Weekend Update: Getting My Ducks In A Row

Style blogger Susan B. wears layered necklaces and striped tee from J.Crew. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

It was another (surprisingly) busy week, hence the day-late post.

The Thursday evening event at J.Crew was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed meeting those of you who stopped by. Thank you for coming! I posted the image above on Instagram from the event, and received a lot of questions about the necklaces. The crystal necklace is HERE (also available in other colors too) and the faux-pearl necklace is HERE. I really love both of these necklaces. They’re the kind of thing you can throw on (either separately or together) to glam up a casual look, or wear with dressier clothing for the holidays. (Both gifted.) The lip color is NARS “Red Square.” The sweater is the longer collarless style.

There was (really good!) wine and cheese, and they’d also brought in a young woman who does on-the-spot freehand custom embroidery. She has some really fun designs and her website is HERE. She had a little time toward the end of the event, and was able to embroider my t-shirt.

J.Crew striped tee with custom "bonjour" embroidery. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

J.Crew is having a Friends & Family sale, 30% off with code FRIENDS. If you’re part of their Rewards program, it’s 35% off with code FAMILY. Both necklaces are included along with many other items. While I was in the store, a few pieces caught my eye. (All of these included in the F&F promotion.)

J.Crew satin peplum top in dark green. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

This satin peplum top is a perfect holiday party piece, but can also work in a casual outfit. The fabric is substantial but silky and drapes nicely. This dark green is lovely, but there are other colors as well in Misses, Petites and Tall sizes. I have this on order in the Ivory in Petites and will report back.

J.Crew faux shearling toggle coat. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

This faux-shearling toggle coat is really cute and super soft. It’s offered up to size XXL. It’s a lighter weight coat, so nice for milder winters or transitional seasons.

J.Crew Liberty print reversible puffer jacket. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Not your run-of-the-mill quilted jacket…this one’s reversible with a Liberty print floral pattern on one side. It’s another lighter-weight coat, and according to reviewers runs slightly large. The print is really pretty in person!

See what I’m shopping for my upcoming trip to Paris in December.

Health & Wellbeing

Early November tends to be when I schedule my annual doctors’ appointments; I like to get them out of the way before the holidays are in full swing. Back in 2006 I had my thyroid removed due to early stage thyroid cancer, so have been on replacement thyroid hormone since. I hadn’t been to an endocrinologist in years, and my primary care physician was adamant that I have a consult to check that my dosage was still correct.

I really liked the new (to me) endocrinologist. She was very personable and thorough. I begged her not to lower my Synthroid dosage, as I already have a slow metabolism and keeping my weight down is a struggle. She said at this point in my life osteoporosis is a greater concern than a few extra pounds. (Too-high thyroid replacement dosages are associated with bone loss.) But she did understand my concern, and said we’d try to find a good balance.

I also had a follow-up with the oral surgeon who pulled my tooth in August. Good news: he says there’s enough bone re-growth that we can proceed with my implant, so I’m scheduled for Part 1 of that next week.

And yes, I’m still doing Pilates. I’ve finally begun to feel (more than see) results! During the last session, I found I was able to easily do one of the moves that I couldn’t do at all for the first several weeks. I feel a bit stronger and that my balance is better. And, I’m no longer wiped out after each session. (Feeling like I’ve had a serious workout, yes. Sore the next day, yes.) The instructor is really good; she varies the routine each time so it’s never boring. The hour just zooms by.

November Sales Worth A Peek…

Nordstrom: Fall Sale, up to 40% off, including lots of Eileen Fisher.

Bloomingdales: Private Sale, take $25 off every $100 you spend on select items. Code PRIVATE. Lots of Eileen Fisher items included in this one too.

Ann Taylor: 40% off purchase with code FRIENDS40

Banana Republic: 40% off purchase

Chico’s: 25% off purchase with code 29332

J.Crew: Friends & Family, 30% off selected items with code FRIENDS.

Lands’ End: 50% off full-price outerwear, 40% off other full-price styles. Code STORM, pin 7424.

L.L. Bean: 25% off order with code FALL25

Talbots: extra 30% off all markdowns

What keeps you motivated to stick with an exercise program?

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25 Comments

  1. What keeps me with an exercise program?……Initially, in my 20s (I’m now in my 50s), I exercised because I thought I would look different/better. I am five foot four and built to survive the famine, great in pre-industrial times, but…Then I found exercise lowered my stress, and actually seemed to help me get colds less often. Fast forward 30 something years, I exercise for some of the same reasons, but in addition to the above, as I spend time with aging parents in their 80s, I find them to inspire me to keep moving. I would like to be more mobile than they are now. So, while I cannot control the genetics, I am trying to do what I can control, walking/hiking most days, half and hour of weights two times a week, and yoga with my 20 year old daughter when she is in town. We know life is a journey, I just always want to be able to lift my carryon luggage into the overhead bin on my own!

  2. Are you taking Pilates Reformer or mat classes? I have recently started Reformer classes and have already felt improvement in my lower back, but wonder if the mat classes would be more challenging?

    1. I’m actually working one-on-one with a Pilates instructor in her studio. We do a combination of reformer and other equipment. She also has me doing a few yoga and ballet stretches.

  3. Your fine hair grow-out looks very familiar to me. I have been at that awkward bangs stage more times than I care to mention and always ended up cutting them again. What are you going to do? I have more or less settled on bangs with a chin-length bob, but I have always admired your pixie cut. If I could have carried off that look, I’d go for it. It looks like the perfect wash-and-wear style for travel.

  4. Respectfully, I would highly recommend the book, “Stop the Thyroid Madness,” by Janie Bowthorpe. It has been the experience of many that synthroid is not the optimal choice for thyroid hormones. This book can help you educate yourself.

    1. I’m going to leave it to my endocrinologist as to what to prescribe. Because I have no thyroid gland at all, it’s not something that I can correct with diet or supplements. If I don’t have some kind of thyroid hormone supplement, I get sick and die.

      1. I think she’s only suggesting that everyone should be well-informed, as a patient, rather than accepting a doctor’s advice without question. Nothing wrong with that.

        1. I understand and didn’t mean for my comment to come across as dismissive. I’ve actually done some reading to understand what the different tests mean and how replacement thyroid medication affects me. My options as someone with a total thyroidectomy are limited to either a synthetic or animal-based thyroid replacement. Someone with an intact or partial thyroid gland (even if malfunctioning) may have many more options than I do, so if that’s the case, by all means look into every one.

  5. I just wanted to note tha J Crew has recently become a place where I shop. They have changed their attitude to be inclusive of women of a certain age with expanded sizes. I have found several items there recently that I love. Thanks J Crew for not pretending that all women should be a size 0!

  6. Thank you for sharing your health update. The information regarding your thyroid medication was very useful to me. I’ve just started taking Synthroid and it seems to be doing it’s job, but I wasn’t aware of the impact that it might have on bone density. I also have osteopenia and I’m on medication for that as well. Both conditions are likely the result of my cancer treatments, though the bone loss could also be genetic.

  7. Hi Susan! I love how you put that crystal necklace with the pearl necklace! ‘You have such a way of knowing!’ 🙂
    I have a question for you and I hope it’s not inappropriate here: where might I find clothing that is ‘the gentlewoman’s look’ here in the US?
    Also: my husband is an endocrinologist and I concur with your endocrinologists’ evaluation of your thyroid dose. Energy and weight are always an issue with thyroid replacement but not at the expense of your bone health. Good job!
    I love having you follow me on IG. Best, Sally

    1. Hi Sally,

      For “gentlewomen’s” clothing, on the more tailored side I’d look at Brooks Brothers (link). Also, take a look at The Reset (link) or Theory (link). I think the shoes also contribute a great deal to this look. Smoking slippers, oxfords, sleek sneakers and Chelsea boots all work.

  8. I completely understand your struggle with your endocrinologist as I’ve been going through the same issue for the past year, also stemming from being hypothyroid. Certain conditions/illnesses don’t seem “sexy” enough for them to keep refining meds that don’t interact & adversely affect other medications. I find it infuriating, especially regarding drugs that primarily relate to women, like osteoporosis — grrrrr…

  9. Susan, congrats on the resources you’re putting toward self care. Sounds like you’re reaping the rewards. As I know you know (but I’ll say it anyway) the kinds and amount of exercise we do can significantly improve our bone density and stave off osteoporosis.

    FYI, my exercises of choice are yoga, aerobics and walking-walking-walking. Apparently, I’ve done such a good job of exercising last five years that three years ago my doctor ago took me off Prolia shots, after my post-Prolia bone density test results had significantly improved.

    I had a bone density test done again this fall and learned that it hasn’t changed at all, even without the Prolia. 🙂 Color me happy. And 73 years old.

  10. First, I want to tell you how much I love your posts. When I first subscribed, I thought you were a little too “fashion-ey” for me. I’m very conservative…usually wear Talbots.
    But, over the past year, you’ve grown on me, and I find myself looking at clothes with an eye to how you’d wear them. So thank you for upping my style!
    How do I keep motivated to exercise?
    I joined a club 6 years ago that is a step up from the usual as far as amenities, equipment, ambiance is concerned. I find I go there and consider it a treat to myself. I also find that when I exercise, my stress levels drop. Much better than stress-eating. It’s hard, really hard, to keep on track. But, I’m trying….

  11. Susan I love your posts and style. I have been taking thyroid medication since my 30’s and was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 61. After the diagnosis I weeded out my shoe collection and now wear flats and low heels only I would still like a dressier shoe for special occasions with a higher heel. Do you have any thoughts about Taryn Rose shoes? I am looking at the Tamara with a 3 inch heel but don’t want to take unnecessary risk of falling with a higher heel. What shoe do you wear for dressier occasions?

  12. Good on you to still do your exercises. So important when you grow older. Having muscles yanking at bones it very good to prevent or slow down osteoporosis. Your necklaces are ace. As I said on IG, I know how you love a good necklace. (Big grin.) You are having a tooth implant, I am going to get braces. Teeth hah?!
    I say au revoir to you.
    Greetje

  13. Susan, I love your blog. It has inspired me to make some style changes I`m so happy with. Your question about exercise motivation? For me it makes me feel good! Better sleep. More energy. More strength. Better balance. I regularly do a cardio class, yoga/Pilates class and walking.

  14. I had missed the news about your health issues so am tremendously grateful to hear you are well and. the treatment is effective.

    As you espect, I have to say something about the fake J. Crew pearls. They are are glass coated with resin. A woman can find a similar torsade of genuine pearls at various vendors; Ross-Simon have one on special now for $99. Real pearls have soul, fakes do not. (But there are some junky genuine pearls, and we’ll avoid those.) I would pay more and have genuine pearls, given the cost these days.

    Just like you, authenticity is noticeable.

  15. I had not been aware of your dx and am so relieved to hear your treatment is successful.

    re those J. Crew fake pearls: good freshwater torsades are available for nearly the same price (Ross-Simons, $99 special now) or a bit more, and far more glowy, not to mention a sustainable product. I’d rather have one authentic piece than a drawerful of fakes. May be my age, when I was young fakes were fun, now they are soulless.

    The photo of you is terrific!