I Had A Great Thursday With a Long Time Friend!

 
I know, I know...I don't need another pair of shoes...but they were so pretty and affordable!  I went to lunch with a dear friend on Thursday and we shopped the nearby stores. I saw these Coach and Four Janet pumps and tried them on..they were so comfortable! The insole is lightly padded, they are a pretty nude color trimmed in black and the heel isn't high, so I bought them for $40. I imagine I'll be wearing them a lot. Right now, they sit on top of the box at my vanity so I can stare at them before I got to sleep and again when I wake up.

Then I bought two tops that I know I will wear A LOT. I couldn't find the exact picture but this is so close:


The only difference is my sleeves hit just above the elbow (hides that saggy upper arm issue). The fabric is soft and the neckline is flattering (not too deep or wide). I bought a black one (of course) and a sweatshirt gray one for $20 each.  It was a great day at Stein Mart.

My friend bought a beautiful lined black and white wide strip jacket with 3/4 length sleeves, on sale for 30% off.

And if you haven't been to Old Navy, you should go now. They have great disposable clothes (inexpensive clothes to wear until you don't like them anymore and can easily give them away). And great costume jewelry! I bought a pair of front/back earrings for $8 (gold ball post with a "diamond" that affixes behind the ear and hangs down just past the lobe).

And my girlfriend bought several earrings for herself and one of her daughters, as well as a pair of Pixie pants (my favorites) in black with white dots (I have a pair but she looks so much better in hers!).



Getting great buys is always a great treat but spending quality time over food and fashion with a longtime girlfriend is priceless. We had a wonderful day!

So I am sharing my latest purchases with you to show that we women "of a certain age" can get stylish bargains and not look like an old woman. You just need to look for them..any where.

Until next time,



I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

This LIttle Pinky Went To the Salon!

I am shocked and appalled! Why, you might ask?

Because I cannot believe how many women have nasty, skanky feet but still wear sandals, exposing those feet to the rest of us.



I take two yoga classes, which means that there are a lot of bare feet. Ugly bare feet. Bunions, callouses, and hammer toes aside, there are a few simple things you can do to enhance your feet.



Go get a pedicure, stat!  And if you are intimidated about going into a salon, do it yourself.

Soak your feet, push back the cuticles, trim your toenails and file them, pumice callouses and PAINT THOSE TOE NAILS!

If you apply a base coat first, then two layers of a pretty color followed by a good top coat, your pedicure can last over a month.

DO NOT walk around in public in open toe shoes if you can't take care of your feet. It isn't pretty, it is gross and makes you look sloppy, careless and that you don't care about yourself.



There are so many kinds of polish removers, nail polishes and processes that even those with sensitive skin or allergies now have options...except to show un-cared for feet.



It gives you some time to sit, relax, binge watch TV, read a good book, nap in a chair...no excuses, just do it!



Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Another Example of Why I Started This Blog!

I saw a woman, close to my age, who made a serious mistake:  she forgot how old she really is in what she was wearing and was shockingly ridiculous. I think I actually flinched!

That doesn't mean we can't be stylish, wear fun trends or try new things. It DOES mean, however, that we have to be cognizant of how these things look on women "of a certain age."

Mutton dressed as lamb is the perfect phrase that describes this matter.

We don't have to dress like Aunt Bea on "The Andy Griffith Show" and we can certainly wear many of the latest styles, but within reason.

We can wear pencil skirts, just not so short that we can't bend over or walk well.

We can wear leather pants or skirts (not that I ever want to again -- I couldn't stop sweating!) but with elegant accessories.

We can wear fun jewelry, but quality looks so much more elegant on us (and looks more expensive now that we are older).



We can try makeup trends but there are some that suit younger skin, eyes and throats. We need to be careful that we don't wear trends that are too drastic or cakey.

We can be proof that getting older is the equivalence of elegance, grace and taste. If you're in doubt about wearing something, then don't. If you think something looks odd or weird, then you are probably right. If you think something is pretty in your mirror, be sure to look from the sides and back, as well. And if you're in doubt, ask someone else...someone who will be honest and true.





Remember the below quote was said years ago and amazingly still valid today.




Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

I Could Hardly Wait to Share This With You!

Although this isn't really fashion, it is about the most amazing foundation for women "of a certain age" and I just can't tell you more than this, how much I love it!

L'Oreal (and I do not receive anything from this company -- darn it!) has done it again. The Visible Lift Advanced Age Reversal Makeup is pretty spectacular for us women. It doesn't actually lift anything and no one has thought I am younger since using it, but it is made with a serum and that's what makes it so great.

The serum makes this foundation spread across your wrinkles and divots smoothly and easily. It has a light coverage, no fragrance and, once you find your color, you will find this foundation to be terrific, too. My skin feels velvety, my face looks healthy and bright and I love how it covers my smile creases around my eyes and mouth.

I copied the below from the L'Oreal website:

As the first lifting anti-wrinkle foundation enriched with serum, you will see immediate results. Notice smoother skin because corrective pigments unify your skin tone for a natural-looking radiant complexion. The anti-wrinkle formula is enriched with a serum combining powerful anti-wrinkle ingredients. Day after day your skin looks visibly younger. Up to 24 hour hydration, light fluid texture, blends easily. SPF 17.



You can find it at any drugstore or discount store (Target, Walmart, Ulta) for about $15. They also have blush, concealer and CC cream, if you're interested.

If you want to research your best color, ask the cosmetics counter girl to give you a cotton swab (like Q-Tips) shot of it so you can put it on your jaw line (that is the best place to try on foundations and powders). Then go stand in real sunlight with a mirror and look (even ask someone else) to see if it is your true color.

I haven't loved a foundation in a long time. I've been using Calvin Klein's and Maybelline's but they are going into the trash. This is THE ONE!

Let me know if you try it and how you like it. I can hardly wait!

Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Summer time, summer time, sum-sum summer time!

Yes, it is that time of the year....bathing suit season. A season with mixed feelings. We love the coolness of pools, the timelessness of the beach, the comfort of being in and/or near the water. But we hate the gauntlet of buying a new suit.

Do we buy a two piece and worry about the muffin top or belly bulge? Do we buy a bikini and dare to be seen by all who judge? Do we buy a "tankini" with the longer top that covers our middles and has the benefits of a two piece? Do we buy a one piece suit? Do we buy one with tummy control?  Strapless? Skirted or boy legs? Do we want low cut or higher (for diving). Do we want solid or are we brave enough for prints?






Then there's the dreaded mirror in the dressing room. Why can't they all be slimming looking? And the lighting! It makes one look pasty and sick.

Then there's the suit cover up. Do we want a full cover? A pareo? A shirt? A sheer one or cotton?



Men even have to decide their own suit issues: board short or swim trunks. Some even consider buying thongs (but that's all I'm going to say about that).

Because summer is hot and the need to be cool means less attire, this season causes me some angst and concern. You?

Here are some tips to buying a good swim outfit:

1. Be sure to look in the mirror from the front AND the back.

2. Jump up and down in the suit to ensure your boobs don't come bouncing out.

3. Bend over in the suit to see how much of it rides up in the bum.

4. Sit down in the suit to see how the crotch fits.

5. Walk around the dressing area to see how the legs fit and if they ride up.

6. Do some arm swimming motions to ensure the straps don't inhibit your movement.

And be sure to rinse that suit out before you wear it the first time. Also rinsing your suit after each wear will ensure it has a full season of wearability.

Don't forget to wear sunscreen (age spots are not pretty on anyone and skin cancer is even less attractive). Wear a hat that covers your scalp, hair and ears...vulnerable exposed areas. And sunlight damages your already ageing hair.


Wear good sunglasses with great UVA protection...preserve your vision for your lifetime.


Hydrate...I know many of us like a cold beer or other alcohol but water is really important for your skin, kidneys and health. Chug several glasses or bottles while outside.

Cute sandals to protect your feet. The sand or pool decks can seriously burn your soles. And there are broken shells, glass and detritus in the water that can cut your feet.

Enjoy the summer, the beach and pool and remember that this is a short season for a reason. It makes being alive in the summer time a memorable experience of picnics, camping, cookouts and fireworks.

Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz