HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?       

In recent years, I used and refined these skills while working as a volunteer fashion consultant at Bloom in San Rafael that gives personally curated two week wardrobes of quality donated clothes to those in need.

It was my great delight to show our clients how to accentuate their best features  with color and cut and how to mix and match separates for a complete coordinated wardrobe capsule to fit their lifestyle, whether corporate or casual. I think my own wardrobe benefited in turn from working with clients on their wardrobe needs.

Also I am a good packer.

I can pack carry on only for three weeks in Europe with no problem.

DO YOU HAVE A STYLE MUSE?

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND WHY CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT THEM?

You are too polite to ask but first let me say that I am not a big fan of Botox, fillers, etc. I have experimented with them a little but at this stage of the game, they are not worth the physical and pocketbook pain as the gain, if any,  is minimal and transitory. But to each, their own in such matters.

For skincare, in the evening I wash with a gentle cream cleanser, Pacifica Seafoam,  right now, and twice a week use exfoliation of some kind followed by night cream.

 Currently I am using Drunk Elephant F Balm  or Lala  Retro Whipped Cream at night with an extra addition of their A- Passioni retinol cream a few times a week.

I also use GrandeLASH MD to keep some eyelashes onboard. Mornings,  a quick splash of water is followed by a serum ( I am loving Mermaid skin by Tarte for the name(!) light scent and silky feel and then sunscreen.

My favorite new find in that department is a light tinted gel from  Bare Minerals called “Complexion Rescue”, SPF 30.

Also  I like the powder sunscreen wands for easy top offs during the day. I am currently using Mineral Fusion’s.

I spend a lot of time outside and have sun damage from  my early unprotected years so I try to minimize new damage or anything more serious.

Make up: Bare Minerals powder foundation and cream concealer, a stick blush (L.A girl velvet or Trestique currently), L’Oreal Voluminous mascara, any eyeshadow set with mostly matte cool colors.

The only thing I couldn’t live without was eyebrow color as somewhere along this past year I completely lost my eyebrows. I always had to carry some around as every product I tried seemed to disappear by mid day, so I got my brows micro-bladed  right before the shelter order. I need the second round to finish them up but already I have a little bit of brow always in place. As for lipstick, I am thinking it may go out of favor in favor of lip balms now that we are slipping masks on and off, but I am always on the lookout for cool raspberry/ mauve colors which are surprisingly hard to find. L’ Oreal‘s

“ At The Drop of a Matte” Is my current favorite.

My little make up tricks:

Use a flesh-toned pencil to line outside the lip line to define the lip and keep lipstick from bleeding. Also use it to fill in the lines at the side of the mouth or nose, then blend. Use a damp eyeliner brush to line your eyes with your eye shadow for a softer and long-lasting look. Use a base under eyeshadow and lipstick for truer color and less lines.

WHAT ADVISE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOMEN OVER 50?

My year of turning Fifty was a very hard year for me so this question brings up a lot of emotions.

I had an empty nest, my boyfriend broke up with me and both of my parents and one of my close friends died, all within a four-month period.

I think the truth is that over fifty, losses start to occur in almost everyone’s life, and that it is time to get serious about self care, health habits, financial discipline and life priorities.

Attitude is everything and focusing on the positive, on gratitude, saw me through to a very happy new stage of life.

I had divorced in my late 30’s and I met my second husband, Slim,  in my late 50’s.

We got married in ‘13 and are enjoying a wonderful third act filled with travel, art, new studies  and wonderful times with  children and grandchildren.

I never expected to be this happy at this stage of the game and I feel blessed indeed.

To tell you the truth although I am 72 in calendar years, I feel about 35.

I try to learn new things, maintain a sense of humor and curiosity about life and other people, and to challenge myself gently to overcome perceived limitations.

Although I am an introvert by nature, my friends are really important to me and I try to cultivate those relationships. As we navigate the losses and challenges that come with age, a good support system is invaluable.

I had a hard time with menopause and although I tend to be a natural remedies kind of girl, they didn’t work for me and HRT for ten years or so  made a huge positive difference for me.

So do what you gotta do.

DO YOU HAVE ANY STYLE RULES THAT YOU LIVE BY,OR DO YOU CHOOSE TO BREAK THE RULES?

If I buy something new, I had better love it because something I own will have to go.

No added hangers!

If wearing leggings, the tush must be covered.

No logos.

Nothing constricting or requiring special undergarments.

Quality fabrics, mostly natural. No polyester.

Do my best to keep clothes out of the landfill by buying wisely and recycling thoughtfully.

Never match shoes and purse or wear sets of jewelry.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE AND OR BOUTIQUE SOURCES?

I have always liked shopping local boutiques more than mall or online brands and in the post Quarantine world they will need our support more than ever.

Here in Marin, I like Koze in Tiburon, and La Belle Fifi and New Threads in Corte Madera.

I also enjoy an expedition to Sonoma or Healdsburg which feature some lovely small shops.

I hope they survive the  current closure.

For online or mall shopping, I sometimes buy Nic and Zoe ( at Nordstrom) , Sundance, Anthropologie and Johnny Was.

I also love vintage but find quality vintage wear is hard to come by these days.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR DIET OR EXERCISE REGIME THAT YOU FOLLOW?

My husband and I started our Whole Food Plant Based/ no oil  way of eating about six years ago.

We are not always perfect but try to follow that protocol as much as we can.

We have both dropped weight and improved our health markers significantly as a result.

I find it important to mix up the exercise menu so as not to over stress any particular muscle group.

I have always loved dancing and I used to belly dance, but now go to NIA classes, a hybrid dance form that address body and spirit, plus I do Pilates, bike on our Peloton, walk and swim.

In our current shelter at home situation, my husband and I have devised a circuit training program involving weight/ resistance  stations with cardio bursts in between that we do together to a rock and roll soundtrack!

I am also taking my usual dance and Pilates classes via Zoom. Regular lavender epsom salt baths, massages and a meditation practice are valuable adjuncts to my wellness program.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ANTI-AGING FOODS OR SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE YOUR GO TO’S?

Our plant based diet is helpful for healthy aging and I supplement with B-12, D-3 and sometimes turmeric. I take no prescription medicines.

I add  Kick Ass immune support drops in flu season or if I feel a cold coming on.