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March 2007
TTC, My quandary
is shoes, specifically shoes and travel. With your tours of India, Mexico, and
the Montana dude ranch to name but a few, your must have crossed this conundrum. I
like to travel light and am unabashed about wearing just a few basic clothes, mixing, matching and accessorizing to keep by
travel mates confused. But shoes…
On a recent trip bicycling in Italy, I had shoes for biking, walking-casual, dress up and sandals, and I still was
caught flat-footed when it rained and I had to slog about. And four pairs of
shoes already fill most of the corners of my self-allotted single luggage. My
mother when traveling would carry a separate piece of luggage just for her shoes, but really I don’t want to look too
American. If anyone will know how to be comfortable in every inevitability, while
looking smashing, it must be TTC. Signed, Soggy in Sicily Dear Soggy in Sicily: TTC has experienced this dilemma too AND have found a solution.
First, never travel any place that isn’t warm and sunny! This eliminates the need for heavy shoes that take up
way too much luggage space. Should you find yourself with a stopover in London,
for example, you will need something a bit more bootish. This happened on the trip to India. I carried only 3 pairs of shoes: a short black suede boot that
was adorable with short dresses as well as warm and functional in the cold drizzle of London.
My next favorite is a flat water sandal by Chaco. These are very versatile. They
look great with anything and you can walk miles, hike or wear with socks if necessary. They make my size 81/2 feet look
reasonable for my 5’4’’ height which I appreciate enormously. Being washable they were perfect for India where things need a lot of washing! Finally,
I also pack a pair of high heeled sandals for the times when you must be tall and glamorous. Don’t forget
the perfect pedicure…red toenails go with anything. Happy Travels, TTC
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November
2006 Dear TTC Yikes! I am in need drastic measures. I have to look younger by New Years Eve. My girlfriends
are getting face-lifts for Christmas and I am freaking out. I can not afford to spend thousands to have my neck tightened,
but even if I could, I am not the type to willing go under anesthetic or the knife. Short of standing on my head to reduce
the affects of gravity, is there anything I could slather on my neck and face to keep me looking spiffy? I've been told by
a small few that my best fashion accessory is my face, but at my age I am worried. I
caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror this morning and at this rate all my friends will look refreshed and wide-eyed and
I will be looking tired and grumpy. Quick, are there any magic creams or potions that can tighten me up? P.S.
Please don't use my name. I don't want people staring at my face. Just sign me "hopeful, but freaking out." Keep
the fashion tips coming! Dear
HBFO: I feel your pain! TTC
is in the same boat. I do not believe that I have the money or the nerve to go
"under the knife" in order to look younger. However, I do fear looking
older than my gorgeous friends. There are a couple of philosophical points to
be made: (a) of course we know that it's never good to compare ourselves to others (yes Mother) and (b) everyone thinks the
other guy looks great (this is where comparing works in our favor.) To conclude
the philosophical portion of my advice TTC has attached a wonderful e mail gift from one of her truly lovely and balanced
readers. Now let's get down to it.
How to look younger by New Years Eve? TTC assumes you are curling your
eyelashes! Try not to imitate Tammy Faye, but really a soft curl gives a great
lift to the eyes. If you wear eyeglasses you may be due for a "consultation"
with an eyewear fashion professional. Recently TTC introduced one of her faithful
readers to Camille, owner of Colaizo Optical on Queen Anne. In a short half hour
Camille took 10 years off my friend's look with the perfect pair of updated funky glasses.
By positioning the lenses "just so" she achieved "an instant face lift". TTC
cannot speak from experience yet, but she is definitely making an appointment with a good esthetician. I am going to call Erin Griffith at Downey Plastic Surgery at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. Erin works with Dr. Downey whom TTC consulted with
re. a complete body makeover. Dr Downey gently but firmly told TTC to go home.
TTC liked him for that. I think the Downey Signature Facial Treatment for $150.
will be just what you are looking for. Another wonderful reader
as the assignment of exploring a new lazer treatment that is supposed to work on the sub sub layer to generate collagen and
thereby painlessly remove wrinkles and lift our sagging little jowls. More later when we hear
from her. Last but not least no one notices a few wrinkles when you are
smiling and full of energy...so be happy and make that martini a double! HBFO
Too, TTC A Gift... The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for
I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that
it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let him know. "Growing Older, I Decided, Is A Gift." I am now,
probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair
over my body...the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the cellulite. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives
in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for
less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself.
I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying
that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to be messy, to be
extravagant, to smell the flowers. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood
the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4:00
A.M. and then sleep until ...? I
will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's and 60's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost
love, I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves
with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, will get old...if they're lucky.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the
important things. Sure,
over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers,
or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and
compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn
gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and
so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no" and mean it. I can say "yes"
and mean it. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people
think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being older. It has
set me free. I like the person I have become. I an not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will
not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single
day...if I want. Today,
I wish you a day of ordinary miracles. Love simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and leave the rest to
God. Live well...Laugh often...love much!
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Hi TTC,
You never fail to make me laugh and to remind me
I am SO out of it! I did buy some skirts and short sweaters, per your advice, and it is fun to have a new look. So what
is this about hair pieces? I haven't used one since the wiglet with the uptight curls. I tried the Miracle suit and was
thrilled at how good it looked from the front. Luckily, I caught a glimpse of the back before heading for the checkout counter.
All the excess that had disappeared in the front had made its way to the back! It was terrible. I will try again. Everyone
at my office is now wearing dansco shoes. I can't get with the Little Dutch Girl look but did buy a pair of sandals. They
are a bit clunky but comfortable. I plan to be at the Nordstrom sale when the store opens on Wednesday -- just looking, of
course.
Keep up the good work. Arlene
Arlene:
Great to hear from you! I have not heard about dansco shoes?
I am definitely running with the tennis shoe set these days, however, I will never give up my closet full of high heels.
This decision is in the face of advice from my “personal trainer” that explains years of wearing high heels has wrecked my
golf game. Something about the sensors in my feet, or maybe I am confused about how long my legs actually are?
Happy
Anniversary Sale Shopping,
TTC
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Hi
TTC,
You never fail to make me laugh and to remind me I am SO out of it! I did buy some skirts and short sweaters, per
your advice, and it is fun to have a new look. So what is this about hair pieces? I haven't used one since the wiglet with
the uptight curls. I tried the Miracle suit and was thrilled at how good it looked from the front. Luckily, I caught a glimpse
of the back before heading for the checkout counter. All the excess that had disappeared in the front had made its way to
the back! It was terrible. I will try again. Everyone at my office is now wearing dansco shoes. I can't get with the Little
Dutch Girl look but did buy a pair of sandals. They are a bit clunky but comfortable. I plan to be at the Nordstrom sale when
the store opens on Wednesday -- just looking, of course.
Keep up the good work. Arlene
Arlene:
Great
to hear from you! I have not heard about dansco shoes? I am definitely running with the tennis shoe set these days, however,
I will never give up my closet full of high heels. This decision is in the face of advice from my “personal trainer”
that explains years of wearing high heels has wrecked my golf game. Something about the sensors in my feet, or maybe I am
confused about how long my legs actually are?
Happy Anniversary Sale Shopping,
TTC
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