Gracefully Aging, Day 29: Blogs! Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

A few years ago, I realized that I had to make peace with the fact that I was getting older. Along with that realization came the decision to actually embrace it and be the best "woman of a certain age" that I could be.

A couple of blogs have been major inspirations to me in this journey.  One is Over50Feeling40, which I posted about earlier.

Another is Not Dead Yet Style.

First off, the title is SO perfect! As Patti, the chic and elegant woman behind this awesome blog, says, "I am a fifty-something woman, wife, professional, auntie and crazy cat lady. Though pressured by society to recede gracefully, I prefer to burst out with a love of fashion and style. We are not dead yet, so let's enjoy every sandwich and gild the lilies."

Visible Monday

One of the first things that drew me to Patti's blog was a bi-weekly bloghop she hosts called "Visible Monday," in which women are encouraged to feature "a post that includes any outfit, accessory, piece of jewelry, hairstyle, cosmetic or other adornment that makes you feel more confident, alive and visible that day. No restrictions, just share your beauty."

I've actually participated in this bloghop many times, and it stretched me because I never considered myself a fashion blogger.  But it was fun getting to play model for the first time in my life.

Here's the post that inspired this bloghop.  Patti writes: "Common wisdom holds that at a certain age, women no longer garner the attention of men in public. We are still loved by our husbands and partners, and told we are beautiful, but the world at large no longer sees us as noteworthy."

She says Visible Monday is a way to "celebrate our diverse beauty and love of style." 

"I came up with the idea of a 'Visible Day' for us bloggers, in which we post an outfit, accessory, lipstick color, hairstyle, etc., that expresses our Joy of Being (Physically) Visible."

If you want to be inspired, motivated and encouraged in your determination to age gracefully, I can't recommend Not Dead Yet Style highly enough!

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'm blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Visible Monday: The 5-Dollar Old Navy Dress

Sometimes patiently scouring the clearance racks really pays off!  I was at Old Navy with my daughter on Saturday, and I found a simple blue dress for 5 dollars and some-odd cents.  It's sleeveless, but I knew it would fine with a cardigan.

So naturally I bought it, and wore it to church today with the Chinese Laundry hat I got at Ross Dress for Less for around 10 bucks at Easter earlier this year.

This picture above was taken on my back deck, which is being invaded by a gorgeous red maple tree.  Sadly, these leaves will be gone all too soon.

This dress is made of soft, comfy material.  I wore in with a black tank underneath, and a black Merona cardigan I got at Target a couple of months ago.

I REALLY need to get a full-length mirror... but just to let you know, the dress falls just below my knees.

A closer look.  As you can see, the cardigan has some pretty detailing.  I think I got the necklace at Cato a while back.

I'll leave you with a parting shot of our maple-gloried back deck.  It's been a breathtakingly gorgeous autumn, and I'll be sad to see these leaves go!

I'm participating in Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style...click on the icon to find out more!

Visible Monday: Why I'm Taking Pictures of Myself

Those of us who are my age all remember when women decided at around 40 that they were done trying to look attractive. They spent the rest of their days in polyester pants and shapeless tops. Not for me.

I often take a pic of myself in my car, just before I leave for work--when the look is fresh (my neighbors may think I'm crazy!)

Believe it or not, there was a time when I really didn't know what I looked like.

This was a period of several years, in fact.  I was some 50 pounds heavier than I am now.

I knew I was fat.  I could tell that by looking in the mirror.  But I had no grasp on my actual appearance.  I kind of had no body image at all.  I really couldn't close my eyes and imagine what I looked like to others.

I tried not to be photographed.  This was before digital cameras, before people were taking pictures left and right, so it was relatively easy to disappear when a camera turned up.

When you're fat, you tend to only look at yourself in the mirror from the neck up, and even then you may not realize just how fat your face is--I know I didn't.

Fast forward to the present.  I am still overweight, but I have a clearer image of what I look like.  I see the faults--the ones that can't be changed--and the things that can and should be changed.

After my sister gave me a bunch of her clothes, I texted a pic of myself to her when I wore them

Awakened by blogs


At some point, I made a conscious decision to do everything within my power to be the best woman-of-my-age that I can be, physically and otherwise.

I think it really began in earnest when I was unemployed for a while, and I started watching make-up and hair tutorials and following fashion blogs.

I enjoyed them immensely and learned a lot, but there was just one problem.  The blogs and tutorials were pretty much all by young women.  Let's face it--young women have a leg up in this whole beauty thing because they ARE young!

So I was delighted to discover blogs by women closer to my own age, some even older, who were determined not to just lay down and die when it came to beauty and fashion.

Most of those blogs are ones that take part in the very bloghop I'm taking part in today...Visible Monday,  hosted by Not Dead Yet Style.  I love the title of that blog, and I love the subtitle: "how to look authentic and beautiful in our middle years."

I was actually wearing a pony tail in this pic--not sure how it didn't show up in this pic, but it wasn't a good look for me!  I felt it made me look frumpy

Visible!

These are women who are determined to look their very best, regardless of their age, size...whatever.

At first, I was hesitant to post pictures of myself "modeling" an outfit I put together.  I'm no expert on style, and I'm certainly not a model.

But reading these blogs has energized me.  I am more conscious of my appearance, the image I present to the world--in a good way! Those of us who are my age all remember when women decided at around 40 that they were done trying to look attractive.  They spent the rest of their days in polyester pants and shapeless tops.

Not for me.  I'm far from perfect...as I said, I'm all too conscious of my flaws...but there are some I can work on!

Taking pictures of myself


Although I don't blog or publish all (or even most) of them, I've started taking a picture of myself most  days.

It's amazing how helpful it is.  I've found things that I wouldn't have noticed in the mirror, and I take note of it.  Things like..."Cindy, you laid that top eyeliner on a little too thick."  "A ponytail is not a good look for you."  "You need to blend that blush better."  "Those shoes didn't really work with that outfit." "Wearing eyeliner on your waterline makes your eyes look smaller."

I used this outfit for a Visible Monday several weeks ago

I don't mean hating on myself...we're talking constructive criticism.

Of course, they're not all negative.  I can also see the things that ARE working--colors that suit me best, styles that are more slimming than others, etc.

Texted this to my mom, who wanted to see how my latest hair-coloring turned out

I don't know how long I'll keep doing it, but for now these self-portraits are proving helpful.

I'd love to know how you feel!


Please share in the comments section whether you're trying to evaluate your appearance more, and what you're doing.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I'm linking up today with Visible Monday--click the icon below!

Visible Monday: More Sister-Love

It's been a while since I participated in Visible Monday, and the last time I was also showcasing a gift from my sister Lisa!  Well, this wonderful lady gifted me with a box of clothes she was either tired of or thought suited me better.  It was like Christmas in June!

To church on Sunday, I wore this hot pink camisole and matching floral sweater.  Earlier,I couldn't wait to wear it, but I had a problem...I wanted to wear it with a skirt, and I didn't have a skirt that would match it.

I went on the hunt for a white skirt, and you know, they're not as easy to find as you'd think!  I finally found a flowy one I liked at Marshall's for a little over 12 dollars.  (I'd also like to find a shorter white skirt to go with this as well.)

OK, thought I'd get the obligatory bathroom shot out of the way.  (I've been texting my sis a picture every time I wear one of her gifted items!)

Well, naturally I needed the right shoes for this long flowy skirt.  Visiting my daughter at the Bergner's where she works in Bloomington, IL, I found these babies on sale for 60 per cent off! Yes, that's a serious wedge...higher than it even looks in that picture...but I wore them to church Sunday and suffered no pain.

Here they are, on my tootsies.

A shot before I remembered to put my shoes back on.  Honestly, this skirt would look fine with some pretty flats, but I wanted the slightly dressier look of a wedge heel for church.

Camisole and sweater: gifted

Cuff bracelet: gifted

Skirt:  Dimri via Marshall's

Shoes: Mia via Bergner's

Another shot with the shoes.  I'm excited about this entire outfit, but I can style this skirt in so many ways this summer! I'm looking forward to it (by the way, it feels lighter-than-air on, but has a built-in slip that comes to about mid-thigh.)

I'm participating in Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style!  Join the fun!