It's that time year again, and I've noticed a few new dry patches of skin - particularly where my bra straps sit on my shoulder, why there?  No idea!  Even googling it doesn't give me a clear answer ... anyway when the cold weather arrives in the winter months I always turn to Gem's Dry Skin Balm.  Now full disclosure Gem is my niece (in-law) and is like another daughter to me (or little sister depending on how brave I am about the age gap), Gem lived with us for a while and we are very close.  When she was living here we worked a lot together on her small business, then she moved to Devon, had a baby paused for a few years to concentrate on being a new mum, but she's back and thank goodness because I was running out of supplies of her balm, Gem's Dry Skin Balm really is a beauty cupboard essential, for both summer and winter.  
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Winter can be a tough time for our skin, especially for women over 50 navigating midlife. As the temperature drops, the combination of cold air, indoor heating, and low humidity levels can mean our skin changes and leaves the skin feeling dry, tight, and uncomfortable. Add to this the natural changes in our skin’s texture and elasticity during midlife when our hormone levels drop (especially oestrogen), and it’s no wonder winter often feels like a battle for hydration.  But that is why we all need one hero product - a dry skin balm.

This is a personal recommendation - although I do receive gifts of Gem's Dry Skin Balm regularly because Gem is my niece! 

​Get 15% off Gem's Dry Skin Balm below!

Hello!  Is it too late to say Happy New Year!?  Do you even want to hear it or does it all just sound a bit repetitive and hollow!?  Answers on a postcard (or comment below) ... I have been in a bit of a writing hiatus, I've not wanted to appear on Instagram and have had several attempts at this post but my creativity just isn't flowing, I am very much in hibernation mode.

There is so much pressure to do something in the new year, to celebrate, to set goals, make resolutions, or whatever else the new 'insta-buzzword' is!   Why do we feel we need to create a better version of ourselves?  You as you are is just fine.  I feel like I have lost my way a little and I am desperately treading water just to keep up with the basics.  

So my first priority is acknowledging that today is just another day, that expecting everything to change just because it is the beginning of January is ... well ridiculous!  I am going to allow myself to take my time.  In fact I started this process way back in the Autumn so throughout January I will be building on my plans rather than rushing out to join a gym, start a new diet or change my lifestyle only to look back next January and realise I didn't manage to sustain any of it!

Below are a few ideas to take things slow and be gentle on yourself .... this is where I am and I hope it reassures you that real life isn't about perfection we all see on Instagram.  I'm certainly not dressing up, daily uniform currently leggings and a sweatshirt!

This blog post contains some affiliate links.

2024 ... you weren’t so bad and in fact sorting through my camera roll to write this post and my caption for my Instagram reel I realised I’d had a lot of fun!  Even if there were times when I was exhausted, fed up and overwhelmed.

So in a lighthearted look back here are a few of my 2024 highlights and a reminder that despite setbacks, there are always good moments and glimmers of hope, laughter and opportunities to make memories together:

We departed Lucca and as our next check-in wasn't until late afternoon, we decided to explore the Tuscan countryside first and headed up the hill we had been admiring from our accommodation, the winding road really took us off the beaten track and through the vineyards and olive groves.  We'd seen many cyclists passing us during our stay and it would be some steep climb on a bike but the views were worth it and it gave ua a closer insight into real life in Tuscany.

We then started the main part of our journey towards the Chianti region, we'd chosen this area as our final stop so we could do some wine tasting, and explore a different area of Tuscany.  We also thought that by this point in our break, we'd want some down time for relaxation and the house we chose was in a very sleepy village.

Missed part one and two, read them here, Florence and Lucca.