a most excellent adventure...

"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected."

- Robert Frost

Everything was set: the house was spotless, the flowers arranged in vases and in pots, had my outfit all picked out. I was all ready for my magazine shoot. Then a change of plans... my good friend and stylista guru - Jane - graciously offered to not only style my shoot but the use of her gorgeous boutique. Of course I said yes and the photographer - Michael - kindly agreed to change the date and location literally at the spur of the moment. My daughter (Sage) asked if she could go with me so she could photograph the shoot. So, this morning, I loaded Sage and Coco into the car and headed to Geneva, Illinois...

When we arrived, Jane had four fantabulous looks ready - we chose two. Damn but Jane is talented! After spending only a little bit of time with a woman, she is able to pick pieces and/or a head-to-toe look that is perfectly suited to a woman's body and personality. 

Thirty minutes prep, Michael arrived - go time...

Violet Gown: BCBG

Quick peek, then we moved inside

Jane weaving her magic

Green gown with black edging: Jay Godfrey

I did my own make up. Since I'm so darkly tanned (from mommy-chauffering in my convertible and my recent family-sojourn to the beach) all of my makeup is too light. So just mascara, blush and lipgloss. Of course I also wrangled my Nappity Nap.

Fun shot: Coco (in the foreground), 

Jane's pooch - Valentino (on the rug).

Today was extremely surreal - me, wearing gorgeous clothes, having pictures taken by a professional photographer, for a magazine spread! And I'm woman enough to admit that I was very nervous about doing this - it's so much easier and way less stressful to be behind the camera than in front of it. As I was looking through Sage's photos I kept thinking: I would never have been brave enough to do this ten, even twenty, years ago. But here's the thing...

I felt beautiful, and strong, and sensual. And it wasn't because of the gorgeous clothes or the ridiculously talented photographer (okay, not just because ;-} It's because I really and truly accept, embrace and love 46 year old me and all the gifts this age bestows (see the opening quote). Oh don't get me wrong, I still struggle with aging gracefully (facial lines, gray hair, failing eye-sight, four-baby-belly, a stubbornly big booty). But an integral, hard earned and won part of aging gracefully is maturity, wisdom, and the freedom that comes with choosing to live, love and enjoy life on one's own terms. That's what today was and it was, indeed, a  most excellent adventure.

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple

Lunch w/ Sage-