"". June 2017 | Is This Mutton?

Fashion for the over 50s with books and beauty

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Wednesday 28 June 2017

Skiathos Holiday Highlights

Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton? at the Old Port of Skiathos
We're back from the Greek island of Skiathos. It's a lovely relaxing break for those who like good food, boats, pretty scenery, and, if you have kids, safe swimming in calm turquoise waters.
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Friday 23 June 2017

The indispensable denim skirt

A denim skirt goes with so many looks, in this case a brightly coloured patterned top

I've worn denim skirts for ever, and they were really big news worn with denim waistcoats, when I had my first one, aged about 15. 

Inevitably there's some criteria attached to my ideal denim skirt. Stretchy denim, but not too tight: I really can't bear it when it's hard to walk in a denim skirt. Knee length. So this one is spot on. I'm wearing it with a brightly coloured top and gold collar, plus my denim wedges, which are a couple of years old.

I've also got a darker denim skirt, below, which I've teamed here with an old Next t-shirt, a silver belt  and a new sequin beach bag from Pure Collection.  


Blogger Gail Hanlon from over-50s fashion blog Is This Mutton?


DON'T MISS YOUR NEXT HELPING OF MUTTON


Don't miss a post -  follow my blog on Bloglovin and receive a weekly email on my updates. You'll love "shoe of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus jewellery, hairstyles and fashion picks.

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Wednesday 21 June 2017

Adding some sparkle to National Selfie Day

June 21 is normally noted for being the Longest Day (Summer Solstice) but this year it has a new distinction: it's National Selfie Day. The wonderful online jewellery retailer Gemporia is using thisas an opportunity to highlight some of its gems, and I was thrilled to accept an opal ring to create a "Gemfie."
Opals are one of the most spectacular gemstones. A single stone can flash every colour of the spectrum with an intensity and quality of color that can surpass the "fire" of diamond.

The best opals can command prices per carat that rival the most expensive diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

My opal comes from the Australian Coober Pedy mine and has 0.8cts of gorgeous milky white opal. It's a stone that goes with so many colours and outfits.

Check out what other bloggers are wearing: https://www.gemporia.com/en-gb/gemology-hub/article/557/national-selfie-day-take-a-gemfie/

* I was gifted with a ring from Gemporia but my opinions and editorial content are my own,

FOR MORE MUTTON

Don't miss a post -  follow my blog on Bloglovin and receive a weekly email on my updates. You'll love "shoe of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus jewellery, hairstyles and beachwear essentials. 


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Monday 19 June 2017

Every woman needs a Ribkoff dress

What can be more flattering for the over-40s woman than a Joseph Ribkoff dress?
This is one of my favourite dresses: I've had it for a couple of years. It's by Canadian designer Joseph Ribkoff. Three things I love about it:  the material is very figure flattering - it skims and doesn't cling. It's lined, but not in a heavy or sticky way. And thirdly, there are no zips. You just pull it on. The dres has a few sequins too, which you can't see in the pictures. Who can resist a few sequins?
Flattering and crease proof summer dress by Joseph Ribkoff
I would happily buy a lot more from this brand: I did have another dress last year but it was shorter than I like so I gave it away (fool!). Check out their current collection here. Very classic but usually with a twist. I love it. It's a little pricey too, so I'm always scouring eBay looking for bargains.
Every over-40 woman needs to check out the fabulous Joseph Ribkoff range
I've teamed the dress with my crystal block heeled sandals. There's some cobalt blue in the dress so I'll probably wear it with my new bag in that shade when we're on holiday soon. Because, dear reader, the dress has another huge benefit:  it doesn't crease!

Sharing this post with Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style,  Not Dressed as Lamb, Style with a Smile at Stylesplash, Ageless Style at High Latitude Style, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish.

Is this a brand you're familiar with?


FOR MORE MUTTON

Don't miss a post -  follow my blog on Bloglovin and receive a weekly email on my updates. You'll love "shoe of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus jewellery, hairstyles and beachwear essentials. 




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Wednesday 14 June 2017

We're all going on a summer holiday

Pure Collection sequinned blue beach bag
We're off to the Greek island of Skiathos very soon, hip hip hooray. It's a paradise on earth. A very small but perfectly formed island in the Sporades group, not far from Skopelos where most of Mamma Mia was filmed.
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Tuesday 13 June 2017

Anniversary weekend

A table overlooking Hyde Park at Dinner by Heston
Birthdays and anniversaries are big for me. My mum and my grandma before her always celebrated in style, and I usually take a day off work for my birthday and organise something great. Mr Mutton, also known in the blogosphere as the mysterious "J," is somewhat bemused by all this but goes along with it, even when one of his birthdays saw him being whisked off to Edinburgh amid a whirlwind of seeing pandas, eating haggis and going to Tom Kitchin's wonderful restaurant.
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Monday 12 June 2017

Key essentials for blissful summer holidays

Jumping into the sea: girl in a bikini. Image: Pexels
We’re just about to get into the main holiday season and it’s time to update your look for relaxed and stylish days and nights by the sea.
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Friday 9 June 2017

Statement duster coat and summer dress

Perfect for spring or summer weddings, a statement duster coat worn with a floral dress.
If you need some wedding outfit inspiration, and you're nervous about UK summer weather (it's pouring with rain as I write this), you could do no better than this beautiful ivory duster coat, which looks sensational with a patterned summer dress.
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Wednesday 7 June 2017

Eight hacks for better nails

Hands up if you would like better nails! Are your nail weak and flaky, and your cuticles dry and ragged? If so, join the club. Years ago, I had good nails and loved wearing nail polish. But after a five year period of wearing acrylic nails in the late 90s, my nails were never the same.

I made a New Year's resolution I was going to try to improve my nails this year. Tricky question was how. I have always used a cuticle conditioner oil or cream, every day; I eat a diet quite high in protein (said to be good for nails) and I always wear rubber gloves in the kitchen.

But I looked into other ways of improving my nails, and they are definitely looking better. Here's the "Before," three months ago:
The "before" shot in Is This Mutton's? article on how to improve your nails with eight simple hacks
The nails were very flaky and would split into layers as soon as they started to grow. They were forever snagging on things. I've always had a tendency to pull at my cuticles and so they are quite thick around the base of the nail, and dry. The nails had longitudinal ridges.

I took a step back and analysed how I treat my hands and nails. When I'm on holiday, and particularly in the sun, my nails improve hugely. So I guessed that hard work was part of the problem. I was using very hot water, albeit with rubber gloves on, for kitchen chores. I was constantly washing my hands using those cheap £1 anti-bacterial hand washes. And in the garden, I used to abandon my gardening gloves to do "precision work" like weeding.


THE NAIL HACKS THAT WORKED FOR ME

1. Find a good nail strengthener 


I've tried a number of nail strengthening products in the past. Laurie from Vanity and Me recommended Seche Vite top coat, and I discovered they have a product called Perfect Nail Rebuild. It doesn't seem to be on sale in the UK but I got it on Amazon for £8.73. I use this once a week. It gives a clear glossy finish like a top coat, but actively makes the nails stronger and less likely to break. I've been very pleased with it.

2. Use a good quality hand wash

I ditched the £1 bottles of hand wash and upgraded to Argan Moroccan Rose hand wash from Waitrose. It's still under five pounds, smells divine, and more importantly, doesn't dry out my hands and nails.


3. Leave hand cream everywhere


I was useless with hand cream. I have lots of tubes of it, but despite good intentions, was hardly ever using it. So now I keep it in several places: the bathroom, the kitchen, the office, handbags - and apply whenever I get the chance! I have a couple of favourites including L'Occitane Amande, but really, any hand cream is good provided you keep applying it and like the smell and texture.

4. Buy plastic gloves for gardening and other "precision" tasks

My husband buys in bulk those thin plastic blue gloves, and these are wonderful for weeding in the garden and drive, and protecting your hands when doing precision work that may be dirty. You can get a hundred pairs for just over five pounds on Amazon.

5. Don't use boiling water for kitchen chores

I thought rubber gloves protected me, but I was wrong. Hot water (not boiling hot) is fine.

6. Filing and buffing


When my nails were bad, I was having to file them every day because it seemed the edges were always rough and snagging on things. I use emery boards, which are always better than metal nail files, and tried to file in one direction only, but still had the problem. Since my nails improved, thanks to Rebuild, they are not so rough edged. But I am still careful with how I file them.

Buffing weakens the surface of the nail, so if your nails are already weak, don't do it.

7. Cuticle Care


I still apply cuticle cream every day - it really makes a difference. I like Apothaka's SOS Recovery nail and cuticle oil.  I am trying very hard not to pull at loose skin, or snip away with the scissors. Soaking the fingers in warm water with olive oil for a few minutes, and then gently pushing back the cuticles, helps to stop the cuticle "sticking" to the nail bed. 

8. What to eat for good nails


Years ago the advice was always to eat jelly cubes! Do you remember? Nowadays we're told to eat foods rich in vitamins B, found in lean meat, whole grains and dairy produce; iron, found in high quantities in red meat; zinc found in lean meats, shell fish and whole grains, and vitamin A which can be found in oily fish, orange/yellow and deep green vegetables. 

9. Use good quality products for your manicure


Try to avoid those big cheap bottles of nail polish remover and go for those free of acetone. Look for products that contain aloe vera and vitamin E. Always use a base coat, particularly if you're using dark or brightly coloured polishes which may stain your nails  (I use the Rebuild product as a base coat if I'm applying nail polish on top). Finish off with a top coat to help preserve your manicure.

My nails now 


The "after" shot in Is This Mutton's article on how to improve your nails: eight simple hacks
There's still room for improvement but they are not so weak now: they have started growing without splitting, and the cuticles are less ragged. The ridges are sometimes hereditary, so if your mother has them, chances are you will too. But I find they improve whenever I use Rebuild or basecoat.

Sharing this post with Catherine at Not Dressed As Lamb, #SaturdayShareLinkUp, and Rena at Fine Whatever.

FOR MORE MUTTON

Don't miss a post -  follow my blog on Bloglovin and receive a weekly email on my updates. You'll love "shoe of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus jewellery, hairstyles and fashion picks.




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Monday 5 June 2017

Marvellous Metallics: 5 Over 50 Challenge #2

Rock star chic with metallic boots and skirt and Bowie t-shirt
This month the 5 Over 50 Challenge is Marvellous Metallics with the challenger being Anna from Anna's Island Style. I love metallics, particularly footwear, but I decided to stretch myself by styling a rock chick type of look!
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Friday 2 June 2017

Mutton's Choice Cuts

Welcome to a new monthly feature, Mutton's Choice Cuts.  This month's selection includes the age gaps between the Macrons and the Trumps, and the unofficial World Cup of Biscuits.
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