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By MyLittleBird Staff

Have a doggone good holiday!

By Janet Kelly

THAT ROSY, comforting millennial pink of yesterday has morphed into a provocative pink in 2022. Shy and retiring it’s not.

For his fall/winter 2022 runway, Pierpaolo Piccioli dressed his models (and set design) in one color—hot pink, a custom shade developed in collaboration with Pantone. Only a few black pieces wandered away from his candy-colored palette. Another explanation for fuchsia frenzy is the forthcoming (2023) Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling both wear costumes in the shade of the moment.

Rather than going full bore on the trend, think discreet flashes of color. Pair a jacket from Anthropologie with a white tank top, or a Cos or Gucci sweater with black pants or light-wash denim. Tiptoe into the trend with a hot pink wicker bag from Frances Valentine, or pucker up with Nars lipstick Sciap, named for Elsa Schiaparelli, the doyenne of shocking pink.

Some call the color an in-your-face reaction to the tenor of the times—a way for women to declare their presence in an era when longstanding decisions, such as Roe v. Wade, have been overturned, vastly diminishing the rights of half the population of this country.

No matter how you see it, though, here are 10 ways to work the season’s color trend into your wardrobe.

Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino showed 40 head-to-toe silhouettes in fuchsia in his 2022 fall ready-to-wear collection.

Margot Robbie as Barbie. /Photo Warner Bros. Pictures via IMDb

Pierpaolo Piccioli mixed his high-octane pinks with black for his fall 2022 collection. We think it looks just as smashing with white, as seen here on Anthropologie’s Maeve double-breasted blazer. It sells for $170.

Made from merino wool, Cos’s crew-neck top ($69) in fuchsia, is cut for a slim fit. Balance that trim look with high-waisted twill pants, tailored with front pleats, slip pockets and back darts for shape.

Give your workout a jolt of color with Gap’s seamless ribbed 7/8 leggings. They’re 95 percent nylon and 5 percent Spandex for an easy-on-the-wallet $23.

Along with the traditional natural color, Frances Valentine’s Elyce Arons offers her paint-the-town-pink for this Hen Wicker Basket. The contrasting color of the lucite chain and the bright floral cotton twill lining add to the allure of this perfectly adorable bag. Oh, and it has metal feet for protection. It sells for $298.

Nars pays homage to fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli’s passion for hot pink by naming one of its lipstick shades “Schiap,” a matte vivid pink. It’s in a new formula that blends moringa and passion fruit seed oils for vibrant color and a moist, lightweight feel. It’s $26.

Urban Outfitters interprets the season’s cargo pants trend with a baggy parachute-like style with drawcords at the waist and hem. On the tech-lite side, these Balloon Cargo Pants sell for $75.

I’m tempted to try a pair of Rothy’s shoes. I’m all in with a sleek, pointed-toe flat that promises comfort and is machine washable to boot. Chime in if you have owned this brand of shoes. We’d love to know what you think. It looks as if they’ve gotten more expensive since being introduced several years ago. A pair will set you back $145.

Will pink-framed sunglasses give you a rosier outlook on life? Pop on this oversize style from Quay Chain Reaction and give it a go. They sell for $65 at Anthropologie.

Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake, who died August 5, was known for his technology-driven clothing, such as his Pleats Please collection, made with a unique technique where the materials are developed from a single thread and pleats are added after sewing the clothes into shape. Talk about functionality. This long-sleeve top, from Farfetch, is light and wrinkle-proof, doesn’t need to be dry-cleaned and can be folded to a compact size. It sells for $254.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

Keep it light: from left to right, Frances Valentine’s cashmere-and-cotton cardigan, sandstone cords from Everlane and a terrific-looking chore jacket from Madewell.

By Janet Kelly

Alex Mill’s chunky, cotton-knit pullover (with buttons on the back) reads preppy-nautical. Wear it by itself with beige or white pants; later on, turn it around to wear as a cardigan and layer a tank top, T-shirt or turtleneck underneath it. It’s $135.

Don’t ignore the butt-boosting advantages of the high waist and wide legs on these fine-wale corduroy pants from Everlane. Softer than your average cords, they’re available in this sandstone hue (which I’d wear all year long), as well as in black, tan and navy. They sell for $88.

Australian designer Elinor Joslin’s Lydia midi dress ($360, Net a Porter) is a style for many seasons. Curve-hugging but with give, thanks to the side slits, it’s knit from a blend of organic cotton and cashmere. Wear it with slides (or even flip-flops) now and with boots come fall.

Made from a tencel-linen blend, Cos’s v-neck sleeveless top with wide armholes and a loose fit is one of those pieces that spans the seasons. Pair it with a skirt or pleated pants in the same hue. Or slip a jacket over it or a T-shirt or turtleneck under it, depending on the season.  It’s $89.

For warm weather, Frances Valentine updates its vintage-inspired, wool fisherman sweater in a cotton-cashmere blend cardigan ($398), appointed with leather buttons. Let shades of red give it a pop of color.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

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By Grace Cooper

“As I walk this land with broken dreams

I have visions of many things

But happiness is just an illusion

Filled with sadness and confusion

What becomes of the broken-hearted

Who had love that’s now departed?

I know I’ve got to find

Some kind of peace of mind

Maybe . . . ”

—”What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”

(Song by Jimmy Ruffin)

TEN YEARS ago, my attorney was the first person to use the phrase “‘gray divorce” during my initial divorce consultation. He casually noted that Boomers abandoning long marriages were rapidly making up the bulk of his practice. Considering he charged $400 per hour, I was not surprised. I mean, who else could afford an 18-month legal slugfest at those rates than older individuals with sizable investment portfolios? Don’t even get me started about the absurdity of dealing with the trauma of divorce by driving down the marital off-ramp onto route Highway Robbery.

Anyhoo, that phrase inspired a bit of research. According to a Bowling Green University sociology study, “in contrast to the seeming stabilization of divorce rates for the general population over the past two decades, the gray divorce rate has doubled: Married individuals aged 50 and older, including the college-educated, are twice as likely to experience a divorce today as they were in 1990. For married individuals aged 65 and older, the risk of divorce has more than doubled since 1990.”

A friend just told me about one of her financial services clients who on his 82nd birthday decided he wanted a divorce after 50 years of marriage. “Why now?,” she asked him. He replied that he wants to live his final years in peace. Modern marriage expectations in the last half-century are that one marries one’s best friend and confidante, building happy, fulfilled lives together. However, after the reality of a lifetime of the stress that comes with juggling parallel careers while raising children, how many successfully run that ball over the goal line?

Essentially, Boomers have grown up with higher expectations and more wealth. We live longer; many women work and have come to expect parity and satisfaction, in the workplace and at home. I know countless women who, after successfully raising children, are tired of facilitating the aspirations of everyone in the family unit but their own. No longer content to play their socially sanctioned supportive roles, these gals are looking to rewrite their own scripts for fulfillment.

Divorce has also lost the stigma of previous generations, although those in first marriages are much less likely to bail than those “echo divorcées” who’ve divorced more than once. Interestingly enough, though, advanced education has no protective effect when it comes to divorce rates.

Moreover, today, opportunities to find intimate fulfillment outside our marriages abound. Married men and women working side by side as partners in the workplace has led to common monikers such as “office wife” or “work husband.” Social media outlets such as Facebook make finding old flames easy. Temptation in the form of more discreet internet sites—including online dating sites—often creates the fantasy that the grass grows so much greener on the other side of marriage.

And so, for better or worse, we Boomers are putting asunder what no longer works for us.

With the urging of a professional counselor, I was ready to make the leap into singlehood—or so I thought. Unanticipated anxiety and depression sent me into a tailspin that lasted several months. I lost 20 pounds and started to drink too much. I knew for certain I didn’t want to be married any longer, but I never anticipated how everything about my life was about to change as well, and how painful that transition would be.

Whether you are the spouse who was left, or did the leaving, big relationship upheavals are the norm. Friends suddenly became frenemies, gossiping about you when your back is turned. My children, even though they knew we were unhappily mismatched, felt caught in the crossfire between their angry parents. Their dad took them on expensive vacations and bought them expensive gifts, while I struggled to find firm financial footing, terrified I might lose a roof over my head, unsure I’d have enough money to finance a comfortable modest lifestyle in my golden years.

I became acutely aware of how my decision to radically change my own life was dissected privately and publicly, and judged harshly. Many times I wondered if I even had any right to seek my own shot at happiness. I’d imagined living a romantic, albeit older version of Eat, Pray, Love, not a raucous episode of The Jerry Springer Show, as it sometimes resembled in those early days.

Then I stumbled upon a wonderful book that described my situation and accompanying roller-coaster emotions perfectly—Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life by Abigail Trafford.

First published in 1982, it is a timeless tale of divorce and its aftermath, and is currently in its third revised edition. In the prologue Trafford writes, “The Chinese word for crisis combines the characters for danger and opportunity. In our culture, that’s the definition of divorce.”

In a blame-free manner, she details common causes of the irreparable rifts in marriages, the trauma that accompanies the dissolution of a marriage and what to anticipate in the healing journey. Lastly, Trafford reiterated that divorce, although clearly an ending, also marks a new beginning. And with any new beginning, there’s a learning curve to mastering the art of survival, then the art of thriving.

Divorce represents the death of a marriage and all the hopes and dreams that went into it. And the death of a marriage, like any death, requires a grieving process for healing. During divorce, an emotionally astute person will pass through a grieving process resembling Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grieving death (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). When experienced temporarily as part of the process of grieving, each step has benefit. But, in almost every divorce filled with unending rage, conflict, and injury, at least one spouse, if not two, resists this process and becomes stuck. This is where psychotherapy—or at least some good written roadmaps to how to move on—are invaluable to successfully negotiating the middle passage of life, now further complicated by the trauma of divorce.

However, once the healing process is in the rear-view mirror, what lies ahead is up to you. Reinventing a life can be complicated and even derailed by all the psychological impulses still buried in one’s subconscious, that led you to marry that shitty ex in the first place. Yet, there are many methods one can learn to release those terrifying flying monkeys of your mind. More about those methods later. Note that on average it takes two years post-divorce to get your land legs back on terra firma.

Or, like me, you could take the road littered with landmines as a route to a new life—a/k/a online dating—long before you know how to negotiate the dangers. I do not recommend this strategy, but thanks to my wonderful therapist, who held my hand through all those—ahem—”opportunities for growth,” what does not kill you makes you stronger and wiser, and provides you with enough material to entertain your friends for years to come. In all my 151 first and last dates, I shed a few tears, made a few good friends, laughed a lot, loved a bit, and uncovered a more joyful and resilient Grace. Namaste.

Next up: Grace will discuss how to create an online dating profile to attract the right man for you, while avoiding the crazy types.

In the meantime, questions or comments? Send them on to us in the Comments box below. 

—Grace Cooper (a nom de plume) left her long marriage a decade ago, and with it went all sense of her identity—but not for long. Now 67, she has begun chronicling her tales of looking for love in all the wrong places, and unexpectedly finding herself.

HERE’S A video of dance clips from way back when:

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HANDS UP if you’re traveling during the next few weeks. It’s been a while since many of us have gone anywhere that required  packing a suitcase.

Before we pass out the smelling salts, note that packing methods haven’t changed much nor has the process of deciding what to pack. But if you’d appreciate a refresh on our earlier post, here’s an update:

The Method

1. Roll knits and layer pants and shirts, separating them with either large plastic bags or tissue paper. Shoes should go in separate bags.
2. Save space by tucking socks, underwear and jewelry pouches into shoes, which I vow to limit to three pairs. Laundry service on vacation can be expensive, but if you’re on a long trip, it may be worthwhile to shell out the extra bucks.
3. Consider packing cubes.  I see the merits of keeping what you will need for, say a two-day trip within a trip in a separate compartment to avoid fishing around in your whole suitcase. Eagle Creek’s expandable packing cube’s  front mesh panel lets you see the contents on the off-chance you don’t remember.
4. Corral toiletry items into plastic or cosmetic bags—one for liquids (cleanser, makeup remover, moisturizer or CC cream and sunscreen) one for dry items (dental floss, mascara, eyeliner, blush) and another one for meds.
5. I’ve used Downy Wrinkle Releaser at home for years, but I didn’t know there was a travel size. Spray it on your shirt/dress/etc.,then use your hands to smooth out the creases. Save on the amount of laundry you were planning to send out.
6. My MZ Wallace backpack (12.2 inches long-by-6.9 inches wide-by 1.5 inches high) is a savior. I put my laptop and my Kindle in it, as well as a small purse or clutch where I like to stash a travel-size moisturizer, hand sanitizer and lipstick. Very generous interior pockets accommodate a cell phone, plugs, earphones, you name it. Plus the detachable, large envelope-size zippered compartment is convenient for any larger-size toiletries I want to pack in my suitcase. A large exterior pocket  keeps docs such as boarding passes easily accessible.

What to Pack

If I think I need it, I take it. That’s been my usual modus operandi, which results in a bulging, heavy suitcase with a lot of things I never wear. So, for this upcoming trip, I consulted travel expert Leslie Wilmott’s site, Smart Women on the Go for pro tips and to follow her mantra of “pack smart, pack light.”

1. Hang up every item you’re thinking of taking on a collapsible clothes rack (I lay out everything on my bed); shoes go on the floor below matching up with the selected clothes. (Wilmott then plans what she could wear each day of her trip and makes notes on her calendar, saying this helps her edit her wardrobe.)
2. Try everything on, creating outfits and adding accessories that will be the most versatile. Each top should go with each bottom (take more tops than bottoms). Stick to a limited color palette (beige, white and black, say) and plan to wear each item multiple times.
3. Collect samples of your favorite skin care products and save them for trips; transfer others to travel-size (3.4 ounces or less), leak-proof containers. To keep luggage light, Wilmott follows the TSA rules whether she checks her bags or not. (Most hotels have shampoo, conditioner and body lotions.)
4. Plan what to pack based on the weather and likely activities.
5. Finally, if you need something when you arrive at your destination, shop for it; it’s part of the fun of traveling.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

By Janet Kelly

YOU KNOW how back in the day —without the help of makeup–your face always had a sort of natural glow? Instead of bemoaning that former youthful radiance, though, I now fake it with Westman Atelier’s Lit Up Highlight Stick in the appropriately named shade Lit. (It also comes in golden peach and bronze gold.)

My usual routine had been to apply it over my tinted moisturizer or Chanel CC Cream to add sheen, but a tip on makeup artist Gucci Westman’s site suggested dabbing it on under foundation. I’ve been using this translucent gel for a while, but this tweak produced a better result—a subtle gloss —no stickiness—on my cheekbones. When I need to dash out in the morning, I skip the foundation and dot the highlighter on my cheeks, nose bridge, lips and eyelids to achieve something approaching that lit-from-within look.

The Lit Up Highlight Stick is also available in a mini-size (.09 ounces as opposed to .17 for the full size).

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

In the swim of it. From left to right: Gottex Profile’s navy and white maillot, Form and Fold’s two piece with support for bigger busts and Good American’s one-size-fits-all tie-dye knit bathing suit.

By Janet Kelly

FEAR OF public speaking, heights, death? Ha! Often cited as three of our greatest phobias by I don’t know who, they don’t hold a candle to the terror of trying on a bathing suit under fluorescent lights in front of a full-length mirror. Feeling so exposed, there’s no better opportunity for self-critiquing, a process women excel at, as LittleBird Nancy eloquently explains.

Guilty as charged. When the one bathing suit I would dare put on started to wear around the neckline and I eventually had to toss it, my lame excuse for not going swimming became that I had no swimsuit, not that I dreaded going to a store to try one on. I’m not alone. My good-looking daughter-in-law avoids the public pool at the private club to which she belongs.

All joking (kind of) aside, there’s some good news in a sea of new bathing suits. Itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie polka dot bikinis don’t flatter anyone except rail-thin, skinny-legged pre-pubescent eleven-year-old girls, but there are plenty of other choices as brands like Good American, Hunza G and Summersalt have woken up to size inclusivity with tech-smart fabrics. Form and Fold caters to women with bigger busts, while Gottex’s Profile line, Miraclesuit and Paula Beachwear aim to emphasize waists and smooth out tummies. And many of these brands keep the environment in their sights by using recycled materials.

Yes, we’re still a long way from self-acceptance, but knowing there are options to stoke our self-confidence, well, that’s something.

Below, swimsuits for every figure. It’s not too late in the season to buy one, especially because some are already on sale.

YouSwim’s ribbed, seamless Aplomb High-Waist Two Piece ($139) accommodates seven sizes from U.S. 2 to 14, as well as fits busts from cups A to G. The suit will stretch in all directions to compliment big busts, no butts and the in-betweens. In addition to adapting to your curves, the Aplomb, which sells for $139, is available in 14 colors, including this bright yellow.

Summersalt gets good marks this season for its best-selling Sidestroke that flatters a variety of figures with bust support (without padding), full butt coverage and fabric that compresses those wiggly body parts into place. Its one-shoulder style comes in several stripe combos as well as in solid black, white, olive and navy. It’s $95.

High-quality basics are Everlane’s wheelhouse. With a built-in bra, removable pads and wide straps, the v-neck one piece is an easy-fitting suit. Moreover, it’s fully lined with Italian fabric, dries quickly and is fade-resistant. Everlane says this style was “fit-tested on 112 different women to ensure it feels comfortable, looks flattering, and stays put—no matter how you move.” Did we mention it’s on sale for $35?

Dissatisfied with the limited selection of D+ swimwear, Melbourne, Australia-based Form and Fold ‘s two founders decided to design their own supportive and comfortable suits. A limited-edition design by British artist John Taylor is printed onto recycled sculpting fabric for this J. Taylor Top ($140) with adjustable straps and back band and underwire for D to G cups. The Staple J. Taylor Bottom is $64. For more coverage, opt for the high-waisted bottom ($81) with the same shape-sculpting material.

As more brands recognize the need for sun protection, we’ve noticed more bathing suits with rash guards (long sleeves) like this colorblock one from Boden. Although there’s no UPF in the material, it’s still forms a shield against the sun’s harmful rays. And it’s ultra-flattering, to boot, with an elongating torso and waist-whittling blue stripe. It sells for $120.

Good American is applying its size-inclusive fit for denim to swimsuits. Similar to Swim and Hunza G suits, the brand’s Always Fits one-piece ($95) is made from a crinkly, stretchy fabric that fits sizes from extra small to 5XL.

Heads-up, gingham lovers. How cute is this Lilly Pulitzer preppy piece? In addition to the cheery pattern, soft, molded cups lift busts, shirred details at the waist contribute to a flattering fit and removable straps give the option to go strapless. It’s $158 at Zappos.

This svelte swimsuit with Totême’s monogram pattern is made from a four-way stretch, recycled polyamide fabric. A classic silhouette with a deep U-back and high-cut legs, it sells for $190 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

With its seamless crinkle fabric, Hunza G’s Nadine Bikini stretches to fit most sizes. It’s $225 at Shopbop.

I always admire how good my pal Diana looks in what I’m sure is a Miraclesuit. The aptly named Illusionists Palma Swimsuit virtually whittles the middle and hips with its shirred, wrapped waistline. Mesh detailing just above the bust and at the waist lighten the look and add a sexy peek-a-boo effect. A combination of lycra and Spandex make the material long lasting and the look exceptionally slimming. It’s $176 at Bloomingdale’s.

I’ve had luck with Gottex suits before, so when I saw this navy and white high-neck style online, I ordered it, encouraged that it was from the brand’s Profile collection, geared to “women who want to leave a little to the imagination.”  At least I could be humiliated in my own home when I tried it on. But wonder of wonders, my fashion consultant— aka my husband— approved with more than his usual nonchalance. It’s $128 at Neiman Marcus.

Terry cloth makes sense for toweling off after a shower but for bathing suits? Anyway, the material is making waves across the high-end fashion spectrum. Lisa Marie Fernandez’s Amber Terry halter maillot‘s deep scoop neckline with adjustable straps lets you decide how much cleavage you want to reveal. It sells for a pricey $460.

This was the bathing suit—mine was in black and white—that I kept long past its due date. Ample rear-end coverage, a bra lining and wide shoulder straps for support, plus a stretchy lycra fabric for tummy, etc. control won my thumbs-up. From Stockholm-based Paula Beachwear, this “swordfish” style comes in 15 other colors. It’s $195.

When she’s is not poring through artifacts from an archaeological dig, my Italian friend Paola G. spends a lot of time swimming in the Mediterranean, a short stroll from her apartment in Santa Margherita. That’s her justification for her collection of spendy Eres bathing suits, such as this Asia Tank swimsuit, which sells for $430 at Farfetch.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

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By Grace Cooper

IN 1914, Sigmund Freud first described a common, though counterintuitive phenomenon, in which a person re-enacts throughout a lifetime, subconscious, repressed, traumatic memories. If you’ve ever found yourself trapped in a series of toxic relationships, know you are not alone. Repetition compulsion is often the reason why we tend to date “our familiar type,” even when those bad boys drive us crazy or break our hearts.

So, when my beloved daughter encouraged me to find another man, I restarted my Find-a-Prince Project. Many Match.com dates later, after kissing an army of frogs, I at last met a potential winner. His single profile photo was of a fit, handsome, unsmiling man, casually posed sitting on a low railing with the Sierra Leone mountains of west Africa in the background. He’d written few words about himself, but already I could sense a swagger in his step. I can’t remember if I’d contacted him first, but knowing me then, I probably was too effusive, too quickly. We agreed to talk on the phone. I learned he was an ER physician who hailed from Alabama, recently transplanted to western Pennsylvania when his “crazy ex”—as he described her—relocated the family to accept a job as a minister of a Methodist church.

He suggested I Google him to learn more. Bored with his real job, he volunteered for an organization that flew him into dangerous international disaster situations as a first responder. Recently he’d flown into Haiti to single-handedly set up a tent city, where he (and many other medical heroes) performed life-saving surgery on those wounded in the devastating earthquake of 2010. Eagerly, I researched everything I could find about him, including one article that mentioned the equally brave nurse who also accompanied him that day. He’d forgotten that interesting detail about this heroic nurse, but I was dazzled, nonetheless.

He suggested we meet at a busy restaurant near my home. I primped for our first date. He arrived in a foul mood, complaining about everything from traffic on the drive over to difficulty parking his car, to the ambient noise in the restaurant. I suggested we go somewhere quieter. He didn’t like that menu. He was tired from work. He gave every indication that he was not enjoying my company at all. Defeated, I suggested we mercifully call it a night. At least he offered to walk me to my car—and then he laid a kiss on me and asked when he could see me again. WTF? Was he giving me a second chance? I was intrigued by the challenge.

Though minimally encouraged by this man, and after several more equally contradictory dates, I set about making myself helpful to him as he wrestled with the challenges of managing his own life. He was working long hours in a busy ER, renovating an old house, managing shared custody of his teenage children and dating women like me in the Western World—way too much pressure for a Haiti hero!

So once or twice every week he dropped in to let me feed him homemade meals, package the leftovers and make out with him on my sofa. In the interim, if a plumbing or electrical emergency upset him, I was on it, managing his every need. In return, he frequently canceled those dates I initiated, in which we were supposed to dress up and head out to a restaurant, a play, a movie—somewhere he might be expected to plan or pay. But back then, heck, I’d have settled for cheese and crackers to just sit and watch a nice sunset with him. On and on we went for months. I chased. He ran. I chased some more.

One day, as I lunched with my BFF of many years, I complained about my hero for the umpteenth time. In between bites of salad, BFF looked me in the eye and said the words that ring in my ears to this day, “You know, as you describe his antics, it occurs to me he’s a perfect clone of your ex. Do you think it’s going to be any different this time??”

Whoa! That remark stopped me in my tracks.

She was right. A physician from the South. Unhappy thrill-seeker. Zero self-introspection. Passive aggressive and dismissive of anything I tried to do for him.

Why indeed was I attracted to what I’d just divorced? Was the interesting, yet elusive, bordering-on-abusive man my type?

And with that, I began to consider that my “type” might be a problem for me going forward in life. But it was many more similar dates, and two years into therapy with a Jungian analyst, before I recognized the problem might lie with me. I remember the day I listened to myself recount yet another sad story of some man who used, abused, then discarded me cruelly. Suddenly, I had a thought . . .

“Betsy, it occurs to me I know plenty of people in good relationships with great men. But not me. In every one of these relationship disasters, I am the common denominator. Is it possibly something in me?”

The look on her face was priceless as she jumped up, clapped her hands in glee and shouted, “Thank God! NOW we are really going to make some progress in your therapy sessions!”

That was certainly unexpected but rather encouraging.

As for the Haiti hero, he canceled our date for my birthday. Already anticipating the end with him, I had made plans to fly to Seattle to stay with a cousin for a few weeks. Another interesting Match suitor was scheduled to be in Seattle the same week—writing his fifth book in a second home he owned there. I agreed to meet him for a Sleepless in Seattle type date. On my way there, I checked my phone messages during a layover in Houston. There were dozens of frantic messages from Haiti Hero, demanding I call him ASAP.

“What’s wrong??” I asked when he answered.

“A tree fell on my house last night! I could have died! I need you to get a contractor here immediately!” He demanded.

“I am on my way to Seattle I started to explain…”

“Why are you going there?” he indignantly inquired.

“I have a date,” I said as casually as I could manage through the widest smile.

Next up: Neil, the (lovable) narcissist

—Grace Cooper (a nom de plume) left her long marriage a decade ago, and with it went all sense of her identity—but not for long. Now 67, she has begun chronicling her tales of looking for love in all the wrong places, and unexpectedly finding herself.

Color me Nars Dolce Vita, Estee Lauder Starlit Pink, Nars Cruella or . . .

By Janet Kelly

WE COULDN’T let National Lipstick Day (Friday, July 29) go by without acknowledging the joy a purchase of a new or an old favorite lipstick brings us. Deprived of its colorful benefits by two years of mask wearing, we’re painting our pouts once again. It seemed to there was no better time to ask our staff and readers about the brands and colors they love—and sometimes miss.

Kathy Legg: Rarely do I ever buy a specific lipstick. Most of the lipsticks I have came with those “free” gift with purchase offers handed out when I buy some other cosmetic. However, there is one (not technically a lipstick, but it goes on your lips) brand I actually shell out money for. It’s Trish McEvoy’s Lip Perfector Conditioning Balm. It doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on your lips and it adds just a nice little touch of pink. Plus it seems to last (at least on me) much longer than normal lipsticks, which seem to disappear before I can even get out the door.

Nancy McKeon: I wear lipstick when I want to be sure people know I’m actually a living being. Otherwise my face is . . . pallid is a nice way to put it. Recently I’ve been using a Sephora lip pencil to give my mouth some semblance of shape, but I’ve just decided that softer (even blurrier) is better. My fave lipstick is Groupie from Lancôme because it has a bit of shimmer and a bit of translucence. Nothing worse on an aging face than scary, prominent makeup.

Grace Cooper: When I had a skin cancer removed from my lip, the dermatologist told me to keep my lips covered with lipstick at all times. Impossible! I eat lipstick as soon as it’s applied. So he told me to buy the drugstore stuff that stays on for 24 hours until you either sand it off or remove with an oil-based makeup remover. My fave for daytime is L’Oreal Paris Infallible in Lilac.

Stephanie Cavanaugh: With a cabinet full of lipsticks—such a cheap thrill—I have three that are worn down to nubs: Revlon’s Cherry Blossom ( a neutral pink), Lancome’s Designer Bloom (a neutral pinkish brown) and Revlon’s Apple Polish (a reddish/orangish/pinkish shade). The first two are cream with sheen—not shine. Apple Polish is a bit more shiny and glam. The latter two are discontinued.

Mostly, though, I wear Blistex Lip Vibrance, which comes in a single shade of sheer red. Just perks me up enough and easy to apply without a mirror. Unfortunately, it has this candy taste and smell that’s pretty disgusting, although it fades in a couple of minutes. (Not the sort of thing you want to apply after eating something delicious).

Irina Peris: I just ordered a new lipstick. But during two years of Covid and masks I used only two—Rouge Cassaque (left) and Rose Indien (right) by Hermès. I liked the second one better; it’s a really nice rich color.

Linda Kastan: During Covid one of the fun things I did was order Chanel products because they came in beautiful boxes. Although I’m still wearing a mask in several situations, lately I’ve been using Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria, which I think looks better and more modern than a gloss.

Nancy Gold: My mom always wore red lipstick. Nothing else, just red lipstick.  Not sure where that came from, since my grandmother only wore “rouge.”

My all-time favorite is Nars’ Dolce Vita (a great pink/rose color), followed very closely by Nars’ Cruella lip pencil (a true red). The texture is creamy, the colors rich and they both stay on pretty well as long as you do the anti-feathering tricks we should all know by now.

And you’re absolutely right—we all look brighter with color on our faces. Although I’m still masked in most public situations, it’s nice to wear lipstick, or any type of color cosmetic, again.

A lipstick loyalist, Nancy keeps this note in her makeup case to remind her: “In case of an emergency, apply lipstick first before assisting others.”

Judith Robinson: One of my favorites is Estee Lauder’s  Starlit Pink.

ICYMI, though, a fitting ending to this post is poet Robinson’s ode:”Why I Love My Lipstick,” below.

Because, in Clearly Crimson, I can sing a siren’s song.

Because, in Crystal Coral, I am never alone too long.

I can name the stars for Martin, wearing Starlit Pink.

Or speak my mind to Phillip, tell him what I think.

Because, in Lilac Rose, I do not hide in bed;

I can out-dazzle anybody, wearing All Star Red.

Because, in Silvery Mauve, I lay claim to copper skies;

Because in Copperglaze Brown, I never apologize.

At night, by Naked Bronze Glow, I hear my lover sing

Inside his purple kisses, I drink Wine With Everything.

In the August of my life I still savor Cherries In The Snow

And treasure the girlish heart that compels me to do so.

I am Boldness, Beauty, Devil & Charmer

In a beeswax, coal tar & fragrance armor.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

From left to right, summery linen pants from Perserico, ATM and Vince.

By Janet Kelly

DID I hear someone say what she wanted most right now was linen pants? Yep, in fact, I heard that from more than one grown-up girl. Including me, that makes at least three of us. Anyone else? Hope so, because we’ve rounded up the best-looking linen trousers out there.

Australian label Posse cuts its “Ducky” pants with a trendy high paper-bag waist and relaxed leg from medium-weight linen. Go for a casual look with a T-shirt and sneakers. Also available in beige and black, the pants sell for $220.

Coral goes in and out of fashion, but it’s sooo quintessentially summer. Monrow’s track trouser (stickler alert: it’s a linen blend) has side pockets, an elastic waistband and an adjustable drawstring. The matching top is sold out, but these pants will look cool and crisp, paired with a white T-shirt. They sell for $175.

We like the look of the double-button high waist and the slightly cropped, tapered leg on these trousers in a light textured check. They’re all linen and machine washable—from Poetry for $159.

What’s makes us smile about ATM’s cropped pants (all linen) is the color, which the label calls seagrass. Whatever you want to call it, though, it says sunny. And if you don’t like the ubiquitous drawstring waist, there is none here. Better love it, though, because the sale price of $158 is final.

Wide-leg pants are not for everyone, I can attest, having bought a few. I do have a pair from Athleta, which, like the one above, is an easy, pull-on style with a drawstring waist. And who couldn’t use some lightweight black pants? They’re $79.

Put these Joe’s Jeans pleated linen trousers ($228, Neiman Marcus) on your wish list for the times when you want to zhuzh it up. With Joe’s tank top or puff-sleeve blouse, go for a chic monochromatic look.

The style of Joie’s linen pant ($178)—high waist, ankle length and a self-tie belt—has become popular in the past six months or so. Try it out for a relaxed, yet flattering, fit.

These drawstring, mid-waist, cropped pants are part of Mango’s Committed Collection. In addition to this light gray, they’re available in pink, khaki green, clementine and yellow. They sell for $45.99 each.

I have a soft spot for Perserico, which from its 1962 beginnings in the province of Vicenza, has specialized in high-quality pants for women. I’m not as enamored with it prices, which is why this pair of linen trousers  got my attention. It’s reduced from $385 to $154—in limited sizes.

J. Crew’s linen-blend pants are sold out in this pretty pink, but they’re still available in white and beige for $89.50 and in a few sizes in black, navy and a grassy green for $80.99 on final sale. If you’re fixated on pink, we found a beige-y pink linen in a couple of sizes at L.L. Bean on sale for $54.99.

Attention, Eileen Fisher devotees. These Lantern Pants ($175, Nordstrom), gently curved and slightly tapered at the ankle, are made from Fisher’s signature medium-weight linen.

Emerson Fry excels at comfortable clothing for summer. Although this charcoal-and-ivory striped linen Paris—$218—pant is not inexpensive, it would be perfection with a breezy, cropped top and flip-flops for beach days or with one of Fry’s feminine blouses for a soiree on the patio. Check out those heart-shaped pockets.

I learned a lesson at a high-end retailer’s summer sale. Of all the designer clothing that was marked down about 40-50%, my shopping buddy, Mary, focused on the small percentage of items that could transition to fall.  The Reset’s lightweight linen pants in uniform green ($168) are not on sale, but they remind me of what a good idea it is to shop strategically.

Alex Mill’s 100% linen Boy Pant ($135) can be paired with matching jacket and/or vest for, say, work, or any time you want to look “put together.” The waist is more mid than high, and the leg looks best cuffed at the hem.

You can’t go wrong with stripes in summer—or with the on-sale price ($54) of these straight-leg, all-linen pants from Garnet Hill.

Most linen pants don’t have rear-defining back patch pockets. The redeeming detail on spendy Vince tie-front pull-on pants ($295, Shopbop) is that they do, creating the illusion of a smaller, curvier behind.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

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By Andrea Rouda

FOUR DAYS ago a UPS delivery guy alerted us to a flat tire on my car parked in our driveway. I was glad it hadn’t happened while I was driving, but I wasn’t glad it had happened. Being an old-fashioned female (afraid of bugs, can’t change a flat tire), I relied on my husband to fix it. But he was powerless since my 2022 Audi A4 came equipped with a spare “donut” tire, but no tools with which to change it.

We called AAA and an hour later the technician arrived. This being 2022, she was a female! Or at least she looked like one, who knows, I did not inspect her or ask her pronouns. She worked hard for an hour or more and finally put the silly temporary tire on, warning me not to drive over 50 MPH or over 50 miles until it was replaced with a real tire.

Today I drove, with trepidation, to the Audi dealership to have a replacement tire put on. The job took about an hour. I sat in the service area waiting room reading a book and eating some Planter’s peanuts from the complimentary snack basket. It was pleasant enough, with floor to ceiling glass windows all around, comfortable leather furniture and a fridge full of bottled water, but still after about 45 minutes I was anxious to get the heck out of there already!

A middle-aged woman sitting across from me who was there when I arrived seemed quite content. She sipped a cup of coffee, munched on some cookies and read a book or scrolled through her cell phone. Finally, hearing me sigh audibly while I checked my watch, she caught my eye and said, “I love it here! I’ve been here since 8:30 this morning.” (It was then about 3pm.)

“You love being here? Why is that?”

“Because none of my kids are pestering me and my husband has to stay at home while they put on a new roof instead of me. It’s like I died and went to Heaven.”

I’m not even sure if she had a car in the repair shop.

—Andrea Rouda blogs at The Daily Droid. 

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By Grace Cooper

ENTERING the dating rodeo at this stage of life is inadvertently inane, frequently insane, but always an opportunity for transformative self-inquiry, fresh perspectives on life…and a few belly laughs, too!

Thirty-eight years ago, I married a man with whom I had nothing in common. Initially, I admired his intellect and ambition. He, on the other hand, never admitted to liking much about me, was cold, remote and critical. He reminded me of my self-absorbed and competitive mother. Predictably, she adored him and advised me to make the match official. So, I obliged by marrying a male version of my mother.

Despite raising two great kids and forging successful careers in medicine, we were unhappily mismatched from the very start in every way imaginable. Eventually, I begged him to attend marriage counseling with me. After six months he dropped out. The therapist advised me to divorce him ASAP.

“In all my 30 years, I’ve never seen a more dysfunctional marriage, “ she confided in me.

“He gives you absolutely no credit for what you bring to this relationship” she continued. “You need to build a life of your own…discover your own interests…make your own friends.”

And with that, she handed me a copy of Codependent No More by Melody Beatty.

She was right, but still, it was seven more years before I could bring myself to put asunder the promise I’d made decades before, and another few years before I considered the role codependency played in my life.

My not-yet-ex met his third wife a week after he moved out. I embarked on a different quest—to discover who I was then, am now and may still become.

Initially giddy to have the freedom to reinvent my life, I soon found myself increasingly disoriented and depressed. After all, I’d been attached to one man or another since my teens, as were most women I knew. Yet after I divorced my husband, one by one, most of my married friends stopped calling. The new friends I was making now were mostly divorced or widowed women, many of whom were bitter man-haters or undeniably depressed. Ugh! I was 57 years old and felt as if I’d taken a swan dive off a cliff without considering how much the landing would hurt.

I joined Meetup groups. I adopted a dog and walked him around my neighborhood, smiling at every interesting man who wasn’t sporting a wedding band. I went to concerts, restaurants and adventure traveled with female companions. I volunteered widely. Yet, always in the back of my mind was the most elusive of reinvention goals— I wanted to be part of a happy couple—for once!

Finally, at the insistence of my sympathetic millennial daughter, with great trepidation, I launched my first foray into the world of internet dating. My daughter insisted it was a safe and common way for her generation to meet men. However, I didn’t know anyone my age who would even admit to engaging in the internet version of The Dating Game–modern meat market—accessible to millions via the Web. Facebook aside, I could not imagine feeling so publicly exposed, but what alternatives were there? I rationalized that online shopping was an efficient way to survey a wide variety of wares in the least amount of time. Would shopping for a new potential partner be equally efficient? The longer I thought about it, my chances of meeting a future mate reaching for the same cantaloupe at Whole Foods seemed more romantic, yet highly unlikely.

Ultimately, I held my nose and signed up for a three-month trial period on Match.com. The site makes it easy to upload a recent photo or two and a self-descriptive essay, including activities you like to do. There are screening parameters you set as to geographic distance you’d travel to meet, as well as religious and racial preferences, and even body type. So far, so good.

Any worries that no one would want to date me were quickly erased, when, as a new member of the Match.com community, I found myself overwhelmed with prospective suitors. However, rather than the romantic and witty introductions I anticipated from mature men, many of them came on to me as sharks might circle fresh blood in the water.

Some demanded I post a photo that revealed my full torso, complaining that most women post photos from 20 years and 30 pounds ago.

“Yeah, right, nothing like walking into a blind date only to see disappointment register on a man’s face,” I joked—but they weren’t joking at all.

Online dating starts out with the shallowest of attractions. Physical attributes are the “bait,” but if that’s not sufficient, many list photos of fancy cars, boats, foreign destinations, skiing shots, piloting a boat, all to suggest wealth, health or success. Others posted smiling photos of themselves walking daughters down the aisle, cuddling puppies and adorable grandchildren, presumably their own. Many other men—for reasons I cannot fathom—are pictured straddling huge Harley motorcycles or a freshly slaughtered deer. More commonly, it’s a fish—a big freshly caught fish. I can’t even . . .

But then there were the emails from those men who started out appropriately friendly but quickly devolved into their sad tales of how long they’d looked for the women of their dreams, how many women ignored their inquiries and how nice I seemed that I replied to them at all.

Quickly, I learned that men of a certain age are, for the most part, no longer feeling like captains of industry or king of the tennis court.

Health issues, waning careers and financial assets halved—even hair loss. These guys were often humbled, if not brought to their knees by various iterations of an existential crisis.

I was now sufficiently intrigued to learn more about men my age. So, when the first interesting man suggested we meet for a real date, I pulled on a pair of Spanx, stuffed my feet into uncomfortable shoes, applied some makeup and even combed the back of my hair. Little did I know this was to be the first of my 150-plus first-and-last-dates.

Next up: Repetition compulsion or why we do the insane things we do—like date the wrong type of man over and over again.

—Grace Cooper (a nom de plume) left her long marriage a decade ago, and with it went all sense of her identity—but not for long. Now 67, she has begun chronicling her tales of looking for love in all the wrong places, and unexpectedly finding herself.

Wrist assured with a bold bangle. Clockwise from top left: a leopard cuff from Halcyon Days, Swarovski’s multicolored bangle, Turkish designer Begüm Khan’s Prince Frog cuff and Frances Valentine’s sapphire crystal bangle. 

By Janet Kelly

JEWELRY has become a tad too dainty—delicate necklaces, slender bracelets and tiny earrings—in the past few years. But the fashion barometer is reading “changes ahead.” Because in stressful times—the overturning of Roe v. Wade, climate change, equal rights and civil rights threatened—women want to feel tough, wearing something that shows the world they’re strong.

Remember ’70s Wonder Woman Lynda Carter repelling bullets with her cuffs? Gal Gadot, who starred in the role most recently, wears her Tiffany Bone cuffs offscreen; tennis champ Venus Williams wore hers to the 2022 Oscars. And meanwhile, bold cuffs and bangles are edging out their slimmer brethren on sites like Net a Porter and Farfetch.

Surprise! Not. Many of the designers of these bracelets are women, including Lizzie Fortunato, Marie Gas, creative director of Gas Bijoux; Roxanne Assoulin and Regitze Overgaard of Georg Jensen. And, of course, the incomparable Elsa Peretti.

Below, our picks for statements of strength.

LEFT: In 1974, Elsa Peretti joined Tiffany to give silver jewelry a cool remake. Among the items in her first collection was her curvy, bold Bone Cuff. The small version (33mm wide) is $1,350; the medium (61mm wide) is $1,650. An investment for sure, but a classic, seen on the wrists of powerful women like Diana Ross, Grace Jones, et. al.

RIGHT: Alexis Bittar’s 14k gold-plated brass Ribbon Cuff Bracelet (2.6 inches wide) also makes a powerful statement—for less. It’s $325.

LEFT: When one’s not enough, stack ’em up. Gas Bijoux does it for you with its Summer cuffs —two (each with a width of 1.8  centimeters) polished resin bangles, inspired by the movement of waves and embellished with gold-plated chains. The set is $295.

RIGHT: For a fond memory of summer camp’s arts and crafts days, pile on Roxanne Assoulin’s enamel-coated Rainbow Brite Bracelets. Mix and match styles like Block Party, Bit by Bit and Somewhere Over the Rainbow as in this set of three ($210). Or create your own version with singles that ring in at $75 each.

LEFT: Elyce Arons keeps the vintage-modern spirit of Kate Spade alive at Frances Valentine. FV designs are never shy and retiring. I rest my case with this shimmery, shiny Sapphire Crystal Cuff ($528).

RIGHT: Want to feel tough and protected? Slip on this cuff from British luxury brand Halcyon Days. Hand-painted and mounted with 18kt gold-plated rims, it measures 40mm in width and is $675.. If we had to guess what those fierce leopards were saying, it would be, “Don’t mess with me.”

LEFT: Who needs a prince when you’ve got a crystal frog? The almost 2-inch wide, 24kt-gold vermeil cuff from Istanbul designer Begüm Khan is embellished with a toad in pavé-set zironcia crystals and bezel-set green crystals for eyes. It sells for $900 at Matches Fashion.

RIGHT: The Hermès enamel bracelet, featuring Hermès scarf prints, made its debut in 1976. New Hermès enamel bangles appear every season and still use scarves as inspiration. The Drôles de Zèbres print bangle ($580) with rose gold-plate comes in two summery pastel colors.

LEFT: In Scandinavian designer’s Regitze Overgaard Curve collection for Georg Jensen, two sterling silver curves meet with a contrasting sharp line in a sculptural bangle that wraps around the wrist. The medium-size silver Curve bangle sells for $795; the medium-size 18k gold and sterling silver Curve bangle sells for $5,235.

RIGHT: Pearl Octopuss.y is an Oslo-based jewelry brand whose customers have a soft spot for the eccentric and the bold. The brand’s La Mer bracelet is strung with gold and silver-plated rondelles on a flexible aluminum wire that coils around the wrist. Blue crystals interspersed with iridescent stones lead to two oversize faux pearls. It sells for $400 at Net a Porter.

LEFT: Whether you wear it by its lonesome or stacked, Lizzie Fortunato’s resin Arc Cuff ($195 ) in juicy limoncello for summer will look stellar on your wrist. (It also comes in lemon, apricot, persimmon, caramel, indigo and clear.)

RIGHT: I like wearing all white during the summer but sometimes I feel like the Good Humor man. Is he around anymore? Anyway, what I’m getting at is that all-white needs a colorful accent. This turquoise dotted bee is a friendly one but nevertheless grabs your attention. The white enamel and light antique gold hinged bracelet is $250 from Kenneth Jay Lane.

ABOVE: Multifaceted crystals in iridescent colors fit together to form Swarovski’s kaleidoscopic Curiosa bangle. Wear it by itself or stack with coordinating pieces from the brand’s Collection 1. It sells for $400.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

From left to right: drawstring white linen pants from Club Monaco, La Double J shopping bag, Cos’s racer-neck midi dress and a lipstick set from Charlotte Tilbury.

By Janet Kelly

WHO IS there who doesn’t love a sale? News of sliced prices on everything from sneakers and sweatshirts to lip liners and linen pants are filling our inbox. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale weighs in as the big kahuna; it kicks off July 13 (earlier for card holders) and lasts through July 31. Until then, it’s worth digging through the retailer’s sale section—for deals up to 60% off—to create your wanna-have list.

Skincare and beauty site Dermstore is marking down spendy Skin Medica and Jan Marini, as well as multi-product sets for brightening and tightening the complexion. For the next two weeks at Ulta, you can score discounts on mega-size shampoos from Pureology and Biolage and buy-one-get-one-50%-off deals on Ouidad, Deva Curl and more.

If your workout wear is looking worn out, Sweaty Betty, Athleta and Splits59 come to the rescue with big reductions on tights, tanks and hoodies.

There’s plenty of summer left, but savvy shoppers know now’s a good time to buy on-sale clothing—from Cos, Everlane and Shopbop—that will transition to fall.

On our radar this month:

LEFT: Treat your mane to Ulta’s Summer Hair of Love event, which runs through July 16. Brands like Pureology, Biolage and Briogeo are marked down by 15 percent and more. If you’re game to try Ouidad’s Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo ($18 for 8.5 ounces), you can score a second one for half off.

RIGHT: Dermstore’s Last Chance Sale is tempting, especially the Brightening Regimen, which helps reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots and dull skin. It includes an exfoliating scrub (.5 ounces) from Lancer Skin Care, two 4ml vials of SkinCeuticals’ Discoloration Defense, an Obagi sheer sunscreen lotion (1 ounce) with both UVA and UVB protection and 3 Neostrata glycolic-peel pads. It’s reduced from $75 to $52.50; enter code EXTRA10 for another 10% off. Through July 10.

ABOVE: Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is long on beauty deals from favorites like Charlotte Tilbury. The makeup artist’s limited edition Pillow Talk Lip Kit includes a lip liner, a hydrating balm and a long-lasting matte lipstick. A $92 value, it’s selling for $59.

LEFT: Bum-sculpting yoga leggings with a high waist, flat waistband and handy side pocket from Sweaty Betty won’t let you down while practicing Downward-Facing Dog or any other move. Originally $108, they’re now $43.

RIGHT: On’s lightweight Cloudflow Running Shoe (reduced to $99 from $139.95) looks like therapy for your feet. It also looks (from the number of people ogling it) as if it’s likely to sell out to card holders who have early access to Nordstrom’s sale. One can only hope.

LEFT: Everlane’s sale section is packed with discounts that range from 35 to 65% off. This oatmeal  cable-knit vest, made of a cozy blend of merino wool, pima cotton and alpaca, has the warmth of a sweater sans the bulk. Transition piece, anyone? Originally $125, it’s selling for $50.

RIGHT: You may have given up sweats, but come fall, you’ll be happy you own this cornflower-blue fleece sweatshirt (reduced from $148 to $59) from Sweaty Betty. It’s perfect for layering and the curved hem wins our approval for covering your assets.  Psst: Don’t’ miss Athleta’s semi-annual sale, with discounts up to 60 percent off tights, sweatshirts and tank tops—through July 8. And don’t forget the sale at  Splits59 for up to 70% off on workout leggings, sports bras and hoodies.

LEFT: Easy-going white pants are practically a rite of summer in my book. Find this cropped pair from Club Monaco, made from a lightweight linen blend, in Shopbop’s frequently updated sale section. It’s selling for $118.65, reduced from $165.

RIGHT: We loved the look of Cassidy Hutchinson’s clean, truth-telling white jacket. When you don’t have to testify before the January 6 committee, though, this black crepe jacket from I. State is a versatile addition to a work or any other sort of wardrobe. During the Nordstrom sale, it’s $92.99. Post-sale, it goes up to $139.

LEFT: Okay, it’s not on sale. But, looking ahead to a late summer vacation, Cos’s racer-neck midi dress checks a lot of boxes. It’s made from a packable polyester (recycled) fabric and wearable from dawn to dusk. Just add or subtract accessories. And the price—$120—is not a budget buster.

CENTER: I’m fond of Vince’s clothing but its prices not so much. But, oh what a lovely shade of green on this knit cardigan, which has a collar, too. It’s now $227.50, reduced from $325, at Shopbop.

RIGHT: These linen-blend khaki green pants are just as crisp-looking now as they will be late summer and into early fall. They’re 4o% off during Cos’s July sale—down from $115 to $69.

ABOVE: Erase those shadows with Trish McEvoy’s Eye-Brightening Duo. A full-size Instant Eye Lift Treatment Concealer (0.13 oz.) brightens the under-eye area as it camouflages the look of fine lines sagging and puffiness, while a full-size Eye Base Essentials Brightening Eyeshadow Primer (0.12 oz.) helps correct darkness and discoloration of the lid. An $82 value, it’s $60 during Nordstrom’s big sale.

LEFT: This La Double J lined chic shopping bag (it’s 19.5 inches long) with grabbable straps is made from a slinky, silky twill and it’s reversible so you can choose between two eye-catching patterns. Originally $295, it’s now selling for $147.50 on final sale.  Yep, it’s not returnable, but it’s not as if it has to fit.

RIGHT: I would normally jump on this price reduction from $68 to $47.50 on Natori’s Feathers Underwire Contour Bra.   The issue is that this discount is only available in the pool-blue color, which I just noticed. A similar style—Bliss Perfection Underwire Contour Bra, which comes in deep blush and pink as well as pool blue, navy and tan, is also available during the Nordstrom sale. It’s $46.90—down from $70.

P.S. Amazon Prime Day(s) are July 12 and 13. But you can stock up right now on wardrobe essentials, such as a Hanes white T-shirt for $8 and classic white Superga sneakers for $26.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

Tiers are us. From left to right: A bright blue Havana dress from Brochu Walker, a polka-dot swingy dress from Saint+Sofia and the Kit’s Cobi shirtdress in a baja print.

By Janet Kelly

REMEMBER the summer dress—that one- step solution to the what-am-I-going-to-wear-today problem?

After two-plus years of a wardrobe of black sweats and jeans, a dress sounds freeing and appealing. Retailers must agree. In a search for “casual” dress on Farfetch and Neiman Marcus, 6,000 and 4,700 results popped up respectively. Shopbop showed 2,500, while “day” dresses on Anthropologie brought up 450-plus dresses. Choices spanned a wide price range from high-end brands, such as Italian La Double J and Kobi Halperin, to designs from Farm Rio, Velvet and new-to-us brands—Kit., Lisa Says Gah and Saint+ Sophia—that emphasize sustainability.

Summer favorites—the slip dress (think Kate Moss in the ‘90s) and tailored shirtdress—are among the casual offerings, but the style that spoke loudest to us combined a roomy silhouette (frequently with tiers), some sort of sleeve, a mid-length hem and a saturated color or eye-catching print.

Did our view tally with what readers want? We asked MyLittleBird friend Linda K., a Metropolitan Museum of Art docent, who specializes in tours of the fashion and medieval collections, to tell us what she was looking for in a summer dress.

“I wanted something with sleeves, long but not too long, something that felt airy and had zippy color. My goal is to look good but I don’t want anything that requires a lot of planning and coordinating with shoes and jewelry. Nothing too complicated, but not a sundress and nothing too boho. Something fun, swingy and with sex appeal.”

Well-being editor Mary Carpenter chimed in, saying she took note when her fashion-forward relative, who usually wears fitted clothing, showed up in a very loose dress with “almost tent-like layers and bell-like sleeves.” “I’ve always liked wearing long skirts but they feel a little frumpy— so these seem like an improvement.”

For invites to barbecues, cocktails and pool parties during this weekend’s Fourth of July festivities, carpe diem and don a dress.

Below, our picks:

LEFT: La Double J’s Artemis patchwork dress is named for the Greek goddess of the hunt and the moon. Draw your own conclusions. What got our attention is the generous cut designed for wiggle room and comfort, the exuberant print and light and airy cotton poplin fabric. Ankle- length dresses can look frumpy, but the width of the body and the sleeves saves the day on this one. Do goddesses have big budgets? It sells for $955 at Elyse Walker.

LEFT: The Lisa behind the Lisa Says Gah label is founder Lisa Bühler and Gah, says the website, is an expression of delight. The all-women design collective gives the classic shirt dress a fresh, feminine update with a fitted torso, cap sleeves and a skirt that sways—and has green, not blue, stripes. It sells for $168. Only small, extra large, 2XL and 3XL sizes still available.

RIGHT: Get into the swing of summer with this eye-catching floral print dress from Xirena. Stow your mobile in the side-seam pockets—and enjoy the Fourth.

LEFT: Sue Sartor makes garments that are hybrids between a dress and kaftan, so the fit is generous. Each is hand sewn and finished in Jaipur at a workshop that uses sustainable dyes. A stand-up collar and a sash you can wear as a belt or necktie add interest to this block print Paloma Flounce dress ($495). Wear it over your swimsuit as a cover-up in summer or pair with boots in fall and winter. It comes in a kaleidoscope of colors.

RIGHT: I noticed this ankle-length dress a few months ago on Anthropologie and thought to myself “how flattering.” The flowy frock ($168) with cascading tiers and wide sleeves has become one of the company’s best-sellers. Available in cotton in nine colors, it also comes in linen for $170. Both come in a choice of standard, petite and plus sizes.

LEFT: Established around the idea that you have enough basics, The Kit., whose head honcho is Daniel Vosovic, a finalist in season 2 of “Project Runway,” designs statement-making prints, such as the “striped baja swirl,” on this rayon/blend Cobie shirtdress ($148) with fitted waist, swingy skirt and drapey sleeves. The “About” section of the Kit. website says the company doesn’t make a garment until a customer orders it, and from there the process takes between 10-20 days. However, for this dress, a note gives the heads-up: “Given an increase in demand, this style ships in three to four weeks.”

RIGHT: We love prints and color for summer, but white is also right. And you can’t go wrong with this loose-fitting poplin dress with mandarin collar, curved hem and puff sleeves from Cos. It’s $175 ( belt not included).

Black for summer? You bet. Especially when it’s a polka-dot dress with flattering tiers like this one (left) from London-based Saint + Sofia, which designs easy-going clothing in sustainable fabrics. If sleeveless in not for you, layer a T-shirt under it. The Greenwich dress sells for $119. Kobi Halperin’s Tencel-and-linen midi dress (right) self-ties at the waist and kimono sleeves let the air float in. Reduced from $548 to $328.80 at Bloomingdale’s, only a few sizes are available.

LEFT: Founded in 2015 by British designer Wiggy Hindmarch, the London-based label Wiggy Kit is known for its everyday—but not boring essentials. Just a peek at this boho-chic , trapeze-shaped free-flowing dress in lightweight cotton conjures up a breeze. It’s £375.

RIGHT: Sometimes you feel like a sleeve; sometimes you don’t. In the case of the latter, when you fancy a stroll on the sand, for example, this Tommy Bahama Ikat print in cotton voile is ready. It sells for $148.

LEFT: Jungle florals, stripes and fruit motifs are the signature of Rio de Janeiro’s Farm Rio. When you’re wavering between something white and something colorful, this midi dress with punchy patterned stripes ($245, Shopbop) resolves the issue. Ruffles at the shoulder add to the festive feel.

RIGHT: Merlette may be known for its oversize frocks with tiers from neckline to hemline, but this cotton trapeze dress with tiered skirt and ruching at the shoulder and ($440) gives the same sense of movement with a drop-waist and more body-skimming silhouette.

LEFT: The subtle Ikat pattern against a white background reads cool. The loosely fitting, midi- dress from Velvet is in a lightweight voile fabric and sells for $189 at Shopbop.

RIGHT: Her last name rhymes with Chanel, but London-based fashion designer Coco Fennell says her inspiration comes from vintage Americana styles. A fan of nipped-in waists and balloon sleeves, she designs dresses to be flattering, easy to wear and not super expensive. This garden keyhole style is £149. 

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com. 

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By Janet Kelly

IT HAPPENED TODAY, June 24, 2022:  The Supreme Court overturned Roe, the 1973 landmark ruling that guaranteed the right to abortion.

In states like Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania, people can still access legal abortions, but half the country will ban or severely limit access to abortions in short order. To add salt to this terrible wound, Justice Clarence Thomas says the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings protecting access to contraception and same-sex marriage.

I was in college in the late ’60s, had an abortion in the late ’70s before my marriage broke up. If this law stands, my granddaughters (one 11, one 15) will not have the same options, the ones my generation fought for so hard.

We all knew it was coming; still, it’s a terrible blow. Tell us what you’re thinking now in the comments section below. And, here’s some important info from an opinion story, “How to Help Women If You’re Mad About Roe v. Wade” in the New York Times.

And though you may be beyond child-bearing age, your daughters and granddaughters may need these abortion resources.

Sandals for every occasion. Clockwise, from left to right: Teva’s Infinity sandal, Staud’s flatform espadrille, a juicy heel from Kate Spade New York, JW Anderson’s metallic slip-on and Jeffrey Campbell’s jelly flip-flop.

By Janet Kelly

FEET EVERYWHERE are celebrating, wiggling their toes with joy—free at last from confining footwear.

Now that you’ve aced—right?— your warm-weather wardrobe musts—hat, sun shirts, sunscreen— it’s time to complete the picture with stylish summer sandals.

A problem you may face is that there are soooo many choices. Flip-flops, slides, pool slides, flatforms, fisherman sandals, sport sandals, strappy sandals, low-heel sandals, wedges and espadrilles. Phew!

But listen, whichever style or silhouette you favor, we’ve done the legwork—from Birkenstocks to Blahniks, from Johnny Was to Ganni—to pick out the footwear that will let your toes breathe—no blisters, thank you—and give your feet the support and comfort they deserve.

Note—you already know this. But to flaunt and flatter your feet, don’t forget a pedicure. Because there’s nothing more boring than watching paint dry, find a salon that offers the Dazzle Dry regimen or DIY with the 4-step full-size kit ($85), which includes a primer, a base coat, polish and a top coat. (A mini kit is $38. The polish only sells for $22.)  Your nails are dry before you can finish a fascinating article in one of the salon’s magazines or rise to genius level in Spelling Bee.

CLOCKWISE, from left to right: Have some fun and a giggle with these traffic-stopping diagonal striped flip flops ($190, Farfetch). From late designer Virgil Abloh’s Off-White brand, they raise the traditional style up to a one-inch height. Lara espadrille Sandals (reduced to $245 from $350, Staud) are flatforms —the style you’ve been seeing everywhere this summer—the sole is equally or almost equally thick at the front and back. Crisscrossed ankle straps, a side buckle and rubber sole secure feet that have a tendency to slip in slides. Also popular this season are the square toes seen on Staud’s espadrilles and on Sam Edelman’s Harlie slide sandals ($150, Bloomingdale’s). Their relaxed vibe would feel right at home on the Italian Riviera. Wear them with a pair of linen cropped pants.

ABOVE: I own a pair of these “mixed-media” sandals with a cork lining and grippy rubber sole. They’re from Mephisto, a brand known for its commitment to comfort. I bought them because they fit my narrowish foot better than the Birkenstock sandals I originally was smitten with. My only gripe is that the top loop is slightly irritating, but I’m hoping with more wear it will soften.  They’re $159 at Nordstrom.

BELOW: On the sensible and functional side, fisherman sandals have been an unexpected trend this summer. With their woven uppers and heavy-duty rubber soles, you could presumably walk miles. Although I think the style defeats the purpose of an open-toe sandal—unless, maybe, you’re an actual rod and reeler—Marni’s grosgrain sandals ($490, SSense) manage to make the look as cute as possible.

ABOVE: The first time I thought Birkenstocks looked anything but dowdy was about six years ago when I saw a woman at a trendy local bar wearing a chunky white-patent leather double-strap style with a pair of slim, cropped pants. On the less expensive side and more versatile for the season, these Arizona Essentials EVA ($49.95, Birkenstock) are modeled on the original, but because they’re made from EVA (a more flexible rubber), they’re lighter, more pliable and shock-absorbent than PVC. They’re also waterproof and washable—perfect footwear for the beach or in the garden.

BELOW: Less bulky than Birkenstocks, Teva’s Voya infinity sandal ($40, Amazon), embraced by the Olsen twins, is designed with a top-sole cushion that conforms to and comforts your foot; adjustable, soft, stretchy elastic lacing for easy on and off and a lightweight foam outsole. For outdoorsy types who like to hike and for the rest of us pounding our way along city streets.

LEFT: I couldn’t survive without my black suede kitten heels in fall and winter, but these velvety suede Arthur sandals in pink would add a pop to my mostly all-white summer wardrobe. Moreover, I think I could manage that 2-inch-high block heel, especially because they have a rubber sole. They’re $210 from French label Sézane.

RIGHT: Leave it to the birds and the bees and Johnny Was for colorful flora and fauna prints. Made from PVC rubber, this Sandra pool slide ($98) is must-have footwear for beach walking or lounging. Wear them with your favorite swimsuit, a kaftan or beachy linen pants and a white T-shirt.

ABOVE: An acrylic rectangular heel and square toe balance Schulz’s slide sandal ($128), topped with translucent vinyl straps. An of-the-moment style to wear day or night, the 2.5-inch heel is also available in pink; in a loftier 3.9-inch heel, it comes in beige, shell pink and lime green.

CENTER: Beloved by fans back in the day, Dr. Scholl’s original handcrafted wooden sandal with its signature buckle gets a refreshing twist, courtesy of Danish brand Ganni. Shown above in an all-cotton monogram print, it also comes in four others, including a preppy plaid. The Ganni slide sandal sells for $215.

BELOW: From Kate Spade New York, the label that brought you yellow patent leather taxi flats, comes a juicy pair of sandals with grosgrain straps and an 2.25-inch citrus-shaped acrylic heel. These sell for $178.

ABOVE: JW Anderson’s leather chain slide sandals ($695, Neiman Marcus) are oh-so pretty with that pink metallic leather band—and, yes, equally pricey—but for the record, they also marry good looks with practical details, such as a molded footbed and rubber outsole for comfort and stability. They can dress up the most casual outfit and will certainly put a smile in your step.

BELOW: A super-slim, barely there profile brings a sleek elegance to this retro (circa 1990s) jelly sandal with delicate straps and  square toe. It’s $29.95 at Nordstrom.

Lunch at the White House? If you’re invited, by all means, but more probably for an afternoon or evening wedding this summer, Manolo Blahnik’s patent leather sandals (above) are the height of elegance, even though the flared kitten heel is barely two inches high. Flattering curved side straps and a rear slingback strap keep your foot firmly in place for a carefree dance or two for a  very spendy $825. For dressier occasions and a more fanciful look, this 1.8-inch high strappy kitten sandal (below) in rose-gold leather also promises stability and optimal fit —based on a surgeon’s expertise in foot anatomy. They sell for $550 at Marion Parke.

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.