Simple Pleasures....

As I mentioned yesterday, the simple pleasures of life can be very enjoyable at this new season. If you needed to focus your energies (or maybe your money!) on others for a big part of your day, it can be a little hard at first to redirect the time and energy on yourself. I know rushing out the door in the mornings for years  can sometimes be a 'style' challenge; those muscles may have weakened. But like any area, if you just start in simple ways to begin to take a little time on yourself, it can pay big rewards!

In light of that, I will focus on a key piece of clothing each week that can really make each day better and brighter and spur us on in other areas too! The piece will not be too pricey, will be compatible with a number of looks, and you can dress it up or down! 

I mentioned yesterday, that I chose a 'shacket' look for a long white, button-up blouse. As the look yesterday, I paired it with a white t-shirt and jeans and tied a cotton scarf around my neck. Since I was going to not only be in the heat, I would be in the air conditioning, I thought the versatility of wearing it that way would just be very practical. I love it with jeans!

This long, white, cotton top is an elongated version of a simple white button-down version with pointed collar that can not only be worn down, but also worn up! Since I can tend to get cold, even in the summers, is the air conditioning is high in public places, I sometimes wear it up and especially like it with a chuncky necklace. For the same reasons, I may not go short sleeves with others are; I usually wear a 3/4 inch sleeve regardless of weather, so I have some warmth on my arms, but not looking too covered in summer! This sleeve is a placket which allows for a turned up and buttoned up sleeve, which I love. So snazzy, yet dressed down too as the collar offers the traditional look and the sleeves don't allow the shirt to get too formal or full of itself!

Leaving it open and pairing it with black leggings and ballet shoes is fun! My gold bracelets and earrings and the turquoise necklace add just the right touch, I think.

I got my elongated white blouse at a small, specialty store in my area, but it isn't really an unusual style and some variation of it could be found anywhere. White looks good on everyone in the summer, the shape of it is very forgiving, the length of it (35") makes for a versatility. This could even be worn as a dress, dependent on your height and the weather. It is a cotton blend, it is cool, and it cost me about $25.00. Great style at a great price! I wear it all the time; I hope you do too and that you let me know how you used the look!   

Boomer Woman Life and Style

I found that the transition from Mother of young or young adult children at home to Mom of fledglings or independent adults, is one of the major milestones in life. I found it be similar to my own launching from home, but with the volume turned up! If you put a lot of time and energy into the role of Mom, this transition can be a crossroads of sorts; a time to reclaim certain personal interests and possibly the time to find new challenges and joys. I love being a wife, mother, and grandmother and I have found there is beauty and joy to be found in all the different seasons of these roles. I am new at this stage too, not very far into the experience as our youngest just launched, but I thought we might do this together and that I could share what is working for me.

If you are like a lot of boomers, you may still be working. I am, though I now have the flexibility of working from home, and it is only part-time. This 'working retirement' means that I need to be creative in where and how I enjoy the perks of this new season of work, and I want to share what I have learned.

I enjoy dressing for the day, regardless that I may not see any 'customers'; this is just something I do for myself and my husband. Plus, I look at outfits as art; my creative canvas on which I paint my day. Since we live in Southern California and near the beach, my style is something of a bohemian/casual look, and the great thing about it is it is comfortable, it is not very expensive, and most of the looks will work for most people.

It is now SUMMER; yeah, I LOVE summer! There is so much you can do with your look in this season and I love all the white and light colors and especially all the sandals! Is there anything cuter than sandals?! Love it!

So this is what I picked out this morning.....Jeans, a white t-shirt with a white 'shacket' for cool air conditioned areas, brown gladiator-type sandals, a blue cotton scarf, and a bright yellow summer bag. You will often see me in hats and sunglasses too, and I never leave to go out without sunscreen.

After working for several hours on the computer, I met one of our sons for lunch, and I had this delicious Caprese Salad....I love tomatoes and basil; the mozzarella cheese and olive oils complemented the flavors and it was drizzled with a honeyed vinegar. YUM!

We live in an urban area so I walk everywhere, no matter the weather. Sometimes I takes the bus or the metro line (light rail) to go into downtown LA, but I sometimes take the Water Taxi home as I did here. We have a houseboat in a marina near a hotel on a small commercial island, so getting to businesses and restaurants is easy, but we also feel a little isolated, which is nice too. I love this little boat ride and it is a simple pleasure that I can enjoy on a work day.