Forever Chic Style

  Summer Ending "We cannot direct the wind. But we can adjust the sails." Aristotle Summer is winding down as the weather cools, leaves are turning into glorious hues and breathtaking flowers are slowly wilting.  You can feel the shift in the air. Embrace the pending change with anticipation for pumpkins, colors of red, gold and yellow, falling temperatures, spider webs and the end of summertime.  Once again, we long for cozy sweaters, boots, coats, scarves and apparel designated for a fall landscape. Additionally, we are gearing up again for another roller coaster autumn.  Many events, trips, world upsets, work environments and basic daily life is shifting with uncertainty.  Of course, we cannot predict the future, yet Covid remains intact.  Hopefully more will become vaccinated, which in turn, helps end the present and immediate crisis.  The virus will become endemic with perhaps less fear and instead similar to the annual flu vaccines. To put this i...

  Cold Weather Coats "What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold winter to give it sweetness."  John Steinbeck I hope you all are having a beautiful and wonderful summer.  The sunshine is gorgeous though the heat can be a bit too much if you live in the Pacific Northwest.  I am looking forward to a spell of rain after 48 days of extraordinary dry and hot conditions.  Plants have been crispy fried; grass is yellow, and the air is stagnant. We need a rain dance to stamp out the fires east of the mountains, squash the smoke in Lake Chelan and cool off the mountains and our homesteads.   This summer reminds me that I am not a fan of months on end of endless sunshine and heat. Some of my friends adore and bask in glistening rays with blue skies every day.  They soak it up like candy. For me, bouts of rain plus varied seasons make me happy. Nor is my skin a fan of the sunshine and scorching heat.  And par for the course, I have broken out ...

  First Glance Patience & Manners Please It is that time of year once again for the  Nordstrom Anniversary Sale .   Currently, you can preview the upcoming sale online.  This allows you to create a  "Wish List."   If you have a Nordstrom card, you can shop early.  For instance, Icon status begins on Monday, July 12th.  Check online for your start date.  The Nordstrom sale will open fully to everyone on Wednesday, July 28th .    Zen Master "Some people forget that kindness and manners are free."   A couple of comments before we discuss on what will sell out quickly.   Since the country is opening up after a year and half of shutdowns due to Covid 19 pandemic , it is imperative that you access your skills at being patient.  Lately, I have noticed that many are impatient in their cars, public transportation (ferries for me), and in public places where businesses and restaurants are struggling to ser...

  Summertime "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Summertime is here with a lion's roar of escalating heat pouring across the land.  With an unprecedented heat dome over the Pacific Northwest, temperatures at the end of June were 100 to 114.  Of course, we were not prepared for such heat that zapped our energy, plants and left all unbearably hot.  The lakes, rivers, ice cubes, popsicles, ice cream and anything cold became our best friends.  However, we are survivors and survive we did.  Luckily, marine air off the coast is slowly whisking away the heat dome leading to cooler and more acceptable temperatures.  This temperature gage of super smoking weather makes me have compassion for those living in hot climates in our country or beyond.   Of course, these destinations are prepared and acclimated for the soaring temperatures except when a grid goes down.  We even had some in our neighborho...

  Bold, Dramatic & Intentional "Nothing says confidence and glamour than like a red lip." Bobby Brown - Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2014 Red lips are making a huge comeback in 2021 and 2022.   As masks are being removed, the moment has come to show off lips that have been in hiding for over a year and a half.   The hue of red signals strength, resilience, sophistication, intensity and can be inviting.  We deserve a little fun now.  Get ready to brighten your day with a wee bit of lipstick.  Women throughout the ages have painted or stained their lips a luscious red.  Famous doyennes have worn the color as a symbol of power.    To name a few, Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Taylor, and the list goes on and on.   Those that know me, are aware that red lipstick is my signature lip.   I love red lipstick in many different shades and formulations though they must always have...

  Yesteryear is Centerstage Have you noticed the shift?  The 1950's or 1960's shift?  There is a silent movement of wanting less, living where it is not crowded, learning how to cook, new hobbies, being with family, helping neighbors, while thriving in an active community. Even apparel in 2021 denotes shirtdresses, jumpsuits, and headbands to name a few with a Leave it to Beaver (1957) affect.  Additionally, red lips are back! We are craving this lifestyle.  Obviously, all the time we spent at home has us wanting a simpler life with ample connection.   Prior to Covid 19 , the constant shuffle dance was in play as well as keeping up with " The Jones" , which is basically competing over "consumption and stuff" instead of just being together and supporting one another.  Think of cocktail parties where people would ask where you lived and on which street.  So boorish. The empty goal for some was to accumulate the bigger house, fancier car or ...