.... for the Love of Hats .... and Judith ....

I am joining Judith of the Style Crone todayfor her first monthly link gathering of Hat Attack.
I found Judith's blog almost 2 years ago...and have been a devoted follower ever since.
Judith is often   recognized by Ari Cohen of Advanced Style...
(There is a glorious picture of her on page 202 of Advanced Style the book)because  of her  fierce hat  loving  personal style...
But it is Judith's heart, grace and courage she shares during her transitions in life...that have garnered her my utmost respect and  have made her a life changing inspiration for me.
I found dear Judith....
when I had lost myself as my days of full time mother of three were coming to a close.I was going through my own transition...not as hard as Judith's... but a challenging transition for me non the less.
Reading her courage....helped me find my own...
Seeing her stylehelped remind me of my lost passions.
Judith helped me rediscover my love of fashion and accessories.
I actually remember...reading one of her posts about her love of hats...
and thinking....
wait...
I  just remember... I love hats too...
I had become such a stranger to myself...in my attempt to be a perfect mother...I had  actually forgotten.... so much...about me.
And I  had begun to wonder...is this what it means to be my age...to be old...
is it living a life without passion...without my passions.
Because before I found Judith and the rest of the phenomenal ladies of Advanced Style...
I had begun to believe...that maybe clothes and accessories... and personal style were really just for those young in years.
The Advanced Style ladies made me realize...personal style is for all of us...and sometimes...Style gets even gets better with age.
These ladies by sharing their style...gave me back the rights to mine.
But it was dear Judith...who showed me dressing with style and passion....was not frivolous...but instead...for me a necessary part of my life....because ...
dressing with personal style can make my heart happier on happy days...and give a needed boost on the harder days.
I have in the last 2 years with Judith's inspiration...got my own style mojo back...and...
it helped give me the courage to travel to Europe last fall...something that I had never been able to do before.
I have a renewed sense of fun with fashion and accessories now.I am back full swing designing now... even slowly relaunching my design company...
while  having fun doing personal pieces...from fanciful nods to a crown...
to a full blown crown I did for myself to celebrate turning 54...because  Judith and her fabulous Advanced Style friends...have me excited about getting older...
Judith and her friends have me realizing age must be not only embraced...but celebrated...not only to make our own life more joyful...
but to show those who are much younger and coming up behind us...
there is nothing to fear about getting older...
but instead...there can be so much to look forward to...
to every thing there is a season...and this one too... can be a great one.
So my dear Judith...I thank you from the bottom of my heart....you and your blog...changed my life....
And the message to all of us who blog... and comment...
You never know who's life you will impact...or who's life you will change.
as always dear friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life