It’s been so long since I’ve had a hug that I put my hug-o-meter in the basement next to the Christmas ornaments. Maybe by the time the holidays roll around we’ll be able to safely hug someone again. If not, I may buy one of those live-size Christmas bears and put it on my couch to keep me company.

Have You Caught Up with Old Friends?

On the other hand, I’ve been hanging out with girlfriends I’d all but lost touch with before the pandemic set in! The ease and practicality of connecting with friends on virtual platforms like ZOOM and DISCORD is so convenient. It’s been fun to schedule weekly “cocktail hours” and “wine and whines.”

Is a renewed closeness with your girlfriends reassuring to you during this time of isolation and social distancing? It’s been very comforting to me. Plus, I just genuinely enjoy learning what the last 5 to 10 years of their lives have been like.

My friends are all over the country (and the world) and in-person visits are few and far between under the best of circumstances. Needless to say, this is not the “best of times” for in-person travel and visitation.

Two of my friends became grandmothers in our years apart. I missed the baby pics but caught back up with them in time to see “the first steps” and toddler playground romps. A few more had breakups I didn’t know about. Put my foot right in my mouth by asking about the spouse. Oops.

The other thing we’d missed out on was each other’s big 6-0 birthdays. We were 50-somethings the last time we connected and now here we are, growing older together.

Have You Noticed How Wise Your Friends Are Now?

Along with birthdays passing at the speed of light, we’re also entering our wisdom time. It is astonishing how wise my friends are now! I always knew they were smart, but now they are sages!

When I complain that my son has been dating the same woman for six years, they say, “Don’t pressure him to get married. Men don’t even know who they are at 25. He’s young yet.”

Or they’ll tell me to take it easy on myself when I name how much weight I “need” to lose or talk about getting plastic surgery in Mexico. “Stop worrying about how you look! You are an amazing woman, an all-around great gal.”

Do your girlfriends help you feel better about yourself, too? Do they help you see the real you? We need all the reinforcement we can get. When the advertising world says wrinkle-free, skinny grey-haired women are the norm, having a girlfriend remind you that you’re beautiful is pretty powerful stuff!

Using Any New Technology?

I’m a little embarrassed that it took a pandemic to get me to try ZOOM and GOOGLE Hang-Outs. I’d heard about them for years, but I never really had a reason to test them out.

To contact someone and say, “Hey, let’s look at each other on the computer tonight!” (In fact, the thought of that felt a little weird and voyeuristic.) Now I’m an old pro at setting up a meeting or making a FaceTime call for a cocktail chat on my phone.

I loved going to the movies but Covid has turned me into a streamer, and I’ll binge-watch with a glass of wine until my eyes glaze over.

When I read that the Metropolitan Opera and the American Ballet Theatre both had online offerings, I spent several nights reveling in the arts.

I watched Mignon from the Met and even saw glimpses of dancers sans their tights and tutus. Like this fun, “filmed at home” offering from the ABT and the San Francisco Ballet:

All this online viewing has only made me more interested in purchasing next season’s tickets and grabbing a popcorn at the local movie house before spending two hours of sheer bliss watching a stage or big screen performance.

I appreciate the efforts of these artists to feed our souls while they’re having difficulty feeding themselves. It says a lot about who these artists are and why they do what they do.

Are You Metamorphosizing?

I feel like a butterfly that is in its final instar, shedding my old exoskeleton and becoming someone new. I even recorded my thoughts about my journey.

I have new ways of interacting with my friends and new ways of entertaining myself at home!

Are You Getting a Pandemic Perspective?

I’m comfortable in a mask and can see six feet in my mind with or without the X’s pasted on the floor. I wash my hands at least five times a day as I hear “Happy Birthday” playing in my head.

New habits of safety and careful interaction are replacing old feelings of paranoia.

What new ways of interacting are you embracing during recuring isolation and necessary social distancing? Has new technology connected you with an old friend? What is your perception of this new stage of our evolution? Please share your thoughts with the community!

Labor Day weekend is finally upon us and that means a few things: rest, relaxation, and recreational shopping. There are so many incredible deals live right now through the long weekend that it’s tough to keep track of them all, but like a dependable best friend who’s always got your back, we did the heavy lifting for you. After checking out some of our favorite fashion, beauty, home, and sex toy destinations, we narrowed down the 35 best deal. 

The eliminations were tough, but as Katie taught us in The Bachelorette, sometimes the hardest goodbyes are the most important, but we digress. It seems like this Labor Day 2021, bundle deals are all the rage. Some site-wide deals we have our eyes on include Everlane’s 50 percent off summer styles sale. Meghan Markle’s go-to has so many good looks for when you’re working from home and want to stay comfortable, but have to look presentable for whatever Zoom meeting you’ve got on the agenda for that day. Gap is not messing around with its deals, either. You can shop best-selling tees and activewear sets for half off. So, if you’re ready to refresh your closet basics, now’s your chance! And, since we aren’t quite done with living in athleisure yet, activewear picks are essential. Girlfriend Collective, the Kerry Washington-approved brand known and loved for its sustainable leggings and crop tops, is offering up to 30 percent off for best-selling items like their seamless biker shorts and joggers. 

In the market for a bamboo comforter set that is so durable, it’ll likely last longer than your bed frame? Head over to Buffy. If you spend over $300 here, the brand will give you a $50 discount. This means you can get up to 15 percent in savings on bedroom essentials. Over at pet product hub, Chewy, you’ll get a $25 gift card for every $50 you spend, and every pet parent knows this is easy to do when you’re picking up food, toys, and clothes. 

If you’re home is needing a little bit of TLC—whether that means updating appliances or swapping out old vacuums for new ones—today’s the day you give it just that. Head over to Macy’s to get a Nespresso for almost $75 off and then stop by Dyson where you can buy one of its famous stick vacuums for $100 off (a rare deal that’ll undoubtedly be worth the investment). Since you’re showing your home, closet, and pets some love with your spending today, save some cash for yourself. The Kardashian’s fav vibrator, the Sona Cruise, is finally under $100. That might seem pricey for a sex toy, but this one is packed to the brim with pleasurable setting like sonic wave stimulation that mimics the feeling of oral sex. So, yeah. Worth it. And, we’d be remiss not to mention that those TikTok viral butt-lifting leggings that Lizzo loves are also on sale for up to 35% off. 

There are so many delectable deals to shop today, and we don’t want you to miss any of them. Check out the 35 best Labor Day sales we’re loving below. 

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Best Fashion Deals: 

Gap Vintage ​​Soft Classic Hoodie

Courtesy: Gap.

• Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Biker Shorts, $34 (originally $48)
• Coach Georgie Crossbody Purse, $89 with code TICKTOCK (originally $298)
• Calvin Klein Women’s Invisibles Lift Plunge Bralette, $33 (originally $46)
• Seasum Butt Scrunch Leggings, from $14 (originally $23)
• Fluff Yeah Genuine Shearling Slingback Sandal, $59.95 (originally $100) 
• Levi’s Ribcage Straight-Leg Ankle Jeans, $40 (originally $70)
• Outdoor Voices Pickup Jogger, $59 (originally $88)
• Everlane The Fixed-Waist Stretch Cotton Pant, $23 (originally $58)
• Spanx Power Conceal-Her High-Waisted Extended Length Short, $62 (originally $88)

Best Beauty Deals: 

Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Naked SPF 45 Sunscreen Duo

Courtesy: Peter Thomas Roth

• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser Set, $70 (originally $88)
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow, $15 (originally $29)
• Eve Lom 5-Pc. Travel Must Have Set, $41 (originally $98)
• St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse, $22 (originally $44)
• Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick, $12 (originally $26)
• Revivogen Pro Exfoliating Scalp Cleanser, $19 (originally $25)
• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $15 (originally $19)
• Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush, $42 (originally $60)
• Pura D’or Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo, $30 (originally $39)

Best Home Deals: 

Nespresso by De’Longhi Vertuo Next & Aeroccino Milk Frother Coffee Maker

Courtesy: Nespresso.

• Dyson V7 Absolute Vacuum, $250 (originally $350)
• Madison Park Quebec King Size Quilt Bedding Set, $99 (originally $169)
• NutriBullet NBR0801 600-Watt Blender, $70 (originally $88)
• Tineco iFloor Complete Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum, $162 (originally $200)
• Willa Arlo Interiors Dayne Desk, $124 (originally $323) 
• iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum, $230 (originally $274)
• Toppin Hepa Air Purifier, $42 (originally $50)
• PowerXL 5-qt. Slimline Air Fryer, $65 (originally $130)
• Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker, $90 (originally $100)

Best Sex Toy Deals: 

Maude Vibe + Drop Bundle

Courtesy: Maude

• ​​We-Vibe Touch Rechargeable Clitoral Vibrator, $70 (originally $100)
• We-Vibe Tango Lipstick Rechargeable Bullet Vibrator, $56 (originally $80)
• Womanizer Vibrator, $158 with code FUN (originally $199)
• Lelo Sona Cruise, $91 with code FUN (originally $148)

Tracy Tutor’s Zip Up Safety Pin Sandals on MDLLA

Million Dollar Listing LA Season 13 Premiere Fashion

Tracy Tutor’s zip up safety pin sandals on last night’s season premiere of MDLLA were just “so f*cking good” that she even broke the fourth wall to tell the cameraman to get a zoom-in shot of them. And based on the designer price tag, they’re so f*cking expensive that we’re assuming she definitely keeps them on the left side of her closet (so hands off Juliet!). 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Versace Sandals in Black (Version Pictured)

Click Here to Shop a Lower Heel Height

Click Here to Shop Her Bottega Veneta Belt in Tan or Black

Click Here to Shop Her Dior Necklace

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s Zip Up Safety Pin Sandals

As grandparents, many women over 60 are embracing a new role in life. Seeing our children grow up to have children of their own is one of life’s great joys and privileges, and it reminds us of how life is a circle, with so many stages and cycles. The young become the old, and “The Child is father of the Man,” as William Wordsworth wrote.

For women our age, it might have been a while since our own grandparents have been part of our lives. Today’s women over 60 are looking for new ways to fulfill the role of grandparents by providing the right blend of support and independence and helping our grandkids grow up with a positive, influential family presence around them.

What does it take to be a successful grandparent in today’s world? Here are a few ideas. I would also love to hear your ideas. Please add your thoughts in the comments section at the end of the article.

Patience

The best grandparents tend to be full of patience – for their grandchildren as well as for their grandchildren’s mom and dad. Even if your grandchildren are boisterous or sometimes misbehave, the best grandparents know that it’s all part of growing up.

Your grandchildren will trust you more if they don’t see or hear you overreacting to stressful situations.

If you struggle with patience, you can read some self-help books on practicing and cultivating patience.

Generosity

The most successful grandparents tend to be generous – not necessarily in terms of buying toys, gifts, and offering financial generosity, but generous with their time, generous with their hospitality and generous with advice (when asked).

We all know it’s difficult not to spoil our grandkids rotten when we can afford to. It obviously makes us happy to see them happy. Try to resist the urge to buy your grandchildren too many toys. Milestones like birthdays, school accomplishments, and holidays are of course a great way to offer gifts.

Your grandchildren will remember more the quality time they spent with you than the numerous toys they received from you over the years.

Unconditional Love

The best grandparents are a rock-solid foundation of love in a child’s life. Children need to know that no matter what might be going on in their lives, no matter what disappointments they might encounter at school or on the street, they are always safe and loved at grandma’s house.

Listening to your grandchildren without any judgment will make them feel heard and seen. Let them know that they can talk to you about anything and that you are always there to listen and love them no matter what.

Empathy

Successful grandparents learn once again how to see the world through a child’s eyes. This is a surprising and wonderful privilege of being a grandparent – we get to interact with our grandchildren and live life, for a little while, with their sense of time and their capacity for wonder.

We, of course, carry our wealth of knowledge and experiences that we have accumulated over the years, but it’s always refreshing to learn something new and to open up to modern ways of thinking and living.

Willingness to Listen

The best grandparents know how to listen. Just being there to listen to your grandchildren’s stories and encourage their enthusiasm is a wonderful gift to give.

Life is busy, and chances are, your grandchildren have busy parents who work full-time jobs to provide for their family. You have more time now in your retirement to slow down and sit with your grandkids, in person or virtually. They may not always make any sense and they may have far-fetched ideas and stories, but it’s important that they feel listened to and acknowledged.

Detachment

“Detachment” doesn’t mean that you don’t care about your grandchildren – it means you know how to maintain a healthy distance without meddling or constantly injecting your own views.

Even if your own (grown) son or daughter isn’t doing everything “the right way” or “the normal way” in raising your grandkids, even if they follow different traditions or aren’t raising your grandkids in the same church or faith as you, the best grandparents know how to let things be and allow your grown children to chart their own course as parents.

Remember when you were just starting out as a new parent. Chances are you wanted to trust your instincts, and the base of those instincts is the fact that you wanted the best for your children. The same goes for every new parent. Trust that they are doing a great job at raising their children even if it is different than how you would do it.

Also, many family squabbles happen because of meddling grandparents. You may even be dismissed or asked to stay away completely if you can’t respect the parents and the boundaries that they have set for family members.

Presence

Being a grandparent isn’t always about buying gifts or hosting dinners or taking your grandchildren on special vacations or anything like that. Aside from all of the fun things to do together with your grandchildren (which are wonderful), some of the best gifts you can offer your grandchildren are just the gifts of your time and your presence. Children learn a great deal just from being in the same room with you, watching how you prepare a meal, listening to you sing your favorite song.

Some grandchildren love to go down memory lane with their grandparents. Show them old photographs, and without sounding like “this was the best of times,” tell them how your life was like at their age. Tell them how the world has changed and what your life was like without computers or cell phones. Gasp!

Also, if you live far from your grandkids or if you have been limiting your visits because of the pandemic, make yourself available for video chats. Several family members can join in and make it a family fun virtual reunion. And if you don’t know how to set up your computer, tablet, or phone for video chats, who better to ask for help than one of your teenage grandchildren who was born into this technology.

Seeing multiple generations of their family is an important way for children to learn who they are and how to live. This transmission of identity and family connection can be one of the greatest and simplest gifts of all.

What have you learned about yourself from becoming a grandparent? What do you think of this advice? Please join the conversation.

How do we find enjoyment in our daily workouts? What movement sessions are best? Is higher intensity movement better than more gentle modalities?

These questions are often asked in classes. In truth, higher intensity movement and more gentle modalities can work side by side. There is no right or wrong way to move your body and you can choose from a variety of movement modalities.

Positive movement can feel hard and a little challenging some days or be of lower intensity on other days. Either way, you walk away from a movement regime feeling happy with your choice and not like you had to perform beyond your limits. 

Intuitiveness and Mindfulness

But how do you determine the right type of movement? Put simply, tune into your body and ask it what it needs today.

Intuitiveness and mindfulness will help you choose a movement practice you enjoy. Each day, week, month, and year are different since our needs change. This is a learning process, so be gentle with yourself.

Here are some questions to ask when deciding on a daily movement practice:

• What does my body need today?
• How rested am I?
• How hydrated am I?
• How is my anxiety or stress level?
• Am I well nourished?
• Is my body stiff or sore?
• How is my mood overall?

These questions will determine if you are to go for that 10km hike or practice yoga or stretching on the mat for 15 minutes.

The workout you choose should match the way you feel today.

But Shouldn’t I Be Getting Sweaty After Every Workout?

Most people think that a workout means sweat 100% of the time. Sometimes that is absolutely true, but at other times it is best to take the gentler approach.

Full throttle and high impact workouts every day can be counterintuitive and detrimental to your health. And can you really sustain this regime long term?

If you are new to a movement practice, starting slowly with a gentler approach is much better than jumping into a higher intensity program. Working up to higher intensity over a period of months is better tolerated by the body.

What If I Am Not Sure Which Modality to Choose?

The first 5 minutes rule works really well in determining if a chosen workout is a match for that day. Put a timer on for the first 5 min. If after 5 minutes you are feeling worse than when you started, stop and choose a gentler approach.

Here are some other things to consider:

Warm Up Well

Take your time to do some mobility work before you embark on your chosen modality. This will help to prime your muscles and skeletal system to be ready for action and decrease the chances of injury.

Be Sure to Stretch Afterwards

Stretching is highly underrated and is something I recommend all people do daily. Stretching after each movement session helps to give back to your body in preparation for the next time, decreases the likelihood of injury, and loosens fatigued muscles.

Hydrate Well

Making sure you replenish your body’s water levels is highly important for your connective tissue to be able to function and move well, again decreasing the likelihood of injuries or little niggles.

Eat to Nourish Your Body

Filling your body with all the goodness of fruits and vegetables, protein, and other carbohydrates helps you to replenish your body, keeping you feeling your best and ready to take on the next workout.

Each Person Has Different Needs – Consider Yours!

There is no magic potion on what is the right amount of challenging or gentle movement you need to find what works for your body. Tune in and listen to what your body needs. Whether it’s a high, low, or a mixture of movements is up to you. There is no right or wrong way, only your way. 

Learn to trust and go with the flow. 

Editorial note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. Always seek the appropriate medical care before starting any exercise regime.

What movement modality do you practice most often? Why is that your choice? Have you tried something else? Do you choose a different type of movement depending on your mood or physical state? Please share how you determine the best type of exercise for the day.