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December 22, 2007

Weekly Fashion Tip #1

So I've come up with this fabulous new idea: I'm going to be offering a weekly fashion tip, just for you. (Well, and all the other people who read this blog.) It'll be short and sweet and to the point, and based on the actual, real-life, in the fashion trenches experience of this forty-something woman.

So here 'tis, my very first installment of the Fortyish is Fab Weekly Fashion Tip:

If you're going casual (like jeans) but want to add just a touch of polish to your outfit, try adding a nice, tailored blazer. And instead of sneakers, try cute, preppy, penny loafers, like these from Bass.

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December 18, 2007

Holiday Fashion

I was beginning to feel a little unpopular, like the last kid left when everyone was picking their teams at school. I am usually fairly confident, but I have been wondering lately if maybe my charm has been wearing off. All because I hadn't gotten a single invitation to a holiday party.

Then, finally, I started to feel a little better. First came an invitation to my SIL's father's surprise birthday party. Then yesterday, I got an invitation to a New Year's Eve party, and the party thrower even said kids are welcome! (Yeah, like my teens really want to spend New Year's Eve with me...) Then when dh came home from work yesterday, he let me know that his friend--who turns thirty-something on New Year's Eve--asked if he and his wife can come over and celebrate at our house, since they had so much fun with us last New Year's Eve. That's right ladies and gentlemen, it appears that I still have it. A little of it, anyway.

Then it dawned on me that I need something to wear, not only to the above mentioned events, but also to midnight service at church on Christmas Eve. Luckily, I found some pretty great ideas on the Web for holidays outfits, and here they are:

For my casual holiday attire, I think I may go with the Sakura Kimono top I got recently on clearance at White Houise Black Market, with these Flared Curvy Low Rise Pants from the Gap, with high-heeled black booties and a black cardigan. And for Christmas Day, when my family gathers for chilli and casual fun at my house, I'm topping jeans and a long-sleeved white t-shirt with a hand-knit capelet I picked up at etsy.com (from haute.hooked.designs), and my new Handbags by Daphne tote (also from etsy) looks fabulous with it. I'm not sure what my dressier holiday outfit will be, yet, but I'm on a mission to find a fabulous one!

Happy Holidays everyone!

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Filed under: Beauty/Fashion | Shopping

December 13, 2007

Teens & Retirement

As if we don't get quite enough bad news these days when it comes to teenagers. A recent CBS News story reports: Teens & Retirement: Grim Forecast, Gov't Report Predicts Many Of Today's Teens Will Reach Pension Age With Zero In A 401(k) - CBS News.

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Filed under: Parenting

December 08, 2007

Holiday Gift Ideas

Typically by this time of year, I have finished my Christmas shopping. But somehow, this year life got in the way, and I haven't purchased a single gift. Oh, the shame...

Well it's not that I haven't been looking, because I have. And the bright side of my procrastinating is that I have some fabulous ideas for holidays gifts to share with you. And I'm a big believer in the concept that the best gifts are the ones you'd love to receive yourself, so my list is comprised of items I'm buying, want to buy, or wish someone would buy for me. Here there are, in no particular order:

  • Scents: Let me tell you about my new favorites scents. This is really big news, because I have stuck with my fragrances (Coco Chanel for Winter, Calvin Klein Escape for warm weather) for many years. But the other night, I ripped a perfume sample out of a magazine and left it on my dh's nightstand--hint hint. I was instantly in love when I smelled Very Irresistible by Givenchy. You can pick it up at Sephora.com. And for my daughter, I found the perfect, sweet fragrance: Vera Wang Princess, also available at Sephora.
  • Bath-o-licious: A few years ago at the Market on Means Street in Atlanta, I met a woman who made bath products. But not just bath products, the most wonderful-smelling bath products and lotions I have ever tried. Barbarabars.com is her home on the Web, and if you buy nothing else, try the Lavender Orange and the Lavender Patchouli Vanilla Soap Bars. They'll be great stocking stuffers.
  • College Gear: Ok, I know I have college on the brain, so sue me. (My kid is early awaiting her acceptance letters. We're eternally optimists around here, and she's like a genius anyway. Well, practically. Not to brag or anything.) So I thought it might be fun to get college gear for some of the kids in my life. I have already purchased a Georgia Tech pennant for my son, and I'm thinking about picking up a few more pennants and other goodies at Collegeflagsandbanners.com.
  • Books: For the fortyish (or over) women in your life, check out The Wisdom of Menopause, by Christine Northrup. I've already given a copy to my SIL, and it's full of everything women this age should know about their health. For the younger, single women in your life (think co-workers and cousins and such) check out The Single Girl's Survival Guide, by Imogen Lloyd Webber. It's super-cute, funny, irreverant, and full of lots of great advice on everything from dating to work to family management. And for my useless-facts-loving teenage son, I'm picking up The Book of General Ignorance by John Mitchinson and John Lloyd.
  • Tunes: iTunes, that is. Every teen in my life has an iPod, and we parents are tired of them downloading songs at our expense. So take matters into your own hands and get them iTunes cards at Target.
  • Sweets: My 82-year-old Dad is a toughie when it comes to gifts. He wants nothing, needs nothing, and likes to live a very simple, uncluttered life. For years, I've been sending him Harry and David Gift Baskets, because he loves fruit and chocolate. But this year I wanted to get him something different. As I was hunting around for some gourmet caramel apples (for myself, of course), I found Amy's Candy Kitchen. Then it dawned on me: caramel/chocolate apples have my Dad's two favorite things: chocolate and fruit. So I'm going to send him one of the cute Holiday Baskets from the site.

That's it for my holiday list, but you don't have to stop there if you're still looking for great gift ideas. Also check out SheSheMe's Holiday Gift Guide, and More magazine's Girlfriend Gift Guide.

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Filed under: Shopping