When we were kids growing up, my sister was the cute one. She had it all. The button nose, the big beautiful hazel eyes, long lashes, rosebud mouth and the capper, freckles. She had THE most adorable spray of freckles across her nose – which she hated and I loved! I would have given anything for those freckles. Anything to break up the monotony of my pasty white face.

Imagine my joy when recently I saw freckles appear on my face. Just a couple of tiny ones, but hey, it’s a start. And then a friend said to me, laughing, “Noelle, those aren’t freckles, they’re age spots!” “Nuh-uh. They are late-blooming freckles,” I proclaimed, “And you’re just jealous ‘cause you don’t have any.” Just like I was so jealous of my sister those many years ago.

The truth is that things are what you make of them. Do I know, in my highly logical, scientific mind that these are age spots? Yes. I am well aware of the physical changes we encounter as we pass through time. However, I choose to have late-blooming freckles.

Why not? They make me laugh, they’re delightful and they remind me of sunshine and lollipops, dancing in the sprinklers, gazing at the stars on a midsummer’s night, of how fun life is. Age spots? The very thought makes me shudder. Yuck.

Your Attitude on Aging Matters

When I say that “things are what you make of them,” I’m not simply voicing a New Age sentiment. They are not just nice words to go on a greeting card. I’m sharing what science has found to be true of our thoughts and attitudes. What we believe about our older years has a great deal to do with how we experience those very years.

For example, a study of longitudinal data over 38 years found that people who held negative stereotypes about aging had a 30.2% greater decline in memory as they aged. This is compared to persons who did not hold such stereotypes. That’s a considerable difference in memory retention. It demonstrates how powerfully our thoughts and attitudes toward age impact how we ourselves age.

A study comparing the memory performance in older Chinese and American individuals found that Chinese seniors did better than the American seniors memory-wise. What’s of significance here is that Chinese and Americans view aging very differently. The Chinese hold generally positive beliefs about aging, whereas Americans tend to be negative if not downright pessimistic about aging.

In general, older individuals with negative beliefs about aging have worse health outcomes across the board. Studies have shown that those whose attitude towards aging is pessimistic, for whom getting older is perceived as a time of mental and physical decline, have higher levels of arthritis, heart disease and hearing loss, than those who don’t.

Not only that, but older people who believe that getting older is an inevitable time of ill health and decline have more than double the mortality rate. In other words, they are twice as likely to die sooner than those who do not make that very negative assumption.

New Wrinkle? No Problem!

Does this mean that you have to bury your head in the sands of time, and pretend that your butt isn’t sagging, your knees retain the spring of a 10-year-old and hot flashes are for sissies? No! But we can lighten up about it, and quit behaving like it’s the end of the world.

We can take pride in our wrinkles. I love to think of them as “character lines.” They are living, tangible proof that we’ve laughed mightily, frowned with heartfelt concern and cried from sadness during our ineffable, humbling and remarkable journey of life.

With that, we can have the joy that all our years can bring. We can appreciate that our bodies still work, certainly different from our younger selves, but rich and fun and full of love and laughter. “Late-blooming freckles” and all.

How would you describe your attitude to aging? Would you describe your attitude to your aging body as negative or positive? Join the conversation.

You might think you know all there is to know about that pure-butter, crispy, flaky, multi-layer pastry that creates a serious craving on your first morning upon arriving in France. After all, what is more French than breakfast at your favorite patisserie with a croissant and a cafe crème?

Would it dishearten you to learn the French croissant is not French at all? Would you believe this sumptuous treat had its birth in Austria? Indeed, Austria is the actual birthplace of France’s most famous breakfast pastry.

Legend or History

There are many legends involving the croissant. Some say it derived from a yeast bread known as kipferi. Others connect it to pagan offerings to a moon goddess. 

Perhaps the most romantic legend of the croissant is attributed to Marie Antoinette in the 18th century who refused to eat at the royal dinners in the French court. Rumors reveal that she would retire back to her stateroom to secretly indulge in drinks, sweets, and coffee from her native land of Austria.

Her love of the kipferi pastry, later known as the croissant, is believed to have inspired the introduction of the pastry into High Society in France.

All of that sounds lovely, but history books claim that croissants didn’t exist in France before 1850. Today, we know that the “father of the croissant” was the Austrian artillery officer August Zang, who opened his first Viennese bakery in Paris around 1838.

And, though the kipferi was one of the original offerings in the bakery, the change of the recipe to a puff pastry was an instant success. Thus, since then croissants are made with layers of flaky light dough and butter. The perfect, shiny golden crust is still accomplished via Zang’s ingenious baking technique – a finish of steam in the oven.

Beware the Croissant’s Shape

Have you noticed that some croissants are curved, while others are straight? Well, the shape of the pastry is a sign of the type of fat used in the recipe. Indeed, according to French law, straight croissants must be made with 100% butter, while their curved cousins may contain other fats, such as margarine or even lard.

So, beware those commercial big-lot stores in the United States that advertise selling “curved” croissants!

Let’s Eat Our Croissant the Proper French Way!

Ifyou are in France and pay attention, you will notice how the French eat their beloved croissants. They do not split them in half lengthwise or cut them in half in the middle. They begin by putting a small amount of butter on their plates, followed by jam, and, sometimes, grated cheese.

So, slowly break off a small piece from the end of the pastry, spread the butter, jam, and cheese, and eat the scrumptious croissant. Goes like this: butter, jam, cheese, bite; butter, jam, cheese, bite. Continue with small bites, until all is gone.

Now you can be as proper as the French!

Are Croissants Healthy?

We know that the croissant is high in calories all on its own, mainly because of the butter used in the baking process. It’s no surprise then that some French are a bit aloof about adding extra butter.

And adding jam increases the calories even more. If you decide to treat yourself, try to find a small croissant and add fresh fruit instead of jam.

But if you are lucky enough to be in France, don’t worry about the calories! Go ahead and treat yourself to one of the most delightful French foods. You won’t be sorry. Croissants have been and will continue to be a staple of French cuisine.

What do you know about your favorite French pastry? Have you tried a croissant while in France? Can you compare the taste to what you have experienced back home? Please share your observations!

The stay-at-home order and social unrest has made all of us a little wacky… and turned a lot of us slightly feral. (I took a scissors to my own hair this past week… that’s why you won’t see any current photos of me!)

One important escape for a lot of us has been video entertainment. And one of the more fun – and genuine – programs that expresses the trials and tribulations of those of us over 50, 60, and 70, is the Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda series, Frankie and Grace. Enjoy it soon as this will be its last season, sadly.

The reason a lot of older women identify with these characters is that they are true to who they are as individuals, but they have forged a deep friendship based on their mutual pain.

One is extremely classic and traditional in her personality and the other is very bohemian. That teaches us something profoundly important: When we show up fully as ourselves, we allow others to be true to themselves as well.

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to examine Frankie and Grace’s wardrobes. When a TV or movie wardrobe assistant chooses fashions for a character, she has to understand what makes that character “tick.”

That informs every aspect of how a character expresses herself in the world, which includes how she chooses to dress.

Their Names Say It All

Let’s just start with their names. Grace: what are our immediate associations with that word? Well, the dictionary definitions are elegance, finesse, charm, poise. That describes a refined personality.

Jane Fonda’s character, Grace, reflects what we would call a Classic fashion style. So, we expect to see her in refined, simple, classic, well-made, traditional clothing. It’s a little buttoned-down, but that’s who she is.

Then there is Frankie. Frank: open, honest, direct, forthright, and candid. So, we would expect this character, Lily’s Tomlin’s, to be no-nonsense, comfortable in her own skin, a bit flamboyant, but without pretentions.

That would define someone who has a lot of the Natural style essence. And because her name is a masculine play on Frances that would suggest that some part of her is counter-culture.

Are You a Grace Type?

A more Classic style wardrobe could make almost any of us feel pulled together. We’ve mostly left behind shorter skirts, shiny fabrics, and revealing clothing in general. And having some really well-made, versatile classic pieces is such a simple way to dress for many occasions.

That’s especially true if we can’t be overly bothered to care about what we wear anymore. Throw on a nice blazer, a pair of trousers, a pretty blouse, and you’re pretty much good to go anywhere.

Now, Grace’s version of this wardrobe is a little bit more playful and feminine than a strictly classic wardrobe, which in many ways is based on menswear.

That means in addition to suits and suit pieces, you’ll also see her in shirtwaist dresses (with designer belts and bags) plain, floral, and striped blouses, and her blazers will be in multiple colors, not just neutrals.

Grace’s shoes are usually simple pumps or flats. Her jewelry is luxe, simple, appropriate to her style, and not showy.

But she does love her sweaters. Still, they have some structure, like her simple cardigans. And even the bulkier ones have a lot of style and elegance. You’ll see Grace wearing those in her neutrals, usually a shade of tan.

As for her other colors, Grace wears what her performer, Jane Fonda, looks best in. Those are the colors that we call the Lively Bright – or spring – palette. These are mostly upbeat shades – bright but not overly intense. They have, well, a quality of lightness and playfulness to them.

This is a perennial wardrobe that will look chic and appropriate to her personality and style for the rest of her life.

Or Maybe You Are a Frankie Type?

Frankie is the polar opposite in style from Classic. There is nothing “buttoned down” about her style.

Frankie is a born bohemian, meaning, her clothing will match the level of Drama and Natural style we associate with the boho look. Her colors and textures speak of ethnic elements, boldness, color, and pattern mixing, all done with an artistic flair.

Frankie (like Lily Tomlin, who began her career as a comedienne) has a more expressive face. It is a bit more dramatic, but not in an imposing way.

Her look is as carefully thought-out as Grace’s, but it is based on the creative expression that reflects every part of how she lives and sees herself in the world. She is a grown-up hippie with more money to spend on her wardrobe than when she was in her 20s.

You’re not going to see Frankie in anything very Classic. Her favored pieces are caftans, embroidered ethnic tops and blouses, floor-length, layered, and flowing toppers. They are often worn over leggings or flowing pants.

Her jewelry is very showy. Instead of refined regular, metal chains and pearls, you will see boldly mixed beads, stones, and leather. If there is any metal in her jewelry, it appears in a natural, odd-shaped signature piece. And bracelets, lots of groupings of ethnic bracelets.

Then there are the textiles. Frankie would not likely be caught dead in any synthetic fibers. Cotton and linen, and occasionally rayon (which is made from wood fibers) are the fundamental fabrics of her wardrobe. They move with her and are unencumbering.

Another element of this style is pattern mixing and the wearing of multiple colors together. In a throwback to her hippie style, you’ll see Frankie in tie-dyed clothing. But you’ll also see her in stripes, graduated ombre patterns, and again, ethnic prints.

Each outfit will incorporate multiple colors and often, more saturated ones, unless she’s opting for some of those sand-and-sea blue and tans that she wears well.

And even her hair says it all: a dramatic white stripe over long flowing hair. She is never going to have a prim, teased, and curled bob.

This is why entertainment is a great escape for us. We can still dream and imagine. We can try to imagine ourselves in another’s shoes.

And as far as the stay-in-place is concerned, there will always be an end and a new beginning. How we come out on the other side of this will say a lot about who we were all along.

So – are you a Frankie, or a Grace? Or do you have some of each of these styles? What are – or were – your favorite pieces of clothing or jewelry in this style? Please share with our community!

A new set of stars has joined Urban Decay’s Global Citizens collective, which means it’s time for a new “Pretty Different” campaign. Normani, G.E.M. and Camila Mendes look incredible modeling the also new Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet Eyeshadow Palette. The bold purple hues pop against each of their skin tones. According to a press release from the brand, these women “personify the brand’s founding DNA,” challenging “the status quo by celebrating differences and embracing unapologetic individuality.”

Last year, Lizzo, Ezra Miller, Joey King, Karol G, and CL starred in the first “Pretty Different” campaign, alongside the launch of the Naked Honey Palette. This year is just as gorgeous and a bit more colorful. Each of the three women is wearing a blend of purple hues while blowing a purple bubble: singer Normani, Hong Kong singer-songwriter G.E.M. and actress Camila Mendes. We have to say, these are perfect choices for the campaign.

Image: Urban Decay.

Want to get their look? Same. The Naked Ultraviolet Eyeshadow Palette contains 12 ultra-pigmented purples and neutrals and a vegan, double-sided brush. There are metallics, mattes and shimmer finishes that are totally wearable even if you don’t have these ladies’ beauty skills.

Image: Urban Decay.

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