I know most women, who plan to attend some formal event this New Year’s Eve, have already planned out their New Year’s Eve attire. But, just in case the shoes and clutch have not yet been considered, I have included some of my favorite pairing suggestions for 2010. Oh and just in case you are wondering about the photo above left, it is Jimmy Choo – Marine Jeweled evening shoes. I know…breath taking and I wonder where were these shoes when I was in my 20’s?
I know I have stated before, if all else fails, consider the color black in fashion. Believe me a woman over 40 can seldom go wrong with the choice of color, because no matter how self-conscious she may feel about her figure, black has a way of smoothing out the edges. However, choosing age appropriate black dresses or gowns is very important for the woman over 40 because, selecting the wrong cut, length or style , can surely be the most damaging. Since choosing the dress or gown is a hit or miss in some or most cases, I have included one of my favorite designer’s website here to help guide the process. I have also included some of my favorite selections (below) from the site to consider or duplicate (depending on one’s budget) for that special soiree. Enjoy and let me know what is your favorite gown from the selection.
I am a sucker for nostalgia and usually get very sentimental during the holiday season, like (I am sure) most people do. I miss the past and long for when life seemed a little simpler and less demanding, when families where closer and holidays really meant something and Christmas shopping was truly a creative and rewarding experience rather than a search for the trends and holiday sales. In light of this topic, I can honestly say that although I cannot change what has happened to family and tradition, I can suggest finding a piece of a reminder from the past and escaping there, if only for a day. I personally do this by taking a day in San Francisco to go downtown and walk only through historic ( iconic) retail stores encompassing Union Square, so that I can detox myself from the demands of modern-day shopping frenzy through a “Westfield Mall”. I walk through Macy (no 4) and then cross the street over to Neiman Marcus (no 6) . Afterwards, I cut through Union Square …
Part of making an impression while giving a woman a holiday gift is the box it comes in. Although gifts from some department stores are expected and pretty predictable from a woman’s point of view, there is nothing like catching her off guard with a box from a store she would never consider shopping at, much less buy from, especially for herself. One sure way to show the care taken in selecting a well thought out gift, (outside of jewelry) is giving her a designer scarf. Most women tend to buy the most practical and durable scarf for themselves while they run about town handling business., but they will surely appreciate a more glamorous one while on a date night or a special occasion. So, gentlemen and ladies alike, consider some suggestions I have included below when shopping for a scarf and remember, where you purchase the designer scarf is as important as choosing just the right one.
I think men have it tougher than women, while choosing the right gift for the woman in their lives. This is not because they don’t buy what she wishes for, such as a sweater, a blouse or a pair of jeans and some fun boots, but it’s because they have a tough time choosing age appropriate outfits for their (sometimes) self-conscious woman over 40. So for that reason I have compiled some safe pieces to consider while shopping for the casual look most women over 40 crave, without sacrificing style and elegance. Outfit 1: click here to find the details. Keep in mind although the jeans suggested is a pair of skinny jeans, you can actually replace those with a pair of boot cut or others to consider here and opt out of buying the boots. Although the look is age appropriate, it has a touch of youthfulness and fun to it which most women over 40 appreciate and can support. Outfit 2: click here to find the details. Again, the look is age appropriate …
It is seldom difficult to go wrong with hints of black when planning for a formal gathering, and since the holiday season is right around the corner, we have to begin thinking about what to wear for that special party or gathering, particularly for a formal New Year’s Eve celebration. Although, this decade I prefer to stay home and drink champagne with family and friends throughout the holiday season, I can’t help but admire, while thumbing through the racks at shops and boutiques around Union Square, the beautiful gowns available for my viewing pleasure. Nonetheless, here are my favorites:
I have a love/hate relationship with Holloween. As a kid, I was often made fun of for my choice of costume because I made them myself, so I stopped dressing up for the occasion. Then when I was in my 20’s I was forced to dress up at work because it was required of us to be a “team player”. In my 30’s I ignored the occasion all together. Now, I have made it a habit to walk through different neighborhoods in San Francisco in order to see all the little ones in their adorable costumes as well as those who took the time to decorate their homes as if it were Christmas. Anyway, either way, I do want to wish all my followers and friends and family the Happiest Holloween and please play it safe. So, in honor of Holloween, I have included photos of some of my favorite pumpkin carvings. I am going to miss my traditional walk through neighborhoods on Holloween in the U.S. this year, but from the picture below, can …
Now here is another topic I have difficulty incorporating into my everyday life and conversation – haute couture – best described by fashionera.com as being a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house. A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer’s measurements and body stance. The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client. A haute couture could cost anywhere from 20K to whatever the price may be for the exclusively created masterpieces by the best of the best fashion designers. I have included a slideshow of some of the most interesting of styles for 2010 from the likes of Christian Dior, J. Galliano, Chanel, John Paul Gultier and more. Enjoy!
What can I say, I am a fan of long hair and will stay with it for as long as I can get away with it. But the funny thing is that I have naturally curly hair and as a result, spend my entire youth trying to run away from the curls and the waves without much success. However, in the last decade or so, I have been able to straighten my hair thanks to all the tools available to make it work successfully. But now, everywhere I turn, women in my age group with long hair are going wavy or curly once again and I am fighting with myself to make the switch, because although I can do it naturally, I feel better with my straight hair. So, I am throwing this entry out there to all the women who are in the same boat as me. Let me know where you are with today’s “hair style pressures”.
On the weekends, I like to revert back to my tomboyish ways by dressing as casual as possible and while doing so, I want to simply be able to throw on my favorite pair of comfortable jeans and a sweater and call it day. Since I agree with fashion advisers in suggesting women over 40 stay away from bulky sweaters, I found a few which I think will do me just find this winter season. The cool thing about these sweaters is that they are border line between dressy and casual, which means I can wear them over slacks or a skirt to work or with jeans over the weekends. I call these sweaters transition sweaters from mid fall to early winter and then from late winter to “almost” spring in some places. I found these at J. Crew (in store and online) and although sometimes it’s really intimidating to walk into the store if you aren’t twelve years old, the sweaters are well worth the effort nonetheless. Let me know what you think?
rawsilkandsaffron.com 