Give Mom the gift of style in Boomer Life Today

Tags

50+, 60+, Asia, Australia, baby boom generation, boomers, Canada, clothing manufacturers, England, Europe, Fashion, New Zealand, style, United States, wardrobe, women over 50, women over 60

Recently I watched the British television program 10 years younger.  It selects people in need of an update and through surgery, facial treatments, dental work, hairstyle makeovers, wardrobe updates and makeup changes, each person is transformed – much like the US show Extreme Makeover, except not so extreme.  Over the years, I’ve read books and magazines on the subject, attended a style workshop (and blogged about it!) and have made subtle changes as a result.  But none of these resources have suggested who in the marketplace sells stylish and fashionable age-appropriate clothing and shoes; where to find flattering hair styles, great hair products & competent stylists to accommodate the changes you’re noticing in your hair; which companies produce the BEST skin care products/treatments for your skin; what fitness centres/regimes offer exercise with the most gain without pain, damage or strain to joints and muscles.  I suppose the reason has been because television programs, books and magazines are trying to appeal to a worldwide audience and figure that there isn’t much point in promoting their country’s companies to a global audience.  Or is it that there are few manufacturers who really consider the boomer population when developing styles for the fashion, hair, skin/hair care and makeup industries?  From the research I’ve done – I believe that it is largely the latter, but it is changing. 

Mary Portas is a UK designer who has taken the bold step to target boomer age women with her line.  Touch or click here to view her line available at House of Fraser (ships internationally). Elegance is an European label, which I know and like. They have a presence in the UK, Europe and Asia, but sadly international shipping is not available unless you have a forwarding service.  But the next time you travel, I’d recommend checking them out.

And, you’ve no doubt read in our blog how much I like Chico’s, Kasper and Talbots in the US! I also like Jones New York and for casual wear, L. L. Bean , Land’s End  and NYDJ (Not your daughter’s jeans and not just jeans either). A quick search of the web suggests JJill , Ann Taylor, Dana Buchanen (at Kohl’s) and Liz Claiborne (at JC Penney) and especially for those with curves, Lane Bryant. Most of these retailers offer plus sizes and ship internationally. I’ve had personal experience with all retailers except JJill, Lane Bryant, Ann Taylor and Dana Buchanen and really like their products, customer service and return policies.

On my last trip to Canada, I purchased Second Yoga Jeans made in Quebec.  They are sooooo comfortable and stylish!  Another company, Alison Sheri who advertises in Good Times magazine look to have nice clothes, but I have no personal experience with them. Neither companies ship internationally yet.  Other less expensive lines include TanJay and Jessica available through Sears Canada.

Downunder, Blue Illusion is my pick – they’re even featuring a 60+ model in some of their campaigns. They also sell many accessories with a decidedly French influence, which I also love. In New Zealand, Verge is a homegrown favourite – I especially like their factory sales!

I’m encouraged by the fact that there are increasingly more companies with styles that suit women over 50.  If you know of other companies out there, please let us know…..

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Disclosure:  Companies and television programming mentioned in this Boomer Life Today blog post did not solicit or pay for inclusion.

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Country drives in Boomer Life Today

Tags

autumn colours, Bettie Monroe, Cambridge, Canada, Cath Kidston, country drives, elderberries, Equine Stars Walk of Fame, MyStyle NZ, New Zealand, Ontario, Panach French Bakery, picturesque towns, puffball, Simply Divine, tourism, Travel, trilliums, Wright's Booksellers

Trilliums – harbingers of spring in Ontario, Canada

When I was young, drives in the countryside were a frequent occurrence.  My Dad knew great places to go and fantastic places to stop. In spring, he’d take us to see the first trilliums of the year (trilliums grow wild and are Ontario, Canada’s provincial flower) in summer, the best and most accessible elderberry bushes (the berries make delicious pies and wine!) in early autumn, the woods where we might find puffball (an edible fungi which can grow to football size) and mid-fall the best autumn colours. He also knew where the most picturesque villages and small towns were and inevitably, where you could buy the largest ice cream cones!

This past weekend, Mr. Boomerlifetoday and I revived the tradition and headed out into the countryside here in New Zealand. The scenery was beautiful as we made our way along country roads where cows, horses and sheep grazed on pastures of green grass and buttercups. Along the roadside, Queen Anne’s Lace was in full bloom. It always amazes me that the same wild flowers which populate the landscape in Canada, also grow here in New Zealand!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria St in Cambridge, New Zealand

We even ended up in the quaint, small town of Cambridge (Cambridge, Canada is next to my hometown of Guelph in Ontario).  We had passed through Cambridge before, but this time we stopped and walked around.  It’s lovely!  I especially liked the fact that it still has a large, independent bookstore (Wright’s), a beautiful looking kitchen store (Simply Divine, although sadly it had closed just minutes before we found it), a lovely boutique featuring New Zealand-designer, Bettie Monroe‘s collection of vintage-inspired clothing, MyStyle NZ stockist of Cath Kidston products, and of course, some very cute cafes like Panache French Bakery (pictured here).

Cambridge has maintained and restored many of its downtown buildings instead of replacing them with more modern architecture and in some places they have laid brick sidewalks, which really adds to the atmosphere. This is horse country and where else to have an Equine Stars Walk of Fame than the sidewalks of this pretty town – mosaics of champion horses bred in the area, decorate main street sidewalks.

On our way home, we even stopped for ice cream cones in Pokeno, home of the largest cones we have found so far in New Zealand.  There are two shops side by side (Johnson’s and Pokeno Takeaways).  They both serve up huge scoops of delicious flavours like boysenberry, apricot, and passion fruit (just some of our favourites).

What a beautiful way to while away a lazy summer afternoon!

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Disclosure: Mention of businesses in this Boomer Life Today blog post were not solicited or paid for by persons/companies in New Zealand or abroad.

The third third of Boomer Life Today

Tags

baby boom generation, boomers, Canada, charity, creativity, decluttering, philosophy, post-career work, retirement planning, Richard Florida, self-employment, third age, writing

Photo courtesy of deviantart.com

I just celebrated my 60th birthday and according to the latest Canadian retirement planning advisers, I’m on the threshold of the third third of life (Canadian women should now prepare to live until at least 91!)

I’ve been giving some thought lately to how I would like to live these next 30 years.  To that end, I’ve been thinking of older people I know and how they are living/lived their third third, I’ve been reading relevant books and articles, and participating in free online courses.

I thought I’d begin by taking stock of what I have.  Over the past few weeks, I have sorted through almost everything we own. I removed unused items from our kitchen cupboards and hutch. I looked through every box in our roof space (NZ homes don’t have basements) and through everything in our hall and linen closets.  I ended up donating many items to a garage sale, which some local intermediate school students were having to fund their trip to Las Vegas (they are participating in an international hip hop competition there).  The remaining items are now all safely stored in labelled stackable plastic bins.  I have identified a number of additional items, which will be donated or sold within the next few years, unless retrieved for our own use. Through this exercise, I’ve realized just how much “stuff” we have and it has confirmed for me that in the third third, I want to continue to divest myself of things.

I have centralized all my craft supplies now, so I am poised to once again explore and express my creative side. Those who are familiar with our blog, know of my desire to have a craft business.  I’ve now identified 5 product lines, 2 online retail sites and a couple of “real” markets to get me started.  I have decided on a logo and lined up a graphic designer.

Writing has always been something that I enjoy and I would like to write a book or develop a website – informational, not fictional.  I have several projects in mind – all I need is time!

Although I’ve been working since I was 12 years old, I hope to continue to work as long as I gain satisfaction and make a difference.  Although, I always expected to work full-time until I retired, when I couldn’t find a rewarding full-time position in New Zealand, I accepted part-time hours and really enjoy my schedule now. I am quite entrepreneurial and can easily see myself self-employed during my third third.

I’ve moved a lot in the past and because of living and working internationally, I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively. At last count, I’ve toured more than 30 countries (some I’ve been back to multiple times).  Therefore, unlike many Boomers, travel is not a top priority in my third third. I’ll be happy to accompany Mr. Boomerlifetoday anywhere he wants to go, but I’ll also be content to stay close to home.

Also because I’ve moved around a lot, once retired, I would like to experience a real sense of community and continuity. I hope we can realize that goal in London, Ontario, Canada.  Voted as one of North America’s best cities by urban guru, Richard Florida, London has many things going for it  – parks, bike trails, a world class university, world class medical facilities, large events centre, international airport, proximity to Toronto, Southern Ontario and the US, good transportation links, great shopping, affordable and attractive housing and most importantly, close to family and old friends.

In the third third, I’d also like to focus more on relationships – with Mr. Boomerlifetoday, my family, and friends.  I’ve experienced some very disappointing relationships in the past, which made me hesitant to seek out the company of others.  But, I have a small circle of loyal friends and family, to whom I am extremely grateful.

I have spent the first two thirds of my life driven largely by career and money, which saw me moving a lot and living/working in positions and places considered unacceptable to many of my peers. I’m not complaining because my life has been quite extraordinary so far. But in my third third, I’d like to do a few things differently.

I recently bought a decorative item for our home that sums up how I want to live now. It says “Live each moment, laugh out loud, speak kindly, be thankful, trust, help others, keep promises, try new things, say I love you and take a moment to breathe.”  Sounds good to me!

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

References:

Travels with Epicurus : a journey to a Greek island in search of a fulfilled life / Daniel Klein

Who am I– : now that I’m not who I was? : conversations with women in mid-life and beyond / Connie Goldman

All books by Richard Florida.

Happy money : the science of smarter spending / Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton

Boomer Life Today : Following up …

Tags

Antler, baby boom generation, boomers, Canada, Environmental Working Group, Good Grips, health, Hon code, La Roche-Posay, Luggage, Nature Organics, New Zealand, Skin Deep database, Skincare

This week, I’d like to follow up on some past blog posts.

Health is at hand Parts I and II

Those who have followed our blog from the beginning may recall our posts titled Health is at hand Parts I and II.  I have just completed an online course through the National Library of Medicine in the US and want to provide you with an update.  Previously, I recommended using the HON code as a way of determining reliable consumer health information. However, it seems that there have been some sites featuring the code, which are providing inaccurate information. Although, they have been asked to remove the code, compliance is voluntary.  Also, some others in my course had reservations about WebMD because it is commercial site funded by pharmaceutical companies, so a word of caution is in order there too.

Form follows function in the kitchen

In Form follows function, I took a look at different kinds of jar openers and while we were in Canada over Christmas, I bought the newest version of the Good Grips jar opener (see above).  It takes little effort to use and fits all jar/bottle lid sizes.

A miracle minefield

In A Miracle Minefield, I talked about the different skincare regimes recommended in the medical literature and promised to let you know which products I purchased.  For a day moisturizer, I have been using Nature Organics’ River Veda Rejuvenate Day Star SPF 30 UVA and UVB cream. I have sensitive skin and this New Zealand cream is effective and gentle.  At night, I use La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Dermatological Treatment for my face and La Roche-Posay Substiane+ Fundamental Replenishing Anti-Aging Care for my eyes.  La Roche-Posay products are made in France and are available in Shopper’s Drug Marts in Ontario, Canada and through nz.strawberrynet.com in New Zealand.  I would highly recommend their products – not only are they effective, but they also score well in the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.  If you don’t know about this database, click or touch here.

Too much baggage

In Too Much Baggage, I was contemplating a new piece of lightweight  luggage.  While on our US holiday last year, I bought Antler’s Airstream Large Suitcase and am very pleased with it. It’s lightweight, turns on a dime and has a 10 year guarantee. To learn more, click or touch here.

Is there a product that has really improved your life?  Let us know…

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Today Partners

Disclosure: Products mentioned in this Boomer Life Today blog post were not solicited or paid for by companies in New Zealand or abroad.

Boomer Life Today : The mind is a beautiful thing to waste

Tags

Canada, continuing education, Coursera, Duke University, Harvard University, lifelong learning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massive open online course, MOOC, Open University

Did you like school? Do you like challenging your mind by learning new things?  Those who follow our blog will know that I graduated last year with a post-graduate certificate in aging from Mount Royal University in Canada.  This was a web-based program of study and I really enjoyed it.  But what if you don’t have the money, desire or commitment to study for credit? Why not study just for the fun of it? If you own a computer/mobile device, you may be interested in MOOC, Massive Open Online Courses. These free courses are offered for interest, not credit and cover a wide range of subjects.

I’m currently taking one from Duke University and it is very good.  Other universities contributing great content include Yale, Harvard, MIT, McGill (Canada), Open University (UK) and many more!  Click or touch here for a list of MOOC course providers.

Keeping your mind active and learning new things is thought to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of cognitive decline.  So why not register – courses start every week!

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Disclosure: Mention of these courses in this Boomer Life Today blog post were not solicited or paid for by companies/schools in New Zealand or abroad.

Boomer Life Today : Happy Easter!

Tags

Canada, childhood memories, Chocolate, Easter, Easter bonnet, Easter candy, Holiday, Laura Secord chocolate, New Zealand, Savage Shoe Company, Traditions

Photo courtesy of riptheskull photostream

Happy Easter! Easter is celebrated so casually now compared to when I was young.  As a child, Easter meant new clothes to wear to church on Sunday.   My mother was a wonderful seamstress and most years, she would make me a new suit or dress.  I often had new shoes, which were always bought from the same store.  I loved that shop because when the salespeople measured your feet or helped you try on shoes they sat on little stools with animals painted on them.  I especially liked the stool painted to look like an elephant! The store was owned by people who went to our church and they always stocked lovely shoes by the Savage Shoe Company.  One year, I chose dark blue velvet ones with sparkly bows!  I loved them.  Another year, my mother took me to get a new spring coat at  one of the downtown department stores and I remember the difficulty of choosing between a grey one with grey braid trim or a navy one – I chose the grey one.   VVhen I was very small, my outfit would not be complete without a new hat (Easter bonnet) and gloves.  VVe did not have a lot of money when I was a child, but my mother had very good taste and always bought the best quality we could afford.  A good habit, which I try to follow to this day.

The other childhood Easter memory I treasure was waking up Sunday morning to find Laura Secord chocolate bunnies and eggs in woven baskets lined with yellow, pink and mauve straw.  I especially liked the eggs, which had either a vanilla cream (coloured white and yellow to look like the yolk and white) or chocolate and walnut centre.  My mother worked in a Laura Secord shop when my father was away at war and always remained loyal to the brand.  The company was founded 100 years ago and is still going strong so seek them out if you are in Canada and find yourself in NEED of chocolate!!  They will not disappoint…..

This year we have not made any special preparations for Easter – no new clothes or chocolate treats.  I have not even planned a special Easter dinner, which my mother always did.  It is too bad in a way but here in New Zealand, Easter is like Thanksgiving weekend in Canada – the last holiday weekend of good weather before the cooler temperatures and rainy days set in.

VVhat are your childhood memories of celebrating Easter?  Do you still maintain any traditions from your youth?

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Disclosure: Mention of products in this Boomer Life Today blog post are not solicited or paid for by companies in New Zealand or abroad.

Boomer Life Today : Family Medical Histories

Tags

Apple, baby boom generation, Boomerlifetoday, boomers, Canada, Emergency Department, family medical history, health, iPhone, Medical history, New Zealand, Skype

Image courtesy of Geralt

This past Monday I had a medical scare.  Decisions had to be made, which were facilitated by the latest communication technology and a knowledge of the medical history of my father and his siblings.

Those of you who have followed our blog from the beginning know how much we love our Apple products and thanks to our iPhone and Skype, Mr. Boomerlifetoday was able to contact my sister (in Canada) from the Emergency Department here in New Zealand.  She contacted the hospital in Canada where my father had been cared for in 1989 and was able to scan and email the discharge notes.  She also knew what my uncle had died from.  This information proved invaluable in deciding whether to have a risky diagnostic procedure.

The tests and examinations ruled out anything sinister and I am thankful for the co-ordination of my family and the medical team.  It reinforced for me how important it is to have detailed medical histories readily available.  

Do you know the details of your family medical history?  If not I urge you to find out. Here are a few links to get you started:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical-history/HQ01707

https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action

http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/genetics/adult_history.pdf

 

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Disclosure: Mention of products in this Boomer Life Today blog post were not solicited or paid for by companies in New Zealand or abroad.

 

Boomer Life Today : Back on track

Tags

baby boomer, Boomerlifetoday, boomers, Boxing Day, Canada, Christmas, Family, friends, holidays, Montreal, New Year, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia

Near Grand Bend in southwestern Ontario Canada

Can’t believe how fast time is flying!  And speaking of flying, Mr. Boomerlifetoday and I flew to Canada for the holidays and had a wonderful time. I hoped for a white Christmas and my wishes came true on Boxing Day with heaps of snow and icy cold temperatures.  Montreal was hardest hit with 45 cm of snow in one day (record-breaking) and when we arrived there more than a week later, they were still digging out! Temperatures were a breathtaking (literally) -28 C!    We have spent most of our Christmases in warm climates (Saudi Arabia and New Zealand), so I was really looking forward to winter and it didn’t disappoint.

Of course the highlight was seeing family and friends and by the end of our vacation, we had managed to catch up with everyone.  I didn’t realize how much I had missed them. Alas, after 3 fabulous weeks it was time to say a bientot!

Back in New Zealand it’s been a whirlwind of de-cluttering/cleaning and tidying as part of a New Year blitz.  It feels good to bring some order to the chaos! Particularly important as Mr. Boomerlifetoday heads back to school next week and I face stressful times at work.

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Boomer Life Today : Food from Christmas past

Tags

baby boom generation, Baking and Confections, boomers, Canada, Christmas dinner, Cooking, Home, New Zealand, recipe, Steamed carrot pudding

Christmas is about many things not least of all, the food!  Christmas dinner in New Zealand is very different from a Canadian one.  For one thing, barbeques feature in the celebrations, which makes sense since, after all,  it is summer.  But I have to say, I miss the traditional Christmas dinners my mother used to prepare.  She was a wonderful cook and I’ll never forget some of her signature dishes – light Christmas cake, carrot pudding and butterscotch sauce, kiflins, shortbread, gingerbread men, mincemeat tarts and truffles. And, in case you are wondering –  we didn’t just eat dessert!  Our main course usually consisted of turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, carrots and coleslaw with apple.  There was never anything store-bought.  Mom made everything, including the cranberry sauce.  Some years she even made the Christmas tree decorations – popcorn balls and popcorn garlands.

I have successfully recreated Mom’s Christmas cake and truffles.  But, my shortbread are always too hard as are the kiflins (delicate pecan cookies) and my gingerbread dough usually crumbles at the slightest touch. This year I’m trying carrot pudding for the first time.  I know it doesn’t sound very good, but it is delicious with lemon or butterscotch sauce.  Here’s the recipe:

Carrot Pudding

• ½ c sifted flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 t soda
• ¾ c salt
• ½ t nutmeg
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/8 t cloves
• ½ c shortening (melted)
• 1 egg slightly beaten
• ¼ c candied orange peel
• ¾ c flaked coconut
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 c fresh bread crumbs
• 1 c raw carrots
• 1 c grated raw potato
• 1 c diced apple
• ½ c raisins
• ½ c whole candied cherries
• ¼-1/2 c blanched whole almonds
• ¼ c currants

Sift flour, salt, soda, baking powder and spices into a large bowl.  Blend well.  Mix with remaining ingredients.  Butter pudding molds or empty cans and fill 3/4 full.  Butter baking paper and place buttered side up on a piece of foil.  Pleat in the middle and use to cover the pudding basins/cans. Tie securely with string. Place molds/cans in a dutch oven or steamer and fill with water to half way up the pudding molds/cans. Cover and steam for 2 hours. Allow to cool.

Brown sugar sauce

• 1 c brown sugar
• 2 c boiling water
• 2 T butter
• 3 T flour
• 1 t vanilla

Melt butter, add flour, stir until smooth, add sugar and keep stirring.  Cook until it gets darker brown (burns easily).  Add water slowly, cook until thick then add vanilla, remove from heat. Can be re-heated.

Enjoy!

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Boomer Life Today : Happy Father’s Day!

Tags

baby boom generation, Boomerlifetoday, boomers, Canada, Fathers Day, gifts, gifts for older men, New Zealand, prepared frozen meals, Sabre Ezi-Meals

Happy Father’s Day!

This Sunday is Father’s Day in New Zealand and we’ll be celebrating by spending the weekend with  Mr. Boomerlifetoday’s Dad and taking him out for dinner.  He is 91 years old and still living on his own – amazing!  It’s difficult to know what to buy as a gift because his needs are few.  Other years, we’ve bought items of clothing or gift cards for supermarkets/petrol stations/electronics stores, or newspaper subscriptions .  This year we decided to give a gift that keeps on giving and purchase prepared frozen meals from Sabre Ezi-Meals.  The meals are nutritious, tasty, generously proportioned,  suit older people’s taste and are reasonably priced.  Although Dad does still cook, it is nice to have meals on hand, if he doesn’t feel like cooking.  It’s reassuring for us too – we know that he is getting good food including veggies! There are several similar companies here in New Zealand and it’s such a good idea for older people.  Great if your older relatives don’t qualify for Meals on Wheels service.

Unfortunately, my father passed away in 1996, shortly after we were married.  He never really got to know Mr. Boomerlifetoday because we were living in Saudi Arabia at the time and visited Canada only once before our marriage.  I know they would have enjoyed spending time together – watching sports or going out for an occasional golf game/practice at the driving range.  A mutual love of gardening, cars and electronic gadgetry would have provided great ways to become acquainted – opportunities sadly lost!

So, we want to close this post by urging you to make the most of your time together this Father’s Day.  We wish all the fathers – young and old a very Happy Father’s day!

Until next time,

Your Boomer Life Partners

Disclosure: Products or services mentioned in this Boomerlifetoday blog post were not solicited or paid for by companies in New Zealand or abroad.