I just had a birthday. I am not freaked out by my increasing age because as I’ve mentioned before, with the right lighting, make-up and clothing, I still think I’ve ‘got it going on.’ I may be delusional, but no one should question my confidence! Anyway, my birthday did cause me to ponder a few minor aging changes I’ve noticed.

Like, what happened to my freckles? I’ve had freckles my entire life. My mom used to refer to them as ‘kisses from God.’ Let me just say, God loved me. Freckles covered my entire body. But now, when I put my glasses on and I give my arms a look, all I notice are really large freckles. No, wait a minute—upon further inspecting, with glasses, I realize they’re age spots. When did this happen? Recently? Or is it just because the prescription in my glasses changed? Thankfully, I know these can be lasered off my arms, having read so in Town&Style. But I think I might wait until I can see them without my glasses on. In the meantime, maybe I should start wearing sunscreen. (I’m kidding, I always wear sunscreen. No, I don’t. Yes, I do—but just on my face.)

As if the freckles thing wasn’t bad enough, half of my eyebrows are missing! I have been coloring my hair for such a long time that I didn’t notice the whole going-gray thing. Turns out, the hair on my body that isn’t getting a color touch-up every six weeks is so gray, it’s nearly invisible! I have nice, full brows, but you can’t see them very well because the ends are gray. Now they look like two ash marks on my forehead—you know, the kind of smudge Catholics have on Ash Wednesday? Yes, I have that above each eye. There’s an easy fix called an eyebrow pencil, but here is where it gets complicated. I can’t see well enough without my glasses to draw my eyebrows in, but my glasses get in the way when I do.

Now let’s talk about clothing. Yes, I know I shouldn’t shop at Forever 21. But I don’t think I can cross over into what I call the ‘I give up stores.’ I won’t name any names, but you know the ones I’m talking about. The stores that no longer have traditional sizes, where everything you buy is flowey or a nice shade of black. So what am I supposed to wear? Am I too old for leather pants? If I can walk in stilettos, can I still wear them? In talking with Saks fashion consultant Nancy Cardwell, she says clothing has no age limit—it’s all about fit and quality. I look at all the fashion magazines for ideas and suggestions, but oddly they seem to stop making recommendations once you’re over 50. Do the editors assume that everyone dies after 50? Or doesn’t buy new clothes? Regardless, I am glad I have someone to give me the thumbs up or thumbs down when it comes to picking out the right clothes. I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself.

So, happy birthday to me! I am happy being 57. Probably because I feel closer to 40 and everyone (except my brothers) knows to lie and tell me I don’t look a day over 45.

Contact Patty Hannum at phannum@townandstyle.com.