Kristin Cavallari’s Grey Cut Out Turtleneck

Very Cavallari Season 3 Episode 8 Fashion

Kristin Cavallari’s grey cutout turtleneck may look familiar because we’ve seen her wear it before in black, and it’s a pretty amazing piece in grey too. And luckily if you’re not up for paying $165 for the top, I have really amazing Style Stealer that I own in black that is super high quality, double lined at the top and a fraction of the price.

In this scene Kristin is having a tough conversation with her employee Brittany about a mistake. As a boss, it’s literally my least favorite thing to do. Thankfully I haven’t had to do it in awhile. But I’ve learned that if you want to have long term relationships with your employees, some things are better left said even if it’s tough in the moment because it can often save the relationship long term which is normally what both parties want. Like if it’s tough for you to click “Checkout” on this top, keep in mind it’s really to make your long term relationship with your closet that much stronger.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Alix Carder Bodysuit

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s Grey Cut Out Turtleneck

It often seems as if portrayals of older adults in the media, in films, or on TV – when they’re portrayed at all – follow one of two models: frail, doddering, addled, foolish; or super-strong and courageous in feats like skydiving or marathon running.

Living Life on
Purpose

The truth is,
most of us will live our lives in between these polar opposites. Many of us, if
we’re fortunate, will live our lives with a sense of well-being, meaning, and
purpose undimmed by the passing of years.

And there is a
near-infinite number of ways to do that. The problem is, we haven’t had an
opportunity to see real examples highlighted and celebrated.

Apparently,
filmmaker Sky Bergman has felt the same frustration. Her solution: to make Lives Well Lived:
Celebrating the Secrets, Wit and Wisdom of Age, an outstanding
documentary film that does just that.

What Is Lives
Well Lived About?

Bergman
interviewed some 40 elders, ranging in age from their early 70s to their late
90s, about their lives, how they define a life well lived, and any advice they
might have for younger people.

In the process,
she has also recorded their vivid and personal recollections of modern
history’s major events and movements. Among them fall World War II abroad and
in the U.S., the Holocaust, the internment camps in the U.S. for
Japanese-Americans, the civil rights and women’s rights movements

It’s an
invaluable history lesson. The “stars” of the film are Caucasian,
African-American, Asian, and Hispanic and, they are, among other things,
artists, a yoga instructor, physicians, and photographers.

The Beginning Was
Simple

How did Bergman
begin her inquiry? She has said that her inspiration was her then-103-year-old
Italian grandmother who “enjoyed exercise, making the best lasagna you’ve ever
tasted, and being with family. She showed me by example that age is truly just
a number.”

Bergman started
filming when her grandmother was 99, showing her working out at the gym. And
she asked if her grandmother could offer some words of wisdom.

Bergman said, “[grandmother]
was my guide for how to gracefully move through life and how to age with
dignity, strength and humor. I began a quest to search out other people, who,
like my grandmother, were living life to the limits.”

The filmmaker
observed that although her interviewees “may have seen the worst of humanity,
their outlook is still optimistic. Their stories are about perseverance, the
human spirit, and staying positive in the midst of the great challenges.”

Lessons to Learn

Here are a few highlights of the wisdom these
people shared:

“A lot of people, my friends, they say, ‘Oh I’m
getting too old! I can’t do this; I can’t do that.’ If I want to do something,
I do it. And if you say, ‘I can’t do it,’ then you won’t be able to do it. Just
go out and do it.” – Susy Eto Bauman, age 95

“Happiness is a state of mind. You can be
happy with what you have or miserable with what you don’t have. You decide.” –
Dr. Lou Tedone, age 92

“I look forward to the next hour, next day and
no plans. I take what comes and absorb it as much as I can, mentally,
physically, emotionally, visual, audibly. I drink it up.” – Botso Korisheli,
age 93

“Never try to change anyone at all, not one iota. The only person you can adjust is yourself… We are each the imperfect beauty that we are.” – Ciel Bergman, age 76

“Even though I’m 80, I still want to finish my
PhD… No matter what age you are, education never stops, you still keep
learning.” – Rose Albano Ballestero, age 80

“My secret to a happy
life is to live life to the fullest every day of your life, be good to
everybody you know, do a good deed when you can. Be happy.” – Evelyn
Ricciuti, age 103 (Sky Bergman’s grandmother and lasagna maker par excellence.)

In Good Company

Watching this documentary, I felt as though I
was spending time in the best company possible. What struck me was how
resilient these women and men have been, so often in the face of enormous
difficulties and challenges, both societal and personal.

Viewing the film was a reminder, as if we need
reminding, of the importance of living in the present: cherishing the present
moment rather than fretting about the past or worrying about the future. It’s
about appreciating the simple pleasures – being kind
to one another, enjoying nature, taking care of one another.

It was also a reminder of the importance of
dedicating oneself to finding meaning and purpose in life. It doesn’t have to
be on a grand scale; it can be as simple as literally cultivating your garden.
And do what so many of these “stars” have done, which is to find joy in doing
what they love, be it creating various kinds of art or music – or even writing.

If you’re looking to be inspired about what
lies ahead, watch this film. And watch it with someone from a younger
generation – there’s wisdom aplenty here for all.

How do you live life to the fullest? What
wisdom have you learned from people older than you? Have you watched Lives
Well Lived? Please share your thoughts with our community!

If you’re
thinking about making a career change in your 60s, then it’s worth looking at
roles that will allow you to really make the most of your life experience.
These tend to be jobs that involve making a difference to the lives of others –
for example, supporting someone through a major life event like giving birth or
learning to drive.

The knowledge
and skills that you have developed over the years are precious and many over
60s find it extremely rewarding to be able to put them into practice on a daily
basis. With that said, here are five career opportunities where having life
experience can give you an advantage.

Midwife

Could you help
women safely deliver the gift of life, by supporting them before, during,
and/or after childbirth? Midwives work in a fascinating and fast-paced role
where no two days are ever the same.

If you have a
background in coaching or leadership, then you may find that this helps you to
adopt the firm, yet reassuring presence needed to get women and their families
through the childbirth process.

To become a Midwife,
you’ll need to complete a degree course over a three-year period. Midwifery
degrees combine theory and practice (with there being greater focus on the
practical side in the second and third years of the course) and universities
welcome applicants of all ages.

Rest Less
offers more information about retraining to become a midwife later in
life.

Counsellor

If you love
being that listening ear and a shoulder to cry on for friends and family
members, then it might be worth considering a career in counselling.

People with
plenty of life experience tend to have an easier time empathising with people
who could be going through a range of different experiences – from having a
hard time at work to grieving the loss of a loved one.

The British
Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) recommends a three step
process for those interested in training to become a Counsellor, which you can
read more about here.

Driving
Instructor

If you enjoy
being out on the open road and can appreciate all that your driving licence has
offered you over the years, then it could be the perfect time to help give the
gift of driving to others.

Driving
Instructors work with people of all ages, working with them right up until the
day that they pass their test, and sometimes even after! The most important
trait that you can have as a Driving Instructor is the ability to stay calm
behind the wheel, which often comes with experience.

Interested in
getting started? The first step in your journey is to apply to the Driving Standards Vehicle Agency (DVSA) so
that they can assess your suitability for the role.

Youth
Worker

Young people
often find it much easier to relate to individuals who have been through similar
experiences to them and come out the other side, which is why life experience
can be a real bonus when working as a Youth Worker.

Youth Workers
work with 11–25-year-olds; supporting them through difficult situations like
bullying, substance abuse, and family issues. They help those in need to look
beyond their current situation and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The first
step to becoming a youth worker can be joining
a youth club as a volunteer, whilst working towards a college-level
qualification in youth work practice, or applying for an undergraduate degree
in youth work or youth work studies.

Consultant

If you’ve
spent many years working in the corporate world but no longer want to work in
the same role, then you could consider passing your niche skills and knowledge
onto others instead.

Consultants usually
work on a freelance basis and are paid to provide expertise (which is a
combination of knowledge, problem-solving, and industry understanding) to
businesses who are looking to make improvements and increase their success.

The trickiest thing about becoming a Consultant is landing clients. Freelance sites like Guru.com and Upwork.com are helpful for building up a client base. You can also try browsing job sites for more permanent in-house opportunities.

Are you keen to find a role where you can make the most of your life experience? What would that role be for you? Have you started looking into your options? Please share your thoughts and stories, and let’s have a conversation!

Boy, if people would just check in with us at
age 64.5,
life could be a lot easier for new Medicare beneficiaries!

Though we try all we can to keep people out of
trouble, sometimes we just can’t get ahead of the things that they hear,
assume, misunderstand, and more.

Here are the top five things that we seem to
hear ­– over and over and over again – from people that are transitioning to the
Medicare system… and we’ll give you our take!

“But I Thought I Had to Enroll at Age 65”

The majority of people that are approaching age 65 seem to believe that they “have to sign up
for Medicare,” or at least one part of it (Part A), at age 65. And they typically
believe that with all their heart.

Well, we’re here to tell you that you actually
do not have to sign up for any part of Medicare if a couple of situations apply
to you.

Scenario #1: Taking Social Security Pre-65

Let’s say that Mrs. Smith decided to start
taking her Social Security benefits at age 63. Fast forward two years, and now
Mrs. Smith is approaching age 65, that magic marker for Medicare.

Since she is drawing her benefits, she WILL
automatically be enrolled into Medicare. In fact, her card will just arrive in
her mailbox a couple of months before her 65^th birthday.

Now, remember that Medicare is comprised of
Part A and Part B. Part A is hospital coverage, and it is typically given to a
person without their having to pay any premium at all.

Part B is the medical portion of our Medicare
system. But, Part B comes with a price tag.

Back to Mrs. Smith. She has her medical
coverage through her husband’s large employer. She doesn’t want to have Part B
(and pay for it). Well, she can do that. She can follow the instructions that
arrived with her card and rescind the enrollment into Part B.

Scenario #2: Postponing Social Security Until Later

Now, let’s say that Mrs. Smith was not
collecting her Social Security benefits at age 63. Instead, she wants to start
those closer to age 70.

She’s also on her husband’s large employer
coverage so doesn’t need the health insurance coverage that is Medicare. In
fact, she and her spouse are funding the Health Savings Account, and they are
both in rather good health.

Mrs. Smith is in a position that, if she
called in to talk to us at age 64.5, we’d recommend that she “do nothing.”

Nothing? That makes people approaching age 65
very nervous – doing “nothing.” That’s, of course, when we hear the “I thought
I had to enroll at age 65” line.

Nope, you don’t.

In fact, we really like this guide from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
Note the decision tree says: “decide WHETHER or not to enroll.”

“My Friends Told Me That…”

Stop listening to your friends. Now, we know
you won’t stop doing that, but here’s what we recommend. Grab a notebook and
label it “Medicare.” THEN, go listen to all of your friends and make notes in
your new notebook regarding everything that they say.

Write down things like: “I pay zero for
everything; I never have a co-pay or anything”; “I have free dental in my plan”;
“I pay zero every month and never have a fee for anything I do.”

After you’ve developed your notebook of
commentary from friends, family, colleagues, and more, get on the phone with an
agent!

Review with the agent all of the comments.
Take 30 minutes to understand the program that your friend might be talking
about.

Also, learn what they may or may not be sharing
with you. Many times, friends might share with you information about their
plans but they seem to “forget” certain co-pays or situations or they may just
not want to share.

We find that with Medicare eligible folks,
your friends and family might just want to “one up” themselves or their plan.
Picking the absolute perfect Medicare plan seems to be as important as being
the star quarterback was back in high school.

So, listen to your friends with a grain of
salt.

“I Went to the Social Security Office”

Please don’t visit the Social Security office
unless we suggest that you do. All kidding aside, you really only need to go
into the Social Security office live and in person under a few circumstances.
We work hard to keep you OUT of the office.

Why? Well, the Social Security office is NOT the
Medicare arm of our government. Not that it is not filled with helpful people,
but they are staffed to only process enrollments and collect premiums for
Medicare.

People that go into the office and ask for
Medicare advice, may certainly receive inaccurate information.

We hear lots of things coming from our clients
that just are not accurate. “I was told that I had to enroll in my Social
Security benefits at the same time I enrolled into Medicare.” Or, “I was told
that I didn’t need Part B because I’m still working.”

Blanket statements related to Medicare can
hurt your outcome related to coverage; trust us.

Remember that there will be times that we’ll
instruct you to go into the Social Security office and that has a whole other set of rules!

“I Thought I Would Be Automatically Enrolled”

We often talk to people that are NOT getting
their Social Security benefits prior to age 65. They tell us that they’re
expecting their Medicare card to arrive in the mail. We break the news to them
that “you’ll be waiting for a long, long time as it’s not going to arrive.”

When you are not drawing Social Security
benefits, and you want your Medicare coverage to start for you at age 65, you
need to be proactive and apply for both Parts A and B with Medicare.

We always recommend that if you do want both
Parts A and B to be active on the first day of your birth month (unless your
birthday happens to fall on the first of a month!), then go online and enroll.

You can avoid going into your local Social
Security office and save yourself a lot of time and aggravation potentially.

“Joe Namath Said on TV, ‘It’s Free!’”

If we had a dollar for every Joe Namath
commercial viewer out there that had questions about free Medicare!

Be careful what you take as truth. That goes
for many things in life, right? And, it certainly spills over to Medicare.

The products that Joe was advertising for are Medicare Advantage plans. Do they offer every single perk he
described? Rarely. Are they good for some people? Absolutely.

Are they one-size-fits-all and perfect for
everybody, and free, free, and did we say … free? No way.

A Difficult Journey at Times

Medicare can be a complex transition for so
many. There just isn’t a universal guidebook out there. Lots of hearsay, lots
of confusion.

We’ll keep teaching and coaching to help you
avoid the confusion when possible! See you next month.

What have you heard about Medicare from
friends, family, etc.? Have you checked the information with an advisor? How
much of it turned out to be true for you? Where would you be now, if you
trusted every Medicare commercial you saw? Please use the comment box below to
share your thoughts!

Has your doctor told you to become more active and take
up some form of exercise? Are you left wondering what type of exercise to do
and where to start?

You might have thoughts
like:

• I don’t
  want to look like a fool.
• My
  body doesn’t look the part.
• I am
  very uncoordinated or unbalanced.
• I
  don’t want to do anything that makes me feel uncomfortable.
• I’m
  not fit enough to start anything new.

All of these thoughts are natural responses, and
everyone can identify with at least one. Starting is the hardest part.

Beginners often feel both excited and daunted when taking
up a new movement practice.

Where to Start?

Below are a few tips I give when presenting a beginner’s
fitness regime.

Find Something You Enjoy
Doing

Before you commit to an exercise regime, it’s best to
do some research and figure out what you like and don’t like in an exercise
plan. Start by listing all the positive and negative traits of plans you tried
in the past. Remember, there’s no point in doing something you won’t enjoy.

Exercise Time Can’t Clash
with Other Commitments

It’s important to commit to a new fitness regime
without it being a burden on your time or trying to squeeze it in around other
commitments. Find something that you
will fit into your lifestyle.

Plan for Accountability

A friend, buddy, or partner is a great way to keep on
schedule and is also fun when sharing the experience. Find a group or someone who uplifts and supports you. If you
prefer to go solo, that’s fine too. You can be your own best friend.

How Do I Know What
Movement Practice to Start with?

It is difficult to know straight from the beginning what
you might like or what fits with your lifestyle. Try a few different types of
movement and exercise to determine what suits you best.

• For instance, if you enjoy the outdoors, try different walking tracks or go
  for a short hike in the hills.
• If
  you enjoy swimming, try aqua aerobics or lap swimming.
• Try
  stretching exercises, Pilates, or Yoga.
• Do you like dancing? Take a half hour dancing class.

You don’t need to have all the answers straight away.
Take your time to find a movement and exercise plan that’s right for you and fits
into your daily routine. That’s the beauty of exercise and fitness; there is no
right or wrong way, only your way.

Dealing with Your Inner
Ogre, Negative Nelly

I lack confidence. I’ll look
ridiculous. I’m too unfit. People will laugh at me.

Confidence comes from stepping off the sideline and
taking action. It may feel strange and more than a little awkward or uncomfortable
at first. That’s ok.

It doesn’t matter if you have limited fitness or negative
self-image problems. Wherever you start from, is the beginning.

Practice being kind to yourself and accept the amazing
body you have.

Take baby steps. Sure, you want to get stronger and
fitter and see those changes. You will. Baby steps are the building blocks to
success.

Accepting where we are right now helps us go the
distance for the long term. If we don’t do this we simply won’t start because
in our own eyes, we will never be good enough to start. And if we don’t look
after ourselves, who will?

If you work through the above tips and guidelines you
will find starting and staying consistent in your chosen movement practice
simple and effective. If you need some more guidance, you can check out this 7 Day Beginner’s Workout Guide.

Remember, everyone was once a beginner.

What different movement modalities have you tried?
What positives and negatives can you share about each? Which ones did you enjoy
the most? Is there a specific exercise plan you’d like to try? Please share
with our community.