A woman on a mission

This blog has been evolving since it first started in March 2015 as a result of not always wanting to write about business, leadership or sales as I do on my optioneerJM blog.  I am thankful for those followers, and want to keep on track to write the articles there that many of my foundlings started out getting to know me.

However, as a self-described "fabulous fashionista fighting fifty" I realized that sometimes I just wanted to write with abandon and be freedom of self-expression or reflection.   It stemmed from loving to assemble great finds, whether it be art, photography, beauty tips or fashion statements.

"I want you to experience this Blog.  It would be great to be a vision for Baby Baby Boomers' experience and perspective.  Helping and entertaining is just a byproduct of doing what you love."                         

 I like to ramble on about what is concerning me in my world.  Least to say lately, that would be what happened in Paris.  I will probably dedicate writing about that on its own because it bothers me what happened.

Not to be conceited or to blow my own horn, but over the span of my lifetime, I have been noted for having a strong style sense.  At 5ft0in (rounded up from 4ft11in), busty, with more of a muscular build than a swelt frame, I have to work a little harder at finding what suits me.  

I have been a major fan of accessories, with a weakness for shoes that MUST have purses to match, that should be coordinated with the rest of the assemble, I think about what I'm going to wear.  

I passed a pink moonstone ring by the other week, regrettably.

Jewellery captures beauty by creations with masterful artisans or gemologist that make me almost drool.  I have a pretty fair collection, but nothing that would threaten the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, famed for her diamonds.  I'm innocent in that regard.  Born in April, diamond is my birthstone, and a privilege to own.  I don't selfishly collect it.  I just spoil myself once in a while when something attracts me, of less rare stones, while still beautiful.  



Wandering around vintage boutiques, thrift shops and charity stores, I love to find treasures that have been glazed over by others.  I have kicked myself for not buying something that I knew was beautiful and a one of a kind ... to me.

I make beauty mistakes, whether it being a hair color that is too dramatic for me or make up that isn't always so flattering.  I've written about my eyelash folly and discovered a better natural way to plump up the volume since then (stay tuned).

I have learned over time what suits me and don't mind being the most over dressed at an event.  It is not to show off.  Sometimes it is merely by luck to assemble the right outfit with the right accessories, the right footwear with a matching purse.  

Having a blog like this, I can fantasize about wearing something quite off-the-wall or not age appropriate.  That's the beauty of having an outlet like this blog to express myself.  Not necessarily by what I'd want to wear, but a look that would suit others of other generations or age groups.

I'd wear this but with a colorful scarf and accessories to match ... the boots with heels a must for me

Perhaps others can learn some tricks or looks that I've come up with.  There is always Polyvore, that allows someone to create fantasy looks, that may not compliment their frame, personality, or age.  That's good.  We need a place as adults to go beyond dress up dolls or Barbies.  

Be sure to wander back to my page as it strikes you.  The page itself may have updates on a great movie I recommend, art that has resonated with me, or images that strike my fancy.  It's chalk full of stuff.  Images.  Reading recommendations for books or blogs.  It is ever changing and constantly evolving.

One of my favorite places in Calgary during winter, skating with music in the background

Lest we forget .... or NOT

Happy Remembrance Day to my fellow Canadians and anyone else who takes the time today to honor the bravery of all soldiers who fight for freedom and peace.

My father passed away 5 years ago and up to his last breath, was proud of who he represented, after 35 years with the Canadian Armed Forces. In our home, we were unable to forget.

Lt.-Col. John McCrae, author of the famous poem 'In Flanders Fields,' wrote the iconic work after the death of a friend during the second battle of Ypres in the spring of 1915. (National Archives of Canada/Canadian Press) SOURCE CBC Canada 

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of one of the most well known poems "In Flanders Field" by Lt-Col John McCrae.  

The poem is a poignant reminder to us.  If not for the bravery of many men and women, our lives would not be the same today.  It reminds us that those people were brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who gave up their lives for others.

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunsets glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

in Flanders Field.

In peacetime, we can all assume that the life of our military personnel are laid back, living day to day in simplicity and beyond the toils of having a corporate or artistic path.  Yet, those who are given glimpses, with guarded privacy and confidential, there were and are still many who are sent on missions or tasks to uphold our freedom.  They are not heralded as heroes and are obscure from the media eye that they too have done much to keep the evils of war at bay.  Our safety taken for granted.

These same men and women should also be honored because they are behind the scenes to keep us safe daily.  A day like Remembrance Day should also celebrate those who are never credited for what they encounter, what they do, in order to keep our lives safe and carefree.  

As the daughter of my father, I know he went away for days, weeks or even months on assignment.  It was the way of life, without questioning why.  Unlike those who drive into an office, maybe work late, and come home at the end of their day, our military is often tasked with going away to do exercises, safety missions and peacekeeping.  Some don't come home.  They are a statistic and number who don't come home.   Only the family and loved ones left to grieve.  While politicians, media may have a glimpse of their bravery, they often go unheralded for what they continue to represent.

I am not minimizing the cause or bravery that stemmed the poignant poem of "Flanders Field".  I just want to acknowledge and pay tribute that there are far more unofficial acts of bravery that go unnoticed, while we contently live our lives in the arrogance of safety.  Sometimes, there is a mention by name, but more often grouped in a category that doesn't distinguish them from what they contribute, or the sacrifices their families encounter.  

My skin crawls and the back of my hair stands up whenever someone wants to call me an "Army Brat".  I find it distasteful and disrespectful to what my father had done.  In his twilight years, he wanted to exorcise his memories and told us more stories of his life than we could possibly have known.  The burden my mother had, raising four kids, primarily alone.  My father's return quiet, unassuming and without fanfare.  It was a way of life.  Not anything I would have given up.  I owe it to my father, to celebrate his contribution to our peaceful world.

I love you dad.  I still miss you.  You have not been forgotten.

James Bond + Daniel Craig + Sam Mendes + Panoramic Cinematography + Beats = SPECTRE

Have you ever noticed that if you're in a good mood, you tend to be receptive to being entertained?  That was the magic of a date with Hunkster Hubster and a movie, going home to him making Tacos.  Can life get any better?  Certainly, from the opening sequence with the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico, the vibe and energy was outstanding!

Well from this side of the theatre, life was grand indeed.  I admit, that sprouting love spirits date night with movies, holding hands, and laughter.  Hunkster Hubster and I haven't been married 10 years yet.  We went on a vacation, blended a family of teenagers, and weathered their theatrics together.  We were living on the edge then, just like Daniel Craig's appealing James Bond character with the outstanding talent of Director, Sam Mendes firmly planted as the film's visionary.  

I don't want to ignore the fact that if it wasn't the imagineering of Ian Flemming, this force of movie franchise would never have been started.  It blends the tradition of a great story with the seat-jumping startling action and effects.

Like the splendid, beautiful glory of the cinematographer's canvass that unfolds before us.  It is like the franchise itself, similarly, are gliding into the sunset with the right person or audience by its side.  

I did jump a few times, unexpectedly being jolted to the magnetizing special effects and Cinematography Graphic Illustrations (CGI) -- that may not be the exact acronym definition, but it works for me.  Forbes took a look behind the scenes of the Sony movie.

Admitally, my radar sensors did go up when I was at HP (Hewlett-Packard) and it was sharing with its global world wide tech/engineering workforce of the highest magnitude, was telling us how HP was fueling the emerging technology of movie and image blending to catapult into the stratosphere while everyone else had their eye off the biggest ball, all chasing after DATA and CLOUD.

I will vere back to my original topic.  (At least you know what others perceive or drives family crazy, is how I can jump from a story into a side topic and then jump back with "anyway, as I was saying, don't interrupt me verbage".

What this Blog amounted to was celebrating the phase in life that you're in, regardless of age.  There are sunrises and sunsets, with the odd fireworks that will eventually settle into a comfortable, companionable, non-dramatic life.  Sharing those previous hectic and often crazy times, made a bond that is simply amazing.  Without the stress of being a parent together, and each other's biggest ally and trusted advisor, we could be the leaning post, non-interfering when the other has to deal with a child issue.

It all takes turns.  We go from being serene, to splendidly entertained, then satisfyingly fulfilled in having a quiet moment to share in peace and harmony.  We sure went over mountains together and apart, to start coasting on the other side.  No longer reaching impatiently to what life had in store, but settling contently that sure there are things you may have wanted to avoided or changed, but this part in our lives, is certainly not one of them.  Take a few minutes out, turn up the volume, lean back and just listen to this:

READ more here. 

Just saw this this afternoon and utterly entertaining, superb and unravelling of the talent involved on one of the best for 2015 in Spectre.  You can't miss the remarkable cinematography with panoramic backdrops that make you feel you are right on the set.  We sure forgot fast what the true movie experience is all about.  We've gone from theatres to televisions to HD to mega movies in a blink of an eye.  This sure makes me feel somehow, how grateful it feels to be thankful to be in my 50s.  Not fighting the uphill climb anymore, still magnificent in many ways, reaching in to the creativity that has long bubbled beneath us.  The suffocation similar lyrics in this song, is highly relatable.  #Spectre #JamesBond #DanielCraig #danielcraig  #Sam Mendes (not yet registering on the stratosphere identity plugger powerhouse of Google.  #Spectre is at the bottom of a viral sensation upward vertical curve.

 5 out of 5 *Stars for this brilliantly entertaining movie that will appeal to the masses.

Best lessons you've never heard as quotes

Emma Stone

"Whatever you may look like,

marry a man your own age

~ as your beauty fades,

so will his eyesight."

~Phyllis Diller

Angelie Jollie

"You may be gorgeous
at thirty, charming at forty,
and irresistible for the rest
of your life."

~ Coco Chanel

Heidi Klum as Jessica Rabbit, Halloween 2015

"I'm not bad.

I'm just drawn 

that way."

~Jessica Rabbit

Jennifer Aniston

"When you think you're not
happy with your life,
always think that 
someone is happy simply 
because you exist."

~Lei Lockhear

Demi Moore, 2015

"I prefer to be a

beautiful woman

of my age than

try desperately

to look 30."

~Demi Moore

Joan Crawford

"I never go outside unless

I look like Joan Crawford

the movie star. If you want

to see the girl next door,

go next door."

~Joan Crawford

Taylor Swift

"If you're trying too hard

to be the girl next door,

you're not going to be."

~Taylor Swift

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[the face behind the blogHER]