The theme of this years World Menopause Day is Testosterone for Women in Midlife and it really caught my eye immediately because testosterone is not licensed for women to use in the UK - and yet it can be a life-changing element of HRT and treating the debilitating menopause symptoms.  It is possible to take testosterone in the UK, you just need to know how to get it.  My research for my own hormone health eventually led me to taking testosterone (as well as oestrogen) and I have talked about my journey a lot on my blog (see below for all the links to other menopause discussions). 

​I started off a bit anti-HRT, I thought I'd be able to manage without it and I thought it wouldn't happen to me.  But it did - and I so wish I hadn't delayed making the decision. finally accepting I needed it was the best thing I ever did!

Imagine opening your wardrobe every morning and loving what you see, knowing that every item is perfect, worn often and versatile.  Jo Haley, The Positive Image Coach is more than just a colour stylist.  Jo offers a range of packages to help you make the most of your wardrobe, to encourage you to feel more confident and to love your style.

Way back in March I went along to meet Jo at her studio near High Wycombe and to chat all things stye and colour related.  I have had a colour consultation in the past but never felt I really kept to the advice.  Something was bothering me, I explained this to Jo and she said there is a huge difference between having your colours 'done' and having them 'analysed'.  At the end of our session I understood what she meant. 

​Jo is friendly, approachable and fun, she is passionate about what she does, she loves to empower women to have confidence in themselves and their image, to love what they see and work with what they have.  She has recently relaunched her style consultancy under the new name 'The Positive Image Coach' and she loves working with women who are 40, 50 or 60+ who feel they have lost their way a little in midlife.  Maybe they have retired from corporate life and need a whole new style of wardrobe or maybe they just need a confidence boost with their changing figure and lifestyle.  Perfect fit for me and my blog then!

Many many years ago when I was flat sharing with a friend it became quite a joke just how many pairs of jeans I had.  This particular friend is now my lovely GBFF and he still laughs at my jeans purchases and shopping habits.  Embarrassing!  But how difficult is it to find the most flattering jeans for women?  I remember going to Gap years ago and being very impressed with their wash and wear return policy.  So if you wore them, washed them and found you didn't really like the fit then you could return them for a refund - is this still possible?  But very often we wear a new pair of jeans for a few hours or a day and find they are not as perfect as we thought they were in the fitting room.  

​I have spent a lot of money on jeans and I have spent very little too.  My favoured high end brand is 7 for all Mankind but I have tried Paige and Citizens of Humanity too.  From the High Street I like French Connection Rebound denim.  But they all have their downside too - not quite the right rise, either too high or too low and they always need to be shortened to the right length for me.

I have been using my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish forever, but I am always open to trying different skin care options - especially with some anti ageing benefits.  I had seen Lumity advertising but not taken much notice but when they contacted me to ask if I would like to receive a press sample pack (gifted) I thought I would give it a go.  They sent me their 4-in-1 Cleanse, the Skin Nutrients Facial Oil and a 7-day supply of the Morning & Night soft gel supplements.  These are available as a Travel Pack and are ideal for trying before you buy the full size, it would make a lovely gift or of course to take on holiday!

​So what did I think?