Mauve, violet, grey...celebrate!

Today I’m showing you something pretty…just because we can.

I believe with my whole heart that it’s always a good idea to have a ‘celebration dress’ in my closet.

A stylist friend of mine showed me this mauve-violet-grey dress and urged me to get it. Today, it’s on sale in Australia for a ridiculously low price. If I loved Math, I would say it’s something like 75% off full price.

And it is just so pretty: fully lined, crafted from heavy, lovely fabric.

Want to take a look?

Here it is on a model. (Currently I’m drinking coffee in my pjs and writing, so not as easy to photograph it on myself - ha!) But trust me, it looks equally pretty even in a larger size than she’s wearing.

The colour is beautiful, the neckline isn’t too plunge-y, the fabric is thick enough that it smooths and holds everything together. In short, if you need a fancy, beautifully made dress (no regrets!) this one is it.

You’re welcome!

If you’re ready to celebrate at a moment’s notice, that event will often come along.

Enjoy today…let’s love our age.

Catherine x

The Little List of Control

This week, I read something so very true…and I wanted to share. Because sometimes I forget what I control and what I don’t.

Maybe this list will resonate with you.

That second last one gets me every time: “whether or not you try again after the setback.”

I needed the reminder. Maybe you do, too.

Trying again is 100% do-able.

It’s always an option: for me, for you.

Enjoy your weekend,

Love Catherine x

ps. If you want to follow along with the Instagram account above, you will find @thechalkboardmag here.

Get Into Your Comfort Zone

This past week, we stayed in Fairlight — a gorgeous suburb of Sydney — and we enjoyed this view from the loft master bedroom.

Lucky, right?

And yet, everything felt a bit off. It was tricky to get our son to high school, the kitchen wasn’t great so we ordered pizza, then Thai and made way too many sandwiches. The internet was spotty and it was tough getting to work in the city.

I tried to relax and enjoy the time away while our timber floors were being sanded but truly, I just longed for home.

And I had to laugh at myself — because I am always jumping up and down and encouraging everyone to step OUT of their comfort zones! I tell this to myself all the time.

All the magic happens outside our comfort zones! That’s where we grow and learn. And we feel happier when we’re growing, even if it’s challenging.

But…I was unproductive.

So here’s the funny thing:

As much as my brain loves new things — and as happy as I am when I’m learning — sometimes our comfort zones are fantastic.

We can be productive, feel safe, and get things done.

So today — take a little time to think about where you’re at. Do you need more comfort? Or are you ready to grow?

For me right now it’s comfort. I’ll be at home in my trackies, drinking coffee, writing tons, watching the rain.

I am so grateful.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Love Catherine x

Why not enjoy it now?

A few years ago, I fell in love with rings.

Seriously! Just one day, out of nowhere, I realised an important truth — I didn’t have to wait and wait for pretty things or the ‘real deal’. There’s so much fun to be had for $9 or $14 and the right attitude.

What is the point in waiting?

So I stopped, and refocused on enjoying today.

Why rings?

Because rings are what you get to see when you wear them. Bracelets, too. When I wrote my novel, aquamarine was a major symbol in the book. To treat myself at publication, I found the replica 1950s aquamarine cocktail ring above — love it!

And take a peek at these below. I wear them all the time.

So much fun.

I tried to find the aquamarine for you, but it’s sold out everywhere. But there’s a very pretty 1950s inspired emerald princess cut here!

Ready to treat yourself?

You’ll have so much fun admiring your own hands.

Enjoy,

Catherine

Will Grey Hair Make Me Look Older?

Today, let’s get curious.

Let me give a big shout out to being intrigued about all our options.

What I love most about living now is that we have more freedom than ever before to pursue what feels good to us. Wondering about our lives, our choices and the changes we can make is exciting. So today I wanted to have a chat about being Grey Curious.

Ready?

Grey hair is trending, but when I chat about it with women I know, the same question comes up every time: will grey hair make me look older?

Will I look older than my friends?

My answer is yes and also no.

Let me explain: first of all, I don’t think we have to ever make ourselves “look younger” unless we want to. LOVE OUR AGE is all about embracing who we are, and not feeling constrained or restricted by what we should be. I want to be a part of the Age Positive movement. I want to be able to work and stay relevant — regardless of my age. I want to be happy and attractive and fun — regardless of my age. I want to be fit and active as I am, now, and not try to chase 30 forever. In short, I want to allow myself to get older and enjoy it. That’s my goal.

So does grey hair make me look older?

From a distance, I’m sure I look older than my friends who colour their hair. Put us together up close, and my face looks young, but my hair looks older. So I guess all things considered, I do look older.

Has that mattered to me? No. Because I think I look beautiful and fifty-three.

Could you be different or have a different opinion about your life? Yes.

But at the same time as looking older, I also think I look GOOD.

Put me beside my colouring-friends. Silver hair is universally pretty when you take care of it, regardless of the colour of grey.

Here’s why:

• Your grey hair will match your skin tone perfectly.

• Your eye colour will look so much more beautiful. That surprised me.

• Grey hair makes you rethink your wardrobe. Now I look great in black and grey. Grey used to look terrible on me blonde, not great on me light brunette.

• It gives you back HOURS of your life and thousands of dollars a year.

• Best of all — your hair will feel so very healthy: silky and strong.

And because everything is natural and matches (skin and hair), you may look totally gorgeous grey.

Here’s a super fun experiment with no risk: let your roots go for five weeks. Stand in front of your mirror and pull your hair back. You’ll see your natural colour and you’ll see your eye colour looking so beautiful and startling.

Then decide — try grey for a few more weeks, or stop and colour.

Whatever you want to do with your hair or your body, your life is YOUR choice. But please don’t think you ever have to age a certain way. We can be beautiful at every age.

I went grey at 48, before nearly every woman I know. I have one friend in Canada who is grey, and a sister in law four years younger than I am who never coloured her hair. That’s it.

But here’s the benefit: I’m done ageing.

This is me, walking into the future.

Can you think of this as a fun experiment?

It’s fun that you have the freedom to check out your roots a little and see what kind of silver is there, waiting for you, without ever having to commit.

Stay curious. Even grey curious! Be curious about every single thing you might like to change — to help you feel the way you want to feel.

Let’s love our age,

Catherine

PS. Here’s me blonde…in 2016. Mwah!

And here’s me, half n half. Fun!! (And the boys are so little!! Again, 2016?)

I Learned This From Hockey...

As a kid, I watched my older brother play — and to be honest, I wasn’t much interested in the game. But recently I read an old quote of Wayne Gretsky’s, and it applies to everything we’re trying that’s new.

What is it about new things that brings out our fears?

Not good enough, or talented enough. Not experienced enough. Don’t have the skills and don’t know how to do it. It’s probably not worth it in the long run. I don’t want to look stupid…

And then I saw Wayne’s old quote.

There’s no quicker route to failure than failing to try.

What’s my mantra now?

Make honest things (not perfect things).

Try.

Because what if it’s fun? And what if you make something wonderful?

Let’s love our age,

Catherine x

Image source — hockey legend, Wayne Gretsky

Love This Beauty Hack!

I promised I’d share lovely things at Love Our Age!

Lately I’ve been using a jade roller — all of $6.99 and I adore it. You know how you wake up sometimes with puffy eyes? Or you’ve had a good cry and feel ugh?

A jade roller really helps.

And if you need some serious face fixing, an ice roller is even better.

These are the two I love. I keep the ice roller in the freezer and the jade roller on my beside table. The jade seems to stay naturally cool.

All you do is roll from the centre of your face outward and up. It seems to reduce puffiness and feels lovely. You’re welcome!

If you’re interested, my ice roller is here. My jade face roller is here.

Let’s love our age,

Catherine x

You Are Not The Problem

Today, join me in a small shift in thinking.

So simple.

There is a problem. Yes?

You may have contributed. You may have even started it. The responsibility may be yours.

Regardless — this is true:

We get this mixed up all the time.

The person becomes the problem.

It’s not true.

The problem is the problem — and it’s best to start there.

You are an imperfect, loveable human — like everyone else. Most of the time, most of us are doing the best we can. So enjoy this day for everything it has to offer.

Separate people from problems.

Let’s love our age and live beautifully.

Catherine x

So Much Depends Upon a Yellow Raincoat

Hey, it’s RAINING in Sydney!

This is such great news. We need rain so badly, and also this: it gives me a chance to wear my yellow raincoat.

Do you have one piece of clothing that makes everyone happy?

For me, it’s my yellow jacket. I guarantee you that when I wear it, perfectly respectable business people rushing around the city will stop and smile at me. Everyone says hello.

Happens every time.

There’s something about certain pieces of clothing that we love. This yellow raincoat is from Ann Taylor and it’s probably 20 years old. But every time I put it on — instant happiness for me and everyone I meet! These are the items to keep and cherish and wear over and over.

Clothes communicate so much. Sometimes they’re for us, and sometimes they’re for others. (Remember, mums…putting on a pretty dress and having your kids say the loveliest things?)

We can dress any way we like, of course, but I think this: dressing well can be a gift for other people.

Today on my way to the office, I plan to make everyone smile.

Love, Catherine x

ps. And for you, here’s the original William Carlos William poem:

Do You Have a Pre-Loved Suitcase?

Today I’m thinking about helping out. The fires here in Australia have been terrible and the response from around the world has been amazing. Thank you! From donations to heroes to something as simple as knitting for wildlife — you can learn more about the knitting project here — the world is answering the call to help our country.

But this morning I learned one more fact and it’s not about bushfires.

It’s about foster kids.

Did you know that foster kids in both Canada and Australia are given black rubbish bags to move their belongings from foster home to foster home? I’m not sure what’s happening in America or other countries, but I’m guessing that it’s similarly bleak.

Adults in this world, let’s just stop and think about that for a moment. We can do so much better.

Do you have pre-loved suitcases to donate? And will you please tell everyone you know that this is happening?

In Sydney, a young Aboriginal man, Isaiah Dawe, has started Bags, Not Bins. Learn how to donate! In Australia, you can call (02) 8396 5300.

In America and Canada, call your local Foster Care agency to arrange a drop off.

And please spread the word.

It’s a lovely thing to give.

Enjoy your Sunday,

love Catherine x

Love Our Age: a Manifesto!

Oh, I could write a book about this!

When I was dreaming up LOVE OUR AGE, I spent nearly 18 months thinking about what it meant to enjoy the last half of my life.

I started with 15 life lessons, and narrowed it down to these — the way I am and the way I want to be.

Let’s Love Our Age ~ a manifesto

1. Choose happiness.

2. Be a beginner.

3. Start today.

4. Have some fun — and be fun to live with.

5. Believe in love.

6. Make honest things (not perfect things).

7. Live beautifully.

8. Love our age.

Thank you for following along on this journey…and please let me know if there’s anything you’d add to the list!

Love Catherine x

Just too tired today? Yes, you...

Hi there, lady who is feeling tired…the one who is the engine of the family train.

I see you.

You’re probably running around being helpful, sharing your thoughts on how to do it faster, fixing leaks and problems before they escalate.

You’ve thrown in some washing, unloaded the dishwasher, put the coffee on and checked that everyone’s up.

You’re thinking about when you’ll walk the dog.

If you’re lucky, there are no impossible mountains today (illness, loss, fear, lack). But still, you feel tired.

Yes, yes, life is good when we’re busy and we’re all thankful to love the people we’ve been given to love. We feel full of purpose and usually grateful that we have washing machines and dishwashers and dogs and kids, coffee to make and cars to fill with gas. All of it.

But we get tired, then it’s time to rest.

Here are my favourite rests. Free and always available to me (or to you!).

1. A quiet cup of coffee. I make my own at home and I love my long blacks from my little Nespresso coffee maker. Inexpensive and so good!

2. Standing in the driveway of our home at twilight, in all seasons. I look up at the gum trees, and the evening sky and remember to take big breaths for the first time all day.

3. Lying flat on my back on the living room carpet. I stretch my arms up and relax my shoulders (always rounded from too much writing!).

The older I get, the more I focus on what I love, and what I can control. Little pockets of rest and peace are available to all of us — usually without a price tag!

All we need to do is figure out what feels like rest. Is it coffee? Nature? Stretching? Sorting a drawer? Then do that!

Work, rest, repeat.

It’s one good way to love our age!

Catherine x

ps. This sweet cup and saucer is Shelley English bone china. I was lucky enough to inherit a set of two from a dear friend. I treasure them and think of her. xo