Posted on November 8, 2019
FASHION FRIDAY: REMEMBRANCE DAY ATTIRE
TGIF Guys!
The weeks are flying and soon it will be Christmas! Time to razzle, dazzle, and flash those sequins, but first, there is Remembrance Day! I call it Remembrance fortnight because from November 1st right up to the 14th, everybody wears their red poppies on lapels, collars, and hats. Sounds morbid, but I take out my funeral attire, which is black and white. I only ever wear this outfit for funerals and Remembrance Day! and then file it away in my closet. That’s why this German-made houndstooth jacket, which is 19 years old, looks as good as new!! I find German-made clothes are usually of a very high quality.
For the first two weeks of November, I tend to wear mostly black and white, with a pop of red. Apart from anything, it looks best with the poppy! Being a creature of habit, I keep certain outfits for certain occasions and have been honouring this tradition for at least 15 years now. It’s actually fun! Kind of like taking out certain seasonal decorations!
For a couple of years, I used to wear my children’s christening outfits on their birthdays lol! But the clutter was drowning me, so I had to let them go! I get very sentimental about clothing, and tend to hang on to them for that reason. I have happy outfits and sad outfits. I have outfits which every time I wear them, I have a brilliant time, and then others, not so! Clothes are really interesting in that regard! I attribute a lot of that to colour. I definitely am at my happiest wearing bright cheery colours! Even though I know, without a shadow of a doubt that black is a classic, and always looks so elegant, it just doesn’t feel ‘me’. So, with clothing, you have to feel ‘You’. If you don’t, it shows! You gotta be happy in your own skin!
Lots of Love and TGIF!
Patricia xxx
Updated on November 6, 2019
WEDNESDAY WOW WOMAN: NANCY WAKE, GESTAPO’S MOST WANTED!
As we approach Remembrance Day, poppies pinned to lapels are a common sight, worn to honour our war heroes. T.V. and radio shows remind us of the significant sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians in WW1 and WW2. I read about all the brave women who risked life and limb to save the lives of Jewish people during the Nazi atrocities of WW2. There were many, but one in particular, Nancy Wake, I really liked because, unlike the others, she had a happy ending! Sadly, many of the women were killed by the Gestapo. But Nancy went on to live a long life and died at the age of 98 after an incredibly adventurous life!
Born in Wellington, New Zealand on August 30th, 1912, Nancy was the youngest of six children. Her family moved to Australia when she was 2. Her Father deserted the family leaving her Mother to rear them alone. After an impoverished childhood, Nancy ran away from home at the age of 16, and worked briefly as a Nurse. At 20, she was left a small inheritance from an Aunt which allowed her to leave Australia. She later took a course in journalism and travelled to London, New York, and Paris. She decided Paris suited her best and stayed there working as a freelance journalist. While in Paris, she met a wealthy playboy Industrialist, Henri Fiocca, whom she married when she was 24. His tastes, like hers, ran to caviar and champagne mid-morning and she enjoyed her life as a high-society hostess in the South of France.
After a visit to Vienna in the mid 1930s, Nancy witnessed roving Nazi gangs randomly beating Jewish men and women in the street. These attacks made her promise herself to do everything she could to stop the Nazi Movement. She said her hatred of the Nazis was “very very deep.” With the German invasion of France, her wealth and social standing gave her certain cover as she began helping members of the local resistance groups.
In 1943, when authorities became aware of her activities, she fled France. Her husband stayed behind and was later arrested, tortured, and when he refused to divulge any information on Nancy, was executed. Nancy did not hear about his death until after the War and had a terrible sense of guilt about it, blaming herself for his death. She did later marry a retired army man and enjoyed 40 years of marriage with him.
She was badass, gutsy, hilarious, and detested the Nazis! A woman of extremes.The Gestapo dubbed her the ‘white mouse’ for the way she deftly avoided their traps, despite many many close calls! She was the Allies’ most decorated service woman of WW2and the Gestapo’s most-wanted person. She had a 5 million franc bounty on her gorgeous socialite head.
Nancy transported over 1,000 escaped POW’s from France to Spain, led 7,000 troops in Guerilla warfare, rode 71 hours straight on a rickety bicycle to deliver wireless codes, blew up bridges, and if that’s not enough excitement – killed a Nazi SS guard with her bare hands to stop him raising the alarm. One badass woman! Yet, at the same time very feminine. One of her colleagues in the French resistance described her in these words “She is the most feminine woman I know until the fighting starts – then she is like five men!” She went nowhere without her Chanel lipstick, face cream, and a favourite red satin cushion.
Described by others as ‘blisteringly sexy’, she chomped on cigars while she bested Guerilla fighters. She said she loved nothing better than a good drink and handsome men, especially French men! She once told a newspaper reporter “I was not a very nice person, but it didn’t put me off my breakfast!” Later she sold all her many medals and lived out her old age on the proceeds. The way she put it “I’ll probably go to Hell anyway, and they will all melt there”.
What I absolutely loved about Nancy Wake is her lack of ego, her down-to-earth no- nonsense attitude to life. She described herself as “not very nice” yet considering all the lives she saved and the risks she took to save thousands of escaped POWs and do some good in her life, she certainly achieved a lot. Medals and accolades meant very little to her. Saving lives meant a lot. In many ways she reminded me of Mother Teresa. Both of them were pragmatic Virgos who worked tirelessly for the good of others. And that is why Nancy Wake, a truly fascinating character, is my Wednesday Wow Woman!
Patricia xxx
Posted on November 4, 2019
MONDAY MUSINGS: RISE LIKE A PHOENIX!
Hi Guys!
How was your weekend? I hope you had some peaceful moments and found time to recharge and renew yourself…sipping frothy cappuccinos or yummy hot cocoa beside a roaring fire with people you love. Just visualize even if you cannot actualize!
Astrologically speaking, October was a difficult month for many. Let’s just say the planets were not in a party mood! There was a tug of war going on between the mighty Celestial Titans ‘up there’, so no, it wasn’t just you feeling it! As above, so below! November promises to be easier, unless you are a Taurus. We’re in the season of your polar opposite sign Scorpio, so rest up and conserve your energy wisely — actually that would be a very good idea for everyone this meditative month of November.
Mercury is retrograde until November 21st in the deep, intense, and sometimes melancholy sign of Scorpio. There will be a tendency for some to dig up the past, re-live sad moments, regret bad decisions made, and entertain sombre thoughts for departed loved ones no longer with us. As we bid farewell to playful Mr. Pumpkin, and say Hello to painful Mr. Poppy, we are bombarded with images of War and lives lost in battlefields around the world. We’re in a season of solemn remembrance. November can be sad – if you allow it!! I DON’T!
No, don’t allow your spirits to become drab, colourless, or your heart bereft of joy. Find renewal within! I actually love November! I love taking time to write in my journal, meditate, and enjoy solitary walks in nature. Gazing into big cozy fires and thoughts of Christmas just around the corner… It is a fabulous month to self-connect, recharge your batteries, kill bad habits, practise self-care, renew your spirituality, etc. you name it! It’s a month chock full of possibilities for new growth!
November, is also the month of the dead. Our church has a big book in which we are invited to write in it all the names of our departed loved ones. As a congregation, we pray for them. I love the way this gesture helps connect me even more closely to my deceased loved ones. So even though we cannot see our departed loved ones, they are forever in our hearts…Remember them in your thoughts and prayers. Light some candles for them in a passing Church…let them know you will never forget them. November is their special month.
If we could emulate the falling leaves, and just let things go…bad things. Bad memories, bad experiences. Just remember it’s through suffering you grow. And November allows you the opportunity to heal. Scorpios have the power to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of their lives. You’re in Scorpio Season now, so you too can rise like a Phoenix from anything holding you back from becoming the best version of YOU!!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on November 1, 2019
FASHION FRIDAY: PURPLE PASSION!
TGIF Guys!
It’s Fashion Friday with a twist! Tuesday the 8th of October was an epiphany of sorts for me. I looked at my bulging wardrobes and realized I had enough ‘stuff’ — shoes, bags, bling, jackets, dresses, etc. to last a long time! I blame it on all those thrift store bargains and shops like Winners, where you find ‘Fabulous for less’. I like a good bargain, but is it really a bargain if you don’t ‘need‘ it?
SO, for the next 365 days, no shopping for anything that is ‘non-essential’. By that, I mean ornaments, seasonal decorations, knick knacks (Goodbye Flea Markets!) bling, shoes, bags, clothing. This is going to be fun as I see just how long I can do this, and what outfits I can put together in my own home closet! Kevin and the girls think it will be a miracle if I last until Christmas! I believe in miracles! They don’t know how determined I am! I promise to keep you posted. I attempted this a few years ago but it only lasted 3 months! I shall donate my savings to the Bingo program at ‘Our Place’ Homeless Shelter which I started over four years ago.
For today’s outfit-of-the-day, I chose this light purple ensemble. I love the colour! The top is Ralph Lauren and the matching cropped pants are Banana Republic. A bargain I found when I visited the Humane Society’s thrift shop! I teamed it up with matching Ralph Lauren pashmina with grey stripe. That grey stripe affords many opportunities for mixing and matching with grey pants, dress, etc. Grey and purple look surprisingly nice together!
I was beginning to get a little bored from all the browns/rusts/burgundy/sage greens and mustards of Autumn. Today is the 1st of November. Goodbye Pumpkin, Hello Poppy! I needed a jolt of warm winter colour. I love the colourful silk scarf to wear around my neck or head. I completed the outfit with my smart navy Ralph Lauren jacket and a pair of high heeled navy suede boots bought in Ireland two years ago. I felt wonderful in my warm purple ensemble. Feeling fabulous makes for a fantastic day!
Have fun putting your outfits together! And remember eye candy is calorie free!! Be sure to shop in your own home wardrobe for bargains!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Posted on October 30, 2019
WEDNESDAY WOWS: 3 ITEMS I LOVE!
Hi Guys,
In between wonderful women I feature on my Wednesday Wow blog, I decided to switch it up a bit and share 3 wonderful items I love or rather must-have in my life! Without further ado, here they are:
Mr. Buckley’s Cold Remedy:I 
Every Winter I fight a cold and refuse to get a flu shot after I had a bad reaction one year. However, my knight in shining armour arrived. I heard some women in a line-up at the drugstore singing his praises! His name is Buckley and he is a bad ass killer of cold bugs – the best in fact! I prefer the slimy liquid gels as they are easier to swallow. Whenever I get the fever, sore throat, etc. I down two yellow capsules in the day, and two blue at night. In no time I am right as rain. Thank you Mr. Buckley! I’ve tried them all and you are the best!
Cover your gray stick:
“Are your wisps sprouting long before you are ready to embrace them?” So the ad goes.
I find those pesty little wisps of grey hair around my temples really annoying! They come up like weeds about a week after I get my hair coloured! I love my Cover Your Gray stick and call it my magic ‘Weed Wand’. I wear my hair up a lot and you really do notice those silver threads among the brown! There are many varieties out there. Some people like to use a spray, others the powder and brush method, but I like the mascara wand the best and find it the easiest to use. I really like the Fisk Industries stick which is the one I use the most. It’s all trial and error!
Tweezerman:
Keeping it in the hair follicle family, yes, my wisps sprout long before I am ready to embrace them! I am constantly using my tweezerman for my chinny chin chin! Somehow using my dark cover your gray stick would not be such a good idea on the chin! I just zap them out with my tweezerman rather than a tweezer. Much quicker and more effective.The above are definitely 3 essentials for me!
Be sure to tune in again for Fashion Friday!
Happy Halloween Hugs!
Patricia xxx
