Month: December 2024

No Hollywood relationship is safe.

My love affair with orchids began the day I received my first phaleonopsis from my brother-in-law, David, a flower grower who just last week passed away at the young age of 62. I miss him so much and will never forget our encounter over orchids.

The Beginning of My Orchid Story

He kissed me on the cheek and said, “Now don’t kill it!”

This comment, made more than 20 years ago, was part joke, part warning. I’d been the laughing stock of my husband’s family – all very adept growers. Most people kill plants because they water them too much. I kill them because I simply forget to water them.

I promised David I’d work hard to keep the orchid alive. We had a special rapport, that orchid and I, which lasted until three months later, when it went dormant and stopped flowering. Initially, I claimed my orchid stopped flowering because I’d loved it to death.

My Recovery Orchid

After that orchid died, there was a few-year hiatus before my passion was rekindled. Years later, while recovering from breast cancer surgery, I received my second orchid, which outlasted all the cut flowers. As a believer that things happen for a reason, I saw this as a message. I thought that like the orchid, I too would survive.

The orchid lived on my bedside table for a few months. As time went on, I became more and more intrigued by its magical beauty. It calmed me when I was nervous and dispensed a positive and healing energy. That orchid flowered until the next orchid made its way through my front door, a gift from my friend, Janet, the day before I turned 50.

A Passion Develops

That orchid and I had a fruitful few months together until it was replaced by another equally beautiful one. Soon, I realized that my love affair with orchids was moving from infatuation to deep affection, so I began studying the plant.

I joined the American Orchid Society and ordered books by others sharing a similar passion. Armed with those, I learned that for some inexplicable reason orchids have been known to elicit deep passion, perhaps it’s their erotic and flamboyant shapes and colors.

I learned that in some parts of the world they’ve been transformed into talismans, amulets, good luck charms and have been thought to ward off evil spirits, improve health, increase courage and virility.

Orchids and Humanity

Anthropologists proclaim that a broom made from the pseudobulbs and foliage of a Dendrobioum should be used to sweep the house after the death of one of its inhabitants. This gesture prevents death from claiming the lives of other members of the family.

In China, the Dendrobium nobile orchid was greatly esteemed in the Han Dynasty. It was also considered an aphrodisiac which possessed remarkable properties, favoring the body’s yin and also being an active ingredient for a long life. This inspired me to buy an orchid for a dear friend dying of cancer.

Unfortunately, Barbara died two weeks after she received my orchid. When her husband phoned to tell us of her passing, in between sobs he said how much pleasure the orchid had brought her. Orchids, by their simplistic beauty, do that. They bring pleasure.

A few weeks later, Jim phoned back to inquire about how to care for the orchid. A smile swept across my face, as I realized that he, too, had fallen in love with the orchid’s magic.

My Orchid Story Continues

Months later I visited The Santa Barbara Orchid Show and almost immediately invested in two very exotic orchids, each one a hundred and fifty dollars. My husband thought me crazy, but I swore this was a worthwhile investment.

I read up on the exotic lady slipper orchids and followed all the growing and care instructions. Yet, I missed the part that said, that unlike most orchids, it did not like drying out completely between waterings. Within a month, the plant began losing flowers and its leaves began drooping.

Twenty years ago, in the midst of my orchid’s crisis, by brother-in-law, David, and his wife, Kim, came over for dinner. Watching me prepare a three-course meal and catching up on our family’s goings on, I saw him give a glance at the orchid sitting on the corner of my kitchen counter. I knew that he thought it was already doomed.

“David, I bought an expensive orchid at the orchid show so it would last longer.”

There was a silent pause before he smirked and said, “Diana, it doesn’t work that way. It’s the exotic ones which require special attention; the less expensive ones are easier.” Only then did I realize the logic in his words, and boy did I feel like a stupid older sister.

“Oh,” I said, burying my face in my hands. I didn’t want to admit that I’d killed yet another orchid, but I decided not to lose hope. I knew I’d done my best to keep it alive and would try harder next time.

It was too late to stop loving orchids; they’d already pierced a hole in my heart and created a passion that will never wilt unless the universe keeps messaging me to just give up and find another flower to love, but I don’t think that’s possible.

Of course, now that my brother-in-law is gone, it’s time to buy a new orchid and raise it in a way that would make him proud. And I think I will do this for his birthday on December 17^th.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you cared for an orchid? What variety was it? How well did you do? Do you have a special orchid story, or a flower story? Please share it with the community!

These lookalikes will change you for good.

Pain-free denim for your next belfie and beyond.

When it comes to staying stylish, hair color is a powerful tool that can help redefine your look and reflect your personality. For women over 50, hair color trends offer a wonderful opportunity to add vibrancy and freshen up their style. Whether you’re looking for a subtle change or a bold transformation, the hair trends of 2025 have something to inspire everyone.

What Hair Color Trends Are and Where They Come From

Hair color trends are the shades, highlights, and styles that become popular due to a combination of influences. They often emerge from fashion runways, celebrity looks, social media, and advancements in hair coloring techniques. Trends also reflect the cultural mood—whether it’s about embracing boldness, seeking comfort, or revisiting nostalgic styles. In 2025, hair color trends for women over 50 are all about embracing natural tones while adding modern twists, highlighting individuality, and allowing easy maintenance.

Hair Color Trends for Older Women

Smoky Silver

Smoky silver is a sophisticated take on the classic gray. It features soft ash tones blended with deeper charcoal highlights, giving hair a metallic sheen while maintaining a natural vibe. This trend is perfect for those who want to celebrate their natural gray hair while adding a modern, cool undertone.

Why It’s Popular: Smoky silver adds depth and richness to gray hair, making it look deliberate and fashionable rather than simply a sign of aging. It’s a wonderful choice for women embracing their natural grays with a twist.

Buttery Blonde

Buttery blonde is a warm, sun-kissed blonde that brings softness and a youthful glow. The color is neither too bright nor too golden, which makes it flattering on a variety of skin tones. Buttery blonde is ideal for women looking to lighten their hair while adding warmth and dimension.

Why It’s Popular: This shade complements the natural skin changes that come with age, adding a healthy glow that brightens up the complexion. It’s soft, approachable, and a nod to relaxed, beachy looks that are always in style.

Rich Chestnut with Golden Highlights

Rich chestnut is a warm brown shade that can be enhanced with golden highlights to add depth and interest. The chestnut base makes this look timeless and sophisticated, while the subtle golden highlights give it a fresh, light-catching effect. It’s perfect for women who want to enrich their natural brown shades with some added sparkle.

Why It’s Popular: The golden highlights add a subtle contrast that works wonders to make the hair look more voluminous and dimensional. It’s a beautiful and understated way to add a bit of brightness without drastic change.

Cool Bronde

Bronde is a mix between blonde and brown, offering the best of both worlds. The cool bronde trend for 2025 has ashy undertones that make it sophisticated and subtle. It’s a low-maintenance look, perfect for women who want a color that doesn’t require frequent touch-ups.

Why It’s Popular: Cool bronde strikes the perfect balance between dark and light, creating a natural, lived-in look that is easy to maintain. It works well with different shades of gray, making it ideal for transitioning to natural silver.

Auburn Spice

Auburn spice is a rich, reddish-brown hue with hints of copper, adding warmth and a sense of vibrancy. It’s a perfect choice for women who want to introduce some red tones to their hair while still keeping the overall color deep and sophisticated.

Why It’s Popular: This color is flattering for many skin tones, particularly those with warm undertones. It adds a sense of warmth to the face and can bring out eye color, making it a great option for those looking to stand out in a subtle yet impactful way.

Honey Caramel Balayage

Balayage remains popular, and in 2025, the focus is on warm, honey caramel tones that provide a natural, sunlit effect. This trend is perfect for women over 50 who want a low-maintenance way to add warmth and brightness without committing to an all-over color.

Why It’s Popular: Honey caramel balayage gives the hair a healthy, sun-kissed appearance. It grows out beautifully, reducing the need for frequent salon visits—perfect for women who want an effortlessly chic look.

Soft Pastel Tint

For those wanting to be a bit playful, adding a soft pastel tint to gray or blonde hair can be a lovely way to experiment. Pastel pink, lavender, or even a hint of blue can add a whimsical touch without feeling overwhelming.

Why It’s Popular: Soft pastels can give a hint of fun while still being sophisticated. They work well over naturally light or gray hair, adding just a pop of color that can be surprisingly flattering and youthful.

Products for Colored Hair

Maintaining the vibrancy and health of color-treated hair requires specialized products designed to protect and nourish. 

Here are some top-rated products tailored for colored hair:

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

This shampoo repairs damaged hair bonds, strengthens strands, and preserves color, making it suitable for all hair types. 

Pureology Hydrate Sheer Nourishing Shampoo

Ideal for dry, color-treated hair, this sulfate-free shampoo provides deep hydration while maintaining color vibrancy. 

Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

Formulated to prolong the life of color-treated hair, this shampoo gently cleanses and adds shine. 

Kérastase Reflection Bain Chromatique Shampoo

This multi-protecting shampoo preserves color and enhances radiance, suitable for all shades of color-treated hair. 

Verb Ghost Conditioner

A weightless conditioner that moisturizes and smooths color-treated hair without weighing it down. 

Incorporating these products into your hair care routine can help maintain the vibrancy and health of your color-treated hair. 

Choosing the Right Trend for You

When choosing a new hair color trend, it’s important to consider your skin tone, maintenance preferences, and lifestyle. Many of the 2025 trends are designed to enhance your natural beauty with minimal upkeep, which is perfect for women over 50 who want to look chic without constant salon appointments. From smoky silvers to warm buttery blondes, there’s a color for every personality and style.

Ready to Refresh Your Look?

The 2025 hair color trends are all about celebrating who you are – adding brightness, dimension, and fun to your hair without compromising on sophistication. Whether you want to embrace your grays, warm up with golden highlights, or play with pastels, there’s a trend that can help you feel confident and stylish.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which of these colors speaks to you the most? Will you try out a new hair color in 2025? Tell us about it in the comments below.