I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS BEAUTY WITH YOU ALL!
SHE GROWS DAHLIA’s, LAVENDER, PEONIES AND ROSES AND LIVES IN AUSTRALIA!
BACK in the DAY she was a STYLIST TURNED DESIGNER!
SHE WAS ALSO A PRESENTER ON GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA!!
PLEASE WELCOME SARAH FOSTER TO AGELESS STYLE WITH ME YOUR CONTESSA AND CINDY HATTERSLEY WHO ACTUALLY FEATURED HER BACK IN 2019!YOU KNOW THE DRILL!FIRST YOU READ MY BLOG THEN YOU POP OVER TO CINDY’S BLOG WHERE SHE WILL HAVE ANOTHER GORGEOUS WOMAN FOR YOU TO ABSORB AND GET A FEW IDEAS!
MAYBE GRAB A NOTEPAD AND PEN TODAY!
SOUND LIKE A PLAN?
LET’S DO IT!
BACK IN THE DAY WHEN SARAH WAS A STYLIST.
ARE YOU EXCITED TO LEARN MORE AND HEAR FROM THIS GORGEOUS WOMAN?
WHO IS CURRENTLY FIGHTING OFF lymphoma cancer FOR THE 4TH TIME!!!!
THATS RIGHT!
YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY.
I HOPE YOU WILL ALL GIVE HER AROUND OF APPLAUSE IF NOT A STANDING OVATION!!!
THE DAY SHE SENT ME THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS SHE HAD SPENT 8 HOURS IN THE HOSPITAL GETTING TREATMENT.
SARAH shares HER DAY WITH US!
“SHAKE IT OFF!
I’ve had a long, hard day in the oncology ward in hospital today, and I could feel my spirit sinking into anxiety and self-pity as the day and treatment wore on for it’s such an isolating experience, but as always, I made the conscious choice to SHAKE IT OFF!
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After I was finished – six hours in the chair does make you antsy, and a check-up with my greatly respected and admired oncologist, Dr Natasha (whom I am most fond of) was very tough when she told me I’d be unlikely to survive COVID so the restoration of my immune system is a matter of urgency and priority! – I headed straight to the beach!
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Though I had no bathers on me, I took off my gear and just waded into this gorgeous, heavenly, healing blue water in my knickers and bra! Who cares! No one, that’s who! ? The blue sea soothes an agitated mind, it washes away any physical aches and emotional pains and I emerged feeling marvellous, though no doubt, looking a complete fright! And again, at my age and stage of life and with EVERYTHING I’ve survived, my care factor is at zero!.Needless to say, I didn’t take a selfie of that!
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I’m starting to feel the shift in moving from my farm in the country to a new home by the sea. My flower farm will always be my ‘floral opus’ and I can be so proud of creating it and leaving such a legacy of beauty behind me.But it’s time for a new family to live it and love it, and for me to return to the sea. I was a champion swimmer as a youngster – hence the broad shoulders from years of training – and one of my favourite things is to don the squeaky swimming cap and foggy goggles and do laps in the ocean! These are small details of things that bring me joy, so a great deal is surfacing for me about how I want to live going into my 60s, only two years away! There is so much to think about.”
My personal style is, in fact, a reflection of my personal experiences and approach to life – to be strong, resilient and pragmatic. Yet, there is a great sense of buoyancy and vibrancy too! I’ve been knocked down and thrown side-ways for a great many years this past decade – since I last saw you in early 2019, I had a fourth diagnosis of lymphoma cancer that I’ve been in an epic battle with for 13 years – so I also like to dress in a way that celebrates life’s joys and delights! I’m a very upbeat person at heart, so I think my style is lively and fun to mirror my personality.
I’m ALL about the accessories! My clothes are simple and plain, so accessorising with wraps, gorgeous shoes and handbags, big statement pieces of jewellery and using my hair and makeup as a way to accessorise an outfit is a signature style. If there is a fancy-pants event to attend – such as a charity dinner or birthday bash – everyone knows to expect a fabulous, big hairdo and beautiful makeup from me! In lieu of not having amazing, designer fashion to wear, I use my hair and face as my best style statement.
IF YOU HAD TO PICK TWO COLOR COMBINATIONS WHAT WOULD THEY BE?YOUR FAVORITE TWO COLORS TOGETHER………MAYBE YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE?
A quick glance at the photos tells the story of my colour palette and how I wear it. I wear a small group of basic colours as the bottoms for my outfits – black, white, denim, neutral are the staples – though I will happily wear beautiful, bright colours and prints as my tops. I love bright, feminine colours like hot pink, green, orange, purple, and soft, pretty colours like pale pink, baby blue, mint green and lavender.
DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE PIECE THAT DEFINES YOUR STYLE?
IN MY OPINION IT IS YOUR STUNNING TOPS AND BLOUSES YOU HAVE MADE BUT MAYBE YOUR PICK IS DIFFERENT ?
TELL US PLEASE!
I think my immediate signature piece is the pashmina! I’ve been wearing them with a happy commitment since they were the ‘it’ accessory of the early 90s. However, they serve such a practical application in my life and are a fabulous way to enjoy a pop of colour. Though they might be now considered ‘old hat’, I am never far away from wearing one! And if it’s not a pashmina, it’s undoubtedly a scarf! I love anything that brings attention to my face so that no-one is looking at my bum! LOL, it’s quite the style strategy! And as you can see, the photos tell the story of how by using generous-sized earrings and necklaces – fine, delicate pieces look proportionally all wrong on me – big sunglasses, a glamorous hat and even my much-loved rosary beads all add up to tell a story of my personality and style.
I think also many people know me for the seemingly endless collection of tunic tops that I wear! I design these ‘girls’ – as I fondly refer to them – made-to-measure for my figure to fit and flatter in all the right spots. I’m an Australian size 16 (US/UK size 14), and very few shirts fit me off the rack. I design the little style points that I like just for me – a deep V-neck or smart stand-up collar, a puff sleeve or a drop-shoulder, a long line to cover my bottom or wide enough to have some swing and movement through the torso. These are all the small design considerations that I think work for my figure. I think people really see me for who I am and how I am. My size and shape is not a factor in looking smart, elegant and polished.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE?
My mother, Patricia, is and was my style inspiration. Growing up, she was always so beautifully groomed with her hair done at the salon, lovely nails and pretty makeup. She wore French perfume every day of her life, and I have a beautiful vision of her from when I was a child, where she was out by the pool watering the garden wearing a fabulous jersey, palazzo pant and tunic ensemble and wearing her big pearls! And scarves! Her signature was a leopard-print scarf with a black turtleneck! She was beautiful and fiercely intelligent, going back to Sydney University to get her law degree in the early 90s. At that time, she was the oldest person to be admitted to the NSW Bar Association at age 60! It was a key inspirational achievement that left a deep impression on me, as she showed me that I could do anything I ever set my mind to at any age. She passed away in December 2016, and I miss her deeply and dearly every day of my life.
WHO DID YOU ADMIRE GROWING UP? WHAT WAS IT ABOUT HER THAT GRABBED YOUR ATTENTION?
Apart from my mother, my other style icons have been women of grit and glamour from the 70s. I remember watching these ladies in the movies and on TV when I was a teenager and they all always looked super chic and they ‘owned’ their style and lives. Barbra Streisand, Cybill Sheppard, Candice Bergen, Dyan Cannon, Angie Dickinson, Gena Rowlands, Julie Christie, Lauren Hutton, Ali McGraw, all fabulous women from that time who are still fabulous today. And from the Style Star firmament, I’d have to include Lauren Bacall. She was the bomb at every age and stage of her life! These women all know the timeless value of a good trench coat!
WILL YOU SHARE A FEW OF YOUR BEAUTY TIPS?
WHILE YOU COMPOST IN A FRENCH BERET AND AN HERMES SCARF!
I KNOW YOU ADORE LIPSTICK!
DO YOU WHIP IT ON OR DO YOU USE A LIP BASE AND PENCIL?
WHATS YOUR FAVORITE BRAND OF LIPSTICK…….WHY?
MOTHER & DAUGHTER Having been considered a “pretty girl” in my life, I can promise that the true nature of beauty is in your heart. So my best beauty secret is to pray to God every morning to help me keep a clear mind and a heart to be of service with my life. When my spirit is at peace, I feel and look beautiful. Though, yes, of course, I LOVE makeup and use it gladly.I start with ‘Balanced Coverage’, an antioxidant-enriched facial tint by a new Australian cosmeceutical range called CHANGE SKINCARE. It gives a gorgeous glow to the skin, which looks really pretty, which I appreciate feeling at 58! I then spot touch around my nose and chin with ‘FLAWLESS FINISH’ in Perfect Beige by Elizabeth Arden. I’ve been using this wet/dry creme foundation since my mid-20, so it’s been my constant companion in my makeup purse every day of my life ever since! I think I should be given some kind of lifetime reward for that 30-year loyalty!
I also do LOVE my lipsticks! I’m a big fan of soft, neutral, nude, pink or corals. I don’t wear anything bright or dark anymore, though I love red lipstick on other women and think it can look smashing! I like two Australian companies, Nude by Nature and Natio. They have a few lipsticks perfect for my skin tone – both creme lipsticks and lipglosses – and I just use a nude lipliner, nothing special there. Though whether I am out for a ladies lunch, a major event, doing the supermarket shop or working in the flower field, I will ALWAYS have my lippy on! That is a signature thing for me! I’m such a lippy fan that I will take every and any opportunity to pop it on, and
I can put it on dancing backwards in high heels, a la Ginger Rogers!
WHAT SERUMS, NIGHT CREAMS OR COLLAGEN DO YOU USE?
WALK US THROUGH YOUR DAILY SKINCARE REGIME.
I’ve not had any procedures done, so my face is as real as it gets! Every day of my life is represented here, all the joy, laughs and love, and all the terrible grief and sorrow. At this point, it’s not about hiding the sags and bags and wrinkles, but rather about how to best serve and protect my skin.
So this is a lovely opportunity to share with you about my best friend of 30 years, Trish Winchester, the doyenne of the Australian skincare industry. She has just launched a new biomimetic cosmeceutical range called Change Skincare, which I think is a genius name for the times we live in! Who doesn’t want to shake up and change something meaningful in their life right now? Every woman wants the very best skin she can have, and making the change to Change has had a significant impact on me because my skin has, yep, you guessed it, changed! I saw an immediate and noticeable improvement in its clarity. It feels strong yet soft. Marks and very fine indentations have smoothed out. I was a teeny tiny bit in awe of the changes that seem to come so effortlessly.
Trish has been at the forefront of the skincare business in Australia since 1990. She is THE woman to be doing something so progressive and cutting-edge, and I’m very proud of her. She has been my rock through my darkest days of being ill, and it’s just fantastic for me to now be well and able to return all her love and support. So, please, do check out changeskincare.com. Because of Trish’s reputation and gravitas, it’s already taken off here with the beauty salons and skin spas, and she is going global, servicing the world one gorgeous serum at a time!
I start my day with a spritz of Caviar Lime H2O Pro. Trish recommended this for me because it’s a gentle, kind way to wake up the skin in the morning without ‘washing’ the face. It cleanses the skin but doesn’t feel harsh or stripped back. It seems to plump and soften my face, ready to receive the next step: serums. I then use Therapy Complex C because liquid vitamin C is one of the best effective cosmetic antioxidants available. I regard this product as being like a white shirt in a woman’s wardrobe – a must-have! Then my day moisturiser is Protecta Zinc +. Trish liked this for me because I’m working outside all day in the flowers fields and require fierce UV protection, especially from our harsh Aussie sun!
At night I wash off the day with the Caviar Cleanser. Then my serum is Ageing A with the Super Hydration moisturiser for boosting cellular energy, and it’s soft and smooth, like putting on silk pj’s for your face!
DO YOU SHOP ONLINE?
I WOULD IMAGINE BEING IN RETAIL FOR MANY YEARS THAT ONLINE MIGHT NOT BE YOUR “CUP OF TEA”!
CAN YOU NAME SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BOUTIQUES IN AUSTRALIA PLEASE?
Oh, of course, I thoroughly love online shopping, and I do indulge every now and again. Though this will be the shortest answer in the blog – I don’t shop anymore for clothes! I have enough beautiful things to open my own department store! I want for nothing anymore and have not shopped in years and years. Back in the day, my go-to store has always been Feathers, an iconic Australian brand for women our age. Founded in Melbourne 40 years ago by style maven Margaret Porritt, Feathers is one label I have always been loyal to because it fits my style philosophy – invest in great basics first and then add all the fabulous, fun and fashion trend pieces after. Margaret is one of the fashion industry’s most respected designers and retailers. A much-loved woman here in Melbourne.
WHAT ADVISE CAN YOU GIVE MY READERS WHO ARE OVER 50?
Oh, my goodness! Where would I start? I’m actually toying with writing a book about my life these past 20 years or so, greatly encouraged by my social media followers who appreciate my honesty and transparency, and a good friend who is an author who thinks I’ve got an inspirational story to share with women our age. So we’ll see!
For social media, I write about my flower farm and post beautiful photos, but as I am Country Style & Life, I always include stories about my previous life as a stylist in the Melbourne fashion and media scene and my current life as a flower farmer in country Victoria. I’ve gone from being a guest at the most glamorous A-list parties to talking to the cows across the neighbouring paddock for company! Talk about chalk and cheese!
I’ve known great personal and career highs – I was on ‘Good Morning Australia’ for a few years, presenting my ‘Cheap Chic’ fashion workshop segments, something I absolutely loved doing – and I’ve been on the low end of low with being brutally divorced whilst going through the first cancer diagnosis in 2007 at the age 44.
I’ve had years socialising at the best parties and events in town with all the Beautiful People, and I’ve been deeply alone and lonely without a soul to talk to at times that I wanted to die. I’ve been the life of the party on the dance floor and I’ve been lost and broken in the isolation of the profound experiences of being a cancer patient, an angry, grieving, heartbroken divorcee, a worried single mother with depressed and broken children… so I feel that I have ABSOLUTELY 100% shown up and participated in my LIFE!
And here’s what I know about it – it’ll change on you in the blink of an eye. You can start the day one way and end up in shattering and altered circumstances by bedtime. So it’s vitally important to know that what is happening today will end; tomorrow has all the potential in the world to be completely different. Get up each day with the expectation that YOU can do good, be of service, make a difference. Whatever you do, don’t live in your feelings because they are unreliable and can flip-flop on you, making your thoughts and decisions unsafe and unwise. By all means, feel your feelings, get the professional help you need to work through them – friends and family can only do so much – but don’t park yourself there. Get help in a safe and professional environment to go to the dark side to confront it, but have a lifeline pulling you through to the light. I’d be dead if I didn’t have my faith, my family and my friends. Each loved me as I wasn’t so loveable as I worked through my horror show of emotions. Now each accepts me wholeheartedly as I continue to grow, change, emerge, learn, love, let go, accept, reinvent, rebuild and ultimately, with time, patience, support and love, come good! Life is a daily opportunity to be who you want to be! Always seize the day!
I am a great advocate of therapy and counselling, both in personal and group settings. As a Christian, my life changed with experienced prayer ministry in a safe, reputable, bible-based church. I believe 12 Steps programs are invaluable. Whatever holds the mirror up to allow us to look into our own eyes and soul and see the person that we KNOW we can and want to be, and yet are falling short of … DO THE WORK! It can be so confronting, but it’s so worth the tears and conquering the fears to emerge stronger, safer, kinder, wiser, more compassionate, more understanding, softer, sweeter, and most importantly, with BOUNDARIES!
Above all, at our age, I have found the key to being happy and at peace is to have and know your boundaries with people!
Shortly after our interview, Sarah accepted an offer on her beautiful flower farm. She has decided after four years of designing, creating and building her 2.5-acre dream floral opus, she is moving back to the coast to be closer to family and friends as she continues her treatment, and live in a little house by the beach.
As always, Sarah believes in finding grace through the changes in her life and trusts that all the floral beauty she has shared with her followers over the past four years will be remembered fondly. She now has a tiny garden to decorate, though she has big plans for it! She hopes people will continue to join her on the next part of her journey.
YOU CAN FIND & FOLLOW AND CHEER HER ON!
ON INSTAGRAM at CountryStyleandLife
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