Fall Fashion 2012 for Boomer Women

Steampunk Jewelry for Women Who Are Older

I've been writing about fall fashions from the perspective of an older woman... namely myself.  And, most of the articles are on my website, Boomerinas.com... natch.  So, here's what I've come up with lately.

Steampunk Fashion for Women Over 40 or 50:  Okay, stop laughing.  I'm serious.  Steampunk isn't just for Halloween anymore.  It's creeping into mainstream stores.  And, I for one... well... I actually like it.  I only have a few mildly Victorian pieces - hats, boots, skirts - but I will be adding more goodies to my arsenal.  (Does anyone know where I could get a pith helmet that would be safe enough to use as a bike helmet?)

How to Wear a Hat - Rules & Etiquette for Women:  Oh gee, notice the Steampunk hat in the photo.  What a coincidence.  Haha.

Helen Mirren: Celebrity Style for Older Women:  No, I won't get into the "Did she or didn't she have a facelift?" debate.  People in Hollywood have facelifts all the time.  Did you actually think that movie stars were from another planet where people never age?  In my Helen Mirren article I talk about what we can learn from Ms Mirren's fashion sense.

Hot Boots for Fall 2012: Women Over 40 or 50:  I guess this article is self explanatory.  However, I will mention that lace-up, Victorianish booties fit snugly around your ankle, but not too snugly, because you can adjust the fit.  This is important for women (of a certain "oldish" age) whose feet and ankles swell up for various reasons... women who still want to wear heels and want the stability of boots so they don't end up tripping down the stairs and spraining their ankles.  Yes, I have done that (twice) in disco-platform shoes.  It's not fun.

Okay, that's it.  Go read my articles, will ya?

Basic Neighborhoods of Seattle - Mindmap

This is a basic Google map that doesn't show the neighborhoods in a meaningful way:

 

The map above is a basic screenshot from Google Maps, which shows the northern part of Seattle.  (I'm trying to explain the main neighborhoods of the area to people from another town.)  So the pic above is a boring, generic map.

The map below is a scribbled "mind map" of Seattle:

 

The mind map has very little to do with the names on the Google map.  (I'm having a hard time getting the second map larger, but I hope you will get the general idea.) 

 

To make the mind map I used a screenshot (AKA Snipping Tool) to capture the picture.  Then, I scribbled out a legend (with a photo program) and circled the main areas (mind map) that native Seattleites use to get around the city.  If you can't read my scribbles, here's what the scribbles say if you follow the order of the legend:

 

*The orange circle is the general area of Capitol Hill (it actually extends further north and south, but you get the general idea).

*The blue circle is Ballard. 

*The pink circle with a Q is Queen Anne Hill.

*The green circle is Green Lake Park. 

*The dark U is the University District (Udub).

*The purple L is the area called Laurelhurst.

*The black arrows on the right are the 520 Bridge (which goes to Bellevue and Microsoft) and the I-90 Bridge (which goes to Mercer Island and Bellevue).

*The arrow on the left shows where Downtown Seattle is.

*The mustard yellow squiggle which goes north and south is "the freeway."

 

If You Know These Areas, You're Cake

 

If you know these neighborhoods (and the bodies of water in and around Seattle), I can explain how to get just about anywhere in north Seattle.  For example, if I tell you that the Space Needle is in between Downtown and Queen Anne Hill, you will have some idea where it is.  Or, if I tell you that University Village is between the U-District and Laurelhurst, you could find it without GPS.

 

Help With Boise

 

I am hoping that someone from the Boise ID area can show me (or make me) something like this for the main Boise neighborhoods (and the bike trail by the river, if you're feeling industrious).  It would be a big help for people who don't know Boise.

 

ps  If you asked a hundred people in Seattle how to get to West Woodland (which is a name on the first Google map), none of those hundred people would know what the hell you were talking about.  Normal people from Seattle would consider that part of town to be Ballard, Phinney Ridge (if it's the part on a hill) or Fremont (the southern section of the fictional "West Woodland").  The green square near "West Woodland" is the "Woodland Park Zoo," so there is a slight chance that someone somewhere, with a Mensa IQ, might make the connection and point you in the right direction.  I am only pointing this out to show how confusing some online maps can be. 

 

pps - I went back to the "real" Google map and zeroed in on the "West Woodland" area. People would call "West Woodland" something like: "the part of Ballard that's just below Phinney Ridge" or "that area near the Ballard Market" or "that area just south of Market Street."  My point is that locals don't always use the names shown on some surveyer's map.

Can I Just Be a Hippie Again?

Plumo - prshots.com

I loved the 60s. I loved the fashions. I loved that everything was inexpensive.  I loved that everyone got along with everyone else.

Can I just go back to being a hippie again?  I didn't own a car. I took a bus to get around or I caught a ride with a friend.  Life was a total groove.  What happened?  

Maybe if if I dress like a hippie.....?

Rock n Roll Hippie Chick

Rock n Roll Hippie Chick by boomerina featuring turquoise jewelry

Alice Olivia v neck dress
mytheresa.com

True Religion true-religion jeans
mytheresa.com

Jeffrey Campbell high heels
$210 - jades24.com

Tylie Malibu leather handbag
endless.com

Sparkling Sage long necklace
endless.com

House of Harlow 1960 tribal jewelry
houseofharlow1960.com

Sparkling Sage turquoise jewelry
endless.com

Shashi long necklace
endless.com

Fantasy Jewelry Box stacking bangle
fantasyjewelrybox.com

Fantasy Jewelry Box boho jewelry
fantasyjewelrybox.com

Boho Hippie Trippy Clothing and More

Hippie Chic - Photo prshots.com archives

Lately, I've been having a lot of fun writing about boho hippie clothing, music, and history.  If you like that sort of thing, and why wouldn't you, here are some links to my recent articles about boho clothing:

Boho Chic Hippie Clothes: Plus Size Maxi Dresses

Hippie Clothes: How Did Hippie Fashion Start?


I also love to write about music, and I like to have links that go to youtube videos.  That way, I can listen to my fave songs whenever I get bored or stressed.  Here is my latest music article:

Hippie Wedding Songs: Cool Music for Boho Baby Boomers

Do you miss the 60s yet?

Graves Disease and Prednisone Moon Face

If you want to see what happens when you have Graves' Disease and take the steroid, prednisone, you've come to the right place.

Pink Hat Photo: How I looked just before I went hyperthyroid (with Graves' Disease).

Black & White Hat Photo: How I looked when I lost 20 pounds in one month from being hyperthyroid (due to Graves Disease), complete with bulging eyes and other fun stuff.

Blue Hat Photo: How I looked immediately after starting prednisone. 
This flattering look is called "prednisone moon face."

I Gained Over 30 Pounds

My course of prednisone caused a weight gain of 30 or 40 pounds in one month.  My facial swelling went back down after I stopped the meds...well...my face went closer to what I would consider normal, however my skin was immediately more saggy due to the deflation of my balloon face.  I was told by many people that I would lose the weight as soon as I stopped the drugs, but I was part of a small percentage of people whose body did not react according to the script.

Prednisone: The Evil Wonderful Drug

For the last few years, my weight has gone down and back up (with almost all of the extra fat going to my tummy).  It's as though the prednisone changed every cell in my body.  And, I'm close to giving up on ever losing the weight, but...I've decided to stash my skinny clothes in a box...just in case I luck out and my doctors find an alternate med so I can ditch one of my other horrid (but necessary) drugs that keeps me looking nice and plump.

In reality, I don't regret taking prednisone.  My alternative was to risk losing my vision.

Why Am I Talking About This?

The main reason I'm posting my story is that I want all of you apple-shaped women to understand where I'm coming from when I tell you my thoughts about styles and brands of clothing that work well with a tummy.  I am not just rewording shopworn advice from skinny, healthy fashion "experts."  I'm telling you what has worked for me.
 
Read From Frump to Fab in Five Minutes: Fashion for Apple Shapes

Songs Renamed for Boomers

I cannot take credit for this post.  It's from an email forward, but I can't track down the author:

Some of the artists of the 60's and 70's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers who can remember doing the "Limbo" as if it were yesterday.


Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' A Flash

Herman's Hermits --- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker

Ringo Starr --- I Get By With A Little Help From Depends

The Bee Gees --- How Can You Mend A Broken Hip?

Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face

Johnny Nash ---  I Can't See Clearly Now

Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver

The Commodores --- Once, Twice, Three Times To The Bathroom

Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade Of Hair

Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping

The Temptations --- Papa's Got A Kidney Stone

Abba--- Denture Queen

Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall

Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman; Hear Me Snore

Leslie Gore---It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To

Willie Nelson ---On the Commode Again

Sounds like this was made up by some smartass ad men.  I'm afraid they'll actually use the Denture Queen song.  Abba is "made" for commercials.  Now, all I want to do is come up with some renamed titles of my own.

Dave Clark Five: (And I'm Feelin') Bad All Over

James Brown: Papa's Got a Brand New Knee

Sam and Dave: (I'm a) Ole Man

Shirelles:  Will You Still Know Me Tomorrow

Wilson Pickett: Facelift Sally

Sly and the Family Stone: Hot Flash in the Summertime

Moody Blues: Nights in White Statin

Lovin' Spoonful: Do You Believe in Prozac?

Angels: My Boyfriend's Back (It Is Giving Him Some Trouble)

John Lennon: Instant Heartburn's (Gonna Get You)

Elton John: Crocodile Rocker

Marvin Gaye: I Heard it Through My Doctor