Last year my word was "relax," which I promptly forgot. I didn't have a color.

This year my color is golden yellow and my word is "cheerful." Color chosen on my trip to Maui. (Yes, we live in scary times, but I prefer staying optimistic.)

Let's get the 2023 bad over with: the Vince sweater I bought and hung in the closet, saving it for "best." Big disappointment: after the second wear it's covered with pills. Nice and soft, but not acceptable in such an expensive item. 68% wool and 28% cashmere (not exact.)

I'm rethinking cashmere. I can't stand to have cashmere or wool next to my skin, but I like the warmth so I wear the Uniqlo heat tech or the Land's End silk tees under them. I've found some great tops at Nik+/Zoe and LL Bean that I like, and for warmth I can add the under layer. I'm going to look at cotton or rayon this year. Despite the sales.

The good: Shoes. I have lots of foot problems, basically narrow feet, long toes, but with bunions, fat pads gone. I've been doing well with Orthofeet and Ecco Soft 7s. (I made the mistake of thinking plain Eccos were the same as Soft 7s. Nope.)

I took the red Sahari Orthofeet sandals to Maui. These are great, comfortable slip ons with adjustable straps. I wear them for sandals and slippers and house shoes if it's warm enough. I love them and bought them in gray, but well, I nearly always grab the red.

I took the Ecco Soft 7s metallic sneakers to Maui and found they looked great and held up to a lot of walking. Color: Pure White Gold.

I've been slow to face one reality: Mr. M retired, and between this and Covid, we have few, if any, formal events, business dinners or lunches, charity balls, and conferences to attend. I still keep looking for the perfect formal outfit. even if I found it, I can't control all the body changes that occur with age,

Another reality, body changes with age. Weird to me, but I recently lost not only the weight I gained last year, but another 5 pounds. Tried to lose that for 20 years or more! Has to be the exercise. I've still lost 2 1/2" in height, which went around my middle, but my clothes do fit better now.

Now LL Bean is one of my favorite shopping sites. Their clothes suit the life I live currently. I've bought a lot of scarves this year--they help keep the neck warm and provide some cheery color and pattern. Example: scarves from Metropolitan Museum store.

Lessons for '24--I've done too much online shopping. Too many sales temptations. I have more clothes than I need. I'm going to try to take a break until at least mid-March. For the first time, I'm keeping a daily log of what I wear.

Also, my chest measurement has changed. I need a bra fitting. More about this in a different post.

I've learned so much from YLF over the years. Life is change though, so there is always more to learn.