Hi to all my Gal Pals,
Today I turned 73 and I decided to travel back in time to my favorite decade. I loved everything about the 60’s except the war. I loved the music, the fashion and the women’s movement. I was one of those people who enjoyed going to high school every day to see my friends and participate in after school activities. Some of my favorite memories were in flip-flops. I was not that fond of having to move into the 21st century (more like kicking and screaming) with all its technology especially the smartphone. Ask any one of my friends and they will tell you that I avoided it at all cost. I can relate to Crabby Maxine who says “I miss the days when an extra long cord was the pinnacle of phone technology”. I did some research to find out if I was the only senior citizen who felt this way. Everything I read said that increasing smartphone use is beneficial to increasing older adults quality of life. It also listed some barriers to information technology use amongst older adults such as fear, lack of knowledge and worry that technology is too complex. I fall under each of these barriers. I remembered a quote by author Neale Donald Walsh that said “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. Well, I finally gave in and bought a smart phone. I really didn’t miss not having a smart phone because, in general, I am not a phone person. I find talking on the phone so impersonal. However, I have been led to believe that soon landlines will be obsolete and since my landline and flip phone were my only means of communication I finally gave in. Let me tell you, they know me by name at the AT&T store because I keep going in to have them help me. They have become my lifeline. I know I used this quote before but Crabby Maxine best describes it “I’m on the INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY but I’m in the slow lane and my blinkers are on”. I am a pretty patient person but when it comes to technology I get very frustrated! People tell me to just play around with it to get use to it. Oh, no! If anyone could wipe out all necessary information, it is me. Just learning the basics is challenging enough for me. When I run into a problem with it I become someone I don’t recognize, similar to a description I saw on a T-shirt “I don’t curse. I speak fluent trucker with a sailor dialect and construction accent”. Yep, I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. By the way, I still have my working flip phone. I can’t change all at once!
I have told you in past blogs how much I love the fashions of the 60’s and Boho Chic has been making a resurgence in the last few years. Boho chic is nothing more than bringing the Bohemian look into the modern era. Bohemian is more than a fashion style but a cultural movement that emerged from rejecting conventional societal norms. Let me give you a little history on Boho fashion. The word “Bohemia” was first used in 15th century France to describe the Romani people (traveling Gypsies) from the western part of the current Czech Republic. Their signature look was loose fitting garments inspired by oriental design. The modern interpretation of the Bohemian fashion style includes different variations: Peasant or Classic Boho Chic, Hippie Boho Chic, Rugged Boho Chic or Luxe Chic. For the best look you should have a minimum of six colors and a maximum of 12 colors in your outfit. The tops should be relaxed and loosely fitted. Floral patterns and mixed print designs are a plus. Your bottoms should include pieces like wide leg pants and flared jeans. My outfits in this blog are a combination of all the above. The look is not for everyone but these pieces are some of my favorites in my closet.
Before I start the fashion show I like to throw in some landscape design. “Flower Power” was a phrase used in the 60’s referring to the hippie notion of “make love not war” and the idea that love and nonviolence, such as growing flowers was a better way to heal the world than continued focus on capitalism and war. I told you in the past how much I love the subdivision I live in because of the landscaping. The flowers of the trees and bushes in the spring are amazing. In a past blog I showed you the vivid fuchsia colors of the crab apple trees planted throughout the townhouse section of the subdivision. Well there is no better example of “Flower Power” in landscape design than the entry into my subdivision in the spring.
The canopy of white flowers of the pear trees goes on for 3 city blocks. I love it when a strong breeze comes along and blows the petals off the trees. It looks like it is snowing! Eventually the street sweeper comes along and cleans up the streets but before he does the wind blows the petals along the street and it looks like the street is a moving river with white peaks. It is just amazing to see this!
OK, let the fashion show begin.
What could be more 60’s than a floppy hat, peasant blouse, flared jeans with embroidered flowers and leather sandals. I love this outfit! This is me! The hem of the jeans has been ripped out and the fringe of the scarf just add to the Boho look. It is a combination of peasant, hippie and rugged Boho Chic.
So many of the accessories for the outfit represent all those things you found in the accessories of 60’s. Lots of beads, wide leather bands, and fringe are represented in the hippie look. I remember having a watch that looked like this. Look at all the colors in these accessories! Love it!
What I love about this scarf jacket is the multiple patterns in the material. I think you need a hat to pull off this look. The light weight jacket hides all sins. I am wearing a sleeveless black top underneath and I paired it with black leggings which gives it more of the luxe Boho look. Wearing sandals with this look is a must.
There are so many colors in the jacket that the skies the limit as to the accessories you can choose to wear with it, therefore, I chose to go with multiple colors in my accessories. Beads are a must as are pieces with flowers such as the ring, the bangle bracelet, and the cloisonné earrings. The medallion necklace with the leather strap is so representative of the 60’s
This is one of the outfits I wore for the fashion show to raise money for Canines for Veterans sponsored by the Lockport Woman’s Club. I was so glad they let me pick out my outfit. It has to be the most comfortable ensemble I own. The wide leg pants stretch along with my movements and the loose top just adds to the comfort. The material of the sleeves just flow as I move. Once again this is an example of multiple colors and patterns. Big sunglasses were all the rage in the 60’s. The flowers on the sandals just represent the flower theme of the era.
Again, the best part of the ensemble is that you are free to combine multiple colors in the accessories. The pink band of the watch, the rose gold of the love bird bracelet and flower earrings go perfectly with the pink flowers of the sleeves of the top and the greens of the bracelets go perfectly with the leaves on the sleeves. The black rings along with the black leather strap of the beaded bracelet add the finishing touches.
Well, here is where I talk about my weight but there isn’t much to talk about. I have not lost or gained any weight. I have given up on diets. It is like Aunty Acid truthfully states, “Only one thing keeps me from staying on a diet. FOOD”. Besides Christmas, Easter is my favorite time for sweets. I can’t pass up Fannie May Easter eggs. It would be like me passing up cookies at Christmas time. You already know how I feel about exercise other than my morning walks. I agree with Aunty Acid who confesses “The first time I hear someone on their death bed say they wished they’d exercised more, I’ll consider it.” Planting season is right around the corner so maybe it will keep me from thinking about food while also providing me with a little fun physical activity. The easiest time for me to lose weight are the months from Easter to Christmas. Getting into a bathing suit is a good incentive. However, my weight is not the only problem I see when I put on a bathing suit. My body must be very similar to Aunty Acid’s because I can relate to her quote, “Just when you get comfortable in your own skin, it starts to sag”. Isn’t growing old fun? NOT!
Well, until next time, remember God loves you and so do I.
A Peek Into Pam’s Closets 