Enter Chico’s. Although this company doesn’t specifically brand its products “for the mature woman,” it seems the majority of its clientele are probably boomers. With generous sizing, brighter colors, and styles that flatter figures larger than a size 2, it’s become the go-to store for many of us on the far side of fifty.

I’ve become a customer myself and now receive a monthly catalogue. The latest arrived a few days ago and, as I was thumbing through the pages, I had an epiphany. No, it wasn’t about the latest trends in style and pattern—my inner fashionista has definitely seen better days. My a-ha moment had to do with the models.

First off, I wish the women they chose to represent the Chico’s customer looked a bit more like us. Of course models need to be slender and pretty to show off the clothes to best advantage, but these young women actually were a size 2 or even smaller! And, believe me, there was nary a hint of a laugh-line, muffin-top, or droopy bottom in any of the photos.

Nevertheless I was pleased with the images. Why? Because—contrary to the fashion credo—the models were actually smiling! Yes, every photo displayed a woman who seemed happy and engaged in her life. Compare these pictures with some of the high fashion shots where the models look either bored, haughty, or like they’ve just eaten something that disagreed with them. (The truth is—they’ve probably gone without eating for so long they can’t help but appear disengaged and sour.)

So here’s the insight I’ve gained from my Chico’s catalogue: Women our age really do smile and it’s better to boast a few pounds and a couple of wrinkles than to walk around looking like sourpuss. Give me some color, a bit of fun, and a happy outlook any day. And, on that note, I hope each of you enjoyed a very Happy Mother’s Day!

• Dress for the job you are going for, but take it up a notch. In other words, if your position is very casual and you’ll be wearing jeans for the most part, wear a pair of cotton or wool slacks.
• Even if you’re dressing casually for an interview, a jacket is always a good idea. It shows a certain amount of professionalism and projects an aura of confidence.
• Wear conservative jewelry and accessorize accordingly—same with makeup.
• Make certain that your outfit is clean and pressed and that your shoes are polished.
• Be sure to wear your very best asset—a warm, friendly smile!

For more tips that are guaranteed to help you make a great first impression and ace the interview, be sure to check out the latest, updated version of Land the Job You Love. For the same low price, you’ll get 18 more pages filled with all of the tools you’ll need to approach the job market with confidence, present yourself as a winning candidate, and create the success you deserve. And that’s a winning combo for sure!

It may not be sexy, but today’s economy calls for practicality and, if she’s unemployed or underemployed, I have the perfect solution! I’m thrilled to announce I’ve just updated Land the Job You Love to incorporate even more cutting edge techniques, proven success strategies, and methods that are guaranteed to make a positive difference.

With a full 18-pages of new exercises, tools, and strategies, this hot-off-the-presses version boasts:

• The latest (yet easy to follow) tips for using social media to full advantage
• Surefire ways to break through to the hidden job market using innovative and guaranteed techniques
• The best methods for preparing for webcam interviews (a quickly growing trend)
• And many more tools that won’t be found in other job search books

Job search has changed tremendously—even in the past few years—so the recipient of this special gift will be well armed with the tools to handle any situation she’ll encounter in the marketplace of today.  At the same low price of $12.95, you can give the woman in your life the means to distinguish herself from the competition, present her skills with confidence, ace the interview and land the job of her dreams.

And, in my book, that beats a box of candy any day!

In fact, Barbara Hannah Grufferman thinks giving a mere 50% is actually the key to achieving your goals. Barbara is the author of the wise and wonderful book, The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts’ Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money and More. She’s also a popular columnist/blogger for the Huffington Post at Huff/Post 50. And, in a recent article, Barbara shared her thoughts on what she terms: “The 50% Solution.”

Barbara’s 50% solution is based on the idea that problems will likely arise if we set ourselves up with unrealistic goals. Rather than getting what we want, we can actually sabotage our desired outcome because we feel too overwhelmed to follow-through. This, of course, sets up a vicious cycle of frustration and failure.

So, as Barbara suggests, “There’s a simple solution to streamlining your goals, plans, and even beauty routines, so you actually accomplish what you’ve set out to do… successfully… ‘The 50% Solution’ is a psychological approach to cutting your goals roughly in half, allowing you to reach them more quickly, thereby giving you the motivation you need to keep going.”

You can read more about creating your own success solutions in the areas of weight management, fitness, finances and more by taking a look at Barbara’s article. Better yet, take a listen! Barbara shared her thoughts with Feisty Side of Fifty Radio in an insightful 15-minute interview that just might inspire YOU to go after your own goals and change your life for the better.

So, whatever you decide to achieve, remember to begin by taking things halfway and move on from there. Once you’ve hit the big 5-0 you do deserve to have the best of everything—so use the 50% Solution and get 100% results!

Here are 3 keys that distinguish the modern mover and shaker from her more matronly counterpart.

A blast of creativity: It seems just as Mother Nature removes the female body’s ability to procreate, a new form of creativity is awakened. Most women in midlife claim to experience a rush of ideas, energy, and, as Margaret Mead discovered long ago, a sense of “menopausal zest” that transforms their lives.

The power to say “no:” Suzanne Braun Levine, founding editor of Ms. magazine as well as prolific author of books on women and aging, claims that learning to say “no” is one of the cornerstones of successful aging. No longer burdened by the overwhelming need to please experienced by many younger women, the hormonal gifts of menopause empower women of maturity to set boundaries that support their authentic drives and needs. Once she can say “no” to unwanted distractions and obligations, her “yes” becomes genuine expression of intent and her actions and energy are in alignment with her purpose.

A feeling of liberation: Freed up from many of her earlier responsibilities of raising young families and/or building careers, the mature woman enjoys the gifts of both time and focus. She can take stock of her life, identify where she wants to go, and has the confidence to pursue her goals with a single-minded determination.

So the next time you read an article about older women becoming invisible, remember this truth: with creativity, power, and a feeling of liberation, we can do anything we choose. And, better than that, we can celebrate our age with attitude!

Therefore, here are a few memory-joggers that are guaranteed to bring back the days of yesteryear:Yummy wax coke-shaped bottles filled with sugar water. Their claim to fame was they “melted in your hands and not in your mouth!”

A head start on a bad habit… I wonder what the Surgeon General had to say about candy cigarettes?

Best of all… you could buy both of these treasures and more with your weekly allowance–50 cents, WOWEE!

Yes, we lucky boomers could kick back, take a drag on a candy cig, a swig on a waxy coke, and watch the ultimate in televised adventures. What do you think–could life get any better than that?

We boomers have known for quite a while that exercise is good for us on many levels. But new research is proving that, with a modicum of movement, we can actually grow new brain cells! A recent article in Inc. reports that exercise helps our brain resist age-related shrinkage and improves overall cognitive flexibility. Moreover it seems exercise triggers the birth of gray matter cells with an added plus—movement makes the shiny new neurons extra nimble by wiring them up to the appropriate neural networks. This is exciting news, indeed!

Better yet, you don’t have to kill yourself to achieve that awesome brainpower. Most of the studies were performed on people doing aerobic activities, however even walking as little as 40 minutes three days a week can make a big difference. Older subjects who committed to the 40-minute walk actually improved their memories by shaving two years off the age of their hippocampus, the brain’s memory center.

So, if you want to renew and revitalize your own noggin, it might be as simple as taking the time to head out for a stroll or go sweatin’ with the oldies—and who among us wouldn’t like to rock out with the Stones, Little Richard, or the many mellow sounds of Motown?

And, to add even more steam to your energy-fueled brainpower, I urge you to take a look at Lumosity (see the link to the left). It’s the only product (other than my own) that I advertise because I believe in it so much. Their entertaining, varied, and FUN brain exercises are based on extensive research and cutting-edge science from such prestigious institutions as Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, and UCSF and the cost is literally pennies a day. So take a moment to check them out and get a free trial—your little gray cells will thank you for it!

But what do these messages do to your sense of self-esteem? Constantly being told your age is a giant turn-off to most employers can’t help you feel good about yourself. Moreover, having confidence in what you bring: your skills, experience, and your added value as a unique individual of talent and energy is the cornerstone to mounting a successful job search campaign. If you can’t believe in your own merit as a viable and attractive candidate, how can you possibly convince an employer you’d be a worthwhile addition to their team?

Therefore why not choose to focus on the advice that supports you and your efforts, and ignore the rest of the discouraging chatter? Why not concentrate on all of the advantages age brings and present yourself as a winning candidate of maturity? There are plenty of ways you have it all over your younger counterparts—so why not conduct your search from a position of strength and confidence in all you have to offer?

Here are just a few of the attributes of maturity that will help you start thinking of ways your age is to your advantage:

• You have market knowledge and a well-honed skill set gained over years of experience.
• You have an extensive network of clients, customers, coworkers, colleagues, and friends—and, because many people in your network are older, they’re more likely to have connections with senior-level contacts.
• You are liable to be more flexible and can present yourself as a full or part-time employee, or as a consultant.
• You are not necessarily assertively climbing the corporate ladder so you won’t pose a threat to the more aggressive up-and-comers.
• You have the knowledge and ability to mentor younger workers and teach them the valuable techniques and tools that translate into ongoing success for the organization.
• You have life skills gained over years of experience dealing with people. You can get along with others, know how to manage your emotions at work, and you realize the importance of being a contributing team member.
• You have a mature work ethic. You understand the value of being responsible, showing up on time, and following through to complete assigned tasks.
• You have the experience and knowledge to handle most any situation that arises because you’ve handled just these types of encounters many times before. All you need to do is compile a list of winning examples and have them on the ready to illustrate your skills and accomplishments.

Your age has gifted you with several additional positive attributes—too many to mention in this article. For now, consider the findings of a recent survey reported by CBS. More than a quarter of the women surveyed reported that they’d trade in IQ points for a larger chest. (It goes without saying these women were not on the far side of fifty!)

So, if you were an employer, which segment of the population would you want on your team?

For the tips and tools you’ll need to turn your age into your advantage, be sure to check out Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50. It’s packed with most effective ways to market yourself as a mature jobseeker and give you that needed edge over the competition!

Recent advances in brain imaging have produced several surprising new wrinkles to the great gender divide. It goes without saying that those of us who lived through the women’s movement are especially fascinated by the topic of nature versus nurture. In fact this particular conundrum laid the foundation for many a heated skirmish at the height of the battle between the sexes. Now it looks like nature plays an even greater role than we’d thought—especially when it comes to the human brain. One of the most striking differences between the brains of men and women involves the ability to process language.

To the utter dismay of many a long-suffering woman, it appears that men do not listen well! One cause for this phenomenon may come as a result of their lower oxytocin levels. (Oxytocin is the hormone involved in bonding—sometimes dubbed “the cuddle chemical). Unfortunately, the lack of the cuddle chemical makes our guys likely less inclined to want to bond and connect—especially through conversation.

However, hormones aside, the main culprit for their turning a deaf ear to us is that their brain is actually “deaf” on one side.  When brain images of live subjects were taken, they showed the neurons on both sides of a woman’s brain were activated while she listened to the voices of the researchers. However, in males, only one side of the brain displayed activated neurons. And, when verbal tasks were given, women showed higher blood flow to various areas throughout their brain. They could remember what was said and, therefore, recall what they were told to do. No surprise, this increased activity did not occur in men.

Consequently, it seems a biological determinate that when you have a need to send a verbal message to your male partner—especially when it concerns a task you want them to do—you’ll need to be extra certain that your message will actually sift through to the side of his brain where he’ll hear it.

As many of us will attest, dealing with guys can prove challenging… and this frustrating brain-fact makes Tammy Wynette’s words even more on target: “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman!”

Kate Forgach submitted this special guest post that will definitely give you some food for thought in the romance department. Kate is a  

So you think marriage is for the young? Check this out: As of the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 16-million unmarried Americans were 65 and older. But these single seniors aren’t willing to sit on their laurels; Between 2006 and 2007 there was a 140-percent increase in senior online dating.

Clearly the message that marriage makes you live longer has made its way to the over-65 crowd. Seniors also have learned the effectiveness of online dating sites. According to a2011 international study conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute and funded by eHarmony, middle-aged men and women were the most likely people to use online dating sites, a statistic that particularly holds true for seniors.

With these glaring statistics to back up entrepreneurs, many new businesses have arisen catering to seniors interested in relationships. Here’s a sampling.

1. Dating Sites
Let’s see; There’s SeniorMatch, SeniorPeopleMeet, DatingforSeniors, SeniorFriendFinder, PrimeSingles, SilverSingles, DatingForSeniors…pant, pant, pant. And we’re just getting started. More commonly known sites, like Match.com and eHarmony, also appeal to the over-65 crowd. And let’s not forget AgeMatch, which targets cougars and sugar daddies seeking companionship out of their age range.

An interesting aside to this category is the research findings of two Bowling Green State University professors of gerontology. In the early stages of the study, they’ve found indications that seniors market themselves different on dating sites than their youthful counterparts. Appearance and status drop to the bottom of profiles while compatibility and self representation are priorities.

2. Gift Registries
Soon-to-be-wed seniors likely don’t need another blender, so alternative registries are proving just the ticket. CardAvenue is a wedding gift registry that lets them register for desirable gift cards, including those for stores, airlines, gas, etc. Cloud9Living allows couples to register for desired experiences, like hot-air ballooning in the Rockies, taking gourmet cooking classes in Houston, race car driving in Las Vegas, and much more.

3. Wedding Websites
Personal wedding websites are the latest rage, and WedShare.com in particular has reached out to seniors with it’s easy-to-use message. The company provides a free domain name, customizable website themes and matching eCards, a monetary gift registry with PayPal, and much more. Other similar sites include MyWeddingHosting.com, eWedding.com and Momentville.com. To comparison shop, check out WeddingWebsites.com.

4. Therapy for the Kids
Roughly 500,000 Americans over the age of 65 remarry each year, and most already have adult children, according to Grace Gabe, a psychiatrist and co-author of “Step Wars: Overcoming the Perils and Making Peace in Adult Stepfamilies.” Remembering their parent’s former spouse, the kids may have trouble accepting a new relationship. This has opened up an entirely new species of therapist. While many cater to younger audiences, there are those who provide assistance to both young and old alike.

5. Prenuptial Agreements
No longer a legal document solely for the rich, lawyers are creating prenuptial agreements designed specifically for seniors looking to protect their children’s inheritances or not interested in once-again paying alimony.