New Day/New Outfit: Fair-Weather Fashion

I can't remember a spring in the Northeast when the flowering trees were more spectacular than this spring. Every week, a new variety of flowering tree is bursting with rich, fragrant blooms. On Sunday, my husband and I strolled down to the waterfront for brunch. The weather was glorious and I had a strong urge to wear something, well, spring-y. In my mind, a straw hat is quintessential fair-weather fashion. So...I got up on a step-ladder and grabbed my straw hat from the closet's top shelf, where it had been hibernating since September.
On our way home, my husband and I stopped at a park to admire the flora. That's me standing under a dogwood tree above and below seated by a flower bed.
While I was set on wearing my straw hat to brunch, there was one question: How would I style it? If truth be known: I've own the hat for several years, but have never worn it anywhere other than the beach. How could I make it fashionable for brunch?
In view of my love of stylish mismatch for women over 50, I wasn't about to pair my country-looking straw hat with anything remotely rural- or peasant-like. No, no, I had to find something to wear that would look more, well, cosmopolitan. So...I chose a black lace blouse, a black camisole, a white pencil skirt and black sandals. It seemed to satisfy my need for stylish mismatch as well as my current infatuation with black and white. Did I succeed?

I'd love to know...

How do you style a straw hat?

Brides Over 50: Stylish Separates and Accessories

I have to laugh sometimes at the way my over 50 girlfriends and I fret whenever we have to put together an outfit for a special occasion. I can only imagine the fretting that would take place if the special occasion was, gulp, my wedding. I’m not talking about being the mother of the bride; I’m talking about being it--the bride! Recently, a Flattering50 reader wrote:

“My partner and I have been together for 30 years and will get married in NYC in early September. We want something beautiful, preferably elegant trousers versus dresses, but accessorized gorgeously. Our colors are dark orange and cream--not sure of the third color. Any thoughts or recommendations for us?”

First off, a huge congratulations! And secondly, I feel extremely honored that someone would ask me to share my thoughts on wedding attire. I’m happy to oblige, of course, if only to give my dear reader a little “food for thought.” Unfortunately, I have no photos of mature brides to share. I'm stuck showing young models wearing styles I believe would look smashing on a bride over 50.
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June Giveaway: Stylish, Comfortable Earrings

“Earrings are like orgasms—you can never have too many.” Can you guess who said that? That naughty, but oh-so-witty Nora Ephron—of course. And as usual, I completely agree! I couldn’t begin to estimate how many pairs of earrings I’ve collected over the past 30 years. Still, I love them—one and all. Earrings tend to be a little accessory, but, personally, they speak volumes about my mood of the moment. Each day, I choose a pair that reflects the way I’m feeling—whimsical, demure, retro, urbane, Earthy, cosmopolitan, to name a few.  I’ve got a pair (or three!) for all my moods.

So...when the folks representing jewelry artist Shaune Bazner asked if I’d like to choose a pair of clip-on earrings to review for Flattering50, my answer was simple: “Yes, please!” And then, when they asked if I'd I like to offer a Flattering50 reader a pair of clip-on earrings of her choice, I said, "Of course!"

New Day/New Outfit: A Bit of Beading

First off, happy Memorial Day Weekend! In my last post, Style Over 50: Is Orange the New Neutral?, I mentioned that I've been rooting around my wardrobe, looking for garments with a little orange, one of this spring's trendy colors. Well, this week I found a linen skirt with orange beading (above) buried in the back of my closet. A girlfriend was taking me out to lunch to celebrate my birthday and I was looking for something that would suit my festive mood. I think this skirt fits the bill, yes?
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Style Over 50: Is Orange the New Neutral?

This spring, a new purse topped my shopping list. I wasn’t locked into a particular style or color. Lately, however, I had been coveting an over 50 girlfriend’s small, very lightweight red tote bought in Paris. I love the tote's bright color, of course. But I was equally drawn to its light weight. I spend lots of time running around New York City and hate being weighed down by a heavy purse.

Much to my surprise, I fell in love with an orange B. Makowsky bag (above). In fact, orange is such an out-of-character color for me that I left the tags on the purse for a few days. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to keep it. More surprising, though, was this: During those few days of vacillating, I put the orange bag on my shoulder with each day’s outfit and found the bag looked great with every outfit. It didn’t matter what colors I wore--sapphire, grey, hot pink, white, pastel green—the purse was the perfect accessory. And it got me thinking: Is orange this spring’s new neutral color? What do you think?
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New Day/New Outfit: Spring Layering

Now that May is here, I’m done with my winter wardrobe. I’m determine to dress lighter and brighter, even when the temperatures dip. I don’t appreciate being cold, though. So…these days, I’m dressing in spring layers. For instance, today, Mother's Day, the weather is sunny, but rather breezy. So...I put this layered outfit together for Mother's Day brunch with my husband and boys.
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DYI Home Spa: 4 Simple Ways to Relax, Soothe and Repair

By Michelle Pino, guest contributor

Everyone knows that a day at a spa can be costly. And with busy schedules, it’s not always easy to coordinate a time for a spa appointment, especially when you want to bring a friend along. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend lots of money or even leave your house to enjoy the benefits of a spa. There are many treatments you can do in the comfort of your home. Here are a few inexpensive ways to create a home spa experience.
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