Golden State

Susan Blakey of une femme d'un certain age wears a gold sweater, French Kande jewelry, and leopard slides.

Life at a slower pace…

For most of my life, I worked in very intense, deadline-driven jobs. Multi-tasking was a skill that served well, and I became quite good at it. But I always felt hurried, anxious and rushed, even after I left my last corporate job. It was hard to break the habit of feeling that Everything Has To Be Done Right Now. I’ve had to re-learn how to slow down and do one thing at a time.

Earrings | Sweater (Misses/Petites) | Necklace | Bracelet | Jeans | Sandals

Doing one thing at a time, and paying attention as I’m doing it is still a new habit for me. It’s been easier to do with the current “confinement” and fewer demands on my time. But it’s a habit I’d like to try to keep even after we’re out and about in the world again. I used to wear “I’m so busy!” like a badge of honor; that’s no longer true. And “down time” is no longer something I feel I have to earn with productivity. Reducing stress where I can seems like a no-brainer.

I’ve been spending more time enjoying our yard, and am so glad to have this bit of outdoor space to relax in. The weather’s been cool enough here that a light sweater is comfortable most days, and I’ve been wearing this organic cotton-linen blend sweater often.

(For those who have been asking for more “summery” outfits, I’m working on it. 😉 I’m not a skirts-and-dresses gal, and have been keeping eyes out for lightweight separates in my style and color preferences.)

Detail: Susan B. wears French Kande gold earrings and fleur-de-lis medallion on a chain necklace. Info at une femme d'un certain age.

When I posted the top image on Instagram and Facebook, several people asked to see more of the haircut. This was the best shot I could find. It’s currently a grown-out pixie. I’m kind of liking this length, but it’s starting to get a little heavy on the top.

Detail: Susan B wears a French Kande chunky gold link bracelet and J.Crew leopard slides. More at une femme d'un certain age.

And I’m just loving this chunky bracelet! It’s so fun and surprisingly lightweight, a “one-and-done” statement piece. The sandals are available HERE. If you’re between sizes, go down 1/2 size.

Do you feel you’ve developed any new positive habits or attitudes in recent weeks?

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49 Comments

  1. I love this outfit combination. The sandals really bring the cool chic look together. And I love your grown out pixie look it’s very flattering.

  2. I agree, love your hair! I also agree about the new slower lifestyle; not all of this has been bad.

  3. Since having your colours done with Red Leopard and adapting your wardrobe to include your new colours – well – you are just glowing! Your wardrobe colour choices really enhance the real “you” – even though I don’t you know you personally. It is a reminder to me that we are never to old to invest in ourselves.

    I also agree with your sentiments. I have been retired for 4 years and I was still feeling that I had to be busy all the time with the must do’s in the house, errands etc. etc. I was not doing anything I wanted to do that one should be doing when you are retired. With the pandemic restrictions I have been learning to put the things that I enjoy doing first and learning to savour the moment.

    Thank you for continuing with your very well written blog. I look forward to your postings.

    1. Thanks, Ms. Liz. I’m hoping that we all come out of this with a renewed sense of what’s important, and more enjoyment of life.

  4. That gold color looks so good on you. It really shows why wearing “your colors” makes a difference. It’s interesting to me that when you first began transitioning to your new color palette and style, people following the blog struggled with the change. Before, you had a great look, but I applaud you for being true to your own style and coloring. It sets your posts apart from the masses. Glad you didn’t allow others to push you into following the prescribed neutral blogger palette. Looking great in your Golden State!

    1. Thanks, Kelly! It was a big change, and I get that not everyone was happy with it. But I’m very happy with the changes, and would not go back.

  5. These times are so different, in ways that are unsettling, and also calming. There is more “ time” to think, finish, and start up things, I am trying to take advantage of this time, as best I can, I’m sure we all are. I love your new color journey. I have had my Red Leopard online consult, I am a “ Blue Autumn “ , the bluest and lightest of autumn colors, heavily influenced by “summer” colors. I have been told I was a summer in the past ( brown hair, pink skin and blue eyes). So I am in the process of some color changes, but some of my previous summer colors cross over, so that helps. Doing color draping online , probably isn’t as much fun as in person, but these times are different, so I will cope. The makeup part, may have to wait, as the stores aren’t all open yet. Susan, what did you start with? Closet cleaning?

    1. Just curious …. how did you find the online consultation with Red Leopard? It is so tempting but not inexpensive so I would want to make sure that it can be done correctly considering that lighting etc. might change a result when doing the consult at a distance.

  6. Every so often I’ll see an adorable skirt and have to remind myself, “You don’t do skirts.” I don’t mind doing dresses – they’re easy to pull on (although I’ll usually wear leggings or shorts under them). I have a couple of nice skirts, but again, something has to be under them.

    Because my hair is red, people always think I’m an autumn. NO. I think I’m a summer. A bright – or clear – summer. Vivid jewel tones bring out my eyes and make people comment on how I look. Maybe some day I’ll get my colors done.

  7. LOVE your hair! Color and length are perfect on you. I agree with the other ladies, you look radiant since your Red Leopard visit. The right colors do make all the difference. Thank you for helping us to find our right colors and style.

  8. RELAXED is the RIGHT WORD!
    YESTERDAY I had the most relaxing day ever……….
    I read a book from cover to cover.Mind you a coffee table book but I took it all in!IN between I polished a couple of silver frames and watered the garden first thing in the AM in my ROBE!IT WAS HOT UP NORTH yesterday!Dinner was simple and I love the NO PRESSING JOBS !!!!
    I try to call FRIENDS TOO some who live alone just to CHeCK IN!!!
    XX

    1. Sounds lovely! I’ve also been chatting with my far-flung friends more often via Facetime and zoom.

  9. Your sweater is beautiful. It looks brighter than the website photo. Can you clarify if it’s a brighter yellow or a muted, mustard yellow?

    1. Thanks! It’s a little less bright than it appears in the top photo, but is brighter than a muted mustard. On my monitor, the second photo (haircut) shows the color most accurately.

  10. Yes! You look so put together here. Everything works. This is what we all want. Did you get these glass frames after your colors were done?

    1. Thanks, Pat! Yes, I chose these frames after my consult. The color matches perfectly to one of my “best” within my palette.

  11. Your new colors are gorgeous on you! I actually stopped following you a few years ago because it seemed everything you featured was black, Eileen Fisher…chic and sophisticated but boring and expensive and I’m a winter. Another fashion blogger mentioned your Red Leopard adventure a few weeks ago and I came over to check it out. You look happy and fun and I’m back!

  12. You look beautiful and happy. That sweater is just the perfect color for you. What color lipstick are you wearing? …so pretty.

    1. Hi Lee, thanks! I’m embarrassed to admit, I had to look it up myself. 😮 It means “Women Crush Wednesday.”

      1. I’m pretty good and figuring these things out, but there’s no way in a MILLION YEARS I would have guessed that. Still, I get it – you look FABULOUS.

  13. You look fantastic!! I agree with all the above comments, love the color of those jeans. I am also 5’1″, did they fit good for the length? I want to order those jeans, just wondering how they fit.
    Thank you…

    1. Hi Diane, thanks! They’re ankle length on me (also 5’1″), and the rise hits about an inch below my navel. This is one of my favorite jean styles. They run TTS.

  14. Susan, your new colors are just wonderful as well as your hair and glasses! I too had a job that was very stressful, busy and I could multi-task with the best of them. In October 2006 at age 56 all that came to an end when I suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (ruptured brain aneurysm). It ended my career and almost my life…brain surgery, seizures and almost 30 days in the hospital. It took a very long time to recover and my life changed forever. Every day is a gift, even the crummy ones! I have learned to slow down, enjoy the little things, and went through a long recovery for my brain. Thank you for keeping our spirits up and sharing happy thoughts!! Keep enjoying the little things and slowing down…by the way I am still quite organized!!!

  15. YES! Our family of 4 has been gathering every night for dinner…we all have our “work from home” going on and at 5:00 pm we gather around our (formerly) rarely used fire pit for one “beverage” of choice and then the “cook” preps and makes dinner. I’m no longer the “cook” and go and “dress” for dinner – I’ve been wearing all sorts of things that I used to deem “dressy occasion” looks – if not now, then when??

  16. Your change of colours become most noticeable when the previous you pops up regularly in my Pinterest feed. The difference is outstanding including the warmer hair colour. I’m hoping for the same when my true hair colour becomes more obvious when the salt and pepper finally overtakes the fading salon coloured brown. It’s been an expensive trial and error process when buying outside of my true colour style of winter. When it’s done, in around 18 months, I’m aiming for a refreshed colour consult, all the while still revelling in my retired life taking time to just enjoy the natural world around me.

  17. Every time I see you in your new colors, I just love the look. so happy to see you shine out of all of that black and white!

  18. I have been reading an article about how work is seen as the most fulfilling thing and it is not. Certainly not how we go about it nowadays. Always demanding more, more growth in less time and management not knowing what they ought to do to keep work a nice place (not by Friday drinks and free snacks, that is for sure). Now that I am lucky enough to be retired, I am rethinking my earlier ambition to find another job for less hours. I think I won’t.
    Greetje

  19. Congratulations on finding a healthier way to live. I’m trying to develop that myself as I transition from the kind of job you describe into a more relaxed life. I recognize the value of that destination and find getting there hard because of how deeply we internalize social conditioning. Best wishes.

  20. Susan would you mind telling me the size of this EF sweater you are wearing. They can sometimes be big and boxy.
    Thanks
    Judy

    1. Hi Judy, I’m wearing the Petite Small. This size is roomy on me, probably could have even gone down to a Petite/Petite.