While I may not understand the ins and outs of astrology, I anxiously await the big reveal of my horoscope each month. All “accuracy” aside, I consider my horoscope as a forecast of sorts — a tentative guide to help me navigate whatever’s in store for the next day, week, or month. If you’re like me and put some degree of stock into astrology, you’re probably curious about what your zodiac sign says about your taste in fragrance, too.

As a Gemini, my sign is notoriously bad at making final decisions—or decisions of any kind, for that matter — but despite my fickle (okay, fine, flaky) tendencies, I’m (uncharacteristically) staunchly loyal to my signature scent (it’s Byredo’s M/Mink, in case you’re curious). With that being said, however, I still can’t help but be intrigued about what my astrological attributes ascribe as my olfactory match.

Just like your zodiac sign, the fragrance you choose to wear can also say a lot about who you are, what you like, and what mood you’re in at the moment. Besides, seeing as how our sense of smell is so closely connected to our memories and emotions, it only makes sense to use the zodiac as a guide to finding the fragrance that best complements you.

Whether you’re drawn to sultry musks, flirty florals, or spicy wood-heavy notes (or like to keep a solid rotation of different aromas on deck), we’re all drawn to particular fragrance profiles for a reason, and whether or not that reason aligns with the stars may be unclear, but, hey, it sure is fun to let it guide you in the journey of picking out your next signature scent. Read on to find out your perfect fragrance match (according to the stars at least.).

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Aries

Courtesy of Diptyque Paris.

Diptyque Do Son Eau de Toilette

This bold fire sign commands a spicy fragrance that’s intense, intricate, and energetic — just like the Ram. Diptyque’s cult-favorite Do Son fragrance boasts a musk-spiked floral with notes of jasmine, tuberose, and orange blossom, culminating in a fierce concoction of competing fragrance profiles (perfect for the competitive sign).

Taurus

Courtesy of Gucci.

Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum

Tauruses are sensual, indulgent, and romantic. To channel the sign’s essence, opt for a warm, balanced fragrance with floral notes like Gucci Bloom.

Gemini

Courtesy of Tom Ford.

Tom Ford Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum

The multifaceted (and painfully indecisive) Gemini is best suited by a complex scent profile. Tom Ford’s distinctive Lost Cherry features notes of black cherry accord, almond, and roasted Tonka. The sweet and spicy scent has two different personalities — just like the twins.

Cancer

Courtesy of Prada.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum

For the sweet and sensitive crab, there’s nothing like a sugary, vanilla-scented fragrance to complement the Cancer spirit. Prada’s caramel-spiked Candy perfume is the perfect match for this sign.

Leo

Courtesy of Maison Margiela.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

Described to smell like “heady cocktails and cigars” this opulent, luxury fragrance is a match made in olfactory heaven for the confident, stylish and pride-driven Leo.

Virgo

Courtesy of Byredo.

Byredo Pulp Eau de Parfum

Fragranced marked by a blend of tart fruits and balanced with earthy base notes are ideal for complements for intense Virgo. Byredo’s Pulp fragrance is heady, yet perfectly balanced — just like the Earth planet’s nature.

Libra

Courtesy of Chloe.

Chloé Eau de Toilette Rose Tangerine

As one of the most influential tastemakers in the zodiac, Libras may like to play with new trends, but their romantic side loves the classics. Channel the Libra spirit with a sexy, rose-scented fragrance like the iconic Chloe Rose Tangerine Eau de Toilette.

Scorpio

Courtesy of Atelier Cologne.

 Atelier Cologne Oud Saphir

Seductive Scorpios are authentic, passionate conversationalists who appreciate the power of expression through fragrance. The deep, woodsy notes you’ll experience with Oud Saphir pair well with the brave sun sign’s mysterious side.

Sagittarius

Courtesy of Jo Malone.

Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily

This fire sign loves an adventure — whether it be through their travels, their look, or their fragrance lineup (it’s likely they won’t have just one perfume in their lineup). Fragrances with bold, heady notes like Jo Malone’s Dark Amber and Ginger Lily will please the discerning Sag.

Capricorn

Courtesy of Chanel.

Straightforward Capricorns are suited best with clean, citrusy fragrances that underscore their attention to detail but their appreciation of order and tradition. Incense-inspired scents like Chanel’s Coco Noir will allure and delight the secretly sensual Cap.

Aquarius

Courtesy of Ellis Brooklyn.

Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum

This water sign will naturally be drawn to aquatic notes reminiscent of freshly-washed sheets or the essence of an ocean breeze, like Ellis Brooklyn’s nostalgic Salt Eau de Parfum. 

Pisces

Courtesy of Skylar.

This creative, innovative, and confident sign also has a sweet side, which makes warm vanilla and musks scents like Skylar’s sultry yet sophisticated Vanilla Sky Eau de Toilette will be their best perfume match.

In my article about metabolism I shared that weight is determined not only by how much you eat, but also by how efficiently your body burns off calories.

Your base metabolic rate is the amount of energy needed to support the basic requirements of being alive. That includes pumping your heart, expanding and contracting the lungs, as well as powering your digestive system, brain activity, and maintaining muscle flexion and contraction.

Your muscle mass is a key ingredient for burning energy, even when you are resting. Ladies, if you want to lose weight, increasing you muscle mass is vital. When you change your body’s tone and build more muscle by using weights, lifting, pushing, etc., your resting metabolism, or automatic daily energy burn increases.

That means you can use increased muscle mass as a tool for losing weight. Why? Because to sustain itself, muscle burns more energy than fat. it only takes nine calories of energy to support one pound of fat; it takes 38 calories to support one pound of muscle.

So, there you have it! Have more muscle in your body and you can burn off more of what you eat.

The Muscle Disappearing Act and Its Impact on Losing Weight After 60

Think about a toddler. They never stop moving, climbing, running and playing. Their muscles are constantly in use. Their muscles are toned and smooth from all they do.

Muscles fizzle if you don’t use them. How much do you sit in the course of a day? Are you climbing stairs several times a day, or are you always on one level? Muscle breakdown does not happen overnight; it sneaks up on you from lack of use.

If you haven’t been exercising and maintaining muscle mass, you may have more fat than muscle, making it especially hard to lose weight. If you have been a yo-yo dieter with frequent rapid weight loss, you likely lost even more muscle mass that way.

It is not uncommon for women to start a slow but steady weight gain after age 35. By the time you reach age 60, if you have gained a mere two pounds a year, your weight could be as much as 50 pounds greater than it was at 35. But all is not lost.

Once you understand the basic importance of muscle in relation to weight you will be highly motivated to build more muscle and stop yo-yo dieting. Eating quality food, enough but not too much, and building muscle will bring excellent results. Remind yourself that your body wants to be well. Given the right care, it nearly always can get better.

Muscle Building Techniques to Help You Lose Weight After 60

You don’t have to go to a gym to build muscle. A personal trainer once demonstrated a full body toning workout that can be done with just a set of resistance bands. To build muscle you need flexion and expansion. You can do that with resistance bands or plain old floor exercises, yoga or tai chi. I’m including a link to a resistance band set with great reviews on Amazon to give you an example.

You also want to build flexibility into your body. View this link from bendablebody.com – remember Gumby? – for free videos that demonstrate some simple ways to build in flexibility.

You can use your muscles and build more tone in them walking, bicycling, climbing, running, skiing, swimming, water aerobics, dancing and carrying grandbabies. The key is to do something you enjoy and do it often.

And Then There’s the “O” Word

O as in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bone that puts one at risk of fracture. I have a few tips on that subject while we’re talking about muscle. A strong core and muscle tone will keep you more stable and better able to recover if you trip over something.

Healthy bones require more than calcium; bones function best in a strong body that has the muscular strength to prevent falls and maintain balance. Miriam Nelson, PhD and Annemarie Colbin, PhD, each published books on women and bones and are strong advocates for building muscle to protect and support bones.

And while we are on the subject, check out my blog post on wellnessandyou.com where you will find a list of foods other than dairy that provide excellent nourishment for healthy strong bones. The Dairy Council would have you think you must have dairy to have strong bones and nothing is further from the truth.

Get fit, lose weight and have strong bones!

Yes, that’s it in a nutshell. You get fit, which results in more muscle mass and less fat, you lose weight because you burn more, and the restored muscle mass will let you be more active, which naturally strengthens your bones. It’s a win/win/win when you build muscle mass.

What will you do to build more muscle? How will you work it into your daily routine? Are you trying to lose weight after 60? Please share what’s worked for you or what you plan to do.

We downsize to make life less complicated. Less expensive. Easier to maneuver. More accommodating to health care needs. Or for some of us, to lessen our footprint on mother earth.

Though the care and upkeep of less square footage is enticing, the physical act of downsizing can be overwhelming. Because it demands getting rid of – how can I put it gently – our stuff.

Can We Avoid Downsizing Altogether?

I have a friend whom I’ll call John. John has specific thoughts on the activity of downsizing. Simply put: he’ll have none of it. You might wonder about his level of self-awareness. Think he’s lazy. Or living in the past. Yet in the end, you might want to adapt his philosophy.

On any given day, John can be found rummaging through stacks of paper. Rifling through albums from the 70s. Polishing used furniture he’s picked up at neighborhood garage sales. Clipping articles about his beloved New York Yankees. Or working on a classic Ford Mustang. The one that’s rendered his garage useless for any other purpose.

(Promise you won’t report him to tidy-up guru, Marie Kondo.)

John would rather up-size his square footage than eliminate what’s no longer necessary. There’s no discernible psychological reason for this. He’s not a hoarder. Nor is he disturbingly attached to his possessions.

John knows there’s a choice. He’s just busy living his life. And when that life is over, an independent fiduciary will make a few calls: to an estate sales representative; a consignment shop owner; a cleaning service. And just like that, the contents of John’s house will disappear. With no apparent consequence to John.

No tears will be shed. There will be no moments of consternation. No should I or shouldn’t I?

It’s not for everyone. Certainly not for me. I tend to get tactile with my memorabilia. Time-travel to the moment it appeared in my life. Get clear on what it contributed to my role as a son, husband, lover, or friend.

We Opt to Save Rather Than Toss

We’re emotional hoarders. Material objects are strongly associated with feelings and memories that hold dominion over better sensibilities. We keep, lest we forget. It’s easier to reseal the box. Revisit at a later time. Decide what gets tossed into the trash bin of history – later.

Up until recently, I had no catch-and-release program. I kept things until forced by space or spouse to let them go. Until this most current move. The first in a series of steps leading to an expat life in Spain.

The idea that you can’t take it with you, apparently extends to moves across great bodies of water. Shipping non-essential personal belongings overseas makes poor financial sense. It’s impractical. Especially if one’s goal is extensive exploration across Europe.

Renting a storage area, stateside, is possible but also costly. Why pay to store objects that will ultimately be abandoned down the road?

Then there’s this recent learning: don’t leave the task of disposing of possessions for others to deal with after you’ve gone. Be responsible for the cleanliness of your departure.

What Makes Downsizing So Exquisitely Painful?

Shakespeare wrote, “parting is such sweet sorrow.” That was true for Romeo and Juliet. They had imagined they’d see each other the next morning. But when the trash truck rambles down the street, filled with the pieces of your life stuffed into black plastic bags, that’s pretty much it.

Therein lies the pain. It’s permanent.

The exquisite part comes later. After emotional clarity settles over you. When you experience a freedom that’s only possible with the release of extraneous possessions. When you finally understand that nothing can cancel the memory itself. It lives within you.

Let me be clear about one thing, though. I’m not an advocate for ridding yourself of everything.

After the death of my mother, I was asked which of her possessions I’d want to keep. There were dozens from which to choose. I selected only one. A soft scarf with muted colors. As I brought the silky material to my face with both hands, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. And there it was. The scent of my mother’s lifetime.

I had reveled in the fragrance. During comforting hugs. When it filled the car as she drove me to school on snowy New York mornings. Or on weekends, when, as a children, my sister and I jumped into bed with my parents. And I’d steal a quick whiff of her pillow.

So, no. You don’t need to toss everything. Just choose wisely.

What does downsizing mean to you? Have you considered what you might choose to get rid of? What have you decided to keep and why? Please share your thoughts below!

Margaret Josephs’ White Blazer on WWHL

Watch What Happens Live Fashion February 17, 2021

The only thing better on Margaret Josephs’ white blazer on Watch What Happens Live was the Marge / Michael Rapaport combo for the night. When those two get together things are always interesting and hilarious. So while you’ll have to tune in to see what ensued, all you have to do is click to steal Margaret’s white hot style.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Cinq a Sept Blazer

Originally posted at: Margaret Josephs’ White Blazer on WWHL

Jackie Goldschneider’s Foundation

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 11 Episode 1 Fashion

Gahhh you know there’s nothing like spotting a Real Housewives makeup product “in the wild” (aka on their vanity or in their bathroom) so my eyes totally zeroed in on Jackie Goldschneider’s foundation bottle on her counter. I recognized the bottle’s red writing immediately because I’ve worked extensively with this celeb favorite brand. So if you want a flawless face like Jackie, I’d totally recommend scooping it up. However, if you’re too faced, I don’t think it’s advised for covering up your other personality.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation

Originally posted at: Jackie Goldschneider’s Foundation