"". June 2023 | Is This Mutton?

Fashion for the over 50s with books and beauty

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Friday 30 June 2023

What's Been on My {June} Calendar?

 & #WhatsBeenOnYourCalendar 

A busy month for London blogger Is This Mutton including exploring on an ebike, meeting famous makeup artist Lisa Eldridge and celebrating a wedding anniversary.

Dear friends. I've had a busy and colourful June. The weather finally came good: it was hotter in the UK than in many other European countries. Let's find out what's been occurring.

Exploring!


I mentioned last month I'd bought an electric bike. I'm now on a routine of three bike rides a week. So far the average distance has been around 20 miles, with a longer ride at 28 miles, as I get used to the gears and bike riding in general.  It hasn't always been easy. I have fallen off once; have been experimenting with "bum butter" and padded shorts to avoid a sore arse, and have struggled to accommodate my other hobbies. 

In spite of it being an ebike, I still get a good workout, particularly if I can keep up with J in Eco mode! My range is around 80 miles per charge.

Two easy (ish) rides are to the Olympic Park (below) and the Lee Valley Country Park, which is also home to the Olympic White Water Rafting Centre.  Both are great places for a coffee and rest. 


Three Gardens in the Cotswolds

I went to Oxford by train to join a MeetUp group on a perfect day for a tour of three private gardens. We drove through the picture-perfect golden brick villages of the Cotswolds.  First up was Sezincote, a fantasy-renaissance style garden with elements of Hindu style. 



The second garden was Bourton House Garden, a 1700s estate noted for its eclectic topiaries and unique, colourful plantings. This was our lunch spot. 


Finally we went to Chivel Farm, a beautifully designed country garden with extensive views of the Cotswold countryside.  The owners showed us around, and served delicious cakes. This was my favourite garden because I love the English cottage garden look. 


The Monument and London Mithraeum

I did an interesting walk in the City of London with MeetUp that took us up the 311 steps of The Monument. The Monument was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the city. Alas, the sun came out about an hour after we'd left, so it was a cloudy view of London.



We then explored the Roman Mithraeum that was discovered in Walbrook, a street in the City of London, during a building's construction in 1954.

At the end, I went past the Tower of London to see how the wild flowers in the moat were looking. 

Bushey to Rickmansworth

My final walk in June with MeetUp was on one of the hottest days of the month.  It was a delightful walk from Bushey in Herts to Rickmansworth, below.

Swan Family

Back in Epping Forest, my regular haunt for walks, there's a lovely family of swans with seven cygnets. The proud male hisses at any dogs that get too close. 

Colourful Ladies Alert

There was a gathering in Morden Park Hall of the "Colourful Croydon Coffee Club."  We're an offshoot of the Kettlewell Colour Club.

Our 13th Wedding Anniversary

As is our tradition, we celebrated at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. We took the anniversary gift home with us to eat on another day. 

I Met Lisa Eldridge!

Regular readers will know that I am very keen on the luxurious makeup range of famous MUA Lisa Eldridge. I'm also very keen on the gorgeous gemstone jewellery she sells, but it's a little out of the price range.  

Lisa has just launched her first concession within Selfridges. I went to one of three events where she gave a talk and then met each of us and recommended the best lipstick.  I was a hard one to choose for because I already have nine. You can see me in my fan girl moment with Lisa, at the top of the post. 


I went with the lovely Annemarie from My Over 50s Fashion Life on YouTube. 


That was my June! As you read this I am enjoying myself in Greece and will tell you about our holiday when I'm back. 

I'm joining bloggers from the southern hemisphere for the What's Been on Your Calendar link-up (#WBOYC). 

Sharing this post with #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Rena at Fine WhateverTalent Sharing Tuesdays at Scribbling Boomer, #SpreadTheKindness at Shelbee on the Edge,  #Neverendingstyle at The Grey Brunette, Final Friday at Marsha in the Middle, #FridayCoffeeShare at Natalie the Explorer, Senior Salon Pitstop at Esme Salon 

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Monday 26 June 2023

Jumpsuits: Style Not Age Challenge

 

Over 60s blogger Gail Hanlon in navy and white polka dot jumpsuit

Dear friends. Another month has whizzed by, we're now in summer, and it's peak jumpsuit wearing season. This month's Style Not Age Challenge, set by Hilda, is Jumpsuits. Jumpsuits come in several different varieties - full length, cropped, and "romper" style. 

Jumpsuits are very good on older women, if you find the right cut. Remember Queen Camilla a couple of weeks ago?

Mine is a navy and white polka dot jumpsuit, a couple of years old, from Phase 8. I've styled it with a couple of pops of red:  last year's espadrilles from Sosander and a much loved necklace from Eternal Collection. 

Red accessories add a little sizzle to Is This Mutton blogger Gail Hanlon's navy and white polka dot jumpsuit

Plus red lippy - this is Hot Chase by Maybelline. 


Let's see how the other ladies got on. Anna from Anna's Island Style has a gorgeous print from Onjenu. She says it's in a lovely drapey fabric which, along with the clever cut, is very figure flattering. Anna's wearing it with old sandals from TK Maxx and a necklace by Charlie Dodge.


Hilda from Over the Hilda, who came up with this month's prompt, is wearing an Old Coast jumpsuit she has had for years. The picture was taken at a pre-wedding party. 


Emma from Stylesplash is wearing a delightful hot pink frilly number that she bought this week in the Zara sale (now sold out online). Silver bag and sandals, Yaa Yaa London pink agate ring. 


Jacqui from Mummabstylish is not sure about her new abstract pattern jumpsuit from Roman. It may go back, she says.  Styled with black slingbacks and black cross body bag. 

I hope you liked our jumpsuits and we have inspired you to try one, if you haven't got one already.  Maybe you have several! Let us know where you stand on jumpsuits in the comments.

There's no post or link-up this week as Is This Mutton is having a short summer break. Back on Friday June 30 with my review of the month. 

Sharing this post with: Weekday Wear at Away from the Blue, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Rena at Fine WhateverTurning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Confident Twosday at I Do Declaire, Style with a Smile at StylesplashTalent Sharing Tuesdays at Scribbling BoomerCurated by Jennifer (Wednesdays), Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness  and #Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee on the Edge,  Thursday Fashion Files at Doused in Pink, #Neverendingstyle at The Grey BrunetteFancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style,  Traffic Jam Weekend at Marsha in the Middle Senior Salon Pitstop at Esme Salon 

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Denim - Not Jeans



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Wednesday 21 June 2023

Wear a Halterneck Without Fear!

 & #WowOnWednesday

Gail Hanlon from over-50s style blog Is This Mutton in lime green halter neck top with orange cropped trousers

Dear friends.  You may wonder what's fear inducing about wearing a halter neck top. Well, if like me you're over a certain age, you may be reluctant to bare your arms, plus there's the dilemma of what bra to wear, and will it look OK?

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Friday 16 June 2023

June Book Reviews


Dear friends. You can't beat reading on the beach, and I will soon be doing it! Seeing this deckchair outside a local bookshop made me smile.

There are books for everyone in this month's round-up, plus you'll find many more in the #WhatsOnYourBookshelf link-up. 

In the 2023 Reading Challenge on Good Reads, I've read 49 of 100 books and am 4 books ahead of schedule. 
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Thursday 15 June 2023

Tell Us About....Curiosity

 And the #TellUsAbout link-up

Is This Mutton explores the many topics she is an expert in, including Greek ferries, Eurovision and Vaslav Nijinsky, as the Tell Us About team explore Curiosity.

Dear friends. Curiosity is this month's theme for Tell Us About. It was the choice of  Michelle from Following My Muse.  It's a great prompt for me. My curiosity has made me an expert in all sorts of bizarre subjects.  I even have an old, dormant blog called A Curious Girl's Guide to Life

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Wednesday 14 June 2023

Wear Bright Colours Over 50


 & the WowOnWednesday Link-Up

Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton in bright zesty colours and sun hat for summer

Dear friends. Summer weather arrived with a bang in London over the weekend, and as you would expect, with temperatures nudging past 30 celcius, we're now fretting about not being able to sleep. 

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Wednesday 7 June 2023

Try on: Marks and Spencer Dresses

 & #WowOnWednesday

Dear friends.  Today I'm sharing a mini haul of M&S dresses, plus a wild card. I'm looking for a dress to wear to a wedding in Devon next month. I've also got a few tips on choosing a "Mother of the bride or groom" outfit. 

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