Being fifty and fab ... in April 2021

I wish it would warm up!  Anyone else fed up with feeling cold, I am desperate to get my lighter clothes and dresses out now!  I know it is still early and last year was an exceptional spring but with all the having to eat outside thing, I'd really like some improvement!  Have you been out yet?  We managed to get lunch out a couple of weeks ago, booked well in advance though!

My big achievement this month was raising £265 for my friend's daughter - you can read all about why on my blog post Jessica's story and her fight for a life | and homemade fudge thank you so much to everyone who ordered fudge or donated to my fundraising efforts.  I hope it arrived and you enjoyed!  My daughter was in charge of packaging and post office and her housemate Kiera made the fudge as part of her Fudge4Charity initiative.

A message from Kiera ...

‘I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone single one of you who bought fudge, and to those who didn’t buy fudge but still donated to Jessica’s fund. I started my venture, Fudge4Charity, to give something back to the community and without you guys it wouldn’t be possible so thank you again very much’.' Love Kiera xx

Kiera and my daughter Emily are both students at Norland College in Bath.

April has been about wearing jeans and jumpers and keeping warm! Outfit details below.

Happy May Day weekend to all my readers, thank you for being a part of my blog!  Here is what I have been up to recently ...

Exercising - well this has stalled, I must be honest, the blog has got so busy, it was Easter, my daughter was at home and I had all the overwhelm.  I've been working hard to get some better systems in place for my blog admin so I can still have a life!  My blog is meant to be part hobby / part part-time job!  The plan is to find the exercise motivation again, I don't like exercising but then I don't like not exercising either.  I am still talking with Drew Gatherer to find a solution!

Outfit above and below - all from my wardrobe, the off the shoulder knitted top is from Hush Homewear, no longer available in orange but they do have it this year in green or a plain powder blue!

Outfit details below, I have been embracing the spring knit!

Reading (and watching) - I've not been reading much either!  But I have enjoyed more TV time!  We've been dipping into Our Yorkshire Farm and we watched The Sister on ITV Player - that was spooky!  And we've just started on The Stranger on Netflix and this is proving to be binge-worthy.

Doing - as I mentioned we did make it out for lunch!  I am glad I had the foresight to make a reservation when the lockdown easing dates were announced.  We had a very enjoyable date at The Greyhound in Beaconsfield (see pics below), they have built an impressive covered patio area and made it very cosy with outdoor heaters.  The food is absolutely delicious and the service impeccable.  I adore 'fine dining' as the smaller portions suit me and it is just so tasty!  

It was also fabulous to see family over the long Easter weekend, we had made sure the garden was ready and I have a basket of blankets handy!  It also meant we could finally meet our new great-niece Evie.  I am relieved there has been less rain as walks in the woods are much more pleasant when it isn't muddy.

We had a day out in London to visit the area our daughter will be living in for her first residential work placement for Norland College.  It was a bitterly cold day but still good to be out and we had a little drive around the area and a walk too.

I went over to Maidenhead a couple of weeks ago to help my friend Diana and her sister Carole with some photos for their new website.  They needed someone to model their accessories and never one to shy away from the camera, I was happy to help!  I will be sharing the results and their online shop soon.

My daughter and I did make it out shopping - real, live touch and feel shopping before she went back to uni in Bath.  We stayed local but it was good to be out and actually see what is in the shops.  I was a bit disappointed with the lack of stock in Zara and I have never been impressed with H&M, I do try!  Amazingly I didn't buy anything but my daughter did!  I have a plan to get into London ASAP where hopefully the bigger shops will be more stocked.

Over this May bank holiday weekend, we managed to get a walk in at Cliveden (see above), you have to book in advance for all National Trust visits still and Cliveden is popular and it is not easy to get a slot!  But the timing was great, it was bright and the bluebells had started appearing!

We also walked around the fields near Great Hampden (below) where my sister-in-law lives and I hadn't appreciated what a pretty area it is!  

Wearing - I am a bit disappointed not to have made it out of jeans and jumpers yet!  I'd love to be wafting around in summer dresses.  I have managed to have a bit of a wardrobe sort out though so my dresses are ready when the weather is ready for them!

Below - my camo jeans are years old from Gap (but they have similar here - High Rise True Skinny Camo Jeans) and my jumper is the Eldon Cotton V-Neck Jumper from Boden (new season).  My little cross body bag is from Amelia Rose Accessories.  It is very small but looks so cute and is perfect for phone and credit card essentials.

Below - seen before but the pure merino wool jumper in azure blue from Marks & Spencer is so stunning and I am wearing it here with a scarf from Wild at Heart Gifts, floral pom pom scarf.

Above - my pretty blouse is the Anastasia from Baukjen, now sold out apart from a 6!

​Below - wearing a previous season jumper from Hush Homewear.

Beauty - I have started a series of HydraFacials at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic in Thame and I had my first one a couple of weeks ago.  It was lovely to meet Emma who owns the salon and Paige her senior therapist who did my facial.  I was absolutely delighted with the results from just one!  I am going to be sharing a series of blog posts about skin health and the menopause and how best to look after our skin so look out for them!

And that sums up April and I am excited to be getting on with May now!  More freedom and less Covid!  

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: my post contains some affiliate links.

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The benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother
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I link up with:

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

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