Being fifty and fab ... in May (and the lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease)!

Hello, well what has it been, ten weeks?  I feel like my life now (the beginning of the end of the Covid19 lockdown) is so very different to my life at the start..  

We started with people panic buying loo roll and pasta (I didn't)!  Then realised there was absolutely no need to panic buy at all (I knew that).  We walked daily, spring cleaned the cupboards, reorganised rooms and planned decorating projects.  We rejoiced at having the family all together safe at home and felt excited about the money we'd save on not going out, not going shopping and not getting takeaways.

We started drinking at home again!  My tipple of choice during lockdown has been a nice chilled blush rose.  Then realised it isn't a good idea for the waist or sleep!

The weather has been surprisingly amazing, I am convinced the early heatwave was sent to us for a reason, was it down to less pollution or was it God's way of looking after us and encouraging us to stay at home?  It has felt like being on holiday, which hasn't been ideal for encouraging people to go back to work.

Above: this white crinkled cotton dress was just £19.99 from H&M but is not currently in stock, they do have it in blue or a palm tree print or you can ask they notify you for the white.

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However ten weeks later it all feels so different to the start.  It almost feels like it didn't happen.  With every announcement of the easing of lockdown, we were kinda there anyway, the media announce it so we think we can do it before Boris tells us we can.  We've had scandal (Dominic Cummings) and criticism of the governments decisions but lets' face it, it was all very 'unprecedented' and no one really saw it coming, I doubt any government would have done it any better.  Even so I will admit that I am a bit frustrated with some of the rather weak decisions and announcements.

The numbers still seem very high and the statistics for number of deaths is shocking and an absolute tragedy whatever the circumstances.  But we have to find a way to get back to somewhere near normality.  We need healthy people to get back to life and we need to continue to shield and look after the vulnerable.  I hope we can navigate that balance.  It would help if the 'covidiots' would stop being stupid - let's jump off Durdle Door and into the sea or let's swim in contaminated lakes (the latest stupidity in Oxfordshire).

A friend posted on facebook this morning about the crowded beaches, are these the same parents that will refuse to send their children to school this week - but are happy to take them to an overcrowded beach at the weekend?

But enough of the heavy stuff, my blog is a lighthearted look at my daily life so to bring you my round up of what I have been doing to 'be fifty and fab' I went back to my first lockdown post to see how things evolved for me.  These were my positives followed by an update of what I think now!

• Saving money!  Less money spent on clothes and eating out.  NOW yep I did save money and yes my spending habits are still improving, I wonder how long it will last?
• I'll have more time to cook healthy meals from scratch.  NOW well I have had moments of absolute boredom from cooking every night, fortunately my daughter has been helping, making it all a bit easier.
• And a big one, my family all in for dinner at the same time every night, making meal planning so much easier!  NOW this is still fabulous and so much easier to plan, I guess this will continue for a while longer yet.
• I can really focus on my fitness and incorporate more workouts into my week.  NOW absolute rubbish!  I started off so well then my son needed more and more equipment in the log cabin (AKA my gym / his temporary office) and I used it as an excuse to stop!
• I will enjoy daily walks in the woods (weather permitting).  NOW okay so they have not been daily but they have been frequent and I love walking in the woods (in this weather).
• I will be less busy so I can indulge my love of sitting in the garden.  NOW haha this one I am still managing to do (I prioritise sun-lounger time over workout time, it is what it is)!  Don't judge me!
• I am planning on watching a few of my favourite TV programmes, as well as catching up on series I have missed.  NOW I'e hardly watched any TV!  I did of course watch Normal People (that was a lockdown necessity)!
• More reading, I can work my way through my pile of books.  NOW another rubbish one!  I've been spending free garden time on my laptop writing blogs or reading social media and news updates.
• I can still chat to my friends via WhatsApp, FaceTime or HouseParty.  NOW I have had a daily call with my family and a few calls with friends but not as much as I thought I would.
• I am cleaning cupboards, sorting more clutter and organising paperwork.  NOW I did get loads done (at the beginning) but it never stays tidy anyway so I have given up!
• I will see more of my son before he leaves home to move into his flat (now delayed).  NOW I admit this has been good, if not rather frustrating at times, why do boys not get the whole keep the house tidy thing?

What am I missing the most?

Drum roll .... and the winner is .... having the house to myself during the day.  I think the prospect that this pandemic will mean more people working at home is utter madness!  Okay I get that for mothers with childcare necessity it is very sensible and I am all for it, but for husbands, no.  For my son, no.  We need human interaction and going to a place of work is important for routine, self-discipline and professionalism.  I hope companies will take a serious view on the impact of mental health on both the employee and their family.

Above: I dressed up for 'Dress Up Friday' on Instagram in my 'Pretty Woman' dress, purchased a few years ago 'nearly new' it was originally from Coast.  Worn here with wedge sandals from Boden and men's trilby from M&S.


​Lockdown for us also included a 21st birthday (my nephew), weekly family quiz nights on zoom, the outside of our house getting painted (by husband), a log store finally being built and finding ways to support my parents a little more.

But we didn't get around to:

Decorating our bedroom (it was always a long shot).
Losing weight and emerging with a six-pack (that was never going to happen).
Learning how to cut our own hair (I hate my roots but I am loving the length).
Organising all the digital photos (please someone tell me there is an easy way).

I am desperate to:

Get a wax.
Get my roots done.
Get a gel manicure and pedicure.
Go out for lunch.
Get back into London.
Have an empty house!  (hold me to that, in September I will be distraught about my empty nest no doubt).

I'm sharing a few outfit photos, The polka dot Pretty Woman dress was purely for fun.  But I am still getting dressed up most days and I am enjoying wearing my summer dresses, it has felt like being on holiday!

Above and Below: This is a previous season Hush dress, I have worn it loads and styled it lots of different ways, for a quick trip up to Bath (to retrieve some belongings from the student house) I wore it loose with no belt as it was a very hot day!  This dress is a good example of a bargain based on cost per wear.

How are you feeling?  I'd love to hear about your lockdown experiences and how you have been coping.  I am feeling anxious about a post-Covid world ... what changes will we have to make or will it all be forgotten and we will have to just get on with knowing it is there?

If you too are finding it difficult then this blog post from Katie Taylor at The Latte Lounge is really helpful, 'Are you feeling a bit 'blergh' right now'?  Apparently there are three stages to a crisis so interpreted to the Covid-19 situation we are still in Stage 2 - Regression.  Take a look, it makes sense!

Love from
Michelle xx

​Did you miss?

Summer Outfit Ideas | The Wendy House
The best duvet for menopause and night sweats
Personalised wall art to celebrate the unique history of my home

I link up with:

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

​Mummabstylish
#Chic&Stylish

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