Do you ever think back to Summer days and nights when you were younger? As I’m anticipating the onset of the season, I find myself thinking of times past. Sometimes the memories catch in my chest until I can hardly breathe. I don’t know what it is about Summer, but
Nowadays, fashion and personal style have many fewer rules than in decades past. It’s pretty much an anything goes world, especially regarding personal style. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t take stock of what works for us in terms of lifestyle, situational appropriateness, modesty, and body type. It does mean though
Do you feel more creative now than when you were younger? Or are you feeling those creative urges are behind you now? I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. Seems like
I knew it. I just knew it . . . instinctively. I’ve always known how clothes make me feel. I know when I’ve nailed an outfit, and I know when I haven’t. In my work life, what I wore could make or break a good day,
This past weekend, my husband was away at a workshop for photographers, so I had some time to myself. I have to say that after five months of being pretty much together 24/7, I really missed his presence. But I was OK. In fact, I was more than OK. At one point in the first afternoon,
I don’t know about you, but I want the clothes in my closet to do double or triple duty for me. All those work and professional event clothes that I spent good money on,
We all know the stuff that makes life worth living – love, family, friends, pets, experiences, a feeling of belonging and of contribution. This, I’m sure we can all agree on. But have you ever thought of how things – literally, things – make you happy?
What is it about Parisian women’s style that is so attractive and compelling? Could be the fact that it is always chic, and yet appears effortless. Recently I saw the film Elle, starring 63-year-old French actress Isabelle Huppert. The movie is different, but good. What I loved most, however, were the scenes of Paris streets and apartments, and her style in the movie. So I decided to do a little research about her to see if her real life style matches her depiction in the film.
I’ve always been a bit of a homebody, and these days I find myself more in tune and in love with my home than I’ve ever been. I’m a putterer, a caretaker, a nurturer by nature, so with more time now, rather than rushing through chores that I have to get done in one or two weekend days or after work, I can meander through them and actually enjoy the process.
I don’t know about you, but when the temperatures start to soar, I run for cover. Literally. And it hasn’t gotten better as I’ve gotten older. Nope. I’m even more of a weather wimp than I used to be. My husband always says I have a one degree heat tolerance. Either it’s one degree too hot, or one degree too cold. Whatever. Even though I’m not what you would call a heat lover, many of the traditions and activities of Summer are definitely things I love – like dinner parties al fresco, concerts in the park, picnics, the long days and warm Summer nights.
I’m a self-proclaimed and committed city girl. No bones about it. My favorite place is a city, whether it’s West Coast, East Coast, in-between or European, I feel my personal best “at home” in a city. Maybe it’s the energy, the pace, the plethora of arts and culture at your fingertips, all I know is that a city will always be my happy place.
Have you noticed the plethora of jumpsuits in stores and online recently? I’ve always loved jumpsuits, but it’s been years since I’ve worn one. Many of the ones I’ve seen, and loved, are not anything I would wear (see below). Like these, many are sleeveless, show too much skin, or have too much fabric for my height. So when I came across one that met my criteria (short sleeves, modest, neutral color), I jumped (no pun intended) at it.
If you’re like me, the phrase “those are the rules” starts me running in the opposite direction. I immediately look for a way to push back, rebel, or find another way, just to prove the “enforcer” wrong. I know – not the most mature reaction.
There’s no doubt that much of the world is in a topsy turvy, free-for-all, running amok kind of spin lately. Like many, I have a strong social conscience that compels me to stay as informed as possible, to participate when I can, and to try to find some equilibrium in daily living in order to save the world – one thought at a time. But when the world is too much to bear, I reach for a way out – a quiet respite that takes me away.
Last night I was watching an episode of Grace & Frankie (the Netflix series starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston). If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s about four older people in relationship to each other in different ways (too long to explain here, but worth checking out). The two women share a home and are starting a business together. In the episode I was watching last night, they both hurt their backs and were unable to accomplish the simplest of tasks.
That is the question. Albeit not an earth shattering, world saving, or as important a question as Hamlet asked, but for a Friday morning, I’m OK with it. Tucking in one’s shirt or top becomes a bit more challenging as we age. That little front tummy bulge or widening of the hips gives many of us pause before we tuck. Am I right?
Here I am, a full three months into what I’ve been referring to as “off career.” I can see that term becoming a bit cumbersome, so I’m trying to warm up to the “R” word. We’ll see. At any rate, I thought it would be a good idea to take each quarter of the first year and do a little review. Taking a look in the rear view mirror as they say to see how things are shaping up. We can get so caught up in the daily rhythm and rhyme of life that we often fail to appreciate where we’ve been or where we’re going. This is an attempt to do just that.
Book Group! My book group is a monthly gathering of friends. The evening is spent catching up with each other, discussing the world’s problems, drinking wine, having a nice meal . . . and eventually discussing the book we just read. This is a gathering we all look forward to. Most of us have known each other for over 30 years, and the regularity of the event means we’ll always get together before letting too much time slip by.
I’ve always had close girlfriends, and in fact, several of my closest childhood friends are still in my life today, thankfully. I learned the value of having girlfriends early on.
Call me simple, but I am, and always have been, in love with white shirts and blouses. Not any white shirt, but certain ones that convey a bit of chic or charm with very little effort.