Being fifty and fab .... is back!

I've not done my regular 'being fifty and fab' blog post since last May!!  Life got so crazy, I got busier on the blog and I needed to take some time off to support my daughters move to uni that meant I couldn't keep up with it all so my regular blog posts - being fifty and fab and embracing life ... in midlife had to take a break too.  But I've missed them so I am starting here with this one.  Normal service will resume!!

Being fifty and fab is my monthly round up of what I have been doing, wearing, exercising, and reading.  Just my life really and sharing a few tips and thoughts along the way and encouraging you to live your best life and 'be fifty and fab too (or whatever age you might be ... approaching 50, turning 50 or post 50, it is all fabulous)

So here we are in March!  Thank goodness spring might be on the way, what a wet and miserable February.  I have had a really tough time recently and I am glad to see the back of the winter months.  I have felt really uninspired by my wardrobe this season and I think that goes alongside my struggle with feeling so down but also my attempt to 'buy less' which given my recent mood is proving difficult.  When I look back at my photographs from this time last year, we were already seeing some brighter days and I was beginning to wear lighter clothes, let's hope that is just around the corner this year!

A special day out in London March 2019 and wearing lighter clothes!

Current exercise - walking!

Exercising ... I might call this Self-Care instead - February has mostly been a month of prioritising self-care and allowing myself time to heal from a bout of depression.  I have not been formally exercising for a while but I have been trying to get out for a walk and fresh air as often as the weather has allowed (I am a fair-weather walker)!  If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen videos on stories where I have talked about how good these walks have been for my mental health.  I wrote a couple of blog posts about this and I will link them below.  I also did a Gong Bath with Gongfinity in Marlow, I really loved this and will definitely be going again soon, really good for relaxation (exercise isn't just about sweating it out).

Reading and planning days out

Reading - I have been reading and listening on audible this month.  I listened to Katie Piper Confidence: The Secret and also Happy by Fearne Cotton and I read The man who didn't call by Rosie Walsh (unexpected ending)!  And I am looking forward to planning some outings using my London for Instagrammers book I got for Christmas.  Again all about getting my head in the right place and practicing self-care.

Still love my pleated skirts, this one looks particularly good with red

Doing - despite being quite down I did actually do quite a lot! 

​I had a trip into London to attend the Figleaves SS/20 Press Launch Day.  They had some simply stunning swimwear, bikini's, cover-ups and amazing pretty lingerie.  I had a professional bra fitting and am wearing the correct size.  Everyone should get measured regularly though.  I was also gifted a really pretty underwear set (below), this is the Harper Geometric Full Cup Bra and Lace Brazillian Panties.

Reviewing the spring/summer range from Figleaves

I had a couple of visits to Bath to see my daughter, always a good idea!  I went up on a Saturday by train and we shopped, had lunch, and giggled a lot.  I also went up with my husband on the day of Storm Ciara, we didn't have the heart to tell her we couldn't come, driving conditions weren't great, but all was well and we enjoyed a Sunday lunch together.

I took a day off just for myself and went to Nirvana Spa near Wokingham.  I just lazed about, read my book, relaxed and had a lava shell massage treatment.  I didn't want to leave.

I can't say I am that keen on Valentine's Day and this year was particularly rubbish but a week later I booked for my husband and I to have lunch out at The Greyhound, an old pub in Beaconsfield I remember from my youth and growing up, it has now had a major refurbishment and is a fine-dining restaurant and pub.  We loved it, a fabulous alternative to the foodie destinations in Marlow and Bray and lunch was delicious, well presented and amazing service.  We will be going back, we loved the decor and the garden looks particularly inviting, roll on summer.  See my Instagram stories for some photos and you can book a table and find out more on their website - The Greyhound, Beaconsfield.

I spent a very long, very boring day at the hospital with my son, he hurt his thumb on the last day of his ski holiday.  Quite a nasty fall that resulted in 'skiers thumb' although fortunately it was a partial tear of the ligament and not a full tear so he has a plaster cast (as opposed to needing an operation) but it will take 6-8 weeks to heal fully and it has been very painful.

Below, a sunny mild day wearing a previous season sale purchase coat from Boden with the Montana Blue Multi Crystal Gold Tone Vintage brooch from Eternal Collection £22.

I was invited back to the Bodyvie clinic in Richmond to try out a Radio-frequency Facial following on from my two Profhilo treatments - read more here. - this facial is an excellent follow-up to Profhilo and can really complement and further enhance the condition of the skin.

After a thorough cleanse, my skin was clarified and resurfaced using the diamond tip microdermabrasion device, any area of your face can be targeted if needed followed by the advanced radio-frequency, a treatment which heats the tissue up to 42 degrees to encourage skin tightening and collagen stimulation.  The heat is gradual and at no point did I find it unbearable.  My therapist then applied a hydrating and nourishing mask and I was left to relax for 15 minutes while it worked it's magic.  This is a natural anti-ageing treatment that can be done fortnightly, for best results a course of 4-6 is suggested.  I found it very relaxing, enjoyable and my skin is certainly looking fresh and younger.  I am really pleased with the ongoing results of my regular treatments and the supplements I am taking.  I have put more info on my Instagram stories.  The Bodyvie Clinic is easy to find and I book parking using the Just Park app on my phone.

Lunch date at The Greyhound, Beaconsfield

Wearing - I am so fed up with winter, with the rain and the grey skies.  I have really struggled with any style inspiration and can't wait to get out of jeans and jumpers.  I like to keep it real on my blog and how so many of the style influencers manage to look so glamorous when it is cold and wet is beyond me, I just want to hibernate!  I need spring!

So it has been a joy to have the odd outing with an excuse to dress up.  I wore my Mint Velvet dress from the autumn to lunch with my husband last week.  It is a shirt dress with a handkerchief hem and I love the shades of blue and blush.  I wore it last season with cream boots and my biker jacket, this time I 'winterised' it with black leather boots, still my biker jacket but added a wool scarf.  It was a fairly mild day so this worked very well.  This dress is still current stock - Marlee Snake Print Midi Dress from Mint Velvet.   And a note about my biker jacket, I originally had one from Mint Velvet with a lovely removable lining but I felt the size 10 was a bit too generous so in the Black Friday deals I decided to invest in an All Saints Dalby one, recommended by Avril at A Life to Style and she suggests sizing down, and that you don't need to be able to do up!  It is definitely a better fit on me (my Mint Velvet one is now for sale if you are interested)!

The rest of the time I have been in blue jeans, coated jeans or pleather leggings with jumpers or my new favourite, cardigans.  I have worn boots or trainers and a big coat with my hood firmly up!

I'm loving the current cardigan trend as a V neck is so much more flattering!

I enjoyed a couple of hours at Jak & LIza an independent boutique in Beaconsfield, they invited me to review their SETEFANEL clearance sale.  Stefanel are a luxury Italian brand that will no longer be available in the UK hence the clearance sale, it does mean there are some really fantastic bargains to be had and Jak & Liza have some fabulous stock still available.  I have added my review onto my Instagram story highlights.  This cardigan was reduced to £52, they have a lot of wardrobe staples, classic coats, good quality knitwear and smart trousers.  Worth a look if you are local to Beaconsfield or give them a call if there is something specific you are looking for - there is only a small selection online.

Pink is another favourite alongside my trusted red!

Okay I am going to shut up now as I think I have gone on too long, there seemed to be a lot to tell you about so I have only shared the highlights or this blog post would be way too long - so if you got this far, thank you!

Love from
Michelle xx

Other blog posts you might find useful:

My personal struggle with emetophobia and how to overcome phobias and anxiety
How to be happy using meditation for beginners
What to do and where to stay near Broadway in the Cotswolds

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