Something triggered me to write this post. Actually, it was two things. The first was a blog post that Michelle of Shelbee On the Edge wrote. It was about her love of cloche hats and plaid.
Shelbee on The Edge! What a Hat! I keep thinking about the book “Go, Dog, Go” by P.D. Eastman and “Do You Like My Hat?”
Remember this? Remember? I swear this was one of my faves and my childrens’ faves. In fact, we have a family joke of sorts. When we show up with a new or different hat, we’ll say to each other “Do you like my hat?”….and we all know the reference point!!
The second was a “like” on my Instagram feed. The like was from a hat designer, Marie Mercié. After I checked her IG account, I loved the photos of various hats and began to follow her.
This is a fun feed and I highly recommend checking it out!!
And all this got me to thinking.
About hats.
My mother, I’m talking about the late 1950’s into the late 1960’s, always wore a hat when she was dressed for an “occasion”. Whether it was a party, or out to dinner or to Mass or to a luncheon—she always wore a hat.
And she wore those hats quite well. My favorite of all her hats was a cute little number that resembled a bouquet of lilacs sitting upon her head. There are no photos of this particular chapeau, but I remember it so well. The color of the lilacs, with little spots of yellow to resemble pollen and small green leaves scattered about were a delight to look at. With her olive-toned skin and pitch-black hair, and red lipstick, this hat looked beautiful on her. And it has been a lasting memory of how pretty she was.
Here’s a sketch I did. This lilac hat fit close to her head and it was so beautiful. My mother had black, black hair and just looked wonderful whenever she wore this hat. I honestly wish I had a photograph of her in it. She wore it with a gray coat. Very nice pairing!
Even as a young girl, my mother always made sure that I had a hat to match my coats. I had hats like the ones the infamous Madeline wore.
I took this photo from MY Madeline book. Yes. I still have it. And those hats. Oh Dear God. I loved my navy one….
And I wore this with a Black Watch Plaid coat. The plaid seed was planted when I was a young girl!
I wore wool berets. And to this day, I can’t find a decent one to fit my head. Oops! Gotta get back to France to buy one!
My mother’s other obsession with hats was that they kept body heat in during the winter. I do have to agree with her there. I may walk around sockless during the winter—and I may substitute a blazer for a winter coat—because as long as my head is warm, my body is warm!
And might I add–there was a time when my bio hair was so thick that I really didn’t need a hat. I’m not kidding! Do you like Roman’s Giant’s hat?
Let’s take a look of some of my present headwear.
This Nordic number is one of my deep winter faves. It really keeps me warm…
Another little knit number..
A knit beret. I’m still on the search for the perfect wool beret!
I would love to add that I like hats much better when I’m wearing longer hair.
I love this inexpensive Primark hat. It’s really cute!
I only know that this hat was in the downstairs closet. I think it belongs to one of my kids!
I call this my George Costanza hat. If you watch Seinfeld, then you know what I mean!
That gray beret again! Much better with longer hair!
And my favorite hat–this cap that was my dad’s favorite. He bought it many years ago on a visit to Ireland. I feel like he’s with me when I have it on!
And that brings me to the entertainment aspect.
I was entertained by Shelbee’s blog post. In fact, I’m constantly entertained by her blog posts. She always manages to tell a story!
And that’s what I want to talk about—blogs that tell a story. I don’t know what others are looking for when reading a blog. But, when I read one, I want to be entertained. I want to read a story. I’m not looking for a novel—just a simple story about the blog’s subject.
What I’ve found daunting in my quest to peruse the blogosphere in search of blogs geared to the “mature” woman, is that many of the “mature” women blogs are, or have gone the way of those blogs that have morphed into, one large advertisement. I’ve stopped reading quite a few blogs that I previously loved because of this.
I want a story. I want details. I want to see a bit of humor. I want the human touch and mostly, I want engagement.
One of the most engaging, visually delightful, funny, charming and just plain fun is The Vintage Contessa.
Elizabeth always makes me laugh with her stories of her adventures and life in her house with a pet pig and her Italian husband. She’s quite the fun character and I love her blog!
La Contessa. Honest to God, this is one great blog and always puts a smile on my face!
One blogger that I’ve really come to admire and respect is Catherine Summers of “Not Dressed As Lamb” She’s an incredibly successful blogger who manages to tell a story even when she is publishing a sponsored post. She’s honest and transparent and she’ll call you out. I’ve been called out on an anti-aging issue and she made me stop and think. I gotta respect that. She’s a good egg!
Catherine Summers of “Not Dressed As Lamb”. I’m digging that cape. Big time!
But my point is that she isn’t posting a photo of her and only adding a link on where to purchase. She’s got substance. She will write something engaging in addition to adding a link!
I adore Penny, the “FrugalFashionShopper”. Her posts are always entertaining. She’s chatty and her writing is just so conversational. She tells a story. AND she slays hats! She’s a glad hatter!
Want to know more about thrifting? Then follow Penny!!!! She’s also a great story writer!
Naturally, there are more blogs that I enjoy. Head over to my Blogger and Vloggers page and you’ll see my regulars. I also started to add Instagrammers that I follow but the list is so long. If you would like to see all of those I follow in IG, head over to my feed @atypical60 and check out who I follow.
I have to admit, I’m still on the fence with IG’ers who have like 50,000 followers and only follow around 200 people. It leads me to believe that someone purchased their followers—so I tend to not follow those feeds. But that’s just me. The majority of those on Instagram that I follow have smaller numbers and I like it that way.
So that’s about it for today. I’ve got to clean out the kitchen to make way for the Christmas baking and to store ingredients. That’s be a chore—I’m just wondering how many containers with moldy contents I’ll find. I’m scared!! It’s been crazy/busy around here with the preparations. So please forgive me for not posting more during this Holiday time!
Off to clean!!
Torn jeans and barefoot. The perfect ensemble for cleaning out the fridge!
If you have any suggestions for blogs that you think would be a great read, please—add them down in the comments!!!! It would be great to share!!
Have a great day. And for your added entertainment, I’ve added a video of my favorite cookbooks! Hope you enjoy. If you do, please subscribe to my YouTube channel—you’re helping me tons if you do. Thanks so much.
I love hats and I just ordered a new beret today. You know that fur thing you are wearing. I swear it looks just like mine that I bought back in 1968 and still have! And Penny is an inspiration. I started my 2nd Loved 1st Friday linkups after being inspired by her constant finds. I had thrifted a lot and always included them in my posts but decided I needed to feature super stylist women like her who did it. Fun post. Take care, Terri
Hi Terri! Where did you order the beret? Is it wool? LOL. That hat–it was five bucks at Primark two years ago. I love it because it reminds me of the Seinfeld episode!! Ohhh…I’m so glad that you like Penny. I think she’s great!!! XOXOXOXO
I always get them from eBay-They come out of New York. There is a Polish company on ETSY they I keep meaning to order from because they have amazing colors!
Oh, and they are all wool.
Ahh, Terri, thanks so much for saying I was an inspiration – such nice thing to say! So glad you started your sharing session and I’ll be there asap. Very best wishes xxxxxx
Yes, a good post often include a meaningful story. With luck it also shows a creative approach and emotions. Well, you did it with this one Catherine. Great read. Job very well done!
Hi Dominique!! Thanks so much!!! Always look forward to your blog, IG feed and comments!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Ditto! Thanks Catherine.
Hahaha, a hat is all one needs to have a happy day! And spread happiness around too 🙂
When I was little I kind of hated wearing a hat. Now I have a problem that hat is ruining my hair-do. It’s like I just can’t win haha. Although, all jokes aside- a good warm hat is a must! 🙂
OMG
The fur hat rocks on you!!!!
Love it!!!!
YES!
GO DOG GO………was MY FAVORITE TOO!DO you think it had anything to do with the way I TURNED OUT!!!!!!!!Now, where was MY HAT I MADE AND SENT TO YOU!!!!!!!!WRONG SEASON…….have you put that on a straw hat?YOU MUST!
Tomorrow I have a new blog post up on AGELESS STYLE…………MY VICTIM Is a REAL LIVE MODEL…….or WAS IN HER DAY!I too sent her MY FLOWERED BANDS for her SHOP and you know what?If you watch all the way to the end she is wearing ONE in the LUXEMBOURG GARDENS in PARIS!!!!!!MY FLOWERED BAND MADE IT TO PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU GIRLFRIEND for the BEAUTIFUL write UP…………….
I have NO IDEA what I AM doing but I AM having FUN!!!!!!
TODAY, I was recognized in a shop for my INSTAGRAM!!!!!!!!YOU would have thought I was a STAR!She was HYSTERICAL………….asked to have her photo with me!Come to find out she lives about 12 minutes away from me!I WILL HAVE HER FOR DINNER OR LUNCH as she just ADORES BANKSY!The TEA CUP PIGGY!!!!!!!MADE MY MONTH and than to get a TEXT from SANDRA SALLIN saying I was on YOUR BLOG……………WELL that put me OVER THE MOON!
OFF TO LISTEN TO YOUR YOU TUBE and FOLLOW!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Hi Elizabeth!1 My floral band is away with my summer stuff! I should have taken her out and worn her!! Oh My!!! I’m so sorry!!! LOL. I love Sandy Sallin–she’s so cute and I can’t wait to see the Carol Burnett special. I hope that you two are on camera if there is a shot of the audience!! Thank you for subbing to my youtube channel!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
REMEMBER we are right behind TOM SELLECK!!!!!!!!!
Wow, Catherine, what a great post – because, why? Hats, that’s why! I love your Madeline hat, btw and I bet you looked so sweet in it! And thank you so much for featuring me – because, yes, I do love hats and am rapidly replacing hats that I got rid of. Funnily enough it really is beany woolly hat weather here as the big wide brimmed hats don’t fit right round and all over the head, and we’re going through a cold (for the Brits) snap at the moment! And I totally agree with you about the bloggers who write and those who don’t – it is noticeable, yeh! That’s why I love your blog posts so much – you’re a writer, Catherine and that’s just ace! Have a great rest of the week and a good time in the kitchen xxxxxxxxxxxx
If it’s cold I gotta have a hat! I can’t stand to have cold ears and lets face it my hair is fine and thin, it ain’t gonna do the job. I love berets, they suit my small head, I’ve purchased several knitted ones at Primani. Also like those furry hats and headbands….very Dr. Zhivago!
I don’t follow those blogs that just link to stores, all the writers are after is free merchandise and more followers. Your writing shows humour and normal life. No pretensions.
Jesus, I found stuff years out of date when I recently cleaned out my food cupboards…good luck with yours. xxx
Cathe, what a fabulous post! As usual. Your posts are always fabulous. Thank you so much for the fun feature of little ole me in my current favorite hat. I just ordered a velvet turban, of all things! I have never worn a turban before but I couldn’t resist the lush dark blue velvet and I thought, what the hell, I will will give a try. We shall see what happens. I am loving all of your hats. You are so stinking adorable. Your George Constanza hat is my fave and you wear it much better than George did! You never cease to amaze me either with all of your fun stories and your hidden talents. That sketch of your mother is brilliant! I am rambling on and on here, so I will end with this…YOU ROCK! I LOVE YOU!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Oh, hats are not me. it is the rare hat that looks good on me. Then I have to worry about Hat Hair. Of course, I adore La Contessa. My buddy. Also, really relate to “Go Dog Go.” I always say, “Doi you like my hat?” Thanks for the introduction to some new bloggers. I can’t wait to spend time watching your video about cookbooks. Keep it up!
I’m a huge fan of Michelle as well and I had the good fortune to meet her IRL last year. She is a treasure and an entertaining blogger. I found my way to your post through her share on FB. I also adore hats but they’re not very compatible with my hair in its current state. I like your stance on the qualities your look for in blogs that you follow. If I just want to see pictures of clothes to buy, I can look at retailers’ websites. I’m looking for inspiration not only for style but for other aspects of an ageless life as well.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Hi Rena! I was fortunate enough to meet Michelle too! She’s all that and a bag of chips and more!!! And I love her blog because it is always guaranteed to be a great read! I have nothing against sponsored posts or affiliations–but for the love of God, give me a story!!!! I’m with you on the pictures of clothes to buy. I go to J. Crew’s website!! I’m so glad that you repied! This is a great group of people here–welcome aboard my friend. I’m going over to your neck of the woods now!!!! XOXOXOXO
Cathe…love, love, LOVE hats.
My dear Mother always said, “You wear the hat, the hat does not wear you!”
In other words, pull it down, don’t just sit it on your hair.
I wore a red velvet jockey cap to my first day at high school. Sister Mary Rose asked me to remove my hat, I told her a lady never removes her hat (when part of an outfit), and asked her if she would remove her veil!? My cap stayed in place for the rest of the day!
Love your blog and youtubes!
BWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I wish I was in your class that day!! I would have been kicked out of the school for laughing so hard at your comment!! But your mom was right. You wear the hat!!! OMG. That story is priceless and you know I’ll be sharing that one for sure!!!!! Thanks for the support! XOXOXOXO!!!!