So what’s a mature, individualistic woman, with one or two figure flaws to do? Especially now that most of us are counting our pennies, frivolous purchases are even more damaging to our checkbooks than in years past and we don’t want to end up with a wardrobe full of so-so items. Nope, not for us! As the forever young generation, we want to look and feel great!

Well, worry not! Ginger Burr, President of Total Image Consultants, is on a mission to save us from ourselves and those impulse buys we all make because they’re 30% off or we need something to wear to the party on Saturday night. I interviewed Ginger on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio and she gave us her great tips for finding fall fashion that’s right for women our age. Ginger also shared some inexpensive and simple ways we can spiff up our old holiday garb to “add pizzazz” and make it special for this year’s season.

Aside from her seasonal tips, Ginger told about her fabulous home study program “Who Taught You How to Dress?” I’ve taken it and can vouch for it personally. Ginger provides a totally innovative approach to dressing and style, but one that underlies most all of our purchases. She starts out with the psychology behind why we chose the things we do, some of the hurtful comments about how we look that may still haunt us, and how we can transform our negative beliefs into positive ones so that we can select our clothing with confidence. After all, confidence is supposed to be one of the most attractive attributes we “wear” so why not express it through our clothing?

I strongly invite you to a listen to the show and check out Ginger’s program. You will be thoroughly delighted with all she has to share. Even in the brief time we were together, I learned a lot about my own style and fashion needs and you will, too.

One of my favorite aspects about Ginger’s program, “Who Taught You How to Dress?”  is that she honors and celebrates the individuality within each of us. There are no “you should do this or that” within her suggestions. She does provide some useful guidelines such as “buy it only if you love it.” But, beyond that it’s all about how you and I feel about ourselves and our clothing and making the most of our best features.

So, as the weather becomes cooler and deepens into fall, let us literally “turn over a new leaf.” With the holidays fast approaching, there’s no better time to learn to sparkle as our own, unique selves—feeling fabulous and looking every inch the magnificently mature and slightly saucy women we are!

Cornwell’s latest book, The Scarpetta Factor, has her heroine, Kay Scarpetta, living and working as a medical examiner in New York City. As always, she’s got a baffling case to solve and there are plenty of exciting and unexpected twists and turns that would likely overwhelm your average detective. But not our Kay! Not only is her mind razor sharp and her instincts right on, she’s also developing and deepening as a woman of maturity.

I asked Patricia, a baby boomer herself, how she sees Kay evolving over the years. She told me that Kay fits right in with our demographic and is growing much like the rest of us. She’s becoming more introspective, more analytical, and more conscious of how her past decisions are affecting her present realities. She seeks to understand and connect, and find the lessons behind her challenges.

When you read The Scarpetta Factor, you’ll be mesmerized by the plotline, the amazing breadth of factual information Cornwell shares, and the references to the changes all of us boomers are experiencing. Kay is like us even in subtle ways—facing a world that seems to be changing more rapidly than ever, she (like me) is decidedly not a fan of text messaging!

So take ten minutes and listen to this fascinating, world-renowned author speak of her personal experience, some of her own self-doubts and questioning, and how she relates to her famous heroine. She gives amazing background on her research for the book and her success at gaining access into the internal workings of the NYPD—an insider’s viewpoint you won’t want to miss.

Then give yourself the gift of this amazing read: it’s a big book with a big story and it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. (One of Cornwell’s many fans wrote she stayed home from work just to finish the book.) For sure, as a boomer woman who can relate to this fabulous and feisty heroine, you won’t be able to put The Scarpetta Factor down. In fact, you may find yourself calling in sick to work, too!

The short films you’ll find there will grab you in ways no others can, because they’re reflections of the fun and foibles of growing older. You’ll see your own face looking back at you: a few lines, a few grey hairs, and a sense of confidence and zest for life you can only achieve at midlife. Some of the films are serious, but most are old broad bawdiness at its best. (Menopause must beef up the funny bone because we gals are letting it all hang out like never before!)

It’s hard to pick my favorites but I must make special mention of “Debbie’s Hair,” “Living Large on Less” and “Girl Tox.” They each had me laughing so hard I needed to run to the cupboard for a fresh pair of Depends! “Believe it Baby!” had tears of joy, recognition, and laughter running down my cheeks simultaneously. Check them out for yourselves and you’ll see what I mean.

In true female fashion, Debbie and her friends are adding even more to the site: they’re making it a welcoming showcase for others. In the “Films By You!” section, you’ll find more classic gems that share tips, stories, or just plain fun.

I had a blast interviewing Debbie on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. She shared her epiphany at five years old, her early acting experiences, and her reasons behind creating In the Trenches Productions. So take a listen to a woman with warmth, humor, courage, and drive. Debbie and her friends are taking on the big boys in Hollywood and I’m betting my money on them!

In Gift From the Sea, Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote: “We Americans, with our terrific emphasis on youth, action, and material success, certainly tend to belittle the afternoon of life and even to pretend it never comes. We push the clock back and try to prolong the morning, over-reaching and over-straining ourselves in the unnatural effort… In our breathless attempts we often miss the flowering that waits for afternoon.” Her book was first published in 1955 but her words were never truer.

Therefore, let us choose to create and manifest a life of value and substance.  Let us thrive during this very special time in our lives and, yes, let us celebrate our age. We were born into a very special generation of women. Our accomplishments were nothing less than extraordinary. We joined forces, mounted our movement, and fought the considerable power of male chauvinists.  Despite bumps, bruises, and blows to our ego, we cracked the glass ceiling and did much to liberate women from second-rate jobs and second-class citizenship. We took women out of the kitchen and into the boardroom, exchanged our lace petticoats for tool belts, and went from selling at bake sales to selling on Wall Street. In fact, we go-getting gals accomplished greater strides in the name of womankind than our foremothers ever dared to imagine. And, yes, accolades are in order—we truly did come a long, long way. In fact, we changed the world!

And we are continuing to do so.  In fact, hooray for us! We will change the face of aging in this country for now and forever!

Marcus Buckingham, former researcher for Gallup, detailed the results in his blog for the Huffington Post. He provided the following surprising findings: “First, since 1972, women’s overall level of happiness has dropped, both relative to where they were forty years ago, and relative to men… The second discovery is this: though women begin their lives more fulfilled than men, as they age, they gradually become less happy.” Buckingham then goes on to write that somewhere around our late thirties/early forties, women’s happiness starts to plunge while men’s happiness is on the rise. “As women get older, they get sadder, “ he states. “WOW!” is all I can state.

To say I am bowled over is a massive underestimation! Reading the comments on Feisty Side of Fifty as well as other blogs aimed at boomer women, I see little evidence of this drop in happiness. In their book Women over 50: Psychological Perspectives, Varda Muhlbauer and Joan C. Chrisler assert that their research indicates otherwise, too: “When asked what their most wonderful time of life was, the overwhelming choice for my women respondents was age 55. They loved that time, they said, because of their freedom from worry and the need to care for children and husbands; they described their lives at 55 as full of wealth, health, and activities galore… Most of the women in my study continued to have rewarding, active and satisfying lives, although there were more challenges as they reached their 70s, 80s, and 90s.”

So what do you think? According to my own poll (scroll down on the left margin) 48% of out of more than 260 of you voted you loved this time in your lives. Responses to the other questions only received relatively small percentages. Granted my poll lacks the reach and clout of the General Social Survey, but who cares? Happiness is a state of mind. Therefore it’s based on individual perception and it’s malleable. We are the ones who choose our own reactions to life events.

I, for one, just don’t buy the idea that women grow sadder the older we get. And I don’t think you do, either. Our hormones and responsibilities shift at this time in our lives making us more assertive, more self-oriented, and more focused on achieving our own needs and goals. Older men, on the other hand, can and often do experience a lot of “been there, done that,” regret, and resentment as they age. Generally, their careers have reached a plateau or they’ve been pushed out for younger, cheaper employees; they are no longer as virile as they used to be, and they are likely to focus on what they failed to achieve—ala midlife crisis.

To the contrary, women are many times just getting going and “doing their own thing,” making their own mark. So let me know your thoughts and weigh in with your opinion of this study. Are you sadder now that you’ve reached the age of fifty or are you more fulfilled, more self-directed, and more enthusiastic about your future and what you can achieve?

Sure there are lots of challenges and loss that come with age, but, as far as I’m concerned, the benefits for women far outweigh the downside. If you agree with me, let’s show ‘em that we’re not only feisty, we’re darned well happy to boot!

My husband recently had cataract surgery. This is now, thankfully, a relatively simple process and the actual operation lasts only twenty to thirty minutes. It’s performed as an outpatient procedure and I was able to sit with him while they prepped him. They put him on a gurney, added an IV and, shortly before the surgery, the anesthesiologist injected something into the tube to help him relax. During the actual event, I know he was given some type of drug that allowed him to remain conscious but not remember anything. (At least, that’s how I believe it was.) As we left the hospital, the nurse handed him some eye drops.

A few weeks later, we received a bill for “outpatient drugs.” This did not include the bill for the hospital, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, or any other service—just those few drugs and drops he was given. The amount came to something over $14,000! This is no exaggeration and it is  INSANE!!!

Whatever your opinion, please take a couple of minutes to watch an important and riveting video. (You’ll find it on In the Trenches Productions at the top left of the page.) It’s by Debbie Zipp, actress, advocate for women over forty, and a mom. She talks about her son who’s been ill for a number of years and the need for healthcare reform. I know you’ll feel the emotion behind her words. (If you scroll down on this same site, you’ll see a video of yours truly talking about turning your age into an advantage when looking for work.)

Also, today is Feel Teal Friday—an international recognition of the need for aggressive research on Ovarian Cancer. The movement is being spearheaded by Debbie Stevens, an Australian woman who lost her mum to the disease. Modern medicine has produced screening tests for breast and cervical cancer that have saved many lives. To date, there is not yet one to detect Ovarian Cancer. By the time symptoms do occur, it’s often too late. Join Rick Finch, former member of the K.C. & the Sunshine Band, who is supporting this wonderful cause by creating a special video. You can also make a donation, which would be much appreciated.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

I used to subscribe to fashion magazines but, now that I’m older, I no longer do. However, whenever I have a hair appointment, you’ll find me leafing through the glossy renderings of style and chic that lay on the table at the hair salon. (Forget the chic—I’m just praying that my own style doesn’t look too dated.) What literally leaps off the pages of these trend-setting pieces, is that almost every model has either a bored or a haughty look on her face. It’s almost as if you can’t be young and fashionable and happy all at the same time.

My Talbots moment really set me to thinking that age has another advantage—we get to have fun and show it! Can you imagine a fifty-year-old model looking haughty or bored? It just wouldn’t fit with our demographic description. Studies show that women tend to be the happiest in the years past fifty. We come into our own like never before and that can’t help but put a smile on your face.

So next time you peruse a fashion magazine aimed at young women, give a little prayer of thanks that you no longer need to look like they do. Yes, they may be lithe and thin. Yes, their skin may be smooth and supple. And, yes, they probably have perfectly manicured nails and hair. But, for the life of me, why do they have to look so sour? Just wait ‘til these models hit fifty—no doubt about it—that’ll bring a smile to their face!

I do believe the number one issue that holds many of us back is our own prejudice regarding age and the workforce. Take a moment and ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you think that you are too old to successfully compete with younger workers?
• Are you feeling like you need to hide your age on your resume?
• Have you been feeling burnt out by the demands of your job search and lacking the energy to market yourself effectively?

Let’s take a deeper look at these issues. First, you can overcome many of the real prejudices surrounding the older job seeker. Here are some proven techniques that can turn your age into an advantage:

• Stress your skill set. You have years of experience that translate into highly honed skills and these are your marketable qualities. Identify them and be able to easily articulate them while networking and in interviews. This is no time to be shy. Have at least ten skills at the top of your mind so you can refer to them on the spot. Also, scan newspaper ads and online postings to determine which skills are currently in demand. You’ll want to stress these on your resume and whenever you speak with anyone regarding your search.
• Back up your skills with examples of you performing your best work. Think in terms of challenges you’ve dealt with, the skills you used to meet these challenges, and the positive results you produced. If you can quantify your results (e.g. improved efficiency by up to 20%, reduced turn-around time by 15%, etc.), this makes your statements even stronger.
• Display an upbeat, can-do attitude and stress your flexibility. Older workers generally have the reputation of being tired and set in their ways. Actually, we often have more flexibility as far as contract and part time employment options are concerned.
• If you’re feeling burnt out and tired of your job description, modify it to bring some new excitement into your life. By changing the focus of your resume and highlighting the aspects of your work you enjoy, you can go a long way into moving yourself in the direction you want.

If you didn’t catch the interview I had on View From the Bay with Bill Torchiana, founder of the Torchiana, Mastrov & Sapiro, Northern California’s largest full-service, independent career-management consulting firm, give it a try. It just might get you thinking with a different mindset.

Regardless of ageism, there are things you can do and ways you can present yourself that can turn your age into an advantage. Use them and your next job might just be your best job ever!

As many readers know, I’m a Career and Life Transition Counselor by profession and thought this would be the perfect time to share some ideas for finding work after fifty. In fact, Bill Torchiana, founder of the Torchiana, Mastrov & Sapiro, Northern California’s largest full-service, independent career-management consulting firm, and I recently appeared on a San Francisco talk show, View From the Bay, to spread the word: older workers can definitely make themselves attractive and appealing to potential employers—even in today’s competitive market.

So take a look and see what you think.

Here are my first tips for a successful job search—

Go with your strengths—there are numerous advantages to being an older job seeker:

• You have market knowledge gained over years of experience
• You have an extensive network developed over a lifetime career
• You are flexible and can come in as a full time employee or as a consultant
• You are not necessarily aggressively climbing the corporate ladder so you won’t pose a threat
• You have the knowledge and ability to mentor younger workers

My next post will continue with this theme and give you additional tools and tips to increase your success as a job seeker. Stay tuned!

I interviewed Sherrie Mathieson on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio and got a whole slew of great style ideas. Sherrie, a boomer herself, has enjoyed a long career as a fashion expert. In fact, she’s been a consultant to the stars for over three decades. She’s worked on feature films, TV movies, music videos, fashion print work, and commercials. Her client list includes celebrities such as Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Lynn Redgrave, Marlo Thomas, and many, many others. So this lady knows her stuff.

Sherrie is also an author. Her first book, Forever Cool, (love that title!) focuses on ageless dressing for women d’un age certain. And she’s recently come out with Steal This Style, which is all about “looks that make hip classic and classic cool.”

Actually, I was somewhat surprised by some of Sherrie’s views. For one, she suggests steering away from boomer-focused clothing stores. For another, she’s not a fan of “ladylike suits.” However, after reading her book and looking at the before and after photos, I’m beginning to see what she means.

So, if you’re in a similar fashion quandary, do yourself a favor and check out Sherrie’s site. Also, for a half hour of great fashion advice, you’ll want to listen to our interview. Who knows? You might just unleash your inner fashionista!