— Archives —

— Style —

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Every month my friend Cindy and I interview a different woman we think you’d like to know. This month I’m introducing you to Ageless Style with Jacqui Getz.

While raising three daughters, Jacqui Getz taught school and later was a principal in the New York City public school system. Jacqui was an advocate for children, and she was as fierce as she was fashionable. Now, at age 63, Jacqui Getz is a pro-age fashion stylist who works with women over 50 to help them define their style and shop smart.

“Life is all about the details. Some details are apparent: an accessory, a shoe, a color. Other details are subtle, a twist that puts your signature stamp on an outfit.” 

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— Style —

Photograph by Brenda Coffee @2023
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Last year when I was in Florence, I visited the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella which began as a convent that dates back to 1221. With the plants the Dominican friars grew in their garden, the friars made natural medicinal remedies that had pleasant scents, and eventually, they expanded into fragrances and wellness products they still carry today.

While I was there I bought several boxes of “scented wax tablets” to put in my dresser drawers and give as special gifts.

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— Life —

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This is the time of year when many of us make New Year’s resolutions to eat better and get more exercise, but I have one that may change your life. It changed mine, BIG TIME, and it involves the brain-gut connection and how healthy aging is directly connected to the microbes that live in our intestines. 

Two months ago I made five easy changes to reset the microbes in my gut, and they’ve changed my life.

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— Style —

Photograph by Brittan Goetz
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Each month my friend Cindy and I interview a different interesting and amazing woman. This month I’d like to welcome you to Ageless Style and the World of India Hicks.

When I think of India Hicks the words history, tradition, family, and design are just a few that come to mind followed by style, author, service to others, and entrepreneur. The life India Hicks and her family have built on Harbour Island in the Bahamas is centered around Hibiscus Hill, their elegant yet laid-back home. The house is a mix of timeless British colonial, and the rich island culture of bright gelato colors, tropical flora and fauna, and pink sandy beaches. Add five children, several beloved dogs and cats, some lovebirds, a tortoise, and a passion for entertaining, and you’ve just begun to imagine the world of India Hicks.

If you think it sounds like paradise, you might be right.

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— Life —

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This month I was going to share a number of my favorite things, but I decided it’s more important to help my dear friend, Tammy Carrington. She’s set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy a wheelchair lift van for her severely challenged son, Jonathan. You may remember I’ve written a couple of times about Tammy. Once when a stalker followed her from WalMart to her hotel and tried to break into her room, and the other time, about how far a mother will go to keep her child alive. This is one of those stories.

Tammy and Jonathan need your help, and I pray you’ll keep reading.

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— Life —

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I’ve been offered a publishing contract for my memoir, and I’m over the moon. Publishers schedule books a year in advance so my book will hit the shelves in May 2025. A year seems like a long time, but there’s a lot to do like edits, proofing and approvals, and getting the book cover designed. Then there’s a national public relations campaign that needs to be planned which will include special features for social media and YouTube. 

I’ve written this book for all of you because repeatedly, you’ve asked me to share more about my life. That wasn’t an easy thing for me to contemplate, much less write.

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— Life —

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I’ve never been big on making New Year’s resolutions, but I believe the beginning of each new year is an opportunity to think about the things in our lives that work for us and those that aren’t in our best interest. It takes courage to make big changes, but if we continue to hang on to bad relationships and the questionable ways we handle some of the things in our lives, it’s the very definition of insanity:

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

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— Essentials —

Graydon Carter's Waverly Inn
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Last week, I brought home an unwanted souvenir from a recent trip to New York City: My first case of Covid. Everything about my trip was fun and fabulous, but Covid has left me wobbly with breathing problems and taste buds that have fled for parts unknown. Thank goodness I have lots of NYC meal memories to tide me over like the tasty fried artichokes Harry King and I had at Pastis in Soho; the warm, decadent Comté & Onion Bread with Crème Fraiche I shared with friends at Monterey, plus their Castelfranco Salad with radicchio, figs, Asian pear, pumpkin seeds, and aged sherry vinaigrette. 

The restaurant Monterey on 37 E. 50th St is one of the popular new post-Covid gifts to the city.

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— Life —

Brenda Coffee & Paulina Porizkova, @Brenda Coffee, 2023
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Welcome to the first edition of “Brenda Coffee’s Favorite Things.” With everything that’s happening in the world, I decided we could use a little diversion. In addition to suggesting books, music, movies, and the occasional recipe, each month I’ll give you links to other things you might enjoy like great hotels and getaway places, plus some of my favorite products.

Here’s what I’m loving this month.

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— Style —

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I’m happy you’ve stopped by to check out Ageless Style. Each month my friend Cindy and I interview a different woman. This month I’d like you to meet Robin Tracey.

Gliding Thru Sixty is the name of Robin Tracey’s Instagram account and like Robin, it’s relaxed and easy, and as Robin says, a page for women who have a limited wardrobe and use drugstore makeup. As she says, “I have sunspots and have done nothing except for old micro-bladed eyebrows that are fading.” 

I think Robin is authentic and beautiful, and I think you will, too.

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