Sunday, November 12, 2017

Fading beauty...and my personal thoughts on aging


This beautiful rose was once a stunning bloom
but she is fading in her beauty
but still worth a look...

This rose got me thinking about aging...
aging gracefully
naturally 
perhaps with some elegance.

How does one age well?

And I do not mean Botox or plastic surgery...
its not for me.

How do I
ease into my advancing senior years
with the face that I was born with 
embracing the lines and wrinkles 
that are the result of years of laughter?

There are certain things that we can all do to help us look more "radiant."

Ali McGraw looks the picture of health and she glows.
She is such a radiant beauty both inside and out...
a fabulous role model.

Thoughts that may help navigate the road ahead are basics like...

Exercise 
eating healthy 
getting a decent night's rest
alleviating as much stress as possible
experiencing joy and happiness whenever the opportunity arises
listening to our "hearts" 
expanding our horizons which may be travel or going to local cultural events
learning something new to keep us fresh
helping others
staying in touch with friends and family
finding and making time for creativity

"First impressions"
  tell those who meet us about ourselves 
(whether we like it or not) 
how we dress and what we say conveys a lot...
good manners and kindness
go a long way.

At 62 and not the freshest rose in the bouquet...

I try to focus on
wearing neat, comfortable and (hopefully) flattering outfits
paying attention to style
dressing in clothing that is honest and genuine 
a reflection of my personality...
some days it may be a classic LBD
or 
jeans and a Tee with a cashmere sweater and Chelsea boots
which just happens to be my "uniform."
I try always to look put together...
some days it is more difficult than others!

The word "Frumpy" scares me.
My Mother managed to look well dressed well into her 80's and I never thought that she looked frumpy or dowdy.

Skincare...
 has always been important to me.

People look at our faces when we meet and greet each other.

From the time that I went to The Hudson Bay's Saturday charm school 
where among other things
we were instructed on how to wash and care for our skin.
(in that era it was Yardley's oatmeal soap and Noxema or Nivea)
I have been preoccupied with taking care of my complexion.

Today
we have thousands of options...
and how does one choose?


I have been testing a new moisturizer.

It is super emollient, which my dry skin needs, but is not greasy.
The results are a dewy rosy glow which I quite like.
I think that my skin looks healthier...
but maybe I am just hopeful
seeking a fresher rose
one that is petal soft and blush pink!


Two rose scented hard working products from a previous delivery of
they are almost gone
 are truly quite amazing...
 I have been using them on my hands and feet with really great results.

I'll have to see if I can buy them online.

In the whole scheme of things our inner beauty traits 
are far more important 
than how we look on the outside...

Kindness
compassion
a giving nature...

They are the real super stars when we really think about it.


While I like to buy new things 
I plan to cultivate and focus on some inner improvements this month...

What are your thoughts on aging gracefully?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

35 comments:

JourneyWoman said...

Donna Leon. Writer. Mid-70s. Considers the inside rather than the outside, and is just beautiful.http://www.dw.com/en/a-deadly-fascination-with-venice-crime-author-donna-leon-turns-75/a-40720559#

Anonymous said...

Recently, I discovered Linda V. Wright online. She is considerable older than me but I do like many aspects of her life and style. She lives in Paris and owns a shop but also travels to NYC and lives partially in the US. Very cosmopolitan. Interesting lifestyle. Susan

Unknown said...

I still use Yardley oatmeal soap. I also love Pears translucent soap and Nivea lotion and rose scented perfume. I'm 72, so a bit older, but I've enjoyed aging.

Madame Là-bas said...

I'm 66 in January and I'm another alumni of the HBC Charm School. Back to work with people 40 years younger (some), I am trying to be stylish and age appropriate. Beauty does fade but grooming and style prevail. We don't want to look "plastic" so we must celebrate grey hair or lines and know that they come with experience. I am learning to go beyond the story/book exchange this month and to be an unexpected contribution to school culture.

Jeannine said...

Thanks for the link to the article on Ali McGraw. She definitely looks older, but in such a good way - still looks herself, still vibrant, and like she takes good care of herself. I have nothing to add to your thoughts on aging well - I agree with all your points, well said.

kateR said...

As a fellow gardener, it struck me recently that the phrase "growing older" is actually pretty wonderful. We do continue to grow (or we should!)and growing into our years is a beautiful thing. It's crazy how artificial most beauty ideals look, especially on younger people with all the benefits of youthful skin with that glow . . . they simply do not need to put on a cosmetic mask, imo. We elders can model how to be happy with our looks now that we (mostly) have had to accept that our looks have changed outside of our control. And we can be happy and engaged and learning and seeking new experiences and growing!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Growing older does seem to be inevitable...so we might as well enjoy it. But as you say there are some things we can do to ease the way. I love good skincare products. Thanks for the tips.

I loved the painting in the last photo of the article. I assume that it must be one of hers; it is smashing.

Pondside said...

I think we will read more and more about aging with acceptance and.....yes....joy as Baby Boomers move through their 60s and 70s.
I look in the mirror and I still see me. I am grateful for good health and try to take care of the body I've been given. I was never anything like the North American idea of "pretty" when I was young, so I don't mourn an image from the past.
Rest, hydrate, look at beautiful things, find the goodness in people and the outside will take care of itself.

Sydney Shop Girl said...

Wise words, Lesley. I am finding the 'invisibility' of being a middle aged woman very liberating. I dress as I please and act as I wish (with respect to others at all times though).

My only concern is that I may not always dress my age and hence come across as mutton dressed as lamb...

SSG xxx

Taste of France said...

The women I know who have the hardest time with aging are those who were standout beauties in their youth. I guess it was part of their identity; how could it not be if for years one could make heads turn. The end of that must be difficult to take.
The French and Italians are masters at sprezzatura and la belle figure, in which confidence counts most. It shows through good posture, calm, a smile. It has little to do with physical perfection. So my aging advice is to forget the creams, stay healthy (hard to have good posture or to be calm and smiling if one is out of breath at the least effort), and stand up straight.

La Contessa said...

I am right there with you on the BOTOX and FILLERS!
NEVER........I think women look worse with THAT than their own skin!AND WE CAN ALL TELL WHO HAS DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!SO, what is the POINT!?
I think YOU pretty mach nailed it!That fading rose is still STUNNING!
XX

Cynthia Washburn said...

Giving up sugar is beneficial to the complexion and general health and energy I've found. I like Shakespeare's saying: To thine own self be true. I spent too much time and energy trying to be someone I'm not in the past. That's a certain kind of stress in itself.

Deborah Montgomery said...

A topic dear to my heart. I'm finding more and more that being comfortable with yourself is one of the best beautifiers. And being engaged and interested in life. Kindness goes a long ways. But I'm not above having fun with fashion and hunting down great skin care products. xo Deborah

Unknown said...

Perfect Leslie! I'm printing this off to add to my own folder on style. I'm nearly 68 and just about to retire. I know I look younger than that, for which I am grateful. I've always looked after my skin and eaten well, I'm very involved in the arts and performance in Sydney, and I have great health! Looking forward to a new chapter in my life.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for the link...she pens a great mystery too!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am going to see if I can find Linda's site...merci beaucoup!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Mom used Pears soap all her life but for baths after she spent the day in the garden she loved her Yardley's lavender soap...that scent still reminds me of her.
I adore a rose scented perfume too!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I just read your recent blog post and I really like what you have chosen for your back to work wardrobe! There's no way you would ever look "plastic"...your radiant complexion and gorgeous grey hair are wonderful features...like the pops of red that you have added to your outfits.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

A couple of my friends reminded me that I omitted mentioning that drinking lots of water daily is something we need to do to maintain our health.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I agree! Green thumb gardeners observe nature in all her seasonal glory...we study plants and their habits and nurture their growth so why not cultivate those same things within ourselves?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Are we not fortunate to be alive?
I have observed several deaths recently and there are a few who were my age...62 feels too young to pass on.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I look in the mirror and see my mom...I look so much like her its uncanny.
Gosh I was never considered pretty either...rather ordinary but thats just fine by me. No pressure to stand out in the crowd or be overly concerned with aging badly.
Hydration is very important and I was remiss in not mentioning it...thank you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have no doubt that you dress well and look age appropriate at all times SSG.
Invisibility has its perks! I quite like the freedom that comes with it...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I agree with you totally...
and we could use more of that Sprezzatura here in North America.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Cheers to shabby and fading roses !!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

You have a very valid point about the sugar connection and health...I recently read an article that said sugar was far worse than fats in our diets.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Comfort, confidence and a zest for life are qualities worth cultivating...and a smile goes a long way too.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement Jan...if you keep active and engaged in your hobbies you'll wonder how you ever had time to work!

Lorrie said...

You've hit the nail on the head with this post, L. I just turned 61 and I'm sometimes surprised by who I see in the mirror. When I turned 60, I decided to stop colouring my hair and had my hairdresser do some blending highlights early last year. They are all I've needed to avoid the dreaded skunk line. I'm quite liking the gray and I think I'm about half-way to growing it out entirely.
Skin care is definitely important, but most of all the beauty that shines from the inside keeps us glowing.

Ratnamurti Saraswati said...

I love this post & it is so confusing to keep seeing an older oneself in the mirror, when you still feel and think young inside. When I hit 60, I started ageing. But something else shines through when we are older... and that is kindness and compassion and caring. I like your list eg exercise etc... I need to make one too. And Ali McGraw? I too wear black with ballerinas as my uniform, without the accessories.

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hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Congratulations on the successful transition and it feels good embracing grey hair...not every woman feels that she can go au natural but for those of us who opt for this it offers freedom.
You look very vibrant and healthy...and I would not have guessed that you were 61!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Wisdom and kindness are very important...so many positive traits that we cultivate make us who we are...and they can "shine through" as you mention.
Your uniform sounds very chic and elegant.

Anonymous said...

Leslie - you may have already found this website, but just in case, here is a Canadian website carrying your Feret products. https://www.fendrihan.ca I'll be 62 in a month and find that I am reminded of my style aspirations when I was much younger and pregnant - be neat and tidy and smell good.

Kim

Ellie said...

I have been using products on my face from stores at aliexpress. They cost less than $10 and smell and feel great. I am 86 years old and could pass for 50. lol