Being fifty and fab in November #beingfiftyandfab

It's been a busy month! I nearly didn't do this post but then I thought there have been some lovely things going on to share with you.  And to ask you what you have been doing to 'be fifty and fab'? 

​I've been up to London two Monday's in a row and this week was pretty manic as I had a 10.30 am appointment - I ran for the train, missed the train, realised the next one was on a different platform, ran back, just got on it, to then hear it was delayed.  I thought there was no way I'd make my appointment on time but I did!  Then I got caught in pouring rain with no umbrella and no hood, that'll teach me.  I was glad to get home.

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My big project this month was decluttering and decorating my son's bedroom, yes I know he is 21 and yes he should do it himself but I'd had enough, he was going away for a week so I asked his permission and grabbed the opportunity.  I asked Jo from Less is More to help me and it looks fantastic now!  We used Farrow & Ball to paint the old pine furniture and the walls and everything looks tidy and up to date again.

Exercising - it did mean I took some time off from the gym so I could get on with the bedroom but my results are still going in the right direction, I am concentrating on a calorie deficit, less alcohol and I go to the gym to do weights twice a week.  If anyone saw the TV programme The Truth About Menopause with Mariella Frostrup then I have to report that I was a bit disappointed with it especially that they didn't mention weight training for midlife women - it is THE proven best form of exercise, much better than running!

Reading - my big book this month was The Tattooist of Auschwitz, wow what a story.  I like to research a bit of history before I visit a place and we have a trip to Krakow and Auschwitz planned for March.  My sisters have been and recommended this book.  It is a story of extreme human survival against all the odds, a love story and a piece of history.  I also recently watched one of Chris Tarrant's programmes on the Holocaust Railways.  

Doing - well apart from the decluttering and decorating I have had lots of lovely outings.  The most exciting of which was 24 hours in the city of Bath for my daughter to attend her interview at Norland College.  And then a week later she received a conditional offer to study there starting in September 2019.  It is the only degree course she wanted to do and the only university she applied for!  She was rather shocked to begin with, she had wanted it for so long, but the news is sinking in now.  Bath is such a gorgeous city, I am sure she will love it, and I will love visiting (and shopping)!

​I've also had my old school friends visit for a weekend and I have been down to London with my lovely girlfriends, we had a long lunch in the rooftop restaurant, Alto at Selfridges and then to the theatre to see Tina Turner The Musical which was brilliant!  Whilst I was in London I had a make-up consultation with Trinny London.  I have been hearing a lot about this new launch and her concept of stackable pots and easy to use make-up for every day, there is a very easy to use colour consultation that you can do yourself online.

This weekend I went to see Bohemian Rhapsody at the cinema too, it's all about musicals right now, also very good (although not entirely historically correct I read) but I loved it. 

We had tickets to see Diversity in the Big Top in Brighton - their tribute to the circus - we arrived in Brighton then heard it was cancelled due to the high winds and safety in the big top, what a huge disappointment!  We went up the i360 instead!

Wearing - which meant I needed some outfits to wear to all these lovely outings.  Most have been shared on Instagram but here are a few more details in case you have missed my posts.

Above: A very windy day in Brighton, this was taken at the Marina, I've not been there since it was all redeveloped, it makes a lovely day out as there are shops and restaurants and we had a walk around and looked at the boats.  I wore my Office western style boots, coated jeans from Boden, fur jacket with hood from Toria Lee Accessories, a previous season Mango scarf and a previous season animal print bag (I have no idea where it was from)!

Above: This was a night out with friends in Thame.  My subtle / possibly could be called animal print blouse is from Zara and I wore it with pleather leggings and my bright red pom pom scarf from Sweet Bea.

Above: Another evening out, this time with my old school friends!  I love this Top Shop pleated skirt (£39 and up to size 10 still online) - again sort of animal print but much more subtle!  Worn with a black jumper from Marks & Spencer (just £15 and very useful) and gold accessories from Toria Lee Accessories, I then added my red scarf and black biker jacket and wore it with my Vionic Whitney ankle boots - more info on my black ankle boots post here.

Above: This was a daytime look for my Top Shop skirt (above), worn this time with black opaque tights for warmth and my fur jacket from Toria Lee Accessories.  I was off to a VIP shopping event at Odette Lingerie in Old Amersham with a perfume masterclass from Ruth Mastenbroek.

Here I am wearing a new pink batwing jumper from Mint Velvet with my Paige jeans from Brookes in Marlow.

Above: This was a simple but stylish outfit.  My scarf is from Sweet Bea (similar here) and my gloves are by Powder from The Wendy House, I love the pop of colour they add.


​So that's me this month!  What about you?  Share your #beingfiftyandfab updates and tag me on Instagram!  I'd love to see and share!​

Have you seen all my gift guides - all links below?  There is a definite move towards supporting small businesses and gifting experiences and making memories together, I have found it interesting chatting to friends about their present buying this year and that things are changing in favour of 'less is more'.

Love from
Michelle xx

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Christmas Gift Guide | Small Gifts for the Girls
Christmas Gift Guide | Stocking Fillers for Teenagers
​Christmas Gift Guide | Vouchers and Gift Boxes

Disclaimer: Some of my links are affiliate links which means that the brand knows you have come to their website from here and I may get a small commission if you buy something and keep it.  This small income goes towards the running costs of my blog so I am very thankful for every click.  ​
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