May 27, 2012

Keeping the Mojo Going

I am about to leave to meet-up with my two best friends from high school for our annual reunion- this year it's in South Carolina. A much needed vacation! I am a bit anxious to be arriving along with a tropical storm down there, but hopefully everything will be okay.

Have you heard the saying, "It's not about how young you look, it's about how good you look."?

It's so perfect and 100 year old Ruth, in the above clip, tells her story about how she manages to grow old happily.

I found the video on Advanced Style, which is one of my favorite websites about style and growing older (started by Ari Cohen who is in his 20's). Inspired by his late grandmother, who was his best friend, he roams the streets of New York looking for the most stylish and creative older folks.

Have a nice week everyone.
XO,

Louise

May 22, 2012

Aging with Pizzazz

Actress Mimi Weddell died a few years ago at the age of 94, but not until she left behind quite a legacy. I love characters like her. Mimi was known for her free thinking, elegant style, and for not trying to conceal her wrinkles, or signs of aging.

She was also known for her collection of 150 hats.

Hats Off, a feature length documentary profiling the beauty and her eccentricities, was completed when she was 93.

At the age of 90, Ms. Weddell was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in New York" by New York Magazine.

Below is an entertaining trailer of Hats Off.


May 17, 2012

Aging Gracefully with Inspiration

Ellen's mum
Ellen B. Brown is this week's beauty. She has written about how her mom's death inspired her to have a change in career at mid-life.

"My mum passed away 3 years ago from brain cancer. She was given the diagnoses on January 2nd and died exactly a month later. Hard as it was to see her die so quickly, I am eternally grateful that her ordeal was short. My mum was such vital, active and loving person. Her beauty radiated from within. She tried to wear make-up (I even gave her gift certificate to learn) but she was so natural that for me it did not matter. She touched so many people lives, the young and the old, because she was such a giving person. On the day of her memorial service close to a thousand people came. I was so overwhelmed by those who came as it showed she had a huge impact on people. I struggle daily on her not being here in the physical presence, but I know spiritually she is always with me; she was my best friend, my cheerleader, my confidante, and my mum.

I was born with cerebral palsy, and was not expected to live, as I had a number of complications at birth. We did not really get close until I was in my 30s and I am so grateful that we patched our differences and became were able to do this. My mum was there for all 5 of us children; she loved us unconditionally and supported us all through our ups and downs. When I run into friends they always comment to me how much they miss her. I feel touched when people tell me this, and of course, I cry.

Walking in Ireland
I cry because it means so much to me and that she touched so many people's lives. And when I cry it makes me realize what is truly important...to live life to its fullest. I recently had to close my business after 25 years due to the economic situation in my Bermuda and now having to change careers at 55! So I have decided to go back to graduate school to get my masters in counseling/spiritual studies and bereavement counseling. I know she is guiding me on this path.

 My mum used to sing beautifully but lost her ability to sing later in life. When she could not play tennis anymore, she found passion in other things, such as love of gardening and roses. My mum was fearful of dying, although we never talked about it. She would talk about friends who passed on and I sensed her fear and sadness. Even when she was in the transition of passing on no-one discussed the enviable - her death. So I chosen now to turn my life to becoming more meaningful based after seeing what my mum went through- and to give credence to my experience to be a positive one for others. My mum's passing was a pivotal point in my life. She taught me the importance of living and being passionate about life."

Thank you Ellen for sharing this story about your wonderful mom.

May 11, 2012

Happy Mother's Day



This wonderful letter and photo has been all over the internet and for the life of me I can't find the author and photographer to give them credit. If someone knows who wrote it please let me know. It found it's way to me from the wonderful photographer Robyn Ivy and is just so timely, because as many of you know, my dear, dear 90 year old mother is now my neighbor.

I look forward to sharing it with her on Sunday.

Happy Mother's Day to you all, especially to you mama.

Mother's Day 2011

               A  Letter from a Mother to a Daughter

"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

May 06, 2012

Where Lines Lay



Jean Haner has written a very interesting book that has received good reviews. What caught my attention about Jean is that she, like me, thinks that lines on a woman's face make her more beautiful. She explains that "we react to faces subconsciously, and wrinkles are like a blueprint that reflects our beauty on the inside."

"That's more powerful than any antiaging cream," she says.

Haner explains that where lines appear on the face most prominently says a lot about a person. For instance, in Chinese face reading crow's feet are known as "joy lines". People with these lines are usually warm, affectionate, and have an open heart. Others are drawn to those with joy lines because they appear friendly.

Smile lines, the parenthesis-like wrinkles on the sides of the mouth, are the most positive lines that people can develop because they show confidence and contentment in life.

Vertical wrinkles on the cheeks signify graciousness and those who wrinkle here tend to be the ideal hostess. Constant care for others creates muscle tension in the jaw and lower cheeks which forms these lines. It's important for those with these lines to take more time for themselves.

Horizontal forehead wrinkles show wisdom. People who have more of these lines are usually wonderful mentors and inspire trust and confidence in others.

Lastly, vertical lines between the eyebrows show intelligence. They are called "guidance lines" and reveal a person who is smart and focused. If these lines appear suddenly it can mean that the person is frustrated because they have veered off course in life- also known as "knitting of the brow."

Interesting!

Here are some other elements of the face that can also be very revealing:

-Strong jawlines = strong convictions
-Double chin = less judgmental of others
-Ears that pull away from the head = inclination to pull way from family
-Ears that are close to the head = inclination to stick to family
-Cleft in chin = need for attention
-Rounded chin = warmth
-Rounded forehead = high creativity


Thank you to Maureen for letting me know about Jean Haner.