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Maybe they should rename it FOFashion week…

New York City’s Fashion Week is dominated not by FUF models, but by the FOFashion forward, from Franca Sozzani, editor in chief of Vogue Italia, to jewelry designer, Efva Attling, Sweden’s queen of bling. It’s also our FOFavorite place to scope out style worth stealing. Check out these 3 street styles from Fashion Week and then, get them for less.

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Patterned Tights
Once reserved for leggy waifs, patterned tights have made a comeback on more shapely sisters…namely, shapely FOF sisters. Trust us, ladies, the fashion future is hosey. “We may have varicose veins, sun spots or cellulite,” says Hallie Peterson, owner of Leg Luxury tights. “so, when we cover our legs with patterns, it looks a lot better than going bare or even wearing regular nude hose.” Glenyse G. Thompson of styleosophy.com agrees. “They add unexpected texture and/or color to your outfit.”

Get the look: Leg Luxury tights, $22 from the FabOverFifty shop

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Itty Bitty Bags
We’re all grown up, but our bags are shrinking?! We’re talking about itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny,  honey-I-shrunk-the handbags. “Fashion is having an Alice in Wonderland moment, with exaggerated proportions flinging outfits into thrilling disarray,” according to the fashion website and store, Asos.com. If your own body proportions give you agita, there’s nothing like a dinky dollhouse-sized bag to throw them for a loop!

Get the look: Mini Metallic Quilted Cross Body Bag, $21.49 from Asos.com

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A Fur Collar
When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than a fur collar–preferably detachable–to give it more va-voom! As the weather warms, you can remove it and keep your statement coat working a bit longer. “[A fur collar is] a cool addition to a fitted sweater, a sheath dress or a narrow coat.” says FOF Style Guru Terry Gibralter. “ Well said, Terry… and well worn, Fashion Week FOFs.

Get the look: Helene Berman Faux Fur Collar $46 from TheOutnet

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Tricia Milaneze, owner of Lavish Jewelry, is giving away this colorful, hand-crocheted bracelet. Enter to win by answering in the comments below: What do you wear on your wrists?

Tricia Milaneze recalls a time several years ago when she almost abandoned her jewelry business entirely. A single mother to two children on the autistic spectrum, Tricia, age 36, was also working a demanding “day job” as an immigration attorney. “I had a good position at the law firm, a good salary and insurance. But my jewelry orders started to get bigger and my clients started to complain because they couldn’t reach me. I couldn’t do both things well. I had a feeling I’d lose what I had built with the jewelry business if I didn’t dedicate myself to it full time. So, I left my law job.”

Her chutzpah has paid off…in 2011 she made more than a million dollars in sales, and her beaded baubles were featured in InStyle and Lucky. Plus, Tricia’s jewelry is now for sale in the FOF Shop!

We spoke to Tricia about how she and her team create Lavish’s unique designs.

Your jewelry is handmade in Brazil, but you operate your business out of Miami. How does that work?
I’m originally from Brazil, but in 2000 I moved just north of Miami, where I operate Lavish. Each piece is designed by me and crocheted by artisans in Brazil. I still visit Brazil often, but it helps that my brother lives there–he is my business partner.

Tell me about the creative process when producing your jewelry.
We start with an idea on a piece of paper, but because we work with wire, a lot of the pieces end up looking different then the original drawings. We have to see how the wire is going to behave. We change a little here, a little there…the creative process is very dynamic. We make a few pieces first, and from those we develop a whole collection.

What materials do you use?
Copper wire–because it’s very flexible–and glass beads.

Where do you sell your pieces?
I sell in the U.S. and also internationally–Japan, London and Italy–mostly in boutiques, catalogs and a few department stores. I am also now selling my jewelry in the FOF Shop. I’m hustling it.

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Enter to win this hand-embroidered bracelet by answering in the comments below: What do you wear on your wrist: a bracelet, a watch, both, or nothing at all?

One FOF will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes March 1, 2012 at midnight E.S.T.

We’ve all heard “rags to riches” stories, but what about the other way around? FOF Norma Byrd, a successful California interior designer went from decorating multi-million dollar homes to sleeping on friends’ couches. It could have been any of us…

[Editor's note: The essay below, by FOF Norma Byrd, is part of a series of personal blogs from our readers. Have your own story to tell? Email your idea to geri@faboverfifty.com.]

When I’d see a homeless person with a hand-scrawled sign standing at an intersection, I wondered “How? Why?”  If you were industrious and conscientious such a thing could never happen to you… right?

Wrong. Three years ago I learned the hard way that it could happen, because it happened to me.

I’m an interior designer and have made a modest living since 1986. I built strong relationships with my clients and even became the president of my local chapter of the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers).

But, in 2000, I embarked on a fast train to disaster. I sold my condo and bought a 1947 vintage house in a lovely San Diego, California neighborhood. I felt I should have a home reflecting my personal design tastes–a showcase of my work that would one day meet my needs for retirement.

My mortgage broker and friends asked if I would be able to handle the stiff payments needed to make my dream home a reality. I was sure that if I couldn’t, I’d simply sell the new house. I never thought it would come to that.

Enter unplanned exigencies. The architect took two years to complete construction plans; the bank took another year to approve and fund the loans. Demolition revealed that the existing foundation and flooring systems couldn’t support the new structure, setting back the whole operation even more. The cost of building and materials rose dramatically; real estate went into decline, and I was running out of funds with the house nowhere near completion. Then, a major client, a successful builder, virtually went out of business, taking my major source of income with him. In desperation, I borrowed heavily against extensive credit card limits and maxed them all out trying to pay subcontractors working on my house.

In September of 2008, I moved into the unfinished house living for months without heat or electricity. I was still clinging to hope that some miracle would save me. In 2009 the unthinkable happened–my dream home and an investment property I had mortgaged for the new construction, both foreclosed.

I have never experienced such wrenching heartbreak in seventy-plus years. I was forced to leave my home, which at the time was only six percent from completion. I had no money, no savings, no investments–nothing left. I sold my SUV, put the rest of my possessions into storage and for the next fifteen months lived with friends. It was tough not to beat myself up for taking on something so monumental and then blowing it completely. There were times over the past three years, I wondered if I’d be joining those homeless people on the street corners, and without friends, maybe I would have.

In October of 2010, I moved from San Diego, where I’d lived for 47 years, to Durango, Colorado. There, with state aid and Social Security, I moved into my own tiny apartment. I’m adjusting. I still hope to get my design business going again, so that I can get back on my own two feet. The venerable adage, “If God leads you to it, he’ll lead you through it,” has never been more true. Life has not given up on me–there’s something good to come, but I have to help make it happen. AND… I WILL SURVIVE!

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We’ve all heard that there are health benefits to drinking red wine . . . in moderation. (Put that bottle down, FOF.) Resvitale created a line of supplements that provide high concentrations of resveratrol–red wine’s potent anti-oxidant–so you can harness its benefits without becoming a lush. Seven of our members tested Resvitale’s Collagen Enhance 1000 mg, a daily oral supplement that combines resveratrol, hyaluronic acid and collagen proteins. Resvitale claims it will “restore your skin’s elasticity . . .” and “diminish fine lines and wrinkles.” But what did our FOF testers think?

Quick take: 5 out of 7 testers would recommend this to other FOFs.

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SHIRLEY RAMIREZ – New York, NY

Was this product easy to use?
Yes–very. I started to take two pills a day but then increased it to four for more intense benefits

Did you notice any changes in your skin?
Yes, my skin felt firmer, and I received some compliments about my skin from people who didn’t know that I was using this. Two people at work commented that my skin looked nice and glowing.

{click here to read all the reviews!}

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According to Somme, their 5-Step Regimen (retail value: $298) “transforms the skin…improving its tone, texture and clarity while reducing the signs of aging.” Heard it all before, you say?

Well, the team of researchers and dermatologists at Somme Institute swear this isn’t the same old story.

The institute was founded in 1994 on the premise that “skin care companies should deliver the claims they promise.” Seven years later, the team discovered MDT5 or Molecular Dispersion Technology 5, a now-patented compound used in all Somme’s skincare products. Reps claim that MDT5 allows the active ingredients to penetrate the skin 3-4 millimeters deep, deeper than ingredients are able to penetrate with other skin care products on the market.

Somme Institute is giving 7 FOFs the chance to test their 5-Step Regimen which includes:

Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser
Claim: Deep cleans the skin while leaving it feeling dewy, soft and refreshed.

Step 2: Transport (exfoliant)
Claim: Promotes resiliency, hydration and cell renewal.

Step 3: Serum
Claim: Helps reduce the visible signs of premature aging, smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and evens skin tone.

Step 4: A-Bomb (moisturizer)
Claim: Helps soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles while targeting other problem areas, such as poor skin texture and dryness. Calms and soothes the skin while promoting skin’s vitality and firmness.

Step 5: Double Defense (sunscreen with SPF 30+)
Claim: Protects skin from premature aging while locking in vital moisture.

We want you to tell us: Is it high fives for this five-step regimen…or did it leave you hanging?

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7 FOFs will test these products. Click here to find out more about them, and then leave a comment below for a chance to test them. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes February 29, 2012 at midnight E.S.T.

Want to be guaranteed a product to test? Join the FOF Beauty Club now!

Fashion Flash time! This week, it’s hosted by Menopause Makeover, the go-to site for tips on weight loss during menopause, researched and written by FOF author Staness Jokenos who successfully executed her own 12-week menopause makeover and ended up in better shape than she was in her twenties (see her amazing before and afters). Check out her advice and enjoy all the other links from our fab Fashion Flash friends.

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A good (single) FOF man is hard to find. That’s why we couldn’t resist playing cupid this week when Stan Frantz, our 59-year-old email programmer, mentioned that he’s looking for love. Stan is a lifelong bachelor, but don’t let that scare you, ladies. He’s creative, smart, kind, financially secure, an animal lover . . .

Well, we’ll let him speak for himself. Take a look at Stan’s story, below. If you think you or someone you know could be a good match, leave a comment about why! We’ll choose 3 finalists to send on a date with Stan, and let our members vote on the final choice. It’s Love Connection . . . FOF style.

About Me:
I’m 59; I live in Northampton, PA.
I’m looking for someone to share my life with, a soul mate, but I am open to meeting and getting to know anyone who just wants to spend some quality time together enjoying life.

I would like to be with someone who is curious, open and easy-going, taking life as it comes. You should be able to give of yourself easily, be loving, caring, kind and gentle. Conversely, you should also be open to receive tenderness, intimacy and caring when it is offered. Most importantly, you see my life as it is and want to share yours with me, becoming true partners in all that life has to offer us.

I live in a 200 year old log cabin in the country on about 3 acres of meadow and woods with a creek through it. I have a vintage barn I have converted into a workshop and studio. My home is my dream come true and I love working on it and my gardens. I have a deep appreciation for nature and find great peace and happiness there. I especially love all animals and have many furry and feathered friends.

I really enjoy meeting and talking to anyone and everyone. The amazing variety of human nature intrigues me and keeps me curious and involved. I love to make people laugh and I’m good at it.

I am financially secure but not at all materialistic. I prefer the simple and useful over the flashy and expensive. I am creative and artistic and always working on making something. I am proud of being very self-sufficient; I can make, fix, or build just about anything.

I’ve done quite a bit of traveling pursuing both my passion for surfing and interest in world cultures. Usually I prefer the low budget approach (i.e. staying in a village in a local family’s hut) rather than a luxury resort, but can go upscale too. In the past year I’ve been to Hawaii, Nova Scotia 3 times, California twice, and spent my birthday surfing in Peru last winter.

I loved Nova Scotia so much I bought 3 acres overlooking the ocean and will be building a summer cabin up there this summer. I am excited and looking forward to taking on this new adventure, but at the same time know I will miss my current home, garden and animals. But such is life. You have to make choices. Finding the right balance, that’s the challenge isn’t it?

So what do you think, FOF? Could you or someone you know be right for Stan?  Comment below and tell us why. Then we’ll play cupid…xo

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FOFs Lynne Gerhards and Lori Mulligan are giving away three bottles (approx. 180 servings) of Pure Inventions, their flavored water enhancer. Enter to win by answering in the comments below: Next to water, what do you drink most?

Anyone who has been on a diet–whether to lose weight or get healthy–knows what the beverage options are: water, water and more water. So healthy! So boring! That’s why FOFs Lynne Gerhards and Lori Mulligan, two nutritionists and friends, created Pure Inventions liquid water enhancer, a calorie-free, chemical-free, sodium-free, nutritious water enhancer. The drops–which are portable and can be added to any flat or carbonated water–range in flavor from vanilla creme and pineapple coconut to peach and chocolate cocoa. And they actually taste delicious…we tried them. “If you replace one 20-ounce sugary beverage a day, you’ll cut 9,000 calories of sugar per month,” says Lynne. We’ll drink to that! Here we chat with Lori and Lynne about Pure Inventions and staying healthy after fifty.

What did you two do before you created Pure Inventions?
Lynne: Lori was raising a family and I was running a country club. We got our certified clinical nutrition degrees and opened up a practice in September 2001.

Lori: We wanted to create something that would get our clients to drink more water.
We worked with scientists–giving them the concept that we wanted–and they figured out how to fit it all in that little bottle. In addition to flavor, the drops also provide antioxidants, fruit extracts, green tea extracts and other nutritional benefits.

Do Pure Inventions extracts contain sweetener?
Lori: Yes. Many of our clients wanted to go off diet soda, but were still looking for something sweet tasting. We use extract from the Lo-han fruit. It’s nicknamed the ‘longevity fruit,’ because it grows in countries that have an unusually high number of residents who live past 100. It’s also low glycemic, has zero calories and is one hundred times sweeter then sugar. It’s used in Chinese medicine for digestion, respiratory problems and regulating blood sugar. The other sweetener we use is Stevia. It’s from the Stevia plant, has no chemicals, and there’s no processing. It’s also great for digestion and blood sugar.

Why is Pure Inventions important for FOFs?
Lori: With menopause, your metabolism slows down, and you gain weight. You can age quicker if you’re not eating well and exercising. This can at least solve the drink issue–to get you off soda, diet soda and sugary drinks.

Do you have a favorite flavor?
Lori and Lynne: The vanilla creme. When you add it to sparkling water, it tastes like cream soda! We also like using our fruit extracts over plain yogurt or oatmeal or as a cocktail mixer.

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Enter to win three bottles of Pure Inventions (approx. 180 servings), flavored liquid water enhancer by answering in the comments below: Next to water, what do you drink most?

One FOF will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes February 23, 2012 at midnight E.S.T.

Can’t wait to find out if you won? FOFs receive 35% off all Pure Inventions products when you enter code PUREFAB50 at checkout. Valid from February 16, 2012 to February 23, 2012.

It ain’t just paint anymore…  Nail polish manufacturers are reaching deep into their bottles of tricks and putting out futuristic polishes that do everything from fight fungus to change color with your mood. Jane Jetson, are you listening?

Tell us, FOFs: Are these nail polish tricks for kids? Or, are these innovations–FOFabulous?

Enter to win a bottle of polish that changes color with your mood from Expressions by Almar and fungus-fighting polish from Dr.’s REMEDY in new spring shades by answering in the comments below: What’s on your nails right now?

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Two top podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, were tired of seeing patients with brittle, discolored and fungus-laden nails. Knowing that a leading cause of these unsightly disorders are the toxins in many commercial nail polishes, they set out to create their own non-toxic, anti-fungal products. The result: Dr.’s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish which uses all-natural ingredients including garlic bulb (known to fight fungus and bacteria) and tea tree oil (known to have antiseptic and anti-fungal qualities).
daniPro antifungal infused nail polish, $25; Dr.’s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish, $17

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Nail polish that peels off: usually not a good thing, right? Well, one company, Sula, thinks peel has appeal. “When you want to change colors, there’s no remover necessary,” their website says. Remover-averse FOFs, rejoice! Still not convinced? Vote, no way.
Suncoat polish & peel, $8.99; Sula Paint & Peel Polish, $9

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Mood rings were groovy when we were kids; now one company, In the Mood, has gone all nail-stalgic on us with nail lacquer that changes color depending “on your body temperature, your mood, the heat of your cup of coffee, or even while you’re holding an ice cold lemonade!” But, can it handle our hot flashes and menopausal mood swings?
In The Mood Color Changing Nail Polish, $8;  Almar Mood Color Changing Nail Polish, $5 for a set of 4

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A few companies are manufacturing a nail top coat that gives your manicure a “crackle” effect. Paint your nails one color underneath, then choose and apply a top coat in a contrasting shade. The top coat “shatters” revealing your “hidden” color underneath. The result: a rugged, weathered manicure; like “shabby chic” for your nails. We can’t help but wonder: do we really need our nails to look aged, too?
OPI Shatter Collection Nail Lacquer, $6.40; Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat, $6.99

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Why would you want nails that smell like flowers or coconut? If you have to ask, you sooo don’t get it. Okay, we’ll be honest–we sooo don’t get it. Asking people to take a whiff of your nails is undeniably tacky… but having the scent of roses linger long after you gently stroke your FOF man’s cheek, well, that could be sexy. We’ll let you decide.
Dior Vernis Scented Nail Polish, $23;  Revlon Scented Nail Enamel, $4.79;  Coconut Scented Polish from Forever 21, $2.80

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People have always said your personality is magnetic. Shouldn’t you have nails to match? A few companies have released polishes formulated with reactive metallic particles. When you wave the magnetic cap over your freshly painted nails, the particles in the polish move, creating stunning designs. Don’t worry, while your nails will attract a lot of attention, they won’t attract stray paper clips from your desk–the charge simply isn’t that strong. Getting through airport security checks–well that’s another story….
Layla Magneffect Nail Polish, $15.50; Nails Inc Magnetic Polish, $16 at Sephora

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Hologram stickers never ceased to amaze us as kids, and now you can get that awe-inspiring shimmer on your nails. After you give yourself a hologramicure, shake your fingers–your nail laquer will appear to color-shift in a trippy, rainbow-prism-like pattern. Totally psychedelic or too FOFar out?
Nails Inc Electric Lane Holographic Glitter Top Coat, $10 from Sephora;  Milani 3D Holographic Polish, $4.99

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Enter to win polish that changes color with your mood from Expressions by Almar and fungus-fighting polish from Dr.’s REMEDY in new spring shades by answering in the comments below: What’s on your nails right now?

[Plus, one woman will win a pair. To enter, answer this question in the comments below: What would you like our style scouts to find next? (tshirts? jeans? comfortable shoes?)!]

Paired with a tunic, big sweater, cardigan or even long, layered tees, a great pair of leggings can become a wardrobe staple. But the wrong leggings can result in muffin tops, panty-lines and jiggling. So we sent our fashion scouts on a search for the perfect FOF leggings. Here . . . their picks.

Lysse Leggings, $54 and up. (Recommended by FOF Style Scout Linda Cohen.)
FOF Beth Gold Cohen, 58, a longtime retail buyer for Macy’s, was 52 when she was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. The treatments caused her to gain a lot of weight in a short time. “I always liked to wear leggings,” she explains, “But now the waistband cut right into my stomach…or rolled down completely.” Her solution was to hand sew in a control top that smoothed her waist and eliminated the muffin top. Today, Beth is cancer-free and the founder and president of Lysse Leggings, a line with a cult following. “It’s 4-way stretch and 14-percent Spandex–which is a lot for a cotton legging. It really holds you in everywhere,” she explains. “The waist sits high, and there’s an extra shapewear component in the waistband that eliminates the muffin top.” Plus, leave a comment below to enter to win your own pair!

Apifeni Leggings, $78 and up.
Danielle Dobin, 38, designed Apifeni leggings with post-pregnancy mommies in mind, but soon after launch, she saw that over 50 percent of her customers were FOFs. “As we age, our muscles relax a bit–our skin isn’t as firm,” she says. “My leggings are ultra high-waisted–they go right up to the bra line–so they eliminate any rolls and smooth you out.” An added bonus: they won’t reveal your belly when you bend over to do pushups or downward dogs at the gym. To get the perfect fit, Danielle suggests contacting an Apifeni Style Director in your area.

Flexees Shapewear Leggings by Maidenform, starting at $24.
“They really suck you in, and you can still breath!” says FOF Style Guru Glenyse Thompson, founder of Styleosophy. “If you have some wobble in your thighs and backside, these conceal it. Tunics and sweaters just glide over them. My trick is to go up a size. I normally would wear a medium; in Flexees I buy a large to get the extra length at the waistline and ankles. Seriously, I own 6 pairs.”

One woman will win a pair of Tight Ankle Lysse Leggings [value: $58] in her size. To enter, answer this question in the comments below: What would you like our style scouts to find next? (tshirts? jeans? comfortable shoes?)