Whether you worked outside the house or stayed home to raise a family, it’s quite normal to dream of having a whole day to yourself when the kids have left home, or you no longer have to work five days a week.

The notion of being free to do as you please is so quickly filled with hazy ideas of doing all the things that we never seem to have time for that many people are caught off guard when their responsibil­ities finally do cease, and they suddenly find themselves wondering how to fill the day.

Having more free time than you know what to do with can be as detrimental to your well-being as being overworked, so it’s no wonder that more and more able-bodied expats and seniors are do­nating their time and skills to the islands many worthy charities.

In addition to being able to make a difference in the lives of others, the physical, emotional, and social aspects of volunteering are a great way to alleviate the pain of empty nest syndrome, or the perceived loss of self-worth sometimes associated with the cessation of meaning­ful employment.

Of the many charities to choose from is the PALS Thrift Shop on Point Fin­ger Road in Paget which opened about two years ago. Overseen by Thrift Store Manager Joan Cabral and a team of will­ing volunteers, the shop is an important money raiser for the PALS charity which exists to improve the lives of island cancer patients and their families.

Drop-in on the ladies as they enthu­siastically sort boxes of donations on a Tuesday morning, and you will meet a di­verse group of women who are doing a lot more than simply volunteering their time; you will meet a group of friends brought together around a common cause.

If you ask what drew them to PALS, the answers you will hear range from want­ing to give back after having lost a loved one to cancer, to needing to find a way to keep busy after leaving a job unexpect­edly.

“Life is better with activities,” explains Susie. “Working here at the Thrift Shop gives me a reason to get myself up and out of the house. Everyone here is a great friend”.

Lori agrees. After serving for many years as a nurse, she likes knowing that she can still be of help to people who are unwell through her volunteer efforts. “This is our job now”, she explained, “the shop makes lots of money for cancer patients”.

But no matter how they first became a Thrift Shop volunteer, all of the ladies agree that part of the fun of unboxing and pricing the items is the opportunity to an­nounce, “Girls, look what I found!” as you hold up a newfound treasure.

Island residents are very generous with their donations, ensuring that the volun­teers never know what might be lurking at the bottom of a box. The ladies have seen their share of designer handbags, new clothes with the labels still attached, and unique children’s toys. Among the rare and more unusual items that have been donated are bits of Bermuda cedar, vintage jewellery and a sterling silver hot water jug.

“It’s very fulfilling to know that we are helping PALS,” remarked Sharon. “We take time to make sure that the store is stocked with lots of good quality items for sale each weekend”.

As a rule, household items, clothes, accessories, and toys that are clean and in good working order are accepted for donation with gratitude on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but it is advisable to call before dropping things off, as the store is occasionally too full to accept more items. Alternatively, if you have a number of items leftover from a House Sale or a business you can arrange for someone to come to see the items to help identify which things are suitable for the shop.

The shop is always looking for more volunteers, and anyone interested in help­ing out even once a month can fill out the contact form which can be found on the www.pals.bm website or send an email to [email protected].

The PALS Shop is located across from the hospital at 18 Point Finger Road and is open for business Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. 236-3800.

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Ladies:

Pant suits have been a favourite for designers and street stylers for some time now. However the trend seems to pick up even more steam recently. Maybe it started as a nod to Hillary Clinton, but coupled with the likes of the #metoo movement and the ever-increasing push to empower women, we have seen the trend dominate fashion pages and runways. The pant suit’s ability to combine power, style and femininity makes it a wardrobe must-have.

If you’re thinking the pant suit of the 2000s however, change your train of thought. Instead think 80s and broad shoulders, high waists and great tailoring. Wear with sneakers, heels or brogues, with a t-shirt, button down or blouse. Pant suits will take you to the office, through to dinner and the after party. Its versatility is what makes it a must-buy.

The Fall 2018 runways saw a slew of wild and wacky pant suit options, but if you want to keep it polished, smart, sophisticated, and office appropriate with an edge, go for a classic tailored pantsuit in either black, navy or grey or for the more brave opt for bold solids. Pastels are still in and pink or dusted blue look amazing as pantsuits. For boardroom ready choose a simple shirt for understated chic and pair with metallic shoes for added interest. For evening vibes throw your suit jacket over a dress adding some embellished flats for glamour. To keep it casual add a classic white tee to your tailored look, with some jewel toned accessories to add a flash of colour.

For the men:

There was a time was when brown meant drab, but think rich and warm shades of brown and you’ll have your colour of choice for the season. These hues exude confidence, sophistication and creativity for those men brave enough to wear it. Treat this wonderful colour pallete of camel, cognac and caramel to name a few, as you would treat black, greys and navys, to create striking yet versatile pieces which strike a timeless, classic chord.

Beige, taupe and chocolate were some of the key shades from the wild-west themes that graced the catwalks, with these brown based inspired hues creating quite the statement worn from head-to-toe. If you are brave enough to rock the all-over brown ensemble, then ensure there is a variance in tone to break up the look. Alternatively if you want to wear only one statement camel piece, make it a tailored blazer and pair it with neutral colours and simple designs, such as a white shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.

The post Ladies’ pant suit is back; men: brown is the new black appeared first on RG Magazines.