The holidays are a mixed bag of chips.

For many of you, it is in fact the most wonderful time of the year. You display every holiday decoration imaginable while wearing your reindeer antlers, ugly red Christmas sweater, and bright green holly earrings. Oh, yes, and Bing Crosby is playing in the background.

Others prefer a modified version of the Holidays. You suggest everyone draw a name for gift giving, plan a nice family meal where everyone brings something, and maybe hot chocolate with pumpkin pie to top it all off and call it good.

Then there is the “how can I possibly avoid this at all costs” type. Full disclosure, I fall into this category. One year, I attended a 10-day silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat during Christmas. It is to date my favorite holiday memory. (I know that sounds awful, sorry.)

Or perhaps you find yourself alone during the holidays, and it is painful. Maybe you didn’t choose to be alone, it’s just how things worked out. After some thought, you’ve decided that your goal this year is to feel good in a myriad of legal and (relatively) healthy ways.

Where does makeup come into all of this? Who cares about looking sophisticated? I don’t know about you, but in my normal life I sort of flop about looking relatively okay but nothing too serious. Once in a while, it feels absolutely fabulous to be glamorous. It shocks people. It makes me laugh and feel like a glorious diva even though that’s not reality.

Tossing Reality, Eating Pie

Let’s toss reality out of the window for a moment, grab glitter and pie, and learn how to look like an illustrious ballet dancer turned holiday maven. Our model is Pascal, who was in fact a professional ballet dancer in Canada, turned scrub-the-dishes mom and wife. To say she dug this process is an understatement. At the end of the video, she shows off her dancing skill at the local plaza’s Christmas tree, and we didn’t even get flagged by the cops.

Hydrate, Hydrate (Take a Bite of Pie)

I promise not to get on my soap-box about skin care, but the truth is, beautiful skin is 80% internal and 20% external. Take Omega 3-6-9 oils, vitamin C, E, D, A, and B, drink spring water, and avoid anything that doesn’t come from the earth. Okay, I’ve said it, now have a bite of pie.

For topical creams, I’m currently in love with Finlay + Green’s Moisturizer for all stages of menopause. It is specifically for mature women and it works. It also makes a wonderful base for foundation which is our next step. Let’s go there.

Foundation + Concealer + Contour (Start a New Piece of Pie)

I’m a fan of sheer to medium coverage foundation applied only where you need it, and then concealer on the bits the foundation didn’t minimize. Notice I didn’t say the bits the foundation didn’t cover, because sometimes trying to cover that age spot or redness makes it look more pronounced. If the goal is to minimize the so-called offender, it’s a lot more natural looking.

Contour is a funny business. It can look rad or ruinous depending on how well you blend it. I use circular motions with a stiff blender brush and check it in the daylight to be sure I didn’t bungle it up, because even the pros struggle with this part.

Eyebrows, Cream Shadow, and Pecan Pie

I have a thing for pecan pie. One time I sat down and ate an entire pecan pie by myself and hoped my husband didn’t notice. He did and called me a beluga whale. We are no longer married. What’s your favorite pie and did it cause your divorce as well?

Anyway, back to makeup and the all-important eyebrows. For every woman who sits in my chair, I pull out the PrimePrometics PrimeBrow Complete. It has a brow growth gel on one end and a colored gel on the other. It gives a wonderful lift, and I can’t live without it.

Then I applied a bronze eyeshadow called Nebula all over Pascal’s eyelid and under her eye. It’s creamy and easy to apply, doesn’t crease, and lasts all day at the Christmas party no matter how much eggnog you inhale. After that, I used a maroon power shadow on the lash line and in the outer crease. This really enhanced Pascal’s green eyes and gave her a more dramatic but soft look. Love it.

Lashes That Rock, Liner That Blends

How many of you in frustration have slammed an eyeliner in the trash along with a few choice words? I know, my potty mouth takes over sometimes, too. Having said that, this happens because we need a liner that is blendable on mature skin.

In the video, I used a warm brown, water repellent, blendable liner from (again) PrimePrometics. I really like this brand, if you haven’t noticed. It doesn’t make you look like a badger and stays on. Say no more.

Do you have thinning lashes? Hate false lashes? Join the club. On Pascal I used a lash primer and a thickening mascara that does wonders. Yes, it is two steps, but the combination is magical and the result undeniable.

Finish the Pie, Go for the Red

Do you inadvertently spit up with the idea of red lipstick? Pascal did, too, and we had to talk about it. Many of you can wear red lipstick if you mix it with a lip gloss. Here’s the plan; put foundation and powder on your lips, lipliner a little outside the lip-line, then the red lipstick/gloss mix on top. The color is less likely to bleed, stays on longer, and is pretty without frightening anyone.

With Pascal’s dramatic eye-makeup, the sheer red lips are pulchritudinous (I don’t know what that means but it makes me feel smart) and flashy.

With all of that said, put on your dancing shoes and leap gloriously around the Christmas tree like Pascal in the video. Oh, yes, and eat pie. Lots of it. If the spouse/partner/family complains, ditch them.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How will you celebrate the holidays? What are your challenges and moments you are looking forward to? How will you glam up your pulchritudinous self?

Straight from their IG Explore page.

As the holiday season approaches, cooler weather calls for cozy layers. Cardigans and wraps are timeless staples, blending comfort and style effortlessly. They’re versatile enough to wear indoors by the fire or layered up for a winter outing. Here are 12 cozy cardigans, wraps, and shawls that will keep you warm and stylish throughout the holiday season.

1. Cable-Knit Cardigan – A cozy classic with thick, textured knitting that adds warmth and a touch of timeless elegance to any outfit.
2. Cashmere Wrap – Luxuriously soft and warm, this wrap drapes effortlessly, perfect for layering during holiday dinners or chilly evenings.
3. Oversized Chunky Cardigan – Embrace ultimate comfort with this roomy, chunky knit, ideal for relaxed gatherings and cozy nights in.
4. Faux Fur-Trimmed Wrap – This glamorous wrap, trimmed with soft faux fur, elevates your style while keeping you warm during festive events.
5. Holiday Plaid Shawl – Capture the holiday spirit with this plaid shawl, adding a seasonal pop to simple outfits or outerwear.

Keep reading to discover more cardigans, wraps, and shawls perfect for the holiday season. 

Cardigans and Wraps for the Holidays

Cable-Knit Cardigan

Style & Co Cable-Knit Boyfriend Cardigan, Created for Macy’s

A classic cable-knit cardigan brings warmth with its thick, textured knit and stylish pattern. This style is perfect for relaxed holiday gatherings and pairs beautifully with jeans or leggings.

Why It Works: Cable-knit adds texture to any outfit, giving a traditional yet sophisticated look.

Cashmere Wrap

Charter Club 100% Cashmere Oversized Scarf, Created for Macy’s

Indulge in a luxurious cashmere wrap this season. This piece drapes effortlessly over your shoulders, adding a touch of elegance to any outfit. Plus, cashmere’s softness and warmth make it ideal for chilly holiday evenings.

Perfect For: Holiday dinners or festive outings where you want to add a bit of luxury.

Oversized Chunky Cardigan

Anna-Kaci Women’s Open Front Colorblock Knit Cardigan with Pockets and Ribbed Trim at Target

Nothing says cozy like an oversized, chunky cardigan. This style envelops you in warmth, making it a go-to for quiet evenings at home or casual get-togethers.

Why It Works: The oversized design is perfect for layering over winter clothes without feeling restricted.

Faux Fur-Trimmed Wrap

MELIFLUOS DESIGNED IN SPAIN Women’s Shawl Wrap Poncho Ruana Cape Cardigan Sweater Open Front  at Amazon

A wrap with a hint of faux fur exudes holiday glamor. Draping this over an evening outfit will instantly elevate your look while providing warmth.

Perfect For: Festive occasions where you want to add a bit of drama and elegance.

Longline Belted Cardigan

Donna Karan New York Tie Waist Long Cardigan at Macy’s

The longline cardigan, with a built-in belt, offers a flattering silhouette and an extra layer of warmth. Wear it belted for a refined look or open for a more relaxed vibe.

Why It Works: This style elongates your figure, making it an easy way to dress up a basic outfit.

Bohemian Fringe Wrap Shawl

Boho Shawl at Patricia Nash

This wrap, with fringe detailing, adds a boho touch to your holiday wardrobe. Pair it with jeans and a turtleneck for a casual, stylish look.

Perfect For: Casual holiday outings or as a standout accessory for simpler outfits.

Waterfall Cardigan

Zeagoo Women’s Open Front Cardigan 3/4 Sleeve at Amazon

The waterfall cardigan, known for its cascading front, is a flattering choice that adds movement and dimension to any look. This versatile piece works well with both dresses and jeans.

Why It Works: The draped style adds a touch of elegance while being extremely comfortable.

Holiday Plaid Shawl

Plaid Serape at ScotlandShop

Nothing feels quite as festive as a plaid pattern, and a plaid shawl captures that holiday spirit. Draped over a solid-colored outfit, it creates a cozy, holiday-ready look.

Perfect For: Holiday gatherings or outdoor winter markets.

Reversible Wrap

Orange / Black Stirrup Reversible Wrap – Artisan Shawl at Winding River

Get two looks in one with a reversible wrap. Choose from solid colors on one side and a pattern on the other for easy versatility and multiple styling options.

Why It Works: Ideal for travel or when you want a change without packing extra layers.

Kimono-Style Cardigan

Black & White Floral Kimono at Chico’s

This cardigan brings a unique, flowy silhouette inspired by kimono designs. It adds a sophisticated touch and pairs well with both casual and dressy outfits.

Perfect For: A unique yet comfortable layer for holiday dinners or small parties.

Shawl Collar Cardigan

Jones New York Shawl-Collar Round-Hem Cardigan at Macy’s

The shawl collar cardigan is a timeless, comfortable option. Its soft collar and relaxed fit create a cozy vibe that’s perfect for the holidays.

Why It Works: Its structured collar adds a hint of polish while remaining casual and easy to wear.

Metallic Belted Cardigan

Missoni Metallic Knit Belted Cardigan at Nordstrom

For those looking to add a little sparkle to their holiday wardrobe, a metallic cardigan is the perfect choice. This piece shines subtly, making it ideal for special occasions or festive dinners.

Perfect For: Evening events where you want to shine without going over the top.

Styling Tips for Cardigans and Wraps

• Layer Strategically: Pair thicker cardigans with simple base layers to keep the focus on the cardigan.
• Accessorize: Add a statement necklace or delicate scarf to enhance the overall look without overpowering it.
• Choose Colors Wisely: Neutral colors like gray, beige, and black are versatile, while deep reds, greens, and metallics add a festive touch.

Whether you’re gathered around the fire with family or heading out for a holiday celebration, these cardigans and wraps bring warmth and style to any occasion. Embrace the season’s festivities with layers that make you feel cozy and chic!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you like to wear cardigans or wraps during the holiday season? Which ones on our list are your favorites? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

It might be intimidating to invest money for retirement, mainly since it’s usual for soon-to-be retirees to worry about whether or not they’ll have enough money in savings to support themselves in their later years.

Several general guidelines can be used to determine where you stand with your retirement funds. If you want to retire by the age of 67, you need to start saving your annual wage by the time you are 30 years old. You should also have three times your yearly wage saved by the time you are 40.

By multiplying your annual expenses by 25, you may determine your “end goal” – the amount of money you need to save before retiring with enough money to last 30 years. This is called the 4% rule.

However, there are other ways to monitor the development of your retirement savings before you attempt to begin computing figures. Here are a few of them.

Here are a few signs that your retirement is on track.

You First Pay Yourself

You continuously contribute a portion of your gross income to a tax-advantaged retirement plan, such as a 401(k), Roth IRA, or traditional IRA, since you are the first person you pay when you earn a dollar. The percentage should be higher the earlier you want to retire.

Bonus points if your system is automated, which means that funds are automatically deducted from your salary and sent to your retirement or savings account.

You Set Aside 50% of Your Income

Thanks to various tactics, most early retirees have the discipline to save a sizable portion of their income – often more than half of it.

You’re well on your way to financial independence if you’re working on saving 50% of your income.

You Are Increasing Your Revenue

You’re on the right track if you’re considering strategies to increase your income and your significant savings.

You must eventually figure out how to increase your income because there are virtually no limits. You can never stop spending, but you can always increase your income, so once you’ve reached a level of spending that you are comfortable with, concentrate on using the other options to increase your revenue.

Finding part-time work, launching a side business, or creating passive income are ways to increase your income streams.

You Maintain Several Savings Accounts

You’re ahead of the curve if you’ve thought about alternatives to your 401(k), such as a Roth IRA, traditional IRA, and/or health savings account. Experts warn that more than one form of savings may be required to cover future expenses.

Even better, you’ve considered using Robo-advisers, online investment platforms, or low-cost index funds.

You Monitor Your Spending

It is essential to know how much money you require to support your lifestyle, whether you log your purchases manually in a spreadsheet or have an app do it for you.

Many early retirees began their path to financial security by assessing their spending patterns and determining how much money they would require to live comfortably in retirement. Before creating your retirement budget, you must be aware of your current spending.

You Will Pay Off Your Debts

When you retire, will you be free of debt from a mortgage, credit card debt, vehicle loan, or college loan? If that’s the case, it’s encouraging that this crucial aspect of your retirement is on track.

On the other hand, if you have debt when you retire, your monthly payments will deplete your income. You could even need to take additional withdrawals from your retirement account or work part-time.

If you carry debt into retirement, a steady income is necessary. Your Social Security payments could be diminished by that additional income, either through taxes or a reduction in benefits.

If you have debt, consolidate credit card bills to pay them off as per your affordability. This will help you save on interest, late fees, and other charges. Most importantly, you can get out of debt within 3 to 5 years.

There Is Perfect Balance Between Your Income and Expenses

You’re doing well if you haven’t accrued more debt than you did a year ago and haven’t significantly depleted your funds to cover living expenses. Here is the quiz: You’re in good shape if you can support yourself comfortably on guaranteed income sources (such as pensions and Social Security) and less than 4% of your investments after your first year of retirement.

According to studies, if you stick to the “4 percent” rule of thumb, you won’t likely ever run out of money for retirement. You may easily determine your safe spending amount for the first year by multiplying the value of your possessions by 4 percent (or dividing by 25). For example, if you have $250,000 in savings, you can spend $10,000 to supplement your other income in the first year.

Tip: Look for your exact age and consider how much you have already saved for retirement to determine your savings benchmark. That sum should be compared to your current gross income or wage. For instance, a 60-year-old earning $60,000 would be on track if she had saved $480,000, or around 8 year’s worth of income.

You Have a Set Plan for Expected Retirement Expenses

Your retirement lifestyle will significantly impact how much retirement will cost you.

Calculate the annual cost of your food, housing, transportation, and entertainment. Be sure to account for inflation when pricing out any retirement pleasures like travel, golf, or boating.

Inflation is typically not a major worry. But when things spiral out of control, as they are right now, everything can become much more expensive, which is bad for retirees. Although we cannot predict extreme inflationary periods, planning for some inflation each year is crucial.

You Examine Retirement Account Statements Periodically

A “recipe for disaster” is never glancing at your retirement account statements. However, some people don’t review the statements from their retirement accounts for years or even decades.

These statements frequently offer extra guidance, such as performance with the market or risk, compared to most people your age. In conclusion, these reminders every three months can significantly improve where you might wind up in retirement. Your plan statement is priceless when looking for a secure and enjoyable retirement.

You might be taking on more risk than you realize if your account has much more equities than the average. Verify the performance breakdown of each of the individual holdings displayed on your statement for your account. When one of your holdings performs significantly worse than the others, it may signify that you should replace that investment.

Final Note

Another indication that you are on track for retirement is having a fully established emergency fund. Your ability to withstand any financial crisis, such as a job loss or medical emergency, without incurring debt or depleting your retirement savings depends on this cash.

In addition to an emergency fund, have a liquid savings account that may be used when needed. You’ll be better equipped to handle your financial arrangement in retirement if you get into the habit of having access to some amount of liquid money that is on hand but not meant for daily usage.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you feel that your retirement savings are on track? What steps have you taken to make your funds last longer? How often do you track your investments and other funds?

Strong memory skills are like a superpower in a world where information overload has become the norm. Yet, some people aren’t interested in strengthening their memory. They want to make it extraordinary.

Today, I’m going to introduce you to some remarkable women from various backgrounds who have done just that.

From authors who have unlocked ancient memory secrets to memory champions who have completely redefined what it means to remember, these personal transformation stories are about a lot more than memory.

They share life-changing revelations about what the mind is, what it can do and how the battle against forgetfulness can turn even your simplest memories into powerful assets.

You won’t take your memory for granted again after meeting these incredible people.

One: The Woman Weaving New Tapestries of Human Ingenuity

Lynne Kelly is an Australian researcher, educator and author. Her fascination with ancient cultures and how early civilizations shared knowledge before they had writing led her to mnemonics.

One particularly fascinating part of Kelly’s work is how it corrects a common misconception about memory techniques. Many people think they are about making visual associations. We know this cannot be true due to her research, but also for another fascinating reason.

As Kelly told me when I interviewed her about her book Memory Craft, she has aphantasia. This condition, often described as the lack of a mind’s eye, means that in order to use memory techniques at all, she needed to approach them without any visual association.

Some of the ancient techniques lend themselves readily to non-visual practices. Kelly’s book Songlines discusses how Aboriginal cultures connected information with physical journeys they traveled. She adapted this technique to her neighborhood to help her learn Mandarin and a long list of facts.

There’s also the Lukasa, which is sometimes called a “memory board.” By associating information with beads, shells and other items fixed to the board, you can more easily recall all kinds of facts.

As Kelly readily admits, her own memory used to be poor. And retaining information remains challenging without using the ancient memory techniques she discovered throughout her research.

Kelly’s impact has been substantial. Her books sparked interest globally in traditional memory methods, renewing interest in oral traditions and leading to various classroom applications to help students.

In all her books and presentations, Kelly succeeds in emphasizing that these techniques are useful for much more than academics. They enrich your entire life.

Two: The Mental and Digital Programmer Who Translates on the Side

Katie Kermode first learned about techniques for strengthening memory at a young age living in the UK.

Before long, she found herself participating in memory competitions around the globe. She even appeared on a Chinese television program called “The Brain.”

She’s revered in the memory community, but not just because her competitive talents are so impressive.

Katie also co-created an innovative software for use in the competitions. The best part? You don’t have to have a competitive bone in your body for this free software to help you practice your memory.

Whether you take up some of Lynne Kelly’s favored ancient techniques, or the modern Memory Palace Kermode uses, just fire up the software and choose a category you need to improve on.

Whether it’s vocabulary, numbers, names or even images, you’ll have a blast using the browser-based program.

All while taking inspiration from how Kermode has blended her memory skills with technological innovation.

As she told me during an interview that admittedly gets pretty deep into the weeds of the mnemonics she uses, she’s also a translator.

The relationship between memory training, programming and language learning might not immediately leap out at you. But in a way, they are all about finding ways for information to not only stick in memory for access in the future.

It’s also about being able to modify the information on the fly. Like many others, I’m incredibly impressed by Kermode’s focus on approaching cognitive development holistically. It highlights the power of combining intellectual interests with passion, discipline and memory techniques.

Three: The Engineer of Memory and Learning How to Learn

Barbara Oakley is a much-admired professor, prolific author and pioneer of online education courses. At the time of this writing, her Learning How to Learn course has almost four million registrants!

But learning didn’t always come easily to Oakley. Following a military career in which she rose to the rank of captain, she got interested in engineering after working with communications technology in Germany.

However, she quickly realized her math skills were not up to par. In fact, she struggled more than ever before with the extremely intimidating material involved in mathematics.

Rather than give up, Oakley decided to become a student of “learning how to learn.” In other words, she literally applied her interest in engineering to work out exactly how the brain works. And in many cases, she’s been able to determine what causes the brain to shut down in the face of overwhelm – a topic discussed marvellously in her book Mindshift.

She’s perhaps more well-known for the personal story and tips she shares in A Mind for Numbers, however.

No matter where you start with Oakley’s work, the specific memory techniques she uses are fantastic. She’s an advocate for the application of proper active recall techniques.

Simply described, these approaches require you to challenge your brain a little. Rather than spending hours highlighting points in textbooks you barely understand, you commit them to memory. Then, you challenge yourself to bring them back to mind and write them down.

By following this admittedly demanding process, memories form faster. This process also winds up helping you get more out of your down-time. It sounds counterintuitive, but as she discusses, “diffuse” modes of thinking take place while you’re relaxing. But they’re most valuable when you’ve earned your leisure periods by taking on real challenges.

The proof is in the pudding. Oakley has solid foreign language skills and is an excellent public speaker. As I discovered while interviewing her, she’s also an excellent philosopher. Her counterintuitive take on altruism will change everything you think you know about acts of kindness for others.

Oakley has also won awards and accolades, giving her a chance to showcase her humility. If you ask me, she doesn’t brag enough!

Jokes aside, none of her accomplishments or contributions would have happened if Oakley hadn’t turned to look her challenges in the eye and use the science of learning to succeed.

Four: The Dancing Memory Maverick

Anastasia Woolmer is a two-time Australian memory champion whose journey from average memory to extraordinary recall abilities tells a story of total dedication.

For one thing, before getting into memory, she was a professional ballet dancer.

It’s obvious that dancers need to remember lots of moves. Not to mention where to move on the stage and various aspects of the accompanying music.

Less obvious is how to combine movement and memory techniques for learning.

Woolmer not only solved that problem. She also demonstrated it in an incredible (memorized) TEDx Talk titled Memory Fit.

Woolmer’s contributions to memory education are key because few people teaching in the space take time to acknowledge the benefits of keeping physically fit.

All the memory techniques in the world won’t repair a damaged brain. We need good food, fitness and plenty of physical exercise.

To that end, you can find endless inspiration on Woolmer’s Instagram. She shares everything from how she stretches, dances and even practices martial arts. You can also find older episodes of her appearance on Australia’s Survivor for more demonstrations of her mental and physical prowess in action.

There’s no doubt about the lesson to be drawn from Woolmer’s legacy so far. The martial art of the mind can be good without paying the body much mind. But it’s so much better when you take care of your physical state as well.

Which circles us back to Lynne Kelly and her use of the Songline technique. She walks regularly to use this technique and uses her hands on memory devices like the Lukasa.

You could extend this lesson to what I’m sure were the physical demands Barbara Oakley met during her military career.

Whether you’re looking for personal transformation, professional success or just want to learn faster, you now have these inspiring journeys to model.

Start small with simple memory techniques, taking care to use the ones that resonate with you. But don’t run away from challenges. We know that leaning into mental routines we resist is the key to forming the skills and establishing the stronger retention skills we seek.

Embrace curiosity, practice consistently and apply the memory skills you pick up broadly. You’ll enhance your overall cognitive agility by spreading them far and wide.

There’s a hidden lesson in each of these stories as well: teaching others what you’ve learned. You don’t have to write a book or offer a course. Simply discussing what you’ve learned and how you’ve committed information to memory will help you create a cycle of growth and inspiration in your local community.

Memory is not something to be taken for granted. And each person you’ve met today shows how easily it can be used to unlock new dimensions of learning. It is not a static “thing,” but a behavior you can shape into a skill that provides countless possibilities for transformation and fulfillment.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you take care of your memory? Are you a good learner? What strategies have helped you commit information to memory? Do you use mnemonics or something else?