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

Thursday 23 September 2021

At Home With ..... Gail - #Chicandstylish #LINKUP

Welcome to you all.
Great to have you here today.
Just in time to find out a few little secrets and tips from another stylish blogger who I'm pleased to call my friend.  Yes there's another installment of my At Home With .... series.
This month I'm happy to welcome Gail who blogs at Is This Mutton to my post, scroll down to read all about her and her fashions. 

First a little about my week.  I took a trip to my local shopping outlet earlier on in the week and although I found a couple of pieces to add to my wardrobe i'm still a bit dismayed at the lack of clothes and shops around.  I am now having to admit defeat and resort to shopping online.  What I've decided to do is buy a few pieces and send back any I don't like/need.  It's just so time consuming isn't it?  Tell me, is it the way forward that would like or do you still yarn for shopping IRL?

Another long over due purchase I made this week is a new mattress.  Ours is years old and not at all comfortable so I've been doing a bit of reconnaissance over the past couple of weeks and managed to find (amid the maze of choices) a suitable replacement.
My #ootd yesterday was this one.  I shopped my wardrobe for this maxi skirt and knitted short sleeved jumper and it was perfect for the cooler day we had - still a sunny day but definitely Autumn has arrived!  I took my jean jacket with me but didn't need it as the tan knitwear keep me just the right temperature.  Catch my daily outfits on Instagram here.


I'm going to let Gail jump right in and answer the questions I sent her.

When and why did you first Is This Mutton?
  • I first started Is This Mutton in 2013 but only wrote a few posts.  Those awkward and blurred first photos are still out there!  I wanted a creative outlet because I work in the technical world of semiconductors, and have done since 1996 .  I didn't have enough clothes or fashion knowledge to justify Is This Mutton back in 2013, and I felt out of my depth when I looked at some of the other popular bloggers who were around at the time (some are still in action).  I revived Is This Mutton in 2017 and created a new domain and look/feel for the site.  I was in between jobs in 2017 and it was a good way of "keeping my hand in" with digital marketing including SEA and social media.

I know you work, can you tell us a little about your job.
  • I work in marketing at a semiconductors company.  I manage campaigns for the AI/ML and IoT Developers teams.  The campaigns include digital marketing, events (virtual and FTF), social media, email marketing and web content.  I've been working from home since February 202 but will soon be doing a couple of days in the office, which is in Cambridge, a 55 mile commute by car.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again, and already working on a big event in Nuremberg next March which will be fully face to face.

Do you have any hobbies - do share what they are.
  • I love gardening and keep meaning to write a post about how we transformed our back garden.  It's not a very big garden and I'd love to get an allotment when I retire  I also read a lot, fiction and non-fiction.  I'm doing a challenge called Walk 1000 Miles, and have just hit the 1000 mile milestone.  I'm now aiming for 1,500 miles this year, but might not make it.  I'd like to say I've learnt a language or baked sourdough bread during lock-down, but I was still working full-time and blogging, so didn't have the time!

Where do you live, did you grow up there?
  • I live in East London and have done since 2005.  I moved here to be with my usband who I met on a singles holiday.  I'm originally from Plymouth in Devon, where my mother and brother still live.  I retain a Plymothian accent.  People often ask me where I'm from in the Westcountry.

Do you have a style, please share what you like to wear.
  • I'd describe my style as minimalist with an edge.  I like to adopt trends but on my terms, making them work for my shape and age.  I'm very keen on accessories for bringing outfits up to date, and adding a bit of sass.  I love brigues and ankle boots in different colours and have quite a big collection of shoes by Poetic Licence and Irregular Choice.  In the last year or so I have got very interested in colour analysis and have been experimenting with colours that suit me like Chinese Blue and Fuchsia.  As you get older I find you know instinctively what shapes and styles will work for you.  I avoid anything oversized like buffet/tent dresses because they make me look huge.  I prefer fitted clothes and lately I try to spend more on pieces that will last, rather than "fast fashion".


What was the last item of fashion you bought, and can you tell us why?
  • Last week I bought a lightweight ribbed jumper in Neon apple, a very vivid green, from Kettlewell Colours.  It was intended for Winter and was in the sale, but I wore it to the first ever London meet-up of the Kettlewell Colour Club, which is a Facebook group.

Who's the most famous person you've ever met?
  • I started my working life as a trainee journalist and met a few people who were famous in the 80's - The Stranglers, Margaret Thatcher, a comedy due called Hinge and Bracket (I loved them!)  And I once had a letter from Iggy Pop after I wrote him a fan letter!

Do you have any pets?
  • I have an elderly cat called Molly, who's 17.  She was a rescue cat, and is very feisty.  I dread taking her to the vet for her annual jab because she refuses to be examined and they have to use a blanket and gloves.  But she's very affectionate with me and we have lots of lovely little routines. She comes into my home office around tea time and jumps up on the desk, sometimes appearing in Zoom calls where she plays to the camera.

Did you enjoy school, what was your favourite subject?
  • I did enjoy school and my favourite subject was English.  I loved writing stories and acting in little plays.  I was terrible at maths.  I now know I have the equivalent of dyslexia, Dyscalculia.  It's nowhere near as well known, although 10 to 15 per cent of people have it.  I've had to disguise it during my career, when there were times when I had responsibility for large budgets and used to dread the times when I was told to apply a nine per cent reduction.  It was never an easy number!  Thank goodness for calculators.

What is your favourite season, why do you like it?
  • I have to say Spring because it's always so welcome after the long and dark winter months.  I keep looking for signs of spring bulbs and it's exciting to see them pop up and to see the days getting longer.  Being a gardener has made me appreciate nature and the seasons all the more.

Many thanks Gail for joining me this month, it's been lovely to find out a bit more about you.
You can also see more from Gail here:

On her blog - Is This Mutton
On Instagram - Is This Mutton.

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Time for the #LINKUP are you #Chicandstylish ready?


Favourite blogger from last week is Darlene - Aquamarine Style  Wow what a stunning and also fun dress she's wearing.  I'd like to find one the same, let's see if I can find it. X


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

Good to have you here today - thanks for your support my friends.
Bye for now. X
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42 comments

  1. Hi Jacqui, lovely to read more about Gail here. Feels like I have known her years as I started blogging in 2011. Me and Gail share a love of polka dots and quirky shoes. Thanks for hosting, have a lovely Thursday :)

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    1. Thanks Claire, glad you like to hear about her too - it's nice to grab a bit more information about a fellow blogger. Jacqui x

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  2. Lovely to see Gail here. Part of our little group. I love that Gail has that inner rock chick that comes to the surface every now and then. xx

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    1. Many thanks Laurie, yes it's nice to here more from other bloggers. x

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  3. We had our old mattress for way too long , I remember buying the new one and thinking how wonderful it felt! I swore I'd never wait that long again - I think the old one was like 20 years old!
    It was fun to read a bit more about Gail, I enjoy her blog!
    Thanks for the link up!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. I can't wait for our new mattress to arrive, hope it's nice and comfortable. Glad you enjoyed the read. x

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  4. Gail is a stylish blogger and it was nice to read more about her! I like your maxi skirt outfit too :)

    Thank you for the link up!

    Hope your week is going well :)

    Away From The Blue

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  5. Gail has a letter of Iggy Pop?? Oh my goodness!! Haha, fabulous. I love to read her blog, she always has something interesting to tell!

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    1. Great isn't she Nancy. Thanks for stopping by. x

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  6. Loved reading this q&a with Gail! So fun to learn more about her!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  7. Gail has such great colorful style! She looks amazing! It was fun to learn more about her!

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  8. Pretty tiered skirt outfit for early fall, Jacqui! Loved your guest post with Gail. She has great style and blog content, and it was nice to learn a little more about her in you interview. Hope you both have a good weekend!

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    1. Many thanks Hunny, good to have you join me. Have a super week. x

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  9. I had a similar experience yesterday, so depressing the number of shops that have closed down, I too may have to resort to on-line shopping which I don't enjoy. I loved reading about Gail, I'm always interested to hear what she has to say, and I find her posts to be always interesting. Gail comes over as an authentic and genuine person. xx

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    1. Absolutely true, I've ordered a few bits online, but I do like to actually look and feel garments. Glad you like the post. x

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  10. I love Gail! She always makes me want to visit the UK and I love her use of color in her clothing.
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. Awe me too, thanks for having a look on the blog Mirielle. x

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  11. Thanks so much for the feature Jacqui! Very chuffed xx

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    1. You're so welcome, nice to hear more about you. x

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  12. What a fun post, Jacqui! I really enjoyed learning more about Gail. And I am with Nancy on the Iggy Pop letter! So very cool, Gail!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    1. Thanks so much Shelbee, nice to hear more about our blogger friends. x

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  13. Love all these beautiful styles!!!!!

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  14. Jacqui what a lovely interview with Gail... having met her IRL I can say she's all sorts of fabulous, that definitely comes across here!

    Thank you for hosting, have a lovely weekend

    Catherine x

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    1. Awe thanks so much Catherine. That's so nice of you to say. x

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  15. How great to find out more about Gail! I follow her blog as well. Thanks for sharing!!

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  16. I love Gail's blog so it was great to learn more about her (semiconductors?!)—thanks for featuring her!
    Cheryl Shops | www.cherylshops.net

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    1. Cheryl, you are too kind, many thanks for stopping by. x

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  17. Oh I absolutely adore Gail so this was such a treat to read and learn more about her! Have a great weekend to you both xx

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    1. Thanks, that's so nice of you to say. Have a super weekend too. x

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  18. I loved learning more about Gail, who is the absolute master of styling colors that suit her lovely complexion! And then, here I am, a day late, and saw you featured my photo! Thanks so much, Jacqui! I love this little dress and the sale price couldn't be beat!
    I also love your maxi skirt and sweater outfit. Such a classic and the denim jacket gives it just the right bit of edge.
    Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks again.
    xx Darlene

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    1. Don't worry Darlene, you are too kind. I adore that dress hunny. Good to have you on the blog too. x

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  19. Jacqui, I really like your OOTD; it seems so perfect for running errands on an early Fall day. Gail is one of my favorite bloggers; I did so enjoy reading about her and learning new aspects of her life.


    Rena
    www.finewhateverblog.com

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    1. Rena, you're too kind - many thanks for stopping by. x

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  20. Welcome back :) Enjoy your weekend!

    Alexandra
    OnRockwoodLane.com

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  21. It was lovely learning more about Gail, and I ADORE that photo of her in her Bowie tee! She's a closet rock chick, really!
    Big hugs to you both
    Suzy xx

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    1. Thanks Suzy, you are so kind to say - nice to hear more about fellow bloggers. x

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