At the beginning of the growing season, I purchased a beautiful flowering plant. It grows tall and its blooms are bright. The hot summer sun seemed to thwart its growth. I thought, “Well, that was a short blooming season.”

Much to my amazement, it began to bloom again as the weather cooled, and it seems to have no intention of stopping anytime soon.

Exactly like many of us who are still in active bloom.

Change of Mindset

When I turned 60 in 2017, I felt a shift. I called it my ‘60s switch’, and I declared that this was the beginning of doing things that push me way out of my comfort zone. I did not want to have any regrets. The kind of ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda’ regrets many of us accumulate.

With this change of mindset, I am pushing the boundaries of my professional life, and my business is thriving. I have learned how to swim, completed two triathlons and learned how to bottle-feed abandoned kittens.

You are never ever too old to learn.

Learning Builds Your Legacy

I continue to learn how to face my fears and insecurities in order to leave a legacy of resilience*, contribution and engagement.

Growth is stepping out of your comfort zone and being uncomfortable. You need to find your courage to commit to the challenge of change because it is never too late to lead a relevant, resilient, radiant and remarkable life.

The 7 R’s of a Thriving Mature Woman

Here are some ways for you to thrive through the changing landscape of your life:

• Cultivate a new mindset for refreshed perspectives on aging, retirement and work.
• Reimagine a different future for yourself.
• Recognize what fascinates you and follow that path of curiosity.
• Refocus your goals to begin to rediscover how to leverage your interests and skills.
• Learn different reinvention strategies and practical tools for both inspiration and fulfillment.
• Redefine the brand called ‘you’ to uniquely reposition yourself for joy and contentment.
• Reengage with your community to build enthusiasm for your future and all its possibilities.

We are not invisible. We are not too old. It is not too late.

So, what are you waiting for? You have a choice: do you want to say, “These are still my days” or would you rather say, “Those were the days”?

*I often use words that begin with the letter ‘R’. For a long time, I didn’t know why I was drawn to words that began with R. About six years ago, I realized that this is homage to my mother, Racene. Inspiration comes from unexpected places.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

When did you decide to redefine yourself? Do any of the seven R’s speak to you in a special way? How far have you grown in your pursuit of fulfillment? Please share in the comments below.

I remember my first ever online-booked meet. I can still picture walking up to the door of the restaurant and pulling it open.

It was late afternoon, and the sun blinded me for a moment. A few guys at the bar swiveled around on their barstools to check out the newcomer. One by one, they turned back. All except the man in the pink shirt.

It doesn’t matter that our first meet was our last. What matters is that only after meeting in person will you know if you’d like to see him again.

And, in case you were wondering if emailing, texting, and talking on the phone count… They don’t.

I’ve met many men since that first time, and let me assure you – yes, it gets easier.

One thing that doesn’t change, though, is the combination of excitement mixed with nausea. Why? You’ve been emailing. He commented on those great photos of you in Montmartre, your favorite Paris neighborhood. He told you the story about his grandson’s meltdown in Walmart. He thinks you’re cute.

You think you know him.

But… You don’t.

Whether you’re a newbie dater, or you’ve been dating for a while, here are some tips on how to be your best on your first meet.

And what not to do.

It’s All in Your Mind

An open mind is a wonderful thing to tag along with you on that first meet. It tends to protect you from an overactive sense of entitlement.

Entitlement thinking is not beneficial to your psyche. Let’s stop a moment and think about what you’re entitled to.

You’re entitled to someone who is kind and has values that match yours. And you’ll decide, upon meeting, if you’d like to get to know the gentleman better. Yes, you’re entitled to that, and so is he.

Be cautious about thinking you deserve tall with hair, no bellies, please, and financially well-endowed, thank you.

That’s going over the line into the kind of entitlement that will hold you back in your search. I know because I used to have a list.

One example from my list? Go ahead and laugh.

I wasn’t interested in anyone with typos in his profile. I thought that writing well translated to articulate, fun and super smart. A Norman Mailer/Jeff Bridges type. Once I started dating, it became obvious that a profile is a tiny piece of the whole man.

Compatibility is king. He may love flea markets, live theatre and Diana Krall as much as you do. Or a little rumba and a happy hour.

So, smile. Ask a question or two.

Expectations

Having an open mind means you approach your meet knowing you will have fun. It means not deciding he’s too short before hello. Not blowing it with a fixed idea of how he should dress, down to his brand of loafers or his rolled-up jeans. Sure, that’s a dorky look, but give him a chance.

And while I’m on the subject, please save the molded-to-the body top for later, when you know him better. You don’t want to send the wrong message.

Here’s one last expectation to avoid. If you’re meeting for a drink, don’t hint around for dinner.

And if you’re meeting for dinner, don’t have inappropriate expectations. The French waiter and the stellar bottle of Pinot Noir may come later. This is a first meet, not an anniversary.

“I want to know she likes me for who I am,” says a longtime male friend. “So, I never do dinner for a first meet.”

Behavior

Lots of folks leave their manners in the dumpster when it comes to internet dating. You’re not one of those, so:

• Be an easy meet, willing to drive half way if he lives in a far-off town. Many men will offer to do most of the driving.
• Be on time but be sure you have his cell phone number in case you’re caught in traffic.
• Ask questions, show interest in the person you’re meeting.
• Stop at nosy.
• Be careful about ‘measuring’ the man too soon.

A first meet is not the time to ask if he’s got an ex-wife to support, or if he owns his house, or if he’s taken that pricey Alaskan cruise you read about. Unless this topic comes up naturally in conversation, he’ll know you’re probing into his finances.

A male friend of mine works for a company that invents and sells new devices for surgeons. He’ll never forget the woman who, on a first meet, asked, “What does a man in your profession make?”

He changed the subject and didn’t call her again.

Go gently into that first meet. You’ll have a much nicer time.

Have Fun

You’ll enjoy many meets. The keyword here is ‘enjoy.’

Smile, keep the conversation light and be genuine. You’re on a first meet to have fun and get a second meet.

Now, a second meet is called a date.

And remember, it only takes one.

One man to click.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Tell us about a first meet you remember vividly. Did your meet say something to put you at ease, and if so, what was it? What would be your advice to someone facing their first online-booked meet?

Whitney Rose’s Mascara and Eyeshadow Palette

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 3 Episode 3 Beauty and Makeup

Wow there was a lot going on at the end of last night’s Real Housewives of Salt Lake City episode. Truths, lies, tears—what more could we ask for in an episode? Oh yeah—makeup details. Which is why I was extra excited when BBH’s Faryn identified Whitney Rose’s mascara and eyeshadow. The mascara promises to lift, curl and condition lashes, all while lasting up to 12 hours. Which I’d bet is longer that some of the ‘Wives will last on this trip.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Benefit Mascara

Click Here to Shop her Trixie Cosmetics Plant Gay Eyeshadow Palette

Other Bravoleb-Loved Mascaras:

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Originally posted at: Whitney Rose’s Mascara and Eyeshadow Palette

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If you have damaged hair, either from bleach or chemicals or heat, you’ve probably tried everything to repair it — including chopping off the damage. Now, there’s a new haircare system from Dr. Eric Pressly, one of the inventors of Olaplex. Yes, that Olaplex. It’s called Epres and it’s the next generation of bond-building. It promises to work on all hair types, textures and colors and involves only one step. Sounds like a dream, right? Here’s the scoop.

Olaplex has always touted its proprietary bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate as the main ingredient in repairing hair. Epres won’t release its technology. But it will say it’s an acid-free, patent-pending formula that actively rebonds hair’s structure by its unique “liquid-molecule technology.” The acid-free formula is said to ensure hair stays at the optimal pH level, repairing chemical, thermal and mechanical damage, all while reducing frizz and leaving hair smooth.

Epres.

It sounds science-y and complicated but the application couldn’t be easier. You just spray a generous amount of the Bond Repair Treatment onto dry hair until fully saturated. Leave it in for at least 10 minutes, wash and style as usual. Epres promises this liquid-molecule technology continues to repair strands for hours after application. Hair products generally stop working once the hair is dry.

Just like K18 and Olaplex, your hairstylist can use a professional version in the salon and it won’t mess with your color.

Source: Instagram

You can also purchase the at-home treatment to use 1-2 times per week. The Starter Kit ($48) includes the spray bottle and two tubes of Bond Repair Concentrate. Refills come two in a pack for $34. You just follow the directions by mixing the concentrate with water, spray, chill out a bit and jump in the shower.

Right now, you can only get the Epres hair treatment on the brand’s website. We can’t wait to see what other cool things come out of this technology.

Lisa Barlow’s Foundation in Scottsdale

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 3 Episode 2 Beauty

On last week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City we spotted this celeb-beloved spray foundation popping out of one of Lisa Barlow’s makeup bags in Scottsdale. Which PSA per our findings appears to be discontinued now at all major retailers (!), so we feel it’s our civic duty to tell you guys to scoop up what’s left of it on eBay before it’s completely gone in an Airflash. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

P.S. For all of you guys (Lisa and other celeb fans included!) who need recs on what to replace this product with when you completely run out, check out our Style Stealers!

Click Here to Shop Her Dior Airflash Foundation on eBay

Originally posted at: Lisa Barlow’s Foundation