The annual Is This Mutton survey, now in its 3rd year, couldn't ignore the impact of Covid-19 and how it impacted mid life women. I'm keen to find out how it affected your life, and what positives you found.
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Wednesday 30 December 2020
The annual Is This Mutton Survey - and Link-Up
The annual Is This Mutton survey, now in its 3rd year, couldn't ignore the impact of Covid-19 and how it impacted mid life women. I'm keen to find out how it affected your life, and what positives you found.
Monday 28 December 2020
Style Not Age Challenge: Out and About
root rose a few weeks ago, Gabriel Oak, and it's already got some leaf growth so I'm thrilled. I had to pose by the holly as it still has a few berries. It's a bit bedraggled because it fell over recently.Now let's see what the rest of the Style Not Age collective came up with. Emma from Stylesplash has mixed brown with orange in her favourite work-time look of mini skirt, tights and boots with a roll neck top. Her faux fur coat is a recent charity shop purchase. The skirt is from M&S skirt and the bag was bought the bag from TKMaxx several years ago. The hat is from Asos and the boots, she says, are really old. Jacqui from Mummabstylish also has a pop of refreshing orange - doesn't it look great at this time of year? She is wearing some oh-so-comfy lounge wear with roll neck, block heels and jacket for a trip out. Adding slippers and cardi is great for indoors, she says. Anna from Anna's Island Style is wowing us with a super vintage pink coat, jeans by Curve Appeal, polo by M&S, boots by Office and new bag by Bags of Time.Finally Hilda from Over the Hilda has taken advantage of a beautiful day for a walk in her
Wednesday 23 December 2020
2020 Favourites: Books, Podcasts, TV - and Link Up
It's been a grim and tumultuous few days in the UK. We are now "Plague Island", banned from going to more than 40 other countries. In tier 4, London and the South East, where I live, Christmas plans are in tatters after the government banned the mixing of households, late last week. We're told to stay at home. So with that in mind, we'll be holed up watching TV and reading. Here are my 2020 favorites for TV, podcasts and books. Plus there's a look ahead to what's coming in 2021.
TV FAVORITES
One of the best things about TV in 2020 was the range of broadcasting available from other countries. This was essential with so many productions slowing to a halt because of filming restrictions. I loved some of the quality programmes from Scandinavia and France.
Borgen (Netflix)
Chez Mutton we particularly enjoyed discovering some of the garlanded Scandinavian TV dramas, notably Borgen. Who would have thought Danish political life could be so thrilling? Superb acting, story lines and production makes this a real winner. Netflix has commissioned a fourth series which will be fascinating, as there will have been quite a big gap between seasons three and four.
Call My Agent (Netflix)
I was genuinely gutted when this comedy finished because it was such an invigorating little shot in the arm. Life at a French casting agency, with some very big French stars appearing as themselves.
Home for Christmas (Netflix)
The Fall (BBC, available on Netflix)
We had somehow never seem this but loved the cat and mouse games between Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) and serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan).
The Last Kingdom (Netflix)
This was our Game of Thrones fix after the final episode, as it certainly has the requisite fight scenes, drama and costumes. Series 1 is a bit low budget but it soon picks up. The drama covers the Viking invasions of Britain and the Saxons' attempts to win back their kingdoms. At the centre of the drama is Uhtred of Bebbanburg who has a foot in both camps, having been born a Saxon and kidnapped as a child by the Vikings.
Normal People (BBC)
One of the big hits of 2020 making stars of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The shifting fortunes of a relationship between two young people, noted for its sensitivity and reality.
The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)
By the time this came out we were all getting a bit desperate for another quality drama so I think it received perhaps more universal acclaim than it deserved. True, the costumes and performances, and the uplifting ending, are fantastic. But I found myself pondering for a long time the question of why the chess playing heroine inspired such devotion from her friends when she gave so little in return.
The Morning Show (Apple TV)
Apple's big blockbuster series with Jenifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. A bit over the top in terms of acting but the stars seemed to be having fun. An enjoyable romp.
Unorthodox (Netflix)
A glimpse into a community seldom seen on TV, and beautifully done. Based on a true story, Unorthodox is the story of a young woman, Esty, who flees life in the Hasidic Jewish community in New York for Berlin, where she starts a new life.
Our Yorkshire Farm (Channel 5)
We love the Yorkshire shepherdess Amanda Owen and this boisterous series about life at her family's farm where there are nine kids and hundreds of animals. Uplifting.
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
In an ordinary year, an amusing little trifle; in 2020 it came along at exactly the right time and was a refreshing shot in the arm. Frothy nonsense with no real character development, but fun nonetheless. Paris has never looked more beautiful.
Win the Wilderness (BBC2)
The outcome to this strange little series has been more engrossing than the actual show. At the start of the year we saw several British couples competing for the chance to win a wilderness home on Ose Mountain in the wilds of Alaska. The series ended with Mark and Emily winning the house and elderly owners Duane and Rena Ose planning to relocate to somewhere warmer. But it later transpired that after Rena died, Duane married again and was determined not to give up the home he built. A rescue helicopter was called in amid reports that Duane, 78, had broken his back. He was taken to hospital but later released after suffering from a bladder infection and dehydration. It seems as if he has given up his claim to Ose Mountain.
TV And Films That Didn't Float My Boat
What's New for December and 2021
One to Miss
I Have Sore Misgivings
I'm Looking Forward to.....
Favourite Podcasts
My Favourite Books in 2021
Last Week's Readers' Favourites - Most Clicked
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enterWednesday 16 December 2020
This Year's Christmas Sweater - and Link Up
No Glam Vibes
Outfit and make-up: Reindeer sequin jumper, out of stock, Marks and Spencer; Magic Jeans, Marks and Spencer. Make-up: Vitamin enriched face base, Bobbi Brown; R& R eye cream, StriVectin; Darphin Melaperfect hyper pigmentation foundation; Charlotte Tilbury Mini Miracle eye wand concealer; Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift in Supermodel; Nars blusher in deep throat; Eye of Horus Goddess eye pencil in purple; Rumi VolumeCare mascara; Byredo lipstick, semi-formal. Nothing was gifted for this post.
Sharing with Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #LinkupOnTheEdge at Shelbee on the Edge, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Thursday Moda at Elegance and Mommyhood, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Style with a Smile and Stylish Monday at Stylesplash, Style Six at Coast to Coast, TFF at Doused in Pink, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi, Beauty by Miss L Link Up, #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb, Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire and Curated by Jennifer
Now it's time for #WowOnWednesday, the link-up where bloggers find new readers, and readers find new blogs to read!
Last week's favourites:
Who could resist these pictures of Amy with her color co-ordinated Christmas tree and grandchildren? Amy, from Amy's Creative Pursuits, has set a very high bar! Visit her post here.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enterWednesday 9 December 2020
A London Exhibition, Christmas Jumpers and a Haircut - and Link Up
Wednesday 2 December 2020
Making Plans for 2021 - and Link-Up
It's been a hard slog 2020 hasn't it? England came out of its second lockdown just a few hours ago, and we've now gone into a tiering system. My area, London, is in tier 2. It means no socializing with others in our homes, except for a 5 day spree over Christmas where three households can spend time together; restaurants are open, but only for parties from the same household; pubs can open but only if they sell "substantial meals," and gyms and non-essential shops are reopening.
I have a couple of things to look forward to in December. This Friday my company has given us an extra day off, a "care day," and I've booked to see the Tracey Emin and Munch exhibition at the Royal Academy, and to have my hair cut in the afternoon. I'm thinking of having a shorter cut again, like I did two or three years ago. My hair color has to wait until later in the month - I felt the cut was more important.
On December 28 we're going to the Lyceum to see Bill Bailey. Only the largest theatres are opening because they have to operate at just 50% capacity to allow for social distancing.
We usually host John's children and their spouses and granddaughter on Boxing Day but they're going to John's first wife this time. We were invited, and we socialize quite a lot in normal circumstances with Lynn and her partner, but that would have meant four households being together. Now I'm pretty sure MANY people will flout the rules on that: one of my mum's friends always has 18 around for lunch and will still be doing so - but I haven't dodged any of the rules all year and won't start now.
So at present we'll be seeing the kids on the 29th instead. My mum is a long way away in Plymouth and it's easier for her to go to my brother's nearby on Christmas Day as there's no way she would get on a train to London with the risks that involves. Plus she has a broken wrist, so has limited use of her right hand.
2021 - Bring it on!
It looks as if the tiering system will be in place until Easter - basically when the vaccine is rolled out to the elderly, the most vulnerable and NHS and care workers. But I am full of plans for all the things I want to do next year.
Holiday Mania
We were lucky to have a UK holiday in September where we spent a week in the Lake District and enjoyed wonderful weather. But I missed my Greek holiday. Skiathos is now booked for June - we won't have been there since 2018. What do you think of my shorter hair then? Love to know your view on longer or shorter before I get my hair cut this week.
I have an additional three week holiday next year, my sabbatical, so I'm thinking about Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Japan has always been on my list but seeing the blossoms means going in February and we won't be out of the woods Covid-wise by then.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding Anyone?
There are also three things - at least - I plan to do next year, two for the first time. Stand up paddle boarding, white water rafting and horse riding in nearby Epping Forest.
You can paddle board on the beach in Skiathos where we'll be staying but I want to learn how to do it before we go there so that I can paddle elegantly across the bay (I hope!).
The Olympic white water rafting centre is not too far from us so that's an easy one to tick off the list.
I did horse riding when I was young a few times, using my pocket money, but it seems horrifically expensive for an hour's trot around the forest so I may forego that one.
I'll still be walking a lot - it's now become engrained as a habit, which is fantastic, but I won't put myself under the pressure of doing the Walk 1000 Miles challenge because - fingers crossed - I will succeed some time in December for this year.
What plans do you have for 2021? We're all going to go crazy, I reckon. Do tell in the comments.
Sharing this post with Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #LinkupOnTheEdge at Shelbee on the Edge, Anna at Muttonstyle, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Thursday Moda at Elegance and Mommyhood, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Style with a Smile and Stylish Monday at Stylesplash, Anna at the GlamAdventure, Style Six at Coast to Coast, TFF at Doused in Pink, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi, Beauty by Miss L Link Up, #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb, Lizzie in Lace Ask Suzanne Bell and Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire
It's time for #WowOnWednesday, the link-up where bloggers find new readers, and readers find new blogs to read!