Top 10 Instagram Looks of 2017

Thanks to BomboGenesis 2018, I spent most of yesterday working from home. Not in these cozy jammies but with this super cute pooch to keep me company. OK, and also to distract me with some ear scratching and tummy rubbing (his!). When Nature called (for Bowie!) we both had to bundle up to brave the blowing snow, deep drifts and below freezing temps. I didn’t think it was so bad. Not so sure about Bowie. While I’m currently juggling a couple of projects, I’m also working on getting Life’s a Spritz off to its best year yet. So in planning forward, I did a little looking back. At my most liked Instagram outfit posts. Believe it or  not, this look came in at #1! (Think my Bowie “accessory” helped!!)

Kinder, Cleaner Beauty

OK, so I’m not the most makeup-y person, but I do wear it every day. Not much, because I think as we get older, the less makeup the better. That’s what works for me. But beyond that, it’s what’s in our makeup and it’s how it’s made. Certain ingredients that we’ve all taken for granted are pretty darn scary when you really think about it. And I for one don’t want anything to do with products that are needlessly and cruelly tested on animals. So I’m sharing a little test I did this past weekend. See what you think!

Going on the Llama!

Is it crazy to build your whole look around a pair of shoes? Not if it’s Shoesday Tuesday! When it came to these llama-detailed velvet sneaks, it was love at first sight for me. But not buy at first sight. I hemmed and hawed for a couple of weeks, then panicked they would sell out. So…a few secs on my Mac, and they were mine. And now we’re together forever, wherever they take me! I mean seriously…are they not the cutest.

Paisley, Please!

Sure everyone is Falling for florals, but paisley is having a moment, too. Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 60s, but paisley is one of my favorite patterns. Especially in autumnal tones like the brown, rust and teal of this dress from the Olivia Palermo Collection for Banana Republic. If ever there was a style icon to emulate, Olivia is it! No matter your age!! And if you agree, run, don’t walk to the BR website and check out this must-have, sure-to-sell-out capsule collection!!! And how about these velvet mules? I’m totally crushing on them.

Santa Fe Stroll

While I would have loved to have been strolling the streets of NYC for Fashion Week (next year?!?), I was in Santa Fe for a “Girls Getaway.” Did we eat too much? Yes! Shop too much? Some of us! Drink too much? I’ll never tell! Laugh too much? Not possible! I only packed one dress, this one, because most of the restaurants are on the casual side. But I was super excited to wear it for the first time. And now that I’m back home I plan to wear this lovely lacy dress at least a few more times in the weeks ahead, layering a leather jacket or bomber or cardigan over it as needed. So you may be seeing this dress again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Yesterday Life’s a Spritz officially turned 1 year old. When friends and strangers find out I’m (cough, for real) a Blogger, often the first question they ask is “How are you monetizing it?” The answer for now is…I’m not. I’m blogging because I want to. It’s creative. Fun. Time-consuming. Challenging. Gratifying. Good for my brain. And my soul. My 91-year-old Dad died last August. He spent his working years first in Advertising Sales, then as a Lawyer. But he also spent those years as a frustrated writer, who dreamed of penning the next great American novel. But never did. When I lost him, my inner voice asked me “What are you waiting for?” It was time to take that leap. And to quote Nike, just do it!

I’ve been an Advertising Copywriter for almost 30 years and a Creative Director for over 14 of those. I’ve worked on campaigns for some of the biggest and best beauty/fashion/luxury brands. I think the fact that I’m still doing it in a tough, male-dominated, ageist business attests to the fact that I can do it. And do it well. But that’s sleuthing out and shaping someone else’s voice. While I don’t have my Dad’s lofty expectations, I do believe that as a soon-to-be-60-year-old woman (and wife, mom, sister, friend, professional) I definitely have a few things to say. And share. On fashion, design, health, travel, and yes, life. And thankfully you all seem to agree! That is the icing on this creative cupcake for sure!!