Month: October 2025

Style Stealers

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Originally posted at: Lisa Barlow’s Brown Turtleneck

Staying close to family has never been easier thanks to video calling. For women over 60, FaceTime and other video chatting platforms make it possible to watch a grandchild’s first steps, help with homework, or just share a laugh, even if you live hundreds of miles apart. These tools bridge the gap between generations and help keep relationships strong.

If you’re ready to feel more confident about using FaceTime with the grandkids, here’s a step-by-step guide with easy video calling tips, plus a look at other platforms you might want to try.

Why Is FaceTime a Great Choice for Grandparents?

FaceTime is one of the simplest video calling apps available, especially if you already use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer. It’s built right into Apple devices, so there’s nothing extra to download or set up. With just one tap, you can see your grandchild smiling back at you.

Some of the best features include:

• Clear video and sound quality – It feels like you’re in the same room.
• Free to use – As long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi, there are no extra charges.
• Easy to access – Calls work right from your contacts list.
• Fun extras – Kids love using emojis, stickers, and filters during calls.

If your grandchildren are already using Apple devices, FaceTime is a natural choice to stay connected.

How Do You Start a FaceTime Call?

Making a FaceTime call only takes a few taps. Here’s the easiest way:

1. Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap “New FaceTime.”
3. Type in your grandchild’s name (if they’re in your contacts) or their phone number/email.
4. Tap the green video button – and you’re connected!

You can also start a FaceTime call straight from the Contacts app by selecting their name and hitting the video icon.

Pro Tip: If you’re calling little ones, ask their parents to prop the phone or tablet up on a stand. That way, you don’t end up chatting with just the ceiling or a wiggly screen.

What If the Call Keeps Freezing or Cutting Out?

One of the most common frustrations with video calling is when the screen freezes or the sound cuts out. Luckily, these issues usually come down to your internet connection.

Try these quick fixes:

• Move closer to your Wi-Fi router for a stronger signal.
• Close other apps that might be using the internet.
• Ask family members not to stream movies or play games online during your call.
• Switch to audio-only FaceTime if video isn’t working well.

If problems persist, restarting your device or router often solves the issue.

Can You Use FaceTime with More Than One Grandchild?

Yes! With Group FaceTime, you can have up to 32 people on the same call. Imagine chatting with all your kids and grandkids at once; it’s like a virtual family reunion.

To start a group call:

1. Open the FaceTime app.
2. Tap New FaceTime.
3. Add multiple contacts.
4. Hit the green video button.

It might feel chaotic with little ones, but it’s a fun way to celebrate birthdays or holidays together, no matter where everyone lives.

What Fun Things Can You Do with the Grandkids on FaceTime?

FaceTime isn’t just for chatting; it can be interactive and playful. Here are a few ideas:

• Read a bedtime story – Hold the book up so they can see the pictures.
• Sing songs together – Nursery rhymes or holiday favorites work well.
• Play “Show and Tell” – Let your grandkids show you their latest drawing or toy.
• Cook together – Prop your phone in the kitchen and follow the same recipe.
• Help with homework – Share explanations or practice spelling words.

Adding activities keeps kids engaged and makes calls more memorable.

How Do You Stay Comfortable on Longer Video Calls?

It’s easy to get tired holding up your phone for too long. Here’s how to make calls more comfortable:

• Use a phone or tablet stand – Keeps your hands free and the camera steady.
• Sit near good lighting – Natural light from a window is best.
• Wear earbuds or headphones – Improves sound and reduces background noise.
• Find a quiet space – Helps everyone hear better.

Small adjustments make your calls feel more relaxed and enjoyable.

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What If You Don’t Have an iPhone? Other Ways to Video Chat

Not everyone in the family may be using Apple devices, and that’s okay. There are plenty of other video chatting platforms that work well for grandparents and grandkids:

• Zoom – Great for larger family gatherings, school projects, or group storytelling sessions.
• Google Meet – Works right in a web browser, easy to use if your family has Gmail accounts.
• WhatsApp Video Calls – Popular worldwide, simple to use for one-on-one calls.
• Facebook Messenger Video – If you’re already on Facebook, this is a convenient option.

Each of these platforms is free and easy to set up. It’s worth having more than one available in case someone doesn’t use Apple devices.

How Do You Make Sure the Call Feels Personal?

Sometimes video calls can feel rushed or distracted. To keep the connection meaningful:

• Plan a time that works for both you and the kids.
• Ask questions about their day, school, or hobbies.
• Let them “take you along” – they can carry the phone to show you their room, pets, or projects.
• Celebrate milestones – a lost tooth, an art project, or a sports win.

Treat calls like real visits by giving your full attention, and your grandkids will look forward to them.

Are There Privacy or Safety Concerns?

Keeping your calls safe is important. Here are a few simple practices:

• Only call and accept calls from people you know.
• Use secure Wi-Fi (not public networks) for your conversations.
• Talk with your grandkids’ parents about safe screen time and boundaries.

FaceTime and most major video chat platforms use encrypted connections, so your calls are private, but it’s still smart to stay cautious.

What If Technology Feels Overwhelming?

It’s normal to feel a little intimidated at first, but practice makes it easier. A few tips:

• Ask your kids or grandkids to help – They’ll love being the “tech teacher.”
• Try a practice call with a friend before connecting with the grandkids.
• Write down the steps so you don’t forget next time.
• Be patient with yourself – every click gets easier.

Remember, your grandkids aren’t expecting perfection – they just want to see and hear you.

How Can You Keep Video Calls Exciting Over Time?

Routine calls are lovely, but adding surprises keeps things fresh. Try these ideas:

• Have a theme day (crazy hats, favorite color, superhero costumes).
• Send them a small package ahead of time and open it together on the call.
• Plan a virtual game night with charades, trivia, or bingo.
• Cook the same meal and eat “together” over video.

Your creativity makes each call something they’ll look forward to.

Staying Connected Made Simple

For women over 60, FaceTime with the grandkids is more than just a tech trick, it’s a heartwarming way to stay part of their daily lives. Whether you’re reading stories, celebrating milestones, or just laughing at silly filters, these video calling tips make every connection special.

And if FaceTime isn’t the best fit, Zoom, Google Meet, and other video chatting platforms ensure there’s always a way to see those smiles.

Don’t worry about being “tech-savvy” enough. What matters most is showing up, listening, and sharing love across the screen. The grandkids will remember that far more than whether you pressed the right button on the first try.

Read more: 10 Life Hacks to Demystify Technology for Women Over 60.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you tried FaceTime or another video calling app with your grandkids? What’s your favorite activity to do together during a call? Do you have any funny or heartwarming video call stories to share? Tell us about it in the comments below. 

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Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Finds You Can’t Miss

This post is a sponsored partnership between BigBlondeHair.com and Amazon, although all thoughts and picks are our own. We receive a percentage of sales for items purchased from this post through affiliate links.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is on through October 8th and it’s the perfect time to re-stock on your fave staples, shop for Fall and scoop up celeb finds at a steal. This time the selection is better than ever. Here’s a look at my top fashion pick along with pieces you’ve seen before on your fave stars and can now scoop up for less. Because this time PBDD is here to leave you looking like a celeb, at a steal.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

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Prime Big Deals day is the time I use to stock up on my favorite, celeb-loved beauty products at a discount. I highly suggest the Biodance Mask, Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask and the Skyn Iceland Eye Masks. The eye masks were our 2024 best seller and feel so good if you put them in the freezer before putting them on!

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When it comes to shopping on Amazon, we can confidently say “Celebs—They’re just like us!” And now is the perfect time to save on seen on those seen-on-celeb items you’ve been eyeing. And with sunglasses starting at under $15 these deals are for real.

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Not to brag, but if you follow us on Instagram you know here at BBH we are avid Amazon shoppers. And this time Prime Big Deal Days is offering discounts on some products I already own and some I’ve ordered today, like the gold button cardigan and hair ties, pleated jacket, New Balance sneakers and mini dress.

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More Amazon Prime Big Deals Day Picks

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Originally posted at: Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Finds You Can’t Miss

For more than a decade, four of us who call ourselves the “Fab 4” have been meeting for an annual “Girlfriends Getaway.” Each year brings a new and interesting city, a different Airbnb, and countless reminders that laughter, friendship, and shared stories age as beautifully as we do – maybe even more so.

We’ve explored Saratoga Springs, NY; soaked up the sun in Costa Rica; embraced the arts at Chautauqua, NY; discovered the charm of Asheville, NC, and Mt. Dora, FL; tapped our toes in Louisville; and this year, we landed in Albuquerque, NM. What makes these trips special is not just the destination, but the sense of continuity – how our friendship, rooted in decades of shared history, continues to unfold in new chapters.

A Colorful Adventure in Albuquerque

This year’s destination city was Albuquerque. What a delight! We visited the Turquoise Museum, where dazzling stones and quirky exhibits kept us oohing and ahhing. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, including the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, was just a short distance from Old Town Albuquerque. We sampled Native dishes rich in earthy flavors of corn, beans, and chile – ingredients that seemed to carry centuries of tradition.

We explored art galleries, walked through historic neighborhoods, enjoyed meals that required a tolerance for spicy food, and lingered over drinks and chocolates late into the night. Our conversations ranged widely – from health updates, husbands, family dynamics, books, movies, favorite products, fulfilling activities, where we might live in our later years, technology, AI, and more, plus an occasional dive into politics and religion.

At a co-op art gallery, I lingered over a stunning necklace made of hand-blown glass. It would have matched several of my favorite outfits perfectly. However, I said no. Why? Because I’m in the process of downsizing my belongings as I’m moving into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). At this stage of life, I’m choosing to collect memories, not more things.

By the time we hugged goodbye at the airport, we’d already chosen St. Louis as our 2026 destination.

Not Just Trips – A Lifeline

When we started traveling together in 2014, we were spryer, with fewer pill bottles in our suitcases. Now, at ages 74 to 78, health concerns travel with us. I’m the oldest, sometimes joking that we also need to schedule a short siesta nap in our afternoons. But these trips have become more precious, not less, as we navigate the realities of aging together.

We even paused during the pandemic, a reminder of how fragile and important this tradition is. Picking it back up felt like reclaiming something vital.

Travel logistics have also changed. We prefer to avoid climbing long, steep stairs, and we judge restaurants not only by their menus but also by their noise levels, which can be particularly problematic for those with hearing aids. We stroll on our walks instead of aiming for a four-minute mile. We joke about these changes, turning them into part of our story.

Staying Connected Across the Map

Of course, we don’t wait 12 months between conversations. Every month, we gather for a one-hour Zoom call to check in with each other, no matter how far apart we are. One signs on from Washington, another from Illinois, the third joins from Florida, and I chime in from my locations in New York or Florida.

Those calls are lifelines. We celebrate good news, exchange resources, share frustrations, talk about enjoyable activities, and sometimes sit in silence when words are hard to find. They keep our friendship alive and fresh, so when we arrive in a new city each year, it feels like resuming a conversation already in progress.

The Deeper Value of Friendship

I wrote about the joys of girlfriends’ getaways several years ago, when we were relatively new to this. But the older we get, the more I see our gatherings as essential to well-being, not just indulgences.

Research backs this up. The long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development – now over 80 years strong – shows that the biggest predictor of a long, healthy, and happy life isn’t wealth or career success but the quality of our relationships. The study reveals that individuals who are socially connected tend to live longer and healthier lives. As its director summed up, “Good genes are nice, but joy is better.”

You don’t need a study to know this, though. Just ask anyone who’s ever laughed with a friend until their sides hurt.

Humor Helps

We’ve also learned that humor is its own kind of medicine. When the suitcase doesn’t close because someone overpacked again, or when we momentarily forget the full name of a museum we visited just hours before, we laugh instead of groan.

Friendship as an Investment

I often write about finances, philanthropy, legacy, and widowhood. But friendship, I’ve come to see, is also an investment – one that pays dividends in resilience, joy, and health. Our Fab 4 trips are deposits into that account. Our monthly Zoom calls are interest payments. And the compounded value is a life that feels fuller, warmer, and more secure.

Your Turn

If you’ve ever thought, “I should gather my friends for a trip,” consider this your gentle nudge. Don’t wait for perfect timing or flawless health. There’s no perfect time – there’s just now. Whether it’s a weekend close to home or a flight across the country, the important thing is showing up.

And remember, you don’t have to go far – or spend much – to reap the benefits of girlfriends time. Plan a simple afternoon tea, a shared potluck dinner, or even an old-fashioned slumber party with your gal pals. Pajamas, popcorn, laughter, and late-night stories can be every bit as restorative as a trip to the mountains or the coast.

As we age, friendships don’t just enhance our lives; they extend them. They keep us laughing, listening, and leaning on one another.

So, pack your bag – or just your favorite slippers – and make it happen. You’ll bring home more than souvenirs – you’ll carry back renewed energy, a deeper connection, and memories that grow sweeter every year.

As for us? Our Fab 4 group is going to St. Louis in 2026. Four women, four suitcases, four sets of stories – still growing, still laughing, still grateful.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you enjoyed a Girlfriends Getaway adventure for several days or even a few hours? Who was involved, and what did you do? Was it a distant adventure, or did this happen relatively close by? When would you like to plan your own Girlfriends Getaway?