Yes, summer is officially here! Bermuda shorts are a top trend. This trend is back from the ’90s. The shorts are tailored, just above the knee, with a slight flare. Linen Bermudas are hot. Still doing the “coastal Grandma” vibe and linen can be dressed up. Utility Bermudas with cargo pockets are cool and sporty. Denim “jorts” are in. These are longer and looser denim shorts. To dress up at night you will see silky or satin shorts. Pastel Pink is IN. Neutrals, buttery yellow, light greens are IN. Light sheer fabrics are a summer must-have. Contemporary Boho continues. Tee shirt dresses are everywhere. Add charm necklaces to accessorize. There are lots of denim skirts in a variety of shapes and lengths, some with quirky details. Cardigans are in every category, various lengths, some with short sleeves too. Look for all kinds of floral dresses. If this is one of your looks, it will be a flowy, flowery, fabulous summer.

Now, a preview of Fall. The biggest runaway trends from those in the know (Who What Wear) are: 1) Plaids: shirts, capes, scarves with fringe edges, blazers. 2) “funnel frenzy” -funnel necks on coats and jackets. 3) “donning dots”-dots will be huge in prints. 4) “Blue Shock”-electric blue will stand out. 5) “so ’90s”-skirt suits. 6) “Slipper Supremacy”- satin shoe slippers. square toes.

There will be many more trends and styling ideas in future blogs as the season develops.

For now, I want to share colors from Pantone. These were selected as stand out colors for New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025/2026

Enjoy your summer…and look forward to fall fashion. The way time flies lately, Fall will be here in a flash!!

At the midpoint of the year, I always pause to evaluate how I’m doing. I’ve been doing this since I retired when I had to check my “wiring” as I moved into Chapter 2. There were many adjustments to make coming off of a long-time career and facing the changes that would come. The years continually brought change as Tom and I laid out some serious travel plans and also made all the adjustments needed to accommodate the needs of my parents and the addition of the “little humans” into our lives. My biggest adjustment, of course, was Tom’s untimely death and my period of grieving. Five years have now passed and most days, as Bob Seger would sing, I’m still running against the wind.

This is the first year that I feel like I am starting to bloom again. There is still so much to do, right? And if the genes in my family have anything to say about it, I have many years still ahead of me.

So, how did I get to this point? There are no words for how much I still miss Tom, and I always will. But I decided to repot myself and see what would grow. I took four classes in the spring semester at the Institute for Learning in Retirement. This is a very well-priced program offered to retirees through a local community college and taught by retirees. It was great! I had classes in Meditation, Environmental Issues, Current Events and Writing. It was a lot of fun and very stimulating. This, along with Maj Jongg and a book club, is helping to keep my brain from turning to mush!! I have taken a variety of meditation classes in addition to this course and I have to admit that meditation has helped me find balance.

For this year I have planned a couple of European trips along with trips to visit friends. In 2024 I hit 7 countries, 5 of which were new stops for me. As it stands right now, for 2025 I am planning on visiting 7 countries again. This year there will be 6 new countries for me. I love seeing new places and learning something about what makes other people tick. I will be writing blogs for each trip as well as showing you interesting doors that I hope to photograph, and I’ll be showing you some street fashion too!

All of this along with the ministries I am involved in at my church are helping me find purpose in my life. Happiness is not a given. Knowing Joy is not a given either. But if you have gratitude for what you do have in your life you may be lucky to find both.