Ready, Set, Summer?

Okay girls, summer’s here. At least it is for those of us who live in tropical climates such as Houston, Texas. While the calendar may not have officially declared the season as such, 90 degree temperatures with humidity so thick you can slice and serve it with melons and margueritas (make that a virgin please), all say it’s summer, as far as I am concerned.

And please don’t tell me I can’t wear white shoes until the calendar says it’s summer. That worked (although met with some resistance), when I lived in Chicago. There, summer temps often begin well after the calendar-approved date. But I applaud the national fashion magazine editor who pooh-poohed that fashion dictate on the Oprah show. “Who made that rule anyway?” she quipped.  I’m with her.

I saw a woman look down askance at my white sandals a few weeks ago with one of those “Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, she doesn’t know any better glances,” which I returned with one of those dead-pan in the eye stares, “Oh, so you have a problem with my shoes? Put a sock in it.”  Non-verbal communication between women can be a true art form. It was 95 degrees, OK?  Rules, dictates, fashion fads, they’re all a matter of personal style.  If it’s sizzling’ hot and your fashion preference works for you, work it.

Skin-sory Perception

So now that summer’s here, or near here, more skin will be bared. So put those softly abrasive shower gloves to work on those arms, elbows, knees, calves and heels. Nothing is more pleasantly appealing in a summer outfit than polished, moisturized skin. Keep it well-watered daily with your 6 to 8 glasses of H2/o.

Get your face ready to meet the sun with a great at-home or professional facial, and before greeting the  heat and sunshine, let your cleaned, well-rinsed face soak in a thin film of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), then pat it dry before adding your sunscreen moisture base before makeup.  Protect your skin at all costs from the ravages of too much exposure to the sun. We all know what unprotected skin can do for compromising your look of youthful vitality.

The Latest on Face creams, and Mammograms too?

A lot of talk show chatter, news print and text on blogs are buzzing about on the latest scientific discoveries of the affect many ingredients in face creams have on our skin.  Much of it is negative. Much like sweeteners, it seems as soon as a new artificial sweetener is touted for being safe, before you know it, it is being ascribed to the plethora of cancer-causing edibles. So without going into boring, hard to pronounce cosmetic ingredient specifics, suffice it to say, the newest trend among au naturale enthusiasts is – like certain ice cream ads – if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, don’t buy it.

So, is it back to the Olive oil, the witch hazel for astringents, the cocoa butters, the baby oil for cleansers and the Shea butter for our bodies? What’s your take on this? For me, the “better safe than sorry” route has worked for years – long before I knew the scientists would discover whatever they discovered about chemical ingredients in our tried and trusted brand name favorites. And here’s a footnote for doctors who now have their foot in their mouths after we’ve been screaming for years with the mandatory mammogram tests: The latest on mammograms is that they cause cancer. YEP, you heard it here, but don’t take my word for it. Go here and read it for yourself:  Mammograms now proven to cause breast cancer (and other news) – from www.NaturalNews.com.

With that said, that’s all she wrote. I know you’re leaving me now to check this out yourself.

 

Forche’s Forte`

Hi There Ladies!

(I refuse to say, “Hi Y’all”) — My  Mother would have cringed to hear me say “Yall.” You see, Although I now live in “Yall” country — Houston Texas, I’m a transplant girl from the frigid, windy winters of Chicago, to the steamy hot, sweltering summers of Houston. I’ve lived here nearly ten years now. What with Chicago’s wind-chill factors of 40 to 80 below zero, I’ll take the heat index topping 108 degrees here, any day.

I must admit, however, I really do miss looking out over the awesome expanse of the breathtakingly beautiful Chicago lakefront from my 7th floor apartment. It always inspired my writing.  I’ve traded that now.  I’ve opted for a beautiful, year-round pool view in this Southwestern metropolis, to summon up my image-conscious thoughts about how to look youthful at any age.

Here’s A Tad More About Me for Intro’s Sake:

Writing is my professional calling. A former journalist, I was favored with a
Sub-cabinet Presidential appointment as Midwest Director of Public Affairs
during the Administration of President Jimmy Carter. Speech writing was a
significant responsibility in that position.Working from my home in Houston,I have been blessed to author an award-winning children’s book celebrating diversity, Colors Come From God … Just Like Me!(Abingdon Press) — with another, soon to be published book, to help heal the wounded souls of sexually abused children.

I write for other people as well. Whether it’s editing their book manuscripts, writing business letters, proposals, (don’t do grants any more — too risky for non-payment), press releases, narratives and feature articles. I’m admittedly a good writer. It took me years to admit that, although I heard it constantly. It was only when I began preparing for my writing workshops that I made that admission a part of my first session with budding and experienced writers, who I asked to introduce themselves by first declaring: “I am a writer.” Interesting. Most had difficulty speaking that, because they too had been made to feel at some point during their experience, that writing was perceived by family or friends as a hobby of choice, rather than a profession.

How The Blog Bug Began Biting Me

Meanwhile, I am grateful for this “blog.” It gives me a writing platform to share a secret penchant that heretofore I only shared with a best girlfriend of like persuasion in Chicago. You’ll see hers and others’ pictures soon, who have great stories of how they keep the chronological hands of the clock wringing themselves in confusion, about how time has not caught up with these “age-resistant chicks.”

Of course, I’ll welcome your pictures and stories to share on this site as well. Plus, I’ll welcome your secrets for how you manage to look youthful, when your counterparts have given in to the ravages of time.  Interesting huh? It is a choice. We choose to be who we become.

These are thoughts I want to share with women (and image-conscious men,
for that matter), who remain fit after forty, nifty after fifty, sexy after sixty and yes, heavenly after seventy. And I don’t mean heavenward, but heavenly. LOL

These are people who refuse to allow the years to dictate their zest for life, their lifestyles, their confidence, and for God’s sake, their appearance. These are those who strive, unapologetically, to keep all these traits well oiled and moving in sync. And why not!

Vanity or Vitality – or – Why Not Both?

The quest to look youthful is not vanity; it is the quest for vitality. It is the
respect your life deserves for wholeness, looking and feeling fantastic, and taking charge to do all you can to nurture the care, the feeding and pampering of this “One life you have to live.” I invite women to this site who are fully passionate about continually re-inventing themselves. We’ll share our stories, our tips and our hilarious experiences that come with this penchant for keeping it all together –(Pun intended.)

I have several stories that cause me to laugh at myself whenever I revisit a particular experience or two in my commitment to look youthful as a way of life. You do laugh at yourself don’t you? That’s great medicine. And … laughter is the hallmark of a great personality, and gets five stars in my book for anyone who wants to look youthful and vibrant at any age.

And I hope those girls out there – or ladies, if your prefer — who may have “settled”  — to vegetate into the doldrums of boring routines, soccer mom cycles, TV soaps, telephone “yak traps” and other life-threatening pastimes, will get excited about “getting a life!” Yes!  I said it:  Get your life back on track with all you were created to be, becoming the best at what you can be – from head to toe, inside and out.

There’s a lot you have to live for; and there are people your life can bless by being your best. So turn the page to start a new chapter. Title it: “Me – from now on …” Think I haven’t been there? I’m practicing what I preach, that’s why I can speak with you from experience and with confidence.

Learn the Joy of Loving You! It’s Not Narcissistic, Its Necessary  — For a Life Well Lived

I love what I do. I made a choice to remain healthy, fit and am very passionate about the potential we all have to Look Youthful at any age — to begin the process of re-inventing ourselves.   And I know there are untold numbers of you out there in cyberspace, who share my outlook. Let’s share our stories, our tips on embracing good habits that keep us looking youthful, and the lifestyles that keep us productive, and grounded — both spiritually and naturally.

How do we stay FIT after Forty, Nifty after Fifty, Sexy after Sixty, and yes … Heavenly after Seventy?

Obviously I’m well past forty. But I’ve learned from observing others, that advertising, or spouting off your age can be hazardous territory. What’s the point?  You may be proud of your age, and that’s fine;  but keep your age to yourself.  Why invite others to put you in an unspoken box they may associate with your age group or generation? It could cost you an invitation to an event you’d love to attend.

Let your lust for life and your vigor — not your age– dictate the response others have toward the real “you.”  Keeping your age to yourself counters the tendency people naturally have to put you in an age-specific box, or label you.  Telling your age has the potential to put warning signs on your otherwise inviting persona.

It can restrict  your being included in engaging conversations and adventurous lifestyles.  How does it do that?  Because people mistakingly assume because of your age — you wouldn’t be interested in talking about, sharing with, or participating in what could be wonderful, fascinating life experiences.  Simply because you spouted off your age! An age they figured “put you out to pasture.”  LOL – (Laugh Out Loud) – for those of you who haven’t picked up on that abbreviation. Here’s another example and I’ll get off this dead horse:

Women who love telling  people how old they are often unaware of the social consequences that may have for them. They could be politely excused from an opportunity to share in an exciting venture, where they would have loved  to have been involved.

However, let’s say the person responsible for the opportunity, may have incorrectly assumed that you wouldn’t be interested. Why?  Because their personal perception of what people of a certain age would or would not be interested in, causes them to presume – often incorrectly –  ”you wouldn’t be interested.”  That can result in an exciting –  but missed — opportunity.  So unless you want to be viewed as a ‘has been,”  keep your lips from divulging limiting ,age labels.

This Blog’s Not For You If …

Now if you’re an octogenarian, and you feel you have earned the bragging rights for reaching 80 years and above. Wave your banners high. We’re not mad atcha. You’ve earned it!  For that matter, even if you’re forty, fifty, sixty or seventy, and love your housedresses, your settled lifestyle, your sedentary ways, and your pink rollers in public, we’re still not mad atcha. To each his own. We’re not trying to change anyone who’s a happy camper being just the way they are. This blog’s for those who want to remain “Fit after forty, nifty after fifty, sexy after sixty and heavenly after seventy.”

Finally, when it comes to those who enjoy the quest to look youthful at any age, we understand that health and beauty cannot be separated from each other. How healthy and beautiful you are, is reflected in your lifestyle. This includes your good and bad habits, your fitness levels, what you eat, what you drink, what you think of yourself, and, what you are!

The peace and inner fulfillment that emanate from a spiritually rewarding, joyful, physically fit and  healthy lifestyle is a recipe for beauty. We’ll talk about those lovely things that serve to make us look youthful, vibrant, and beautiful at any age. I’m excited about hearing from all of you who have made the CHOICE to keep vibrant, productive, and rejuvenating — no matter what age and what stage you are in.

Lena Horne, Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch, and countless other stars who may simply be  your neighbors, friends, car-pool colleagues, associates at work, they all know. Then there are the soccer moms or stay at home moms — all whom possess  a zest for life that keeps them cheating the hands of their biological clocks.

Carolyn Forche`