I’m excited to turn 53 over the weekend. We celebrate a birthday month at the Cox Castle, with small celebrations throughout the month to make the birthday person feel special. Yorkies Sam and Jo think it’s their birthdays, helping to unwrap the presents, and enjoying the festivities as much as we do. 

2023 is shaping up to be a good year for hubs Greg and me. After four tough and stressful years for our families, this is very welcome. I’m grateful that things are more or less back to normal, post-pandemic. Travelling and socializing more freely is thrilling and so enjoyable. We’re taking full advantage and making up for lost time.

I’m happy and blessed. My word for the year was CHANGE, and I am thankful for how my life has changed for the better. We are finally moving forward with a large remodel of our Seattle loft, and although things are far from resolved, the process is exhilarating. The work project that I wanted to get off the ground is going like a Boeing. I am out of my rut and feeling re-energized. I’m back to working full-time with my fabulous clientele, which I find rewarding and therapeutic. I’m back to doing an active yoga practice almost daily. Our little family of four has much better work-life balance and spends quality time together. I’ve learned to say no to things to prevent unnecessary pressure. I’m finding it easier than ever to be easy-going and spontaneous, and to roll with the punches. My slow-growing hair has grown into a style that I like, which only took 18 months!

Age is surreal. I look in the mirror and see me at 53 years. I also see the child, teen, and young adult in my middle-aged self. I feel 53, 40, 25, 16 and 8 years old at once. It’s strange and wonderful to feel an assortment of ages after five decades of living. It makes life richer and more satisfying.

I’m a high energy person, who rarely sits still. As Greg says, “you are a very busy bee!” My energy levels will decrease at some point, but for now, I’m going to ride the crest of that wave until it falls. Speaking of which, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale begins next week, which is my busiest time of year. As tired as I am when I come back from a day at the sale working with my clients, I love every moment of it. It’s a good tired that’s worth it. Copious quantities of Earl Grey tea do help.

With Summer in full swing in the northern hemisphere, fashion outlets are turning their attention to swimwear round-ups. And I love that many are including more size-inclusive options:

• The Kit rounds up 7 inclusive swimwear brands for every body.
• I also enjoyed their feature on Hayley Elsaesser, who isn’t afraid to make bold swimwear in sizes ranging from 2Xs to 6XL.
• Lingerie brand Parade has branched out into swimwear, and Refinery29 did an extensive review.
• Also according to Refinery29, these are 25 swimsuits for big busts that don’t sacrifice support or style.
• Plus-size fashion expert Sarah Chiwaya shares her 5 favourite size-inclusive swim brands.

Fab Links from Our Members

April wanted to share this wow moment in Paris.

Kkards is currently intrigued by the 2×2 outfit formula, and recently watched these 2 very different YouTubers experiment and explain it… She adds: “this formula is 100% in my wheelhouse and while I’ve never set out to dress this way, I think I tend to wear this formula often. Anyway, I really liked seeing how 2 very different people interpreted it and made it their own.”

“Leave the sweatpants at home. Why we need a dress code for flying.” Zoeygirl says: “I don’t think I agree, but I appreciate the nostalgia of an era when one dressed up to fly.”

She also thought this premise might appeal to many Fabbers: “Why not to have a 12-piece capsule wardrobe.“

Minaminu really enjoyed this article, with lots of suggestions on how to fall back in love with your own wardrobe.

Nuancedream finds it discouraging that clothing brands, especially luxury brands, now view models over 50 as being too risky for the bottom line.

“Another reason to wash new clothes before you wear them,” says Jaime.

She also loved this excellent 2014 article on how modern dress developed.

“Don’t mess with my face. Confessions of a make-up artist.” OliveGreen adds: “I don’t wear makeup anymore, but regard it as a wonderful tool in the hands of an artist. Just mind-boggling effects.”

Quietloud is currently trying to come up with her style descriptors, and found Allison Bornstein’s 3-word method interesting.

Mary Beth thought these tips on how to make your own thrift box/bundle might help when it comes to shopping a more cohesive seasonal capsule or vacation wardrobe.

Fit challenges are universal. Sizes are not standardized, and fits are inconsistent from brand to brand. Be discerning about the way an item fits your body. Go up or down in size, and shorter or longer in length, to create the desired fit. 

The correct fit will achieve outfit proportions that showcase your figure in an attractive way. When something does not fit, it’s not your body that is wrong. It’s a question of finding a better fit, be that through a different size, item or brand.

Choose from body-con, tailored, fluid and oversized silhouettes. A forgiving fit can be practical if your weight is fluctuating. Alterations can make the crucial difference. Pass on items that no longer fit. Feel comfortable and happy in the fits you choose.

Happy July 4th if you’re in the US. We hope you’re having a wonderfully relaxing day, and enjoying good eats and great weather with friends and family. For those interested in a dressing formula today, I’m sharing all-white outfit ideas for high Summer. If they inspire you, that’s fabulous. If you’d rather admire them from afar, that’s fab too.

I enjoy wearing bright white in the Summer, and wear white separates together too. Personally, I prefer it when my whites match and there is texture in one or both of the white items. But don’t mind when my whites mismatch. I don’t usually wear two flat white items together and leave it at that. I either add a gold bag and footwear, or throw in bright shoes and a matching bag. Sometimes I wear white or off-white shoes too.

I’ve worn my textured white eyelet polo shirt with white jeans several times. I have a new white eyelet shirt I can wear with my white bottoms too. My white eyelet dress works well with a gold complement. Here are the exact components, and I have shown off the outfits in the forum.

On to some outfit ideas.

1. White Sweater and Skirt

An oversized white open-weave sweater is combined with a flared white skirt. It’s semi-tucked to hint at a defined waistline. The open-weave sweater provides textural interest, which breaks up the expanse of white. The skirt comes with a built-in taupe webbing belt, which I would liked to see match the footwear. Instead, black slides complete the outfit. To my eye they would have worked better if the model had black hair, or there was a black bag to even out their heaviness. Or you may prefer the look as is!

2. White Dress

A breezy unstructured white shirtdress is combined with matching white slides. The all-white look is completed and broken up with an orangey cognac complement made up of bag, earrings, and tortoiseshell sunglasses.

3. White Lace Top and Pants

A pair of white lightweight soft and wide cotton cropped pants is combined with a fluid embroidered cotton top that visually resembles lace. The pattern provides textural interest. The shorter length of the top and scalloped hem’s edge offset some of the volume of the pants. Tan platform espadrille slides with a matching raffia bag gently embellish the colour palette, and provide further textural interest.

4. White Textured Polo Shirt and Shorts

Last, a lacey white knitted polo shirt is combined with a pair of white shorts. The pattern of the lace gives the white-out some visual interest. An ecru rope belt adds further texture to the outfit. A complement of cognac handbag and slides are the earthy finishing touch. Add jewellery, eyewear, hat and watch as desired.