And here we are in the last week of 2022. Time could not be going any faster. Remember as a kid you were always wishing the time would fly to get you to something you wanted to do, see or be? I can hear my Dad say don’t wish your time away, as you get older it will go faster than you can believe.

I am still grieving the loss of my husband and am learning how to navigate life as it is now. The first 5 months of this year gave me even more to manage. I’m doing well now, but it was a rough start to the year with medical challenges that were certainly unexpected. What was even more unexpected was how I surprised myself with strength I did not know I had. It is amazing what you can handle when there is no choice. Of course, if you know me, you know that I’m giving credit to Tom “being there” for me. I am very lucky to have my family and friends who have helped me get through it.

Now it is time to pick my word for 2023. Last year I chose HOPE. I still think this is a good word for another year and to that I will add FAITH and BELIEVE. Father AJ said in a recent homily that “Hope is Faith which is directed towards the future”. This made me think that for me Faith is looking forward in Hope. And one needs to BELIEVE this.

This year we should all concentrate on nurturing our mind, body and soul. I am meditating and really practicing being present. I have tried Reiki and meditation with singing bowls. I have taken creative writing classes on how to write your life’s story. I took a course called Joyology 101. This class was about finding a purposeful and joyful way of living. I reread The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I’ve been reading Jay Shetty’s Think Like A Monk. All of this has been nurturing my mind and soul. It has helped me deal with my grief and helping to restructure my life.

Since 2020 life has taught me that time waits for no one. Only you can turn possibilities into reality for yourself. You have to BELIEVE that you can.

I usually wrap up the year telling you that I hope that there will be surprises in your life in the upcoming year. Be ready to receive them!

For myself, I’m sticking with Tinkerbell’s “All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust” as I continue to find a soft place to land.

Happy New Year.

It’s that time of year again. Time to see all the beautiful bright lights on Christmas trees and Hanukkah Menorahs all over the world.

Here in NYC we get to see the giant tree at Rockefeller Center. But all the trees in homes all over the world are just as beautiful, perhaps even more so, because they are decorated with personal memories.

For at least the last 15 years I have been sending the following message out as my Christmas card. The sentiment does not get old for me and each year that I send it out I get a very warm response to it. I do not know who the author is. I hope that the person who wrote it knows how it impacts on people every year.

May you all have a blessed Holiday season. Enjoy your loved ones and spread kindness whenever you can. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah.

Every day gets a name when it comes to trying to capture everyone’s money at the holidays. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday. It’s no longer what it was years ago when you really geared up for Black Friday, I loved shopping on that day. I wasn’t one of those who lined up waiting for the doors to open, but I was there. My Mom and Dad and I would find all kinds of wonderful gifts for everyone. One of our favorite stops was Fortunoff. Boy, do I miss that store. We got so much accomplished on that day. I even got Tom into the spirit of it when he joined the family and he and Dad could take breaks while we kept going. Back then it truly was a major sale. Now, the sales start months ahead. There are even Christmas in July sales (even I draw a line on that one). Now you are left to wonder if you are getting the best sale or not. But who cares? Let’s keep everyone in business and spread out your dollars.

I always start my holiday shopping with a list of some sort. I think about who I’m buying for and then I get creative. We are fortunate enough not to need anything that’s why you have to get creative and look for something you know the people on your list might not go out and buy for themselves.

Tech items are always a good category to consider. One of my best of all time gifts was the Halo charger. You’ll never have to wait again if your battery dies or if a tire deflates. Halo has an updated model out this year. Check it out. (QVC). Another great gift is a charger for your phone and other devices. This is a must have when traveling in case your phone charge runs out and the charging stations at the airport are all occupied. Such a terrible feeling that is. What did we do before cell phones?

Gifts of Fashion are always appreciated. It’s fun to give an item that will make the recipient smile. Perhaps a furry handbag or the most perfect crossbody bag. Faux fur accessories are on the IT LIST this year. Perhaps a bit of sparkle or a hat and sweater set are what you are looking for. (Fashions from Bloomingdale’s)

Beauty Gift Sets are always appreciated. One of my favorite memories of Christmas Past is the Estee Lauder gift sets. They have been doing gift sets forever. This has always been a tremendous value for a purchase with purchase. Most companies do a gift set for the holidays because it is an easy “bow and go” for the customer. One of the best ones I found this year is on QVC from Tarte. It is the Maracuja Juicy Lip 9-piece Lip Library with gift bags. This is a wonderful set that has 3 lip Balms, 3 Lip Plumps and 3 lip cremes on sale right now for $62.96.

Additional thought for gift sets:

Gifts of Food and Experience are always well received. Omaha Steaks and Hickory Farms offer great packages, Gift cards for favorite restaurants and events are always appreciated.

Two catalogs worth looking at are Breck Gifts and Uncommon Goods. I was the lucky recipient of gifts from both catalogues and have used them for many gifts this year. Can’t tell you what I will be giving this Christmas because I would spoil surprises. Uncommon Goods has some of the most original gifts you will ever see. They feature original items from artists and small businesses.

I hope that whatever you select for your gifts this year will bring joy to both you and the person you are gifting. Enjoy the season.

I sure do hope that you wanted a new pair of denim jeans this year. Every retailer is showing A LOT of denim. Deconstructed Denim is still big, but in addition to that there are plenty of straight leg, boot cut, skinny and wide leg styles. There has to be something you will like!

Faux leather and leather are very popular in jackets (blazers, bombers, coats) and pants. I saw faux leather joggers at Macy’s which were really cute.

“Shackets” or Shirt-Jacs are also big for fall. The versatility of a top that can either be worn as a shirt or a “jacket” is a good addition to your wardrobe. Plaid shirts fall into this category as well as velour and corduroy. Knit blazers are very visible this fall. Designers have been showing blazers for a few seasons. There are several of fabrications to look at this fall.

Velvet and velour are all over. This fabrication is not only for the holiday season. Both fabrications take color so well and feel good!

A big category for fall is sweaters. Lots of cozy fabrications in oversized styles as well as more fitted styles. Deep turtleneck and mock turtleneck styles are very popular in sweaters as well as sweater knit dresses. Pullover hoodies continue for fall 2022 as an “It” item.

Ugg and Koolaburra (Ugg’s more affordable line) and comfortable boots are a staple for fall. Eye-catching sneakers are also important this season.

In Bags, XXL size totes are statement makers as are fuzzy, furry bags. These are quite adorable in faux fur and sherpa styles. I am so glad this has grown as a category because I am far from sick of wearing the two bags I have in my closet. Also “In” are metallic bags, slouchy totes, buckle bags and bowler bags. There is something for every customer’s taste.

Here are some shots of early fall on the floor at Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Nordstrom. Venture out and take a walk through your favorite retailer.

Bloomingdale’s

Macy’s

Nordstrom

I just love it when Nordstrom plans an event.

Today was the Fall Beauty Trend Event. I was at Nordstrom at the Garden State Plaza by 8:00 AM. The event is by invitation and takes place prior to the store opening.

First there were quick takes from 16 vendors telling us about what is trending on their lines and of course inviting us to each counter after the presentation to sample their products or have a mini make-over, or a mini facial, and get your hair waved and curled by Dyson or Dry Bar. Each product line had gifts-with-purchase and I have to tell you it was great stuff. There was also a discount for purchases made today on at least some of the lines (the line I was making a purchase from gave a 15% discount! What a bonus that was!). You never get a discount on these national brands plus I got a make-up bag filled with good size samples.

Fragrance was also part of the event, and I got several samples of fragrance to try. I do love fragrance so it’s always fun to be able to try something new.

As always Nordstrom showed great appreciation of their customers by providing a delicious boxed continental breakfast and coffee and mimosas as well as a pink nylon bag for you to carry your purchases and inside there were more samples for you to try. Several gifts were given out by randomly selecting guests’ names. One of the prizes was a Dyson supersonic hair dryer that retails for more than $400. That sure made someone happy!

Can you see why I refer to Nordstrom as the Mothership? There is always a reason to return.

Here is a quick check list on how to adjust for the change in seasons.

FALL: LAYER UP

HOLIDAY: DRESS IT UP

WINTER: BUNDLE UP

SPRING: COLOR IT UP

SUMMER: TAKE IT OFF

Now that you know that bit of news, be on the lookout for my Fall 2022 Fashion update!!

Keep smiling! It’s almost time for a pumpkin latte (maybe this year I will try one).

With the way I feel about traveling this had to happen eventually. I took my first “real” vacation without Tom. Until now I had taken two trips to visit my buddies in Virginia and Florida, but this was the first “real” trip. One of my best friends was celebrating a decade changing birthday and the rest of our quad decided to join a mini cruise in the Bahamas that my friend’s family planned for her. It was a surprise that we would be joining her. She really was shocked to see her three friends (plus one husband) at the bar before dinner.

Her surprise and her reaction of pure joy made it worthwhile. As much as I wanted to be in a celebrating mood it was very hard for me. Cruising was a favorite for Tom and me. It has been a difficult time for me. The grieving comes in waves and at times it is overwhelming. I feel like I fell back even further in the process because I had some major health issues to deal with this year. This added to my feeling the loss of my husband. And I learned that when there is no choice, the strength does come from somewhere. I am very fortunate to have a network of loving and supportive family and friends. That is behind me now, but I continue to grieve. I am happy for anyone who cannot understand this because that means they have not experienced it. This can only be understood by those who have gone through it or are going through it. I know that people say you have to get over it, but you don’t get “over” it. You have to get through it. What I do have to get “over” is feeling like I have any control over it. I have to make adjustments to having a life that is not what I thought it would be. I have to look at what is in front of me and embrace it for what it is. I can actually hear Tom saying that to me.

I know there are days when it required a lot of patience from my friends to just bear with my lack of enthusiasm. Of course, it didn’t help that every day was a bad hair day with all of the heat and off-the- chart humidity!

All in all, it was a good voyage and a necessary passage for me to go through. The days at sea provided me with some wonderful clouds, sunsets and a lighthouse to photograph. And of course, the friendship which cannot be put into words. There was even a heart formation in the clouds on a day when I needed a message from Tom. I am hoping that traveling becomes easier as I get out and about. Maybe this transition would be easier if only Tom hadn’t been the BEST traveling companion, or for that matter, the BEST everything. Just have to get my mojo back.

Here are some of my photos of clouds and sunsets and the trip.

I gave this makeup bag to my three friends on the trip.

FALL. Finally, the heat wave subsides, and just like that the early morning feels like fall is coming.

One of my favorite memories from growing up was when the August issue of SEVENTEEN arrived in the mail. So exciting!! I would pack up my stuff for the usual day at the pool and SEVENTEEN would also come along. From an early age I enjoyed seeing all the fashions of the BIG Fall season. All day I would comb through the huge issue of the magazine and think about what I would like to have and how I would wear it. My friends and I would talk about all of it and look at all the colors that were going to be IN that season. As I got older, I still got that thrill when I received my August copy of Vogue.

Color always comes first. It sets the mood for the season. So, first things first, let me set the tone for Fall and show you the colors of the season ahead. The colors are determined by the Pantone Color Institute. The colors are set in February. That is so that retailers and manufacturers have a handle on what’s ahead. For us, I like to present them closer to the season and you can decide what you want to do. Leatrice Eisenman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute says “Colors for Autumn/Winter 2022/2023 contrast our competing desires for calm and comfort with energy boosting vitality through a range of restful and restorative colors, in tandem with exuberant tones. As we move forward into an environment filled with contradiction, hues for Autumn/Winter 2022/2023 enable consumers to move fluidly between a range of contrasting shades, allowing them to spontaneously express who they are and how they feel on any given day.”

The first 10 colors were the New York Fashion Week Palette. The last 5 colors are the “classic, seasonless hues whose versatility express longevity.”

Color truly relays how you are feeling. Color is an easy way to express yourself. Put color in your day and it will add spring to your step and lift your spirit.

One of my happy places has always been The Met Fifth Avenue. I get particularly happy when they are having any type of fashion exhibit. This summer there is a two-part exhibit. Part One, In America: A Lexicon of Fasion and Part Two, In America: An Anthology of Fashion.

Lexicon is defined as a dictionary or vocabulary of a language, a people or a subject. The first signage you see for this exhibit is: In America A Lexicon of Fashion with a large “flag” made in denim.

“American fashion has traditionally been described through the language of sportwear and ready-to-wear, emphasizing principles of simplicity, practicality, functionality, and egalitarianism. Generally denied the emotional rhetoric applied to European fashion, its vernacular tends to sit in direct opposition to that of the haute couture. In America: A Lexicon of Fashion addresses this linguistic imbalance by presenting a revised vocabulary of American fashion based on its expressive qualities. This reappraisal coincides with the Costume Institute’s seventy-fifth anniversary, offering an opportunity to also celebrate the creativity and originally of designers working in the United States.

The exhibition takes inspiration from Jesse Jackson’s invocation of the patchwork quilt as a metaphor for this country and its unique cultural identities. The encased garments represent patches, which are organized into twelve sections that explore defining emotional qualities of American fashion: nostalgia, belonging, delight, joy, wonder, affinity, confidence, strength, desire, assurance, comfort and consciousness. The individual costumes reflect various expressions of these sentiments, as conveyed in the form of word-bubble headpieces. While each of these words is distinct to the associated design, they are stitched together through their emotional resonance, resulting in a richly textured quilt of American fashion that is as diverse, multifaceted, and heterogeneous as the nation itself.” (The Met)

There are 100 ensembles in this exhibit. All of the ensembles were fabulous to view. I have selected seven to share with you.

Part Two: In America: An Anthology of Fashion

Here we see fashion’s role in shaping American identity from the 19th to mid-late 20th century.

In this exhibit we get to see some of the American fashions coming to life. Individual names were known, and their designs were shaping American fashion and what women wanted to be wearing. Lord & Taylor’s campaign was evolving to reflect the changes in the social and professional roles for women. The campaign was “American Fashions for American Women”. Here are a couple of photos to show how American fashions started to develop. Lord & Taylor was truly responsible for promoting American designers.

These two dresses were from 1945.

Both Carolyn Schnurer (dress 1952) and Anne Fogarty (dress 1950-51) were both promoted in Lord & Taylor’s Young New Yorker Shop. And so began the Junior Market.

“Playsuits” Left- Claire McCardell-1950, Right- Bonnie Cashin-1946. These innovated looks were examples of the “American Look”. Looking at McCardell’s playsuits made me think of what we had to wear for gym class in the 60’s!

The portion of the exhibit that explored defining moments in nineteenth and twentieth century American fashion was done with individual vignettes produced by notable film directors who told the stories. Directors are Martin Scorsese, Chloe Zhao, Sofia Coppola, Radha Blank, Janicza Bravo, Julia Dash, Autumn de Wilde, Regina King and Tom Ford. Each one of these rooms was fascinating. My favorite was The Battle of Versailles. Tom Ford tells the story. It was November 28, 1973. It was conceived by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert and palace curator Gerald Van der Kamp as a fund raiser for the Palace. Five couturiers from France Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Emanuel Ungaro were pitted against U.S. ready-to-wear designers Bill Blass, Stephen Burows, Halston, Anne Klein and Oscar de la Renta. The Americans won over the audience with the modernity of their designs. This event shifted the dynamic of French haute couture and emerging American sportswear. The pictures are hard to see because of all of the reflections but try to tap on the photo and zoom in to see the designs.

Both parts of this exhibit were very interesting. It was much more cerebral than most fashion exhibits. All of this shows us that American sportswear and fashion is NOT just a pretty frock. If you have a chance to go, I think you will enjoy it. The exhibit runs until September 5, 2022.