Long ago, I gave up glitzy
parties, morning hangovers, and late night celebrations. I no longer need to
mark the occasion with noisemakers and hats. On New Year’s Eve, give me a good
movie to watch and a quiet dinner my husband and I prepare together. 

And our letters.

The tradition began when
the kids left home. We wanted our own ritual – a
way for the two of us to close out the old year and ring in the new.

A Quiet New Year’s Eve Tradition

Nowadays, on New Year’s
Eve, we fill our champagne flutes, help ourselves to a stack of decorated
cookies, and settle into our respective ends of the couch. Beside the twinkling
tree, we rip into the envelopes we sealed and stashed away exactly one year
ago. 

And then we read the
letters we wrote to ourselves the previous New Year’s Eve.

Each year, I’m anxious to
rediscover what I penned to myself 365 days ago. Because I truly can never
remember what I wrote. Our New Year’s routine is to draft our letters – including what we hope to do, see, and learn in the
next year – and then plop them in a drawer until the following
December 31. 

As I read my rambling
messages to myself, I’m reminded of what worried, frightened, and excited me
the previous year –
concerns about myself, my family, the world, my friends.

Some of these issues
worked themselves out – and
others did not. I didn’t accomplish all I planned. And wasn’t always the person
I wanted to be. 

But that’s ok. 

Not a To-Do List

Armed with my yellow legal pad, I’ll begin my annual letter to myself by reflecting on those things I’m especially thankful for this year. Adult children and grandchild, travel and time with dear friends. I am here and healthy and able to celebrate another holiday season – and write another letter.

I’ll relate what I loved about this year – and what I didn’t. Favorite, and not so favorite, books, people, places, food. I’ll muse about how I can be a better wife, mom, daughter, friend. Can I worry less, thank more, offer a kinder and gentler approach? 

What can I do to improve myself, my
family, my world? What do I want to see and do with those I love before my
circumstances change?

As we watch the revelers
cheer and the ball drop in Times Square, we’ll kiss, say goodbye to another
year, and file our letters in their designated drawer. Until the next New
Year’s Eve.

An Interesting Legacy

Perhaps our kids and
grandchildren will come across these letters someday. 

As they read them, maybe they’ll smile and remember us
and understand a little more about our lives through the words we wrote over
the years.

Wishing you a new year
filled with fun adventures, bountiful blessings, and good health.

If you haven’t taken our survey yet, please do. It closes on December 31st!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you spend New
Year’s Eve? How have your New Year’s plans changed over the years? What do you
wish for in the new year? Let’s chat!

I swear to you that I am not a bah, humbug kind of person.

In fact, I love the holidays, and one of the things that I most look forward to is that business slows, relatives eventually go home and I have hit every bullet point on my Christmas “To-Do” list.

On the 2nd of January I will need to start behaving like an adult again, but for now, I am sharing some of my holiday (not) guilty pleasures.

Eat Cookies

Are you attending any holiday parties? Whether cocktails or church, you need to ask yourself this: Why eat grown up food when you can eat cookies? Don’t you get enough well-balanced, healthy meals throughout the year?

I’m not suggesting that you sit in the back of the closet with a box of gingerbread men in your lap. No, whether you are at a party or in the vestibule of your church, you can easily wave a cookie in one hand and a drink in the other and people won’t judge. They will simply think that you are being festive. Take advantage. This is one of the few times all year you can eat like this in public.

Grandma’s Having a Time Out

All year long I fill up my calendar and show up on time. The antidote for this schedule on steroids is a pajamathon. You must stay in your pajamas all day and if you insist upon showering, then change into clean pajamas afterward.

Don’t worry about answering the door. You’re in your 60s; you don’t owe the world an explanation for hanging out in flannel PJs and socks all day if you want.

Binge Watching

This often-over-looked resource for the art of doing nothing is now available on every computer from Hulu to Netflix to Amazon and is truly one of the great indulgences of the holidays. If you have Amazon, check out Good Girls Revolt. If you have Netflix, all the past episodes of New Girl or Friends will keep you entertained with marathon viewing. And don’t forget Home and Garden TV for a real binge-watching treat.

Mindlessness

This is a new twist on the more trending “mindfulness.” Instead of being mindful, you simply space out with You Tube cat and/or puppy videos. Make sure to laugh out loud to get the full benefit of the mindlessness exercise being suggested. Wine optional.

Physical Exercise

Finger muscles can get neglected all year long. But you can re-build up your finger muscles as you turn pages of your favorite Christmas catalogues, The New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine or any other glossy that you can hold in your hands.

You must stretch out on the couch to do this exercise. While your fingers may ache a little from so much activity, know that you can stop at any time, place magazine across your belly like a little tent and take a nap.

Movie Orgies

For those who must get dressed and out of the house, why not make a list of all the films that you want to see? If you don’t know what’s playing right now, check out the current list at Fandango.

Getting in the Mood

Taking serious down time for one’s self is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes you need something to help put you in the mood. Here’s my list: hot baths, hot showers, home pedicures, good wine, chocolate and cozy socks.

The Permission Slip

If you are still having difficulty with the idea that you are entitled to relax and do nothing, try writing a note to yourself and posting it on the fridge where everyone – especially you – can see it. It can look something like this: Dear Universe, Please excuse (fill in your name) from all the good deeds, responsibilities and obligations that she usually takes on. Cut her some slack. She needs a couple of days off and will return to all the obligation stuff in the New Year.

When the kids and grandkids have gone home, the leftovers have been stored in Tupperware and the wrapping paper has been recycled, get a little naughty and put your feet up. You deserve it, and I’ll be thinking of you as I binge watch and eat cookies in my pajamas.

Thank you Sixty and Me readers for an interesting, fun and enlightening year. I have a warm place in my heart for you and raise my glass to your awesomeness. Peace on earth. Goodwill. And joy to all.

If you haven’t already, please find a moment to fill out our short end-of-year survey. It’s closing on Dec. 31st.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which guilty holiday pleasure are you planning on enjoying this year? How are you going to get in the holiday spirit this year? What TV series are you planning to binge watch? We look forward to hearing your thoughts as we wrap up this year.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

It used to be that celebrities — and their hairstylists — decided the biggest trends of the season. While that’s still true to a point, lately we’re looking to TikTokers to start the trends. When a video of a bouncy blowout gets 20 million views with folks everywhere copying the look, that’s how trends get made. And 2023’s biggest hair trends are no different. Of course, there’s also TikTokers copying celebrity looks to great success. All you have to do is search “Hailey Bieber’s bun” to find the latest celeb obsession.

So, what is trending right now and what do we see making waves in 2023? We’ve got you. Below is a rundown of the hottest hair trends we’re seeing on TikTokers and celebrities alike. The best part? Many of these creators show you exactly how to get their look at home. All you need is a little practice with your unique hair and you’re ready to switch it up this year. Hair is supposed to be fun, right?

Fluffy Blowouts

@matildadjerf

my hair needed a freshen up 🎀

♬ Nonsense – Sped Up Version – Sabrina Carpenter

Big, voluminous hair isn’t going anywhere. We’re seeing it on celebrities like Zendaya and Jennifer Lawrence, and TikTok creators such as Shay Sullivann and designer Matilda Djerf, above. Of course, a Dyson Airwrap ($599 at Sephora) helps you nail this look, but so do affordable, old-fashioned hot curlers like Conair Hot Rollers, 1.5-Inch + 1.75-Inch ($34.99 at Amazon).

Wolf Cut

@alice_hez

So I did a thing… #wolfcut

♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Back in May 2021, folks on TikTok started chopping off their ponytails in search of what we’re now calling a wolf cut, shorter in the front and longer in the back with layered pieces throughout. Since then, the cut has only gained speed with celebrities including Debby Ryan, Miley Cyrus and most recently, Lizzo and Kristin Stewart. While it’s fun to watch a DIY video, for this trend, we have to recommend heading to the salon for an even chop.

Balletcore Bun

@jesscosba

Replying to @melanie melo the most requested hairstyle tutorial ever! Everything’s linked on my profile✨🤍 #fyp#sleekbuntutorial#hairstyle#latina#haileybieber#foryou

♬ original sound – Jess

You’ve heard of balletcore clothes, with Aritzia leotards and ballet flats. But the slicked-back bun also has ties to the ballet world. Hailey Bieber is a big fan of the look and we’re seeing more and more celebrities wear it from running errands to the red carpet. There are hundreds of tutorials on how to get the ballerina-style bun on TikTok and they almost all include using the viral Tancho High Grade Tique Vegetable Pomade ($11.95 at Amazon) or the Tigi Bed Head Hair Wax Stick ($16.49 at Amazon).

’90s Styles

@yinniethepoohh

3 styles for micro braids with looks from the OG braid queen @brandy (braids by me haha) #moesha #brandy #blackgirl #90sfashion #targethalloween #fyp

♬ original sound – Jaylin Nicole Mira E

Y2K isn’t coming back — it’s been back for a while. That’s why we’re seeing creators heading back even further to the ’90s when shows like Moesha and Clarissa Explains It All helped set the trends. Copy braid queen Brandy with micro braids or put tons of layers in your hair à la Clarissa (Melissa Joan Hart).

Recently, I was able to teach an in-person makeup class for women over 50 for the first time in two years. And it was so wonderful – and such a treat – to be able to interact with other women in person again.

One of the things I like to do in these classes is come in wearing makeup and then remove my makeup to show how makeup can really transform us. Since I naturally wanted to look my best to start off the class, when I went to my makeup drawer I chose the makeup that I can always rely on that helps me look and feel my best.

So, today I want to share with you the drugstore products that I grabbed that day from my makeup drawer that I can always count on, and I’ll demonstrate the application of these products in the accompanying video.

Eyebrow Products

There are three drugstore eyebrow products I love. Sometimes I use just one of them and sometimes I combine a couple to achieve a more polished look.

The Elf Instant Lift Brown Pencil comes in five shades and is an amazing bargain at $3.00. What I especially love about it is that it has a spoolie on the other end and the brow pencil itself glides on very easily.

Because I have very scraggly brows, I have to add in another product when I want a more polished brow look. My “add in” product of choice is Maybelline’s Tattoo Studio Eyebrow pomade which I apply along the top of my brow line to even it out. It comes in 8 colors so it’s fairly easy to find a shade to match your brows.

The third really helpful product is a brow pen which can be used to create individual brow hairs to help our brows look more natural. One of the very best eyebrow pens I’ve found is from the drugstore brand NYX. It’s their Lift and Snatch Brow Tint Pen which is available in 10 shades.

Because of the number of shade options, it’s easier to find a match for your brow color with this brand’s pen than with a number of pens from other brands. This pen creates a very precise, thin stroke which is just what we need when trying to create the look of individual brow hairs.

Outstanding Eyeshadows

My favorite drugstore eyeshadow brand is Colourpop. First of all, this brand is incredibly prolific in the number of their product launches so you can find just about any color combination in eyeshadow palettes on their site – from neutrals to lavenders, purples, blues, oranges.

These are some of my favorites: “It’s My Pleasure,” “Lilac You A Lot,” “Going Coconuts,” and “Orchid You Not.” But I especially love their 12 pan palettes. Unfortunately, quick product launches also means quick discontinuation. That’s what happened to three of my favorites: “Cabana Club,” “Lush Life” and “At Forest Sight.”  

In today’s video I’m using an eyeshadow palette that will probably surprise you because we’d usually think of the color combination as more suitable for spring and summer. It’s their “In the Springs” palette which is a reference to Palm Springs, California.

I love the complementary color combination of blue and orange and several of these colors can work beautifully as transition colors. For eyeliner, I’m going to use the deepest shade of blue in this eyeshadow palette called “Hole in One.”

You Can’t Go Wrong with These Foundations

I have three favorite drugstore foundations and I usually combine two of them – Catrice’s True Skin Hydrating Foundation and L’Oréal’s Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation. The L’Oréal foundation gives a bit more glow to my foundation look. My other favorite drugstore foundation is Wet and Wild’s Photo Focus Foundation which comes in both a matte formulation and a dewy formulation.

Two Good Cream Contours

These cream contours I rate about equally. One is Elf’s Cream Contour palette and the other is Wet and Wild’s Makeup Stick. Of course, you are getting more color options – and therefore more product – with the Elf cream contour palette. In today’s video I’m using the Wet and Wild stick called “Where’s Walnut” that has a cool undertone.

There are two other Wet and Wild colors that work best if you have a warmer undertone. They are “Oaks on You” and “Call Me Maple.” The latter is the darker of these two colors.

Rather than applying the contour directly to my face from the applicator, I recommend swiping some on the back of the hand, diffusing it with a brush and then applying it. This method of application ensures that you don’t apply too much.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

This Drugstore Priced Blush Can Compete with Any High-End Blush

My blush is one of my all-time favorite drugstore products because of its formula and consistency. It’s a gel from Flower Beauty that just melts into the skin. It’s their Blush Bomb Color Drops which come in 8 colors.

The color “Nectar” is great for those of us with a warm or neutral skin undertone and “Nectar” and the shade “Melon” are wonderful for those of us with a warm undertone. “Spiced” which is a warm pink brown – or “Pinched” – which is a Nude Pink may work for those of us with a neutral skin undertone.

And if you’re not sure whether you have a cool, warm or neutral skin undertone, check out my video where you can walk through nine questions that will help you determine the undertone of your skin:

This Drugstore Highlighter Outshines Them All

My highlighter of choice is from Wet and Wild. They make a cream highlighter stick in several colors which creates a softer highlight look, but I especially love their liquid highlighter. And my favorite color is the lightest shade which is called “Halo/Goodbye.”

The liquid highlighter also comes in four other colors: “Halographic” which is an icy light champagne that is good for cool undertones; “Halo Gorgeous” which is a pinky peach which can work well for neutral and warm skin undertones; “Guilded Glow” which is a honey color great for warm undertones and “Go with the Glow” which is a light copper shade which is also great for deeper colored skin with warm undertones.

In the video I’ll use a brush to pick it up off the back of my arm and apply it.

These Lip Products Can’t Be Beat

If I didn’t have an issue with lipstick migrating into the fine lines around my mouth, I would use Revlon’s Color Stay lip liners which are wonderfully creamy and glide on very easily. But since I do have an issue with those fine lines, I’m using L’Oréal’s Age Perfect Lip Liners which can really prevent the lipstick from creeping where it doesn’t belong.

These L’Oréal lip liners come in eight colors which primarily work for cool tone lipsticks. But “Nude Pink” could be an option for those of us who use a neutral or warm undertone lipstick. Over the lip liner I’ll apply a L’Oréal matte lipstick in a color which has, unfortunately, been discontinued, and then I’ll apply a Milani Color Statement Lipstick in “Violet Volt,” which I really love. The gloss I’ll be using is from Sephora’s brand and is called “Wild.”

One of the Best Drugstore Mascaras

Due to my sensitive eyes, I’m unable to use a drugstore mascara, but if I could, I’d choose L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise Mascara. For eyeshadow under my eyes, I mixed the lighter and darker matte blue shades from the eyeshadow palette as eyeliner on the bottom, outer one third of my eyes.

If I had to choose just one drugstore brand for all of my makeup needs, I’d definitely go with Wet and Wild. As you saw in the video and can tell from this article, they have an amazing variety of good quality products.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you primarily use drugstore makeup? What are some of your favorite drugstore products? Do you have a favorite drugstore brand or do you use a variety of products from different brands?

Every year, millions of people around the world make New Year’s resolutions with the hope that they will make positive changes in their lives. But without a clear plan or structure for implementing these changes, it cannot be easy to make progress and stick with them.

This blog post outlines an evidence-based method for implementing new changes and sticking to them so you can make real progress in 2023.

Step 1: Set Goals That Are SMART

It’s essential to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

This increases your chances of success because it helps you stay focused on what matters most. For example, rather than setting a vague goal like “I want to be healthier this year,” try something more specific like “I will walk 3 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before work/daily chores.”

SMART goals can be applied to all aspects of lifestyle changes. Here is an example of a SMART plan for each element of a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy eating: “I will add 1 cup of spinach to lunch three days per week.”

Exercise: “I will walk daily for 45 minutes at lunch with my colleagues around the block.”

Stress: “I will practice meditation using “Three Minutes to Calm” each night before bed for the next four weeks.”

Sleep: “I will shut down my computer 1 hour before bed each night to allow my mind to unwind before bed for the next four weeks.”

Alcohol: “I will limit alcohol to 1-2 drinks per week for the next six weeks.”

SMART goals are used in clinical settings to help patients achieve clarity on health goals and to have measurable outcomes to reference.

Step 2: Break Down Your Goals into Manageable Chunks

Once you have set your goals for the year, break them down into smaller chunks that are easier to manage.

Research suggests that breaking big tasks into smaller ones makes them seem more achievable and increases motivation. So, if your goal is to run a 10K by June 1, consider following a training program that matches your experience level and time commitment.

Step 3: Track Your Progress and Celebrate Successes

Keeping track of your progress is essential to stay motivated throughout the process. Studies show that tracking progress helps maintain motivation even when goals become challenging or tedious. Additionally, celebrate successes along the way!

Acknowledge when you reach a milestone or complete a task – no matter how small – to keep yourself motivated and on track for achieving long-term goals.

Step 4: Find a Buddy

Finding a buddy can make your efforts more fruitful if you try to achieve a goal and want to do it with others. Having someone with similar purposes whom you can share the journey with can give you extra motivation, create accountability, and open up new opportunities for learning and growing together.

When people get help from others on their goals, they are much more likely to reach success. So don’t be afraid to find someone who can be your partner in achieving greatness!

Conclusion

Making New Year’s resolutions is difficult; staying motivated throughout the process can often feel like an uphill battle. However, following an evidence-based approach can help increase motivation levels and make it easier to stick with your goals over time.

By setting SMART goals, breaking them down into manageable chunks, and tracking progress regularly, you can set yourself up for success in 2023!

Please take a moment to fill out the short Sixty and Me survey. Your opinion and suggestions matter to us!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What about you? What goals do you want to set for 2023? What is your plan for achieving them? How will they change your life?