It Was a New Day

I tried a different approach to my yesterday. Not wanting to get stuck in the pit, I decided it was time to find joy in the morning with whatever I had at my disposal. I put on some sweatpants, my favorite white henley, my tennis shooes, grabbed 2 leashes and 2 collars and 2 puppy dogs and headed for the park with a quick stop at the Valero for a cup of coffee. We walked down the sidewalk by the beach and then across the street to the new park. The dogs were so thrilled and I felt like God was telling me it's a new day.

Last week after my debacle at Victoria Secret, my friend from SD told me that women nearing and over 50 were no longer allowed in the Gap or American Eagle. So, I asked her where I was supposed to shop. She was with some of her friends, they discussed my situation, and answered back by text:  I was allowed to shop at Macy's, Talbots, or Coldwater Creek, but I was to stay away from the stretch waistband, as I was not yet ready for that.

My Tuesday morning coffee friend told me that Coldwater Creek was having a great sale on Saturday, so after our walk, I changed into regular clothes and headed to Fort Worth to the "grown up woman's store". And grown up is so, so true. The clothes were fabulous, and I was one of the youngest women in the store. Oh, and I left my almost 18 year old at home so there would be no dressing room comparison going on in my own head. :-)

I tried on about 6 outfits. I found two that I liked better than the rest, and was debating between them. I had my own personal shopper working with me - which was extremely important as I would NEVER have put together one of these outfits.

The one that I chose:  White stretch top, long sleeved, form fitting, sleek, wrap style.. I had paired it with black pinned striped slacks. Yes, my personal shopper said - that looks great. See, I have style.

The one she chose:  Black leggings, Black shell, sheer grey long swingy blouse, suede leather and fur vest.

I asked her, as well as the other women standing back in the dressing room area, which one they liked better. My personal shopper said they were both great outfits, and it depended on where I was going in the outfit.

She needed more information. So, I casually asked - which one would be better for a date, you know with a man? No hesitation:  she said - the leggings outfit.... and added.... with boots up to the knee. I said, really? Are you sure a guy would like this outfit?

She looked at me with just a bit of motherly concern (she was about my age, btw) and said, "How long has it been since you were out on a date?" LOL! Seriously, that is what she said. She said, "Judy, that other outfit is for work. This outfit is for fun! Is your date after work?" I said "No, it's tonight."

I took her advice. She gave me her phone number for more help in my future. And told me she wanted to hear how the date went.

I took my new leggings outfit - headed to Dillards for boots. Bought knee high grey boots with 3 buckles at the bottom of each boot, and prayed to the God-of-fashion-sense that I hadn't messed up the "date outfit" by putting the wrong type of boot with the oufit I would never have picked for my date.

Once home, I showed my almost 18 year old daugther my new outfit and she agreed! I had done well... or rather my personal shopper at the grown up woman' store was right - the outfit was great!!!!!

And they were all right - my date remarked several times about my clothes - even mentioned them again in a text this morning. Soooooooooooooo, I have found another best friend to put in my inner circle. Kimberly, from the grown up woman's store, will be called again when I need some fashion sense, as she was so completely right!!!!!! (I still would like the black pin striped slacks and white top though.) :-)

Pedicure and Manicure were the next item on the list for my new day Saturday. Took the almost 18 year old daughter with me, and relaxed my feet in a hot tub of water and let two women massage lotion into my feet, my legs, my hands and my wrists. Life was oh so good!!!!

The date? Just let me say, I'll be seeing him again... tomorrow. :-)

I'll keep you posted.

Namaste