The Old Razzle Dazzle

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
(‘Razzle Dazzle’ from the musical, ‘Chicago’)

Razzle dazzle. I often associate it with sequins, boas, glitter, and perhaps a disco ball thrown in for good measure. I love razzle dazzle, but I don’t necessarily think it needs to be limited to tangible bright-and-shiny objects.

Razzle dazzle is an attitude and some people emit it so beautifully that it can actually bring me to tears. These are the fabulous people…the people we desperately want to come to our parties…the people whom we’re convinced are far more interesting, intelligent, and glamorous than the rest of us.

Take heart, Sweeties – everyone possesses the power to razzle dazzle.

Everything we say, do, feel, and yes, wear can increase our razzle dazzle quotient considerably. The razzle-dazzler will not show up anywhere in public wearing just any old something-something. She’ll look far more interesting than her beautifully-garbed friends: an antique broach, an old derby hat, riding boots….sure beats the uniform look of mass shoppers everywhere.

The razzle-dazzler lives up to his name because he can tell a deliciously gripping story. Getting shot at while working undercover for the government – that’s razzle dazzle. A gruesomely-detailed account of a bunionectomy – not so much. An online status update that he’s just shared a fabulous dinner with Liza Minnelli – that’s razzle dazzle. An online status update that he just downed a burrito from the corner 7-11 – not so much.

A razzle-dazzler emits light. She walks into a room and owns it. She’s relatively quiet, though, preferring to observe what is most likely a group of well-meaning-yet-trying-too-hard-individuals. The razzle-dazzler doesn’t have to try at all. People are naturally drawn to her. She’s mysteriously fascinating. She appears genuinely interested in what others have to say. She keeps her voice low, and her sly sense of humor makes those over-the-top-bawdy girls seem rather sad.

The razzle-dazzler does not seek entertainment from a satellite-empowered box; he gets his kicks by simply living. His artistic, literary, and musical tastes are quite varied, and he’d never bore you to tears with political talk or tell you to get right with the Lord.

So you see, razzle dazzle truly is within our grasp. We simply need to make an effort toward it. Wouldn’t the world be a far more interesting and enlightening place if we did?

Beth Newman
Image Consultant/Life Coach
Newman Image
www.newmanimage.info
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My book, 'Become a First Style Fashionista' will be available in August through Amazon.