Hello your Vogueness

Sometimes hit
Trying to remember how I fell on these images.  The first one I saw and I know I shared it.  I can't recall where from (bad sign, spending too much time on here).  I think it may have been Tumblr or as a back-drop on PolyVORE ??? 

red mask and a headdress 

Don't cha hate not being able to remember where you discovered something or who said something?  Well, this is my visual something.  Visions that captured my eye with their uniqueness and hot couture.  I've always wanted to call it that:  "hot couture" instead of Haute Couture.  How boring and snobby haute couture sounds.  

Beauty or color is best?

Not in this lifetime
I won't ever to be able to afford any of the outfits or be fussed over with makeup because I have a face that can capture that something, difficult to define.

Colors cause joy

Do not dare
Show this to the faint at heart.  Those ladies who believe that the ability to carry it off is their own righteous belonging.  

Naked
Sometimes the faces are naked from makeup while others are naked, or with caked on makeup or hats or hairdos.  

Weirdness or inspired? 

Like a train wreck
Or just too weird.  We slow down and cast an eye out to see what your brain or your heart want to see.  You fall spell to the creativeness that appears.

Glitter or ouch! 

Thank you for sharing another creative journey with me,  once again or the very first time.  I hope you agree with my choices.

I'm a "10" for sure!

Yayyyyyy I am a 10!  I reached the milestone of 55 on April 18th and in looking at the cup half full, I recognized that I'm finally a 10.  In 1979, the movie "10" starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore and hit the big screen, and forever after gals wanted to be scored a ten in looks.  

I may be taking liberties with my own definition of being a ten (55 years old:: 5+5=10) but there is so much to be thankful for, I reckoned why not.  My personal benchmark may be different than others, yet they are mine alone:

1. I'm happily married to a wonderful man who to this day makes me appreciate him and the life we have formed together.
2. Through blending our family, we have four awesome kids aged 21, 23, 25 and 27 where the eldest, Kyle, has been working at the same corporation for 8 years, Des is solid in her career and engaged to be married this year, Chantal is finishing up her 2nd year of university and Kelsey is off to make her fortune in Vancouver with a great job in a law firm and with the man of her dreams.
3. Ones own happiness is often defined through motherhood and my kids are happy, healthy and really great people.
4. I am working for an excellent Canadian corporation that sets the bar in many ways.
5. I have discovered my love of writing and blog as often as I can.
6. I have found balance with work, life and love.
7. I am a fashion forward fashionista where even the young gals where I work often comment on my ensembles.
8. I have my mom who is 81 years old and still there for me with love, support and an example of how healthy living can carry you to a longer life still able to travel, dance and be true to herself.
9. I have a beautiful home which I am continually redecorating and improving.
10. I have an adorable pet dog named Buddy who makes my day every day.

I guess those are pretty basic to most.  Yet, we should stop every once and a while and just appreciate what we have to be thankful for and give gratitude to those who make our lives meaningful.  I am lucky to have a few great friends whom I've known for years and years.  

Aging is all about continual improvement, seeking more knowledge, being satisfied with what we have while still stretching ourselves towards new goals.  

Material things and money are easy targets for setting goals, however, the simpler things are sometimes harder to appreciate.  Certainly, when I was in my 20s, my list was fairly long.  I've experienced great success, great disappointments, periods of sadness or melancholy, and times of money.  

At the end of the day, what makes me the most content are:

•  spending time with my kids, family dinners and playing games like "Heads Up" or having a backyard fire pit just hanging out and talking.
• sharing time with my best friend and her husband whom Rob and I really enjoy hanging out with.
• talking on the phone with my mom or sister, to discover the quick hello evolved into an hour.
• my youngest daughter calls me almost every day from Vancouver, although I miss her tremendously, I love talking with her on her updates, news, happiness.
• my stepdaughter, her fiance and my son drop in often just for a visit and sometimes a sleep over.
• My older brother Greg and I get to go have dinner when he is in Calgary on visit.
• My sister and I have been on vacations together to Mexico three times and there are wonderful memories that I would like to add to by going again.
• My husband and I have been able to travel on tropical vacations, we like just going for drives in the beautiful country surrounding us, meandering through garage sales, or me just sitting on the driveway soaking up the sun while he putters around on our "Getaway Car".
• While so many are unemployed, I have a job with a great company and have learned that my job title no longer defines me.
• I have Buddy to take me on walks with, snuggle up with and who protects me faithfully.
• We have a beautiful home that can accommodate our kids and their friends, hosting get togethers and celebrations.
• I love working on my garden and transforming it year after year into a haven of beauty to be enjoyed not only by us but those who walk back the green belt pathway that goes along our back yard.

Sure, I wouldn't be me without some things we call bucket list as we grow older, transformed from goals:

• a dream job doing marketing or maybe even dabbling in sales again
• my writing starts to generate an income, for the extras in life we want:: travel first and foremost
• I'd love it if my writing were to evolve more into reviewing items geared towards the female 50s crowd, with samples arriving from Brands who value my opinion and a following that trusts it.
• My mom and sister are always telling me to write a book.  Humbly, I think everyone wants to write a book or thinks they can.  To be any better would be egotistical.  I recognize one just has to "do it".
• I'd love a chance to go with Rob to Seattle to watch a Seattle Sea Hawks football game.  So strange for a Canadian hockey fan to put an NFL game on her list ... eh?
• It would be fun to be invited to help decorate a show home or a room to stretch the imagination and challenge myself.
• See if my painting hobby of re-purposed objects could actually be sold as art :: more designed for the garden.
• Maybe get a second dog, smaller, for a companion for Buddy, like our teacup poodle Coco was before she passed on at 13 years old and who will trot after me as I putter in the garden (Buddy is too busy running around and playing bodyguard to follow me).

It is safe to say I am able to stop and be grateful for what I have and yet energetic enough to want to stretch farther and reach higher.  I am content for the most part yet still have a restlessness to want to do more.  The next decade is going to be interesting to see what unfolds.

Meandering Musings

Often (or I used to be anyhow) I am asked about a particular look :: you'd better catch me wearing it so I'd remember :: because I'm a shopaholic shopping fashionista - here me CLICK!  (I'm going to experiment and give my choicest sites to get that "Fix ").

I'm also gonna write about how to shop guilt-free :: tips | tricks to hide "the evidence".
I think I'll make into a series within my Meanderings about .... blog.  It is here where I let my creativity rip. Whatever  makes me unhinged.

The beauty of writing your own blog (or in my case a few), you are the master of your domain :: really, truly amazing eh?

Call me an optimist, but I really think ladies in their 50s, post menopausal, fire breathing divas, are going to like my blog.  I have faith that once the storm hits, the blog will go viral and maybe I'll even attract a few major brands endorsement on my site :: of which they will pay me in money and gifts in kind (the ones they want me to try and review for women 50+). 

Sound fanciful?  Not really when you think about it, a gazillion percent of the world's population are women 50+.   They call the shots in their lives and influence those around them.  Confident and classy in sync with their inner voice, they need or want a laugh, raise their eyebrows once again, or pat their heart in sisterhood memories davine. 

It will be merged to become one unanimous collaborative voice for women born 1960 or later.  It will eventually be a club, which will charge fees for its membership.  Where only the truly gifted or inspirational women voice will be invited to blog :: about what matters, reflects how we feel, want to be more optimistic, smarter, or look classier.

It will start here.  The place where I discovered my foundling, the #bestofeverything hashtag.  Where inspiration to be the best of anything was born.    I've made some truly amazing connections, interactors, professional, artistic, creative people from around the world.  Alot of fiction writers, since I'm a prolific reader and far fewer of those that feed my knowledge junkie.

The first 50 commenters (subscribers) will automatically be invited into the Fashionista Club.  Fashionista being defined as:  a fabulously feminine,  fashionable, polished lady.  More likely in their 50s but not excluding the daughter Millennials who caught the wisdom of their mothers of studying and approving their lives by the women of influence before them.

  

Please enjoy the time you  spend with me.  

I enjoy having you along on

 my journey.

:: Love Jeannette ::

P.S.  Let me know what you think of my new page :: design/theme?  If you want a web image consultation, let me know, and we'll see what we can come up with together.

Jump into Jumpsuits 2016

I'm mad about jumpsuits ::  A trend that started last year and starting to catch on this spring.  For someone who is a curvy, 5 ft. petite gal, they're a great way to get a great look, create a lean façade.  They're a must have for anyone's wardrobe, being casual or corporate.

I bought one at the end of last summer, and to say I've had a lot of use, would be an understatement!  The nice part, is they go with various body types, young or old.  Dress it up with a blazer or cash it out with a jean jacket.  Optimize with the right accessories and you've got a slam dunk.

To show you what I mean, I sifted through Pinterest and then a goldmine for cheap stock by www.sammydress.com where everything ranges from a couple of bucks to $20. 

I'm tempted by the following ideas as well as give some hints and tricks I'd recommend to keep it classy with a zest of fun:

I'm not a fan of the sandals here :: they're too dainty for the appeal of this look, which would be better suited with a pair of wedges like these, even if they are white (show you're brave and throwing the rules out the window by creating your own style statement):

Add caption

These have my footprint all over them!

Piece de la resistance :: the must have bag this spring are big, bulky enough to carry your tablet, your smartphone, the makeup bag and wallet ... along with a piece of fruit and water bottle:

Don't worry that the charm is gold, as long as it says "Michael Kors" you've got it made!  A little pattern to create a little contrast works in showing that you aren't too anal about being too matchy matchy.  

Toss in the right accessories and you're all set.  This pendant elongates the theme, especially if you are short or curvy, it subtly says your taller:

I'm not going to get caught up with the fact the charm on the purse is gold.  I wouldn't be too busy with the earrings either.  Again, to create a classier look, I would try to match them:

Notice the hair?  That blue grey is hip and in.  Imagine younger gals, who find the look appealing.  Who would have thought grey would be the bomb!

Denim on denim is a going concern.  The mixed but matched is coolio.  You don't have to look to far for denim jumpers this spring either.  You can appear chic, while not trying too hard to hide your age, just find the look and line that suits your figure and hides your flaws.  I wouldn't have a belt to cut myself in two, to avoid appearing shorter:

I found this whimsical ring with turquoise that goes with denim splendidly. 

Jumpers with prints are A-ok, I just don't go with anything too overpowering, unless you are much taller and slender than moi. 

Have you noticed that the looks I go for have the cuff narrow?  That is intentional to give the taller, slimmer illusion.  Aren't these fun?  For spring or summer, I'd have more fun with the shoes, as I usually do to make a statement.  I adore these sandals.  Clunky heels lean toward comfort while the peep toe shows off those awesome toesies from your last pedicure (no more than three weeks ago):

Black is a faux pas for anyone trying to look taller or slender :: plus it makes it easier to accessorize.  Check out the shoes I drooled over to dress up a jumper ensemble:

Throw on a blazer over to say:  professional.  Although, I'd say that the sandals are not the right ones to complete the look.  Especially with silver zippers and buttons :: the purse got it right on (I have an exact one only in steel blue).  Mix up with patterns for a more casual flare:

You're getting into the groove I hope.  You've spotted how badly the outfit is completed by the wrong shoes that are too fuddy duddy , the purse awkwardly held, would be better replaced with a cross-body purse, and get rid of the silly hat .... unless you really do want to look like a grandma!

Color on color, especially cream colors are favorites of mind.  The sunglasses are wrong and so is the purse.  A nice necklace can say chic, be brave with the floral headband when you have long tresses or a pop of red to say you mean business :: to be noticed!

Speaking of red and colors ........

Finally a look that is together with the right sandals and purse and chain belt.  Nice if you don't have chubby upper arms, you would be able to accessorize with the bracelet.  You can omit the belt if you have a waist you don't want to accentuate. 

These earrings would go marvelously with the bright royal blue jumper wouldn't they?  I'd bypass any other jewelry to let them jell together, and speak class and elegance.  I'd probably choose a subtle clutch and perhaps silver sandals to complete the statement.

I'm proud of you :: you have already identified how wrong the belt is with this popping pink, with shoes that are boring.  (Whoever choreographs these images, is being lazy on the details).  So, yeah, the lipstick matches, but hardly anything else.

To prepare for balmy spring or summer days or holidays, I pulled a few rompers that caught my fancy:

BRAVO :: accessories!  Polyvore is a great site to play with fashions, accessorize and create looks that are applauded by other fashionistas critical eyes.  They certainly emphasize how important pulling the whole look together is by the shoes you choose or accessories that compliment but don't crowd.  Sometimes, I want to be comfortable when shopping, on the ready to welcome company :: this works for me:

Eeegawd ... another example of the wrong accessories and shoes :: this is a casual jumper, not for elegant sandals or clutch.  And have your buttons down to your belly button, and you may attract glares from other women :: a leopard print t-shirt under would have still bespoken wildness:

Fun comfort:

Purse gone wild:

Don't you dare :: unless you wear it under a see-through dress or over-sized shirt or for bed time lingerie:

Whatever you wear, accessorize it :: and have fun!