Hooks the Look

Life’s A Beach: Magnificent 8 Collaboration

No, you’re not imagining things. I’m finally emerging from my blogging hibernation and it’s all (or mostly) due to a truly special gal. Way back a few months ago, my blogging buddy Michelle (aka Shelbee) reached out to me to ask if I’d like to participate in a periodic blog collaboration that she was trying to organize. Obviously, I said yes.

Shelbee’s idea for the collaboration was to put together a group of stylish women, representing many decades of life, to showcase style one generation at a time. The mission of this collaboration is to demonstrate just how ageless style is, how we can each dress however we’d like and in the ways that make us feel most fabulous. Happily, there are eight women in this group of ours, ranging from teens to 80s hence the moniker of Magnificent 8.

Being that it’s summer, the selected theme for this first edition of the Magnificent 8 is “Life’s A Beach” with the idea of showing how we style our swimwear at every age. Since a couple of us expressed some anxiety at appearing on our blogs in bathing suits, the swimwear concept was expanded to be anything from what you would wear poolside or at the beach…even just for a walk on the beach.

I think that a t-shirt dress is a versatile option for poolside or at the beach as daywear or a cover-up. Worn with a straw hat and a statement necklace, I’m ready for brunch al fresco. Swap out my sneakers for flipflops and I ready for a stroll on the beach.

Ya, ya, blah, blah … that’s all great but what the heck are you leaning against in the feature image? Oh that, it’s just a knee scooter. Didn’t you know that all the cool kids are using them these days? Uh, no, they’re not, you say? Fine, whatever.

A little over four weeks ago I took a minor tumble while heading down a shallow step in my garage and wound up with a fracture in my right foot and a dislocated right shoulder. Treatment for my fracture is typically an immobilizing non-weight bearing cast and the initial treatment for a dislocated shoulder is immobilization as well. With one little stumble, I lost the use of the right side of my body (abet temporarily). PT for my shoulder started two weeks ago and it’s going very well. My range of motion is now at better than 90% although I still have some minor pain. However, the injury to my shoulder prevents me from using crutches hence the knee scooter. On the bright side, it’s quite a conversation piece.

As for my recent hibernation, the short story is that I kind of lost my blogging mojo for a number of reasons which I will share at another time. I never meant for my time away to be as long as it turned out to be but I kept finding myself being stymied as to how to resume posting. I’ve come to realize that I just needed to do it and stop getting in my own way with trying to make it cute or clever.

The intent of the Magnificent 8 is to show that are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence. And be sure to check out all 8 of these amazing gals! We will be sharing these posts on a quarterly basis … be on the lookout in October for the second post in this series.

Courtney of Sugar Coated Bears is representing teenagers.
Michelle of Michelle’s Pa(i)ge is representing the 20-somethings.
Roxanne of Glass of Glam is representing the 30-somethings.
Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge is representing the 40-somethings.
Rena of Fine Whatever is representing the 50-somethings.
Cathe of Atypical 60 is representing the 60-somethings.
Nancy of Jodie’s Touch of Style is representing the 70-somethings.
And Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style is representing the 80-somethings.

I saw a post on Instagram the other day that perked me up a bit. It went about like this: “During particularly rough times, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100% … and that’s pretty good.” Or, here’s another thought – “life’s a beach, enjoy the waves”.

Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you.

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31 Comments

  1. shelbeeontheedge1

    Rena, it is so great to see you back at the blogging thing! You have been missed, for sure. And you are looking quite fabulous even with the cast. And the knee scooter…well, it is definitely a conversation piece! And I am sure that it is making your life a bit easier, too. I love your striped tee shirt dress and that adorable hat, too, and I am so happy that joined us for this magnificent collaboration! Sending many hugs and positive energy to you for quick healing…you are a survivor, for sure!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Shelbee. I owe you a debt of gratitude for the invitation to be in this group for it was a primary force for getting back in action. I appreciate the virtual hugs and positive energy.

  2. Susan Marinelli

    Sorry about your fall in the garage. Hope you feel better soon.
    That being said, you look fabulous, and I LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!!
    The only time I had hair like that was in the 80’s when I got a spiral perm. Big Mistake…HUGE!
    Not only do I love the curls but the color is wonderful too. Why won’t my hair do that? I am currently stuck in between gray and brown, and I’d like to to go all gray. Do you have any helpful hints for me? Do you use a bluing shampoo to make it all sparkly gray like that? Very nice to meet you.
    Susan

    • Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Susan, for the hair love. I do use a purple shampoo about once a month but I think that some of the sparkle is from the products I use for controlling and styling the curls. Well conditioned and smooth curls reflect the light better.

  3. Maggie@ThriftShopFashionista

    Rena, I was thrilled to see this pop up in my inbox this morning. I’ve thought of you often over the past few months and have been hoping that all has been well with you. Love this collaboration with Shelbee and I’m looking forward to seeing more!

    • Rena Post Author

      Maggie, thank you for the welcome back. It’s lovely to hear that I was missed.

  4. Amy Christensen

    I had wondered what became of you,Rena. I’m so glad you are okay after your tumble. There are times that I feel like you, wondering if I should keep it up or just give up. Personally, I ‘m glad you are back, whether for just a few posts or weekly. Hope everything heals up fast. I’m with you, the tee shirt dress is a perfect beach walking outfit. Have a good day. – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

    • Rena Post Author

      Amy, it’s nice to hear that I was in your thoughts. I know that it can be a wonderment when a blogger or IGer goes dark without an explanation. I appreciate the encouragement and good wishes.

  6. Marilee Gramith

    RENA!!!!!! I’VE REALLY MISSED YOU!!!

    I have thought of you often over the last several months. Your replies to the emails I sent regarding your absence were reassuring but didn’t change the sadness I felt at losing connection with my buddy Rena! My intuitive nature told me you needed time to reflect and restore. My recent move to the Black Hills of South Dakota more than filled my own lifestyle adjustment agenda.

    Every trip to Target brought you to mind because we share a love of their style offerings and reasonable prices.Their collection of hair accessories brought to mind the endless hours of conversation and creativity we shared in Seattle as we braided each others hair! 🙂

    I LOVE seeing your happy face again my friend!!! I’m so grateful that Shelbee reached out to you for this new blogging collaboration. Shelbee is a force of energy , strength and creativity and as a recent follower of her blog I’m never surprised by her imaginative concepts and ventures.

    You too, are clearly forging ahead despite some new bumps, breaks and “ego booboos”? Healing is a challenge I know you meet head-on, even when you have to breathe a bit more deeply and earnestly to pull it off. I know that your family will also rally and lovingly support you back to health.,

    You look so cute in the cool straw hat and stripey shift. The scooter just adds to the charm Rena! Welcome back my friend!!! YAHOO!!!

    • Rena Post Author

      Jude, I’ve missed you as well and your very thoughtful and insightful comments. I appreciate the enthusiastic welcome back and thank you for your patience.

  8. Sherry

    Rena, I am so glad to see you back, scooter and all! I can’t think of a better reentry than a collaboration with some amazing women. Reading your post and seeing those 8 lovely faces, it feels like you have a support system around you, eager to have you back at blogging.

    Welcome back! I’ll be seein’ ya!

    Hugs,
    Sherry

    • Rena

      Sherry, thank you for the warm welcome back into the blogging fold.

  9. Jodie

    This is the perfect way to start again!! So glad you’re okay….I saw that FB post about your spill. You do like to make things interesting, don’t you??
    Love this dress on you Rena!! That’s my kind of summer wear!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  10. Nancy

    How great to see you again Rena! Your looking very good(well of course not on one leg!😂😂)

  12. Jennie

    It’s great to see you back, Rena! You have no idea how many times I have popped over to your blog to see if you were back yet. So glad to see you here as part of this fab new series! So sorry to read about your fall and I wish you a swift recovery. I enjoyed seeing your cute and covered beach style! Thanks for linking up with Fabulous Friday!

    Jennie
    A Pocketful of Polka Dots

    • Rena

      Jennie, I’m touched to read that you’ve been checking in on my blog. Thank you for the good wishes and your continued support.

  14. Pamela Graham

    So pleased to see you looking so good Rena – was worried about your health. But pleased to hear you’re fixable and on the road to recovery. Take care xx

    Pamela
    Style-yourself-confident.com

    • Rena

      Pamela, I appreciate your concern for health. I am indeed fixable and soon to be back to 100%.

    • Rena

      Ada, thank you for the welcome back. I’m still getting back into the groove of blogging and I’ll be back to joining your linkup soon.