June Review

Hi there, how are you?

Hope your weekend went well, did you do anything exciting?

Just a stay-at-home weekend for me. I spent the whole of Saturday in the garden trimming the hedge, it’s still a mammoth job and boy did I ache after stopping late afternoon, (with still more to do) but I’m impressed with what I’d got done! 

On Sunday, typically UK weather and it rained all day, bit of a godsend really as I didn’t fancy more trimming so will save that for one day in the week when I’m more rested!

I cooked a Spanish chicken with roast potatoes, coleslaw, asparagus, salad and corn on the cob. Which, I must say, was very tasty, it’s nice to have a slightly different dinner once in a while, I’d hate to say I was bored with a traditional roast. I’ve got a busy week as I’m out to lunch with a friend Tuesday and have a birthday Afternoon Tea with some other friends on Wednesday. Praying it’s going to be nice weather for both, it’s not nice walking out in the rain is it!

They had a lemon theme this season and I’m sure you’ll find many styles you love as do I. 

June Review.

For the first post in June I was delighted to feature some pieces from the stunning new collection from Bonmarche. They had a lemon theme this season and I’m sure you’ll find many styles you love as did I. 

Sun Dress from Oasis - Chic & Stylish Linkup

Hello nice to see you here.

Hope you're week is going well.

The hot & sunny weather has finally arrived - yippee.  It’s been absolutely glorious here over the past few days and I’ve been loving being in the garden pottering around. Well not pottering as such, I started with the grass, next I strimmed the edges, trimmed some of the hedges, weeded (my daughter did most of it) sorted some pots and generally tidied up the garden. All the time I had the sun on my back and managed to get a bit more colour, shame I’ve still got lines on the front from my recent holiday to Mallorca! Time to sit in the garden and do nothing I think. 

Isn’t it nice to shower after a long day working in the sun. I think that’s the best feeling to get all the dust and dirt off and relax in something cool and comfortable. Well today's outfit is just that. 

Items marked with * have been gifted to me, however these are 100% my own honest comments. 

Black and White with a Splash of Fiery Orange!

Hi there my friends.

Hope you're all doing well.

As I said last week the weekend was a quiet affair.  Didn't get up to much and even my ballet exam was postponed for a couple of weeks due to a Covid outbreak for teachers and a few pupils.  I do admit to being rather pleased to have the extra practice, I think I need it to be honest!

I looked after my grandson on Sunday, just for a couple of hours before going to the local for dinner. Neither me or hubby felt like cooking, so David suggested going out to eat and as you can imagine I jumped at the chance - any reason not to cook works for me ... lol!

I'm always on the lookout for a charming dress and when I saw this in the Dorothy Perkins sale I though why not?  As it was a mere £15 I popped it into my online shopping basket and home it came to me!

Once it arrived I didn't really like the look, so it might go back, do let me know what you think my friends.

Neutrals for Autumn - #Chicandstylish #LINKUP

Morning my friends.

How are you all?

Been a funny old week for me.  My daughter and family, who are living with me, have gone off for a few days away!  It's been very odd to say the least!  Extremely quiet, dare I say tidy and rather boring!  No impromptu cuddles, toys on the floor, kids programs on the telly or a big den in the front room! 😄

They are back on Friday and I'm sure once they're home it will be like they've never left, it will get me used to them eventually moving on to their new property though.  Not looking forward to that one bit!

It has given me the opportunity to get back into blogging though and I've planned quite a few posts in advance - so that's going to be very helpful & I'll have more precious time to make memories with the grand-kids eh!

I've only bought a couple of Autumnal bits so far, and this little top from H & M is one of them.  I spotted it and felt it would adapt many clothes already in my wardrobe and get them ready for our new season. 

Style Steal

Hi there my lovelies.
Are you all well, staying sane and keeping busy?
It's at times like these when learning something new is the ideal thing to do. You can learn languages, learn how to cook, keep fit, improve your makeup or hair styling skills.  My daughter has started to learn sign language which she's picking up really well.  I prefer to stay in the garden, but it's a shame the garden nurseries aren't open though - my garden would look a picture! That being said I'm currently watching Beauty & The Beast with the grand-kids because it's pouring with rain!!!
Have you tried anything new during lock-down?  Do share we all want to hear about it.

Sunday was more like a normal day, with a lovely roast dinner for some of the family, lamb was the choice and we all tucked into roast potatoes and all the trimmings.  I even managed to bake a fruit cake too.  For a first attempt it wasn't too bad, I'm going to look for another recipe though as it wasn't quite what I wanted - a bit dry and needed more fruit.
The family have also started doing lots of quizzes since lock-down, so Sunday evening was spent getting together via computer to take part in one set by my son and daughter. Hubby and I won by four points, & we were chuffed with that outcome - we may have to set the next one, so i'm getting my thinking cap on!

I've had a bit more time to read your blogs, and have found an excellent copy for my struggling Style Steal series.  Can you guess who I've stolen this outfit from?

March Review.

Morning my lovely friends.
Hope you are all okay.
So how's your weekend been?
Me I've had a fabulous and very busy weekend with an evening at the pub having fun with friends, shopping for a new dress on Saturday, followed by a fun and lively evening at a friends party - overloading on the drinks as well as setting the dance floor alight.  Sunday was a mad, day after a very long lie in I had brunch with the family, we all decided to go out for an afternoon pub meal.  The night ended with tea and biscuits watching telly with the grand-kids tucked up in bed.  Imagine my upset when I woke up and realized that it was all a dream with lock-down still well and truly in place and having not ventured outside the door!!! How annoying eh? Ha ha ha!!!
Anyway enough of the dreaming, I'd like to share a new post with you today.  Each month I'll be reviewing the past month and re-visiting some of my previous posts.

This plan seems to have come at the right time. It's coincided with the 'c' virus & I genuinely don't have any new photos (or outfits for that matter)!  Do join me at the beginning of each month when I'll be re-visiting some blog posts.

The beginning of March seems a lifetime away doesn't it?  Life has changed almost beyond recognition hasn't it!  Back then I was eagerly looking forward to my daughter and her family moving in with us, little did I know that by the end of the month they would be with me and we'd all be in lock-down together - how strange things have of working out for the best.  I'm lucky to have three of my grand-kids to kiss and cuddle when I want.  Sending virtual kisses to everyone else in my family. 💗

A Fun Spring outfit - #Chicandstylish #LINKUP

Good morning my friends.
I've been having some real moments lately, wondering just what's happening!  I feel a bit 'lost' not really knowing what I should be doing.  Should I be blogging, should I be devoting my time to my family, should I be panicking or acting normal.  I've decided to try and work some routine back into my life.  With my daughter and her family living with us it's such a different world for me without the dreaded 'c' word joining in!  So by the beginning of next week I hope to have planned my days to establish some sort of routine - starting with exercise of some sort.

It's been so nice to see some of your blogs over the past couple of days, some of you are sharing your views on the Coronavirus, others have decided to omit any reference to the dreaded word.  I've toyed with the idea of reducing posting to once a week, but really don't want to resort to that just yet! I'll carry on as I normally write, mentioning when I feel it's fitting.
I'm hoping my daughter will be able to take some photos for me as understandably Esther won't be able to.  So please stand by for some possible photo-bombing from the grand-kids at some time! Lol.

Today I thought I'd share a fun outfit that I'd don in an instant for a Spring day out ... well out anywhere would be nice really!!!

The black edging really takes it up a notch and makes this exquisite jacket a timeless classic.

Brighten up with cheery yellow.

Good morning my friends.
How are you all doing?
Can you believe this is my 500th blog post!!!  I'm actually amazed there's been so many, and having looked back at my first few posts I'm impressed at how far I've come!  I've toyed with the idea of deleting these awful early days but when would I actually start from because every day is a learning curve in blogging as in everything we do.  As humans we strive to be better, fitter, nicer and have more.  It's not a selfish thing it's natural.  Some can be happy with 'our lot', but there's plenty of us who want more - not just tangible things but things like experiences, learning and achieving.  For me being over fifty means I have the best of all worlds, I enjoy my family and friends, can spend a little more on clothes and makeup etc, have some wonderful holidays (with more to come) & enjoy learning to dance.  I still go to adult ballet once a week and have been going to ballroom dance lessons for over a year now - not only is it fun it keeps me fit.  Do you have any new hobbies you've just started?

Along with fashion I love learning about makeup & skin care. I love to watch YouTube videos sharing makeup ideas, skin care techniques and specific make routines - I've just found a wonderful lady who specialises in over 50's makeup, she deals with lots of issues from dry lips to hooded eyes and I'm so pleased I've found her.  If you're interested here's her link ... Shake Up Makeup.

With Storm Ciara taking hold this weekend taking photos has been a nightmare, double that because this was the first time I have used my new camera on a remote control setting - let's just say it's a 'learning in progress' situation.  So with the weather being very Wintery I wanted to brighted up my demeanor by wearing something bright - to be fair the sun has been out all morning, but that wind is still so strong!

Styling Black and White - #Chicandstylish #LINKUP

Good morning and welcome to 2020!
I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you on the blog as I continue my journey.
Well I can honestly say that was a whirlwind few weeks!  It's not until you slow down and have nothing to do that you realise just how busy you have been!  How nice to relax and enjoy some down time without having to rush out and about like a head-less chicken.
We had a fabulous NYE with four friends in a local pub - dancing, singing, drinking and eating was followed by a really slow day.  The kids came round and cooked a delicious meal which was brilliant because I didn't have to lift a finger!!
My blogging year has been filled with plenty: mixed emotions about every aspect of blogging, I've  scrutinized it all!  I've enjoyed some wonderful collaborations, met up with some blogging friends - both new and old, went to my first cat-walk show.  On the other hand I've toyed with the idea of quitting, questioned myself whether I should carry on & been overjoyed with some of my work.  There's still so much to learn, and when I'm busy with the family blogging has to take a back-seat.  But I can confirm I'm still here, still loving it and will stay ... for the foreseeable future anyway!
I have a few ideas in my head, so do stay with me to see how I get on.

What to wear NYE - Leather Look Matalan Skirt - #chicandstylish #LINKUP

Hello there .... hope you're surviving the Christmas preparations!
All going well with me, so far!

With new year fast approaching I'm thinking about what to wear for the festive night.  We are out with friends to a local pub, so it's not really a very 'dressy' night, but you know me always wanting to push the boat out as they say.  So here's one possibility of what I might wear.
"She's not wearing a dress"  I can hear you say!  Well yes I know I tend to wear dresses at every opportunity as they're so bloody easy to wear!  But when I was away with my sister last month, she showed me one of her latest buys - this leather look pencil skirt.  It's from Matalan and at a snip of a price £16, it has to be the buy of the season.  I tried hers on and it fitted!  Guess where I went the following week?  Yes you guessed right ... Matalan.  I figure it can be dressed up or down, here I've picked it up a level for NYE celebrations, but paired with a chunky jumper, thick tights and boots that will change the feel completely - what do you think?

Guess where I went the following week? 

OASIS Party Dress Styled Three Ways!

Morning.
Wow how did we get to the last month of the year?  It seems like only yesterday I was busy helping plan my daughters wedding!  It was a wonderful time, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I've still to do a post on it, but want to get it just right - it's a work-in-progress post!
Well party season is right on us now, and you may have already started your festive celebrations.  I have a few occasions to don a sparkly dress and wear some party heels, and am always on the lookout for just the right dress.  With a dinner - dance coming up along with a couple of nights out, I was thrilled when Oasis asked me to style an outfit three ways for the festive season and immediately found THE dress that would suit all the occasions I had planned.

... immediately found the dress that would suit all the occasions I had planned.

Items marked with * have been gifted to me, however these are 100% my own honest comments.

Sequin in the New Year! Style not Age.

Morning, welcome to my over fifty blog.
As it's the last Monday in December, it's the latest instalment from Style Not Age - not only that the latest blog post of the year!  This year has gone so fast, I nearly blinked and missed it!
With so much to look forward to in the coming new year - I'm excited to get started.  Two new babies are due in 2019 (if one's not already made an appearance) a wedding and who knows what else will happen.
I've well and truly fallen off the diet and drink wagon, eating way too much over the festive season, along with having a few cheeky drinks too.  But with the new year just around the corner, my sights are set for 'getting back to normal' & continuing my hard work of losing weight.  After all I do have a wedding to get trim for! How about you?

Let's talk Style not Age challenge,  this task was set by Emma, and happens to fall on NYE so she aptly named the tag ...
'Sequin in the New Year' catchy eh?

So we're all sharing our sparkly, sequined styles - go on ... take a look - maybe for some inspiration of what you can wear.