So, in my effort to solve my sleeping issues, I went to a natruopath who diagnosed me a chronically dehydrated.  Who knew?  I knew I was supposed to be drinking more water, but seriously 64 oz. a day?  Pshaw!  Well, the word “chronically” scared me a bit, so I decided to give this hydration thing a try.  I’ve discoverd two things: one, if I sip and don’t gulp, I don’t have to use the ladies room all day and second, my lips are no longer demanding moisturizer three times a day!  I haven’t noticed any changes in my skin yet, but who knows what other benefits I might discover from drinking more water!

As an adoptive mom at age 32, I’ve spent the last seven years with young children in the home and while both of my kids slept though the night by 8 weeks (kudos Baby Wise), kids have you up in the night- its just the way it goes.  Now that my son is 4 and my daughter 7, I was looking forward to fewer interrupted nights.  Then 40 hit, and unfortunately, the beginning of menopause – I guess.  Now I can’t sleep due to hormone changes.  Gone are my college days when I could drink cofee and 1 a.m. and go to sleep at 1:30 a.m.  The black under eye circles and ever growing bottles of sleep aids, herbal remedies and nerve tonics in my bathroom closet are a sure testament to that!  I have limited myself to 1 cup of coffee in the morning and absolutely no caffine after that – water is my beverage of choice now days.  I was bemoaning this sad state to my ladies bible study members when one of the elder members asked me a rather surprising question., “Sweetheart,”she said “Are you in your early 40s?”  “Yes,” I responded, wide eyed and wondering what she meant.  Then, in unison, the women around the table began shaking their heads with those sad looks on their faces as if to say – “so glad I am not you.”  Then, to punctuate the moment, the sweet woman who had asked my age just simply added, “get ready.”  GET READY.  The words hung in the air like the smell of stale socks.  In the days following that conversation, I have found myself wondering about all I am supposed to be getting ready for.  Trepidation abounds.   

Well ladies, if you have been frustrated over the lack of dresses and skirts you’ve been able to find in previous seasons, get ready!  This summer’s hottest look will be skirts and dresses.  If you are like me, it may be time to invest in a few new ones and update your wardrobe.  Peplum (slightly flaired at the bottom and usually short) is the buzz word this season.  This fun, flirty style looks great and most figures and goes with all types of summer tops.  The short (knee length and above) hemline seems to be stronger this season, but don’t abandon longer lengths if you love them.  In a recent In Style Magazine poll, the editors asked their readers about their favorite skirt length.  36% responded they would be wearing the peplum, 34% responded they’d choose a midcalf, 16% chose long and full and 14% chose shee( March, 2012, page 96).  As you can see, the strongest trends were for shorter lengths.  Equally strong will be the sleeveless, full skirted dress.  Think 50’s modernized.  The focus will be on the waist and the hemline just above or below the knee.  This season you will see many prints from exotic to geometric and romantic to ditzy.  Choose what you love and buy a dress!  In fact, buy several!  Add some skirts and you’ll be loving how feminine you feel this spring!