Lip it

Earlier this week, I made the mistake of deciding to purchase a girlfriend some Chanel make-up for her birthday.  I'm sure she'll love her gift, but I ended up spending far more than I should of ...on me! Usually, on any shopping expedition, I steer clear of cosmetics - mainly as a time saver (too many artists that know me), but also because I'm a sure-thing. A new mascara? Sure...A new concealer? Yes, I'll try it...I can be such a junkie, so it's better for me not to go to the source.

But, alas, I found myself talking with one of the Dior artists that used to work with me - a beautiful, classy women named Mona. Mona built her business on honesty, so her word is golden with me. I asked her to show me one product that I would love, and she pulled out the Dior Lip Maximizer.

Available here at Sephora

I LOVE IT!! For once, a gloss that gives the perfect shine, not too sticky, not too shiny, is long-lasting and gives a small plumping effect (although that's not my motivation). You can use alone or on top of your favorite go-to lip shade. At $29.50, it's certainly not cheap, but it's also a lip conditioner to use as treatment at night. So, two great uses in one. I've only had it for a few days, but I know I'll be repurchasing it again and again. Oh, another plus, it's got a yummy vanilla mint taste too!

A spoonful of sugar

Today I was at lunch with a very healthy, vegetarian friend of mine. Taking my own advice (well, and that of Dr. Mao's) I ordered hot, green tea and then I grabbed a Splenda packet to sweeten up my cup.  Sitting across from her, I saw the irony in what I was doing - trying to live (and blog about) a healthier and longer life, taking my daily supplements, drinking 3 cups of green tea daily, and here I was, not thinking twice about filling up my healthy drink with an artificial sweetener!

It's well-known that some artificial sweeteners can pose a danger to one's health. Saccharin is carcinogenic as its' been shown to produce bladder cancer in rats. I know the jury is still out on the others, but common sense leads me to believe that artificial anything won't make it to any top 100 list of healthy foods.

I admit it, I began using "Sweet -n- Low" years ago as a calorie saver, and instantly became addicted to the sweetness. Splenda arrived with its' claim to be only one molecule away from the real stuff...well, at least that's what a Splenda executive told my husband on an airplane one day, and I quickly switched from the pink and have been a fan of the yellow for years now.

So sitting across from my size 0, 40-ish-year-old girlfriend, I put the yellow back and went for the sugar. Seriously, do I honestly believe that the extra 16 calories (per teaspoon) that real sugar provides is going to sabotage my weight goals? I eat an extra 16 calories every time I take a crumb of chips off my son's lunch plate. In fact, there are no studies to indicate that artificial sweeteners make any difference at all in weight-loss goals (Secrets of Longevity, by Dr. Maoshing Ni).  We do know that cancer cells can feed on excess sugar in our bodies, but fortunately I've never been a sugar junkie...and I bet an occasional teaspoon in my tea isn't nearly as harmful as the artificial stuff.

At this point in my life, I believe natural is better, and moderation is key (actually I've always adhered to that one). There are some alternatives out there for those of you not wanting any sugar in your diets, but still needing that sweetness. Stevia, an extract from a tropical plant, is a great zero calorie, zero carb, 100% natural alternative to sugar. In fact, overseas, Stevia accounts for up to 40% of the sweetener market. Diet Coke in Japan is made with Stevia vs. NutraSweet or Splenda.  I've used Stevia, and it sits on my pantry shelf, but I'm still getting used to the taste.  Also, Agave Nectar, made from the juice of the succulent agave plant (the same plant that gives us tequila), is a great alternative to sugar and honey. I often use this in my tea at home, as well as on waffles and pancakes, and as a sweet addition to a fruit smoothie. Add some to plain yogurt with walnuts and cranberries and you have a delicious morning treat. I love the taste of this sweet nectar and my son loves it even more than honey!

So no more artificial sweeteners for me...sugar (on occasion), Stevia and Agave Nectar are all I need.
PS - Stevia and Agave Nectar may also be substituted in your recipes for baking, and there are many sites available on-line for conversion assistance.

Stevia Plant and powder

Purchase the highest quality Stevia you can 

to avoid any bitter aftertaste.

Agave Nectar

Available now at most grocers and health food stores.

Use as substitute for maple syrup and honey. 

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.

Laugh your way to Longevity

Too funny...

My nine-year-old daughter walked in while I was getting ready for work. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Putting on my wrinkle cream, " I answered. "Oh, " she said, walking away.
"I thought they were natural. " (Deb Fillman, Reader's Digest)

My friend is a Botox junkie - she can't stop getting the injections. But surprisingly, when I reminded her to get her flu shot, she shuddered. "I hate needles."
I had a solution: "Just pretend it will make your arm look younger." (Linda Lange, Reader's Digest)

One of my favorite Dr. Mao's tip is to embrace the gift of laughter. There is no doubt that joyful people live longer, healthier lives. The late Norman Cousins pioneered "laugh therapy" and discovered that laughter and joy boosted immune functions, particularly the production of the natural killer cells that defend the body against infections and cancer. A good belly laugh can also increase endorphin release in the brain.
So make laughter a big part of your day. Read the comics, watch that favorite show, or call that friend that is sure to make you laugh so hard that you cry...you'll be laughing all the way to the longevity bank!

Heard any good jokes lately?

The "Second Spring"

Chinese culture reveres elders. So much so, that "menopause is actually called the 'second spring,' because the end of a woman's childbearing years gives rise to a new phase of life empowered by her accumulated wisdom," says Dr. Maoshing Ni. Now, I do believe I'm in the midst of major peri-menopause. My night sweats leave me soaked and frozen...too cold and tired to get up and change, but miserable for the rest of my beauty sleep (ha). I haven't had a full-on hot flash during the day, and only occasionally do I have an irregular cycle. Also, I promise you, this blog will never become a outlet for my menopausal woes. It's just another part of life that we need to adjust to and everyone needs to do what works for them to make things as least painful as possible.

So, for now at least, I want to do things the natural way, without any synthetic or bio-identical hormone therapy. I'm fortunate to have a few friends in the ob/gyn biz and they both say it's the way to go if you can tolerate the typical symptoms resulting from our lower estrogen production - these include the aforementioned hot flashes, insomnia, headaches, mood swings, dryness, diminished skin elasticity, memory loss...and did I mention mood swings?

Fortunately, there are many foods that are hight in phytoestrogens, the plant estrogens that are a weaker form of the body's hormone. Highest in this category include apples, brown rice, cabbage, carrots, beans, beets, citrus, cornmeal, oatmeal, potatoes, radish, fennel and soy.  Soybean, as well as most other beans, are rich in genistein, which, like estrogen, protects against bone loss and other aging issues. So, let's wait on the hormones while we can, and eat our way through menopause.

Here's a delicious, easy dish that should help with those mood swings..oh wait, I said I only had night sweats...well, just in case.

Chili Chicken over Rice - Recipe from my sister, Sue
I've been making for years now, and the family gives it two-thumbs up.

2 TBS Olive Oil (I cut this down my using organic spray olive oil)
3 Medium carrots, Chopped (I throw in the food processor)
4 Chicken Breasts, cut into thin strips
1 TBS Chili Powder...or more to taste (In Texas, we like it hot, so I put double)
1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Diced Tomatoes (again, organic, no added salt)
1/4 cup water


Brown Rice (as side)


Heat oil, cook carrots till tender. Stir in chicken and chili powder, cook until chicken browns. Stir in beans, tomatoes, 1/4 cup water and cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve over brown rice.


ENJOY!! 
PS - Seriously, I was going to make this for dinner last night and instead we had Subway! It's been a crazy week. As soon as I make the dish, I'll post a pic! 

That Lancome Look

I just read that Julia Roberts is the new face of Lancome, a company I worked with for a decade of my employed life. To me, Lancome epitomizes French beaute': luxurious, opulent, and exquisite. My first introduction to Lancome was in high school (circa 1979), lining my eyes with the deepest black eye kohl pencil, and tipping my lashes with the mascara du jour (my middle-aged memory escapes me). I've been using Definicils Lengthening Mascara since it's debut...cheating every so often with the newest addition to the mascara market, but always returning to my beloved. It defines and lengthens without a single clump. Perfection.

I really do love Julia Roberts. Who couldn't? A sweet, vivacious, beautiful award winning actress, with a hot husband (ok, warm) and a lovely family. Her movies span from one of my all time favorites, "Mystic Pizza" to "Pretty Woman" to "Erin Brokovich" to "Duplicity" and so many more in between. I'm looking forward to the new "Eat, Pray, Love" coming out this year...even though I haven't made it past Chapter 1 in the book. Why? Because we can count on Julia. She'll give her all to the role and capture our senses.  But, as the face of Lancome? The jury is still out for me.

You see, when I started with Lancome, Isabella Rossellini was the face of Lancome.  Daughter of Swedish actress, Ingrid Bergman, and Italian director, Roberto Rossellini, destined for fame on her birth day. To me, her mother,  Ingrid Bergman epitomizes classic beauty, with her flawless skin, perfect features, and enchanting smile.

Ingrid Bergman

Isabella Rosellini

Isabella was raised in Italy and Paris, and moved to NYC at the age of 19 to go to college. She worked as a translator, circus ringmaster!, and sometimes hit the stage at Roberto Benigni's (Life is Beautiful) Italian comedy show. She married director Martin Scorsese in 1979 (he certainly got lucky) and decided to stay in NYC. Their marriage only lasted until 1982 (shocker), but during this time Isabella dug her perfectly coiffed toes into modeling. Her face graced the covers of all the "it" magazines and in 1982 she signed her contract to become the face of Lancome.

A coup! Lancome just landed one of the most beautiful, European models of all time - a perfect fit for this French firm expanding in the good ole' US of A. OK, so she's not french, but definitely has that European 'je ne sais quoi'.  Parlez vous francais? Oui! Oui! Yes, she's fluent, and to me, that counts for something. Isabella remained with Lancome until 1996, she was 44 and graced the ads for fourteen record-breaking years.

After Isabella, Lancome had a "face" for its' different product segments. Juliette Binoche, Kate Winslet, Ines Sastre, and even Clive Owen had their own campaigns. Color stories, new product launches and other ads used beautiful models, but not a "name".  So, now they have a "name". Julia Roberts will be the face of Lancome across product lines. I don't think she's ever lived in France or Europe, I don't think she speaks Francais, and I don't think she has that same "je ne sais quoi"as Isabella. I love Lancome, so I hope I'm wrong. I do love the fact that she is 42, but begs the question, "Is Lancome now a line for only the more mature?"  Have the MAC's , Smashboxes, and Shu Uemera taken over while Lancome simply maintains it's market?  Julia, I hope we can count on you now, as we do in all of your movie roles. Afterall, what would I do without my Definicils??

Isabella

Lancome ad

Isabella Rosselini

Lancome Ad

Isabella Tresor Launch Ad

My favorite.

Isabella Rossellini

Dolce & Gabanna Ad

I love this!

Isabella and lover, Director David Lynch

Isabella at 52. 

Still beautiful and natural.

Your thoughts on Julia??

Salt and Pepper? No, thank you!

Did you know that by the age 50, 50% of women will be 50% gray? Unfortunately, I fall into this category. I remember my first gray hair, around the age of 37...staring, incredulous for minutes in the mirror.  This couldn't be happening to me, I mean my dad had some gray (64-years-old at the time) and my mom, well, her frosted hair was like military camouflage, so I never knew for sure. I plucked that first hair, and then pretended it never existed. Then slowly, but surely, over the next several years, the grays became too much to pluck. See, I have very dark hair, so any white break-through is like white paint on a black canvas...looks modern and contemporary in art, but not on a head of hair..not mine anyway.

Honestly, I don't understand the women that decide to go "au natural" in their forties or fifties. I can't think of anything that will age you more, not wrinkles, nor sun damage, nor extra weight, not even knitted Christmas sweaters. All you need to do is find yourself a fabulous colorist and your gray can be as good as gone. For those on a budget? Clairol and L'oreal make great at -home color kits. I'm in the middle...fortunately I can afford a professional color every 5 weeks, but nowadays my gray is so prevalent, I need a touch up at the mid-way point. Clairol's Nice and Easy Root Touch-up is my little lifesaver. In 10 - 15 minutes I can cover the roots in my part, at my temples and even brighten up my overall hair color.

So, camouflage that gray, somethings are never meant to be natural forever. Now, maybe I'll consider a little showing through when I hit 70, but then again, maybe not.

My little lifesaver

photo credit: Clairol

Yoga Prose

It was hard today. I really, really wanted to snuggle up in bed all day with this Chicago-like Dallas weather. Ok, maybe not Chicago, but NYC for sure. It's cold, rainy and cold. We don't like this in our neck of the woods. But Suze's voice (Suze Curtis, my yoga mentor, friend and therapist) grew louder in my head, "just come in and lay down your mat...that's more than half the battle."  I needed to hear her today, I needed yoga today. For me yoga is much more than exercise, although its' done wonders for my body. Oh- it's SO far from perfect, but I can only imagine what it would look like at 48 if I hadn't practiced for the last 5 years.

Yoga is my stress relief. It's the only exercise (and I've done them all) where you completely lose all mind-chatter. The poses (asanas)  require so much strength and concentration that you truly cannot think about your to-do list, or your relationship, or your finances or anything other than making it through the pose. Sure, those looming thoughts sneak in every now and then, but then Suze commands "headstands" and they vanish.

Suze, and the other fabulous instructors at my studio, are my free therapists. Throughout the class they articulate a positive reminder of what life is all about. Loving yourself, accepting others, learning to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations and standing up for what you believe, are just a smattering of topics. Even the ceilings at Suze's provide inspiration. She often says "there are no accidents in life", so where you choose to put your mat down means something. I used to be a front-row girl, but this week, I've moved to the back for a reason I'll tell you about in another post. My ceiling tile said "I am happy". My usual ceiling tile reads "be child-like" - and I've got that one down for sure. But happiness, I'm not so sure.

Generally, I am happy. But as most people, I have issues and problems that weigh on my mind. Decisions to make that can take me in one direction or another.  Concerns about my son, my parents, my sister and my friends. I have moments when I don't feel happy. I'm not working now (retired since I became pregnant), and would love to have a job that I loved. I have relationship issues that make me sad.
I envy the people that can say they are truly happy day after day.

Therapist Suze came to the rescue. Her final words of the day, that I found most profound, were "Are you pursuing happiness or creating it?" We're all in pursuit of happiness...but it's not something you simply reach out and catch. We have to take responsibility for creating our own happiness. Thank you Suze, I will.

Note: If you are in the Dallas area, check out www.dynamicpoweryoga.com for information on this life-changing yoga studio.  Your first class is free...just come in and put down your mat. 

Stop! And buy the flowers.

I've always loved flowers, and love giving and receiving them as gifts. I rarely, however, purchased flowers for my own enjoyment at home. Why not? I guess I was an arrange-aphobic...if I couldn't do it perfectly, I didn't want to try at all. Until I met my dear friend, Kellie (please check out her beautiful blog at www.cashonandcompany.blogspot.com, you won't be disappointed).  Kellie always has flowers at home, usually in every room, even if it's a simple rose bud in a short, silver vase.  Her home is absolutely stunning without flowers, but the beauty is even more breathtaking when filled with her own arrangements.  She fills her vases with confidence and ease, and often uses the most unlikely of containers to hold her lovely designs.

"I can do this!" enters my mind each time I walk into her orchid-filled foyer! So, one day a few years ago, I decided to try, and guess what? It's not as hard as it looks! Don't get me wrong, I don't have a big budget, and I certainly don't try anything that will make it to the pages of Martha Stewart Living. I keep it simple and inexpensive...but just the few flowers that I do purchase make my senses happy . My favorite go-to's are orchids, potted azaleas, roses, hydrangeas and tulips. I love brights and will usually pick out the fuschia or yellow blooms, with an occasional white or blue in the mix.

When arranging, I love finding different looks on floral websites. I just ran across this site the other day - www.l'olivier.com. A big-time florist in NYC with great arrangements that I know all of us can replicate at home (see below). The best thing about home arrangements - the price. Roses at the local grocery store are only $9.99 per dozen,  tulips may run a little higher, and hydrangeas $3-$4 per flower.  I only buy orchids when they are truly beautiful and on sale. Again, at the local grocer I'm only paying between $20 -$25 for a potted, 2 stemmed, beautiful orchid (down the street at the local florist, this could run you $60).  You can often find even better prices at Sam's Warehouse, Costco or Lowes.

So, why are flowers important? Research indicates that colorful flowers can have a powerful influence over moods. Flower bouquets can conjure up love, uplift a patient's mood and even help combat stress. Dr. Mao is a big believer in using beautiful flowers as stress -busters... thereby leading to a longer, happier life. A study had people performing a 5-minute typing assignment next to either a green foliage-only plant or a beautiful bouquet. Sure enough, the participants next to the peonies were more relaxed and therefore performed more accurately on their typing assignment. Wanting to improve your mood and relax? Surround yourself with nature's lovelies!

Miniature azaleas - they can brighten any spot. 

To ensure longevity, take out of container to water. Soak and let drain prior to returning to pot.

Bunches of Parrot Tulips in small container.

Just cut on an angle, add water and enjoy!

Parrot Tulips and Roses, a perfect match.

Photo credit www.l'olivier.com

Two Bunches of Tulips

This will be my next arrangement.

Use a tulip leaf to tie.

Photo Credit: www.l'olivier.com

My go-to look. Roses wrapped in banana leafs. 

Photo credit: www.l'olivier.com

So pretty and unique looking.  I'll try this one too.

Roses wrapped with philodendron leaves.

Photo credit - www.l'olivier.com

Blue-tipped Hydrangeas

ANYONE can do this!

I would wrap a banana leaf on inside of glass.

Adding lemons or limes would be an easy, fun addition too.

Sunflowers for summertime. 

Another easy bright solution!

A sure mood pick-me-up!

So, next time you are at your local grocer, indulge in flowers for yourself! Just have fun with the arranging...don't think Martha Stewart, think 'for my own pleasure'.

You and your mood are worth it, and Dr. Mao would be proud.

DKNY

Donna Karan has always been near and dear to my heart. I remember hearing about her as the Anne Klein head designer in the late 70's (after Anne Klein's death) and Anne Klein was my first "designer" purchase. That alone shows my age. It was a red, wool blend blazer with black and silver buttons. I loved that jacket and everyone knew it - I wore it constantly.  I honestly just let go of it several years ago when forced to by my personal shopper (I used her a couple of seasons and she was worth every penny...more to follow in another post). The red blazer didn't make the archive, tailor, or consignment pile. Nope, straight to Goodwill.

Donna (I know we would be friends) left Anne Klein in 1985 after she married the love of her life, Stephan Weiss. Stephan was an artist, but joined Donna in sharing the responsibilities of the company.  Donna's focus has always been real women. Do you remember her claim to fame? The bodysuit! Giving a smoother silhouette to a real women's body, just snap and go. Also, her essentials line - the 7 pieces that every working women needed to mix and match and create several oufits. DKNY was born in the late 80's and this bridge line for real women rocketed her to designer stardom.

I read somewhere that Donna actually has to try on every design in her line, if it doesn't look good on her, it doesn't make it to production. I love that she's not designing with the 18-year-old body in mind, but for real women, with curves, flaws and all. Her Spring 2010 RTW Collection is beautiful and wearable. Simple, clean, feminine lines that accentuate the positive. Soft blush, grays, blues and a pop of red ruled the runway.

Sometimes we just need to appreciate the beauty in fashion. Here are my favorites from her new collection. I can see any fit and fashionable 40-50-year-old looking fantastic in every one of these...Do you have a favorite?

Two feminine, beautiful Spring dresses.

So chic and age appropriate.

My personal favorite.

Love the color & cut, it's sexy, but classy.

High power lunch anyone?

This fabric is amazing.

Now this is a pop of color, and when

I wish I was tall, thin and toned enough to wear it.

Happy Fashion Friday!

Apple Juice, Honey and Salmon, oh my!

Yum! As we know, our recommended serving of fatty fish is twice weekly (at least). I'm lucky because I love all fish, but my family is pickier. My son loves fish sticks, swordfish, and salmon, and in that order, so I'm constantly scrambling for new fish entrees that he actually might take more than a bite or two.

 I have to share this recipe that I just tried last night...it was easy, delicious and a crowd pleaser (ok, so I have a small crowd, but the two of them are definitely hard to please).  Again, it was from one of my favorite sites, www.elise.com...I've never been disappointed with any dish a la Elise. I always read the comments section and inevitably they are profuse with adulations for her recipes. This "Glazed Salmon" recipe was no different. I've got it bookmarked already and will be serving it again and again. Enjoy, and know you're reaping the benefits of salmon's Omega 3's!

Glazed Salmon 

 1/2 cup apple juice (I use Organic)

1 1/4 TBS Honey (Again, I use organic, next time I'll try Agave Nectar)
4 skinless wild salmon fillets (approx. 6 oz. each)
1 tsp olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Lemon - cut in half

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place salmon in baking dish.

2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat,  bring the cider and honey to a boil, allowing the mixture to bubble steadily until decreased by 1/2 volume.

3. Pour cider mixture over salmon and let sit for 10 minutes.

4. Heat olive oil in large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle salmon with salt & pepper to taste. Place fish in skillet, brush with leftover glaze and cook for 2 minutes or until the glaze begins to carmelize.

5. Turn salmon, brush with glaze, squeeze and add lemons (cut side down) and cook for 2 more minutes.

6. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 6-8 minutes or until salmon easily flakes with a tip of a knife.

Just a reminder, be careful when pulling the hot skillet from oven, the handle will be hot!

Serve with sauteed spinach or a spinach salad and you have a quick, delicious, company worthy meal! If desired, add quinoa or whole wheat rolls for your grains.

Did I say embrace?

Ha! I just had a good laugh at myself. I remember beginning this blog and being proud that I was finally going to  embrace my coming age - after all, what was my alternative?  For the past several years, I shied away from the age question, always making some type of joke to get around it. One day I proclaimed, "I'm 38!", that was my new age..and I was sticking to it. I even begged my 8 year-old to stop announcing my real age at every stop. Seriously, he did. To the Nordie's lady he would proudly announce "my mom is 48!" To the dry cleaner guy, "Guess how old my mom is? " I finally had to bribe him with some horrible sweet stuff to stop spreading my secret. It didn't last long.

One thing I think the entire world has in common - we always "think" we look younger than we are. I just had my refrigerator repair man ask me to guess his age (I hate that question!) and that NO ONE ever gets his number correct within 10 years.  Now,  I'm usually pretty good at this, so I guessed 5 years younger than I actually believed, to make him feel good.  " 60?"  Wow, he was not happy with that..see he is 55 and thought I would guess 45. Oops...I sure didn't make his day. But that's the point, we all want to be perceived as younger than we are...and my hunch is that only a very lucky few do.

So,  at my dance studio the other day (yes, I've started ballroom dancing, having the best time!), some friends and I were commenting on the ages of our instructors. My young, cute, hips-don't-lie, instructor is all of 24! I could easily be his mom, and I'm fairly certain he has no idea that I'm exactly his years times two. Or does he? Yes, I'm just like the rest of the world and think I look younger than I am, but to a 24 year old,  I'm sure I look all of 48 and then some.  You know what? He'll never really know...I swore my dance friends to secrecy. And, didn't I begin this blog to embrace the coming of the big 5-0? Hmm, yes...but apparently not to young, cute, hips-don't-lie dance instructors.

Hey, even Barbie turned 50 last year...

Let the tears begin!

When's the last time you had a good cry? For me it's been a while - see, with an 8 year-old, I really try to hold it in, even when I feel as though the flood waters are about to burst.  Actually though, research has shown that having a good cry every now and then is a good thing. Tears appear to reduce tension, remove toxins, and increase the body's ability to heal itself. After an outburst of tears the body is flooded with oxygen, which triggers the release of feel-good hormones in the brain. So, don't hold it in..I'm thinking it might even be beneficial for my 8 year-old to see my tears..after all, grown men should cry.

Need some help? Here's my personal list of weepy movies (in no particular order)...a sure cry every time, especially for this highly emotional, sensitive, Cancer woman!

Beaches ~ A must for anyone with a forever friend. 

Braveheart ~ Mel Gibson at his best!

Gone with the Wind ~ My all-time favorite...

Love Story ~ My first romance movie ever.

Brian's Song ~ Friendship breaks the color barrier.

Ghost ~ Makes you think about losing someone you love.

I am Sam ~ Story of a mentally challenged dad; Sean Penn perfection.

The Notebook ~ I cried reading the book and sobbed at the movie.

Terms of Endearment ~ Classic mother/daughter tale.

You'll get mad, laugh and cry at the same time. 

Schindler's List ~ Spielberg's epic drama about WWII Holocaust victims

Life is Beautiful ~ Roberto Benigni directs and acts. A Jewish/Italian

 father and his family during their concentration camp internment. 

Grab the kleenex box, pop some corn and let the tears begin!

I'm always up for a tear jerker, what are your favorites??