Ready to Do Errands!

I like doing errands when I'm on my own; doing them gives a different structure to my day, and often provides me with that wonderful feeling that I've been productive and busy - a feeling that tends to make me more productive and busy.  Sometimes the best time to do errands for me is as early as possible.  Eager to be on the go, I don't really dress up (after all, I'm buying cat food, doing a quick grocery store run, stopping at the hardware store, the frame shop, the post office).  I often don't even dry my hair if I am really in a hurry!  I pull it back in a messy, wet bun and use one of those large clips in a colour the same tone as my hair. And of course, I have to wear my gold Portuguese cross. With it on, I always feel ready for anything!

Just so I'm not too scary, I do put on minimal makeup. I put on a bit of eyeliner and the lightest coat of mascara possible. Lipstick is a must. And yes, my hair is wet here!

   Below, for errands, nothing is quicker than jeans and a white tee.  Low platform sandals are easy to run about in, and cool at the same time.  Mine are Franco Sarto, a brand that fits me well and has the added plus of being very comfortable! Here my cat Cluny decided that he had to get in the picture, too.

On a slightly cooler day I wear a thin cotton, lace-trimmed 3/4 sleeved jacket I bought at Banana Republic over 8 years ago. Underneath, a cotton tee from Old Navy, and cream cotton no waist pants.

Perfume for errands? A light spritz of Bulgari's Jasmin Noir, fresh, light, and unobtrusive. Gucci watch.

SALES For Summer!

I hear so many people griping about the price of clothing and accessories, and the truth is, they are expensive. But with some judicious shopping, you can find some very nice things. I love internet shopping for sales at high end stores. Of course, I have a good idea of the size that I will take, and a knowledge of what will work for me and what won't. I have also learned not to be fooled by the skinny models who look unbelievably chic and sexy and to do some simple things like look to see what material clothing is made from. Here are some things that can be found on the net right now.

At SAKS: Have you always wanted one of those unbelievably beautiful Judith Leiber jeweled bags but couldn't afford it? Try sunglasses instead. Judith Leiber makes quality products and her sunglasses are tres chic! These can be had for $139.00, and there are others. SAKS Judith Leiber

Yoana Baraschi Cap-Sleeve Dress/Red:  If you have the figure for it, this is a great dress for summer dining out. And it is still available in sizes 8, 10, and 12. The curved pockets are quite slimming (providing you don't put anything in them), and at 89.00 this is a steal! It is made of viscose which does breathe. The cap sleeves hide just enough of the underarm to be attractive.

  The next dress is also Yoana Baraschi and also is 89.00. In black with wonderfully slimming vertical blue lines, this dress is sure to be a favorite.  Both can be found here.

I love flats! These are perfect for summer since they are decoratively vented. They also come in tan and black. Pour le Victoire flats are only 69.00.

Don't you need a new watch for summer?  Breil square stainless steel and mother of pearl chronograph watch is fairly easy to read and looks great on your wrist with its bone-colored band and rose gold plated rim. Retail price is normally about $750.00, but it is on sale for 215.00

I'm Loving Pink!

It's been years since I've worn pink lipstick, but lately I'm loving it for Spring. Below, the pink lips look great with my pink cashmere jacket (worn for the last time this year since 80 degree weather is on the horizon).

I like to wear hot pink with black and white; in this, case, cream slacks, black tee, pink cashmere jacket, pink Cole Haan loafers - my favorites because they are sooooo comfortable.  I can wear their driving shoes (like these) for hours and hours of walking,  They're great for doing errands on a busy day!

Below, I'm wearing my Portuguese cross, Cluny Grey gemstone longer necklaces, and David Yurman ring and bracelets.  I love piling on bracelets!

I'm also loving L'Occitane Verbena hand lotion - a sharp dash of freshness everytime I put it on my hands. Thank you, Fernanda!

Clothes for Women over 60

Yes, I admit that I'm over 60;  next month I'll be 61. I still try to dress fashionably but comfortably as well since comfort means a lot to me these days.  Yesterday was a grey day here in D.C. so I dressed to match with grey cotton (with 2% stretch) pants (Eddie Bauer) with a Hollywood waist (that is no waist and the pant curves slightly about your natural waist - very comfortable and leaving no marks), a white Carole Little tee with a curved neckline and a fitted shape, and a 3/4 sleeve light grey cotton cardigan with a ruffle around the bottom. Anne Klein loafers and trouser socks completed my outfit. I wore a Cluny Grey necklace and my David Yurman watch.

My diet starts today; there is nothing like putting a picture of yourself on the internet to see that you need to lose weight!

Long Hair Styles for Mature Women: We're Keeping Our Locks!

 So, yes, I've turned 60 (actually last May), and no, I am NOT going to cut my hair!  Above, a smoother look, and below, caught off-guard.

  I am so tired of everyone assuming that just because one is une femme d'une certain age that one must cut one's hair.  I love my long hair.  It's versatile, it's good to hide behind occasionally and I love the way it feels more than anything. And yes, I'm on a crusade: Don't cut your hair just because you are over 60, or 50, or 40.

Below, Jaclyn Smith looks gorgeous with her long layers of hair. I'm not sure of her exact age (some sources say that she is 66), but she is definitely over 60 and looks great with her long hair.

 Can you imagine Jane Seymour without her long hair? She is 61 years old.  Can you imagine her in a butch cut or a pixie?

 Catherine Deneuve is supposedly 68 years old. She looks great with her longer locks. Above is a picture taken this year. Below is a picture taken when she was over 50.

So Jennifer Lopez is only over 40, but do you think she's ever going to cut that gorgeous hair! I think not!

Below, at age 60. Lynda Carter is still beautiful.  Her hair is part of her attraction. The second picture was taken before she was 60 (a couple of years ago) and her long hair is smashing!

Remember Catherine Bach from the Dukes of Hazzard. Her hair still rocks!

In the 1970s, Marisa Berenson was known for her gorgeous hair that was sometimes, sleek and smooth, sometimes wild and unruly, but always fabulous. She is well over 60 now, and her hair looks perfect for her! 

  If you are a mature woman and long hair looks great on you, why cut it? It can also help camoflauge a sagging chin! Tweet

Casual Style

Okay, we all hate to roll out of bed in the morning, and if you have little ones (or not so little ones) to get off to school, it can be very tempting to throw on anything just to get them there. But if you don't have to go on to work, or as so many of us, you work at home and can wear whatever you want, are you guilty of looking, well, frumpy? Check out these celebrities who are known for their style on their morning school runs. What they have on is deceptively easy to put together, and looks very - put-together!

 Above, Kate Winslet looks great!. Yes, she has an expensive handbag and Chanel shoes, but anyone can copy this look for much, much less!   What to do: pin clean hair up in a messy bun; slip on comfortable flats (the Chanel look in ballerinas is so easy to find at almost all price points), and throw on a black short-sleeved dress. What makes this so simple is the shift dress (you can even try a knit polo style dress), bun, and shoes. Quick, and you'll still look fantastic.

Okay, it's Angelina Jolie. But look how simple: if you have long hair, comb it straight back and let it fall naturally. If you wash your hair every morning, all you need here is a blow dry that you do yourself, save the hot rollers or curling iron for when you get back home. One sweater, cashmere is ideal, a pencil skirt, and tall heels in black. The only real upkeep with skirts and dresses is keeping your legs waxed/shaved.

Jeans can look great and don't have to look like "mom" jeans. The key here is fit.  They cannot be baggy in the rear, hips, or thighs. Jennifer Garner looks put-together with simple flats, a white tee, and a short black jacket. Her hair is simple. If you don't trust your locks to stay quite as sleek, pull them back in a low pony tail.

 Below, Claudia does the jean thing, too.  Here they are slightly flared, but fit well in the rear, hips, and thighs.  A simple button top worn over the jeans needs nothing more than a scarf and sunglasses to look chic. Again, don't think your morning hair will look like this? Pull it back in a sleek ponytail or a messy bun.

Lips and the Best Mascaras

As we get older, our lashes often thin, and mine are no exception. I got tired of wearing false eyelashes for the lush look that was a part of my signature eye makeup and have been looking ever since for a mascara that both lengths and thickens my lashes with making them look spidery.

 I've finally found the right concoction! I am using two, yes, two mascaras, and both are by Maybelline. I first put on Illegal Lengths mascara to get the length that I want, being careful not to let it dry between coats. It goes on best if you apply until you get the length that you want without letting it dry between coats. Then, I use the Volume Express mascara, Falsies, for thickness.  If this sounds, goopy and like too much, it really isn't.  I like the "winged" Falsies best, I think.  I apply a couple of coats of it starting close to the lash base, and finally, I have the lashes I want!  The Falsies in waterproof is also decent, too.  I used it lately when I was in South Africa and Mozambique to keep away racoon eyes.  It worked!

 Beauty Tip:  If you have very dry lips all the time, try this. Your toothpaste may be drying your lips.  Before brushing anytime, put a thick coat of vaseline on your lips, then be sure to rinse lips after you finish brushing.  Toothpastes containing baking soda are especially drying to the lips.  I've tried this and my every so dry lips are finally getting soft and smooth!