Last year wasn't a great Mother's Day.  I set my expectations too high.  I took too much notice of what everyone else was doing on social media.  Big mistake!  People post on Facebook what they want to you to see - not the reality.  My daughter was brilliant and she got me a really thoughtful gift but for some reason I felt quite fed up all day.  Fast forward to this year, yesterday and I decided to have no expectations at all and boy it was so much better!

Mind you I was a bit fed up by the need to have clocks changing and Mother's Day on the same day!!  I mean whose silly idea was that!?  Us Mum's need an extra hour not to lose one and then to lose one on 'our special day' well it's madness!!  

I had a really lovely day but I was very aware of those that maybe were not having such a great day.  The media and social media raise our expectations but what about those who sadly have not been able to have children, or those who have lost their Mum maybe more recently?  Those whose children are away and can't get home for Mother's Day?  I am sure there are many more scenarios but having felt fed up myself last year it did make me think a bit more about others this year.  So if that is you and yesterday you felt miserable then my heart goes out to you and I am so sorry, I hope that today is better and a bit of sunshine cheered you up.

On Friday my sister organised a day out in London.  It was me and my two sisters and our Mum.  We got the train down, arrived in Covent Garden, had a good bimble about, found Neals Yard and sat in the sun and had a cup of tea.  We went in a few shops, nothing too stressful.  Then we had dinner at Bill's and finally headed to the Vaudeville Theatre to see Stepping Out starring Amanda Holden.  It was excellent, Amanda was brilliant and it was very funny - just what we needed.  We had an easy journey home and we weren't too exhausted.  We made memories, we had fun together, we chatted and we relaxed.  It was perfect.

I wore my new Mint Velvet trainers, my Citizens of Humanity grey jeans, a new pale pink/blush jumper from Boden with my M&S scarf and a lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo, my silver handbag was from John Lewis last year.  My mum's lovely green jacket is from Joules!

On Sunday, we had lunch at our local pub, we were a large group, there was me and my husband and our two children, then my parents and my brother in law who is here doing some work for us and my sister-in-law.  We spent a lot of time in the garden as it was so sunny.  

My children made lots of effort.  I got a beautiful card from my daughter with words that brought tears to my eyes.  And even my son had been shopping and I had a lovely card and some thoughtful gifts.

But most importantly, we spent the day together.  No expectations.  Just time as a family. Making memories, that is the most important thing to me.  Nothing else matters.

I hope you too were able to have a nice day.  And if it didn't go to plan then remember it is just another day and you are not alone, we all have bad days and today will be better.

Love
Michelle xx

It was a lovely sunny day on Sunday but I still needed a jacket - this new 'bomber' style jacket is from Marks & Spencer and was recommended by their new styling service 'Tuesday's', I wore it over a new blouse from Boden (Polly Top) and my 7 for all Mankind jeans.

We are having the house decorated!  It's pretty chaotic and not my favourite pastime I have to be honest BUT I want it done so I have to be patient.  First of all we had the kitchen units painted, we have a painted shaker style kitchen and it all just needed a refresh.  Now the rest of the house needs to be painted, it is amazing how having one area done suddenly shows up how dirty and tired looking the rest is.  By the way if anyone wants sample paint pots for a variety of heritage green colours, I have plenty!!!

It does mean that my blogging time has been more limited as I am needed to move things around and generally do the running about and planning so I feel like my head is a bit all over the place right now.

As I write this it is the first day of Spring!  Not that you'd notice it.  I have enjoyed a few little glimpses of sun over the last few weeks though.  I blogged about my colour of the moment - blush here.  And I have just taken a delivery of a pale pink jumper from Boden.

There are a few sales on right now.  Boden has some great discounts and Mint Velvet has just pinged into my inbox too.

Last week I popped into London to meet my cousin for lunch near Victoria so I took a look at the shops there.  Not great, but enough for the short time I had.  Quite a few good reductions in Hobbs and there was a large Monsoon.  Now I am not a huge fan of Monsoon but I do like to take a look from time to time and I often pick up bits in Accessorize.  I had been looking for a new cropped sweat top, something easy to throw on over my workout gear, I had one from Sweaty Betty but it was looking very tatty so needed replacing,  And Sweaty Betty is so expensive, plus they didn't have exactly what I wanted anyway.  But I did love the new sportswear range in Accessorize - Athleisure Spirit (take a look here)  I got a fabulous cropped hoody for £30.  Then my daughter nicked it!  So it must be good.  I've ordered another one.

So here is a little round up of what I have been wearing recently with details where applicable.

First up is the cropped hoodie from Accessorize, £30.  I am pretty impressed with their new fitness range, let's see how it wears!

I talked about 'blush' on my previous post and this is my new scarf from Marks & Spencer worn with a navy jumper from Hobbs, my 7 for all Mankind Jeans and my new trainers from Mint Velvet.

Scarf and trainers same as above but I was having a very casual day so I am wearing Boden leggings with a Boden cashmere jumper and a black fur gilet (all previous season)..

I'm pretty in love with the blush scarf!  This time I am wearing it with my All Saints silk blouse a late January sale bargain and my 7 for all Mankind jeans.  My blazer is from Zara.

I had an early start this day, an airport run for my son, so I popped on my new jumper from Hush - but the day turned out very warm, oh well!  This is a great lightweight knit though and I 'love' the slogan!

I have definitely got my money's worth from my 7 for all Mankind jeans!  The stripe long sleeve top is from Halhuber at House of Fraser and this and a black one were reduced in the sale to £19, just the right amount of stretch, I am very happy with them.  The jacket is a knitted blazer style from the Boden sale.  And my scarf is from online accessories shop Sweet-Bea and until the end of March you can get 15% off using the code FIFTYANDFAB15, they have a great selection of stylish scarves and accessories.
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So I am slowly dipping my toe into some Spring styles but it is not easy with the ever changing weather.  I did take a look at my stored away 'Spring / Summer' items last week but I am not ready to have a sort out yet - and with the decorating being done, I am not sure I want to add any more muddle in.  I have purchased a few new bits to refresh my wardrobe as the weather warms up and I will share some more with you next week.

Love
Michelle xx
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I was wandering through Marks & Spencer in Milton Keynes a few weeks ago and a blush scarf caught my eye, I wasn't looking for it, it wasn't in the scarf section, it was on an outfit and I didn't even think about it, I just grabbed it and paid!

And so blush has become my spring colour.  I am just slowly dipping my toe into spring and letting go of the darker shades of winter.  Armed with my blush scarf I then spotted some gorgeous blush and rose gold pumps on the sales assistants in Mint Velvet, Marlow. I didn't have time to stop and ask about them so when I got home I messaged Gaby who is on Instagram and she gave me the details (only available online).  

And so my blush accessories are building.  It goes really well with rose gold, with navy or black or grey and is a colour that works well on me.

Here are a few ideas if you fancy introducing blush into your wardrobe (or Mint Velvet call it nude)!

Above, all from Mint Velvet.  

Gemma foldover clutch £99.00
Balloon sleeve jumper in nude £89.00
Rose gold drop necklace £29.00

Blush scarf Marks & Spencer £22.50
​Nude Andi Lace-Up Mint Velvet £89.00
Blush scarf Sweet-Bea £14.50 (15% off with the code FIFTYANDFAB15)

Blush is going to look absolutely gorgeous with grey and perfect for updating our wardrobes coming into the milder weather.  Below are a few outfits I have been wearing recently:

So that's my current crush and what I am wearing now.  Have you noticed that we get one day rain then one day sun and the pattern just keeps alternating!  It is however mild enough not to need a heavy coat every day.

Love
Michelle xx
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Is Mother's Day later this year?  I'm sure last year it was much earlier in March.  Anyway I am very lucky to still have my lovely mum around and living quite close by so along with my two sisters we have a day out in London on the Friday, we are going to the theatre to see Stepping Out. (a dance musical starring Amanda Holden).  On Sunday I think it will be lunch at our local pub - always a joy not to cook.

So it is time to start thinking about some gifts (and give my own children some ideas (hints)!

First of all a spring scarf - what's not to love?  Using the code FIFTYANDFAB15 you can get 15% off scarves and other accessories at Sweet-Bea.

I'm totally in love with blush at the moment and this scarf is gorgeous!  I've just bought a new one from Marks & Spencer, I wonder if I can justify another one?!  Feathers and Pine Cones Pink Scarf £14.50.

And this is one my of recent purchases, looks great with navy and denim. Little Stars with Blue Print and Tassels £17.50.

And finally how gorgeous is this one?  Loving the pom poms!  Flowers in Coral and Ivory with Pom Poms £17.50.

​Next on my wish list is this lovely silver clutch bag from Mimi & Thomas.  I saw Donna at I Won't Wear Sludge Brown feature it on her Instagram during her recent holiday to Mexico. I can see this going perfectly with my summer dresses when we go to Kefalonia in July.

Photograph credit to Donna at I Won't Wear Sludge Brown - see her Instagram here.
Mimi & Thomas Luna Leather Pouch Wristlet - Silver £42.00.

Not on the High Street of course is a great website for gift ideas and my sister bought me a really pretty necklace from Jamie London with two charms, the initials of my two children.

But you can't beat a more personal gift and last year my daughter bought me a little book 'What I Love about Mum' and inside there were lots of prompts so you could personalise it, I love it!  Sadly it is out of stock on Not on the High Street but this is a similar idea.  Personalised Things I love about Mum print £18.00.
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I hope this has given you some ideas but most importantly go and make memories, spend time with your mum, as a mum myself there is nothing I love more than being with my children.

Love
Michelle xx
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