Kyle Richards Black Velvet Dress

Real Housewives of Beverly Hill Instagram Fashion

Let me give you some life advice. Find you a man that looks at you the way Maurico Umansky is looking at Kyle Richards in this pic. Or the way I’m looking at her black velvet dress. Either way, things will totally be hot.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Rotate Miki Dress

Click Here for Additional Stock

Click Here for Even More Stock

Photo: @KyleRichards18

Originally posted at: Kyle Richards Black Velvet Dress

A lot has been written about friendship in our 50s, 60s, and beyond. I’ve written articles about it, too. Whether we’re welcoming new friends or faithfully committing to the ones we have, women understand the benefits of forming connections as we age.

Nurturing any friendship felt quite different in 2020. The pandemic forced us into our homes where we developed a love/hate relationship with Zoom, FaceTime, and other virtual methods of connection.

Making new friends had been tricky for me in recent years. It’s happened in fits and starts. I’m not a natural “joiner,” but I’d begun pushing through that, saying “yes” to opportunities in hopes of meeting new friends.

Book clubs, writing classes. Community tables in restaurants, neighborhood get-togethers. I was pretty game and had some fun along the way. I met some nice women which made coming out of my comfort zone worth it.

Saying “Yes” and Showing Up Brings New Awareness

Along the way, I confirmed that older women enjoy casual conversation. However, we thrive on deeper connection. That’s what I want more of in my life. The women I want to welcome as new friends want it, too.

Meaningful dialogue, belly laughter. Inspiring insights, different perspectives. Shared values, curious minds. These can be the foundation for friendships that withstand the test of time.

Not long before the Covid lockdown, I’d started to question why we have to wait or hope for this kind of friendship to develop. Why can’t new friendships begin with those things in mind? So I decided that, if I can’t find a group to join that gives me what I want, I could start one. 

That seemed obvious and also felt scary. Sometimes the best ideas do.

I wondered if it’s possible to create “intentional friendships.” Friends who come together for a purpose and create a safe space for sharing.

I’d already brought this about in my business life. I had evidence that women’s circles are a welcome and successful way for women to gather together and share ideas. So why not replicate this in my personal life?

Can Friendship Circles Work?

I took a risk, shared my vision with two women, and asked if they wanted to join me in an experiment. One of them asked another woman, they asked another, and we became a circle of five.

We’re more than a book club, although we refer to ourselves as that because it’s easy. We may never have a catchy name, but we all agree that our time together is intentional.

We’re currently meeting on Zoom with hopes that we’ll be back together in person soon. What’s unfolding feels delightful, surprising, and unique. And, quite frankly, sacred.

The Key Is to Keep It Simple

Our ground rules are easy:

• Set monthly meeting dates and times. Select them so they work for everyone.
• Rotate the discussion leader. Her source for a topic might be a book, a movie, a podcast, an article, a current social issue… whatever is resonating or feels important to her.
• Have one conversation. No sidebars, and no talking over someone else.
• Have fun! We spend time catching up, and we bring snacks. We take our conversation time seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. 

Our group is committed and joyful. Our members are thoughtful and caring. Our gatherings are a highlight of the month. We learn a little more about each other every time we meet up. We’re filled with gratitude each time we part company. 

And that was the idea.

The Group Dynamic Will Evolve

We’ve had to cancel some meetings because life has been unpredictable the last several months. But as our circle matures, we’ll undoubtedly forge a deeper connection. We’ll probably hit a few roadblocks, too. For now, our foundation feels stable. And our intentions are the threads that weave us together, enriching our lives with “intentional friendships.” 

And my latest a-ha? Anything we truly yearn for is worth a little risk. Even via Zoom. The payoff can be so rewarding.

Have you ever formed a Friendship Circle? How are you creating more meaningful friendships during this stage of life or during this time of self-isolation? Join the conversation!

Kristin Cavallari’s Tan Fringe Sweater

Kristin Cavallari Instagram Fashion

While the snow in Nashville looks to be more enjoyable and less natural disater-like than the snow in Austin, what I’m really enjoying about Kristin Cavallari’s snowed in selfie is her tan fringe sweater. Because while last week in Austin I was shopping for cute tee’s, now I’m feeling the need to venture over into the sweater section. And in case you were on the fringe about what to shop for right now, our fab Style Stealers is sure to help.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to See her 3.1 Phillip Lim Cropped Fringe Sweater

Photo: @KristinCavallari

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s Tan Fringe Sweater

Don’t break out your disco boots, I am talking about your 70s, not the 70s. Whether you believe that 70 is the new 50, or it’s just 70, it can be a celebration with a positive attitude and plans.

It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about the way you act. 70 is going to happen, so celebrate, put your arms around 70 and dance with it!

Have a Croning

‘Crone’ is a word that we should own. In matriarchal friendly societies, a woman became a crone when she was past childbearing age. She was called a wise woman, which was an honored position.

In other places, old wise women were thought to be a threat. That is how society tends to use the word today. But, we can rehabilitate that word and with it, the important role of the crone.

I recently turned 70 and had a Croning. I searched the Internet and found some very interesting possibilities. I must say that a ritual bath was out of my range, but if you want to be adventurous, go for it. If you would like something more low key, there are some great ideas to consider.

Several years ago, a friend of mine had a special ceremony in our church’s chapel. It was lovely. Women in the congregation read from the Bible and said prayers. We did some hands-on healing. We did communion and shared a meal after.

Go out to lunch at the best place in town with your best friends, daughters and granddaughters – or meet on Zoom. Make it special. Everyone can dress to the hilt, with the honored crone wearing a tiara. Make speeches and give lots of toasts. Teach the young women what women of our age have learned.

We have gone from not being able to own a credit card in our own names to owning most new businesses. Don’t preach, but be proud of our history and what we have learned and given new generations.

On my Croning day, I had a Saturday afternoon party with the women of my Toastmasters Club. I especially wanted it to be multigenerational. We ate chili and did each other’s makeup. Yes, Crones can be girly, too.

We enjoyed a mixed tape with women singers from the decades. There were sweet love songs like “Baby, Baby”; songs of the movement like “I Am Woman”; songs of strength from “I Will Survive” to “Eye of the Tiger”; the gamut of women’s lives.

We turned up the music and danced. There was, of course, the tiara and speeches. What a way to mark a right of passage!

Be Introspective: Reflect on Your Past, Present and Future

If you are a diarist, this would be a good time to review the years. It’s a wonderful time to summarize your life in a diary. If you’ve never done it before, it’s a great time to start! Mark those times when your mistakes have lead you to good things. Emphasize learning over regret.

Take stock of where you are, what you’ve accomplished and what you still need to do. When assessing your present, understand that everything in your past brings you to where you are now.

Think about your future. Make a “bucket list.” Do not be too cautious here: 70 is anything but limiting. A friend of mine told me of her aunt who had her first skiing lesson on her 102^nd birthday! Put it all down!

Do something on your birthday that you have never done before. Write a poem, go sky diving, volunteer at a homeless shelter, take a trip. It doesn’t matter, just make it something you always said you would do – and do it.

Be Indulgent

• Go to a day spa and get the works with a gourmet lunch (if possible)! Let everyone know how special this is for you as your feet, back, face – all of you – get the treatment.
• Go away to a spa. Get the waters, salts and mud! Do everything there.
• Go to a spiritual retreat. Spend a day meditating or reading uplifting material.
• Spend a day at the beach or on a mountain top reading the book you thought was a silly waste of time.

You can fill this out better than anyone else, you know what you have been longing to do for a long time. Do It!

Oh, and if you were 70 last year? Well then, do it all for your 75 or your 71 ½ birthday. Embrace the life you lived and what the years have given you. Embrace what you still have to give.

Remember that none of these are mutually exclusive. Pick and choose from the ideas listed above. Heck, do them all. Add to them!

And please – please! – share your other ideas with all of us. You will only be 70 once: do it up and then help us all celebrate!

Whitney Rose’s White Crystal During Meditation

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1 Episode 13 Decor

The beautiful white crystal Whitney Rose used during her meditation is known as “liquid light” and a powerful tool used to cleanse yourself, your space, and other crystal or stones. Selenite, Whitney’s tower crystal, can come in various shapes and sizes and is often found in Mexico, Morocco, and the US but may also be found in many other places across the globe. Its healing properties of removing unwanted energy and replacing it with light and positive energy is probably why Whitney chose it for her meditation after her toxic recent encounters. Crystal lovers know how amazing and transformative incorporating selenite into their daily lives can be but if you’re not into all that, it also makes for some stunning accent decor pieces throughout the house.

Until next time,

Chelsie

Click Here To Shop A Selenite Tower Crystal Like Whitney’s

Originally posted at: Whitney Rose’s White Crystal