Allow me to share with you one of my biggest secrets. 

My mother has instilled this truth into my being ever since I began my journey as a prima donna. 

Of course, that is a lifelong journey, but it is the defining moments of truly realizing my self worth and where it comes from that I would like to reflect on today.

It sounds simple. Employ the fit of a fine looking dress, and just like that, you sing pretty.

Actually, it is so much more.

It pertains most particularly to the shoes and the tiara.

That was really a joke. Kind of.

Sincerely, however much I jest, this mentality comes from the inside. 

I absorbed it as a fact of life, a universal truth, if you will, because it was a mantra between my mother and I. The way that 2 and 2 adds to 4, or that the sky is blue.

Allow me to explain a little more squarely…

When I was in high school, my drama department put on a fierce production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I am really not sure what business a high school had putting on such a show, but I digress.

The poor students on the costume team came up with a garnered sack to shove me into. The day I tried it on, I respected their decision, and figured with my hair and makeup done, I could make it work. 

When I went home and showed my mom the pictures, she could not believe that they could have even pretended not to notice the large stains across the skirt and how frighteningly unflattering it was. She ordered a new dress immediately, and it was what I wore for the run of the show. 

Sure, it is yet another time that Marcy has saved the day as my stylist! 

This is not slander on the volunteer based committee of the costumers from my high school, or their sustainability endeavors. Power to them!

Very well, I could have gone onstage wearing a passable sack with huge stains. I still would have been Bentley. 

But to recognize the power of a dress, (you know how I feel about my dresses) and what it means to truly look the part as you present yourself is the extra sparkle of self love and recognition of who you are that it takes to be a prima donna right next to all of my favorite ladies.

How do you show up for what presents itself to you? When do you allow yourself to arrive?

For me, it is when I look and feel my best. Some days, that is a dressed down blouse paired with my favorite vintage accessories. Do what you need to do to feel the most YOU!

So, whenever next you are casually donning your favorite jeans and a t shirt, or you are dressing to the nines for a night at the theater, allow yourself to meet whatever it is you want to achieve.

You will then know how to feel pretty, sing pretty.

And when people ask me how I do it… and other times, compliment what a distinctive dresser I am, may they now truly know the answer. 😉

XOXO, Bentley