Hello Caitlyn

Nederlands  Portugês

 'I’m here to promote a simple idea: accepting people for who they are.'

- Caitlyn Jenner -

Today is the big Canal Parade that is part of the Gay Pride in Amsterdam.The day that extra attention is drawn to the equal treatment for gay, lesbian and transgender communities. A good moment to put Caitlyn Jenner (65) the limelight.

Although I am not a fan of the Kardashian family, I've learned to appreciate Caitlyn. As the younger Bruce, he was a great athlete. As Caitlyn she developed herself as a spokeswoman for the transgender community all over the world and she speaks openly about the necessity of acceptance for this group.

The media attention that befalls her as part of the Kardashian clan and which she hated 

at the initial stage of her transition to a female, she turned it from enemy into a friend. She's now aware that she can use her fame in order to make this topic worldwide negotiable.

When it appeared that she couldn't keep the transition hidden from the outside world, she opted for a classy coming out. For Vanity Fair she told her story, accompanied by stunning photographs by Annie Leibovitz. With the famous beautiful Vanity Fair cover as the icing on the cake. Vanity Fair also made this touching short documentary 'Call me Caitlyn':

During her ESPY speech in July, she said: 

'If you wanna call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is: I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it. So for the people out there wondering what this is all about, whether it’s about courage or controversy or publicity, it’s about what happens from here. It’s not just about one person. It’s about thousands of people. It’s not just about me. It’s about all of us accepting one another. We’re all different. It’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing.'

Watch the entire speech below:

Her remarks at the beginning of the speech I find very funny. There she tells how she as a woman experiences the pressure to choose the right dress, shoes, hair and make-up. Only for not to be criticized by the fashion police. She asks them to be nice to her, because this is new territory for her. She looked perfect in her Versace dress.

This topic isn't about the glamor, the gossip, the reality show, the Playboy or the Kardashians. Today it's about the role model Caitlyn who stood up for for the acceptance of transgenders.

Bravo, Caitlyn.

Photo: James White/E! Entertainment, Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair

Iman

Nederlands  Portugês

Last weekend there was much to do about the 46th anniversary of Jennifer Lopez. Or rather: about the dress J.Lo wore that day. There was a discussion at the social media about the question whether the dress was age-appropriate. Personally, I would say, with her body and looks you get away with it, but don't try this at home.

One day later another gorgeous woman celebrated her birthday. Supermodel Iman was celebrating her 60th anniversary, but this got less attention at the (social) media. So Iman made her on party on Instagram. Here she posted beautiful photos of herself, accompanied by quotes that refer to her age. 

Both her photos as her statements are fantastic ...

Photo's: Instagram

Helen

Nederlands  Portugês 

It's growing up, not growing old

- Helen Mirren -

Last week you could read here at Sarah's Secrets Unveiled all about the F/W 2015-collection of Dolce & Gabbana. In this campaign the designers show that youvcan look fabulous at any age in D&G.

That this is true, proved actress Helen Mirren (70) last week. At the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival in Italy, the oscar winner looked radiant in a D&G dress from the Fall/2015-collection
.

One thing that's nice to know about Helen: In 2011, so at the age of 66, Helen won the 'Body of the Year' election and left Elle MacPherson (no. 2) and Jennifer Lopez (no. 4) behind her. 

Last year, Helen even had a body-double for her film 'Eye in the Sky' who was 39 years younger than herself.

This year Dame Helen became also the face of L'Oreal Paris. Prior to the campaign, the promo below was made. In this video she gives her opinion about aging. Pay attention to her wise words and also look closely at the styling... Love it!
                                                   

And this is the result....

Photos: L'Oreal, Getty Images, Esquire

Sexy hair & 50

Nederlands  Portugês

On this blog you find regularly beautiful older and younger women with long and/or gray hair.

Here, in the Netherlands, is currently a lot to do about women with short pithy haircuts*. The point is that many (Dutch) women after a certain age all seem to choose for the same hairstyle. They often go to the same hair color too, (henna)red. There are even Facebook-pages* established for this phenomenon: women with short pithy haircuts. Regularly this topic pops up in the media and on blogs*.

The statements in the media are meant to be funny, but that's often not so clear to the women with a short pithy hairstyle. This causes heated discussions on the Internet between the proponents of short snappy hairstyles (easy to maintain, independent, sporty, fresh) and the opponents (sexless, unattractive, unfeminine). Opponents also argue that this type of hairstyle is typical for the Dutch housewife. This Dutch woman would prefer the comfort rather than her appearance. It's even claimed that these women choose for a short pithy hairstyle when they have a man - including children. The attention of other men is no longer needed. The reactions on the internet shows that men tend to find long hair more attractive.

It's interesting to ascertain why these women choose for such a hairstyle. Is it really so easy to maintain? I had a short haircut in high school, in the style that was made fashionable by Lady Di. With my type of hair it was far from easy to maintain. At the hairdresser my hair looked really perfect. But after I washed my hair the first time by myself, I never got it back in the same shape. Instead of cool, it was corny. That's why I feel better when my hair is long. On a bad hair day, I make a top knot. Thàt is easy to maintain.

What I have to mention here is that older people (read: women) always advised me to cut my long hair. Younger people (and children) discouraged to do so.

After the fortieth anniversary, the pressure is even stronger to cut the hair. According to the 'standard' you shouldn't have long hair after your fortieth birthday. You know the drill: "From behind lyceum, from the front museum.". If you are sensitive to such pressure - and almost everyone around you has a short pithy hairstyle - then the hair goes of. The first gray hairs should also be dyed. In what haircolor? Red! Very pithy. Everybody happy. But are you happy too?  

It would be nice if more inspiring 45 +-women would wear their hair long (with or without dyeing) appropriate to their age, personal style, hairtype and personality. Or women with short hair, who have retained their sexiness. As long as the hairstyle and the color fits the woman. I'm looking for women who didn't choose their hairstyle only because it's easy to maintain, because they didn't  knew what else, because everyone has it like that  or because it is the standard. So women who choose for what flatters them and what suits them. Those women would inspire others, like me, too.

Could it be that many hairdressers in the Netherlands also don't know what they should advise to 45+ women? That therefore they recommend the 45+-women a short pithy hairstyle, because it's easy for themselves. Such a short pithy hairstyle must be cut every 6 to 8 weeks, so they are also assured of their income. Fortunately, my hairdresser is a pleasant exception.

Of course there're plenty of women who choose very conscious for a short and pithy hairstyle and who look very beautiful with it. I really know. For women who don't know what to do with their hair after a certain age, like me, I searched for some inspiration. For this, I was not looking for (famous) models that have used so much botox and fillers making them look much younger. For this, I was not looking for (famous) models that have used so much botox and fillers which are making them look much younger. Of course it's okay that they do so,  but that isn't the inspiration I was looking for with this blogpost. I searched for models whose actual age and appearance are in harmony with each other, not for 'older girls'. Pure sexiness!

  

I hope you're also inspired.

*  You probably know that the purple words on Sarah's Secrets Unveiled are linking to other pages on the Internet if you click on it. The hyperlinks with * refer to Dutch sites. I hope that the pictures on these sites still can be explanatory.

Cocktail Time

Nederlands  Portugês

Weekend! To celebrate this, we start with a delicious classic - yet trendy - summer drink .... Gin & Tonic. 

Like water, you can drink this delicious cocktail with aromatic supplements like fruit and herbs. The good news is that gin is healthy for you. Gin was already a drug (anti-malaria, anti-inflammatory), before it was used for consumption. g (such as anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory), before it was used for consumption. Additionally gin is good for your bones and helps against arthritis. Gin also improves your skin and digestion. Gin is exclusively made from natural ingredients and contains few calories (compared with beer, wine, etc.). 

So what are we waiting for? Therefore, choose from the following recipes...


Gin & Tonic with cucumber and rosemary

Ingredients

- gin
- tonic
- cucumber
- a sprig of rosemary
- ice cubes

Preparation

Cut the cucumber into thin slices.. Put some ice cubes and  two or three slices of cucumber in a (highball) glass. Then pour 1 part of gin and 3 parts of tonic on it. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

You can also vary with mint/basil and lime, or cucumber and lime. Just how you prefer your Gin & Tonic.


You don't want tonic in the gin? Then make a Gimlet.
                                                                                            
Gimlet


Ingredients

- gin
- fresh lime juice
- slice of lime

Preparation

Use cocktail glass (or half-height glass). Then pour 3/4 part gin and 1/4 part lime juice in the glass. Stir well. Put the lime wedge on the rim of your glass as a garnish.

This variant is stronger than a Gin and Tonic. So add some crushed ice or ice cubes to your Gimlet if you want it less strong.


Do you prefer a sweet cocktail? Then go for a Blueberry-gin. The sweet taste of  the blueberries combines perfectly with gin. Blueberries are also very healthy. So you have a win/win situation.

Blueberry-gin

Ingredients

- gin
- blueberry-/blueberry juice
- sprig of mint and/or blueberries

Preparation

Follow the recipe of the Gimlet, but replace the lime juice blueberrysap. Garnish with mint(leaves) and/or blueberries.


Cheers!

Have a great weekend.

Bond-woman: Bellucci, Monici Belluci.

Nederlands  Portugês

 'True sexiness is in the mind, the imagination - not in the age of the body.' 

- Monica Bellucci

Maybe you recognized her in the campaigns of Dolce & Gabbana, Monica Bellucci (50). Monica is a dazzling Italian beauty/actress/model and that's exactly what the two designers already noticed a few years ago. For years, she appears in various campaigns D&G. But now also has the biggest womanizer ever, James Bond, finally his eye on this 50 years old vamp. In the new Bond film Spectre (expected in October 2015)  falls James for the charms of Monica, which makes her the oldest Bond girl ever. Monica, however, calls herself rather a Bond-woman. 

                                                               

The Bond-woman is four years older than Bond (Daniel Craig) himself and that makes the film more interesting. It appears that James finally has discovered that beautiful, sexy women do not necessarily have to be (much) younger. Monica says about this: 'True sexiness is in the mind, the imagination - not in the age of the body.' It is clear that Monica is the living proof of this statement. These recent photos from Elle France (February 2015) shows that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the sexiness of Monica. 

Lucky Mister Bond, James Bond.

                                                        

Below a preview of the new Bond-movie. For if you can't wait until November.

Photos: Elle France February 2015 - Derek Kettela

H2O

Nederlands  Portugês

After the cocktails of last weekend, it's time to talk about water. Everyone knows that the body needs 1.5 to two liters of water a day. Not everyone succeed to drink this amount on a daily base. I must admit that I rarely drink enough water. This fact, combined with the warm weather of recent weeks, regularly causes me headaches. So it's very wrong and unhealthy to drink too little. I'm very well aware of this.

What water does for the body:

• Preventing dehydration: dehydration causes headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of energy, fatigue
• Preventing heart attacks: a well hydrated body needs to pump the heart less hard. If you drink more than 1 liter water per day you reduce the chance of having a heart attack by 40%
• Stimulating digestion
• Detoxifying the body: it may even be visible on the outside, because it improves your skin
• Reducing the risk of certain cancer

These are all good reasons to drink plenty of water. I know. What, however, makes it difficult to drink enough water, is that water has no flavor. I'm trying to overcome this by giving flavor to drinkingwater by adding pieces of fruit and herbs. It tastes even better if you first bruise the herbs and press the fruit with a large (wooden) spoon, before you pour water on it. Stir a few times carefully before you drink it. Now it's even fun to drink water.

 Below are some of my favorite combinations of water with fruit and herbs.

• ginger - lemongrass
• pineapple - mint
• cucumber - lemon - thyme
• watermelon - basil
• grapefruit - rosemary.
• cucumber - strawberry - mint
• honey melon - lime - mint
• apple - cinnamon
• lime - lavender
• orange - mint

Eventually you will see that you get pleasure in drinking this fruit and herbal infused water.

Good luck.

2500

Nederlands  Portugês

Yesterday we welcomed our 2500th unique visitor on Sarah's secrets unveiled. We are extremely happy that you find us online and visit us regularly. Thanks also for all the sweet comments and feedback that we received from all over the world. That inspires and motivates us even more to continue. We have many ideas for our blog in store, so stay following us. Now we drink a cocktail at you... take one for yourself too.

We wish you a nice weekend. 


X Esther and Jerry


Photo: tplmom

La Dolce (& Gabbana) Vita

Nederlands Portugês

That an ageless style does not have to be sexless and boring, prove the designers Dolce and Gabbana with their campaign for their fall/winter 2015-2016 collection. Wow! The glamor and fun are popping right from these pictures. This campaign proves that anyone at any age can shine and be classy in Dolce and Gabbana.

Foto's: Domenico Dolce

This is certainly not the first time that Dolce & Gabbana place men and women of different generations together in the spotlights. Family life is very important for the Italians and this fact inspires D&G every time for their wonderful campaigns.  Below an overview of the Dolce and Gabbana campaigns of previous years. 

Enjoy!

S/S 2015 - women

S/S 2015 - men

Foto's: Domenico Dolce

S/S 2014 - men

Foto's: Domenico Dolce

S/S 2013

Foto's: Domenico Dolce

F/W 2012-'13 - women

S/S 2012 - men

Not in VOGUE

Nederlands  Portugês

I'm sure Vogue UK had the best intentions with ageless style issue (July 2015). However, the cover gets nothing but criticism in the UK. And rightly so! What went wrong? The answer is simple. Almost everything. The model, the styling, the background, the look: it gives the impression that you look at an ad for nutritional supplements for menopausal women, but it really is the cover of Vogue.

Let me start with the model, Stella Tennant. With her 44 years she is not that old, so I think she isn't the best choice for a timeless style issue. The pale hair and her tired face, makes it look like the next 44 years will be tough for her. There are plenty of women over fifty who radiate more energy and glamor than Stella on this cover. This also has to do with the styling. The cover of Vogue is supposed to be glamorous and sexy. The blue shirt and black pants on the cover are both neither glamorous nor sexy. From stylist Kate Phelan (creative director at Topshop and one of Britain’s most esteemed stylists) I had higher expectations.

The model is also placed in front of a background that would do well as mourning card. That also doesn't help to brighten the picture.

That could have been better. These cover only highlights the prejudice that an ageless style equals sexless and dull. That absolutely does not need to be the case. 

Are you wondering if the rest of the ageless style editorial with Stella Tennant is also this corny? Below are the pictures. Judge for yourself.

                                           

Vogue UK - The Thin Red Line - Photographer: Craig McDean - Stylist: Kate Phelan - Model: Stella Tennant

Make-Up: Mark Carrasquillo - Hair: Sam McKnight

PRADA Perfect

  Nederlands  Portugês

Sunday inspiration by PRADA... love it! Bekijk deze video.

Prada-video by Autumn de Wilde

Wanted

Nederlands  Portugês

This week I received a reply in my inbox from T. (54). She had read my blog about 'dating'. 
T. responded to the idea of my girlfriend in that article, that women over fifty years can't find a man because they are too old and wrinkly. She wanted to say something about it. T. is eight years single now, has a good job, a good income and a good life. However, it would be nice if there was a man in her life. Some things are better when you share them with somebody else, like traveling. They don't need to move in together, because she loves it to be home alone. Occasionally sex with a nice man, that would be nice too. Preferably with always the same, nice, attractive man, because T. doesn't like one night stands. 

That's exactly the problem. Where can you find this fun, attractive man? On the Internet it doesn't seem to happen. For many men who T. met there, it was just only about sex. Or they just wanted to live together as soon as possible, because they need someone to take care for them (and their household) and/or they do not look the same (anymore) as at their profile picture. In these pictures, they often have much hair on the head and a flat stomach, but during a date it often appears that they did let go themselves (and their hair) for quite a couple of years . Also a woman over fifty enjoys to see a handsome looking man. Also women over fifty are more attracted to men who take good care of themselves.

About women there is a stereotype that over fifty they're not longer beautiful and attractive, 
but according to T. is that with men of that age really disappointing. During her whole life T. is doing her best to take care for herself and to look at her best, then it is no wonder that she requires the same from a future partner. The problem of T. is therefore clear. Where will she find a nice, smart, independent man?  


At her work (married, too young, too boring, unattractive), gym (too young, gay) or through friends (in a relation, gay) it doesn't work and Internet dating is - after many disappointments - passé.T. also believes that it is better that you meet a partner in real life. The only question is ... where?

So especially for T. the following question: how or where can a nice, attractive (yes, they exist) fifty-something woman meet an independent, attractive fifty-something man?


Help!


Photo (GIF): Andy Warhol/Société Perrier (project Create and Repeat)