Monday Musings: What’s New In The Zoo
Happy Monday, ladies. This week’s musings are a bit random…but they often are because it’s real life.
Monday Musings: What’s New In The Zoo
I was thrilled to snag a haircut before we flew back to California. I was a few weeks overdue, and my latest hair shedding was making the extra length look particularly straggly. I’ve scheduled a dermatologist appointment, and I’ll update you once I have some real answers.
I do know stress can be a big contributor to hair loss, and the last two weeks sure haven’t helped. I’ve had unrelated things go wrong in my business, which had me running on adrenaline and caffeine.
A couple of weeks ago, I learned someone went to the trouble of buying a domain almost identical to mine and mirrored my entire site word for word. I filed a DMCA takedown request in several places, and it was removed temporarily. They can appeal. UGH.
Then I discovered my site was being hammered by hundreds of thousands of bots a day, enough to crash it for real readers. And while I was sorting that out, one of my affiliate accounts had a serious security breach.
I hired experts to dig into the backend of everything because that’s way over my pay grade, and the language around it sounds like gobbledygook. Things appear to be getting fixed. And I’m hoping the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train.
The life of a blogger is not all about new shoes and new lipstick, but I do know both can be excellent medicine 😉.
Before I left for Vancouver, I cleaned out my closet and donated several bags of clothes. So I walked into an organized, tidy wardrobe that felt instantly calm. I don’t duplicate my wardrobe in Vancouver and California because the climates are quite different. And after two and a half months away, I realized the things I’d missed most were my accessories.
It was fun to see them again, almost like seeing old friends. I started pulling open drawers and remembering where I’d bought certain pieces, the places I’d worn them, and the loved ones some had belonged to before me. At one point I looked down and realized I had six rings on!
It was completely over the top, almost maximalist. And I wandered around the house wearing all of them for a few hours. I was surprised by how much joy it gave me. After the last few stressful weeks, it was exactly what I needed.
I’m not sure this has ignited a maximalist streak in me, but I’m beginning to understand why I see so many older women embracing it. There’s something wonderfully unapologetic about taking up more space with what we wear.
We spend so much of our lives worrying about whether something is appropriate, whether it’s too much, whether we’re wearing the wrong thing. Then we reach an age when the world seems to expect us to quietly fade into the background. Some women are having absolutely none of it.
The big jewelry, the bold patterns, the dramatic shapes. They’re hard to ignore. And I think that’s part of the appeal. I love seeing older women refuse to shrink themselves. There is something powerful about taking up space and enjoying it.
So now I’m curious about you. Have you gotten bolder with what you wear as you’ve gotten older, or are you still getting comfortable with the idea of being “too much”?
And what’s the one thing in your closet or jewelry box that makes you feel more like yourself the minute you put it on?
I have a feeling there are some good stories sitting in our jewelry boxes. And now I need to know…what’s the most jewelry you’ve ever worn at once? Six rings suddenly doesn’t seem quite so outrageous to me.
Thanks for being here, ladies, and for making this community such a positive place.
I am simple with the rings I wear but always wear earrings and bracelets. I have a fabulous chunky turquoise and silver one from the Southwest but most often wear some combination of diamond bracelets and silver bangles. I had three cuffs made from old diamond jewelry I inherited from my mother and aunt and wear some combination or all of the three daily depending on how bling I want to be.
I love that you wear the inherited pieces! I’m doing that more and more.
Wow! Sounds like being a blogger can be more difficult than your readers could ever imagine. I’m impressed you keep hanging in. Appreciate reading your stories and encouragement for those of us in the more mature age range.
Thanks for reading, Vicki
Jennifer,
I’m so sorry to hear about the disruption in your business. As a loyal reader, I also encountered a barrier in accessing your content. The issue began a couple of weeks ago, and the issue was limited to my iPad. I could access your links with my phone, but not my tablet. I thought it was my device, so I replaced my iPad, but the issue still remains. I find that I cannot access your site with iOS operating system, but I can through my Google app. I have been loyal reader for several years, and always start my day with a cup of coffee while reading your posts. It’s like starting the day chatting with a good friend. I wish you the best in resolving the issue with your website, and appreciate you sharing your journey.
Oh Goodness! I will tell the technical people helping me. I’m sorry you’re having that issue
I love my Jewelery! My husband has gotten me earring and necklace sets for years, especially during my working years.
I wear eight rings all the time. On my left wedding ring finger I wear 4…. my wedding band, engagement ring, a diamond anniversary ring, and a diamond and sapphire anniversary ring. On my right ring finger I wear three…. My dad‘s Ruby wedding band, my mom‘s Ruby engagement ring, a diamond ring my husband gave me. I also wear one thin wedding band on my right middle finger, engraved from my favorite cousin same as she wears hers.
I always wear my small diamond stud earrings in the second hole and change my stud earrings to match my necklace, depending on what I’m wearing.
I wear a sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet with three small chained bracelets on the right wrist and my Mickey Mouse watch on my left wrist.
I don’t want them to sit in my jewelry box never to be worn because I’m afraid something might happen to them. They all have meaning and stories behind them. My granddaughter loves looking at them, and someday they will be passed down to her and my grandson.
I love this!! I’m going to get out my Granny’s sapphire and diamond bands. I love the Mickey Mouse watch too.
I very much appreciate your blog. Hope you get the issues resolved quickly. I have quit worrying about what others think of how I dress. I dress for me now. I’m 75 and like to look put together and reasonably current.
I love reading your blog posts, although your style is very different from mine. I tend towards florals, almost all the time in my blouses and dresses.
I’m 67 years old, with white wavy hair, a short torso and a large bust. I’ve been finding lately that putting layers on to hide my stomach is a little bit more comfortable than just wearing a plain sleeveless tank top in the summertime. My post menopause body is not what my figure used to be, but I feel OK with it because I exercise very frequently. Thank you for all your help with styling outfits, even though I usually do them with florals instead of stripes!!
LOVE THE CLOTHING YOU ARE WEARING IN TODAYS BLOG. YOU LOOK TERRIFIC, TALLER, SLIMMER, MORE CONFIDENT, HAPPIER. MY PREFERENCE IS ALL ONE COLOR WTH A THIRD PIECE. AND LASTLY SOME GREAT JEWELS & HANDBAG. ALWAYS CLASSIC BUT NEVER BORING!
Yes…never boring is fabulous. Thank you, Pat!
Never a shrinking violet, have always worn my winter colors, interviewed for Big Law in a red suit (got hired !) Jewelry: I have several amazing turquoise-silver indigenous pieces that my mom purchased in Colorado in the 70s on the only real road trip vacay we ever took. I snagged them in college because “they weren’t her color.” (My mom was a very fair redhead.) I love and cherish them!
I love that about you, Shari! They sound like treasures.
Jennifer, you look FABULOUS in that outfit with the striped jacket! I hope everything has been resolved with your website and that the low lifes stay away. I have a collection of rhinestone pins – some vintage, some modern. For some, I have matching or coordinating earrings. I haven’t worn the pins for a while, but I am going to pull them out and see which ones can be worn together. Thank you for the suggestion to wear a clip earring through a buttonhole – what a great idea!
Have fun with them, Ruth
My wedding set makes me feel like myself. We will be married 47 years in October ( forget a warm autumn day; try freezing rain). I’ve been wearing my rings since then. I count that a true blessing.
It is! Happy Anniversary Claudia
Jennifer, I’m so sorry about your business problems, how stressful. They seem to target you because you have such a successful platform. You have many followers and we love you! At most I’ve worn 3 rings, two on my right hand, and I leave my left hand for my wedding ring only. If I wear a unique necklace on the larger side, I usually don’t wear earrings. My standard everyday earrings are silver or gold medium size hoops. My “me” outfit has always been jeans, shirt or sweater, and barefoot, (around the house of course!) I have also been losing a lot of hair. I subscribed to the Her’s gummies but they took forever to ship and when I had an appt with my regular doctor he wrote a prescription for the Minoxidil pills and I cancelled the gummies order that I never received. After less than 2 months my hair stylist is seeing lots of new growth. I’d like to add to a recent comment I made about starting Ciele’s Tint & Protect serum and wasn’t too sure about it. Well, after using it a couple of weeks I love it. It gives me a glow that many have commented on. It doesn’t settle into my “wisdom and experience creases”! Love you, love your blog!
I’m sooo happy to hear about your success with the oral minoxidil. It is a game changer in a way that topical just can’t touch. You convinced me to just order that Ciele Tint to try. Anything with SPF 50 gets my attention. Thanks, Debi, and thanks for being part of our community!
Not a jewelry person but I do love my single band wedding ring. My RA has crippled my long beautiful fingers and can no longer wear it or any rings. My husband has given me some nice dainty pendants over the years and I really need to wear them. Our lives are so casual that I forget to even wear studs in my ears some days. I have one outfit in blue striped gauze that is quite bold and comfortable in this still hot weather. I get compliments when I wear it. Like Sheila, I’m petite at 5’1” so bold isn’t usually my esthetic. But once in a while at nearly 82, I am.
You would probably be mortified with my closet. I love embroidered jeans, fringed jeans, jeans with silver rivets (?) around the bottom and much more (Chicos and Coldwater Creek are the best sources for those). I probably look silly and I’ll be 76 next month but I don’t care! I love putting colors together with jewelry and/or accessories. I have WAY too much stuff and I’m trying to give away things I don’t wear but I cannot resist the wonderful sales going on right now. Clothes and jewelry have been bringing me joy my entire life and I’m unapologetic about it!
I hope your website situation gets sorted. How stressful!
I would certainly NOT be mortified by your closet. I think it sounds amazing for you, and that’s what counts.
I collect vintage Mexican jewelry and sometimes in the winter I will pile on, in addition to big earrings, two necklaces, and two heavy bracelets.
What a glorious thing to collect! They sound so fun Kathy
Ask your dermatologist about minoxidil. It changed my life. I have been taking it since April and my hair is thicker than ever. I take 2.5 milligrams per day. I no longer have to cover up my bald spots with powder. It’s been a dramatic change. I take it at night as my dermatologist told me it could cause dizziness. I have noticed none but I wanted to be careful. I am 77 with few medical issues. Best of luck to you.
Thanks, Connie. I’ve been on half that dose for a few years, and it’s been a miracle. Stress shedding got me when they changed my Thyroid meds, so she just upped my Minoxidil to 2.5. It is the best.
I love your honest thoughts about style & growing older with acceptance 🥰 . Thank you
Sorry to hear about the hacking challenges and hope they can be resolved. I am 79 and absolutely dress to be noticed! I refuse to be overlooked, and wear bright colors or black/white, big earrings; standout accessories; often small shoulder pads in my tees and sweaters to help visually narrow my waist; lots of peplum tops with narrow pants, etc., etc. And not only do I feel good, but it works…rarely am I out in public that someone doesn’t compliment how I look or something that I’m wearing. As Dylan Thomas famously said: “ Do not go gentle into that good night.”
I love that quote too. Your style sounds fabulous Mary!
I wear 5 rings daily: a claddagh and wedding band on my left hand, and 2 anniversary rings plus my mother’s modest engagement diamond on my right hand. Each piece has meaning, and they make me feel special without going over the top ❤️
I love that!
About two weeks ago the comments from your readers stopped appearing in my feed. Is this related to your IT problems?
Gosh I hope not! I’ll check. Maybe they’re down lower.
Before arthritis took over my hands I wore seven rings daily. My engagment ring, wedding band, two anniversary bands (soldered together) on my left hand. My mother’s diamond ring, another anniversary band, and a band for my 65th birthday on my right hand. Sometimes I added two pinky rings representing my sons birthdays. Now I wear one or two and only when I’m leaving the house.
Arthritis is affecting more and more of my fingers too. Not fun at all. Plus they get so stiff and sore. I’ll keep wearing them while I can.
I turned 70 this year and I love bright bold colors. I continue to wear them and embrace them. 70 is working overtime in my mind but I’m determined to overcome the negative Nelly!
I hear you!
I’m sorry you are having all those technical issues to deal with and understand how stressful it can be be Ugh! Hope it all settles down. As far as dressing bolder in my 70’s….its just not in the cards for me. I really think it depends on a persons personality. Some people can carry it off well but I’m not one of them. I’ve never been a bold “over the top” type so doubt I will change at this stage. That said, I do like to wear something a little it bold or outside of my normal realm from time to time. A little goes a long way for me. And I admire those who do go bold and can pull it off.
I agree. A little goes a long way on me too. I love minimalism but not stark. My accessories are so important.
I was wearing 7 rings. Before our trip to Europe in spring 2025, I took a few off and now wear my wedding rings, my Claddagh ring, 11 birthstone grandchildren ring and 4 birthstone family ring during the warm months. Then wear the two stoneless rings during the cold months when I am constantly moisturizing my hands. Unless I am wearing a busy striped shirt or print, I wear a statement necklace, earrings, Garmin watch everyday. I had a bracelet that I wore 24/7 for years until I lost it last spring.
That’s amazing! I love your stacks.
I now own a black sequined jacket and a black sequined duster. I have always loved sequins but have not been willing to wear them because they make people look at you! And I decided that that if not now, when? So I love my sequined items. We attended a jazz club concert last fall and were welcomed to the start of the fall/winter season. The singer spotted my jacket and said she was happy to see that someone was celebrating the new season!
Amazing Lee! I love that.
Thanks to my generous late aunt, I draped my LBD on New Years Eve with three Chanel chiclet chains, a Chanel pearl, crystal, and gold chain, and a two strand long pearl necklace. Plus a bracelet bangle stack. I felt very seen, but you know, in pictures, it looks pretty fabulous! Wear the red, wear the jewelry. If not now, when?
Fabulous!! Simply fabulous, Susan.
I enjoy reading your email everyday ! Thank you, Laura
Thanks for being here Laura.
What a terrible ordeal for your business! Happy you had experts to resolve the problems.
As for maximalism at our age, I am reminded of a quote from Iris Apfel (a true maximalist with one-of-a-kind style): “Beige can kill you”.
I do wear beige! But I also love color.
I am a true petite, only 5 ft tall and less than 100 lbs. Big or oversized anything looks like I’m trying too hard. Or too lazy/cheap to get alterations. So my maximalist tendencies tend to be by way of color.
As for one piece that makes me feel like “me” I wear gold hoop earrings almost every day. I have a few pairs to change up the look, and sometimes wear pearl or stone earrings, but my most frequently worn are Tiffany hoops, medium sized. I was in NYC on business, my first job, working for a bank, circa 1979 or so when the corporate look was skirted suit, heels, pantyhose. And remember those stupid little silk “ties”? I bought the hoops as a rebellion against the corporate uniform of the day. They came in two sizes, I was going to get the smaller one but the sales associate talked me into the larger ones.
I love your story, Sheila. I do remember those suits. Go you!
The one thing in my jewelry box, taking up lots of real estate, is a giant pearl necklace on a black ribbon that I purchased at Chico’s at least 30 years ago. I call it my “Flintstone era” necklace cuz it looks like something Wilma might have worn! I wear it unapologetically and it still brings me joy. I just turned 80 last month and still refuse to dress quietly!
Happy 80th Birthday Lynn! Way to go.
Phew! Sorry you’re experiencing all the business stress. It’s a lot! Six rings sounds like the perfect destressor. Handbags work for me. I have too may earrings. My ears can’t tolerate all the vintage clip on earrings I’ve inherited. But there’s plenty of room in my heart for for the memories they bring.
That’s a beautiful sentiment about the memories. I’ve been seeing those clip on earrings clipped through front button hole on a shirt.
Dear Jennifer, first off I am so very sorry for all the website troubles you’ve had. I keep wanting to find these people and say if you’re so smart, use your power for good.
I recently had my first visit ever to Vancouver, B.C. and was sorry it was so brief. What a fantastic city; I can see why you love it so much.
Hope things improve and calm down for you soon. Jo
It is a beautiful spot. Thanks Jo
Sorry about your business troubles. The energy it takes to straighten out security breaches(even with help) is debilitating in itself!
On a much more positive note, your outfit with the striped jacket is just terrific! You appear as though you’v had a very relaxed relaxed vacation, belying the stress you describe. Good for you!!
Oh Jennifer, I hope this is the correct site! Dealing with all the bots and technical things sounds very stressful and yucky. I am so sorry. I don’t do many bloggers/podcasts, and you are one of my top favs! I had to laugh about the rings. I don’t do rings, but I do bracelets, and I have way more than anyone needs. I also decided about 10 years ago, after wearing glasses since I was a child, that my glasses were going to be bold. I get so many comments on my glasses now. At first I thought maybe “too much”? And people are like – NO, we love them. They look great! So they are part of my jewelry now. Not that anyone’s opinion has to sway me, but it has been fun. I hope this week is better!
Glasses are a great way to be bold. I see so many fabulous ones.
I’m really sorry for all your difficulties and I sympathize with how you have to depend on the experts to sort all the nonsense. It’s sad there are unscrupulous people who waste their energy on making life difficult for others but I hope that won’t discourage you from telling us stories, giving us helpful advice, and encouraging us to be seen. Today’s column resonated with me and now I’m going to lay out all my jewelry and see how much of it I can wear at one time.
Love it Elaine. You’d be surprised how much fits on at one time!
So sorry to hear about the unfortunate “hacking”. I hope your site will continue just the way you have done it. I enjoy you so much. You are so relatable. That is very comforting especially as I age. Praise God. Keep up the good work! Oh BTW I have worn as many as 5 rings. If my pointer finger wasn’t crooked I would probably wear more of them and more often! LOL
Funny you say that but I’ve had to start wearing my Oura ring on my pointer finger for just that reason 😊
Thank you for sharing your life journey with us. So sorry about the “attacks” on your work. Sheesh! Navigating every stage of life can be a challenge and I agree, getting to be ourselves brings such freedom. If six rings brings you pleasure, then I say enjoy. Blessings on your day from a 72 year old fellow traveler.
Xox
I think being petite I will just stick to being a minimalist. My husband passed but I can’t give up on my wedding ring, it’s very important to me. I love looking at my jewelry too. I wore my pearls to the Celebration of life for my husband and I really felt it elevated my outfit. My real jewelry has so many memories, even just looking at them.
Those memories are priceless and you should wear what brings you joy, Rosemary.
So sorry you’re having site issues!
I don’t wear a lot of jewelry now that I’m almost 77. My rings were my favorite thongs to pile on but swollen arthritic fingers prevent wearing them.
A quick question : where would I find a silky (Not compression ) camisole with a bra built in? I’ve lost weight and my back fat , now softer, shows in everything. I wear a 32c bra so most back smoothing bras don’t come in my size. I’d be so grateful!
SusanR
Try Shapermint. I’ve heard great things about their camisoles.
Hi Jennifer,
My hair is what makes me feel most like me. I hate what’s now happening with my thinning hair. I have to comb over and spray to cover balding areas and cowlicks. I hope you have better luck with dermatologist than I did. Seems everyone shrugs and blames age and genetics. I recently read about red light therapy and wonder about trying that- I’ve tried all the vitamins and shampoos.
It often is age and genetics and that’s why there are prescriptions that work! I refused to be ignored and asked for a RX for minoxidil. It helps a lot but not stress shedding. Try a new doctor.
Thanks to you, I asked my dermatologist for oral Minoxidil. She also recommended adding Viviscal or Nutrafol to reduce shedding and it has worked! After being on the regimen of Minoxidil and Viviscal for a year, I have about 30% more hair and much less loss.
Yay!
I recommend hers.com for hair loss. My dermatologist sent me there 7 months ago, and their prescription definitely works for me.
Are you on the oral Minoxidil? That does really help. I’m curious why your dermatologist would just write the RX themselves.
I am sorry to hear about all your troubles with the blog and associated factors. Hope al is well now. I have a lot of nice jewelry which somehow stays in the safe and I never take it out and wear it! When I do remember to wear it, it feels like I have remembered an old friend! I have some beautiful Turquose pieces I bought in Arizona on vacation which I am becoming better acquainted with! I especially like wearing Johnny Was embroidered dresses right now! I feel really happy when I wear one! I’m not into overdoing wearing the jewelry though. One ring is enough for me, along with one necklace.
Johnny Was pieces are so fun.
Good morning!! You have had quite the time with everything going wrong. I am so sorry!! The one thing that always makes me feel good when I wear it is not jewelry but any piece of clothing that is red. It always makes me happy. You enjoy all of your rings and anything else that makes you smile!!
Red is so uplifting. I wish I enjoyed wearing it.
First of all, I am so sorry that you have to deal with all those issues for your website, I hope it is resolved quickly. And your Monday Musings are a delight to read and leave me pondering your questions. I have always had a good eye for style and what suits me (thanks to my mum) and enjoy being a bit daring with my choices. For my recent birthday (72) dinner, I had a linen dress and accessories laid out and ready to wear. Then I tried it on, and thought it a bit too typical. So I changed to an oversized, asymmetric white shirt , slim black linen pants, and styled it with a long, bold black & silver necklace, a silver cuff (from the 1980’s) and a large black onyx cocktail ring (from the 1990’s) and diamond stud earrings. Nothing was new, but it felt like Me. So I guess my answer is – a white shirt and bold jewelry. As for the amount of jewelry – usually earrings, bracelet or a watch and one ring is enough. If I wear a bold necklace, then the earrings are smaller. I do admire women who wear stacked bracelets or necklaces, but it just isn’t me.
Enjoy your week.
Your outfit sounds perfect! A touch of drama with fabulous accessories. I love dressing that way too but it’s a bit harder at my height.
My hubby and i both like my look when I wear cream, light beige, often matching things, necklaces etc in gold. I have a wonderful faux leather short jacket from Chicos about 2 years ago; it’s cream colored and I wear with a normal striped tee and cream colored jeans straight leg. I also wear it withmy black jeans and my darkest indigo jeans.
I’m only 5 ft 3.5 and weigh 130. Thicker waist, narrow hips, thin legs. Rest of me is pretty normal I think; I do work out regularly- walk 2x day and yoga classes 2-3x week. I’m active!
That jacket ( tho it’s not real leather ) is my prize! So versatile!
Sorry you’re having cyber problems. I was told the last time I went abroad that I was on the Interpol watch list. The stress of trying to resolve that almost finished me. As the only daughter of a father whose mother was the only girl and a mother-in-law who had only sons, I’ve inherited a fair amount of fine jewelry. Lucky for me I have 2 daughters and 1 granddaughter that I’ve started passing it down. The truth is I wish I had some of their “costume jewelry” which was considered junk, but lots more fun. My daily wardrobe is solids in neutrals and some fun colors, but on Sundays I always wear a dress. It makes me feel a bit young again and I’m amazed how often I get a compliment.
That would be so stressful! Wow.