Welcome to this month’s Ageless Style where Cindy Hattersley and I interview a different woman whose style we think you will like.
As the founder and director of the international Women Reading Aloud organization, award-winning novelist, Julie Maloney, brings women together in writing workshops and retreats where she encourages them to use the power of their voice in their writing.
Continue ReadingI adore Julie’s style and 20 years ago, after chemotherapy for breast cancer, her hair grew back silver. Her hair is part of her style, and I think it’s beautiful. Julie’s beautiful.
Sometimes it feels like I’ve been surviving something all of my life, and my cumulative experiences have given me an overwhelming desire to talk to people and write about survival. First, on my breast cancer blog, and now, here on 1010ParkPlace. If you’ve been reading my blogs for any length of time then you know I believe if we can harness the power of our minds, we can get through anything.
Continue ReadingI know this to be true because I’ve called upon that ability after I was taken at gunpoint in Guatemala, during treatment for breast cancer, and after my husband died unexpectedly on Christmas.
Once again, Cindy Hattersley and I are each interviewing a different woman for our “Ageless Style” series.
This month I sat down with Carolyn Espley-Miller, aka Slim Paley, a natural beauty with a well-honed eye and a passion for interior design and photography. Carolyn’s popular Instagram page, @SlimPaley, is a treasure trove of beautiful photographs of her homes in Santa Barbara, California, and Sun Valley, Idaho. She never fails to inspire me with her witty and entertaining writing and her love of gardens and magnificent trees, family, food, fashion, and art, and she has the best ideas for great martinis. And just when I’m getting cabin fever, her photographs of far-flung places like Sri Lanka and Morocco, let me live vicariously through her travels.
Continue ReadingCarolyn has a laidback fashion style although when called upon, she can rock a red carpet like no one else.
Many of you may remember my October 2022, post: SEVEN DON’TS WHEN BUYING MAKEUP OVER 50 where I confessed my extreme frustration as I looked for an under-eye concealer that was the right color and texture and didn’t cake, crease or look patchy. I’m embarrassed to tell you how many concealers I’ve actually purchased—probably 30—and if I’m honest, I don’t want to think about how much money I’ve spent. The one good thing to come out of my treasure hunt is that it’s enabled me to share what I’ve learned with you.
Continue ReadingHere are my concealer Winners and Sinners and helpful application tips.
DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN, LADIES. There are a lot of crazies out there, men with dark twisted motives who mean to harm us. I encountered one last week, as did my friend, Tammy. You may remember my blog about her and her son who’s been in intensive care since December 4th.
Continue ReadingAs if she’s not dealing with enough life and death drama, now she has a stalker.
Photograph from Edition01
I’m joining my friend, Cindy Hattersley, as we each interview a different woman for our monthly “Ageless Style” series.
Other than her style and beauty, the first thing that drew me to Ann Caruso was her kind, empathetic and caring heart. Qualities she’s honed as a respected, international celebrity stylist with big-name clients like Oprah, Elizabeth Hurley, and Johnny Depp, and by her personal experience as a two-time breast cancer survivor.
Continue ReadingAnn Caruso lists the basic pieces every woman over 50 should have in her closet.
If you like love stories, I have a powerful love story for the ages. A true story that speaks to the power of a mother’s love and her twenty-five-year fight to save the life of her son. When I think about this woman and her son—she’s been my friend for 15 years—I know without a doubt that miracles do happen.
Continue ReadingFrom the moment he was born, Jonathan Carrington has been the miracle boy.
Photo by Essence de la Vie .com)
I’m amazed 2022 is almost behind us. For a good portion of the year I’ve been focused on planning my April 2023, “Invitation to the Rest of Your Life” trip to Tuscany.” The nine women who are coming with me have already started getting to know one another, and I’ve been sending emails designed to get us in the mood for a week of fabulous food, one-of-a-kind experiences, and workshopping the next chapter of our lives.
The other thing I’ve been focusing on this year is my memoir.
I signed a contract with Beth Davey, one of the top literary agents in the country. Needless to say, I’m excited. I’ll keep you posted. One of the recent books Beth has represented is Paul Newman’s posthumous memoir, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man which was published this fall. After his death, Newman’s daughters found a box full of reel-to-reel tapes in their mother’s, Joanne Woodward’s, attic that Newman and his close friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern, recorded beginning in 1986. The published memoir is the result of thousands of pages that were transcribed from the tapes, including interviews with Paul’s friends, family, and fellow film and theater actors. If you’re a Paul Newman admirer, you’ll like this book because it’s a deep look into the man, not the movie star.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time then you know that dogs and music are two of my biggest loves. While Annie would be jealous if I adopted another dog, I’ve already purchased some concert tickets for the coming year. I’m not sure I’ll break my 2019 record of attending 13 concerts, but we’ll see.
Many of you have been going through major changes in your life, and I know, from experience, how difficult that can be, especially during the holidays. Be kind to yourselves and have faith that time, and God, will lessen your pain and help you find a new path.
And speaking of new paths, Chateau de Guadanes has piqued my interest for several years. Have any of you been there? Here’s their Christmas video. They may have borrowed the beginning from Dior’s imaginative little fantasy film that unveiled their 2020-2021 couture collection. You may remember it from a post I did during Covid.
Please know how much I’ve appreciated and valued you over the years as readers and friends, and how grateful I am to have met so many of you in person. Please take care of yourselves, stay warm and safe this holiday season, and share your heart and your goodwill with those who may need a hand. Thank you for being here. Until next year…
Sending you all my love.
Graphic design by Rosanna Kuruppu.
Selecting holiday gifts can be frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive, so this year, think of me as your Holiday Gift Elf. I’ve put together a list of things under $50 for everyone on your list, including you. I’ve always thought it’s a sign you’ve chosen a great gift if you want one for yourself. I’ve also included a few pricier items because if nothing else, it’s fun to window-shop.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS MY FRIENDS.
Everything I’ve selected is something I’d love to receive or buy for myself. I love and use both of the eyeshadow palettes plus I’ve included THE BEST hand cream in the world. Seriously. It heals and gets rid of cuticle problems and rough hands overnight. Are you familiar with the Gua Sha facial massage stone? I’ve seen positive benefits from using one on a regular basis and will do a post about them after the first of the year.
These great gifts are under $50.
Here are some gift ideas that are over $50. One is an LED Light Therapy Mask. Victoria Beckham swears by the Boost mask below. I’ve started going to a new facialist and had my second treatment yesterday. LED light therapy is included as part of the facial. I’ll let you know what I think about it. There are also gifts that will interest the man in your life whether that’s your sweetheart, your father, or brother.
What’s on your Most Wanted List this year? I have one item: artificial grass for my yard. Annie chases squirrels. I’ve quit trying to grow real grass, and when it rains it’s solid mud. What a mess!
Sometimes the best gifts don’t come in boxes. Maybe you’re hoping someone special will come into your life, or perhaps you’re wishing for good health for yourself or a loved one, or strength as you grieve the loss of a job or someone you love. Or maybe you need some insight and guidance before you move forward with something you’ve been thinking about.
What if you get quiet and go within and talk to God about the things that are on your heart? It costs nothing and it’s priceless.
Once again, I’m joining my friend, Cindy Hattersley, as we each interview a different woman for our monthly Ageless Style series. You’ll find the link to Cindy’s blog at the end of my post. I love interviewing women with varied personal styles, and I think you’ll enjoy today’s featured woman.
Known for reviving the art of couture linens for everyday use, Jane Scott Hodges has been called “the empress of the monogram.” Even though she’s a traditionalist, she incorporates bold modern elements, and her contemporary custom linens and oversized monograms are washable and come in a variety of vibrant colors. Like many southern women, she has two first names—Jane Scott—and she’s fun and bubbly and full of great ideas.
Continue ReadingJane Scott Hodges and I caught up with one another while she was driving through Mississippi on her way to see Wynonna Judd in concert.
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