Being fifty and fab ... my May highlights including a father's day gift, a fun weekend away and a mayor's inauguration!

Hello!  Well finally, we have some warmer weather!  I can get my summer dresses out!  My wardrobe has been looking a bit uninspiring and crowded.  Not quite ready to put the winter woolies away but not quite ready to go 'full on summer' either, honestly same days I have no clue what to wear.  May has been a busy social month, so I have a few fun things to share with you.  June gives us Father's Day and I have a super new product launch from Thomas Clipper to tell you about.  My daughter is living in London on a residential placement this month so I have a weekend with her to look forward to!  Read on and find out more about 'being fifty and fab' this month ... 

A break from the May rain when I got to put a dress on! All outfit details at bottom of post!

Exercising - not sure if I should admit this again but still not doing enough, despite a few attempts this month to get myself back into a routine.  Having gone all guns blazing in December and even seeing results by February, I then let overwhelm win again.  But I am addressing it and I will tell you more next month!

I have been for a few walks though and a couple of weeks ago, me and the dogs did a little video for my instagram grid (here) as part of a Paid Partnership with Hotter Shoes.  I am wearing the Jupiter Shoes in White Multi, they are made from leather and suede, they are lightweight and flexible and are stylish and modern with their navy and silver detailing and laces making them easy to adjust the fit.

I did a video for instagram ... wearing Hotter shoes!

Reading (and watching) - the highlight of this month had to be Davina MacCall" Sex, Myths and the Menopause on C4.  Did you see it?  I am so glad they addressed the huge concerns and myths surrounding HRT.  It is such a worry that GP's have little - or no - training on menopause.  No wonder women are told such crazy things and are put off HRT.  I have a new section on my blog which will be a resources page containing all the useful stuff I find out about menopause (here), do use it, pass in on to friends or get in touch if you have any suggestions or questions.  I want to keep it simple and easy to understand.

Father's Day Gift Idea - I was sent a press sample of the new men's cologne - Atlantic from Thomas Clipper and I love it (on my husband of course) and I thought it would make a super father's day gift for your husband / your own dad ... I am not usually a fan of scents but Atlantic has really impressed me, and my husband too fortunately!  Thomas Clipper is a UK based independent brand that offers modern men's fragrances.  Atlantic is the perfect summer fragrance, it is a fresh summer neroli, with warm tonka and a cedarwood base and heart notes bringing masculine balance.  It was awarded one of the 'Best Fragrances to Shop' for Father's Day 2021 by Grazia UK.

Thomas Clipper say 'Great scents can transport you, or heighten your experiences.  Our goal with Atlantic was to capture the relaxed positivity of a summer escape.  This is a cologne to put a smile on your face.  Close your eyes, relax.  This summer's going to be fantastic'. 

Lovely packaging, great scent and a really fabulous gift idea!  Perfect to evoke feelings of happiness and optimism as summer finally arrives and normal life returns.  Check out their full range of luxury goods and gifts for me including aftershaves, grooming and bathroom supplies, shaving sets, wash bags, card holders ... and more.

The Mayor of Cheltenham - on the day the restrictions eased and indoor socialising was allowed again, we headed up to Cheltenham as guests of the new mayor for the mayoral inauguration at the Town Hall.  We have known Steve for 30+ years and were delighted at his appointment as the new Mayor of Cheltenham.  We joined him, his lovely wife (my good friend Jo), and their two daughters (read Jessica's story here) along with 30 other guests for the ceremony and drinks afterwards.  We then headed back to the hotel bar and stayed the night before heading home the next day!  A lovely experience!

My outfit for the Mayor's Inauguration in Cheltenham.

Dinner at The Ivy Marlow Garden - yes I have been busy!  But it felt so good to be out out and I loved the atmosphere and relaxed feel of being back in a restaurant.  I loved chatting to my friend and her husband and catching up on nearly 18 months of news!

I had to wear boots out to dinner! Winter throwback outfit!

Two nights at the Beach Hut Suites, Beachcroft Hotel - I saw Stripey Coral on Instagram share her visit back in the Autumn and I loved the location of these stunning beach hut suites, literally right on the beach, overlooking the sea and I had to book!  Not cheap but what is for such an amazing location and we were totally spoilt!  The address might be a bit off-putting, they are located at Felpham just next to Bognor Regis but absolutely no need to worry! 

The hotel itself still feels a bit dated, it is clearly undergoing a gradual renovation but I wish them well, if the beach hut suites are anything to go by, they are off to a good start.  We arrived on Sunday afternoon and were able to check-in by 3 pm and the wow factor as you walk in is breathtaking.  I couldn't wait to get out onto the deck and enjoy the view.  You can see and hear the sea from the bedroom mezzanine too, it is so relaxing!  On Sunday evening we had room service, a limited menu but delicious traditional fish and chips served in boxes!  Perfect for a posh seaside takeaway!  On Monday evening we eat at the Tamarisk Restaurant in the main hotel and had an excellent meal, very well presented and helpful, friendly staff.  The hotel and beach hut suites are totally 'dog friendly' providing beds, a toy, treats, poo bags and bowls.  They also have dog washing facilities if needed after a run on the beach.  The beach isn't sandy but it is ideal for a doggy holiday as apart from the main area at Felpham, you can take your dogs on the beach.  We had a breakfast hamper delivered to our suite on both mornings - fresh orange juice, a croissant, jams, ham, cheese, fruit and yoghurt and on the second morning we were able to enjoy outside!

I thoroughly recommend this area!  Go on treat yourself!  I had plans for a day out but actually just staying in Felpham, walking along the sea front, relaxing over a coffee in The Lobster Pot or on the deck of the beach hut, wandering along the beach (all between rain showers) was all we wanted and needed.

Take a look at their website here - Beach Hut Suites!  You'll be tempted!

Wind and rain at the Beach Hut Suites in Felpham but the location more than made up for the weather! Being right on the beach was amazing!

On the subject of days out, I contributed to another blog post this month and shared my recommendation of visiting Chartwell and Chatham Dockyards - if you fancy a day out in Kent, there are lots of ideas on this blog post!

Linen blend jumper from Mint Velvet - I will link below.

Alzheimer's Society Cupcake Day 2021 - this year Cupcake Day is being held on Thursday 17th June and now we can socialise again I plan to take part!  My cupcake making skills are a bit rusty and my decorating skills are rubbish!  But it is the thought that counts and Alzheimer's research is close to my heart.  Why not get involved too?  Bake cakes for friends, family, work colleagues or neighbours and ask for donations.  You can request a full fundraising kit here with lots of ideas and suggestions and recipe ideas!  

Pre-loved silk blouse and 7 For All Mankind Jeans from Vintage & Vogue

Beautiful cotton mint green poncho from Creative DeZigns.

A whistle stop tour of my month!  I am busier than ever!  I have so many plans for my blog but not enough time to do it all!!  Don't forget to subscribe to my regular emails if you like reading Fifty & Fab.

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: this blog post contains gifted items from Thomas Clipper and Hotter Shoes.  Some of the links are affiliate links.
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All the outfit details (contains some affiliate links):

Red Lianne dress from Hush, Chesca Trainer from Mint Velvet
Jupiter Shoes from Hotter, Jeans from Levi's. Navy Tee from Mint Velvet
Ghost X M&S Dress (now sold out), green shoes and bag previous season, Boden
Leather Biker from All Saints, rest of outfit all from my wardrobe.
Lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo, Sandro hoody from Vintage & Vogue
Blue Linen Blend V-Neck from Mint Velvet
Mint Green Poncho from Creative DeZigns with Jeans from Mint Velvet

Pin it for later!

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Other blogs I link up with:

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

​Mummabstylish
#Chic&Stylish

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