Seattle Summer Is Here

It's finally summer in Seattle.  Sure, it rained yesterday, but the mosquitos were biting me at Marymoor dog park.  That can only mean one thing...SUMMER.

And, so much is going on.  My daughter is graduating.  A bunch of people are coming into town for that.  Woo hoo.  Big time excitement.  Then, later in the month we go to Paris.  I feel that it's child abuse to not take one's child to atleast one major European city.  How will a child understand America if he or she has never seen "the old country?"  I can only afford a few days in a 2-star hotel.  And, I may not be able to keep up with my kids...but, it's worth a try.  I'm not getting any younger.

And, we're praying for good test scores for my graduating girl.  She wants to go to grad school and the field is competitive.  If you're bored, pray for Alex (girl) to study hard for the exam.  (PS If this is your flickr.com photo, please contact me so I can give you credit.  I lost the think.  Gorgeous photo.)

Cruise Clothing Articles for Baby Boomer Chicks

Yeow. I was locked out of this blog for a while. I don't think it was anything that I did, but now I'm back on. So, I'm happy.  Here are some groovy articles about clothing for Boomers.

Plus Size Long Dress at Simply Be

Thank God, the people who buy for online stores are starting to give us decent plus size clothes. And, here are some great options for those of us who like to cruise. Read more at Plus Size Cruise Wear to Make You Feel Beautiful

Luna Luz Tie Dress from Hello Boutique

I have a Luna Luz dress coming in the mail and I can't wait to get it. Luna Luz is one of my new go-to brands for cute travel wear. The clothes are made out of great fabric.  Read more at Sexy Luna Luz Dresses Fit Like a Dream: Great for Travel Wear

Sheer Cardigan from Long Tall Sally

One of your basic travel pieces should be a sheer or lace cardigan or shrug. These babies weigh about as much as a scarf, but you can't live without one of these once you get hooked. Featherweight cardigans cover a multitude of sins.  Read more at Sheer or Lace Cardigans for Hip Women Over 40 or 50

And, here are more articles for your reading pleasure:

Sexy Plus Size Cruise Wear: Cocktail and Formal Dresses 

Daytime Cruise Wear for Women With Style 

Women's Travel Cruise Wear Online: Over 40 or 50

I Am Going Back to Paris

I was in Paris last month. Now, I am going back with my two adult daughters. They have never been to Paris (one of them has never been to Europe) and it is going to be a blast even though we are only going for 5 days.

I don't know if I can keep up with them. I didn't have my kids until my mid thirties. Both of my girls are in their mid twenties. Hopefully, I can teach them how to use the Metro and give them a carnet of tickets and a map.

They have never been to the Louvre Museum.

Louvre and the Tuileries Park - photo web.france.com

My daughters have never been to the Tuileries. It's my favorite park. Actually, no. My favorite park is at Versaille, but we can walk to the Louvre or take a Metro from our hotel.

They have never seen the painting of Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix.

They have never hung out with me to have some hot chocolate at Place des Vosge. Or wandered around to see the little shops in the neighborhood.

My daughters have never been to Musee d'Orsay. Or eaten a real croissant or Croque Monsieur. (Forgive my spelling. I'm too tired to check) Or had a cold Orangina at a sidewalk cafe. There are so many things to see that I don't even know where to start. However, I know that this will be an amazing vacation. 

Here are 5 phrases to remember if you're going to Paris: 

Tips on Manners for Shopping in France

Moisturizers and Makeup for Older Skin

Moisturizers for Older Skin: Photo Kaliko prshots.com

You may be tired of hearing about my trip to Paris, but I'm already trying to accumulate enough miles to go back. I am hoping to take my daughters to France to show them a little about culture in a civilized country. The older I get, the less likely I will be able to travel on the cheap, so it may be now or never.

Lancome Genifique Nutrics

Anyway, when I was in Paris, I promised myself that I would be very, very good and not buy anything. I was almost very, very good. The only things I bought were two skin moisturizers and one cleanser for dry skin. If you have ever seen the skin of a Parisian woman, you know that skin is more of a priority than clothing or makeup or anything.

 So, here is an article about the great Lancome products I bought. All of the goodies in the article below are just a little bit different than the Lancome products you can buy at Sephora.com. If you can find the products that are "made in France", get those. If not, try the stuff from Nordstrom, Sephora, or other American websites...and let me know if you think they are as good. I've only tried the French versions and the labels show different ingredients.

 Well, I have never liked any moisturizer. Yet, I love Lancome Genefique Nutrics, so check around to find an international website.

The Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin is Lancome From France

 These other articles talk about my favorite foundation makeup (from France, of course) and other cosmetics that my fashionista daughter says are popular in Beverly Hills...the place where the only thing that matters is how good you look.

The Best Cosmetic Brands for Face Makeup

The Best Mascara for Longer Thicker Eyelashes

The Best Eyeliners for Bigger or Smokey Eyes

Most Baby Boomers don't have the time or money to do eyelash extensions, but if your daughter is getting married or you're going to your high school reunion...well, that might make it worthwhile.
False Eyelashes or Eyelash Extensions for Beauty

Song of the Day: Edith Piaf's La Foule

What to Wear to Paris if You Want to Be a Chic Woman Traveler Over 40 & 50

I just got back from Paris about a week ago...maybe a bit longer. It was recent enough that I still long for a crumbly, light, fluffy croissant every morning and a small piece of European cheese to go with it. Give me that combo and an Orangina and I'm happy. It doesn't take much...why can't I find anything like that in Seattle?

photo: food_in_mouth Flickr.com

Anyway, I've been writing about what the chic Parisians were wearing. In the past, I've been to Paris in the high summer months and at the end of September. Fortunately, this time, I threw some black garments in my suitcase at the last minute or I would have had to stay in my room. Only a few colors seem to be allowed during the colder months and the main color is BLACK. You can get away with gray, brown, khaki, and other muted or dark colors, as long as you don't wear anything that makes you stand out. Oh, I also saw navy blue and other dark blues worn with black.

Warning: The following photo of me is really bad. I swelled up from medication and I don't know when I'll be normal again....but I'm fearless in posting photos.

Here is that photo of me shopping for cosmetics on the Champs Elysees in the middle of March. At least my stockings and my boots were black. (The stripes are a shopping bag.)

People stared at me. I mean that people stared at me and took photos. I actually heard one woman say in English, "I think what she's wearing is cute." And, of course, she had to be replying to someone else saying something like, "What is that woman wearing?" God only knows what the French were saying. They talk so softly (and so quickly) that I can catch a few words here and there, but not all.

Okay, I don't really mind. Actually, a guy in Montmartre (straight guy) came up to take photos of me because he thought I looked "cute". Well, that was a weird experience.

Anyway, you should not wear too many colors (such as two non-black colors) unless you don't mind the extra attention. Personally, I don't think my outfit is bad. It's just different. And, I'm not a model. I'm a 58 y/o Baby Boomer from the West Coast.

What to Wear in Paris if You Don't Want to Look Like a Tourist:

Well, you can learn from my slight faux pas. If you want to look like a chic Parisian, chic American, chic Italian, chic Brit, etc. when you are on holiday/vacation, you will find the answers in the following articles:

What to Wear in Paris in Early Spring or Late Fall

Paris Street Style for Women Over 40 & 50

How to Dress in Paris Using Layers and Accessories

Women Over 40 or 50: Parisian Women's Style is in the Details

And, I thought I'd throw in something about handbags and shoes. I knew my flowered cloth handbag was going to be "unique", but I didn't think it would make people stare. Actually, my bag might have been acceptable in summer, when everyone lightens up about wearing that "black uniform"...but I had never been to Paris when it was the end of winter, so I didn't realize what it was like.  Learn from what I saw:

Comfortable Shoes for Women: Travel Footwear for Walking Europe

Extra Large Leather Handbags Worn by Chic Parisian Women

 There will be more articles about Paris. And, you don't need to be in Paris to use French fashion rules. With some minor adjustments, everything I saw in Paris could be worn in Texas, Seattle, New York, or San Francisco. It might even work in Montana. However, I wouldn't try it in Miami or Honolulu. People might think you are in mourning.

Song of the Day: Le Vent Nous Portera

Wedding Ideas for Indie Brides

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Wedding Ideas for Indie Brides

I have been married more than once.  And, though your "big day" will be big to you, to the rest of us it's just another wedding.  Sure, we're happy for you.  Sure, we want all of your dreams to come true.  However, we don't want a long, tedious ceremony and (I think I speak for most of us) we want to get to the party part as soon as possible.

Anyway, here are some ideas about ways to cut costs (hippie boho wedding - indie dresses - yes, I lived in Haight Ashbury briefly, in the 60s) and other ideas about having fun.  Sure, a wedding is a solemn occasion, but it's also a joyous occasion.  So, let's get this party started.

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Wedding Ideas for Boho Chic Hippie Weddings

Bohemian Vintage Wedding Dresses - Low Cost Marriage Hippie Style

Inexpensive Gothic Wedding Dresses in Black, Red, and Purple

Wedding Dresses for Older Brides: Boomers Over 40

All White Outfits for Women: Spring Summer 2011 Trends

Bridal Hats and Veils: Wedding Hats for the Bride (younger brides should check out the top hats)

Beach Chic Weddings:


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Wedding Ideas for Casual Beach Weddings

I have been to two beach weddings, although I've never had one of those.  The wedding in Hawaii was a brunch affair and very elegant.  The second wedding was at some swank hotel in Newport Beach.  I think it was there or it could have been further south.  Anyway, the California beach wedding was in the evening.  You can't imagine two weddings that were more different.  Well, I have seen other people's weddings that were very casual, and they were extremely different from the ones I'm talking about, but I wasn't invited to those super casual weddings and I was just a Lookie-Lou. 

Actually, a friend and I crashed a wedding reception at Shilshole Marina (near a beach in Seattle) in the 70s.  Does that count as a "beach wedding"?  Patricia and I were bored, and I think that we did the right thing.  There were quite a few single guys who were just hanging around looking bored, so we had some drinks, ate some shrimp and other goodies, danced with the guys, ate some cake, then left before we were busted.  (We were the original wedding crashers.) 

Casual Beach Wedding Dresses

Casual Beach Wedding Flower Girl Dresses for Toddlers & Girls

What to Wear to a Beach Wedding in Hawaii: Guest Attire for Women

How to Wear a Hat - Women's Hat Etiquette at Restaurants, Parties

Beach Cover Ups for Women: Plus Size Tunic Dress, Caftan, Sarong

Second or Third or Fourth or Whatever:

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Wedding Dress Ideas for Second Weddings

There is nothing wrong with getting remarried.  Heck, these days, it's rare that anyone even bothers to get married.  I'm always happy to hear of anyone's wedding or to hear that someone is having a baby.  Everything is so different from the 70s and the 80s.  So many couples are marriage-phobic.  Are gays the only people who want to tie the knot?

Remarriage After Divorce - Second Marriage Wedding Dresses 


Summer Maxi Dresses for Women Over 40 & 50


Second Marriage - Should I Wear a Colored or White Wedding Dress?

Thank You Cards - Real Life:

How to Write a Thank You Note: Wedding Thank You Cards & Samples

Swimwear for Women Over 40 & 50 - Online

Hey ladies, what could be more fun than trying on swimsuits in front of a snarky, pretty little thing in a semi-public dressing room?  Yeah.  You know the answer to that.

In my opinion, it is much better to try on swimsuits in the privacy of your own bedroom, with your own full-length mirror, while using your own critical judgement and not following the advice of some chickadee who wants a commission.

I'm talking about online shopping, the godsend of all women over 40, 50, 60, etcetera.  If you have a daughter who will go with you to a store and become an advocate on your behalf, shopping in a mall can be acceptable.  It's up to you.  As for me, I will, never again, humiliate myself in front of some little snot.  I will always try on swimwear (and most other things) in my own home.  Oh, the horror of swimsuit season...

Swimsuit Articles for Women Over 40 or 50:

Hope you like my ideas:

Best Swimsuits for Women Over 40 & 50

Two Piece Swimsuits for Older Women Over 40 & 50

Cute Women's Bathing Suits - Chic Summer Styles


Bathing Suit Articles for Plus Size Baby Boomers Like Me:

Best Bathing Suit Brands - Plus Body Types for Women Over 40 & 50

Plus Size Bathing Suits: Cute Prints & Large Full Figure Swimwear

Plus Size Swimwear, Plus Size Swimsuits, Plus Size Help!

Beach Dresses and Cover-Up Articles:

Cute Swimwear Coverups & Beach Sundresses

Beach Coverups for Women: Plus Size Tunic, Dress, Caftan, Sarong