Can you solve a crisis in sophisticated style?

Every now and then as you are living your lovely life, going on your wonderful way, you get blindsided. You never see these crises coming, and usually they knock the wind right out of you. But the Sophisticate has to keep breathing (and looking fabulous!), so what is she to do?

I consulted those Fabulous Girls, Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh for advice. After all, they wrote the book on being graceful under pressure. It’s called The Fabulous Girl’s Code Red.

They mention that there are different sorts of situations requiring a cool head: workplace worries, society setbacks, money mischief, friendship frets, dating disasters, couple conundrums, wedding woes, homeplace harrumphs, and entertaining excitements. These ladies have all the answers, but I have a few myself.

Lucinda’s List: How to Remain Sophisticated in a Crisis.

1. Assess the Situation. Should you stay or should you go?
2. Don’t Panic and Don’t Sweat. You glisten, so make sure you have blotting papers in your purse at all times.
3. Program Your Phone. You do know how to call yourself with the press of one spy-like button on your phone? No? Figure it out since phony phonecalls can provide quick escapes.
4. Sympathise. If there’s nothing you can do, pretend that you sympathise with the crisis-causer.
5. Be Soothing. Speak in a calm voice. Maybe hug someone if you must.
6. Go Shoe Shopping. Shoes are always the answer.
7. Take a Drive. Nothing calms your nerves better than speeding through the country in a vintage convertible.
8. Create a Strategic Silence and a Contemplative Gaze. Sometimes there is nothing to say, so say nothing with conviction.
9. Call Your Florist. It is the easiest way to ease cognitive dissonance without lifting a finger.
10. Escape. If you simply cannot remain sophisticated, politely remove yourself from the situation.