Writing this post has been difficult and it’s not what I had planned. The horrors of violence and suffering in Paris, Beirut and around the world have intermittently immobilized me over the past several days. How could I possibly write about hair and other topics of relative insignificance? How could I publish photos of a smiling face, when I have felt a range of emotions that have included sadness and grief, accompanied by confusion and disbelief? So many people have been victimized, here in the United States and across the planet. There seems to be no end to the trauma, pain and anguish that unfolds with increasing intensity.
I have no answers. Only empathy and a desire to create peace and healing within myself and respond to others with kindness and compassion. Anything that I write feels simplistic and inadequate to address the heartbreaking and unspeakable agony of so many, as I currently exist in relative privilege and safety in contrast to those who are living in overwhelming fear.
The photos that I publish today are out of focus and a bit “fuzzy,” having been taken indoors five days ago with my phone on the fly. Somehow the imperfections reflect my current status. I’m fine with it.
I have learned that creativity is healing. It is a belief that I hold dear. So I will move forward with my post today, just as I have in the past during times of uncertainty and grief.
My goal of growing out my hair from red to silver has been accomplished. Thank you Charlie Price HERE, artist extraordinaire, for cutting my hair and launching a new era. Where there is life there is hope.
Linking up with Patti’s Visible Monday HERE, Catherine’s #iwillwearwhatilike HERE and Cherie’s Shoe And Tell HERE.
Thank you to Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style for the inclusion in “20 Senior Style Instagram Accounts That Can’t Be Missed” HERE and Sylvia of 40+Style for the inclusion in “Is There A Big Difference Between Dressing For 45 Or 65 Or 85?” HERE.
You look beyond stunning! Perhaps it is the radiance of your generous and empathetic spirit as you so beautifully convey in this post, but you are literally shining in these photos. The cut is brilliant. After having lived through 9/11, I support your approach, creativity, moving forward with life despite grief and trauma is healing and you are the perfect example for us all to follow.
Accidental Icon
Je suis paris….
Creating is healing.
And you look fabulous!
Dear Judith;
Your sentiments show your greatness of spirit; your inner beauty is displayed as effectively as your outer self.
Keep up your good work, spread your empathy, and know we all admire you.
How is it possible that you look younger and even more vibrant with your hair completely silver? You look so completely stunning!
Your posts always emanate a peacefulness and loveliness, and regardless of the shock and pain we’re all feeling over the attacks in Paris, you are lending a bit of that aura with your post today. One person at a time, peace shall prevail.
You say it well and as you so intimately know, it is somewhat important to try to carry on with our lives even in the midst of pain & suffering. Hopefully we can all be nicer to those around us…and this may help bring us peace! I do love your hair Judith…it is so very chic! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
So many of us feel the same way. But as they say…life goes on; and the best thing we can do is always come from our hearts with compassion and kindness. Baby steps are better than no steps at all. And, on a side note…your hair looks great!
Love, love your new look!!!
You are simply the CUUUUUUTEST thing with a figure to match. Love the cut, the colour and the ooooola la!
You are ~ in one word ~ exquisite.
Hi Judith, thank you for your post. As always, you look beautiful. We do need some lighter notes during this time and I thank you for providing it.
Best,
Merle
I totally understand your feelings .
The world is in turmoil and that takes a toll obviously on the poor souls amidst it and those of us who watch in horror .
That said , love your hair both ways . Hoping mine will eventually get there too .
You are an inspiration , truly
Dona
You look wonderful. Your hair truly suits you.
I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments. Despite what I’ve seen other people write about not allowing it to affect us or change our habits in any way I think it is normal to feel grief and horror at such atrocious acts.
bisous
Suzanne
Your hair is Fabuloso…!
Do NOT go back to coloring plz.
Tears and Prayers for our beloved friend and city…Paris
You look even more beautiful with your platinum hair, Judith–you’re an inspiration!
Thank you for your original way of seeing the world. I so much enjoy keeping up with your shenanigans, from travel to family events to changing your hair. Your sincerity warms me and even though I am not a fashionista, your word reaffirm how all of us should choose the path right for us. Your hair made me smile during a day where smiles were few. I appreciate the toss of happy glitter!
Welcome to the very liberating life of sporting beautiful, silver hair. I let mine go natural last year and I haven’t looked back. You look positively gorgeous.
I agree, creativity is very healing.
And your over garment is stunning!
The fuzzy photos says it all……………….KEEP POSTING!Otherwise, THEY win!
Your hair looks great! Nice to see you without a hat.
I wish with all my heart and soul that the world will find peace, but I don’t think since man has been around there has been any. All these terrorism is just so senseless and leaves us all feeling quite helpless and incredibly sad for all of the victims the world over. I think you are saying what many are thinking so good on you Judith.
On a brighter note tho’, I absolutely adore your natural hair colour, you look fabulous, and it suits you very well.
Love all of this. Thank you for sharing your sentiments and I just could not agree more. The destruction of humans on other humans is something I don’t believe I’ll ever swallow. I find myself allowing for creative space during these times as it allows for a connection that people need. That I need. The ability to relate, something that seems to have been lost at times. You are such a beautiful soul – outside, including your hair, and inside! Thank you!
Thanks for you ‘sorrow’ We just returned from Paris where we have family and acquaintences….a favorite place to rent an apartment for three weeks every few years….I did like your “new hair” and appreciated seeing you without a hat….
You are a beauty and an inspiration to me, in my 70’s….
Your hair is fabulous!!!
Hello Judith, it’s the first time I’ve visited your site and won’t be the last. I was due to put a post up on my blog and like you was troubled by the inane nature of it during such a tumultuous time. But to change tack is to give in to the terrorism too. I’m sorry to hear about your own loss.
I will have to rewind to see you with red hair as I have entered at this latest juncture where you sport an elegant silver hue. I’m a redhead who is fighting to hold on to the vibrant colour that once was. It’s so lovely to take time to get to know you and I do hope we can become friends in the fullness of time.
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
Judith,
You are so beautiful with your white hair and ever so chic haircut. My first thought when I saw this picture was “how stunning”. The fact is you have always been stunning.
beautiful sentiment. beautiful photos.
I am feeling overwhelming grief and sadness for Paris and it’s victims. The people of France are in incredible pain. My heart is with them. You look lovely as always but different. I can’t explain it.
I fear to write about what happened because it seems trite, empty, even when what I feel is far from it. You put it well. Fuzzy photos. Creativity is never ever a bad thing, neither is joy nor kindness.
And your hair is freaking gorgeous!! Beam that light all over the place, please!!
Dear Judith,
Your post really touched my heart.
I too have been feeling so many mixed emotions in the last few day, weeks even.
How can I be so shallow as to enjoy clothes, hair makeup etc when so many people around the world are living with terror and grief?
I was actually in London this weekend enjoying rare time with my beautiful son when we heard the news in Paris. Should we stop everything?
We both came yo the conclusion that we were in deed extremely fortunate to be able to live our lives in comparative safety and happiness, acknowledging too that we have also experienced our own difficult times.
I conclude that we owe it to both the people who suffer and to those who would wish us to suffer to live our lives as fully as possible, whilst counting our blessings and doing what we can, if we can, to help those less fortunate.
I hope this makes sense. Like you I have a sense of ‘fuzziness’.
Kind regards,
Shahin from the north of England
Dear Judith,
You express what so many of us feel. Deep sorrow and agony about what is going on in the world, and also deep bewilderment and feelings of helplessness: What can we do? Like you, I believe in the healing power of creativity, of trying to live in peace with oneself and the people around, to create hope and beauty, as best as we can. Your compatriot, the writer Marilyn French said that we need to take care of JOY, to pass it on to our children and grandchildren. Thank you for doing it in your own way!
Lisbet
Thank you for saying so well what many of us are feeling. There is still light in Paris, and everywhere, but sometimes the dark blots it out. You bring light with your words and by posting these gorgeous pictures. Your hair is stunning!
xox,
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
We all feel the sadness and helplessness but do not see your blog as frivolous. We need to still move forward and maintain the lifestyle and freedoms that those before us have fought for. If you distract us for a moment from the heartbreaking sorrow, that is a good thing. We cannot let the goal of these few madmen be accomplished and have us continually live in fear and sadness. We can continue to live, be strong, represent our beliefs and work in our own way to assist those in need, here or abroad. You continue please and give us that little light of hope that some of the world is still normal.
If we let the terrorists derail our lives from what we find beautiful then they win. Not only do they wish to take the big things from us–our freedom being the greatest–they also would take our ability to enjoy everyday things that our very rich society affords us, and that they eye with envy. Today my college music students do their singing exams, and I will take comfort in knowing that these young people strive to create this beautiful music that can touch the soul and bring grace and healing. We celebrate with you the freedom that we have to pursue the beauty in life.
Beauty in the face of adversity! That gown and your hair are incredible and just the tonic most of us need after a diet of constant devastation since Friday night. Thank you. xxx
It is in times of trouble that we must cling all the tighter to the beauty in life. This is the first time I have visited your blog and I am happy that I did.
The sense of discomfort and incongruence you describe at posting images of ourselves with discussions of clothes or hair in the face of terrible violence and devastating grief – I understand it completely. But what else can we do but continue to live our lives, acknowledging our fear and helplessness and outrage? No answers, as you say.
Your hair looks so chic with your new crop and colour, and the dress is almost medieval in its elegance. You look glorious. xxx
You are absolutely right, where there is life, there is hope. So many of us are having very similar feelings as yours about the events of the past few days, and there are no easy answers. I am working on another post about my New York visit, and while it seems trivial to be writing about vintage clothing when all around you seems to be falling apart, but all I can do is continue to embrace the things that give me joy, and hope that others find them entertaining as well.
Your new haircut is lovely, and the transition is now complete! The smile is the same, but I have to remind myself that is you – changing the colour of one’s hair can make a major difference in their appearance. Do you think the hair colour change will affect your choice of colours in your clothing?
I believe that beauty and heart and empathy and wishes for peace will always win out, always. Even when words are inadequate for such terrible, unspeakable
as last Friday in Paris. There is nothing to say, yet
saying something matters greatly. Compassion, which you have such a gift for, is always timely.
Cloak that in timeless
Beauty and ageless style as you and only you can, and that’s a winning combination and real Light in the face of darkness. Thank you for being who you are! Love, Janine
You expressed exactly what I have been feeling but with far more eloquence than I ever could.
Your hair is beautiful and suits you so well, you are stunning!
We need smile like yours to buoy us.
I’m not sure yet about how the hair color change will affect my choice of clothing colors. I’ve been experimenting. I would hate to have to give up orange!!! Thanks for asking, Shelley!
Judy,
I think anyone with any conscience my be disturbed with what is going on through out the world and those displaced because of selfish causes. I too feel such empathy and compassion for those fleeing from the merciless killings.
On the other hand, you new hair color and style is very becoming. Good choice; I too had red hair for 30 years and went through the transition in my late 50’s. I have never regretted it. I hope you enjoy you new found look.
One more comment/question please ~~ wherever did you find that incredible wrap? It is stunning .. Leg o’ mutton sleeves are so flattering especially with your new hair style!!
You look absolutely stunning. I find the new color so full of youth and beauty. I’ve always admired your style and grace, but the new “blonde” enhances everything. It’s so “you!” Thank you for showing us how to live gracefully.
I know what you mean about trivial matters like hair compared to the world being on fire. But we cannot make this world right by not blogging anymore. Blogging is in a way making something nice as a (counter) balance. So I am glad you went ahead. And how!!!
You look amazing. You always did of course but I really, really like this new look. Only a classic beauty can wear hair like this, short and grey/white. I know. I have seen it before. It doesn’t work on everybody.
And then the stunning dress!! No info on that but boy oh boy does that look good.
Perfection.
Greetje
Yes, creativity is healing. These images of you are part of that – so beautiful. The world needs all the beauty it can get. I love your hair and the new color palette!!
http://boisdejasmin.com/2015/11/uplifting-power-of-beauty.html
Dear Judith,
The link above should take you to an article posted today on the bois de jasmin perfume blog. The writer expresses so beautifully, WHY we need beauty in the face of all the violence and turmoil in the world. Beauty is not frivolous, but a reminder there is still good, still joy and still love in living… I am intending this is a small but vital contribution to the above comments of so many peaceful souls… Thank You for the opportunity to share, and btw, your hair is GORGEOUS!!
Warmly,
Chris
Judith,
I have been following you on Instagram and now your blog and I admire so much about you. Besides thinking you look fabulous with your beyond-red color, I greatly appreciate your beautiful heart and your willingness to touch the subject of profound grief colliding with beauty and fashion. Thank you.
Lisa
Your hair looks absolutely lovely Judith – welcome to the silver club!
Hello~ I just discovered you and this post. You are a breath of fresh air to me!
I look forward to reading about and following along on your journey. Thank you!
Your new hair color is stunning! You’re so beautiful, but this color makes you even more so… Brava! Brenda
I love your new hair color and style. Very attractive and completely agree with you on your feelings but we need to continue to think positive as you have and did. Thanks for sharing your new Do. Love Vena