Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger for the over Fifties - What real women wear!

Thursday 17 June 2021

At Home With ... Laurie - Vanity & Me - #Chicandstylish #LINKUP

Good morning my lovelies.
Hope everything is going well for you.
Not much to report since Monday.   I've been having a wonderful time in the garden, getting the grass in order and sorting out the planters.  I've also visited the garden center, it was nice to wander around checking out all the pretty plants and flowers, and aren't the pots & planters expensive!  I bought some pretty flowers to entice the bees, I love having these little visitors in my garden.  I have two big tropical looking plants in pots that have sprouted huge flower stems in the middle which the bees just love - there's plenty busy buzzing around collecting all the nectar.  I would just love to know where they are taking it too - Bee's intrigue me and I've always been very tempted to have a bee hive in my garden!  Just not sure that would be any good with my grand-kids around - they don't like anything that buzzes around them!!  

Tonight I'm off out, I'd love you to stop by my IG stories to see what I'm up to ... I'll share all on Monday in case you miss it. 



Today I'm At Home With .... Laurie - Vanity & Me.
I'm pleased to welcome Laurie to the blog today, and look forward to sharing some secrets about how she goes about her blogging life.
I've long admired Laurie's fabulous style and have often tried to copy.  However with totally different colourings, the shades that suit this stylish blogger don't seem to suit me.  Her style tends to be of a neutral fashion, and everything she wears is finished off to perfection.  So let's get started on the questions and let you see for yourself Laurie's effortlessly chic outfits.



When and why did you start blogging?
  • I started blogging due to my cousin's daughter who has started blogging.  We had a discussion about what she was doing and I found it interesting immediately.  I had also read about a mature women in Woman and Home magazine, discussing how she was enjoying blogging at midlife.       After spending most of my adult life in my hair salon and then moving on to run a public house, I didn't have any pc skills whatsoever. I decided to start blogging on that basis.  Talk about jump into the deep end!  I was majorly stressed at the beginning but wouldn't be beaten.  I love a challenge!

You have a fabulous sense of style, did you learn it at college or university? Or is it a natural talent?
  • I've never studied fashion at college.  I gained my passion for clothes from my mum!  I've never thought that I have a fabulous sense of style either.  I love cool-girl looks but they just don't suit me.  I have tried a few times and look ridiculous!  I did find however, that when I started collecting my neutral classic pieces I really think I found 'me', if that makes sense.  I've not looked back. 

I love your neutral outfits,do you have a favourite piece at the moment, can you tell us about it.
  • My favourite neutral item of the moment hasn't made it online just yet.  It's a simple cream waistcoat that I've been searching for, and for some time.  It will feature on my YouTube channel in the next few days.  I love it.

Does anything surprise you about blogging?
  • You never stop learning new stuff blogging.  There's always something new.  I started blogging for the challenge of learning PC Skills, and normally when I conquer something I move on to something else.  That's the beauty of blogging.  You never feel like you've conquered it I guess?  There are new challenges all the time.

Do you have a blogger that you look to for inspiration/help?
  • There are thousands of bloggers that I aspire to, and all different age groups!  I learn a lot from the young.  I often wish I had started blogging a lot earlier.  I love our little group of mature bloggers.  We all started roughly the same time I think?  We've all grown together and I love that.

Do you take your own photographs and do you edit them yourself? Can you give our readers a tip about it.
  • Dee takes the majority of my photos.  I take some and my daughter takes some.  I edit them myself, although I'm taking on a part-time helper very soon, so maybe that will be shared.  Light is the main key I think.  Always add a little more light.

I know you have dogs, do tell us about them.
  • I have two dogs. Chuzzle the edlest, an American Bulldog, bought for a wedding present.  She's really getting on now bless her.  I've never felt like she has been my dog.  She is very loyal to Dee!  Then I have Beau, my horse who's nearly three years old and still behaves like a baby.  Apparently American Bulldogs don't grow up until they are around five years old.  She keeps me on my toes and I love her to bits.  Beau is a mix of two types of the breed hence why she is so big, and always trying to steal the show when I'm filming!

I know you have a YouTube channel, please tell us about it, how do you manage everything?
  • I started dabbling with film a couple of years ago.  Last year during lock-down I decided to take my YouTube channel more seriously.  I find it a lot easier than blogging.  That is my new challenge.  To learn film editing and grow on Youtube.  Any subscriptions are more than welcome!  It's tough putting yourself on there for the world to see, especially early mornings or without makeup, but hey, if you looked perfect at my age first thing in the morning I would be looking pretty false!  I also feel I can get my true personality across over on YouTube too.  Often I seemed to be perceived as a real ladylike person just because of the way I dress.  I'm just an ordinary girl from Essex.

Do you have time for a hobby, if you do, can you share with us?
  • Hobbies! Ha!  I barely have time to watch TV!  I am the most unorganised person in the world and never seem to have enough hours in the day.  But that doesn't mean I don't take time off every now and then.  Sometimes I just put on the brakes and take some time out. 

Finally, do you have a favourite cuisine and restaurant, what would your ideal meal be?
  • Unfortunately, I don't have a favourite restaurant.  I don't eat out at all due to my allergies.  I can have a McDonalds McFlurry ice cream or eggs on toast.  I have to take my own butter if I have toast.  It's a real problem for me to eat out.  I can't have the vaccine either which could become a problem.  I've often thought about documenting my diet.  It's very bland and boring, but I do think it has helped keep me healthy.  I can't drink alcohol either, or any soft drinks.  I can only drink tea, water or milk and maybe one coffee.  I do have the occasional cigarette though.  That's my only naughty vice!

Many thanks to you Laurie for joining me today - lovely to have a little insight into your back story of blogging.  I'm sure my readers new and old will love what they have read. X


You can find more from Laurie via the following links:
***********************************************************************************
Party time, #Chicandstylish #LINKUP


Let's meet the favourite blogger from last week.  Welcome Michelle - My Bijou Life.  Black and white is a good solid colour combo isn't it, so with a splash of colour like this yellow makes for a fabulous statement don't you think - I love pairing a colour with B & W!


Now let's start linking up.
Here are some guidelines.
Please follow your host on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Link up your fashion and beauty posts, other topics allowed.
We all like to get compliments, so please leave a nice comment when visiting a blog or two.
Also link back to Mummabstylish blog post.
You can also share the love on social media.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
Great to have you stop by today, many thanks.
Hope you'll be back on Monday my friends.
Bye for now. X


SHARE:

33 comments

  1. Oh I like Laurie's blog and hope to meet her one day! She is so elegant and her voice is so relaxed! Lovely to read a bit more about her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nancy, I hope we all get to meet up one day soon. x

      Delete
  2. I love finding out about other bloggers, I am only really just getting to know you all! Love Michelle xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh me too Michelle, many thanks for stopping by. x

      Delete
  3. She is a very stylish lady! Sadly I find I can't always comment on her blog but I do love the outfits she shares - she wears neutrals well :)

    Thanks for the link up!

    Hope you're having a wonderful day :)

    Away From The Blue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that's a shame Mica, not sure why that would be. Thanks for stopping by today, have a super weekend. x

      Delete
  4. I loved reading about Laurie - she always looks so elegant and sophisticated and I have long admired her. How fun to learn a little more about this beautiful woman!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally agree, nice to read more about someone we sort of know. x

      Delete
  5. I'm a huge fan of Laurie and was so happy to learn more about her! Love her neutral style!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much for joining me today - too kind. x

      Delete
  6. I love Laurie's classic style. She always looks so put together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, it's nice to get some inspiration for her. x

      Delete
  7. This was so fun to read and learn more about Laurie! She really is fabulous with amazing style! I think many of us in this midlife blogging community really did all start right around the same time. I have really enjoyed getting to know many of you and growing with you just as Laurie said. I really love this series, Jacqui! I look forward to joining you for it in July.

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I like the series too, it's a nice way to learn more about other bloggers - will get the questions over to you asap. x

      Delete
  8. Laurie has such a beautiful classic and classy style!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. You put a LOT of effort into this post. Great job.
    I love that she has started a You-Tube Channel as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe thank you, yes do join Laurie on her YouTube. x

      Delete
  10. I enjoyed reading more about Laurie! I gravitate toward prints, but love the neutral looks she styles. I love seeing her dogs in IG stories . So true, you are always learning.
    I do think many of us midlife bloggers began at the same time and it is interesting to see how we all got on.
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish
    Have fun with your garden Jacqui!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true Jess, I love to read more about blogger friends, it's a good way to find out more. x

      Delete
  11. Garening sounds wonderful, Jacqui! Loved reading about Laurie! I didn't know much of this about her. Always love her style!

    Lizzie
    www.lizzieinlace.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lizzie, you are too kind. Thanks for stopping by today. x

      Delete
  12. Love Laurie's style! Hope you have fun working in your garden this week! I think a beehive would be fun as well, but I don't think it would be very practical!

    -Katie
    http://www.hellokatiegirlblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you agree, I think I'll just stay with my bee hotel! Thanks for joining me today Hunny. x

      Delete
  13. Thank you so much for hosting!
    I usually by flowers to attract butterflies because I think they're beautiful.
    I hope at some point you're able to have your bee garden!

    Have a lovely weekend.

    ReneeOpen @sexuallibra.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jacqui,

    Laurie is such a stylish gal and fabulous blogger. I enjoyed learning more about her through your interview. Thanks for sharing and for hosting.

    Rena
    www.finewhateverblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. A morning of warm feelings Jacqui. There are some lovely comments here. Wouldn't it be great if we could all get together some time? Our midlife girl gang is strong xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Laurie has such gorgeous classic style!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fabulous Laurie- loved reading about her!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely to read more about Laurie, I've long admired her style. We have a lot of bee-friendly plants in the garden, I love watching them. Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been a fan of Laurie and her style for years—thanks so much for featuring her here!
    Cheryl Shops | www.cherylshops.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love to read Laurie's blog and would love to meet up one day in real life, as I would with other bloggers in our midlife community. Laurie gave me a few tips at the beginning of my journey in blogging which helped me a lot, as I had no idea. I agree that there is always something new to learn. I loved reading a bit more about her!
    Hope you are having a good week Jacqui.
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love Laurie and so really enjoyed reading more about her. I had no idea she had had a hair salon! That explains why her hair always looks so fabulous! Great interview, girls!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments, please leave one here! By completing this form you are agreeing with this website storing and handling your data.

Blogger Template Created by pipdig