Mature Fashion: Jewelry Maven

It is always interesting for me to meet people who are skilled in arts or crafts; I find the ability to create truly authentic "style" fascinating and really admire women who can express their individual identities by their own hand. 

A group of the ladies here at the park meet every Friday afternoon to make jewelry and teach each other the fine art of beading and creating wire based jewelry.  I have never made jewelry in any form and welcomed the opportunity to learn a new skill, particularly because I love to wear "just the right accessory" with an ensemble.  To your immediate left you see a completed chain one of the ladies is currently completing. (she is not willing to let me take her picture...she says maybe later).

I have to admit I was somewhat apprehensive as to my own abilities to do this craft because I am not very handy with mechanical devices of any sort. Fortunately, I have not found it too difficult.. so far.  The yellow beaded chain is my very first attempt to make jewelry of any kind.  I hope to complete the project this coming Friday during class.  I want to add the two butterflies on a dangling chain (needs to be cut) to give a nod to current jewelry fashion trends.  I specifically chose the yellow beads to accompany a top that the necklace would complement.

I already have two more projects in mind; as you can probably surmise, I am looking forward to creating some "one of a kind" looks to compliment my styling. This new skill also helps keep the mind sharper by learning new activities; a vital process to "Rocking my Age."

On an entirely different note, I want to publicly compliment Judith Boyd, aka known as the Style Crone (StyleCrone.com) on her new contract to model at a Denver modeling agency.  As all my readers are aware, I have the utmost admiration for this seventy something mature woman. Aside from her exceptional styling skills, her presentations over the year I have been reading her blogs, etc., demonstrate she is ideal as a fashion model. (only agism could fail to recognize this immediately once one views her work). Personally, I am very tired of having teenagers model designs meant for much, much older women!!  She also appears to be a woman who has also experienced both fortune and tragedy in her life, and "Rocks her age".........a good role model for all of us.

Mature Fashion:Rocking Age at Home

I haven't posted to this blog site since Memorial Day because I have been too busy "rocking my age"!  As I mentioned on "RockMyRole.blogspot.com", it seems like I have more to do NOW although I am not working at the store!  

Of course, all of us retired people have found that we do not have the leisure that we thought we would; I think it is because we think we SHOULD take on more. I also hear from several of my friends, that just because they are retired, family members automatically assume they are available.

I am now volunteering at the club house library (the librarian had rotator cuff surgery). I am also attending an exercise class three times a week. and a jewelry making class once a week.  I am also re-doing some of the landscaping in my back yard, and as you can see to your left, planting an herb garden. Of course, both projects require a lot of running to the store, etc.  I am also repainting the cabinets in my master bathroom (whew, that does sound like a lot at one time!!)

I am also in the process of making some of the styling accessories for F/W 2016 so I can show some of the ensembles from my stylebook.  I just have not been able to find the time to learn and practice on dying some artificial fur-I can't wait to see how that turns out. I have made a pledge to myself to complete the project this week because F/W is just around the corner (maybe posting this intention to my blog will help me meet the committment?).

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer; school has just got out for most areas.  There is always so much to do.  I am so glad that I still have the energy and desire to keep up with it all.  I hope it is the same for you...

Mature Fashion: Memorial Day

Although it is important to remember the solemn purpose and original reason for this originally somber day of remembrance, it is now balanced with a holiday spirit that is much like the 4th of July; in fact, many of the decorations, color schemes, foods, etc. have taken on exactly the same flavor.  Many people do not associate the day as tribute to our fallen soldiers who died in battle but do honor the day with with a ceremony of flowers, etc. on family member's graves.
almost all people I know do treat the day as a holiday and/or family gathering, and often, a cook-out.

The annual Memorial Day weekend BBQ at our clubhouse screamed for the red, white, and blue thematics in clothing, but I didn't want to overdo the Stars and Stripes motif; I compromised with the faded old boating shoes from several years ago (I think they were reproduced again this season!!)...at any rate..if not, they sure are similar.

We had a live band who played in the shady tree lined walk outside the club house; a few of us adventurous souls reprised our more youthful dance steps and certainly kept up with our aerobic activities.  A few of the ladies did line dancing routines to the "oldies but goodies' music; and a good time was had by all. As would be expected, we had far too much food, so the exercise was certainly needed (hamburgers, hot dogs, tri-tip steak, and salmon...countless salads, and Neapolitan and vanilla ice cream sandwiches for all)!!

o fashion note, several of the ladies in our complex attend a jewelry making class once a week and many of them were wearing the red/white/blue bracelets and/or they made last week.  Although I just joined and have made nothing yet, I am really getting interested in this craft because I can see endless possibilities for enhancing an ensemble with my own personal style; I also love the idea of creating something that is uniquely Me.

I am becoming more and more interested in making or adapting existing garments to give them a personal flair. I do not want to be a carbon copy of others: ( I am so over articles that say "how to dress like.." I want uniqueness but a look(s) that is/are flattering and suitable to Me.

Although fashion should be fun (have a bit of wit or whimsy) I personally do not care for fashion whose sole value is in being "outrageous." (No, I am not talking about Lady Gaga, Madonna, or other entertainment figures who rely upon the outrageous to market themselves; they know exactly what they are doing!)...nor do I mean the authentic originals like Iris Apfel or other ladies who have made a particular item  a signature look; one that has become an extension of their own personality.  (who doesn't immediately think of those big round glasses on her  90+ rockin' years!!)  She never looks outrageous......courageous, maybe, but never outrageous...a model for us all.........

Mature Fashion: Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective

 I had the good fortune to be a guest at the "Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective" exhibit at the de Young museum in San Fransciso.  (unfortunately, the exhibit closes on May 30th, or I would make a return visit).  The exhibit was curated by Andre Leon Talley, a life long friend of Oscar de la Renta, and editor at large for Vogue for many years.  Oscar de la Renta is best known for his gorgeous evening apparel that exemplified the modern yet feminine touch in couture. Although born in the Dominican Republic, (didn't know that..thought he was Italian), he apprenticed in first Spain, while attending art school and working at Balenciaga, then in Paris for Lanvi. In spite of his birth and European training, Mr. de la Renta considered himself an American designer, and designed for American women.

Oscar de la Renta came to fame under the fashion reign of FLOTUS Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, and has dressed every FLOTUS, since including  Mrs. Obama. (psst...she was the latest holdout..she publicly wore one of his creations at a White House lecture on fashion). 

He has been quoted as saying "I do not know how to do casual clothes", and is reported to reach Mrs. Obama as a client by chiding her for wearing a sweater to Buckingham Palace when meeting the Queen. (??).  He is  (was) also known as the Sultan of Suede; He is best known for the beautiful evening and formal wear, and the cocoon coat (I thought is was Scaparelli?)  He most lately designed the wedding dress of Amal Clooney as well as the Michelle Obama creation. He is also renowned for giving Mrs. Clinton her signature "pant suit", and designed the inauguration dress for Laura Bush.  His famous patrons include SJP, JLO,Oprah, Penelope Cruz, Barbara Walters, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and a host of others.

The exhibit was packed, however, I was able to snap a few pictures.  One hundred thirty garments were on display covering the fifty year span of his designs.  I was immediately struck by the obvious fact that each and every creation I saw was as relevant today as it was when originally designed; seriously, only the addition of currently styled shoes, etc. or other more modern touches in hair and make-up styling.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but it was not possible. Unfortunately the picture of the dress donated by Mrs. Nancy Reagan did not turn out. (unfortunately, neither did a few more)....too dark and too crowded 

If any of my readers have the time, the exhibit is well worth while. Catch it while you can. BTW, an average Oscar de la Renta day dress is approximately fifteen hundred dollars; I have seen two on eBay for under $50.00; unfortunately, both of them are neither my size or have body lines that would flatter my figure....but, WTTW, any size 8 who has great toned upper arms might want to take a look...especially the cream with the black pin stripe and the black gross grain trim...wish I could wear it......BTW, in the nature of artistic work increasing in value upon the artist's demise, I would expect any original Oscar de la Renta design will increase in value.

Mature Fashion: Work Party

A distinct disadvantage many of us older women have is our lack of muscle, strength, and 'know how' to take care of many of the home maintenance duties that just have to be done.  Some of us are lucky enough to have handyman husbands, brothers, or sons who are willing (and physically able) to do them for us.  Many of us do not, or our masculine 'help' just is unable to make the time or the effort.  We inevitably pay to have these tasks done by a 'professional' who charges us an arm and a leg to perform sometimes rather simple but labor intensive and knowledge based chores.

Several years ago two of my friends and I decided to form a threesome 'girls work group' to help each other do some of these tasks.  Each of us have some knowledge in various areas, and I believe one of my friends is a  latent but inexperienced contractor!)

We agreed to meet once a month, choosing a task we believed that we could do as a team in one day, hopefully within 4 to 6 hours collectively.  Naturally, we took turns as to whose chore would be on the agenda. A few years ago, one of the friends dropped out (she has a son-in-law and live-in handyman who barters rent for his construction skills-lucky her!)

This past week-end we needed to prune her mature trees and change the faucets on her guest bathroom.  You can see the old faucet in picture #2, and the one to be installed in picture #3.  You can see my friend tightening some of the hardware. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the job last week-end, and will resume on Saturday.  As might be expected with our lack of experience, on this type of chore it may take us a while.  (we bought the wrong type of plumbers putty-we also could not complete all the pruning because we needed space in the garbage cans).

Although my friend is a decade younger than I am, neither of us are 'spring chickens' Learning new tasks, keeping ourselves both physically and mentally active, and not "giving up" on what we can or cannot do is vital to 'rocking our ages'.  We are about the same size, takes care of her health about the same as do I, and is re-assured that she is also likely to be able to do the same tasks when she reaches my age.

I am sure you have also noted we take our fashion seriously, even when working.  Both of us are wearing our 'household chore role" clothing. In the top picture I am wearing my drab olive Hanes sweat-shirt over my camo long sleeved t-shirt (it was still chilly outdoors), drab olive narrow pants, and working sneakers.
I used my aged 'Free People" camo boho handbag.   My friend wore narrow navy sweat pants and a short sleeve white v-neck t-shirt. 

When leaving to run the necessary errand and grab a quick lunch, a quick substitution of the gray utility jacket for my sweat-shirt exposed the camo tee. A change to the camo flats instantly made me ready for the public outing. My friend added her matching zippered sweat-shirt and black leather sport shoes for the same effect. She grabbed her black leather handbag on the way out of the house. This up-coming weekend, I will be wearing another of my "household chores" uniforms.

By the way, you have heard me mention several times in the posts the unexpected but always relevant results of the impression we make when interviewing or conducting business, etc.  In addition to personally feeling confident and more self assured when dealing with unknown and often rather thorny problems, I ALWAYS notice that the people who are helping us are more willing to spend the necessary time with the inevitable questions, lack of understanding, etc.  It truly does not take more effort to look good no matter what task or chore being performed; a woman just has to be aware!!  IF YOU LOOK GOOD, YOU FEEL GOOD!!!  

On another note, I am very happy to share with you another tidbit; I am certainly feeling the results of my exercise class; I believe the guidance of the Jane Fonda DVD and the companionship of the other participants has really inspired me.  I find myself thinking about posture several times during the day, etc. I am also noticing a bit more firmness around my mid-section; my area of physical challenge. I have also discovered that I can now use 3 pound weights rather than the 2 pound ones I have used in the past. I am so pleased about this;  Feeling good is necessary for me to 'Rock My Age(s).'