Hi to all my Gal Pals,
I have decided I do not like the label “senior citizen”. It seems like people lump us all into this phase of life as if we were all destined for the grave. It reminds me of something Joan Rivers said “You know why I feel older? I went to buy sexy underwear and they automatically gift wrapped it for me”. The latest research shows that humans mature more rapidly at 44 and 60. Therefore, I think we should be relabeled as “maturing adults”. There is no finality to this label but rather a continuation of life. Also, I think when people consider us as “senior citizens” they put in big letters “SUCKER” on our foreheads. First of all, let’s consider all those anti-aging products out there that are very expensive because they promise to make us look younger. The global anti-aging market was valued around 62 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 and is expected to increase to some 93 billion by 2027. We fall for those ads promising that skin creams will smooth away those new wrinkles and crepey skin. I became one of those “suckers”. I paid more for a skin lotion that was for crepey skin than I did for a cheaper body lotion I have used for years. Much to my surprise, after reading the labels, they both contained the same ingredients (Ugh). Consumer reports found that the wrinkle creams they tested “had a small effect and not on everyone”. They did say that retinoids had ‘some’ positive effect at prescription levels. Add to that stem-cell facelifts that may or may not work (not a lot of research) but promise to get rid of the wrinkles for which you will pay quite a bit for the possibility. You could pay thousands if you decide to see a plastic surgeon, but if you do take this advice from Crabby Maxine “A good rule to remember for life is that when it comes to plastic surgery and sushi, never be attracted by a bargain”.
Let’s look at all the rest of the scams that are geared toward the senior “SUCKERS”. There are a lot of devious supplement makers trying to cash in by selling knock-off sexual enhancement pills that either don’t work or are more dangerous because they contain chemicals that are bad for you. How about the scammers who want you to pay them to help you get more out of Social Security or how about the funeral insurance scam where you think you are buying insurance to cover your burial but you are really buying life insurance which you probably already have. Hopefully none of you have been taken in by the reverse mortgage scam that fails to explain the risks and fees that sometimes leave seniors without a place to live. Here are some wise words that I remember Aunty Acid saying, “ATTENTION: You can’t spread frosting on top of BS and call it a cupcake. Just Saying”. The only time I want to be considered a senior citizen is when I get my discounts at retail stores otherwise I am just in the maturing stage of my life.
Today’s fashion continues the theme of aging because it is about transition. I love outfits that are perfect for daytime events but can easily be transformed into lovely evening wear. Just by adding a few accessories and a “topper” (today’s focus) you can leave your daytime activity and go out for a night on the town. In my past blogs I talked about the difference between ponchos, ruanas, kimonos, dusters etc. but found it easier to refer to all of them as “toppers”. Toppers are nothing more than something that is on top of your basic outfit. At this time of year toppers are needed for a little warmth in the cool evening weather and they add a little flair to a very simplistic outfit. Throw the topper and a little bag of jewelry in your car and head out for an evening with friends or family. For my new readers, the purpose of this blog is to highlight outfits that hide that over 55 belly while still looking fashionable. All these outfits do just that.
You are probably getting sick of seeing the front of my townhouse but it kind of fits the theme. Some of my neighbors already have out their mums and pumpkins. I think I have written about my dilemma in past blogs but each year I have the same problem. Which “maturing” plants do I get rid of to make room for my fall display even though they are “senior” plants that are still beautiful and should not be discarded.
I think fall colors would clash with what I have and it would get too crowded to just add more. The thought of getting rid of something mature but still vibrant just to replace it with something new raises my shackles mostly because there seems to be an analogy to aging human life.
OK, let’s start the transformative fashion show.
The basic daytime outfit is a pair of straight leg blue jeans and a cream colored top. I paired it with tan leather sandals. You could wear the outfit to your child’s or your grandchild’s sport events during the day. When the kids go out for a dinner of pizza with their coach, you can throw on this topper and go out for a drink with your significant other or friends. This lovely topper was originally $159 but you all know by now I never pay more than $49 for any article of clothing unless it is an exceptional piece. This topper went on sale at Chico’s for $104 but if you bought 3 sale items, you got 75% off your total purchase. For 3 gorgeous items I paid around $60.
I chose these accessories because the topper seems a little Boho Chic and these just seemed to go with the theme. I loved the layered look of the necklaces. The denim watch, two toned blue ring and blue beads of the necklaces go perfectly with the dark blue of the jeans. The silver and gold earrings with matching ring allow me to mix the metals of the silver of the watch and the gold of the bracelet.
Whether you are going to work or doing some running around during the day, the base outfit of a white top and white leggings with these cute lemon patterned shoes are perfect but if you want to go out to dinner with friends or family you might want to dress it up with this deep tangerine colored topper. You can’t see it in this picture but the lemons on the shoes are edged with a tangerine color. I forgot to show the feathery flower pin in the accessory picture below but the differing orange colors really enhance the outfit.
I bought the tangerine colored stone necklace many years ago, then this summer I bought the earrings which match beautifully with their dangling orange stone. The woman who made these earrings used flowers from her garden in the inlay and I can wear them with many different colored outfits. Deep tangerine goes so well with the bright yellow of the watch and necklace. The layered gold necklaces as well as the reddish orange stone and the white flower of the rings beautifully complete the outfit.
Now most of you know that I have a phobia about gyms (I am sure the smell of the wrestling mats in high school and dirty locker rooms started my phobia) so I go walking and if this is also your form of exercise you could easily transition to an outfit that would be appropriate for a lunch with friends. The basic outfit is a pair of black Nike leggings and a very casual, sleeveless, loose fitting T-shirt material top I wear to go walking. Throw on this topper that creates a dressier look with it’s flowers of white, green and red metallic paint and a nice pair of red sandals and you are good to go.
Because of the shiny metallic paint on the topper, I am able to add a little bling to really dress up the outfit. The face of the watch and the silver and gold bracelet have faux diamonds. I pulled in red with the watch and the glass flower earrings. I pulled in green with the beads on the other gold and silver bracelet. I have worn my gold necklace with other outfits because it really enhances an outfit. Both the jade ring and the ruby ring contain teeny tiny diamonds that add a little more pizzazz to the overall effect.
OK, my weight is a good news – bad news situation. Good news, I only gained 1 pound over my 2 week vacation even though I ate lots of ice cream, blueberry pastries and fried fish. I think I was able to keep my weight down because of all the walking I did at craft shows and sidewalk sales as well as walking up and down the 73 steps to the beach. Bad news, the only thing that weighed less at the end of my vacation was my wallet. Unfortunately, that 1 pound I gained was added to the other pounds I put on during my hot weather hibernations before I left for vacation. I love this Aunty Acid quote “Some days I eat salads and go to the gym. Some days I eat cupcakes and refuse to put on pants. It’s called balance.” In my case, I wouldn’t be able to put on my pants because they are already getting too tight but the cupcakes do sound good.
Well, until next month remember God loves you and so do I.
A Peek Into Pam’s Closets 