Jan 25, 2010

DO YOU LOOK OLD?



While I was in a book store Christmas shopping,
the title of this book caught my attention:



I ended up bringing the book home.
I haven't taken the time to read it from cover to cover, but I leave it on my nightstand and look through it before going to bed.

We all get in our slumps and need a refresher course every now and then. If you are a mom and are like me, you end up taking care and buying for your children (plus your hubbie) and rarely take the time to take care of yourself . I fall victim to this every holiday season/every winter. Except for a cardigan or two, I haven't updated my wardrobe (or myself) since it was warm outside.

My husband is as good as gold.
He encourages me to do things for and spend money on myself. He thinks that I have been taking care of others for so long and have forgotten about myself.
I do have a hard time with this.
I am much more comfortable doing for others.

The MAN goes shopping with me and just patiently stands, shuffles, blackberries and doesn't understand the whole process of having to shop for a pair of jeans.... try on 10 pair and end up buying nothing. Is there anything worse than shopping for jeans? If I were shopping by myself, this would be where I would go to the Lilly or Free People section and buy something for one of daughters.
Everything looks good on them!

I am certainly not a frump, but I definitely am not the person I ever imagined I would be.
I just need fine tuning, a little age camouflaging.

So back to the book:

According to the book, here are some things that everyone can do from to keep from looking like an OL
(old lady):

CUT SOME BANGS
They are instant chic and hide your forehead.
I have always had bangs -
I have inherited a few lines that all the Botox
in the world cannot correct.

LIGHTEN YOUR HAIR-COLOR YOUR HAIR
Hair color is our friend and as long as there is hair color, I will use it.
I get low lights and high lights every other month. I don't know how I feel about going lighter all over.... maybe this summer I'll give it a try.

WEAR CHIC EYEWEAR
(NO GRANNY GLASSES OR PLAIN GLASSES)
I have been wearing readers for just over a year - I don't know if they are considered chic, but I definitely keep them fun.

LOSE THE HEAVY EYELINER
The book suggested to not line under your eyes if they are puffy or if you have dark circles.
Since puffy eyes are my signature look these days :), I tried this and didn't line underneath them yesterday.
Everytime I looked in the mirror, I felt like I looked very plain.


WEAR SHEER PINK ON YOUR LIPS
(and don't line your lips with a darker color)
I am (was) more of a burgundy/berry girl, but I did try this today. I bought a pink glossy lipcolor and I love it!

WHITEN YOUR TEETH
100% true in my book - this one of the first things that I notice about a person

WEAR GOOD FITTING JEANS
no "mom jeans"
I don't wear mom jeans, but I still am searching for that perfect pair!
I do like being able to sit while wearing jeans... without cutting off my circulation.

SHOW SOME LEG
It ain't happening,
I gave up the tanning bed many, many years ago.

STEP INTO SOME SEXY HEELS
Do Danskos count?

POSTURE
POSTURE
POSTURE
One of my biggest pet peeves is bad posture,
just ask my girls and my husband, bless his heart.
People think you own the world when walk into the room standing up straight.


So these are a few of the things I've taken from the book so far.
What do you think?
There are a number of others I am curious to try.
I need to clean out my closet and get rid of a lot of things
and then
go shopping.









17555



7 comments:

The Muse said...

I am writing these down!

Joyce said...

I can definitely relate. The title of the book cracked me up...she's not mincing words is she?

I dont know about the eyeliner. I think I look old without any eyeliner but I guess I'll give it a whirl.

I'm counting the hours until my hilites on Friday. When I get them done I seriously feel a few years younger. And I am definitely lighter than I used to be.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Great tips....but I'm with you...most days I only wear eyeliner..and Dansko are a staple.As for jeans I found some fun Levis over xmas they come up higher in back and have great stretch to them.I think they are Levis 545. Also if you have an Eddie Bauer they have great fitting jeans too and I also like Seven Jeans. Also like pants from Ann Taylor Loft...I'm a size 14 and they have flattering pants/jeans.
Take care of yourself...I do clothes wise it's the beauty treatments and hair I neglect.

Love Being A Nonny said...

I LOVE this post! We could be BFF's in real life!!! :) You cracked me up about the Danskos....I seriously want to wear mine every day! And the eye liner....if I go without it people ask me if I am not feeling well. I DID get contacts a few weeks ago so I could lose the *granny glasses*. I kept them fun but I got tired of taking them on and off! Oh, and Ann Taylor Loft has great jeans. I think they are called CURVY...

Carrie B said...

Ditto on the eyeliner, I felt like my eyes dissapeared when I didn't wear it. Hmmm
And I agree with Frau on the levi's, they have some great styles that work well.
Was there anything in the book about taking regular vacations? Ha

Rickrack and Pompoms said...

I love these tips, I too only buy for my kids. My closet needs a major revamp. That looks like a fun book, may have to get that for myself.

Laura said...

Mom: get a size larger so they'll fit in the legs and then get them tailored to fit you perfectly in the waist... get sevens.

all us numbers do that w/ all of our jeans, you are no exception... since when does anything every fit perfectly sans alterations?