With lockdown and the ongoing restrictions, so many businesses had to change the way they work.  Many small businesses rely on footfall from people out and about and office workers grabbing their lunchtime takeaway or having meetings in the local coffee shops.  I am always keen to hear of businesses that have adapted and I have shared a few on my blog this year.  Strawberry Grove is a local cafe and coffee shop that started in Lane End and then opened up two more branches in Maidenhead, Berkshire and Marlow in Buckinghamshire.  A few weeks ago Strawberry Grove got in touch to ask if I'd like to try them out and share a review on my blog.

They kindly delivered to me a hamper of fresh produce and invited me to sample lunch at their Maidenhead coffee shop.  They explained to me that when lockdown started they had to adapt, forced to close, they needed to still make an income to cover their costs.  They decided to convert Maidenhead into a farm shop, for local people to visit to buy fresh produce but to also deliver in the area (please see here for their delivery postcodes). 

This is the first in an occasional series of gifting ideas in the lead up to Christmas (yes that other C word) ... I am really keen to share inspiration for 'uncluttered gifting' so things that do not take up permanent house space.  I have been inspired to head in this direction from my consultations with Jo at Less is More.  I think there is so much more joy to be had from making memories and gifting a day out or an experience.  Or indeed something that can be enjoyed and then finished, items like food, drinks, toiletries etc, that have a limited life span and even better if there is a natural or sustainable element.  This was my post about it last year - and it includes ideas from Jo if you'd like to take a look - Decluttered and Conscious Christmas Gifting Ideas

My first recommendation, and I am delighted to include a discount code, is a private walking tour of one of Great Britains magnificent cities.  My blog post today is specifically about Oxford and the brilliant tours my sister offers with her company 'Walking Tours of Oxford'. If Oxford isn't convenient for you then there are many others of course, but why not make a day of it, or a weekend and book an overnight stay?

Hello and welcome to my little monthly round up of what I have been doing to 'be fifty and fab' and the last month has been busy and fun but exhausting.  I think I will avoid the dreaded virus talk, that is driving me insane.  So how are you?  I really do appreciate every read and view and your support of my blog so thank you for stopping by and do get in touch if there's anything you'd like to see or ask me.  

I hope to inspire you with my regular chatter, with my outfit ideas and beauty and fitness thoughts.  It isn't my aim to be wearing unrealistically glamorous outfits every day that means you need to buy something new!  Rather that you might see something I have put together and be inspired to shop your wardrobe and find new outfit combinations.

In September my daughter went back to university, we visited her for a Sunday lunch, we still had amazing weather, I've only just started swapping my wardrobe over, I have started getting back to exercise, oh and my dad booked three holidays for next year, he's more optimistic than I am!

Read on though for more details, my latest news and some outfit inspiration!

Should I be missing my children more and struggling with my empty nest?  Or is it okay to feel a little bit pleased that I have more space, more time and am loving getting my house and wardrobe organised?  I have been a stay at home mum / working at home for 23 years and I loved every minute of it (well mostly).  But I was also ready for a rest!  I don't think I realised just how tired I had got and how much I missed 'me'.   In today's post I am sharing details of my new walk in wardrobe (or dressing room), some pretty new underwear for the autumn and a super cotton white shirt!

We have a beautiful cottage in the woods but it isn't a mansion and being a period cottage it does lack storage space.  We have three bedrooms, two bathrooms plus a spare room in an annexe, we are also really fortunate to have the log cabin.  But my dream, since our trip to Florida years ago, was to have a big walk in wardrobe.  Okay so I am not going to quite get the equivalent of the big American homes but I can compromise.  I am not going to be one of those mum's who keeps the kids bedrooms exactly as they were for them to visit.  Oh no, space is too precious for that, and my son owns a flat ten minutes away so he hardly needs a bedroom here does he?  And he can still stay over for Christmas if he wants to.  I have therefore utilised his bedroom and made it into my dressing room and it will also be a spare room.