The Issue With Bad Bras!

I need to make this clear....I do not usually look at women's chests. Now, if there is a deep cleavage or a pendant hanging there, I will notice but this post is because of women who participate on Jeopardy.

I am regularly shocked at the women on this show, who obviously do not have stylists...like you and I don't, who need to buy and wear better bras.  Many of the women have such crummy bras that their boobs are almost under both armpits. Or hanging badly like beanbags under their tops.

Someone on staff needs to tell these women to look in a mirror...or a TV monitor and see how they look to viewers.  If they would buy a good bra that lifts, adjusts and centers their boobs, they would look attractive, stylish and healthier. Their clothes would fit better and they wouldn't look so shlubby.

And if these average women have this problem, so might the rest of us. Look at yourself critically. Do your boobs hang low? Do your button-front shirts pull apart in the front?  Can people tell that you're cold (you know what I mean)?  Are your boobs smashed flat?

There's a simple cure:  Invest in a really great bra.  There are stores that have professional fitters who can help you get the right fit in the right bra. I recommend you call the finer stores and ask if they have such a person and if they do, how to make an appointment. Once you know exactly what size and type of bra fits best and makes you look fabulous, then you can buy some less expensive ones in that same size, just in some fun fabrics and colors.

Bras are called foundation garments because you start getting dressed beginning with them.  If your foundation is solid and done right, the rest is easy to build on.  You'll stand taller, look slimmer, and your wardrobe will begin to help you feel good.

And watch Jeopardy's female contestants to see the ladies who don't know what you now know...it's what up front that counts!

Until next time,

I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Like a Toothless Hillbilly!

We all have that one friend who is elegant, graceful, looks stunning even if in a garbage bag and makes us feel like a toothless hillbilly.

I have one.  She wears clothes with ease, looking cool and stylish. Her make up is always flawless and perfect. And her hair looks like (okay, I am ageing myself here...) a Breck Girl ad.

And although I don't see her very often, I could be grateful because who wants to feel like a short, stumpy toad? But she is so nice and kind and friendly, it is hard not to like her.

So what can we do about this feeling in a goddess' presence?

I don't experience envy, but admiration.  That is, in my humble opinion, a great step.

I'm sure she has bad days, her own insecurities and a myriad of unique problems. I do not want to change places with her. But admittingly, there are some things I can do to make myself feel better about short, pale, ageing me.

Wanting to be tall isn't possible, but standing tall and straight is important. Shoulders back, head high, and walking with ease makes one feel graceful and taller.

Wearing clean pressed clothes that flatter our bodies, in colors that suit our complexions and hair color are another step.

And having clean, stylish hair that is healthy and current, as well as good simple makeup without following the trends is a huge help.

Good shoes that are well maintained, finished nails on hands AND feet and  simple jewelry makes a person feel polished and finished.

And of course, a pleasant face, a sweet smile and a gracious heart will always make one feel like a queen.

I am so glad I am friends with this lovely woman. She has also impacted me to be a better human, as she is a generous spirit and is making a difference in lives.

Could I be talking about you?  Maybe.

Look at yourself and see if this fits. If not, it might be worth considering adopting these positive traits to cause others to say the same things about you.

Until next month, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

You Don't Have To Look Like Your Grandma Did!

[First let me say that downloaded photos are no longer viable for my blog because many come ladened with viruses. So that's that!]

Recently I saw a post on Facebook of a now deceased female classmate, which means we are the same age. I do not know what her life had been filled with but her obituary photo was heartbreaking. She looked like Mama on that Carol Burnett show.  I know I'm no glamor gal but she looked like she could have been MY mother!


Speaking of appearances, I love the current Secret No Sweat deodorant TV spot where the beautiful older white haired woman is leading an aerobics class and she is ripped....muscles and confidence and a beautiful smile!

So it got me thinking:  who do you, dear reader, want to be as you age?

A frail old looking woman in a sensible dress, boring shoes and little reading glasses on her face...

Or a strong confident woman who has a great set of biceps, standing straight and tall and smiles in her eyes and on her face?


I had made my choice a while ago. And being able to keep up with men and women of all ages in my yoga class makes me very happy to know my choices are working. And still wearing clothes that are stylish, fun and classic is definitely my continued choice.

Do you exercise on a regular schedule? Lift weights for bone strength?  Walk to burn calories?  Practice yoga for strength, balance and mindfulness?  Do you get regular physicals with your physician to maintain good health?  And than there's the whole appearance questions...

Do you accessorize your clothes ?  Do you only buy and wear sensible shoes?  Are your fabrics rich and deep or do you choose wrinkle free cottons, blends or (ugh!) polyesters?

It does not have to be expensive or a brain-drain to look up-to-date and fashionable. There are many magazines and websites that you can look to for ideas that will suit you.

 
Try one change this Spring....hair cut? Color? Lipstick shade? Eye makeup technique?  Clothing color?  Clothing style?  A fun cute handbag?  A killer pair of shoes?  Amazing earrings?  Try one or even two ideas that you think will make you feel better, newer and rocking.

Grandmas are not made like they used to....so don't look like they used to. You deserve everything exciting and fulfilling.

Give it a try and please let me know what you've done differently.


Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Let's Kiss And Make up!

I am a big fan of cosmetics. I love how foundation can even out a skin tone or complexion. How a little powder can diminish shiny noses and foreheads. And the miracle of mascara on filling in eyelashes and opening eyes.

But....not every fashion trend should be worn by most women of a certain age. I have seen some frightening examples that I will share with you.  (Please forgive me for using myself in several photos!)

1.  Yes. Eyebrows are a new facial focus and you can tell that by looking at all the brow products for sale. But they are not meant to steal the focus from the rest of your face. I saw a woman with big black drawn on eyebrows that actually left me stunned. She had blonde hair, light eyes and the kind of eyebrows that even brunettes can't wear. Frieda Kahlo would have wanted them but no one else should. Go with a shade that matches your hair roots but a shade compatible with your skin tone. Don't try to look like Groucho Marx!

2.  Winged eye-liner is fun but it is really for young women. An older woman looks like she's trying way too hard. It might work for a big night out but it is better to leave that to the girls. There was an older woman who didn't quite know where to end that wing and her eye make up resulted in making her look ridiculous and cartoonish. Maturity is knowing what is appropriate for your age.

3.  Lip liner has been popular for years. It helps keep lipstick within the parameters drawn and helps prevent lipstick bleed. But don't wear a liner that is darker than your lipstick. That was a disco look but dark lip liner has gone the way of leg warmers, sweat bands and shiny tights. Love ta love ya, baybee....but wear a lighter or nude liner on your kisser!

4.  Stiff bubble hairstyles are such a Golden Girls look. Spare the spray and tease comb from the days of Adorn hair spray, Dippity Do and sleeping on rollers (how did we do that nightly?) and embrace the freedom of wearing your hair stylishly and not rigid. I see a lot of what I call "dandelion puff" hairstyles and they age a woman severely. Pinterest has hundreds of great hair styles and looks for older women. From grey hair to colors, from long to short, the options now are immense and varied.

We are worth so much more than trying to keep up with youngsters.  We have earned the right to look our best whether casual or dressed up. Keep in mind that trying too hard looks like you tried too hard.

Enjoy yourself and appreciate the simple styles.

Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Getting Into Smaller Sizes!

Retirement is wonderful! No more alarm clock mornings, no more suits...some days not even wearing makeup or fixing my hair!

However, the refrigerator is waaaayyy too available and sitting is an all too common affliction with results being that I got fat. I tried a couple of exercise/diet apps to lose weight and would actually lose three or four pounds and then gain it back the next week. This went on for far too long, so I returned to a program that allowed me great success many years ago....Weight Watchers.



So far, I have lost 20 pounds and have 12 more to go. Being a bit of a control freak, I find that tracking on my phone or tablet, scanning bar codes at the grocery store to decide what points I want to buy, and measuring and weighing suits my life.

I have learned some terrific new menus (crispy tofu stir fry is my favorite) and feel so much better and healthier.

AND...I am now wearing smaller sizes. That's the best feeling. Going in to a store to buy smaller sizes that actually fit well and seeing my reflection as I approach a store and not seeing a short squat woman mirrored back.  Forward fold in yoga is much easier without my poochy belly in the way. My knees don't hurt like before (did you know that for every one pound lost, it relieves FOUR pounds of pressure on your knees?).

Taking a cardio fit class with weights and a yoga flow class both mean heavy perspiration and drinking a lot of water....more steps to weight loss.



My doctor is proud of my weight loss, not just because it makes me a healthier patient. He said he sees a lot of overweight older women who tell him they cannot lose the weight due to their age and he is pleased that I have proven that this is untrue. He is now going to tell them about Weight Watchers' success rates.

My closets have been cleaned of many of my suits, sweaters and skirts but I kept a few of my favorites and now can wear them again.  I have a vintage yellow silk shantung dress with a matching lined coat that I wore to a wedding many years ago (the couple have now been long divorced) that I can now wear again. It's like shopping for great things but in my closet!

Giving my larger sized clothes away was difficult at first. One buys clothes that are pretty and comfortable and getting rid of them was a tad painful but when I thought about getting new items and how happy the clothes I was giving away would make someone at the thrift store, it was easier to do.

So, if you, like I, have gained significant weight, consider why and if you're ready to commit to losing the weight and feeling and looking like you dream. Then have fun shopping!  Until next post, I remain...

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

 

Dress Codes Are Not Secret!

My last post was many months ago because I really felt I had said it all.

But once in a while, an inspiration strikes.

I want to talk about "uniforms" and how to wear them.  You see, I volunteer and we have a dress code. We wear tan pants or skirts, white shirts and closed toe shoes. Sounds simple but I am often surprised at how many people mess that up.

We are asked to NOT wear white tee shirts, but invariably someone thinks the rules are different for them.  One man wore a deep cut v-neck tee that fit very snugly....a great look if you're cruising a bar but not volunteering.  And another young man wore a white tee with a very stretched out neck....it had no semblance of a normal neckline.



But the worst was a young woman in an ivory lace top with a black bra obviously showing thru. Not an appropriate look for volunteering where children and families go.



A crisp white shirt is easy to find. My favorites are Jones of New York no-iron ones that I find at TJ Maxx.  $22 is the usual cost and that shirt looks great with jeans and a blazer, skirts and pants and it always looks great. No matter where you go, a white dress shirt works beautifully. I own several sleeveless ones and wear under a blazer or cardigan in the summer.



And tan slacks are really inexpensive...from Old Navy's Pixie pants to Beall's Outlet bargains, I own four pairs (some have pockets, some have fake pockets). And every time you shop for pants, be sure to look at a rear view to be sure you get a good fit. 


Closed toe shoes are recommended so there is no injury (and who wants to see some people's ugly feet, right?).  Easy to find and wear them....flats, sneakers, chunky heel...and a couple of women even wear stilettos (my days of standing in those are over).


You can still have your own style when wearing a uniform. Just don't overwhelm yourself.






I wish I could get this info to all the female volunteers where I work so they can feel good about themselves and still dress appropriately.  But this information is also of value to all of us who throw on clothes for a day of errands....a little fine touches makes an ensemble instead of just "schlepping" as you are out and about. 

There are some volunteers who look appropriate in their clothing but have seriously crabby expressions on their faces.  The below quote is right on the button. You're never fully dressed without a smile. 




Until next post, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Glowing Out Loud!

So didja miss me?

It has actually been since January of this year that I last posted. But I need to share some new cosmetics tips with you, my friends.

I have found an amazing new (to me) line:  It used to be Boots No. 7...now it goes by No. 7. You can buy it in Target stores, Walgreens and cosmetics shops.  They are great quality products and, I am happy to report, they do NOT test on animals. This British line is in easy to handle containers with clean, clear labeling.

And the Lift and Luminate Foundation is, no lie, a great make up for women "of a certain age"!
I went to a specific Walgreens that does No. 7 Foundation matching through a "scientific" system. It was an unimpressive system and was actually wrong. The Cosmetics rep tried to put me in a foundation that was two shades darker than my skin and it made my skin look muddy. But they do let you try it on in the store, so you can find the best true color for your face. (They have makeup wipes to clean your skin before and during the tests). I ended up buying Cool Vanilla which was the lightest color available and it is a perfect match.

Here's the reason it rocks:  It actually does luminate my face.  I have a glow on my face.  A shine. And it is flattering and makes me look more youthful.  I wore it to my volunteer job and kept getting compliments from a sweet young man who just raved about how good I looked.  It was the foundation.

I was watching "Grace and Frankie" on Netflix and noticed that Jane Fonda (who looks so freaking beautiful) has a glowy face. She has that dewy glisten on her cheekbones, forehead and looks great.

I have since decided not to put any on my nose or chin, because I get extra shiny there. So I just put primer and powder on those areas. And I even add some additional MAC Strobe Creme on my cheek bones (being round faced, they are hard to find).  I don't use any powder on the remainder of my face. And I love how I look with this great makeup.

I also have their Face Serum, based on a recommendation my little sister saw on a TV show. I haven't seen any improvement but it sure feels good.

And when my current mascara and lipsticks run out, I'm going to buy their brand, as well.

So, ladies, it isn't expensive (approx. $17), it is flattering and God's creatures will thank you for not buying from brands that torture animals to sell product.

If you do decide to buy it, please let me know what you think. I hope you will find it to be exactly what you want in a youthful, less ageing face.

This quote is perfect for today's post:

Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz