Friday Favourites: TV, Books, Podcasts - February Edition

 
It's the monthly round-up of TV, book and podcast reviews.  I didn't necessarily like all of them - but you can always count on me for being honest and objective!  Without further ado....

Look More Radiant Over 50

 

I've been experimenting with a few new beauty products.  It helps pass the time when we're in lockdown.  None were gifted, so I will give you a completely honest opinion on what's working for me, and what didn't. 

I have particular requirements for beauty products. For age-related issues like lines, pigmentation, dark shadows under the eyes, dull skin and dryness -we need specialist products to hide imperfections and help us look radiant. 

Faux Leather: Style Not Age Challenge

 
When Jacqui set "faux leather" as this month's  Style Not Age Challenge, I was a little flummoxed.  I don't have any faux leather, I thought. Then I remembered the Spanx leggings I bought a few weeks ago. Relief!

I've styled my leggings differently to when I first showed you a mint jumper and beret look. 

I've added a green coat  (old, M&S), my new green velvet boots, a green metallic belt from Kettlewell, and a new top from Damsel in Distress, (affiliate link) which I leapt on because of the cute collar detail.  My pink bag from Amazon and pink lipstick adds another colour contrast for interest.

Now let's see what the other girls came up with.  Hilda from Over the Hilda was originally going to wear her Spanx leggings too, but she then found an old faux leather jacket to use instead.  She's created a wonderfully stylish casual look. The jeans are no less than 17 years old  (and, Hilda notes happily, back in fashion again). Her top is an old Zara one. 

Jacqui from Mummabstylish has a wonderful new pair of chocolate brown culottes which she's wearing with a sunflower top old one from Bonmarche, new off white coat from New Look sale,  and old faithful ivory ankle boots from Next.

Emma from Stylesplash has a faux double, with a top with faux leather sleeves from New Look, Warehouse check mini skirt from eBay, Lotus faux leather boots from a charity shop and LaBante vegan leather red bag from eBay.

Anna from Anna's Island Style has a summery, jaunty look with pre-loved top and pleather leggings.  Her necklace is a lovely vintage find, sunglasses are Quay Australia and boots are from Topshop.

I hope you enjoyed our faux leather looks.  More on the individual blogs. I'm back on Wednesday with #WowOnWednesday - hope to see you then.

Sharing this post with #OnMondaysWeLinkUp at Glass of Glam, 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  at Stylesplash, Style Six at Coast to Coast, TFF at Doused in Pink, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style,  #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb,  Lizzie in Lace  and Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire, Beauty by Miss L, Rena at Fine Whatever, Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi

Print Skirt 2 Ways

 

Originally I was going to call this post "Treasures from the Attic." I had long known there was a missing bag of clothes up in the loft, but my husband kept insisting he'd looked everywhere and there wasn't.

You may be asking, well why didn't I go and look myself?  Unfortunately I have a fear of heights, and also ladders, so I can't bring myself to go up.

But after insisting, when he was looking for a duvet, that he have another look, he found a box.  A box! Full of treasures, including this Boden burgundy and navy print skirt.

When midi length came back into fashion, about two or three years ago, I stopped wearing all my knee length skirts. But as someone who's fairly petite  (5'4) this length is better for my proportions.

I styled the skirt two different ways.  First with a new acid yellow v-neck top from Kettlewell and a burgundy cashmere cardigan (old, Pure Collection), matching tights and white boots. The necklaces are from Claudia Bradby. Bag from Coach. I've never liked this cropped cardigan for some reason.  It replaced another one which wore out, but the colour is less berry toned than its predecessor.  But here it has a new lease of life. 

For the second look, which is my default with this colourway, I added pink and silver.  The cropped cashmere cardigan is an old one from Boden;  the infinity scarf in silver is a new from Kettlewell, and the silver bag was a Christmas present in 2019 from Anthropologie.  I love metallics as neutrals. 

The infinity scarves are less fuss than a normal scarf: you simply loop them once or twice, and it's a great way to add a pop of a colour that suits you, so that it's near the face. 

Other treasures which came down included two pairs of jeans in my favourite style from M&S  (long discontinued!), two more Boden skirts I thought I'd given away, and a couple of pieces of faux fur which are fun. But there's still more searching to be done, because my only pair of navy boots are AWOL, and no doubt in the loft somewhere. I will wait until Mr Mutton is in a good mood before I make him search again. (I have since refined my process so that when he takes bags into the loft at the change of seasons, I make long Samsung notes on what's gone up and what's on the label!). 

How do you deal with the change of seasons? Do your clothes go into storage for a few months? Or do you have enough wardrobe and cupboard space to have everything around you at all times?

Nothing was gifted for this post. 

I'm back on Monday with the Style Not Age Challenge. Hope to see you then. 

Now it's time for #WowOnWednesday, where bloggers find new readers, and readers find new blogs to read!

Last week's favourites were: 

Katie from Preppy Empty Nester and her post "Rules and Tools of my Weight Loss Journey" struck a chord. An amusing post full of great pictures, recipes and know-how.  Congrats to Katie for losing 20 pounds over nine months.

Carrie from A Stylish Fit with her post "Create28 winter edition – week 1 looks."  Responding to various prompts, including chambray, neutrals and shacket,  Carrie created different looks for seven days.

My favourite was from Hilda at Over The Hilda and her post "Love is Not Just for Valentine's Day."

Hilda and husband Graham are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. They met on Valentine's Day and got engaged on the same date a year later.  It's a lovely story with some great photos. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter