Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Frumpy No More

This is me in 1998, forty-two years old, five feet six inches tall, and weighing two hundred pounds. Those pants are a size 18.



My life was crumbling, and sadness oozed from every pore. I hated my job but was too deep in debt to start over in another. My then-husband was having an affair with a much younger and more fun woman. I was grieving for the children and family I would never have. In short, my life was a big mess! I cried every single day... sometimes all day long. 


When I hit rock bottom, I decided to change everything that I had the power to change. I started to eat more vegetables and fewer heavy late-in-the-day meals. I started walking. At first, I had difficulty walking to the end of the block. Soon, I was walking for a couple of miles every day. The weight started to come off, and I began formulating a plan to survive this difficult time. 

After the marriage ended, I moved to the New Orleans area. Of course, that was not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but it was an immensely better life than the one I left behind in Virginia. I made new friends and joined two gyms. My walks turned into five-mile runs, and my time in the gym filled the massive void in my life. 

This photo was taken at the peak of my bodybuilding obsession. I'm forty-five in this photo, weighing one hundred and thirty-five pounds. I'm still an empty shell of a human, but at least I look better!




In 2003, I left New Orleans and returned to my hometown in the mountains of east Tennessee. Some bumpy roads were still ahead, but I was home with my family and owned a successful business.

I'm telling you my life story for a reason. I hope you will read this and say if she can do it, I can! 

Change it if you are unhappy with some part of your life or body. Take little steps every day. Soon, you will be running (if not literally, then figuratively). Think of food as the fuel it is. Don't let it be your comfort and your entertainment. If you want to be healthy and thinner, you must make wiser choices about the foods and quantities you eat daily. The other twenty-two hours a day are worth making a few changes in your food choices.


The photo above is a more recent photo taken just before my fifty-sixth birthday at one hundred and
forty-two pounds. Those pants are a size 4!

My life truly began at fifty. I've never been happier or more healthy than I am right now. Not that being thin is the answer to all life's problems, but when you can sleep well at night without being in pain or struggling to breathe, you can make better choices during your waking hours. Sometimes, things are better than they seem after a good night's sleep.

I hope my story touches the lives of people going through something similar. I share fashion tips and my personal tragedies and triumphs, hoping to inspire you to improve your life. 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

September Date Night

Cool Fall weather hasn't yet arrived here in east Tennessee, so I took one last advantage of the warm evening to wear a breezy summer look for Wednesday date night with Mickey.

 
I would not normally wear heels with Capri-length pants, but in this case, the long white tunic from Chico's paired with the khaki and white pants from Coldwater Creek almost gives the illusion of a dress. I wear a platform wedge shoe with Capri length pants in most cases.
 


The suede booties are by Nine West. I found them at Ross for only $24! You know I had to wear them right away.




The khaki and white straw bow trimmed clutch was purchased at T.J. Maxx this year.  I often wear silver or white gold jewelry because it is more flattering to my gray hair.
The link bracelet and ring were purchases from my travels and are old. I'm sorry I can't remember the designers.



The necklace is from Belk by Erica Lyons. Small crystal and silver hoops are also from Belk.



Next week is my birthday week! Look for numerous new posts. Mickey has lots of events planned to celebrate.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Last Days of Summer

Summer is starting to fade away, but the afternoon is still hot. Yesterday was consumed with preparing for a big family get-to-together for Labor Day. My cool and comfy daytime outfit includes khaki ankle pants and platform cork sandals, both by Adrienne Vittadini from T.J. Maxx.  

I'm wearing a white gauze Old Navy tunic over a Coldwater Creek cream tank top worn tucked in only in the front. The over-sized silver and crystal watch, sunglasses, and hoop earrings are from Stein-Mart, and the gold and silver link bracelets are classics I've owned for many years. The bag is from T.J. Maxx a couple of years ago.






As Mickey and I walked through the grocery store last night, we passed a woman with her twenty-something daughter who looked me over and said, "Love your shoes!" That made my day!



Thursday, August 30, 2012

Wednesday Date Night

Mickey and I have a fun tradition of getting dressed for dinner and having a mid-week date night. When he picks me up for our date we leave our stressful first part of the week behind us and relax with a light meal and a glass of wine. 

We visit with old friends or make some new ones and unwind for a couple of hours. This breaks up the week and relieves some of the stress of running our businesses and maintaining our homes. It also gives me the chance to wear shoes I might not otherwise wear!



The black and cream sheer blouse has an uneven hem that dips to a curve in the back. The cream tank has tiny straps that are adjustable. The cream linen type pants are the Natural Fit.




The secret to a happy relationship is to be with the one that makes you giggle!




Earrings by me. Most of the components can be found on the website VintageJewelrySupplies.com.




Always switch to a small bag for the evening. You really only need lip gloss, tissues, business cards, cash, and or a charge card. No need to lug your life around when you are only going to dinner. Evening bag by Kenneth Cole Reaction. I layered two fun "diamond" rings for drama.




A pedicure is a great time to relax and make sure you have healthy happy feet. For me, those toes are an important summer accessory. The OPI nail polish is the color Dutch Tulips.
 
Shoes by Impo.

Thanks for reading! I hope you have a great rest of the week.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Celebrating Stylish Friends


We are a group of friends who love to get together with Rose, the wonderful friend we all have in common. She and her sweet husband, Jerry, recently invited all of us along with our significant others over for brunch. 

I'm so glad my dear Mickey took this picture of us standing on the steps. (When you live on a hillside at the lake, you have lots and lots of steps.) This picture speaks to me on many levels. We are all vibrant, healthy, attractive normal women from all walks and many stages of life. This is a true picture of women. 

One of the best things about this stage of our lives is that we now have some time to get comfortable with who we are, with friends sharing laughter and our stories. Whether you are my Facebook friend or one who lives down the street, I'm so grateful to have you in my life.






This blog and my Facebook page (Fifty, not Frumpy) are dedicated to women who might be over fifty but are still having fun with fashion and enjoying life. Here's to you, beautiful ladies! May the second half of your life be even more fulfilling and exciting than the first.

Thanks for reading!