Meet Robin LaMonte: An Inspiring Woman Living Everyday Elegance

ByPamela Lutrell Hours Categories Cultivating Elegance
Comments 16 Comments

Robin La Monte with an autumn table on over 50 Feeling 40

Happy Friday!!  Welcome to my series on Cultivating Everyday Elegance, and meet another inspiring woman…Robin LaMonte.  Robin is a stylish go-getter teaching us so many things about an elegant life and I am pleased to introduce you to her.

Let’s get to know her a little better!

Robin LaMonte on Over 50 Feeling 40

 

1.     Tell us about you…where you live, a little about your family and lifestyle.

“I am from Minnesota but have lived in New Jersey and Atlanta twice. I lived in Atlanta in the ’80s when I was a flight attendant and moved back in 2012.

We have 4 adult children (3 live in Atlanta) and 2 adorable granddaughters. I am the mother of a Down Syndrome daughter Sammy who now enjoys making cooking videos with me. I want parents of disabled children to see the “Abilities”, not the “Disabilities” our children are capable of.

 I am a successful interior designer who has been published many times, appeared on Good Morning America, and has done multiple design Showhouses in Atlanta and New Jersey. My interior design business has been severely impacted by COVID-19 so now I am more focused on my blog as we ride out the pandemic.

The silver lining of this pandemic is I am now spending more time with my granddaughters and spending more time doing things I enjoy.”

2.     How did your blog come about and how did you select the name, Hello I’m 50ish?

“I started my blog 3 years ago when I decided that I should write about things that are important to me as an over 50 woman. My life has changed since menopause and I write about it. My most popular blog posts are about skincare, aging, and menopause. I was 59 when I began my blog post and I have always said I’m

50ish, not the exact age. Even though I am almost 64 I didn’t change the name of my blog because I was worried about losing my audience if I switched to Hello I’m 60ish. Still thinking about it.” (I understand, Robin, something I think about all the time!)

3.     What challenges have you faced as a blogger right now and how are you evolving your blog?

“I am so busy working with brands whose demographics are the over 50 age group I can’t keep up with writing 3 times a week! I just need to schedule 2 days a week to write. 

My blog is still focused on fashion, wellness, and travel but I added a new element called ” At Home with Robin” about entertaining and home which I should have done years ago because I am an interior designer and I love to entertain in my home! I realized that so many DIY bloggers in Atlanta were always writing about

the showhouses  I was in and why can’t I do it too! ”

Robin LaMonte in boho chic on Over 50 Feeling 40

4.     Please describe your personal style and how you decide what will be in your wardrobe?

“I prefer a classic and elegant style as my preferred look but I also love boho chic when I am in Park City, Utah. The easiest way for you to visualize my two styles is to watch Grace and Frankie, the Netflix series that I absolutely adore! 

 In Atlanta, I am more Grace (Jane Fonda) and in Park City, I am more Frankie ( Lily Tomlin). I realized that women in Park City don’t dress as I do in Atlanta so I have different clothes in my closet there. Park City is very low key and you don’t have to dress up, but I still do which drives my husband crazy! 

You will find me wearing flowing linen tunics and long gauze skirts in Park City.”

  

5.     How do you define elegance?

“Elegance to me is how a woman is confident in her total appearance and how she carries herself. It’s not the price of the outfit but how she wears it. Grace and style have a lot to do with elegance.  When you see an elegant woman in a crowd you are drawn to how she carries herself and how she looks. You have no idea how much the outfit is but how she styled it.”

6.     Do you believe elegance can be taught?

“Yes, I do. I was taught at a young age to have good manners and to always dress up. We dressed for church, holidays, and that has carried me a long way. I think today’s society has become a lot more casual and sloppy in appearance.  Being attractive does not equate to being elegant. If a  pretty woman doesn’t take the time to dress in something other than workout clothes I wouldn’t call her elegant.”

 

7.     What advice do you have for older women who desire to be more elegant later in life?

“As we get older lots of things get older or wider on us too. Embrace the beauty you have now and dress up. Take time to put on your make up, fix your hair, and walk with confidence out the door. When you feel confident in how you look and dress then you will be elegant.”

8. What is your biggest dream right now? 

 
 “To grow my blog and my new online magazine for midlife women. I hope to someday resume my midlife women’s conference that has been put on hold until we get the economy moving and conquer COVID-19. At this point in my life, I am enjoying good health and want to do as much as I can. I have no plans to retire!”
 
Great comments for us from Robin today…don’t you think?  She is lovely and a great example of everyday elegance.  We are learning so much for the lovely ladies around us and I am thankful that they wanted to spend time with you on this topic. 
 
OK, ladies…the sales are still out there for many of your top brands and I know that finally we are ready to talk fall clothing…so enjoy…and make sure you
 
KEEP SMILING!!!
 
 
 
 
REMEMBER THE SAVINGS ON YOUR GOLI ORDERS GOES THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21!
 

GOLI on over 50 Feeling 40

For everyone who agrees with me that Apple Cider Vinegar is great for the metabolism and other health benefits, then order your GOLI today until September 21 at at 10% discount.  Just go to my page at GOLI HERE.  

By Pamela Lutrell

 

MY COMPLEXION LOVES CHAMONIX…KEEPING ME YOUTHFUL!

Chamonix on Over 50 Feeling 40

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JUST A NOTE:

Taking Juice Plus+ for seven years on Over 50 Feeling 40

There are several ways that I generate income through this blog in order to cover business expenses and give myself much needed income.  Purchases through the slideshow links is one way, ads on the page is one way and a new way is through ordering or re-ordering Juice Plus+ whole food capsules.  Please read my story and information HERE.

 

 

By Pamela Lutrell

16 Comments

  1. There is always a take-away from these Friday posts, whether we live a different life, are at a different income level, etc. #6 and #7 were my take-aways today, where the focus of the answers was on elegance. Getting dressed for our days, fixing hair and makeup whether we plan to leave the house or not really does impact the days for me personally. This is a time in life where we need to feel good about ourselves and be our best, both inside and out. i agree with Robin that society has become more sloppy and casual, and I’m just not able to get on board with that. To show up for even our most casual days having taken time to fix up is a shot of confidence that I, personally, need. I think it also impacts the way people we come into contact with relate to us. And grace and elegance are also visible in our behavior, our manner of speaking, and as Robin and the others have said, how we carry ourselves. Always nice to see how others are interpreting it!

  2. Pamela,
    You have painted an accurate and inspiring portrait of elegance with this interview of Robin. Indeed, she is an example of today’s elegant women. And it all comes from the inside out. A generous and sharing heart coupled with an individual sense of self.
    I think the elegant woman tells us who she is with a one look…fun ..swimsuit …serious,,,blazer…working out…sneakers…but all with that little extra. It can be as simple as just showing who you are.
    Robin displays all these qualities.

    Rosemary

  3. I really get the concept that your look changes based on your location. I spend winters in Palm Beach and summers on a lake in Wisconsin and my wardrobe needs are totally different!

  5. I agree, Rosemary…she is the full package and a great example for women who desire to learn elegance later in life.

  7. Another great interview! I love that you introduce us to these fantastic ladies and their take on things. One note about “over 50” versus “over 60” titling . . . a little over a year ago when I was noodling around on the internet searching for “over 50 fashions” it was because I had just suddenly retired (the private school where I taught closed), felt somewhat adrift fashion-wise, and was looking for ideas on how to transition to my new circumstances. Had your blog been re-titled, I might not have found you. For those of us who are still in our fifties, we are fortunate to find you Pam, and now some of the other lady bloggers you have featured, most of whom seem already to have bridged over into their 60s as well. The fact that you or Robin have advanced to a new decade just gives that much more experience and life perspective to your writing, which I appreciate. You have created a little community where we talk about all sorts of things, AND enjoy fashion. To me, that’s timeless. 💗

  8. Pam, I am 68 years old and these posts have been invaluable to me by reassuring me elegance is still achievable at any age even though I sometimes I miss my youthful reflection in the mirror. These women are inspiring.

  9. Connie, thanks for sharing your opinion on that…I love what you said and value your opinion. so grateful you shared.

  12. Bravo to Robin for wanting to emphasize the abilities instead of disabilities in our special needs children & adults. We tend to overlook this as a society. I agree with her comment about looking sloppy. At some point, we crossed a line & now many of us view comfortable as sloppy. I am a do my hair, put on make-up & dress for the day kind of person, even if I am staying home. I do it for myself. Thanks for including some of Robin’s decorating style in the photos because that is a part of our overall elegance.

  13. I agree, Becky…our everyday elegance is in our homes as well. I have so many friends with special needs children that I so appreciate what Robin represents.

  15. Thank you Pamela for including me in your Cultivating Elegance Series!

    I have enjoyed all the lovely comments from the women who read your blog.

    So happy we have a community of midlife women from all over the world who are living their best lives and doing it with grace!

    With gratitude,
    Robin

  16. Thank you for joining in our discussion on everyday elegance, Robin. You are such a great example.

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