Kenya Moore’s Silver Beaded Jumpsuit

Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13 Finale Fashion

This may be unpopular, but while I love a Real Housewives reunion look, often times I love to see the finale looks even more because there’s actually a shot in hell that I may have somewhere to wear them at some point in the future. Take Kenya Moore’s silver beaded jumpsuit on last night’s episode of RHOA. While I am obsessed with her reunion look, the chances of me having somewhere to wear her glam gown anywhere are fairly slim, while I can totally see myself wearing her sequin jumpsuit to a holiday party. Well, a Style Stealer of it anyways…

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Also Seen on Faye Resnick

Click Here to See her Eliza J Jumpsuit

Originally posted at: Kenya Moore’s Silver Beaded Jumpsuit

“And I’m not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and…. oh, Auntie Em, there’s no place like home.” – Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum

Of all the words in the dictionary, the word “home” resonates a place in our heart reserved for feelings that are almost indescribable. Like a sigh, it just belongs there, settled in and comfortable, resting assuredly in the folds of our heart.

It’s the familiarity and comfort of something that is woven into the very fabric of who we are. A smell. A sound. The feel of the air. The sight of things we love. The taste of something. A memory so seared into our soul that it is never forgotten. It’s “home.”

That Special Place

Our plane glides down and the view of our surroundings settle us. Home.

You pull into the driveway, after being gone too long. Home.

You place photos that you love in your new house. Home.

You drive by the house that built you. Home

My essay by the title “Home”  speaks to the memories of where I was raised, my childhood “place.” Yes, where I live now is home to me, but home, in my mind, also transports me to where my youth was planted in the soil of my forefathers.

And that life will forever be woven into the fabric of my being, the strong threads that bind me to country air and corn fields. Home.

There’s nothing more special than feeling the arms of home surround you. It’s a sensation like no other. But what is it about your home that does that? What is it that we do to make the place where we live to become a home?

It’s just walls and mortar, right? A box put together with wood and nails, furniture and our “stuff” sitting around adorning it with colors to match our personality.

But the minute that we walk in, it sucks us in, embraces us, and we relax into its waiting arms. We breathe out that sigh we’ve been holding since we left. We’re home.

So many of us in our 60s have downsized and no longer need the extra rooms of a larger home. We’ve dwarfed our brick and mortar and cast aside the “extras’ that we used to think were so important.

Simplicity is the new buzz word that gives us a kick. Minimalist is our goal. And Marie Kondo is our new tidying queen. Every time we want something, we ask ourselves, “Do I really need this?” Our home has become a miniature version of what we had before; a new, condensed, dollhouse version.

How Do We Make Our House a Home?

What are the key pieces of our life that we must have in our space in order for it to feel like “us”? The five senses that we use every day have a lot to do with giving our house the comfort and familiarity we rely on to ignite this emotion.

Sight

Fill your house with photos and mementos of your favorite times. All it takes is one look at a photo to take you back to the moment the shot was taken. Nothing warms us more than a walk down memory lane. Adorn your walls with images that give you joy and heartfelt reminiscing.

Smell

My daughter’s house smells like Tuberose. She’s always loved those candles, and I would bet that her girls will think of “home” every time they smell that scent.

Perhaps it’s your favorite lotion or face cream. Or your laundry soap. Signature your smell. Make it your own. Your walls, your clothes, the structure and threads of your life will embed the scent and own it. It will reflect “you.”

Touch

Nothing is more comfortable than a couch or chair with your favorite afghan or blanket laying on it. Snuggling with your favorite wrap gives your home a Hygge feel, the coziness that Denmark is noted for. Contentment. Warmth. Satisfaction.

Taste

Fix your favorite meals, the ones that add personality and flair to your cooking experience. Invite your friends or family over to enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres. A house becomes a home when your table is stacked and surrounded by your loved ones.

Hearing

Music moves me. Soothing music, jazz, country, or oldies – I love it all. Technology is so advanced now, you can have several different playlists for each of your moods. Fun, flirty, quiet, or festive.

Music fills our space with the sounds of “us.” Create your own personal vibes that make you feel good, ones that make your soul dance.

Size Doesn’t Matter

No matter how big or small your space is, you can make it “home.”

My sister and I moved our aging mother into an assisted living home several years ago. Her safety was the deciding factor. It was time. We watched as the difficulty of acceptance washed across her face in waves of conflicting emotions.

Then finally, the sigh of familiarity settled into her eyes as she became content. She was “home.” Gradually and gratefully, like the comfy feel of soft slippers, she felt this one large room that contained her things had become her home.

The pictures, the quilt, the rocking chair, the familiar memories of her life, came with her and reside beside her, where she now seldom wants to leave. She’s safe, comfortable, and happy. What more could we want for her? And because she is there, it’s “home” to us too.

We dive into that feeling just by her presence, and Mom’s signature brand of “home” washes through us, settles there, and gives us joy.

So, you see, “home” is not concrete. It’s abstract, evolving, and an ever-flowing feeling of comfort and contentment. A never-ending “ahhhh” that you create for yourself and your family. It is nothing about the size, or cost, or adornment of “things.”

Dorothy’s famous line as she clicked her heels together reverberates lasting words that ring true to our ears:

“There’s no place like home.”

What is it that you do to make your house a “home”? Does your home have a signature smell? What can you do to create more comfort in your home? Let’s share ideas on what “home” means to you.

Kenya Moore’s Neon Yellow Puff Sleeve Top

Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 11 Finale Fashion

Kenya Moore’s neon yellow puff sleeve top was on my radar immediately because I love a puff sleeve and I love, love, love neon. And I was a little obsessed with Kenya’s hair in this scene too. Not enough to bring a wig version of it to a holiday party wrapped up in a cat carrier, but obsessed enough to ask my hair stylist to recreate the style while I’m wearing her perfect puff sleeve top that I’m about to scoop up on sale.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her ALC Top on Sale in 3 Colors

Click Here for Additional Stock

Originally posted at: Kenya Moore’s Neon Yellow Puff Sleeve Top

Drew Sidora’s Sequin Striped Dress

Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13 Finale Fashion

While Drew Sidora’s $1000 “gift” may not have gone over well on last night’s Real Housewives of Atlanta, her sequin striped dress is a gift that will keep on giving if you scoop it up. It’s Balmain inspired from a brand that makes Housewives worthy dresses that are perfect for a night out that the women always look amazing in. And even if you don’t have a place to wear it yet, I guarantee you that if you’re reading this post because you loved it when you saw it, there will be one in the future.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Aidan Aidan Mattox Dress

Originally posted at: Drew Sidora’s Sequin Striped Dress

Glaucoma is a very common eye condition, especially for older adults. When left untreated, glaucoma can do serious damage to your vision, so it’s important to get screened regularly to catch it early. Did you know Medicare offers regular glaucoma screenings? Read on to learn more about glaucoma and Medicare-covered screenings.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that happens when fluid builds up in your eye, putting pressure on the optic nerve. Our eyes are supposed to drain regularly, but over time, they may start to clog.

You can also develop narrow-angle glaucoma if the structure of your eye prevents fluids from draining properly. With this type of glaucoma, you would likely see symptoms much sooner than with primary glaucoma.

Many glaucoma patients do not have symptoms at first, which is why screenings are so important. Over time, you might start to notice blind spots on either side of your vision as the pressure starts to build on your optic nerve. It’s very important to get treatment for glaucoma before this point.

If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, you might get a sudden pain in your eyes and forehead as well as blurred vision, nausea, and ‘halos’ in your field of vision. If this happens, you should seek medical treatment right away, as it is an emergency and can cause blindness.

Medicare and Glaucoma Screening

Medicare Part B does not cover most vision services. This is because you can purchase a broader vision plan through Medicare Advantage. However, Medicare Part B does cover yearly glaucoma screenings for those who are at high risk for the condition.

You’re considered to be high risk if you have a family history of glaucoma, have diabetes, are African American and over the age of 50, or are Hispanic American and over the age of 65.

Medicare will also cover a vision test if you are having vision problems that could be linked to glaucoma or another serious eye condition. If your current Medicare plan does not cover regular eye screenings for you, consider investing in a Medicare Advantage plan that has vision coverage.

How Can You Prevent Glaucoma?

Glaucoma often runs in families. If you have a family history of glaucoma, it’s important to start screenings early, so you can get appropriate treatment if it does develop. If you have early-stage glaucoma, your doctor may prescribe eye drops to prevent the condition from progressing.

It’s important to take these eye drops regularly. You also may be able to prevent pressure from building up on the eye with regular moderate exercise. You should also wear eye protection whenever necessary, as eye injuries can cause glaucoma.

Although glaucoma is a serious condition, it can be successfully treated when caught early. Medicare offers regular screenings for high-risk patients. To learn more about Medicare coverage for glaucoma screenings, contact a licensed agent who is a Medicare expert so they can answer any questions you may have.

How healthy are your eyes? Does glaucoma run in your family? Do you get annual glaucoma screenings? Are they covered by your insurance? What advice can you share with our community regarding vision screenings?