Go For The Gusto!

Sometimes you've just gotta go for it!  I had to buy the following items because I liked them, they're timeless, affordable and I wanted them. This is why I do temp work.

First, I bought this trend...double pearl earrings. The style originated from Dior. You wear the small pearl to the front and the large pearl behind your ears (business in the front - party in the back!). My earrings came from Target Online (they are not available in the store) and are Daisy Fuentes for $7.99. Dior has some beautiful ones but I'm not sure how long this trend is going to last and I don't want to spend a lot on that.

This past Monday, I stopped at Marshall's to look around. That is always fun for me...the search and discovery of a great buy looms large there!

Well, I found this bag (on what I later learned was National Handbag Day as well). Michael Kors Hamilton Tote in large and it is large, indeed. It could almost qualify as luggage. I won't need to carry an additional tote when I temp now. I bought it for $199.

And while there I found a similar-to-the-below black cocoon dress for $39. It is lightweight...and it has side seam pockets! I love to wear dresses with pockets.




And we just got a new Burlington Coat Factory that held a grand opening yesterday (I do not like crowds and had other plans). So I went today and found this beautiful Nine West peep toe wedge heels in nude for $34 (and I was given a coupon for 20% off).  Several of my temp jobs require me to walk across brick streets and wedge heels are perfect for that and don't get caught in the bricks.

And I bought a similar-to-the-below necklace, but mine has five giant pearls instead of just two. The same gold chain, however.  I bought it for $9.99 and will wear it A LOT!

There aren't many things a retiree needs. But if one sees something that makes one happy, I say, go for it. Wear what is stylish and makes you happy. And if you don't have to spend a lot of money doing that -- your smile will show your joy!

Until next week, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Rooting For The Best!

Two weeks ago I was watching a TV game show and one of the participants was a woman "of a certain age" with dyed blonde hair and over a full inch of gray roots showing in her center part.

No one should ever allow roots to get that long BUT she was on national television!!  Come on! Color those roots!





This isn't to say that I don't like gray hair or silver hair -- at all! I think those colors can be stunning. But not as roots!

But the good news is there are wonderful root touch up supplies available that take ten minutes and work so nicely no matter your hair color, whether you dye or not.

So easy to do on your own at home. Or go to a salon for regular touch ups. Or, finally, go all the way and let your hair be gray or silver.  Just don't do it by letting the natural color grow out.

You can get it colored the shade you are naturally and gently grow your hair out.  You don't want to look like you're wearing a yarmulke or cap on your head. Match your hair dye to the root color and keep at it until you don't have to do it any more.





Remember that changing your hair color means changing your make up. You don't want that washed out look that is tired and ageing. And you want to wear beautiful earrings, necklaces and clothes to highlight your new look. You don't need to spend a lot of money to do this. Just look around for fun pieces at stores you like.

By taking care of your roots, you can preserve the aging process with dignity and grace.  Shampoos and conditioners for mature hair are now available. There are even treatments for thinning hair or balding aged scalps for women.

Young women can get away with it better than we can and call it ombre but why would you do this when you can do better. Set that example and be the stunning woman you were meant to be.

Use hair tools that help you with hair that can get wirey, fuzzy, fluffy, thin, weak, or break. And be careful about brushing your hair as you get older. You don't want to torture your mane.

There's a belief that a woman's hair is her crowning glory. It might well be true. So we should treat our hair like it is a cherished crown.

By the way, the woman with the gray roots on the game show lost miserably. Correlation?  Probably not, but still......!

Until next week, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Flat Out Comfy!

If you have been following my blog, you know that I LOVE SHOES!

And I'm not picky...pumps, sling back heels, strappy sandals, boots, ballet slipper flats, loafers, sneakers, and oxfords...I love them all.





But I had lunch last week with a long time friend who confessed to me that she doesn't buy heels anymore. She only wears flats, which got me thinking about comfort versus high fashion.

I remember when I was a young professional, wearing my high heels, when a woman asked me how could I walk in them. I bragged that I could even run in them. Ah, hubris! That was then.

This past Tuesday I saw a beautiful young woman in nose-bleed high pumps with a huge built-in platform. She strolled comfortably and with great grace and balance in her gorgeous red heels.

And I almost asked her that same question: How could she walk in them? Especially on a brick street?

And then I had an epiphany. As we get older, we trade the high style (sorry about the pun) for high comfort. I still love to drool over the really high heel, but I am now buying lower heels, wedge heels, kitten heels and have an exceptional collection of flats. 

That's probably for the best. Women "of a certain age" could fall and break a hip wearing really high shoes! And if you can't walk steadily in your shoes, you just look silly.

Fortunately, great style is available in lower heels, flats and other shoes. And your center of gravity is still safe and secure.

If you can walk well in the new super high shoes, more power to you. But if you cannot, don't despair...lower your shoe height and lift your head...and stroll!

Until next week, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz