Saturday, August 30, 2014

Flattering50 Giveaway: Jewelry from Boyer New York



Editor's Note: This Giveaway has ended. Thanks to all you who participated!

What better way to celebrate fall than with a new piece of jewelry? Lisa Harris, design director and brand enthusiast at Boyer New York, would like to let one Flattering50 reader select one or more unique pieces of costume jewelry (total value up to $150) from her collection. For example, I'm wearing a Turquoise Glass Necklace ($140) from the collection. Scroll down to learn more about Lisa, Boyer New York, and how you can enter for a chance to win costume jewelry of your choice.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Still Learning: Quilt Artist Depicts a Textile Laborer




This post may seem a little far-flung for a blog about style choices for women over 50. However, since launching Flattering50, my interest in fashion and style has grown to include many aspects of the fashion industry, including such things as the environmental impact of clothing manufacturing, fair trade practices, and the working conditions for garment makers. Recently, I visited the Museum of Art and Design in New York City. In an exhibit entitled "Collection," each artwork appears to be made of certain materials, but in reality, is made of very different materials. I found myself drawn to a large artwork, entitled Portrait of a Textile Worker (above and below), by Terese Agnew.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Giveaway: Sunscreen and Skin Repair in One




While the dear old summer may be ending in just a few weeks, the need to protect your skin from potential sun damage is never-ending. Dermatologists recommend we apply a product with SPF to our skin year-round. Recently, I learned of a new product called Regenica® Renew SPF 15 that is formulated to offer SPF protection and skin repair benefits. How great does that sound?!? Through Sunday, August 31st, a bottle of Regenica® Renew SPF 15 ($175 for 1.5oz) is being given to one lucky winner each day. Scroll down to learn how you can enter for a chance to win.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Still Learning: Quotes by and about Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall - YankArmyWeekly detail

I know I'm not alone when I say I've always considered Lauren Bacall--that is, her public persona--an inspiration for women of all ages. From her early days in film, she always projected a woman who was strong, kind and honest. Nothing I've read in the past week's media shower about her life and passing has changed that view.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

New Day/New Outfit: Long Skirt

Long Skirts on Sale

Sunday night, my husband and I met friends for dinner at the marina. After Saturday's posting of photos of women over 50 wearing long dresses and skirts on the streets of New York City, I was itching to try a long skirt look (above). Plus, I was inspired by readers who'd commented that they are wearing long skirts this summer. I also found a bunch of long skirts on sale right now.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Summer Dresses and Skirts: Back to 1960s



A few days ago, as I climbed out of the subway in Midtown Manhattan, I was amazed by what I saw. Everywhere I looked women of all ages were dressed in long, flowing dresses or skirts. It was as if I'd time-traveled back to 1969, when the "Woodstock generation" embraced long, flowing dresses and skirt made of fabric with vibrant colors and patterns. The lyrics to "Aquarius" starting playing in my head.

Sure, I'd seen long sundresses in the stores. However, I'd pictured them being worn at home, lounging with a good book on the deck or patio. Or, perhaps, worn to a summer cocktail party and barbecue. I never thought I'd see women wearing them on the streets of Manhattan! To give you a visual, here's a sampling of what I saw...

Sunday, August 10, 2014

End-of-Season Swimwear Sales



How's your swimsuit holding up? Yesterday, I wore a swimsuit to the beach and noticed the elastic is fraying in a couple of places. "Hmm," I thought, "I won't be packing this one away for another year at the end of the season." Last night, I was online and decided to see if I could find any end-of-season swimsuit sales. Ha!--there are lots.

 If you know your current swimsuit won't be usable next year or, perhaps, that you'd like a new one for the cruise to somewhere tropical you've planned for this winter, August is a great time to shop.  For this post, I'm sharing links to several sites with one-piece suits as well as tankini tops and bottoms with as much as 80% off. The swimsuit styles are available in Regular and Plus sizes as well as a variety of cup sizes. But if you don't find anything you like on these sites, fear not. Just google "swimwear sale" and you'll get lots of other links.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Still Learning: Phone App Makes Shoppers More Savvy




We've all heard about goods--such as clothing and beauty products--that are produced under unethical conditions. Some companies, for example, use manufacturing methods that are harmful to workers or to animals or the environment. In addition, some companies use their economic power to influence social change. These companies may be for or against equal pay for women, a woman's right to choose, and gay rights--to name just a few causes.

At times, I’ve been moved to stop buying a product when the media draw attention to what I consider harmful activities conducted by the product's company. The trouble is, the media often focus on a parent company and I will unwittingly continue to buy goods sold by businesses owned by the parent company. Recently, I learned that a free app called Buycott can help raise my awareness about business activities that go against my principles as well as quickly alert me to all the companies controlled by an offending parent company. Since Flattering50 is a style and shopping site, I'm sharing what I've learned about being a more savvy shopper with Buycott.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Refresh Your Summer Look With A New Color

Tops for Women Over 50


Believe it or not, this weekend marks summer’s halfway point. It's not unusual for me to feel the urge to refresh my summer look around this time. Of course, the question is always: How? The simple answer I came up with was… Choose a garment in a color you don’t normally think of as a summer color. For me, that color is grey. I pulled out an elbow sleeve T-shirt from Banana Republic and paired it with a beige, gold, red and black paisley print skirt (above).