Swim Spanx, Really?

Wow. We all remember the "Miracle Suit"...needless to say, I've never tried one on (they always seemed very outdated in their styling, although I loved the concept of a swimsuit taking off the terrible 10), but I may actually take a dive into these new suits from Spanx.  Yes, Spanx! The company we all wish was created decades ago, but fortunately we all know and love now for their slimming shapers and body wear. And, if you've never purchased a Spanx product, either count your blessings for your perfect body, or head to the nearest big box retailer and load up!

Currently I'm at that stage in my life when I'm mourning the loss of ever hoping to wear a bikini again...even in my own backyard. And really, my body is not that bad...some cellulite here and there, a little back fat and a less than perky derriere. My tummy is actually flat, but it's covered with lines (are these stomach wrinkles?), and I have a decent bust area.  I just feel over-exposed in a two-piece since my almost 49-year-old skin is just not as pretty anymore. Worrying about excess skin (ok, fat), is something I just don't care to do anymore....so one-piece, you are my new bff.

So, when I ran across the Spanx suits on Neiman's website, I was immediately intrigued. New this year,  they are meant to provide the same slimming effects as the Spanx bodywear, by including a lightweight inner body shaper that will flatten tummies, smooth backs and slim love handles, all designed with beautiful Italian jersey (my mantra...everything Italian is good).  Gotta love that! Here's a sampling of the new line, with fun, sexy, flirty styles! And, I'm headed to Neiman Marcus this afternoon (time to pay that bill..I think I'll die with a NM balance), so I'll try a Spanx suit and report back.

All items available at Spanx.com or NeimanMarcus.com. 

Spanx Deep-V

Other colors available

Spanx Flamingo 

My favorite, love the color and ruching

Spanx Color Block

Must see the zoom on fabric at spanx.com, very pretty!

Spanx Triangle Top

Other colors available

Spanx Ruffle top

Other colors available

Spanx Swim Dress

Cuter on than you think!

Spanx Tankini

Several tankini styles available

Spanx Bikini

Cute, for someone!

Not sure where or how the body shaping plays a part!

Spanx Bubble Skirt Cover-up

I like this in black...need to see it on.

So, are these cute? Or wishful thinking on my part? I'm definitely going to try on...I think they are perfect for trips to a lake, water park or vacationing with other families (isn't that the worst..your friend's husband checking you out in a bathing suit?!).

Comments, please!

You know you are almost 50 when...

...you want a caftan for Valentine's Day! I now understand Mrs. Roper, of our favorite 70's show, "Three's Company". She wanted to look and feel glamourous even though she rarely left her apartment. Of course, I'm out and about all day long, but come 6:00 PM-ish and I know I've put the keys up for the night, I want comfort. In my 30's and early 40's that usually translated to Juicy Sweats...we all have them, in lots of colors,  and in terry and velour.  Seriously, I'm juiced out.

There's something exotic to me about a caftan, I conjure up images of Morocco and Capri. I envision Jackie O walking the White House in a beautiful silk one.  In the 60's, my pretty mom wore caftans around the house all the time. Comfortable, flattering (extra weight....where?), feminine, and visitor appropriate. Also, for me, I think a caftan is a better alternative to a robe.  No worries that something could be showing when the neighbor or my 8-year-old's friends stop by...my silk robes never seem to stay put!

So K & C...here's the spring floral caftan I want for Valentine's Day..and no "Mrs. Roper" jokes.

Natori Silk Kaftan

Available here at Neiman Marcus

By the way, caftan or kaftan is a Turkish word, and a 'c' or 'k' is correct!

Get the skinny!

Happy Fashion Friday! If you've been reading my blog you know that I love fashion and worked in the beauty/fashion biz for too many years to remember! I have lots of friends that call weekly for fashion advice and several that I take shopping on a regular basis. I love helping my friends, it's amazing how much easier it is to shop for someone else. Like everything, it's all about the money. I can persuade a friend to spend the big bucks on a handbag, even though I might have a hard time doing so myself.  I love the thrill of finding something that is just perfect for them - their shape, lifestyle and budget.

Every once in a while I find something that I LOVE so much that I have to share the passion with all my friends...however, I can't take credit for this find, that goes to my good friend, Nancy Klompus of Buy Request, her own wardrobe consulting business. If you are in the Dallas area, check out her website, she has amazing taste and helps tweak your style, your closet and your shopping habits.

One day Nancy sent an email (as she often does) out to her friends and clients letting us know about a new jean in town. The James Jean Twiggy. Twiggy? For me, no way. I emailed back immediately, "Are you sure I can even wear these?" "Absolutely!" Nancy replied.  You see, Nancy and I are the same age, so I trust her judgement completely when it comes to age- appropriateness.

So I called my favorite sales associate at one of my go-to boutiques in town and sure enough, the Twiggy had arrived.  I got to the store as quickly as my schedule permitted, and couldn't wait to try on the jeans. I envied my younger friends in their leggings, boots and cute tops. I envied my 40-plus-year-old friends with shapes perfected by hours in the gym, wearing the latest skinny jeans. I, for one, don't believe that a 48-year-old should be wearing leggings.  I've been there, done that, for a decade in the 80's, when I did have the perfect leggings body, but I do still love the look.

The Twiggy is the answer.  Denim "legging" perfection. A stretchy, skinny jean that lifts your bottom and magically slims your legs. I'm not sure how, but I don't care. Comfy and wearable, they almost feel like you have on your favorite pair of sweats. I wear them to the grocery store with Uggs and a sweater, and then on a moms' night out with a sexy, (albeit) longer top.  The Twiggy should look good on any figure, as long as you keep your top longer.  Also, for us 40-plus-women, buy your Twiggy in either black or blue denim.  For women with a slimmer silhouette, the gray is nice as well. I haven't tried the white, I may do so for summer, but my gut instinct is "no."

So get your skinny on with the James Jean Twiggy. I did send the link to several of my friends, and all have been thrilled with their new go-to's! The Twiggy fits true to size,  so if ordering on-line, simply order your typical jean measurement.  Ok, gotta go...and get my Twiggy's on for the day.

Halle Berry in Twiggy

 Marcia Cross loves the Twiggy.

'

Charlize Theron in black cat and denim.

OH - and the best part? The Twiggy is under $120... a budget blessing

 when it comes to jeans these days.

Calypso, Take me Away!

From now on, my Fridays' are dedicated to fashion! I love fashion and hope that I never get to the point when I don't care what I look like...actually, I know I'll never get there, I'd have to be strapped in a bed with a 'no visitors allowed' sign!  Some people seem to relish in the fact that they wear sweats every day and live in Target t-shirts..don't get me wrong, that's how you'll see me on many a day, but it doesn't make me happy. I'm happier and feel better when I feel cute and put together..and I'm thinking most of us do. So why is it so difficult to figure out what to wear? It certainly wasn't this hard in our 20's and 30's, but our bodies have changed and the term "age appropriate" really means something now.

In my 40's, I've found myself steering away from the big box stores and getting to know all of the smaller boutiques in town. Less selection is more for me as I age. I know my shape, style, likes, and dislikes. My nevers - halters, mini-skirts, short shorts, and embellisment of most sorts. I get to know the salespersons well, and love getting the occasional phone call that my "perfect" top has arrived...as if it was ordered especially for me.

One of my favorite go-to boutiques is Calypso St.-Barth at http://www.calypso-celle.com/, an eclectic boutique selling everything you need from head to toe (think: casual & weekend wear) and exquisite home accessories as well. Calypso is only in 7 states (lucky for me, Texas is one of them), 2 doors in Paris, and locations in St. Thomas and St. Barths...not bad company!  It's also (for me) best for a spring/summer wardrobe, although some of their winter sweaters are yummy. Their sizes run true to size..for any on-line shoppers.

Here's my crave list for Spring 2010:

Nuella Dress

Love it belted like this, with flats

Layer a cardi if you don't like your arms

Perfect daytime spring look

Layered Neck Tee

Everyday Wear

Other shades available

Alexa Tunic

Great with white jeans or denim

Doubles as a bathing suit cover-up

Other shades available, but I love this blue

 

Feminine Ruffle Shirt

Casual or Work

A wardrobe staple!

Sailor Shirt

Weekend wear..nautical is a big trend for Spring 2010

Wear it with denim, white or khaki

Sheer Striped Scarf with distressed tassel trims

The perfect pick-me-up

I love the grey/chocolate brown version too...

Immediate hipness & age appropriate

 

Yali Striped Sweater

Great on everyone!

Two shades available

Darshini Sweater

Featherweight, Boyfriend Cardi

100% Italian Cashmere

Basic Lace Layering Tank

Many colors available

I own these - perfection (buy one size up)

Gange Sandal

Orange acts like a neutral in spring/summer

Wear with everything!

Lizard embossed bracelet

Trendy yet age appropriate

Blair Throw

Basket woven blanket

Perfect over a couch arm or bed

Laura Kindle Designs for Calypso

Oval Platter

In Sand dollar motif too

Beautiful summertime party platter

So this is my CRAVE list...I'll be really lucky if I end up with a few, and I'll be looking for knock-offs of the rest! Happy Shopping! Oh - and don't let the young looking supermodels deter you...not every piece in Calypso is for us, but these selections will work like a dream.

High Maintenance Hair

Did you know that your hair's look and feel is an indication of your overall health? Our Omega-3's:  fatty fish, flax seed and walnuts are the best nutrients we can ingest for our hair's well-being. With that said, let's talk about why, as we age, we really need to be high maintenance with our hair.

First, we need to make sure we are using the best shampoo our money can buy. Be sure to avoid any shampoo or conditioner with alcohol in the ingredient list, all it will do is dry out our hair, and "more mature" hair craves moisture.  My favorite combination is Kerastase Resistance Bain Volumactive Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner. It's for "fine and vulnerable" hair. I love that it is extremely moisturizing and volumizing at the same time. Please, no flat hair ladies, it makes are faces seem drawn out and thinner, two looks we want to avoid. Pantene also makes a great volumizing shampoo and conditioner as well, and I often go back and forth between the two brands.  It's also important to use an intensive conditioner weekly, and for this, Kerastase is my go-to.

To cut or not to cut? That is the question! My opinion is that women in their mid-40's and 50's look best with mid-length hair, not too short (butchy) and not too long (teenager-y). If you do have one of these extremes, just make sure you have some layers around your face, they'll give movment and let light shine through. A shoulder-length, layered look adds fullness, can highlight cheekbones, and looks good on almost everyone. Bangs are also a great option to hide lines and add youthfulness - sideswept and textured bangs look best, a heavy bang is usually not the best option.

Halle Berry

Perfect bangs & Layers

Sharon Stone

Perfectly Short

Holly Hunter

Do I even need to say?

(Too Teenager!)

What's this in my hand? A clump of hair, that's what! Has this happened to you yet? Every once in a while, I get a case of the clumps.  Wads of hair come out as I comb my hair after washing, and I'm sure it's hormone related (isn't everything?). Another wonderful aspect of aging...thinning hair. Those layers will definitely help, as will adding some dimension with highlights or lowlights. I also use a thickening spray by Bumble& Bumble  that definitely seems to make my hair feel thicker. It's estimated that up to 30 million women experience hereditary hair loss, losing up to 150 hairs per day, that won't grow back. The only FDA-approved topical solution for hair re-growth is Rogaine. A women's version is on the market now and it can be purchased over-the-counter. Fortunately, I don't think I'm to the point where I need to try Rogaine, but if I am, I won't hesitate. The reviews for Rogaine are mostly positive - has anyone tried it? Liked it? I'd love to know!

So let's talk about hair jewelry...actually, there's not much to talk about..just please don't invest..much. Cutesy plastic colored hairbands, girly barettes, banana clips (yes, on occasion, I do see these), scrunchies (who invented them anyway?) - none of these are acceptable on a more mature women's head. No exceptions! We need to be thinking - stylish, sexy and chic. I do like skinny head bands and silk scarf bands, especially in the summer, and only if you can really pull it off (if it looks weird, it looks weird) and designer pony tail holders (think Louis Vuitton). But that's it. Period. End of discussion.

And, speaking of pony tails - they are a great option for longer hair. The tail will pull skin upwards, make it appear more taut and smooth and is always a classic, elegant, youthful look. Use a covered elastic and wrap a strip of your own hair around it...no accessories neccessary!

Lucy Lui

Perfect 'do

Nicole Kidman

Always Taut

Michelle Pfieffer

Loose, layered, lovely

Raquel Welch

 Age 69

Still keeping it modern!

I dont' know who she is, I'm quite sure she is

not remotely close to 40, but I love this look for a mid-40's or 50's 'do.

NOW, GRAYING HAIR, THATS FOR ANOTHER POST!

I'm thinking PINK!

Not the Pepto-Bismol, bubble-gum, pastel or neon variety, but the perfect soft, pretty, feminine, blush shade of pink. It's my new color of the moment and I can't get enough of it! A reminder - as we age, we need to wear less black and focus on softer palettes that will reflect light off our skin, therefore increasing our natural luminosity! The good news is that neutral color palettes, including my perfect blush pink, are a significant fashion trend for Spring 2010.

Now, depending on your age, some pastels can really wash out a mature skin, as skin loses pigment as time flies by.  Make sure you have someone you trust tell you if a color is good on you or not...and it's usually not the sales girl! Fashion in our 40's should be more sophiticated, focused on simple silouettes...nothing to frilly, girly or matchy-matchy.  But, still pay attention to trends (not all, but most), they'll keep us looking more youthful! (Yes, archive your small gold chain and invest in a statement necklace or loads of metal!)

Here are some of my favorite blush looks of the moment~

J. Crew Crinkled Silk Shell

J. Crew Forever Cardigan

J. Crew Subcotton Silk Streamers Henley

Pamella Roland Spring 2010 RTW

Sonia Rykiel, Spring 2010                      Blugirl, Spring 2010

Just Cavalli Stretch Satin Corset Dress

Bergdorf Goodman

Badgley Mischka Spring 2010

Christian Loubitan Lolo

Neiman Marcus

Christian Loubitan Hidden Platform

Neiman Marcus

Basic Knit Scarf

Forever 21

 

Tort Aviator, Forver 21

Foley & Corinna City Tote

www.cusp.com

 

Gustto Small Rena Bag

www.gustto.com

Marc Jacobs Python Print Satchel

Bergdorf Goodman

Rose Dome Ring

Banana Republic

Think Pink! Think Spring! Think Beautiful!