Tuesday, June 5, 2012

A beautiful woman inspires...

I saw a stunning looking older woman in the grocery store.
She had fabulous style and her hair was a shock of silver and her skin was radiant and beautiful.
It looked almost opaque.
She wore a rich shade of red on her lips and her skin was quite wrinkled and I noticed when she spoke to the clerk that her eyes twinkled...

I could not help but stare and I did want to know more about her...
she was wearing a pair of jeans and a white shirt with a red cardigan draped over her shoulders
if I had to guess her age I'd be thinking she'd be around 80.

She had a simple gold bangle on one wrist and a large pair of Tahitian grey pearl studs in her ears.
Her handbag was black and had no visible signs of the brand or maker.

She had a large straw tote for her groceries...
I noticed that she had a few pieces of fruit, some vegetables and a small piece of salmon in her cart.
I assume she lives alone.

She had a lovely manner about her...
someone that you would not easily forget
perhaps she was a model or someone who performed on stage
she was so poised and relaxed, comfortable in her own skin.

This woman unknowingly inspired me to take a good long look at how I looked.

It was windy and my hair was a mess, my coat was undone
my lips were bare and I think I looked rather frazzled...
I was frazzled inside so I am pretty sure that it showed!

I could have made the effort to smarten up even if it meant putting some lipstick on in the car and smoothing my hair, doing up my coat and putting a smile on my face...even though I felt weary.


The McCartney Rose


the perfume is unbeatable


these petals hold the scent for days
often I'll pop them in a pretty dish and enjoy them for until they wilt


speaking of enjoyment
my newest and most favourite magazine 
has arrived...

I'm going to put my feet up and sip a cup of tea...
and dream a bit.

 Perhaps I'll meet that seriously chic lady at the market sometime soon...
and I'm going to tell her how beautiful she is next time.
I compliment strangers often
do you?

30 comments:

Sue/the view from great island said...

I have a clear memory of seeing a stunning older woman in line in front of me at the grocery store, too. I took mental notes like you did. I wish I had your roses growing in my yard!

Anonymous said...

I have seen some stunning older women too and I always find myself curious about them too . I hope you see her again and say something to her , I bet it would just make her day. Today was a blah stay at home day for me a fright to see . I didnt even dress for the occasion. I love your roses , perhaps i will sneak into your garden when you are at work and help myself to some lol . Donna

Bonnie said...

By reading your post I suspect you have inspired a few women waiting in line behind you. I love complimenting people as well. My thought is we are so quick to criticize, we should be as quick to compliment. When I stop off at the market after school I am lucky if I don't have paint splattered all over me; lip balm is usually the best I can do. Bonnie

Patricia said...

You paint such a lovely word picture of this lady. She must have looked stunning. I feel inspired to try that white shirt/jeans/red cardi with pearls combination. Sounds like a winner. Your roses in crystal are so pretty. Patricia.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Yes...I compliment frequently, people of all ages. I think of compliments as lovely, free gifts that are so easy to give and always welcome. This lady sounds lovely, but you are lovely too.

Lynne said...

Yes, I love to compliment strangers. I like Pay It Forward gestures too . . .

Anonymous said...

She sounds stunning.
Yes I chased after a lady about 75 last week, I see her around and she looks like a fashion plate, so I was determined to tell her how wonderful she looks. She was really pleased and I think she enjoyed the chat too, she lives nearby in an enormous baronial mansion all by herself, and I think is quite isolated so I'm really glad that i stopped to chat with her.

frugalscholar said...

My 90 yr old neighbor--tall, thin, white hair--walks her little dog every day. Her clothes--preppy--are always color coordinated. Everyone talks to her--but, sadly, she doesn't hear very well. She refuses to move to assisted living with all the old people.

Susan B said...

She sounds positively inspirational. I love seeing simply chic women like that, and their image stays with me for days.

Anonymous said...

I love that she was wearing jeans. The rest of her outfit sounds great, relaxed, but not sloppy. She sounds lovely.

Anonymous said...

A good reminder, Bliss, that when we pull ourselves together - even if we have to "fake it 'til we make it", we can bring pleasure to people in an otherwise ho-hum, mundane day. I bet this woman has spent a lifetime dressing to feel good about herself so it is natural for her to do so.

This is also an excellent reminder that beauty has very little to do with young skin and a toned body - it is making the most of what you have and being gracious to yourself and others around you.

sanda said...

Yes, I compliment others often. I like to bring A smile to the face of others. I so admire women who don't let their pride in their looks go simply because of aging. Would that be a "Paul" McCartney rose?

mette said...

Compliments to strangers ( or friends ) are not common over here. I is not a part of our culture.
So, I seldom share compliments over here myself either.
It is only here in the blogs, I see compliments shared, and have taken it as a blog thing, an American thing.
I have trouble taking them seriously, they sort of loose their power, when passed over so " lightly ".Everything seems to be great.
About the woman you saw.. There are some people, who always seem well groomed, people with an effortless style. I guess it must be an inherited gift for those. The rest of us have to place actual effort in our appearance.

Anonymous said...

Leslie: Hope you took a moment and complimented her on her appearance. That is very important to me these days, and I try to make an effort to tell folk when they look great! Also, do you ever think of the times that you have had it all together and inspired someone? Think on it, 'cause knowing you the little bit that I do, I know that you have it together lots of times. Peg

Anonymous said...

I have started to compliment strangers since I began keeping my blog...and I think I have bumped into the very same woman in MY grocery store more than once. ;)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I can learn a lot by studying well shod women...
if we lived closer I'd give you some rose cuttings.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Donna if you let me know when you'll be popping by I'll meet you out front secatuers in hand!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Bonnie...it sounds like we share the same career paths!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

How is it that women living alone with such class and style can muster up the effort just to go to the market? No wonder they inspire us...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh Mother will not budge from her condo...she is not going to live in a facility with the "old folk!"
I'm betting she'll come to live with us when our reno is finished...and I'll retire early.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Rebekah you're very astute...
we can all learn that important lesson.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sanda,
I think it was named after Paul McCartney...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It is accepted here that one receive compliments...
they must be heartfelt and not patronizing.

It does take some getting used to when one receives compliments.
One must be gracious...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I did not take the opportunity to mention how lovely I thought that she looked...hope there will be a next time.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Maybe she travels or has a twin!!

Lori said...

There is a young man who lives in NYC and he takes pictures of older women he sees on the streets. He recently published a book called "Advanced Style". His blog is at: advancedstyle.blogspot.com

It is truly inspiring to see women between the ages of 70 to 100+ with such great style. These women are absolutely beautiful. You must check it out!!

Lori

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have seen his blog Lori and those gals have a lot of fun with fashion.
Thank you for the suggestion I appreciate it :-))

Anonymous said...

A well dressed woman stopped me to tell me my good posture inspired her to stand up straighter and thanked me for it.

Sheree

Suburban Princess said...

Oooo next time get a photo of her! I know all the fashion bloggers love seeing women like this!

Rebecca said...

How much I would have loved to see that "seriously chic lady"! How much I'd love to BE that seriously chic lady! It was inspiring just to READ about her. Thank you for such a fine description.

I don't wear much lipstick. Never can seem to find one that stays on..... I'm going to make a more serious attempt to find and wear just such lipstick as the seriously chic lady.

Oh, and yes--I DO compliment strangers. Quite frequently.