Friday, January 28, 2011

Extend Your Lashes!!!

Written by Wendy Joy


Have you seen the long, full luscious lashes on all the celebrities out there??? Are you wondering what kind of mascara they use?  I did!  I also have been at many New York City dinners looking at the woman across the table and thought "what kind of mascara does she use?" or maybe I just thought "wow she looks so young and awake".  On evenings like that one I left the house feeling pretty good and as usual had put on my two coats of jet black mascara, but still I looked tired and underdone in comparison to the woman across the table with the luscious lashes!
 I have a good friend that is always giving me hints on the latest beauty secrets........and this hint came just in time.  I needed a lift.  My friend never tells me these things in a big sit down way, but in a quick off the cuff "just get it done" way.  One quick phone call included what colleges we were considering for our sons,  how our dads were doing,  and "oh by the way, get eyelash extensions!". I obviously trust this friend so the very next day i called and made my appointment. Now I'm calling you up on the phone, my friend, and telling you to give it a try!
I live in New York City so I went to "Ebenezer Eyelash"  (This is where my friend goes).  There are places all over and they offer this service at all different prices so it is important to do your homework. "Ebenezer"  is supposed to be the budget salon for these extensions as there are places on the upper east side that charge in the hundreds for one visit.  My first visit to Ebenezer was about  $90.00......maybe $100.00, but, if you go every two to three weeks it is less. With that said,  it is not cheap but you will probably get addicted.

I walked in the first time to see table after table lined up with woman lying down on them, almost factory style. Some had head sets on, some not, but everyone looked very relaxed. Ebenezer is always booked and it's rare that you see an empty table. You walk in, and are introduced to the person that will do your extensions. The extensions are applied individually.  Each synthetic lash is applied to your own natural lash strand by strand. Different lengths and levels of fullness are offered, but the first time they prefer to give you medium lashes so you will have a chance to adjust to your new look.  I have been doing it for a year now and I still keep mine at a medium length. I'm not trying to look like Kim Kardashian,  I just want to have nice full lashes. Yet I don't want to go overboard.   I hear woman asking for very long and very dramatic lashes and I hear some asking for short or medium. I have had medium with a little longer on the ends and I make sure that I get the ones with a bit of a curl.  The great thing is that you can choose the look you want.
After you lie down the technician puts tape on your eyes and begins the process.  It feels like an eyelash massage and you usually end up falling asleep.  I have trouble falling asleep at night and I never nap, but here I fall asleep no matter what.  Sometimes I tell myself "no sleeping" but you drift off. It is so relaxing that you can't help it. Sometimes I find myself waking up mid-snore and I pretend that i'm coughing...as if I have something to prove.... or i'll touch my stomach or shoulder just to show that I am awake....only to drift off again. If only the technician could apply these lashes every night when it's time to go to bed. My sleeping issues would be solved!!!   Anyway, you wake up about an hour later to a new, beautiful set of lashes.  You cannot get the lashes wet for 24 hours so no showering or steamy baths. I find that my lashes look great for  three weeks.  I usually go back about every three to four weeks.   I have wanted to stop but I can't.  I am addicted! 
 Now I leave the house with a little lip gloss and my new lashes and I feel great.  I wake up looking like I have mascara on. Let's just say that I am very used to this new look and for now I am a big fan. I have to go now to book my next appointment!  Maybe I will see you there!


Ebenezer has two locations......32 West 32nd Street --- 4th Floor and 474 7th Avenue --- 6th Floor
 Payment is cash only!                                  

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Calcium Controversy

Ladies.........We need Calcium!!!!!  But what is the proper way to get it?  I wrote a post on how important calcium is for ladies over fifty.  But now, even though it is still so important,  I am hearing that too much calcium can be harmful.  Needless to say I am slightly confused.  I have osteopenia which is the predecessor to osteoporosis.  It is very important to stop the progression of bone loss and to reverse it.  Which can absolutely be done!  (Please read my post on calcium.)  I have learned that calcium alone is not enough!  For the body to absorb calcium you must also be taking in  adequate amounts of Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Vitamin B6.   (you must get your levels checked by having a blood test).   If you are deficient in any of these than you may as well not take calcium because it will not get absorbed properly.  Now when I think about it......I have osteopenia, but maybe that is because I have been very Vitamin D deficient.  My body probably has not been absorbing calcium because it had no assistance being that I lacked Vitamin D.  I don't know if that is why there seems to be an issue with calcium and calcifications.  Is it because the calcium is not getting absorbed properly.  So if the calcium is not getting absorbed properly then where is it going?  Is it depositing calcium in places where it should not be?  In soft tissue?  In arteries?    If this is the case then are we  increasing our risk of heart attack?
 I don't believe that there are any conclusive studies that show that calcium supplements can cause heart problems.  But I believe that this issue is being revisited because there is obvious concern.  Women who have no reason or risk to have a heart event and still did are blaming it on their taking calcium supplements.  Right now I think that there definitely is a Calcium Controversy. Maybe the problem is related to the other ingredients in this mix. We think that we are Calcium deficient but in fact we are also Vitamin D deficient or Magnesium deficient, etc.   Calcium needs assistance to get absorbed into our bodies.  It is a joint effort. (No pun intended.)   I believe that the best way to get Calcium and for that matter all of our vitamins is through good eating.  We should try to eat foods that are calcium-rich and magnesium rich.  And then what we don't get from our diet we would get from a supplement.  But you don't want to take in more then you need.  We have to figure out how much calcium we are getting from food and then supplement that if we need to.  There are guidelines as to what we, as women over fifty,  should be taking everyday.  Our total calcium intake should be between 1200 - 1500mg daily.  I believe that is total.  Not supplemental. ???????  
We want to have strong bones but we also need to have a healthy heart.  The verdict is still out on this issue.  Ladies......what have you heard concerning this.......please post comments.   Thank you! 

     

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Kathie Lee and Hoda......

Ladies....You are the best!!!!!   You make us laugh every morning!!!!!   We love the 4th Hour!!!!!!!





Saturday, January 22, 2011

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall Is New Face of Olay's Total Effects Anti-Aging Body Wash and Lotion

Posted Jan 17th 2011 at 3:00PM  
Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall is the new face of Olay's antiaging line, Total Effects. Courtesy of Olay
Tinseltown isn't known to be generous with glamorous offers to maturing actresses, so when             a major brand signs a new face over 50, we think it's worthy of a big cheer.

Kim Cattrall -- famous for her role on "Sex and the City" as ferocious vixen Samantha Jones -- has been tapped as Olay's new spokeswoman for the brand's antiaging line of Total Effects body products.

In photos that show a glowing, bronzed and supremely confident Cattrall posing in a body-draping gown, we can hardly believe the British actress celebrated her 54th birthday this past August.

"It's important that I keep my body skin looking smooth and radiant," declares Cattrall -- which comes as no surprise to us, as she co-authored "Satisfaction: The Art of the Female Orgasm" in 2002, with then-husband Mark Levinson.

The Total Effects 7-in-1 Advanced Anti-Aging Body Wash the blond bombshell is touting claims to deliver antiaging benefits to the body, with ingredients like VitaNiacin and jojoba butter that target symptoms like dryness, lack of elasticity, dullness and fine lines.

The body wash comes in both exfoliating microderm-bead and penetrating-moisture formulas, and the matching body lotion uses the brand's antiaging skincare technology to hydrate skin. Prices for both products range from $5.99 to $7.99 each.

If you decided to pamper your body with antiaging care, be sure to focus on your décolleté, neck and the back of your hands. These areas have naturally thinner skin that is more susceptible to pigmentation damage from the sun and wrinkles that can be exacerbated by dryness.

We don't think Samantha Jones would find that very sexy.


This article was taken from AOL homepage and it was written by Grace Gold

And my comment is that Ladies over Fifty are Beautiful!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Betty White Celebrates 89!

ONE AWESOME LADY OVER FIFTY!!!
Betty White celebrated her 89th Birthday at Le Cirque in New York City on Tuesday evening.  Age is just a number.  A silly number.  I wish that I had half the energy that Betty White has.  What an inspiration to ladies over fifty everywhere!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Beautiful Over 50

Ladies.....we are in such good company! Listen to this, get up and dance and let's celebrate being over fifty!


Best Lip and Eye Treatment

Best Lip Treatment

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge La Base Revitalizing Lip Treatment SPF 10

This elegant balm does more than leave lips smooth and supple--it plumps them up and gives fine lines the kiss-off! Testers reported that lips immediately looked fuller for up to 3 hours--and even longer with continued use. The workhorse ingredient is Pro-Xylane, a sugar molecule that boosts production of collagen and skin's built-in moisturizers, says David Goldberg, MD.

Use it right: Apply throughout the day, allowing it to sink in before putting on gloss or lipstick.

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge La Base Revitalizing Lip Treatment SPF 10 ($29; lancome-usa.com)


Best Eye Cream

Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cell 2 Cell Anti-Aging Eye Treatment

If you're seeing crow's feet and dark circles,  you'll want to keep this eye cream in your sights. Made with peptides and dermaxyl, a nonirritating synthetic retinoid, it significantly decreased crinkles, brown spots, and undereye darkness in testers, minus any redness or peeling, reports Tina Alster, MD. Moisture magnets such as hyaluronic acid attract water to this thin, often dry skin, making it look youthfully plump. Makeup lovers sang its praises: "I got away with wearing less concealer," says one tester. "It absorbed so quickly, I didn't have to wait to apply my eye shadow," says another. Even better, makeup didn't slip and slide.

Use it right: Gently apply a pea-size drop in the morning and evening. "Aggressive rubbing can cause irritation and wrinkling," says Alster. Follow with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 in the morning to protect fresh cells.

Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cell 2 Cell Anti-Aging Eye Treatment ($15; CVS pharmacy)

What Unhealthy Thing Can I give up For A Week

Hi Ladies.....
We all do something or eat something that is not the best for us.  It could be smoking or eating french fries every day or drinking diet coke every day (that is what I do).  What might it be that you do that you would like not to do or eat?  But, yes it is sooo hard to stop!  Please post what you would like to try to give up and let's figure out what we can put in its  place as a substitute.  It might not be exactly the same but maybe it is something that we can get used to and actually like!  Please post suggestions!!!!!!
I tried to give up my diet lemon snapple and diet coke but did not have much luck.  Diet coke and diet lemon snapple both contain Aspartame which is definitely not good for you.  And we all know that eating a lot of fried foods is not good.  So how can we give something up for at least a week?  Maybe after the week we won't crave it as much.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Mammography Controversy

Hi Ladies,
Before we even start this discussion I have to give my opinion because I feel so strongly about this subject.  Mammograms should start at the age of 40!!!  But my opinion is not shared by all,  believe it or not.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that mammogram studies should begin at the age of 50 not 40!  I am confused as to what they are saying.  I believe that The USPSTF is saying that women should not start getting ROUTINE mammograms until the age of 50.  What are they talking about???  I think they mean that if you are not at high risk for breast cancer than it is safe to start screening at 50.  I say that is crazy!  There are so many women who are not at high risk to develop breast cancer and they still do.  So what if these women (I am one of them) waited until the age of 50 to start screening but their breast cancer started at age 41.  Then what????  STUPID GUIDELINES.  And then from what I understand the USPSTF has also stated that when a women reaches 50 the recommendation is to get a mammography every 1 to 2 years.  Again......what are they thinking???  You must get a mammography every year.  And I believe that you should also get a breast sonogram as well.  The USPSTF states that the decision is an individual one based on benefits and harms of a mammography.  I believe that the benefits far outweigh any harms!  I do believe that 99 percent of women would agree with this.
And yet another guideline from the USPSTF.  They are also recommending against the benefit of teaching self breast examination.  How can they give these guidelines?  So many lives have been saved by women finding lumps in their own breasts.  The USPSTF states that unnecessary biopsies are performed because women discover lumps.  I say that women can handle getting these biopsies if they are lifesaving and what a relief to get one (as I have had many) to find out that your breast lump is benign.  Yes, there is some unnecessary anxiety associated with having biopsies that turn out to be benign, but what a lifesaver if your breast lump turns out to be malignant.  What a wonderful thing to be able to get a biopsy and start early treatment.
  Why is my opinion so strong?  When I was 45 I was diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma which is considered Stage 0 breast cancer.  I was soooo lucky.  I had a lumpectomy with six weeks of daily radiation, except for Saturday and Sunday and also one day off for Thanksgiving.  I also took Tamoxifen  for five years.  If I did not start getting mammograms and sonograms starting at age 40 then I wouldn't be here today because chances are that the cancer would have spread beyond the milk ducts.  I will say that I had a history of fibroadenomas.    I have had multiple surgeries to remove multiple tumors.  Thank G-D all benign except for calcifications in my right breast when I was 45.   I had had no prior family history of breast cancer.

P.S. The American Cancer Society,  Susan G. Komen for the Cure,  and the Avon Foundation for Women still agree that mammography screening should begin at age 40.

I believe that breast cancer screening should definitely start at 40 years old and it should be done every year.  What is your opinion?

Friday, January 7, 2011

Pregnant After Fifty?

Hi Ladies.....
I was just surfing the internet and found many sites that talked about women over fifty having babies.  Interesting topic.  Very controversial.  Well, there are many women who for many reasons did not get around to baby making until their fifties.  Some, believe it or not, into their sixties and seventies.  Some women tried to get pregnant for years and it just didn't happen.  Others got married later in life and wanted to have a child with their new husband.  Others just wanted to add to their family.
 Usually by the time we reach fifty we have other things on our minds.  We think about possibly doing the things that we always thought about but were not able to do...... traveling, maybe a hobby, going back to school, starting a business, etc......But for a number of women over fifty having a baby is on their mind.  Of course most women over fifty are through with or going through menopause.  But with recent medical advances in reproduction it is definitely possible for a women over fifty to become pregnant.
There is definitely the argument that there are increased health risks with a pregnancy over fifty.  Also it is said that a mother over fifty would not be able to care for a child the way a younger mother could.  You know, I'm not so sure that I agree with that.  What do you think?  I feel that it is a blessing.  You are giving life to a child.  As long as you give it all your love I don't know that you need to be able to run marathons with him or her.  What greater gift than the gift of life!
There have been governments that have prohibited the pregnancy of a woman over fifty.  In the 1990's France approved a bill that prohibited post-menopausal women from getting pregnant.  A similar situation occurred in Italy.  Italy would not give fertility treatment to women over fifty.  The truth is that there are fertility clinics that will not offer  in vitro-fertilization to women over fifty.
Okay....let's talk about the risks associated with pregnancy over fifty.  They include gestational diabetes, hypertension, miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth and fetal mortality.  I am sure that these risks are discussed before pregnancy.  I am not against pregnancy over fifty.  For one reason is that it is giving life to a child.  Yes, of course, you want your child to be healthy.  There are tests that are given during the beginning of the pregnancy to rule out problems that might be present.  Yes, then there is the decision to make that if there is a problem whether or not to have an abortion.
Let's look at some cases of pregnancies over fifty.........


  1. 1669:  Elizabeth Greenhill, born 1615, who had 39 children, gave birth to her last child, London surgeon,  Thomas Greenhill, at the age of 54.
  2. 1880:  Lucy Gauss Kenney, a Confederate veteran, gave birth to her last child at the age of 53.
  3. 1997:  Cheryl Fillippini of Lompac gave birth to quadruplets, three girls and a boy, at the age of 50, after IVF.  Fillippini and her husband had 10 children together from their previous marriages, but wanted to have a child together.
  4. 1997:  Actress Adrienne Barbeau gave birth to twin sons Walker and William on March 17, 1997, at the age of 51. Barbeau married Billy Van Zandt in 1992 and tried to have a child naturally and then tried in vitro fertilization which failed.  She later became pregnant naturally.
  5. 1956:  Ruth Kistler of Portland, Oregon gave birth to a daughter at the age of 57. This was before in-vitro fertilization which makes Kistler one of the oldest women to have conceived naturally.
  6. 1997:  Dawn Brooke of Guernsey gave birth to a son at the age of 59.  She is currently the oldest mother to have given birth naturally.  She was taking hormone replacement therapy which might have contributed to her ability to ovulate after menopause and get pregnant.
  7. 1996:  Arceli Keh of Highland, California gave birth to a daughter at the age of  63.  She and her husband, Isagani, had been married for 16 years when they decided to have a baby.  In order to be admitted to a fertility clinic Arceli lied about her age and told doctors that she was 50 years old.  It took five rounds of IVF before Arceli got pregnant.  Her husband's sperm fertilized a donor egg.
  8. 2004:  Papathiammal Subramaniam of India gave birth to a son at the age of 64.  The sperm of Subramaniam's  74 year old husband was used to fertilize a donor egg.
  9. 2009:  Elizabeth Adeney, at the age of 66 gave birth to a son in Cambridge, England.  The child was conceived by IVF from donor eggs and sperm.
  10. 2008:  Omkari Panwar gave birth to twins in India at the age of 70.  Omkari already had five grandchildren.  Omkari and her husband used IVF because they wanted  a male heir.
Ladies.......the list goes on and on!  Each person had their own personal reasons to become pregnant after the age of fifty.      What is your opinion?


                                                                                
This is an updated video.  My post was written in 2011



some info taken from wikipedia








Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!!!


I WISH ALL OF THE WONDERFUL LADIES OVER FIFTY AND THEIR FAMILIES A YEAR OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.


TRY SO HARD TO BE THE HEALTHIEST THAT YOU CAN BE.  EAT RIGHT, WORK OUT (A LITTLE AT A TIME IS BETTER THAN NOTHING............REMEMBER IT ALL ADDS UP), RESPECT YOURSELF, TREAT YOURSELF KINDLY. LET'S HAVE SOME FUN! ENJOY YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. GET INVOLVED! READ SOME GOOD BOOKS. CONNECT WITH OTHER WOMEN OVER FIFTY. WE HAVE SO MUCH TO SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER. IT IS SUCH A GOOD FEELING TO TALK WITH OTHER WOMEN OUR AGE.  WE HAVE SO MUCH IN COMMON.

MY WISH FOR THE WORLD IS THAT EVERYONE CAN LEARN TO GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER.  WE ARE ALL PEOPLE.  WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS.  WAR IS SUCH A TERRIBLE THING.  I WISH FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD.  NOBODY SHOULD EVER BE HUNGRY.  NO CHILD SHOULD EVER NOT HAVE LOVE,  HEALTHCARE AND FOOD. 


LET'S MAKE THIS NEW YEAR BETTER THAN THE LAST!  LADIES OVER FIFTY CAN DO ANYTHING THEY PUT THEIR MINDS TO!