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Fashion and Fun after Fifty

I fear for my husband’s health

I fear for my husband’s health…

…not from the back pain that keeps him from grooming his feet

 

I fear for my husband’s health…

…not from the x-rays and stitches caused by students that he was there to educate

 

I fear for my husband’s health…

…not from the cancerous cells that have invaded his body and has made his lose so much weight

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I fear for my husband’s health…

…because yesterday as I sat nervously in the car as he parked to pray…laying his Prayer Rug beside the car

Prayer Rugs

Praying to Allah for the 3rd time of the day…praying for guidance, love, safety and good health not only for himself, but for his family, friends and all mankind.

 

I fear for my husband’s health…

…as I watched an elderly woman peer across the lot, grab her purse a little tighter and begin to walk a little quicker

 

I fear for my husband’s health because we live in a country that many have died to protect their religious freedoms, yet find it easy to bear arms and spew hatred against another’s religious beliefs.

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I fear for my husband’s health and my son’s future….

 

So help us God!


Cool in Cotton

Hello friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday

I can’t believe that in only 3 more days, the men and I will be on flying off to paradise in the Dominican Republic. We all deserve this break and I am looking forward to spending time with hubby and my sons…which almost didn’t happen due to their expired Passports…but that’s a different story for a different day.

My blogs posts are all scheduled for next week including over at www.bloggingwithblake.com, so I don’t have to worry about posting while away. I will however, be taking lots of pictures so if you are not following now on Instagram and YouTube, make sure to do so today!

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Cool in cotton is the title of this post and it’s a simple white polo shirt from Walmart  #WearWalmart and a floral skirt thrifted from Goodwill. Staying cool in summer’s heat and humidity is vital as is drinking plenty of water.

Along with the pair of Ann Taylor sandals this outfit was perfect to keep me cool outdoors as well comfy inside the office.

Cool in Cotton workwear

I plan on wearing cool and comfy sundresses while on vacation and will be posting a daily OOTD hopefully at sunrise, as hubby and I plan on getting up and walking the beach each morning before then.

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How do you stay comfy cool in a cotton outfit?

I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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Heal your skin and heal the world…one jar at a time

Disclosure:  This product was provided to me in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are 100% my own.

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.  If you have been following me for some time then you know how I feel about keeping my skin moisturized and well protected.  Every night before bed I always slather my feet with a cream or body butter then put on a pair of cotton socks which I eventually kick off within an hour. 

I use eye serums and face moisturizers after thoroughly removing all traces of makeup before going to bed then I attack any ash on my hands, knees and elbows by applying a good moisturizer as needed.

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Recently, I had a opportunity to try 24KaritGold Shea Butter and I can honestly say that this is a great body moisturizer.  I have been using it on my feet, hands, and even on that burn scar on my leg which I told you about a few weeks ago.  Hubby loves using it daily on his knees, elbows and feet and the mini men have used it on their hair, scalp and face. 

Shea Butter Review

 

24KariteGold Shea Butter is a premium Shea Butter which has been hand processed by a women’s cooperative in West Africa, “Heal your skin and heal the world…one jar at a time.” I have used it as a massage oil as well, which feels great when slightly warmed using a double boiler method.  B24KariteGold Shea Butter contains unrefined, hand harvested wild crafted Shea butter.  You can use this product safely on your body, face, lips, hair, scalp, nails and feet. 

I will be taking some of it on vacation because it also has sun shielding properties.  Shea Butter has a history of being successful when used to alleviated and improve external skin conditions such as itching, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, soreness, wounds burns, scarring, acne and stretch marks.

Check out this video review then leave me a comment as to how you have used Shea Butter as part of your beauty regiment.

I hope your day is as beautiful as you are.

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What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.  You guys know that we haven’t been on vacation since 2009, way before they instituted the $25.00 per checked bag fee.

Long gone are the days when the boys were young and we headed to Orlando with large suitcases full of clothes, toys and toiletries.  Now we have the arduous task of trying to get everyone to fit everything into their one bag and making sure that it weighs less than 25 lbs.

Although we are flying Delta airlines and are allowed 1 free checked bag I don’t want to over do it.  It will definitely be easy for my sons and hubby, but I am not so sure about me.

Disclosure:  Amazon Affiliate links below, so if you make a purchase I might make a few cents!


We will be staying at the Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort in Puerto Plata for 8 long days, and 7 nights and it’s all-inclusive.  Have you ever visited this resort?  

I know that I won’t need to pack much, and this is what I was planning on taking so let me know what you think. 

 

 

 

 Swimsuits

Cover Up


Shorts

tank tops

Floppy Hat

Sleep shirt/undergarments


Sandals

Sundresses


Of course in my toiletry bag I’ll have a high SPF sunscreen, deodorant, makeup, and hair care products. 

What  do you think, should this be enough or is it too much?  I will be carrying a large tote bag to hold my camera, phone, make-up, and wallet, but I think I am missing something…maybe I need to go shopping – wanna come?

Oh, what do you think about this?  Is it best to lay everything flat or roll the clothes, which way takes up more space in the suitcase?  

Do you have any other packing suggestions – am I anxious or what!!!

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I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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The Drawer of Death

We all have one…yours may be in the shape of a box, a bag, an envelope or even a basket, but we all have a

Drawer of Death

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Sunrise to Sunset

                           Gone too soon

Date of Birth

Date of Death

                           Suffered too long

obituaries

In memory of

Who they leave behind

Pictures and Poems

                           Never said “goodbye”

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Family and friends

We all have a drawer

                          Death drawer

RIP Renee’

                         Added to the drawer

Rest in Peace Renee

I’ll always love and miss you!

                         Added to the death drawer

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Where is your Drawer of Death?


How to Save Money and Have Fun Traveling

How to Save Money and Have Fun Traveling

It can sometimes seem impossible to take a vacation and stay within a budget at the same time. While this can be difficult, there are many ways to go about doing it. Some of these methods are common sense, while others are often overlooked by the general public.

If you like many others have your heart set on taking a vacation, but you do not have a lot of money to do it, you should take a look at the tips listed below to see if any of them apply to you and your situation.  For example, you can save money on hotels in Amsterdam by doing some searches online for discounts. Here is how to save money and have fun traveling.

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1. The time you book a vacation matters

This may surprise most people. If you decide to book your vacation on one of the many travel websites that are online, the time and day of the week that you choose to make your booking will often come into play. While this is not the case for all travel websites, this can drastically impact the price on some of them.

Therefore, you should test out different websites by attempting to make a booking at different times of the week. See if the price varies by a large amount. You will be able to save money by doing this.

2. Have some flexibility when making your travel schedule

In the travel business, the price you pay for a plane ticket will usually depend on the day you plan on departing. If you depart on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, this will be more expensive than the rest of the week. This also applies to when you are returning home.

Therefore, you should take special care to arrange your travel schedule so that all of your flights are on days that have lower prices. If you schedule your flights far enough in advance, this should not be a problem for you.

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3. Frequent flyer miles

If you fly, you will accumulate frequent flyer miles. However, in order to do this, you will need to be signed up to a frequent flyer program with a specific airline. After you have been flying for a while, you will be able to redeem your frequent flyer miles for discounts on future tickets. All of the airlines have different rules regarding their frequent flyer programs. You should check with each airline to see which one has the most favorable conditions.

4. Unlimited travel passes

There are rail, train and subway companies which offer unlimited travel passes over periods of two and three days. If you have a lot of traveling to do in a very limited amount of time, the price of one of these unlimited travel passes could be worth it. You should take some time and add up the price of buying separate tickets for each part of your journey. Then you will need to compare this price to the cost of the unlimited travel passes for you and all of the people you are traveling with.

Costa Rica

5. Travel to places with favorable exchange rates

If money is a concern for you, the exchange rate of the country you are visiting should factor into your decision about where to go. You can save a lot by going to a country where you get more for your money.  

Have you started planning a getaway summer vacation or will it be a staycation this year?

Disclosure: I received compensation to post this article which was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the most comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.

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You Choose the Shoes ~ Season 2 ~ Week 9

You Choose the Shoes ~ Season 2 ~ Week 9

Hello friends and welcome to the last #YCTS in May, where in the heck did the month go? Time is flying but I did get a change to go through the shoes in my bedroom closet. Maybe next weekend I’ll get to the ones in the guest bedroom.

I donated several pairs of winter shoes and boots that I hadn’t even looked at in years and am pretty sure I will do the same with the spring/summer styles.

This week it’s Black Patent Leather Sandals versus Red Studded sandals.

YCTS Week 9 Avi

Yesterday’s post was about wearing sleeveless after 50 and so you can see that I don’t have a problem doing so.

You Choose the Shoes 9

I can’t remember where I purchased this top but the skirt is Boscov’s and the clutch is Rainbow Shops.

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The black patent leather sandals are one of my favorites by Jessica Simpson.

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The red sandals I think were purchased at Rugged Wearhouse. I added another pop of red with the bracelet from Old Navy.  Check out the big butterfly ring from Jewelrymax.net

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Okay, so which pair of shoes would you have chosen for this outfit?

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I will be skipping the next two Thursdays as I prepare for and then be on vacation!

You Choose the Shoes 9

There weren’t many votes from last week and it was almost a tie, but the winners were the pumps.

WINNER WEEK 8 Download DDD Google Play app

I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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Sleeveless after Fifty? Heck Yeah it’s Hot!

I can’t believe this topic is still under discussion, but it’s that time of year so here we go again…

Should a woman wear sleeveless clothing after the age of 50?  

Heck yeah it’s Hot!

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I am over the age of 50, as a matter of fact I will be 54 in September, am still menopausal and sweat like a pig most mornings just getting dressed…actually pigs don’t have sweat glands, but that’s besides the point.

I have and will continue to be sleeveless in the summer no matter my age because I want to and it’s comfortable. Hey, if you have flabby arms so what, I think Wendy Williams called them “bingo wings”, be proud of them or do something about them…lift weights using canned peaches or hit the bag like First Lady Michelle Obama.

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No matter your age or size, be comfortable with who you are because in the end, it’s not about what you looked like on the outside, it’s how you felt on the inside…stay cool and do you boo boo!  

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Dress and Sunnies – Goodwill Bracelet – Old Navy Sandals – Rainbow Shop – Purse – Avon

I hope your day is as beautiful as you are.

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The Perfect Gifts for a Quilter

The Perfect Gifts for a Quilter {Guest Post}

Author: Alyssa Craig

 

If you are lucky, there is someone in your life who loves to quilt and is always working on their latest quilting project. If you are even luckier, than you have been a recipient of the result of their hours of hard work. Now it is time to shower this loved one with presents. Whether it be their birthday, Mother’s Day, an anniversary, Christmas, or simply a way to show you care, there are many gifts you can give your favorite quilter. Here are some ideas to get you started, no matter what your budget allows.

 

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For a quick gift, an early jump start on your stocking stuffers, or a smaller gift to accompany another one, here are some suggestions that will be easier on your wallet:

Pin Cushion

Pin Cushion – These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, beyond the classic tomato, that you can choose to fit your quilter’s personality.

 

Sewing Needle Case – These cases also come with many designs and fun quotes on them.

 

Wrist Pin Cushion – For easy convenience during projects when they need to stay close to the fabric.

 

Seam Ripper Necklace – Created from an actual seam ripper, these necklaces will be endearing to your quilter. You might even consider getting one made out of a seam ripper of theirs (just make sure it is not their favorite!).

 

Necklace or bracelet charm – Help start a new tradition of accumulating small charms for a necklace or charm bracelet.

 

Fun Signs – There are many adorable signs for their sewing room such as “She who dies with the most fabric wins” and “ Any day spent sewing is a good day”.

 

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If you have a little more available to spend on this quilter, you may consider some of these fun gifts to add to their already growing quilting collection.

 

Small Ironing Board – A small ironing board with short legs and minimal length will fit well next to their sewing machine, making the process more convenient.

 

Sewing Phone Case – So they can show off their passion for sewing and quilting everywhere they go.

 

Portable Cutting and Pressing Station – For those who may frequently help others with their quilting projects.

 

Rotating Cutting Mat – A must have for getting those different shapes cut just right.

 

Quilted Tote Bag – For an extra personal touch, this is a great gift you can even make yourself!

Two Quilts On A Wood Rack

Quilt Display Board – Not all quilts are made to be used, especially those made out of materials that have special significance. A display board for these special quilts is a great way to show your quilter you value their hard work.

 

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Should you be lucky enough to have an unlimited amount of funds to shower your quilter with all the gifts their heart could desire, take a look at these suggestions.

 

Perfect Stitch Machine – This add-on machine is designed to help give their next quilt a professional grade stitch. It is compatible with many popular sewing machine brands and is comfortable for your quilter. You can also set up preferences to be saved for different users.

 

Fabric – One of the recurring costs of quilting is of course the fabric. Your friend or loved one would love a new selection of fabric for their next quilt. You can even take them with you and have them select their own material.

Group Of Women Making Quilt Together

Quilting Class – You may also consider buying them a class or set of classes to learn new techniques or improve on the skills they already have. There are websites that provide online lessons or you might check with your local quilting store or community center.

 

LED Sewing Machine Light Kit – All of that sewing can be hard on your quilter’s eyes, so get them a light kit to help them better see the work they are doing.

 

Divided Basket – Either create or purchase a large basket with dividers and pockets on the outside, for your quilter to store all of their supplies in one handy location.

 

Regardless of the occasion or the flexibility of your budget, there are many options to show your favorite quilter that you care. They will love these personalized gifts most because they show you care about something that is important to them.

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When it’s Time to Travel ~ Don’t Be Overweight at the Gate

 

Don’t be overweight at the gate!

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.  Have you made summer vacation plans?  Will you be flying to your vacation destination?  Now that almost all majors airlines are charging a fee for checked baggage, you have to be extra careful with just how much you do pack. 

Checking a bag will cost you as little as $25.00 but if it’s overweight it can increase in costs for as much $50 or more which can really bite into your budget. 

Eat Smart Luggage Scale

Thanks to Eat Smart, I had an opportunity to try out the Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale to ensure that our bags are not overweight at the gate next month. The Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale has a secure buckle and strap that adjusts to fit all sized luggage handles.  It’s easy to set and use and the measurements are made in lbs or you can change to kgs.  A CR2032-3 volt battery is included and the display is easy to read and the scale is easy to use:

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Secure clip buckle around luggage handle

Grab the scale with two hands to lift the luggage

Wait for the beep

Read the display

Check Amazon.com to order your own Eat Smart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale today so when it’s time to travel you won’t be overweight at the gate.

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 I hope your day is as beautiful as you are.

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