February | 2011 | Fab Over Fifty Style Blog

28February

{Fabulous Things of 2010} The results are in… Vote!

Last month, we asked FOFs to fill out a survey about the fabulous things they discovered in 2010, from foodie finds and beauty products to to exercise routines and tech gadgets. Hundreds of women responded, and we've got their top three picks in each category. Now it's a run-off: the Number 1 winner in each group is up to you. Vote now!

Plus, ENTER TO WIN a gift basket containing 6 of the nominees (including an e-reader, perfume and beauty product) by leaving a comment, below!

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Contest and voting close on March 26, 2011. See complete contest rules, here. See all our past winners, here.

296 comments

28February

{Giveaway} Bestsellers and advance copies, just for FOFs!

Enter for a chance to win 1 of 60 copies, by answering this question in the comments below: Which one of Jeffrey Stepakoff’s books would you like to read first: an advance copy of The Orchard or Fireworks Over Toccoa, on sale March 15.

Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.

We’ve partnered with St. Martin’s Press to offer sweepstakes winners a bestseller and advance copy of books. After you’ve read them, you can join live chats with authors and other FOFs! (Can you tell we’re excited?)

This week, we’re giving away 60 books by critically-acclaimed novelist, Jeffrey Stepakoff. “Move over Nicholas Sparks,” writes Karen White, author of Falling Home. Jeffrey is best known for his work on the Emmy award-winning television shows Dawson’s Creek and The Wonder Years, but has spent the past few years building a cult following for his deeply romantic novels.

Ten FOFs will win an advance copy of The Orchard, Jeffrey’s hotly anticipated new book about a taste-tester from the city who finds love in an unlikely setting. Fifty FOFs will receive Fireworks Over Toccoa, on sale March 15, his critically acclaimed bestseller about war-time love. All of the winners will receive an invite to a private online chat with the author.

60 FOFs will win!

Enter for a chance to win 1 of 60 copies, by answering this question on the comments below: Which one of Jeffrey Stepakoff’s books would you like to read first: an advance copy of The Orchard or Fireworks Over Toccoa (on sale March 15)?

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends at 5pm ET on 3/15/2011. Open to legal residents of 50 US and DC, 18 and older. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, click here. To see our past winners, click here.

0 comments

23February

{Movies} Best FOF movie performances of 2010

“There are three stages for actresses: babe, district attorney, and Driving Miss Daisy,” says Cindy Pearlman, 46, arts and entertainment columnist for the New York Times syndicate. “That’s a very funny line from First Wives Club, and it’s been true. But these days, Hollywood is waking up. There were great, juicy parts in 2010. Not just the put-upon wife who’s watching her husband go off with some twenty-year-old.” Here are Pearlman's picks for the best FOF performances of 2010:

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15 comments

23February

{Giveaway} Win a tower of chocolate-drizzled popcorn!

FOFs Elaine Wyatt and Paula Kauffman are giving away this tower of chocolate-drizzled popcorn from their brilliant biz, b’drizzled. Enter to win by commenting below and answering: Do you prefer to snack on candy or popcorn when you go to the movies?

Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.

Every holiday season for as long as they can remember, sisters-in-law and FOFs Elaine Wyatt and Paula Kauffman made their signature treat: double-drizzled chocolate popcorn. "Our family friends lovingly call it 'crack corn' because it's so addicting," says Elaine. "People love the sweet and salty combination of popcorn and candy when they go to the movies, and that's exactly what our snack embodies."

Elaine and Paula began to sell the treat at fundraisers to make money for their children's student activities. "It sold great," says Elaine. "People told us 'you should take this into stores.'"

A longtime marketing consultant for high-end shopping centers, Elaine had an in with Hiller's Markets, a Michigan-based gourmet chain. "We took it to their corporate headquarters for them to sample and they just loved it," she remembers.

In 2006, Hiller's Markets became the first stores to carry b'drizzled popcorn (the name Elaine and Paula decided on) and from there, business popped off.

Their popcorn is now sold in 30 gourmet markets in Michigan as well as Bed, Bath and Beyond stores in five states. Their bestsellers include "Double Chocolate Supreme," "Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup," and "Chocolate Cherry Cordial." (Elaine's favorite is Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and Paula's favorite is White Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream.) Elaine and Paula employ up to twenty employees at a time at their factory in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where they kettle pop and double-drizzle their premium popcorn each day.

Enter to win a b'drizzled popcorn tower, by answering this question in the comments, below: Do you prefer to snack on candy or popcorn when you go to the movies?

(See all our past winners, here.)
(See official rules, here.)
Contest closes March 3, 2011

195 comments

23February

{Fashion} My Hollywood style icon: Elizabeth Taylor in “A Place in the Sun”

"To achieve that look today I wear a vintage “New Look” dress by Dior, accessorized with a vintage parure [set of matching jewelry] by one of my favorite designers: Miriam Haskell, Weiss, Hobe, Kramer or Elsa Schiaparelli. My favorite places to shop for “New Look” dresses are Couture Allure, Antiquedress.com, TheFrock, Vintage Textile, Woodland Farms, Vintage Martini and Past Perfect Vintage. Sometimes I wear vintage heels. Sometimes I wear new shoes by Stuart Weitzman or Cole Haan because they are classic and comfortable. Zappos carries both those labels and has the best customer service and free shipping!"

1. Vintage Gigi Young Dress via Antique Dress / 2. Miriam Haskell Pansy Statement Necklace / 3. Miriam Haskell Pansy Cuff / 4. Stuart Weitzman Cachet Heels

11 comments

23February

{Fashion} My Hollywood style icon: Lauren Bacall in “To Have and Have Not”

"My style is very much 'classic with a twist.' Last year, for my sons’ graduations I wore a white, Versace, scoop-necked, sleeveless dress that hit just a little above my knee. I wore it with a long necklace by Van Cleef and a great brown-and-beige, kitten heel shoe by Manolo Blahnik (“The Carolyn”). It was so classic. The twist? A nubby, green jacket by Lanvin that hit at my waist."

1. Versace Cotton Pique Sheath Dress / 2. McQ Tweed Jacket / 3. Van Cleef Necklace / 4. Manolo Blahnik "Carolyn" Heels

1 comments

23February

{Fashion} My Hollywood style icon: Jennifer Beals in “Flashdance”

"To achieve a masculine-inspired evening look today, I’d wear the jacket with as little underneath as possible (a black strapless bustier from Wolford or Agent Provocateur are good choices.) Stella McCartney and Brooks Brothers make great women’s tuxedos that blend satin and cotton. I’d add a fabulous, kick-ass, take-no-prisoners heel by Manolo Blahnik, the female version of a classic men’s patent leather shoe: pointed, closed-toed and shiny."

1. Wool Stretch Tuxedo Jacket / 2. Gold Rhinestone Shoulder Dusters / 3. Manolo Blahnik Leather Pump / 4. Classic Corset

1 comments

18February

{Weekly Roundup}

Are you all caught up on your weekly blog reading? No? You better step on it....

Blue and brown...a perfect partnership?

Way better than wine charms

How to dress like an over 40 red carpet star

Investment dressing

New anti-aging cosmetic line introduced...for 8 year olds.

Fur fashion...and an FOF who pulls it off

What do you do after a day in the snow? or how to stay chic in the rain.

Return of the perm?

Wear-anywhere activewear

"You don't have to be perfect."

Life is the Occasion campaign uses FOF models.

Visit the world's greatest museums...from your desk.

How an FOF foodie celebrates her birthday

Love makes the world go round!

Until Monday...

P.S. This little gadget can save your life!

Image by Katherine McPherson for FabOverFifty

0 comments

16February

{Giveaway} Win 3 products invented by FOFs!

Meet 3 FOFs and enter to win their brilliant inventions.

To enter, answer in the comments, below: What invention has you constantly saying, "I wish I thought of that"?

Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.

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Jill Fisher
Microdry Products

FOF Jill Fisher was the creative director at a brand development agency when she first came across the fabric that would become, Microdry. Her agency's founder and CEO, Iain Scorgie, returned from China; after eighteen months developing towel-like material, which they would eventually patent; as it felt like velvet and was super absorbent. Jill saw the potential: "Before then, towels were either soft or absorbent," she remembers. She and her team named it Microdry, and used it to create a line of consumer products, starting with baby bathrobes in 2005. They were a hit. Today, the company manufactures adult robes, hair towels, bath pillows and their best-selling item to date...the Microdry memory foam bath mat.

Win: A trio of Jill's super-soft, quick-dry Microdry bath products: a luxury hair turban, memory foam bath pillow and memory foam bath mat.
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Melanie Mayron
Mayron's Goods

Twelve years ago, expectant mom and former thirtysomething actress Melanie Mayron was having difficulty finding chemical-free baby products. "No one was talkin' 'natural' then," says Melanie. She's since spent over a decade developing her all-natural baby skincare line, Mayron's Goods, with the help of her Dad, a pharmaceutical chemist, and her actress friends, who tested the products on their own children! Our Best Barrier and Diaper Cream, was Melanie's first bestseller... Newly launched are a body oil, body milk, chapped cheek and lip protector and more. "You don't have to be a baby to use it. After all, we're all somebody's baby," says Melanie. Read Melanie's full story, here.

Win: A gift set of beauty products from Melanie's all-natural skincare line, Mayron's Goods

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Bonnie Steen
Roots Only

FOF Bonnie Steen spent years dying her hair at home to save money and time. Then a hairstylist friend told her she was seriously damaging her hair by repeatedly dying the whole shaft instead of just the roots. So she came up with an idea . . .

"I was combing out my tangles with a hair pick and suddenly thought 'If this were hollow, you could attach a bottle of hair color to the handle and squeeze it out through the teeth," says Bonnie. "You'd be able to comb and apply color to just the roots in one action." Her husband Claude created the first prototype for the hair-color applicator comb in 1994. Now, Bonnie's brainchild, Roots Only, is sold in over 4,000 Wal-Mart stores coast to coast. Read, Bonnie's full (amazing) story, here.

Win: Roots Only, Bonnie's hair color applicator comb.
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To enter to win these 3 products invented by FOFs, answer in the comments below: What invention has you saying, "I wish I thought of that"?

(See all our past winners, here.)
(See official rules, here.)
Contest closes February 24, 2011

129 comments

16February

{FOF Shop} Have you created something fabulous?

Calling all FOF inventors, artists and designers...

FOF is looking for fab new products for our FOF Shop. Have you've created something that other FOFs would love? Send an e-mail to sara@faboverfifty describing your product or line of products by February 27, 2011. Tell us why you think it would be perfect for women over 50. Please also include your short bio (required), a photo of the product (required) and any other information about what makes it fab.

We'll review your product and get back to you within one month, if we think it's right for the FOF Shop.