass of wine Cry (this is fine) Kick (sometimes fine) Try again

[ HAPPEN. SEEK ADVICE FROM TRUSTED FRIENDS AND FAMILY ]

} Whatever works

TTreats

Suggestions: A bunch of flowers, classic jewellery, dessert. Stay in with a film. Spas aren’t for everyone, but massages are.

[ REWARD YOURSELF FOR DOING WELL ]

UUniversity

I recommend a city, not a campus.You’ll learn a great deal more than your programme content.Randomly start a radio show.

[ GO, IF YOU LIKE. THAT’S WHERE YOUR MUM AND I MET ]

VTurn it up to eleven.Backcomb, backcomb, and dry shampoo.Make yourself heard.

[ IS OFTEN A GOOD THING ]

Volume

WWomen

Are wise, and generlly improve with age.Some enjoy unhealthy competition, leave them to it.You’re capable of anything. Bypass the stereotypes.

[ KEEP THE BEST ONES AROUND YOU. WE’RE PRETTY GREAT ]

X Xylocarp

Mum and dad should also accept: Xyloid Xanthin and Xyst

[ IS AN EXCELLENT SCRABBLE WORD ]

YYesterday

Paul McCartney’s not the only one who had it right either - Bob Dylan suggests you ‘forget about today until tomorrow’. Remember, a good night’s sleep always puts a bad day into perspective.

[ IF IT DIDN’T GO WELL, DON’T WORRY. ALSO, POSSIBLY THE BEST BEATLES SONG. ]

Z Zebraprint

This point should be considered carefully on ‘D’, ‘J’ and ‘N’.

[ IS RARELY A GOOD IDEA ]

Lastly, my favourite piece of advice: