All posts filed under: Reality

getting ready for two weddings

Published by

Maggy London Illusion Back Pleated Matte Jersey Dress (Nordstrom)$148.00 – This is my best black dress choice for an evening wedding in Sausalito, California this June. I prefer wearing black for most evening occasions, it is the fall back dress for me when I feel self conscious about anything physically or just plain self conscious. Be careful however, with a dress like this one, you want to make sure your curves and bulges are in the right location of your body otherwise your attempt will be disastrous. Alex Evenings Portrait Collar Mesh Dress (Nordstrom)For a more full figured and bustier than myself woman, I suggested going with the following choices. Eliza J Ruffle Print Wrap Dress (Nordstrom) $158.00 – This is the dress I decided on for a daytime outdoor wedding in Santa Barbara July 2010. Again this style works for my body type but may not do justice for the full figured woman over 40. Instead, for daytime or outdoor events, I suggest sticking to neutrals and whites with some sort of sheer wrap …

thank you gwyneth paltrow

Published by

I couldn’t resist including this photo in my blog, because although gwyneth paltrow is not yet 40, her beautiful gown is one that a woman over 40 can surely support. I love it when celebrity dress down to earth even when they do dress up because their particular style “at the moment” gives the average woman the hope that she doesn’t need to go overboard to look good. The dress she is wearing is from BCBGMAXAZARIA gown available at Nordstrom, so it is pretty obtainable around $298.00. Thank you Gwyneth for your gorgeous choice of gown.

cheese and more cheese please

Published by

Don’t you hate it when you go to a restaurant and order, mostly Italian food, and when asked if they can sprinkle Parmesan cheese, they always end the sentence with “tell me when” and all you can think is, leave the block of cheese with me and I will gladly return it when I am done with it. But instead, you just wave your hand a minute after the waiter shaves some cheese unto your plate, feeling embarrassed to ask for more. Well the point of this story is, of course, to tell you how much I love cheese. I think if I were asked to list my 5 top favorite foods, cheese would be number 1. Seriously. Yes I understand eating too much cheese has repercussions but if eaten moderately and carefully then it shouldn’t be a problem. Check out some of my favorite cheesy blogs and hang outs PaniniHappy.com – a place to get your cheesy panini fix Whole Foods Market – organic cheeses with great pairing suggestions Napa Cheese Stores – Artisan …

angelina’s Cafe

Published by

I must have driven by Angelina’s Cafe on California Street and 22nd (in the Richmond District in San Francisco) about a hundred times and said to myself, wow what a cute place, I have to go there sometimes. Well, finally today, after years of contemplating and planning, I finally decided to eat breakfast there after my one hour walk. As I parked my car half a block from the corner where Angelina’s Cafe is situated, I got a great feeling in my stomach as I walked by the French bistro table and chairs lined along the outside of the cafe. When I entered through the door, I noticed the customers lined up along the deli counter, waiting to order their food. Some were holding on to their dog’s leashes. I instantly knew I would love this place since they allowed dogs to be in the store. (Just in case you are wondering, I feel dogs should be allowed everywhere) I ordered a sesame bagel with eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon and was asked if I …

handbag and shoes for the woman over 40

Published by

If there is anything I can say I am addicted to, even in midlife, is shoes and handbags. I can walk through department stores and browse through the selection of designer shoes and handbags, oh probably an entire day without feeling tired. I know I am not alone in this, but choosing the right shoes and handbags for a woman over 40 could sometimes be very challenging. There is a certain protocol when you reach a certain time in your life and the shoes and handbags you select should compliment your maturity rather than hinder it. A handbag should never be too big or too small and the handle should be designed so that when you carry it, it doesn’t seem like you are struggling. Sticking to pale colors in the summer is ideal and keeping with the blacks is appreciated in the winter months. Women over 40 should stay away from bright yellow or fuchsias and greens. If color is your thing, then stick to lavenders and power blues instead for spring and summer. …

pebbles and such

Published by

I love pebbles. I can honestly say that I prefer a collection of pebbles in my household more so than diamond  in my jewelry box. I often walk the ocean beach in San Francisco in search of unique pebbles and also shop home furnishing stores for bagged or boxed pebbles as well. This is probably an obsession of mine, but who cares, I am entitled to one or two. I have canisters and glass vases full of them around the house and one day with the proper loft design I plan to incorporate pebbles into my living room space or along a long hallway either outdoor or indoor of an eco-friendly home. The most interesting thing I found about pebbles  is that a collection of them in a glass container goes with almost any neutral decor in any coastal city as well as, if arranged correctly most decors elsewhere. Pebbles are also very easy to work with, whether you create your own design or purchase a ready-made design from a store. The possibilities are endless if you put your mind to it. Pebbles also come in different …

no mini skirt needed to feel sexy

Published by

I don’t consider my self too conservative when it comes to wearing skirts or dresses, but I do consider my limit when choosing the length of the skirt. Sure, mini skirts are sexy and is intended, in my opinion, to stear attention from other parts of a woman’s body. But, a woman over 40, no matter how sexy and shaply should stay away from mini skirts. I don’t care how good they feel and look. If I want to go for sexy, I choose a black knee (or just below) lenght pencil skirt and compliment it with a nice pair of high heels instead. I wear super sheer taupe stockings for evening time and go with au natural (bear legs) during the day unless my workplace requires me to wear stockings. Mini Skirt: D&G Bouche Miniskirt $285.00 At Nordstrom Pencil Skirt: Ingenuity Pencil Skirt $86.00 At Nordstrom

chanel gown gone wrong

Published by

Diane Kruger wore the pictured Chanel gown for one of the events she attended during the Cannes Film Festival 2010. I am a huge fan of Chanel but in this case not so much. I think the person who designed this particular gown didn’t know where he/she was going with it. It is visible that there are multiple styles incorporated in the gown. No part of the gown makes sense and I know sometimes photos don’t do the gowns justice but really in this case it is very obvious this one is down right awful.

t-shirt frenzy

Published by

Is it my imagination or t-shirts now a days are made of parchment paper? I understand the whole, let’s cater to the young and skinny as they are the ones who shop and spend money. Let us also make the clothes so that after one wear, you toss and buy another one. I get it, but… For the woman over 40, that concept is not good enough. Women over 40 and mind you those with young children, need t-shirts that will withstand the test of ketchup stains, detergent and various other marks put on as a result of ongoing and everlasting chores. So, while I have searched high and low for some good quality t-shirts I stumbled upon Eddie Bauer and their selection of “pretty good quality” adult t-shirts. Of course the sale they are having now also helps, but at least I know I can do my thing without being worried about the parchment look.