Holiday Gift Ideas: Japanese Kimono Necklaces

Over the weekend, I had brunch with a long-time friend. She’d moved away from New York City several years, but was back in the area making a presentation at a quilters’ conference. My friend, Susan Faeder, has an expertise in Japanese fabrics and leads shopping/cultural tours of Japan. I admired the necklace (above) she was wearing when we met. She told me it was a handmade Japanese Vintage Kimono Silk necklace. She’d fallen in love with the necklace during a recent trip to Japan and brought a bunch of the necklaces in different color schemes back home to sell online. With the holidays nearing, I thought the unique necklace would make a nice gift. Click “read more” to learn more about this necklace.
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15 Cyber Sales for Holiday Shoppers

Editor's Note: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday shopping has come and gone, but the sales continue. For current bargains or "flash sales," take a peek at the left-hand margin of Flattering50.

It seems like a lifetime ago that I stood at the school bus stop with my boys after the December vacation and listened to a couple of moms bemoan what a lousy job a certain mega toy store had done the first year it offered shopping online. At the time, I was awed that these mothers had tried shopping online--it seemed so high tech. Now, of course, the thought of shopping any other way on the big sales weekends--like Thanksgiving weekend---seems insane. I much rather shop on the couch in my pajamas. Here's a rundown of some of the sales this weekend as well as a few holiday gift ideas, like the Fownes Cashmere Lined Leather Glove (was $75, now $49.99)...


Ann Taylor ~ 








Anne Klein ~ 


Brooks Brothers ~ 


Hessnatur - 

Jones New York -




Land's End ~ 

Loehmann's ~

LOFT ~

Max Studio ~  

Michael Stars ~  

Nina Shoes ~ 


Nine West ~


Old Navy ~ 


Pure Collection ~




Shabby Apple - 


Shopbop ~ 




Soft Surroundings ~


SwimSuitsForAll ~ 


Happy Shopping!!

Giveaway Winners: Secrets to Looking Good Over 50

The latest Flattering50 Giveaway has ended and three participants have each received a $25 Amazon.com e-gift certificate. For the Giveaway, readers were asked: What's Your Secret to Looking Good Over 50? I loved all the responses! Comments ranged from exercise and skin care regimens to the basic, but absolutely vital tip: "Laughing." To view all the responses, visit the Giveaway post. To read the randomly chosen winning responses, click "Read More" below...

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Tammy
Weight training is the secret underlying everything else I do. Having avoided gyms all my life, I resorted to weight training in order to avoid surgery and be able to walk without pain. It worked, but a spectacular side benefit was my improved shape, reduced size, and increased energy. I look better at 50 than I have since my thirties. Three to 30 pound weights can do wonders for arms, legs, and the old spare tire!

Wilma
At 58, the most powerful weapon in my arsenal is my Clarisonic skin cleansing brush. The second in command is Green Cream (available online at the Derm Store), a non-prescription version of Retin-A. They say that after using the Clarisonic your skin absorbs treatments 6x better than after manual cleansing, and I believe it. My skin looks better now than at 45,

Jessie C.
As for face, fair and clean skin with a little bit touch of tinted moisturizer, blush and gloss will do. I'm also for classic and simple dress.


THANKS A MILLION to all those who participated!!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Jewelry to Match Your Style

There are few things more rewarding in life than having a business that reflects a lifelong passion or dream. Jewelry designer Linda Hollen knows this first hand. She began learning to make jewelry when she was a child. According to her website, Linda's grandmother taught her. That experience turned into a passion. For years, Linda gave her beautiful creations to friends and family. Eventually, they convinced her to share her pieces with the world and LJ’s Distractions, Linda’s jewelry design business, was started. Today, with over 30 years of experience, Linda has created a wonderful collection of unique necklaces, earrings and bracelets. To learn more about Linda’s jewelry, click “Read More” below…
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10 Best Fashion Quotes by Designers Over 50

I have tons of admiration for designers in their 50s, 60s and beyond who are still finding inspiration and turning their visions into bold, new fashions for women. Consequently, I get excited when I discover a new quote about fashion and style by one of them. Some quotes are inspiring, others are whimsical, and still others seem to put fashion in proper perspective. I like to jot these quotes down. Here are my current favorite quotes by some very amazing women over 50.


Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine. ~ Donatella Versace

Women always try to tame themselves as they get older, but the ones who look best are often a bit wilder. Thinking about age all the time is the biggest prison women can make for themselves. ~ Prada

You have to hold onto your fantasy. ~ Betsy Johnson

I think dress up begins at age 5 and never truly ends. ~ Kate Spade

I am convinced that there can be luxury in simplicity. ~ Jill Sander

Fashion is a tool... to compete in life outside the home. People like you better, without knowing why, because people always react well to a person they like the looks of. ~ Mary Quant

The best thing about women today is they no longer strive to be men. For men, it’s still about power. Women, I’m delighted to say, are about energy. And energy is what we need for a better future. ~ Donna Karan

Embrace your body shape! ~ Vera Wang

I am attracted to people who make this effort in knowing what suits them - they are individual and stylish. ~ Vivienne Westwood

The biggest mistake a woman can make is not to be herself in public or private. ~ Diane Von Furstenberg

Holiday Gift Ideas: Wearable Art

“I believe jewelry is wearable art and an expression of our inner essence,” says Anita Fernandez-Velazquez, the creative force behind Embellished Essence Gemstone Design. Consequently, each of Anita’s jewelry designs is one of a kind. Anita responded to my recent invitation to artists to share their holiday gift ideas. However, her designs are so lovely you might want to give yourself a gift as well. Click “Read More” to learn more about Anita’s jewelry and see a few other designs...
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Wedding Style: What to Wear to “Black Tie Optional”?

A Flattering50 reader recently emailed and wrote: "I’m going to a wedding in December and the invitation says ‘black tie optional.' How should I dress?” There's no getting around it: ‘Black tie optional’ signals that a formal affair is planned and that family, friends and honored guests are encouraged to dress up. For women, appropriate formal attire consists of either an evening gown or a fancy cocktail-length dress or glamorous suit. If you occasionally attend black tie affairs, such as fund raisers, you may have an evening gown or two already in your closet. For the rest of us, a dressy suit or cocktail dress may be the more reasonable choice.

Still, the question remains: How do you know if your outfit is “dressy” enough for a black tie optional or BTO affair? Lucky for me, an over 50 girlfriend recently attended a 'BTO' wedding and agreed to let me share the dress (above) and accessories she wore with Flattering50 readers.  Click "Read More" to continue...
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Holiday Gift Idea: Mix Media Jewelry

Editor’s note: In October, I invited artists specializing in fashion and accessory design to contact me. With the holiday season approaching, I thought it would be nice to share some creative gift ideas with Flattering50 readers. Over the next few Wednesdays, I'll feature one of the artists who responded to my invitation. I hope you'll visit these artists’ websites to view more of their lovely creations.

If Caprilicious Jewellery sounds familiar, it might be because I featured Neena and her jewelry in a post entitled Statement Necklaces From Across the Pond last April. Neena is a doctor and passionate jewelry designer living in the United Kingdom (hence, the British spelling of jewelry). She creates jewelry from a wide range of materials, such as gemstones, beads, crystals, wire, and clays. Her collection of moderately-priced pieces includes statement necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants, hair combs, and more. To continue reading, click "Read More" below...
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Hurricane Sandy: Life After the Storm

Obviously, the photographs in the New York Times tell Sandy’s story better than anything I can do. But I thought I’d post a few words from my perspective. In the wake of Sandy’s destruction, I feel incredibly blessed. Everyone in my extended family is safe. Only one member, an elderly uncle living alone, had a truly terrifying experience. His house burnt to the ground after a tree fell on it, crushing it and igniting the gas heating system. Fortunately, a neighbor and his son were able to rush in and carry our uncle to safety. A miracle! There are stories like this (or much worse!) being repeated all over New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. My heart goes out to all who’ve suffered because of the storm. To continue, click "Read More" below...
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