National Umbrella Day

Photo by Guy Stevens (Unsplash) https://unsplash.com/@gstevens0884

Umbrellas are so pretty, but I rarely use them because I drive everywhere I need to go. And you can quickly run inside rather than reaching in the back seat for your umbrella. Or if it’s just a drizzle, who cares if you’re parked fairly close.

But back in the late 1990s/early 2000s I worked in NYC and used mass transit to get there. I always had an umbrella in my bag and went through them fairly quickly. The spokes would bend/break, and there was always a news stand or drug store you can purchase a new one at.

Back then, these duck umbrellas were all the rage and I went through a few of them. Over the summer I saw a young couple who both had one of the umbrellas! It immediately brought me back in time to my working in NYC days. I’m thrilled to know that you can still get them on Amazon!

But right now, I’m set with umbrellas. My husband recently gave me a most gorgeous David Sylvian umbrella. You kind of wish for rain with an umbrella this amazing!

Then there’s my husband’s Led Zeppelin umbrella, which we share.

And last, but not least, the Mott the Hoople umbrella! This photo is when we were recording video footage for Ian Hunter’s song “I Hate Hate” last year. First I walked away from the camera, showing the full umbrella, then I spun around and showed my sign, “I Hate Hate.”

Still from Ian Hunter’s video “I Hate Hate” in early 2023

Here is the video I’m in….I twirl so fast you can barely see me (or the Mott umbrella), but if you pause between 2:51 to 2:53, you will see me. Nevertheless, a Mott the Hoople umbrella in an Ian Hunter video — how great is that? Plus, it’s a powerful, important message. I loved Ian Hunter since I was 13, so this is quite the honor.

If a little rain must fall, do it in style with a great umbrella! — Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

If you like this blog, feel free to support me at: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“The Gypsy Smiled” is now available in Barnes & Noble stores! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

“So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” is available at: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Extra-Ordinary-Ways-Become/dp/1733546227

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? Maryanne is a 5-star cat sitter: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

There’s No Place Like (Shopping at) Home

MPG Sport Dress

During the pandemic many people stayed home in their sweats, panicking and hoping we’d all be okay. Going to parks was lovely. Then the big thing was outdoor restaurants. But we couldn’t shop for clothes. This is when I discovered clothing box services, like Stitch Fix, Wantable, Daily Look, and Nordstrom Trunk — to name a few. I signed up for all so that every week I’d get a box. It was a form of entertainment during that horrible time.

As life started changing for the better and boutiques were opening again (and let’s be real, I’ve had some bad customer service from all the boxes, which I won’t get into), I slowly ended my subscriptions one by one.

I love shopping in great stores, especially when I have friends or my husband with me offering their opinions. I’ve scored some great pieces, as always. But let’s be honest. Sometimes life gets in the way of a good shopping experience. I was always a busy person, but this year it seems to be busier than ever, squeezing more life into a 24 hour day than I can imagine. Whether it’s a date with my husband, cat sitting, lunch with a girlfriend, or journalist events of all kinds (school, chamber luncheons, outdoor Halloween and holiday events, etc.) I need clothes — and a variety of clothes.

Shopping for myself online is annoying. First I’ll go to the brands I like most (usually Betsy Johnson), then I just pray that what I picked will come in time for an event–and that it will fit. I was thrilled that I recently scored a gorgeous Betsy Johnson dress on my own, that fits beautifully AND came on time for an outing I’m attending tonight. But that’s the exception; not the rule.

I am only 5’2″, a size 6, which is petite/medium. Then I have a big bust. But if I go up to a size 8, clothes are swimming on me.

So finding something that looks great is hard. I NEED to try before buying. Not having time to get to stores has become an issue, so I made up my mind. Let me shop at home again. In spite of all the bad customer service I’ve had in the past, I’ve decided to bite my tongue, grow some patience and give Wantables and Stitch Fix another chance. Those two were the best boxes. Sometimes they sucked, but when they were on, they were ON.

I put together a compilation of photos from the past of me wearing items that Wantables sent me that I’ve kept. (I just got a box from Wantables yesterday — and what I’ve kept is blow out — super great, so me, and so cool! I’m totally jazzed about a sandstone colored pullover; and an exciting faux fur jacket in royal blue which is blow out! I will share photos of me wearing that stuff in a future blog).

Note, most of these photos were either during the pandemic or when the pandemic was coming to an end. I’m between ages 57 and 59 in them. (Now I am 60). So maybe these photos can inspire middle-aged ladies who love to wear stylish, cool clothes!

Emmanuel Geraldo Bucket Hat (and the Love shirt came from Stitch Fix)

Wantable Good Vibes graphic tee

More Good Vibes from Interval

Z Supply Floral Dress

Some of these clothes are still in my closet; others I’ve donated. When I revitalized my accounts from Wantables and Stitch Fix and saw all the great stuff the stylists sent me, I wondered how I could have ever left them. There were bad experiences when a favorite stylist would leave and they sent me a bad stylist who didn’t “get” me. They were the problem, but so I was I. Patience is not my thing, and I needed to weather the storm and try to get another stylist that was equally as good.

Bottom line is–I really don’t have time to shop. When I visit towns like New Hope, Pennsylvania, or Woodstock, NY, I can effortlessly go from one clothing store to another. But where I am in New Jersey it’s not like that. You have to get in a car, hope to find parking, and when you do everything is so spaced out. It makes shopping a chore.

This is why I need these boxing services. And my fingers are crossed that they don’t let me down. (At least for awhile!) So, once again, I shall click my Katy Perry heels three times and say, “There is no place like (shopping at) home!”

If you liked this blog, feel free to buy me a kombucha! https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“The Gypsy Smiled” is now available in Barnes & Noble stores! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

“So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” is available at: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit: Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

I’m also a five-star cat sitter. Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? I’m available: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

Trenton fashion designer turns disability into super ability

Fashion designer, Qaysean Williams, photo courtesy of Moona Media

Last week I had the honor of interviewing fashion designer, Qaysean Williams for Trenton Journal.

He’s such a sweet person and an inspiration.

You can read my article here: https://trentonjournal.com/trenton-fashion-designer-turns-disability-into-super-ability/

Special thanks to Chandra McQueen and Arie Cameron for facilitating the interview.

If you liked this blog, feel free to buy me a kombucha: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

Pre-sales for Maryanne’s 6th book, “So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” are now available: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Twinning with Miley

Do you ever come across a celebrity photo and say to yourself, “Hey that looks familiar!!”

When I came across the above photo of Miley Cyrus in Rolling Stone magazine a few years ago, that’s exactly what I thought.

I had a photo of myself from around the mid-to-late 2000s that had a similar vibe. Hotel. Land line. Feet on the bed. Black pants. Sassy look. Such fun!

And I remember that night vividly. My husband’s band Pharaoh was performing. This was in the hotel prior to the show.

Now mind you, I didn’t copy Miley Cyrus, as my photo was taken a good 12 years before hers. But if Joan Rivers was still alive, she might say something like, “Bitch stole my look.” But I’m not that crass (though it is a funny saying that makes you laugh).

I think Miley looks great, as always! I wish I had more photos of myself with a Miley vibe.

If you liked this blog, feel free to buy me a kombucha: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

Pre-sales for Maryanne’s 6th book, “So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” are now available: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Rocking Old Gracefully

Rock Wife, night on the town

What a rock wife really looks like! 

A few weeks ago I went to get my haircut at a different salon and I heard something I never ever heard before … The hairstylist said she couldn’t picture me at a rock club; noting that I was quiet and dressed conservatively that day.

For a person who never gave a shit about hair, nails, or styles; has tattoos; and wears heavy eyeliner — all the time — this was an absurd thing to hear. (Especially since on that particular day I was bra-less).

But, after giving it much thought, yeah, I guess I do look conservative in a day and age where everything goes. From as far back as 15, I dressed “different.” But in the late 1970s, a ton of make-up, messy hair, leather jacket, and lots of new wave and punk buttons was considered radical. I got bullied for how I looked back then. Now, no one would bat an eye. Ahead of my time? Perhaps. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Fast forward a few years … I’ll never forget when I started dressing conservative, or what they’d call today “business casual.” I was in my late teens and a male friend I had a crush on said he liked the “secretary look.” I cleaned up my act of leather, ripped jeans, combat boots, and bleached blonde hair and started buying more fashionable clothing. But that got old and for the next 30 years I flip flopped back and forth between edgy and radical to simply pretty — or as the old friend would say, the secretary look.

The thing is, I was never one to pigeon-hole myself into just one look like I did as a teenager. The first time I left my punk look behind, I’d go back again and again and again, but I grew tired of people staring and calling me “punk” 24/7. In time, I liked having a choice. I’d punk out — or rock out — at a club, but then be more subtle at other times. (Nevertheless, I still stood out for the very reasons mentioned in the second paragraph).

Call me a sell-out, a cop-out, or a poser, but I know what is in my heart. I can love music without advertising it. I have one small tattoo, on my wrist, of a 45-rpm spindle, which is my “music charm” and that says it all. I don’t need to dye my hair some pastel color, continue shopping at Trash and Vaudeville, or pierce my face to make a statement. Anyone who knows me, knows I am the biggest music freak ever.

The thing is, I love to shop anywhere and everywhere. I’ll try all kinds of styles. And like my eclectic taste in music, I feel I’m equally as diverse in dress. That’s the greatest thing about being a woman — being able to experiment with clothes, hairstyles, and make-up.

I think it’s essential to really know what looks good on you as you age. I take all those “Over 50 dos and don’ts” with a grain of salt and just work the looks as I go along. There are some things I highly doubt I’d ever wear again; others I can still get away with; and then others I’m not quite there yet (so I’ll just say “no” to the jogging suits, for now!)

If this makes me the kind of person one couldn’t picture at a rock club, I am fine with that. I prefer outdoor oldies concerts, these days, anyway.

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is the author of “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Guest-List-Adventures-Music-Journalist/dp/162903908X

She’s also the author of the steamy 1980s romance, “Love Cats” also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YBGVJQS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

 

 

 

Beauty and the Bush

A naked woman is a good thing.

But in this day and age when everyone has their own militant ideas of what a bush should look like it’s enough to make any modern day woman want to resort back to the 1800s and keep it under cover. And therefore, it’s another sad truth for young people who are still dating. If it’s not bad enough young women worry about having a bad hair day on date night, now they have to obsess over how to style their bush, which is kinda ridiculous.

Years ago I had an article published in a magazine called “Exit.” The article was called, “The History of Public Hair” and taught how hairless crotches dated back to the days of Cleopatra and how full bushes came back in style during the Victorian age. I interviewed men of all ages and asked them what they preferred. It was really fun and I got some great answers.

I was surprised that contrary to bare crotches being so popular at the turn of the 21st century, a lot of men loved pubic hair. One commented, “especially if a woman is a natural redhead.” And another said he loved the bush but his wife was a natural blonde so she didn’t have enough hair “down there” for his tastes — he wanted more!

And even though bare crotches were all the rage in 2002, I interviewed one man who said they looked too much like a little girl. And another who said they looked like a plucked chicken.

As a woman, I’m an all or nothing kinda gal. I love a bare bush because the skin feels so soft — and sexy because you can see EVERYTHING! It’s perfect for days at the beach, as you don’t have to even think about hair coming out of the bikini. But I also love hair because it’s visually appealing. Nothing spells out WOMAN more than a nice patch of dark hair. (So maybe bald is good for summer and hair for winter?) One man once commented how wonderful a woman smells, naturally, when she doesn’t shave.

And honestly, I don’t go for “foo foo” crotches. The “hitler” or “landing strip” are just goofy. And as beautiful as a natural bush can be, sometimes it can really get out of hand! Just Google “Demi Moore bush” and you’ll see what I mean! But the reality is, some girls can do anything they want and still look DROP DEAD GORGEOUS! Some may laugh, but let’s face it, maybe we’re jealous that a hot chick is truly rocking the bush!

But what do I know? In the end, it’s all good. Or at least it should be. I mean seriously, GUYS, you’re in a bar with a hot chick, are you going to turn her down in the bedroom because her crotch isn’t too your liking? LIGHTEN UP!

Or ladies, are you going to make your very own girlfriends feel bad for not shaving enough or shaving too much — so much so that she’ll feel awkward getting changed in front of you if you’re getting ready for a party together? Please, let’s have some support for each other. Let’s be real women by being accepting and open-minded, not uptight and catty!

Preferences are not a bad thing. It’s what makes the world go round. We all have preferences. I prefer guys with brown hair over blonde and black. I prefer athletic or chubby guys over skinny ones. I prefer 1970s and 1980s models to modern ones. It’s all good!

But what irks me is when people let preferences rule their life to a point that makes them come across as haughty, uptight or downright mean; when people get FURIOUS when others don’t agree with them.

When an acquaintance condescendingly wrote on Face Book, “Everyone knows the bare wood floor is the way to go” in 2010, I hid her from my friend’s list and mentally marked her as “clueless.”

First of all, it was 2010, not 2001

Did you not get the memo that the “bare wood floor” is no longer in style?

Internationally recognized photographer, Richard Kern, who once photographed not only bare bushes, but bare bushes with piercings, has been going more organic, photographing ladies with very full bushes.

On the flip side I was having lunch with an acquaintance and she started getting very loud in regard to defending her decision for having a bush: “IF SOMEONE WANTS TO DATE A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD THAN HE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Ewww!

It’s just so disturbing that people associate a bare bush with pedophilia. Does this mean that women who like bald men are pedophiles too? After all babies are born with bald heads! And what about old ladies that lose their pubic hair due to medications or illness. Does that mean their husbands are pedophiles for still loving them? Please — get a life!

And it’s equally disturbing that people who view hair down there as “gross” or “unclean” or what not. Some doctors recommend having pubic hair for sanitary reasons.

All these backward thoughts are just as shallow as men who insist that since THEY don’t like short hair on women or Capri pants that no one else does. People who are so ignorant that they assume everyone is thinking like them or they are “lying.”

I’m sorry, there is not one thing in this world that 100 percent of the people in it agree on.

And, HELLO, it’s 2013!

Are we not a little more than what is going on between our legs?

So, if even just for one day, let’s all be a little more open-minded toward each others choices. Let’s not make each other stress and obsess over our looks. I mean, if you think about it, whatever your preference is, someday you may not have a choice. Do you like hairy? Well things like medications and menopause can change that. Do you like a bare bush? Well, maybe some day you might be in a situation where you’re not able to groom as you like — if you get old and can’t bend as you used to. It CAN happen!

Unless a lady is a Playboy model or a porn star, what a woman’s bush looks like is between her and her significant other(s). Sex and being sexy should feel good! Let’s stop complaining about hair or lack of and just enjoy being naked and looking at others who want to be naked. Life is too short to worry about what’s in style, who likes what, and the psychology behind what’s what.

And while a lot of us have finally come to agreement that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and ages, can we please come to agreement that so do all bushes?

Steady as She Fauxs

Ann Baxter, promotional ad wearing faux fur

With winter right around the corner, it’s time to shop for our warm coats.

It’s always a challenge for me to find something that’s very warm, yet to my liking. I’m more of a summer clothes kinda gal: open toe shoe, cut off jeans, sun dresses, etc.

And since I often work as a reporter, I don’t like to wear bulky coats because it makes it so hard to write and carry stuff like a camera. I need clothing that moves with me.

Ever since I became an animal rights person back in 1986, I just loved to wear faux fur. Faux everything in fact — faux leather (as some call it “pleather”) and everything man made.

Faux fur has been around since the 1920s and with more and more people becoming animal advocates it’s becoming more and more popular.

My late friend, Cyrinda Foxe and Justin Love, 2001

The first night I met my friend Cyrinda Foxe (RIP), I was wearing the above faux fur coat. She was wearing her grandmother’s mink. We traded coats for the evening just to be silly. Of course I don’t normally wear mink, but I made an exception because it was her grandma’s and that’s very special. Plus, I was a little tipsy.

And who am I to judge anyway? I’m such a live and let live person. I’m the one vegetarian/faux coat wearing/no animal testing make-up connoisseur who will NOT JUDGE others. So everyone can just relax around me. It’s all good.

But back to THAT COAT ….

That coat went on so many adventures with me. I saw The Buzzcocks wearing that coat. I met legendary rock photographer, Mick Rock, wearing that coat. I wore that coat almost every day in the winter when I wrote for several New York newspapers.

I may still have the coat stashed away somewhere. Or maybe I gave it to the needy. Once the inner liner ripped, I decided it was time to move on to something else and stopped wearing faux fur for several years, replacing it with other types of coats.

Now this winter, I’m back to faux fur!

My Fab Faux

I found my new FAB FAUX earlier this fall while at a street fair. It was a great buy. Not only does it keep me warm but I can wear big, snuggly sweaters underneath it.

It’s cute, it’s fun and it’s guilt-free.

I’ll wear it in good health — thank you very much!

Vintage Win!

Vintage me! (Photo by Darlene Foster, 2010)

I’m a big fan of vintage clothing and love to shop in thrift stores choosing pieces to add to my personal style which is a mixture of vintage and modern.

So I was THRILLED that I won the book, “Style Me Vintage” by Naomi Thompson by participating in Vintage Living’s contest. (Check out Vintage Living here at Word Press: http://vintagelivingmagazine.wordpress.com/)

The contest was to write about a vintage experience.

My story was that when I was a little girl, I had a Bugs Bunny doll that I loved and took everywhere. One day, in downtown Paterson on Market Street, in the 1960s, I was crossing the street with my beloved Grandmother.

I dropped my bunny in the busy street and my Grandmother stopped traffic in order to get my bunny for me.

Long gone are the 1960s and my bunny.

Or so I thought.

One day I was shopping in a vintage store in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, with my husband, and found the Bugs Bunny doll! It was old and worn and may have even been the same doll my Grandmother got me — you never know!

Of course my husband got me the bunny! Life is GOOD!

And, THANK YOU SO MUCH, VINTAGE LIVING, for the book! I will not only get some super ideas, but it will remind me of my late Grandmother every time I read it! What a blessing!