Month: November 2022

5 Tips on How Mature Women Can Close Out the Year with a Smile  

Mature-Women-Can-Close-Out-the-Year-with-a-Smile

Let me guess: You are a woman over 55, getting busy with holiday preparations, traveling plans, and family gatherings with children and grandchildren. Maybe you have your business matters to wrap up and touch base with friends. Or maybe, for once, you just want to stay home alone.

How do you balance everything at the end of the year: the time you spend (coming and going), the energy (going out of your way to nurture someone in need), and the money side of things?

Years ago, as the holidays were approaching, I was going through a painful divorce, having to be a single mom to my two daughters at 3 and 5. It was December, and I had landed my first job as an accounts payable clerk at a national bank.

This was a great opportunity for me in a lot of ways. However, it broke my heart to leave my girls during the day with their Grandma so that I could work at a paying job. My monthly salary was $450. My house note was $387. That did not leave a lot to pay for food, clothing, utilities, and transportation.

With two young children and working, I was always behind on doing laundry. Like it was yesterday, I remember my friend Jennifer stopping by on Christmas Eve to say hello. She helped me fold clothes! So, that year, she was my “Santa Claus.”

We all need a thoughtful friend, so let me share 5 tips I’ve used to help myself and others to keep smiling.

Tip #1: Smile at Everyone

Smiling prevents wrinkles – seriously! When I look at pictures of my Grandmother, I see myself in her, and not just because fat cheeks run in our family. When we smile, it’s like a Christmas tree, all lit up. And when we frown, our cheeks sag, showing how unhappy we are.

Even if you don’t have fat cheeks, smiling creates positive energy that boosts your spirit from the inside. It’s a great way to help yourself be happier while also spreading the feeling to those around you.

You should try smiling at someone who looks miserable. If you keep smiling, they will almost surely follow your example.

Tip #2: Give Time to Someone New

If you’re not yet retired, or have decided to continue working a bit longer, you probably know that getting paid by the hour defines time as money. So, giving time to someone new – helps you keep things in perspective.

When I say ‘things’, I mean having a home, a family, food in the fridge, transportation to come and go, network of friends, other things. Think about making a ‘blessing’ list of all the things that you have, which you often assume everyone has.

When temperatures were below freezing last year, I met someone new at church – a guy named James. He was sleeping under a bridge with cardboard as a mattress and a thin blanket coverlet.

He told me he was new in town and had landed a job that started the next Monday. After he got paid, he would be able to rent a room somewhere until he could afford something better.

James made me think about all the things I was taking for granted in my life. James was simply thankful to have a job lined up and had no complaints of his current circumstances. He made me more aware and got me thinking about how I could share what I had in ways I had not thought of before.

Tip #3: Balance Your Checkbook Before Going Shopping

Years of balancing your checkbook (or maybe not enough years?) have probably made you despise doing it. But go ahead and balance it today. Why? So that you can plan ahead for any extra expenses during the holidays.

One method I have used in the past is the envelope system. With so many bank transactions now electronic, sometimes it is easy to lose track. So, you can simplify the balancing process by setting aside money for gifts and party expenses using an envelope for each category.

That way, your budget is in each envelope, and you can manage how much you spend or save during this time of the year. When the envelope is empty, hopefully you will have made all your planned purchases and will not be tempted to keep on spending money that you don’t have.

Of course, these holiday spend envelopes would be in addition to keeping up with your regular bills and expenses. However, starting the new year with a clean slate and being up to date on paying your bills creates a good feeling!

Tip #4: Look Up and Out, Never Giving Up

For those of us who own a business in retirement, we are familiar with the phrase “working on your business, not just in it.” This tip is to look up and beyond today.

You might consider using the following steps for goal-setting and timelining your next steps:

  • What is it that you want to accomplish next year? (For example, make another $1000 a month = $12,000 next year.)
  • What action steps do you need to take in the next 30 days to work toward accomplishing your goals? (For example, identify and connect with job opportunities that you expect will lead to at least $250 additional income every week.)
  • How do you want to measure success? (For example, number of contacts made for job opportunities; number of contacts who said “yes”; dollar amount earned toward the monthly goal of $1000 in additional income.)
  • Repeat every 30 days for 12 months to reach your goals for the year.

Tip #5: Prepare for the New Year

In the preparation stage is where the real fun begins, when we purge the old to let in the new. This tip is twofold – financial and non-financial.

Do Up the Financial Side

Gather all your financial and other documents for the previous year to organize for your year-end reporting. Consider using Dropbox or Google Drive to scan and digitally store your yearly documents, setting up similar files for the coming year.

Declutter Your Home and Office to Free Space

Make a visual inventory of your home and workspace to identify clutter. This is an ideal time to declutter by storing or discarding items (or even giving things away) that are not creating joy in your life.

By decluttering, your mind will be more agile so that you can engage in new conversations and new activities without being bogged down.

Use these tips to help you do what you love and enjoy what you do! Be blessed.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you prepare for the holidays in relation to your personal and business life? What tips do you have for ending the year with a smile? Please share in the comments below!

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You’re Never Too Old to Find Love

never too old to find love

Life begins again at 60, right? Well, it does if you have the right attitude and know that age is just a number.

You can downsize and enjoy the freedom of less stuff; you can start a new business or volunteer; you can pursue long deferred dreams; or you can try new things – which is one of my favorite ways to keep myself feeling youthful and dynamic.

You can even find love – for the first time, for the fourth time… whatever it is, you’re never too old to find love.

Finding First Love After 60

Helen Krasner of Derbyshire, England is a good example of this. By the time she reached her 60th birthday, she had led a successful, exciting, and fulfilling life by most standards. She had worked as an occupational psychologist, a market research consultant, and a helicopter instructor.

She had walked around the whole coast of Britain, visited more than 80 countries, and flown almost all types of flying machines. She loved where she lived, and she had a nice life writing for a living.

She also had her cats. But that was the problem. She had her cats, and all that other stuff, but no romantic relationship. She worried she was going to end up an elderly “cat lady.”

A Cat Lady Finds a Cat Man

Helen tried some online dating, but she didn’t find anyone suitable. So many of the men her age were looking for someone younger. And then, just as she was about to give up, she came upon a profile written by a cat-loving man.

He wrote well, and he sounded interesting, but he was a bit younger than Helen. She didn’t reach out to him at first, but then she finally decided to take a chance. They talked on the phone regularly for a couple of months, but he didn’t show any inclination to meet.

Then Helen got a new Maine Coon kitten, and that motivated the cat-loving man, David, to visit her. He came to Helen’s house to meet the kitten – and the rest is history.

Helen says, “I still can’t believe that, at the age of 61, I finally found my soulmate. I am now 71, and life just gets better and better.”

Grandma Goes Online to Find Her Match

Helen is a mere baby compared to Queen Lori of Indiana. Lori’s three daughters wanted her to try online dating – at age 87. She finally agreed to do it even though she thought it was a crazy idea.

After the girls realized that Lori wasn’t checking her results on Match.com, they took over and contacted a gentleman who hadn’t given up when Lori failed to answer him.

Like her, he was a former educator, loved to dance, and enjoyed watching football. After talking on the phone for two weeks, Lori reluctantly agreed to meet him for lunch.

That led to dinner dates, ballroom dancing, theatre, and Indianapolis Colts football games with his season tickets.

Newlywed at 90

After a few months, he proposed in the middle of the dance floor. Lori said it was too soon, but then a year and a half later, they got married, and on their honeymoon cruise, they even won “The Newlywed Game” contest among the passengers.

Lori says, “Now, almost two years later, we still feel like newlyweds and have recommended Match.com to others, some of whom have connected.”

Take a Chance on Romance

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We see romance after 60 all the time. It always starts with taking a chance. And that’s not really so hard, is it?

If it doesn’t work out, you’re just back where you started. Most people grapple with taking that first step, and they even have some funny stories to tell about the bad dates they had before the magic occurred!

Romance Tips from Chicken Soup for the Soul

Be open-minded about the age of your dates.

Just be yourself. Everyone looks older when they’re older!

Share what you love doing, but also be willing to try new activities.

If you’re “rusty,” admit it. Your date is probably just as nervous as you are.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you agree that you’re never too old to find love? How are you making yourself available for dating and romance? What has worked for you? Please join the conversation.

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Use These 4 Protein Tips for Healthy Muscle Mass

healthy muscle mass

You have probably heard that gaining and maintaining muscle mass is important as you age. In case that hasn’t sunk in yet, I am here to remind you once again… maintaining your muscle mass is absolutely crucial if you want to age gracefully, remain independent, and maintain your quality of life!

According to a systematic review, muscle mass decreases 3–8% each decade after the age of 30, and continues to decline even faster after the age of 60.

There are many factors that contribute to the amount of muscle mass you have, but one secret to maintaining your muscle mass is to optimize your body’s utilization of protein! Luckily, this is all under your control, and with the following lifestyle practices that focus on optimizing your protein intake, you will be well on your way to more muscle mass, greater strength, and improved functionality.

Follow these 4 rules consistently to maximize your protein utilization:

Eat AT LEAST 0.5 Grams of Protein Per Pound of Bodyweight Every Day

Studies show that muscle protein synthesis decreases with age, meaning that a higher protein intake is necessary to stimulate muscle growth as you get older. According to the PROT-AGE study, people over age 65 should consume at least 1.0-1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight daily to maintain and regain lean body mass and function.

To keep it simple for us folks who use the Imperial system, take your body weight in pounds and divide it by 2, and that is how many grams of protein you should aim for per day. For example, if you weight 150 pounds, aim for at least 75 grams of protein every day!

The same study also recommends that, “Most older adults who have acute or chronic diseases need even more dietary protein (i.e., 1.2-1.5 g/kg body weight/d).”

Note: Individuals with kidney dysfunction should talk to their doctor about a protein intake that is healthy and safe for them.

Aim for 25-30 Grams of Protein Per Meal

According to the PROT-AGE Study, older adults also need a larger amount of protein at each meal in order to maximally stimulate muscle growth. While younger individuals may only need 20 grams of protein per meal, older adults require at least 25-30 grams of protein per meal in order to stimulate muscle growth.

To consume enough protein to meet the amount described in tip #1, you should aim for 2-3 meals per day, with 25-30 grams of protein at each meal. If this does not fulfill your protein requirements based on your weight, or if you are frail, losing muscle, or having trouble gaining muscle, it may be helpful to add in 1 or 2 high protein snacks as well.

Bonus tip: Be particularly sure to get adequate protein at breakfast, as this is when your body needs it the most!

Choose Sources of Highly “Useable” Protein

While many plant-based foods do contain a moderate amount of protein, meat will almost always provide a higher concentration of protein with fewer accompanying calories from carbohydrates and fats.

Eggs, chicken, fish, turkey, and lean cuts of beef are great sources of protein. If you experience digestion or absorption issues, consider taking a digestive enzyme supplement with meals that contain any animal protein.

Protein powder is also a convenient source of protein if a whole food meal is not available. Whey protein has been shown to stimulate muscle synthesis more effectively than casein, so opt for a whey protein concentrate if you are sure that you can tolerate dairy (consider a goat whey supplement like Naked Goat which may be even easier to digest). Otherwise, choose an organic plant-based protein made from rice, pea, or hemp.

Increase Protein Consumption Around Exercise

When it comes to your muscles, the old adage holds very true – “If you don’t use it, you lose it!” Study results showed that resistance exercise was as effective in older adults as it was in young adults for reversing muscle loss and low muscle protein synthesis.

To maximize the results of your workout, aim to consume at least 20 grams of protein along with at least 15 grams of carbohydrates within an hour after completion. If you can’t fit in a full meal at this time, opt for a protein shake and a piece of fruit.

It may not have taken much work to maintain a strong and fit physique when you were in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s. Muscle mass is much easier to build and maintain at that age! However, if you are a woman over the age of 60, maintaining adequate muscle mass is now something that you must actively work on.

It’s never too late to start, but if you still feel strong and healthy, then NOW is the best time to begin implementing these practices on a daily basis!

Do you make sure to consume enough protein in your daily meals? What do you include on most days? Every day? Which is your most protein-rich meal?

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Aubrey Plaza Is So Blonde Now, She Looks Nothing Like Her ‘White Lotus’ Character


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If you’re anything like us, you’ve been glued to your TV every Sunday night watching Aubrey Plaza slay as Harper in season 2 of The White Lotus. That’s probably why it was so jarring to see the star with creamy blonde hair at the Academy’s 13th annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles on November 19. She looked Old Hollywood-glam and very different from her usual dark brown hair, the color she has as Harper, too.

Plaza wore her hair pulled back for the awards so it was hard to see the full effect of the new blonde. But at the 2022 Gotham Awards yesterday, November 28, she wore her shoulder-length hair down so we could see the all-over bright blonde hue. It’s a color that’s trending as of late. It’s not platinum or cool-toned or even especially golden. It’s a creamy blonde that many hairstylists are calling “Uptown Blonde” or “Rich Blonde.” That’s thanks to its high maintenance status and the need to get your roots touched up every month.

2022 Gotham Awards

Theo Wargo/Getty Images.

But don’t let her new Marilyn Monroe style fool you. Plaza is going to continue to play unhinged characters in the future, though we’d say Harper would be described as more uptight. In an interview with Backstage, the actor talked about why she’s drawn to these roles.

“There’s a theme of being misunderstood and playing characters that feel like the odd woman out,” she said. “I’m drawn to those characters on a really basic level. I grew up in Delaware. I didn’t grow up in Hollywood. I didn’t have a direct line to the industry. I was like everybody else who grows up and watches movies and has dreams and fantasies about being an actor and being on the television. I still can’t believe that I’m actually doing that.”

We’re not sure if the blonde is for a role but either way, we’ll be watching.

STYLECASTER | Ashley Benson Interview

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Kyle Richards’ Houndstooth Ski Jacket

Kyle Richards’ Houndstooth Ski Jacket on Her Instastories

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills 2022 Instagram Fashion

Though I personally don’t love skiing, I do love the skiing fashion. Like Kyle Richards’ houndstooth ski jacket she debuted on her IG stories. The best thing about a ski jacket is that it can just be a reg. winter jacket as well! Which means we all should def hit the slopes links and Style Stealers below to get one. ⛷

 

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

 

Kyle Richards' Houndstooth Ski Jacket

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Photo Credit: @kylerichards18

Originally posted at: Kyle Richards’ Houndstooth Ski Jacket

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