Being fifty and fab in January #beingfiftyandfab

I'm back with my regular post after the Christmas break!  And I'm really hoping to get some love behind my hashtag #beingfiftyandfab on Instagram.  It's simple really - if you are 50 soon, if you are in your 50's, if you are doing something, or wearing something that makes you feel amazing and you feel fifty and fab then share it on Instagram, tag me @fifty_andfab and use the hashtag #beingfiftyandfab - any day, any time, no rules, just tell me what you are doing to feel fab and I will check them each month and share my favourites.

So what have I been up to!?

Exercising - well I wrote a blog post earlier this week about taking a bit of a break from exercise for a few weeks while I figure out what I want to do and to allow myself some time to finish the decluttering and get on top of a few other projects.  Follow my progress over the coming weeks.  Did you see my review of the new range from Asquith?  Perfect sustainable and stylish clothes to workout in or relax in, you can see the post here.  Below, outfit from Asquith (gifted).

Reading - gosh what have I been reading!?  After I finished the Tattooist of Auschwitz I passed it onto my 18 year old daughter and she read it in a few days, it was such a moving account of this dreadful time in history, it was in parts a harrowing read but so important that it is never forgotten.  I then moved onto a Paige Toon novel for something more lighthearted!  Baby Be Mine by Paige Toon was a very easy read and ideal if you don't want anything too deep!  I am currently reading The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life by William Nicholson and will report back on that one next month.

​Doing - well January kicked off with a belated company get-together where we stayed overnight in Thame.  Then mostly it has been very quiet.  I have been getting on with my decluttering project and have so far completed the kitchen and utility room and I am loving the results.  I made time to sit down and watch Marie Kondo 'Tidying Up' on Netflix and although I do think her approach is a bit extreme I do take some of her ideas and adapt them.  Jo from Less is More comes and helps me and that is worth every penny.  If I do it by myself I easily get distracted but Jo keeps me on track and has some wonderful ideas and is a tidying queen!

Have you been watching Les Miserables on a Sunday night!?  I'm loving it - Sunday nights with Call the Midwife at 8 pm and Les Miserables at 9 pm are perfect.  Then of course we get Cold Feet on Monday's!!!  January was made for nights in front of the TV.

​I had a funeral to attend mid-January and I drove my parents down to Sussex and although it is a sad occasion, we did enjoy visiting the area where they lived when they first got married and I was pleased to catch up with my family who we just don't see often enough.

​Of course one highlight in January was meeting up with two other Over 50 bloggers and having afternoon tea at The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge - you can read all about it on this post.

Wearing - here are a few of my outfits from my recent outings and some just day to day outfits because normal life happens too.  

Last year I did a No Spend February challenge and it is my plan to do the same this year.  Last time I updated on my progress weekly, this year I will just add updates to Instagram and then a full update on my blog at the end of the month.  But I will be really focusing on what I already have and wearing it different ways #shoppingmywardrobe so if you fancy joining me then give me a shout via Instagram or comment below.  I am a bit of a shopaholic and January sales are so tempting so along with my ongoing decluttering I really do need to cut down again.  I'll be creating a 'wish list' as I go along and then seeing what I do still want in March ... I have my eye on another investment purchase, blog post coming soon.

Above - this was a sale blouse from Mint Velvet with my Next coated jeans, sale clutch from Boden and my black Whitney boots from Vionic (now half price in the sale) for our company night out in Thame.

Above - the next day!  I wasn't hung over but it was a late night!  I am wearing the every day cashmere knit from J Crew who I discovered only recently when I got to visit their shop on Marylebone High Street.  My scarf is old (Mango), my boots are Hush and all worn with my faithful Next coated jeans.

Above - this has been a lovely every day knit from Boden (Helena and is now half price) and I wore it with a pink scarf from Sweet Bea and my French Connection rebound denim jeans and Vionic trainers (similar here and now half price).

Above - funeral outfit, and my skirt is from Hobbs (sale but limited sizes), these black ribbed round neck jumpers from Marks & Spencer are very useful, not bulky or too  hot and are only £15.  I have a cream and a red one too.  My coat is previous season Fenn Wright and Manson, boots are Miss KG and my scarf is from Sweet Bea.

Above - I am loving this sweat from Whistles 'creme de la creme' with my bright red pom pom scarf from Sweet Bea.

Above - this is a past season jumper from Marks & Spencer and it is very warm so I dug it out again.  I am wearing new jeans from Spanx - yes who knew!?  I saw another blogger wearing the leather look leggings from Spanx, I did try them and I did really like them but I still felt my Next coated jeans are better for daily wear then I saw that Spanx are doing jeans, well these are jeggings.  I am very pleased with them, they are super comfortable and are not silly expensive.  I got mine from Next here.  Scarf is previous season Mango and my navy boots are Hobbs (sale still available in some sizes).

I was in London earlier this week doing a photo shoot with the Daily Mail for an article about women over 50 still being the same size/weight as in their 20's - there has been some research done that shows if this is the case you might live longer!  As soon as I can share the photos and the article I will do.
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What have you been up to in January?  I hope everyone is recovering from the cold and flu bugs that have been lingering, it took me several weeks to recover from a sore throat thing.  And now we are about to get lots more snow.  That is okay if I am skiing but not so helpful at home.

Love from
Michelle xx
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Not Dressed as Lamb
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Is This Mutton
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Mutton Years Style and I
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