Brrrrrr!

Baby, it's cold outside. Not everywhere, of course, but much of the U.S. is freezing right now. I am thankful I don't live in Bismark, North Dakota. Not that it isn't a lovely place after the thaw. Helps to be of sturdy stock. I'm from Southern California wuss stock. And a Texas transplant. Enough said.

I have all the right gear to go outside and play in the cold, but it's not a good look for me. My nose turns red and my skin looks like the bottom of the Red River after a drought. Thank you, God, for treadmills. I've been good about keeping up with my exercise during this cold spell. No excuses! I've also wasted quality time on the Wii. I'm not bragging or anything, but I am pro-level in both bowling and golf. I'm just saying. 

The cold has even affected my cat, Bruno. He has a little screened-in area where he can be outside. He was meowing insanely to go out yesterday, so I opened the door, and he stuck his big old pumpkin head out for a nanosecond. He looked up at me like, WTF?  He immediately retreated from the blast of cold air and went back to bed.

Which is a good place for him, because we got a 3,000-piece jigsaw puzzle for Christmas, and it has become painfully clear that we can only work on the puzzle while Bruno is sleeping. He wants to help with the puzzle (if he only had thumbs). We have the puzzle set up on the dining room table. The first day, he hopped up on a chair and very gingerly approached the table with his front paws. He popped up, without disturbing a single piece. Dramatic pause, then he started whipping his tail from side to side as puzzle pieces began to fly. He's not responsible for the tail. We puzzle under cover of daylight.

Winter style is not my passion. It's the wuss stock thing. Plus, I live in Texas, where I mostly dress for three seasons.  Angie at You Look Fab listed her resolutions, and one of them was to shop for your dominant season.  My dominant seasons are spring, summer and fall, so that's where I focus my fashion dollars. This winter I bought a gray cropped lightweight wool jacket that goes with all the pants and skirts I own, over-the-knee boots and a couple of scarves. So, I'm not much into shopping right now.

The scarves are miracle workers for making the same outfits look different. I wear the boots all the time, and I do not look like a hooker.  In fact, they are so cool, I finally bought a pair of leggings long after I said I would just so that I can wear them tucked into the boots. I have no idea what I will wear on top. All I know is that I have boots, and I have leggings.

No one said having gray hair and looking cool was easy. I've got the silver, but I am still learning how to rock it. 

Comments

[Martha]

I love your blog!!! I found it through GGLG - I'm a newbie - and you've inspired me to re-think my loose jeans and big shirts 'cause you REALLY DO LOOK COOL!

So today I'm off to shop and maybe I'll buy some boots... :-)

I'd love to read about what you find are your basics, your must-haves, for creating a rockin' look!

[Donna Pekar]

Hi Martha,

Thanks for visiting! It's exciting to hear from a newbie. The growing-in phase can be tough, but the results are rewarding. Keep your eyes on the prize!

I am a big believer that fashion and style make the difference between being frumpy gray and cool silver. I am learning as I go. You will have to experiment to see what you like and what works for your body. I bought quite a few things that went back after I tried them on again at home. You will have to get used to clothes that fit. No matter what your size!!! I wore pair of jeans yesterday that I bought early in my journey, and at the time, I was scared they were too tight. Now, I think they are perfect.

Even though she's not a gray hair advocate, I highly recommend Charla Krupp's book, How Not to Look Old. Lot of great ideas for updating your wardrobe.

My must-haves would include pencil skirts, cropped jackets, dangly earrings, colorful scarves and well-fitting jeans. And cowboy boots.

[Peg]

Hope you are keeping warm, Donna. I love the scarves with your grey jacket.

Your Bruno-and-the-puzzle anecdote made me laugh; it's true that cats aren't responsible for their tails, or at least they *think* that they aren't. Our first cat, Lucy, chased her tail well into her later years and would always finish by beating her tail on the floor behind her while staring fearfully back at it, as if to say "You aren't part of me. Why do you make me do these crazy things?" On the other hand, being a polydactyl cat, she did have thumbs and was able to open doors quite handily, as it were. Never helped us with any puzzles, though.