Month: August 2023

Photo: @ginakirschenheiter

Originally posted at: Emily Simpson’s Pink Metallic Draped Dress

My wife and I were chatting before supper the other day about art classes.

“You don’t realize how scary it is for art students,” Kerrin said.

I was not sure what my wife meant by this. “Oh yes?” I replied.

“Yes, many people are afraid of looking silly. Putting themselves in a situation where others can see them painting. I’m not sure if they understand what to do,” she said.

“If they feel comfortable enough to enjoy the class, they will appreciate your teaching forever. It is a big deal.”

The Courage to Learn More

Kerrin was right. How easy it is to forget that taking a class is a leap of faith. No doubt you have to be a keen artist to attend a workshop. It takes a commitment in time and money. Yet we often believe that is all it takes. But it is the courage part that we never mention.

I do remember attending my first workshop with a professional artist of some repute. “This is a great opportunity,” I thought. “I can learn new things and my own painting will improve. This is important to me.”

When the workshop started, I was nervous. Amazing. Why? After all, I had years of experience behind me. The thing is that creativity is usually a private thing. It is personal.

To paint in public exposes a part of you that is sensitive to scrutiny. Your emotional connection to your art spirit is easily bruised. It is not about ego. Although that may be part of it as well.

Teaching Reminds Us to Be Grateful

All teachers should remember how important it is to help each participant feel at ease, to feel safe. If the teacher fails in this respect, he breaches a level of trust that he cannot restore. It is a tremendous responsibility.

It is also a responsibility I feel grateful for. When I think back to my school days, I have one teacher in mind. What did he teach? No surprises here – it had to do with art, of course. The class was on art history. And it so happened that our high school had outsourced art classes to a local art school. This worked out great for us.

How a Love for Teaching Influences Others

The art school was across town, so our small class climbed into a bus twice a week to attend our art lessons. Three hours of practical art lessons each week. Sweet deal. Moreover, we had art history lessons for an hour once a week at another off campus venue. It was like a field trip. I loved it.

The other plus was that the art history teacher was more like a university lecturer – unlike the typical uptight school teachers. He treated us like real students. Classes were in lecture format, and we took our own notes. Occasionally, he would cuss someone who was not paying attention. We lapped it up.

I now know the amount of dedication it takes to teach well. Especially if you have a group of tired school kids who are distracted. To keep this up means you love what you do. And how lucky are we to learn from someone who loves what they are teaching. Most school kids do not appreciate this at the time. But I get it now.

Why I Need to Thank My Art Teacher

That is why I want to express my gratitude to my high school art history teacher. My enjoyment of art, to this day, remains enriched by his teaching. I also know that he is grateful for the opportunity to teach. How do I now this? He still continues to teach art history to adults for the love of it. He passed mandatory retirement age a long time ago. That is proof enough. Thank you Mr. Gibb.

Now I teach art. Johnny come lately of the art world. Back doing what I love, while, perhaps, giving art students more confidence and inspiration and helping them conquer their fear. I am ever so grateful for this opportunity.

Gratitude for Those Who Have Gone Before Us

I also think about those art lessons at school. Learning about the trials and tribulations of artists making a go of their lives. It took guts to make it as an artist back in the day. I am grateful for those artists who suffered for their calling.

There was no pension plan for them. No security except what they made for themselves in a hard world. Yes, I do feel that I am honoring them in my own little way for what they have taught me.

Take the Step and Teach

If you have considered teaching in any form, then go for it. Whether it is to your grandchildren, at the community center, your club – whatever. I’m sure you know a lot about something! Pass some of that knowledge on. You never know who may need it.

It is a reminder. We need to be grateful for what we know, for those who have taught us, and passing on that wisdom is putting that gratitude into action. It is the best compliment we can give to those who nurtured us. It is never too late to enrich someone else’s life, too. Who knows what you may start? And yes, thank the teacher who did right by you.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you considered teaching? Did you have a teaching career? What was your experience? Please share your wisdom below!

Saving for retirement is crucial if you want to be financially secure in your later years. But because of the economy and the fact that more men than women work, many women do not have enough money saved for retirement.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that 50% of women aged 55 to 66 don’t have any savings for their own retirement. 47% of men, on the other hand, do not have their own savings for retirement.

Several things have led to this problem, such as women making less money when they work.

Annuities can still be a valuable financial tool in 2023 to help you manage your finances, just as they have been in the past. Annuities are financial products typically offered by insurance companies and can provide a steady stream of income over a specified period or for the rest of your life.

Here’s how annuities can help you manage your finances in 2023:

Guaranteed Income

One of the primary benefits of annuities is the guarantee of a steady income stream. This can provide retired women with financial security, ensuring they have a regular income to cover their essential expenses, regardless of market fluctuations or economic uncertainties. So, you can use the money to pay off your debt, cover insurance premiums, pay rent, etc.

Annuities can offer a strategic solution for consolidating payday loans and managing debt more effectively. Payday loans often come with high-interest rates and short repayment periods, which can lead to a cycle of debt. By utilizing an annuity, you can receive a structured stream of payments over a specified period, providing a consistent and reliable source of income.

This stable income can be used to find thebest debt consolidation for payday loans, helping to eliminate the burden of high-interest debt. Annuities provide a systematic approach to financial management, allowing you to regain control over your finances and break free from the cycle of costly short-term loans.

However, it’s essential to carefully evaluate the annuity terms, consider any associated fees or tax implications, and seek financial advice to ensure this approach aligns with your specific financial goals and circumstances.

Longevity Protection

Women tend to live longer than men on average, which can lead to concerns about outliving their retirement savings. Annuities can address this concern by providing income for life, which helps prevent the risk of running out of money in later years.

Spousal and Beneficiary Protection

Some annuity options, like joint and survivor annuities, allow retirees to ensure that their spouse or beneficiaries continue to receive payments after their passing. This is particularly important for married women who want to provide for their surviving spouse or loved ones.

Mitigating Market Risk

Annuities can serve as a way to reduce exposure to market volatility. Unlike investments in stocks or bonds, the income from annuities is not directly tied to market performance. This can provide peace of mind for retired women who may be more risk-averse.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Retired women can better plan their budgets and financial expenses with a consistent and predictable income stream from annuities. This can help them maintain their desired lifestyle and cover essential needs without worrying about market ups and downs affecting their income.

Supplemental Income

Annuities can also be used to complement other sources of retirement income, such as Social Security or pension payments. This additional income can enhance financial flexibility and allow retired women to enjoy more discretionary spending.

Customization

Annuities come in various types and structures, allowing individuals to tailor their annuity choices to their specific financial goals and needs. Options include fixed annuities (with a guaranteed interest rate), variable annuities (with investment options), and indexed annuities (linked to market indexes).

Legacy Planning

If leaving a financial legacy for your beneficiaries is vital to you, annuities can be structured to include death benefits that ensure your beneficiaries receive a certain minimum amount, even if the value of the annuity has decreased due to market fluctuations.

Long-Term Care Planning

Your annuity company can either give you the money to use as you see fit or pay you back for long-term care costs you’ve already paid for. Most of the time, to use the long-term care rider and start getting money from the annuity, you must meet specific medical standards requiring long-term care.

Inflation Protection

Inflation can erode the purchasing power of your savings over time. Some annuities offer inflation-adjusted payment options, which means your income will increase periodically to keep up with rising costs.

Diversification

Annuities can serve as a way to diversify your investment portfolio. They provide a more conservative option compared to riskier investments like stocks, offering a level of stability and predictability that can be especially valuable in times of market volatility.

It’s important to note that annuities also have potential drawbacks, such as fees, limited access to the principal, and a potential lack of liquidity. Before purchasing an annuity, it’s recommended to thoroughly research the different types, know the terms and conditions, and consult a financial advisor to ensure that an annuity aligns with one’s overall financial plan and goals.

Annuities can offer retired women a stable and predictable income source, helping them manage their finances effectively and providing them with a sense of financial security throughout their retirement years.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What do you use annuities for? Have you considered annuities as part of your investment portfolio? What advice do you have to women in our community who haven’t used annuities before?

Recently, there has been a lot of buzz about minimalist fashion. At its core, it can be described as a Classic, unadorned, neutral-colored, or solid-colored, wardrobe made up of high-quality interchangeable pieces and little to no “logo” accessories. I advocate for having a lot of these kind of pieces in your closet. There is a lot to be said for such a wardrobe.

But I think the problem is that the whole concept got co-opted when celebrities wanted to prove that they were not conspicuous consumers. They didn’t want to appear too flashy. So instead, they started wearing these minimalist type pieces from extremely expensive sites like The Row, Khaite, and Celine that are easily identifiable as extremely expensive pieces from The Row, Khaite, and Celine.

Next, younger fashion influencers jumped on the bandwagon. They called the style “Old money” chic. And as day followed night, a torrent of faceless online critics began vigorously and somewhat viciously panning these Classic style “wanna-bes” and disparaging the whole concept.

Maybe a lot of this trend is fueled by a belief that color, print, and jewelry is somehow slightly vulgar or is harming the planet by using toxic dyes and other natural resources. And maybe the minimalist critics felt they were at risk of losing their individuality.

But the notion that dressing to be visible is somehow contributing to our collective demise throws the entire love of adornment – which has been a feature of human life since we were cave dwellers – out the window. It feels like a guilt-trip, frankly. There’s a difference between conscious consumerism and guilt.

Still, for us women over 60, 70, and beyond, can minimalist fashion actually hold something valuable? Or do we simply disappear behind all that tan, beige, and gray?

There Is Minimalism… And Then There Is a Minimalist Mindset

Minimalist style refers specifically to what is considered a Classic type of wardrobe. It’s defined by the parameters mentioned above: simple, neutral, or solid-colored, high-quality interchangeable pieces. It’s actually a very elegant and striking look for a lot of older women. It can demonstrate good taste and refinement. Those aren’t bad qualities for anyone. And they can help you to stand out on their own.

But Minimalism as a concept can refer to the sheer number of items in your closet. Embracing minimalism means that your closet isn’t stuffed to the gills with clothing items you rarely wear, or that held some sentimental meaning for you 10 (or 20) years ago but are terribly dated now.

Embracing minimalism can mean that your clothes speak to who you are, intrinsically, and that you wear them on repeat because they are beautiful. You don’t need a lot of unusual or showy pieces. It can demonstrate that you are not trend driven.

Maintaining this mindset when it comes to what you wear is a healthy way of simplifying your life and freeing your mind from clutter. Too much of anything can complicate life. And our closets are very revealing about how complicated our lives might be.

Can These Ideas Co-Exist?

The answer is, of course!! I’ve been beating the drum about simple, classic, well-made basics as the foundation of just about any wardrobe for a long time now. That certainly doesn’t mean you have to throw out your love of color, print, or accessories.

But the reality is that as we age fewer of us want to be seen as wildly flamboyant or flashy. You have to have a pretty bold personality to carry that off after 70 or risk looking slightly foolish.

If you are attracted to the idea of having fewer and better things that withstand the test of time, and a wardrobe that uncomplicates your life, minimalism might be a good fit for you. It just requires being a little more strategic about how you organize your closet and express your unique style. You will start seeing the value of purchasing better quality items because you will want them to last a long time.

How Minimalism Can Work for You

The main draw of a minimalist wardrobe is that it is a very practical and workable wardrobe. It’s practical because it saves you a lot of time figuring out what to wear. The fewer the items, the fewer the decisions. Workability comes from seeing that just about everything goes well with everything else in your closet.

And it can help you remind you that you don’t need to keep buying the same types of things on impulse. (We tend to do this when we have so many clothes that we’ve forgotten we already own the very same or similar new item that we are attracted to.)

Ann Taylor Double Breasted Suit 

When you simplify your choices, hone your color palette, and do some editing, you will find that getting dressed is a lot less stressful. And that doesn’t mean you have to replace your own style with a strictly Classic, neutral wardrobe.

In a post I wrote for Sixty and Me, we looked at the two extremes of fashion style displayed by the main characters in Frankie and Grace. Frankie was a true bohemian and Grace was almost a pure Classic archetype. Grace’s closet likely looks similar to the true Classic minimalist wardrobe.

Frankie’s character was all about patterns, textures, and ethnic-inspired clothing and accessories. But at this latter stage of her life, she opted for less pattern mixing, more solid-colored pieces, and fewer, but very bold accessories, often matching the silver in her hair. The whole look was extremely chic and elegant. And it had a striking simplicity to it. Her unique personality still came through clearly.

Can Minimalism Fashion Actually Make Us MORE Visible?

There are several ways minimalism can make you stand out – in a good way. If you just abhor the idea of all neutrals, simply wearing a pair of perfectly tailored slacks worn with a fabulous colored blouse or a gorgeously printed scarf in colors that are very flattering to your skin and eyes, can make you extremely visible… rather enviable, actually.

LilySilk blouse

Or a simple, rolled-sleeve white blouse worn with your favorite stack of chunky or colorfully beaded bracelets can also be extremely chic, if you still want to express that more playful or bohemian part of your personality. Or wearing a bias-cut mid length satin skirt worn with a colorful cashmere sweater or even a crisp solid colored blouse can look elegant, sexy, and smart.

Talbot’s windowpane wool blend coat

Or it could be something like a solid-colored neutral basic layer of tops, slacks or skirts worn with a fabulous, printed, or colorful coat and boots. These are all simple, “minimalist” outfits. There is nothing boring about them. And they can be varied and accessorized to make you visible but classy.

My Own Minimalist Journey

Sometimes it just feels like the right time to shed an old image of who you were and embrace version 2.1.

At another time in my own life, I strongly embraced the “High Spirited” part of my fashion style and personality. That persona was more extroverted, energetic, bubbly, had short curly hair with reddish-gold highlights, and wore red rimmed glasses.

But I have let my hair grow out, stopped coloring it, and now wear it straight. The Classic side of my style and personality is simply what appeals to me more now. By necessity, as I am in my 70s, I conserve my energy. I also conserve my finances in that I don’t go for an expensive hair color and cut every six weeks. And I have fully embraced my graying temples and the fact that, with length, my hair is now straighter. My dark rimmed glasses add an element of gravitas.

Personally, I feel more visible and authentic now than I did in my younger years. And it’s a heck of a lot less complicated than how I used to dress.

Dipping a Toe in Minimalism

If you like the concept but the prospect of revamping your whole wardrobe is too daunting, start by applying the two most important criteria for a minimalist wardrobe: “Do I love it, and/or do I need it?” If you neither love nor need something, it’s just taking up space in the back of your closet… and in the back of your mind.

And then, with the items that pass that first test, create a few combinations that you wear often. Think about how confident and visible you feel in them. And importantly, apply an honest eye when considering whether or not they still reflect who you are.

You can pare down, eliminate a lot of fluff, opt for simple, well-made, and refined pieces, and still be something of a Bohemian, a Femme fatale, an “old money” Classic, a laid-back fashionista, or whatever “title” you want to give yourself.

And you will definitely still remain visible.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What do you think of the trend toward “minimalist” fashion”? Have you embraced the concept for yourself? Do you have a minimalist go-to outfit that makes you feel visible and chic?

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Photo + ID: @erindanalichy

Originally posted at: Erin Lichy’s Favorite Nail Polish Colors