beauty | thisisyourbestyear

Nov 27

Letting The Silver Shine In My Hair

I finally decided to do it. It wasn’t easy to let it go, but somewhere deep down inside I knew it was time.

India Arie told me that I was not my hair, but did I believe her? I can remember to the date that my hair color changed from dark brown to red. It was about the week after I graduated from high school. I know this because my mother and I had discussed it for what seemed liked years. Back then my Aunt Bonnie and my mother both colored their hair, and since I wanted to be them, I wanted to color mine. My mother said that after high school graduation I could do just that. From that week on my hair was some variety of red. Most of the time I colored it a medium red, but occasionally it got a little light. I was never fond of the darker shades, but I loved my red hair.

After I informed my daughters that I was going to stop coloring my hair, my youngest daughter suggested that I go natural too. I told her one step at a time, and letting the silver shine through was the first step. When the gray started to come in, I can honestly say I really didn’t remember what I looked like with my natural hair color. It made laugh when my hubby told me he married a redhead, and I reminded him that I married a man with an afro–a big afro, and he was now sporting a ball head.

I’m not going to say I will never color my hair again–I am a woman of a certain age, and I can change my mind. For now I have decided to let the silver shine through. Who knows natural and blonde may be my next adventure. Besides I can be a redhead whenever I want–I have enough alternative hair (wigs) to be almost every shade of red they make.

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Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, you are not your hair.

Oct 13

The Texas Conference For Women Is Sold Out–But!

The amazing Texas Conference for Women in Austin, Texas on November 15, 2016 is officially sold out.

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As luck would have it, there may be a way to get tickets to attend this sold out event. You can put your name on a list to grab tickets if they become available. If you want to hear great speakers, be inspired, attend wonderful workshops, network with women who are on the move and so much more, you need to try as hard as possible to attend this event. To try for tickets click please let me get a ticket. Hope you are lucky! Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

Jun 22

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Nighty Night–8 Tips For A Better Sleep By Arianna Huffington

I am one of those people who leaves the card on my bed at the hotel because I want the linen changed each day (give me a discount, and I might not). As I reached for the card at my last hotel stay, I read something that made a lot of sense. It was Arianna Huffington’s 8 Tips For A Better Sleep.

As I have matured sleep has become more important. At one time I could function very well on 4 to 5 hours of sleep, but as I have matured I need more. As women of a certain age sometimes our sleeping patterns can go into some craziness because of the dreaded menopause. You know, you just can’t get to sleep, or you wake up and then you are just up for the rest of the night.

Will her 8 tips work? I’m not sure, but I do agree with trying them. There are some things that I probably won’t do. I can drink coffee at 10 PM and then go to bed, and it does not bother me.

Take a look at the list and hopefully you will get some idea(s) on helping you get a good nights sleep–it’s worth a try. Sleep does make you feel better and even look better. Ms. Huffington has written a book about the importance of sleep in our everyday life–The Sleep Revolution. It sounds like an interesting read.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear“. Have a good nights sleep. Sweet dreams! In the comment section, tell us some of the things you do to get a good nights sleep.

May 23

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Isn’t She Lovely–Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner

2016 Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner–Tracy Marshall

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Tracy is an amazing woman of a certain age. She is the creator of the lifestyle blog–Tracy Marshall 1961 Blog which features articles on topics from travel, great gifts, family adventures and more. She is the winner of our 2016 Mother’s Day Giveaway. Her lovely price is the beautiful statement necklace donated by Kendra Scott*

Mother’s Day Winner

Congratulations Tracy! Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

*Special thanks to Kendra Scott, 1612 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107

May 3

And The Winner Is…..

Tracy Marshall has won the beautiful Kendra Scott signature necklace. Thanks to everyone who gave us their mother’s words of wisdom.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, and most of the time “mom did know best”!

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Apr 23

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Mother’s Day Giveaway

“If you just sit down and be quiet, no one will know how stupid you are”. Yes, that was one of my mother’s sayings. Another one was “slow as pond water”. These and other sayings seem to always come to mind at different times in my life. There are many others that she, my aunts, neighbors, women of the church and others would say. Some I can’t put in print.

For our Mother’s Day Giveaway we are asking you to tell us one of the sayings your mother, grandmother, aunt or whoever you consider to be your mother figure in your life said. It’s as simple as that.

You can win a beautiful statement necklace donated by Kendra Scott jewelry. It is an amazing piece that you will love–it is the beautiful piece below.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, and all you need to do to win this beautiful Kendra Scott “statement” necklace is to post a saying that your mother and/or mother figure always said in the comment section of this post. This beautiful piece can be yours to gift to someone or maybe to yourself. The winner will be chosen on Monday, May 2. Good Luck!

*You can see more beautiful Kendra Scott jewelry at their boutiques or online at Kendra Scott Jewelry.

Apr 2

Neiman Marcus Honors Carolina Herrera

NEIMAN MARCUS ANNOUNCES CAROLINA HERRERA AS RECIPIENT OF

THE NEIMAN MARCUS AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE FIELD OF FASHION

Carolina Herrera

Neiman Marcus announces that world renowned fashion designer Carolina Herrera will receive the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion on September 16, 2016 at the Crystal Charity Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon at their flagship store in located in downtown Dallas.

“We are delighted to present Carolina Herrera the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion,” said Karen Katz, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group. “Few designers have accomplished this as gracefully as Mrs. Herrera.”

Past honorees of this award include HSH the Princess Grace of Monaco, Estée Lauder, Coco Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani, and Miuccia Prada. Stanley Marcus, the co-founder of Neiman Marcus won the Award in 1995. It was presented to him at a Neiman Marcus gala in Dallas celebrating his ninetieth birthday.

*Since 1952, the sole purpose of The Crystal Charity Ball has been to support children’s charities in Dallas County. Members of The Crystal Charity Ball Committee have raised more than $130 million for more than 140 worthy beneficiaries over the past 60 years

Mar 28

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Meeting Paulette Who Is Walking Across America Topless

I am not easily impressed by celebrities, or at least I don’t think I am. In my mind, I think that celebrities and those that are famous are just like us. There are a few people that I am in awe of though. One of them is a beautiful woman of a certain age that I wrote about.

I found her on Facebook and begin reading about her. I inboxed her, she wrote back, and this continued on for almost a month. We then talked on the phone a few times, and we then decided to do a phone interview. It was a great experience. One that has inspired many.

When Paulette talked about her faith in God, her journey with breast cancer and her children, her story came alive to me. If you have not read her story, please go to: https://thisisyourbestyear.com/2015/10/10/breast-cancer-awareness-prayers-for-paulette-and-her-8-children/ to read about her amazing journey.

I had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans where she makes her home. We arranged a day and time to meet. She is as amazing in person as she was on the phone. Her warm and beautiful smile just warmed my heart. Our conversation was like we had known each other for many years, it was as easy as Sunday morning.

From the smile on my face, you can see how excited I was to meet the wonderful, inspirational Paulette Leaphart. Her spirit, her love of life, her love of family, but most of all her faith in God is contagious.

Paulette and I finally meet

Beautiful Paulette

Meeting someone that inspires me–Paulette

Paulette is training to do a 1,000 mile walking journey from Biloxi, Mississippi to Washington, D. C. while being filmed along the way. Paulette will be topless to show the scars of breast cancer. She will start her walk on April 30. Her walk/movie is named “The Scar Story”. I invite you to take a few minutes to look at the trailer. It will amaze and inspire you. You will see the reason Paulette will walk topless. The message is powerful. The link to the trailer is below. Click on the link and be amazed, inspired and more.

http://www.thescarstory.com/video

You can follow Paulette’s 1,000 mile journey on her Facebook Page–Prayers for Paulette 8 Children. There will be a few surprise walkers that will accompany her along the way.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”–make new friends, they bring warmth to your heart.

Mar 21

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Beautycon In Dallas

All things beauty came to Dallas, Texas, and everyone found something they liked. There was everything from cosmetics, to hair products, nails, jewelry products, and so much more. There were makeovers for the face and hair, demonstrations and a chance to meet, greet and talk with some of the best known beauty bloggers around.

There were far too many brands there to name them all, but some there were NYX, Maybelline, Love Always, China Glaze and Colgate. Even the long lines were enjoyable–talking with the others, snapping pictures, just enjoying the moment.

Since I cover events for and about women of a certain age, I was more than excited to cover Beautycon. There were products there for everyone. I saw females of all ages. My only suggestion to Beautycon is to increase the number of products and bloggers for women of a certain age. We are more than willing to stand in line, have great conversations and see new and improved products and demonstrations.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. Try a little something new (lipstick, eyeshadow)-it could be fun.

Mar 18

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Spring Break–Take A Break

Every time women of a certain age talk about Spring Break, we automatically think of Spring Cleaning. We think of putting away winter clothing, changing the comforter, clearing out the pantry, deep cleaning this and that. Why do we do that? Is there an unwritten rule that we have to use our time away from the office working while everyone else is enjoying their time off? What’s to keep us from doing the Spring Cleaning a little at a time after Spring Break? This year I decided to do just that.

When I left work on the Friday before Spring Break, I went home and did my weekend cleaning that night–I was determined that this would be my Spring Break. There would be no deep cleaning this Spring Break. There would be the day to day cleaning, but nothing that would take all day and/or all week.

Here is my week of during Spring Break. What was yours like?

Sunday–great church service at Carter Metropolitan CME Church, and then dinner with my husband and our youngest daughter. Then I did a movie (Creed) in my pajamas with my husband and popcorn and wine.
Monday–massage at Perfect Touch with Katie that made me want to lay there for a couple of hours. Went walking with my sorority sister and made my steps then coffee at Starbucks afterwards. Then I decided to make homemade peanut butter cookies. The kitchen was smelling good. We ate them while we watched the movie again (it was rented for 2 days).
Tuesday–my guilty pleasure of a facial. I absolutely love getting facials especially at my favorite place Ageless Perfection Skincare. Miss Ruby is the best. Started reading “Natchez Burning” by Greg Iles for a book club I just joined. It is a very exciting read.
Wednesday–my best friend since second grade and I went to the Amon Carter Musuem of American Art to check out their latest exhibition–American Epics (Thomas Hart Benton and Hollywood). Yes, it is very good and educational. Then we were off to West 7th Street to have lunch outside because the weather was just perfect. We tried our tastebuds at Mash’d, a place we had never gone to. The best lemonade bar none. I like mine tart, my friend likes hers sweet, we were both happy. Then my daughter cancelled our walk, but I went anyway–got my steps in.
Thursday–manicure and pedicure at Zizi’s. Even decided to have a glass of wine while I was getting serviced.
Friday–going to a networking event for women sponsored by the women’s division of the Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. Got my TABC certification so that I can volunteer for the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival.
Saturday–meeting with volunteer coordinator for Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival to get my assignment. Then on to Fair Park to cover BeautyCon so that I can report about it to you, and see what they have for women of a certain age.

I started each morning with my prayers and coffee in my pj’s, and ended each night with wine and prayers in my pj’s. The house is still clean, yes the sweaters still need to go to the cleaners and be put away (well maybe, this is Texas weather). I’ll just drop them off on my way to work after Spring Break.