"I am terrified of being bored."
Marie Antoinette may have not said, "Let them eat cake," but what we know for sure is that she loved extravagance. And who wouldn't at age 15? Especially if one was to be given over to an older man, told to marry and run the country. It wasn't all macarons and marzipan, but it'd be silly to say that Miss Marie didn't live a luxurious life. Did you know she had a farm built on the estate so that she and her ladies-in-waiting could dress in costume and pretend to be milkmaids?
We may not be able to lounge in a bathtub of sweet confections all day, but there are a few things we can do to live a more Antoinette lifestyle. Here are five things I believe Marie would tell us to do.
Eat Cake
Or pastries, candy, crumpets with jam. Whatever your sweet tooth wants to nibble on. Being healthy and eating kale salads and green smoothies is great and all, but c'mon. Marie would say, "Live a little and eat a slice of strawberry cake, for crying out loud." She might be more elegant, but the message would remain. Don't worry about calories for five seconds, okay? It's perfectly fine to treat yourself to something sweet. Bonus points if you do it in a pair of pink stockings.
be lazy
In today's busy world, there's nothing more extravagant than being lazy. Do you feel a bit guilty when you're unproductive, lazing on the couch, staring out the window? Oh darling, you must allow yourself those kind of moments, if even for a few minutes. I know there are tons of things on your to-do list, but Marie advises you to slip that list under the rug for a day and grant yourself the freedom to be absolutely, completely lazy. Hang around in your pajamas, leave the dishes in the sink, binge watch your favorite show. Say to yourself, "Just for this one day I'll be lazy," or "I allow myself this one hour to be unproductive." That should do the trick.
wear something wild
Frivolity is the spice of life. I bet there's at least one thing hanging in your closet that you haven't worn because you bought it on a whim and now don't believe you can get away with wearing it. Nonsense! Marie is eyeing that sparkly pair of pumps collecting dust in the corner and she says you should put them on right away. Yes, even if you're staying at home. Because why not? Or wear your hair a different way, experiment with makeup, do something frivolous, darling.
have a tea party
Tea for one or tea for two - it doesn't matter. Set out the teacups and saucers, put together a few finger sandwiches, and of course something sweet. And the perfect tea for a Marie Antoinette party? Apple-infused Ceylon with rose petals. *le sigh*
be a queen
Next time you're out and about, put on your imaginary crown and walk like a queen: shoulders back and down, head held high, spine straight. Add a little sassy strut if you'd like. And when you're talking to people or doing something that's out of your comfort zone, feel that crown sparkling on your head and remember that you are royalty. Confidence is key. Marie says so. ;)
This post is part of the Bella Grace blog hop to kick off the launch of Grace Notes, the blog companion to Bella Grace magazine. You can read lots of inspiring posts on everyday magic and life's lovely adventures from other participants on the Grace Notes blog hop site.
Image Credits: Rave Pad | Georgia Spyra | Wildfox via The Cool Hour | Ellen von Unwerth via Couture Fluff | Thirsty for Tea | Michelle Aristocrat via Fashionising
