The annual Is This Mutton Survey - and Link-Up

I hope you're all suitably feasted and rested after the holiday break. Covid restrictions in London meant that we couldn't mix with any other households, so apart from a couple of doorstep present drops, it was just the two of us. This makes us fortunate because I imagine a number of people were stranded, or on their own. 

Let's hope the new year and the vaccine roll out sees a return to more normal times. Holidays! Travel. Seeing family and friends whenever we want to. Maybe even working normally in an office. 

2020 wasn't all bad though, depending on your circumstances. Mine were well disposed towards working from home;  there were no children to worry about; my elderly mother, although a long way away, stayed safe and well.  I even managed to get one achievement under my belt: plugging away with walks between the start of lock down to the end of the year, and finally succeeding with the #Walk1000Miles challenge, and rewarded myself with the medal  (sign up for the 2021 challenge here).

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. 

The survey is open to women anywhere aged 45 and over. I'm using Google Forms because it doesn't limit the number of responses. and it's free.  SurveyMonkey would charge me an annual rate for this one-off survey, which, for a hobby blogger, isn't really viable!  I'm not capturing email addresses and you don't need a Google log-in to complete the survey. Responses are entirely anonymous.  I'd love it if you could forward it to any friends or relatives who might be interested too.  

TAKE THE SURVEY

The survey results will be shared in mid-January. 

Sharing this post with Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness 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,  #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb,  Lizzie in Lace Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire Sunday Showcase at Chez Mireille and Elegance and Mommyhood

Now for the last #WowOnWednesday of 2020. And a big thank you to all the bloggers who regularly take part, share their posts and comment on other posts. It's a wonderful community.  Plus a huge thank you to the readers, without blogs, who choose to come over to Is This Mutton? and visit the link-up.  Without your support and readership there wouldn't be a blog.

Last week's Favourites (Most Clicked)

Michelle from Fifty and Fab with her s post about her Christmas and New Year plans, and other chit-chat: 

Hello Katie Girl with her post Christmas on Rodeo Drive - and how fabulous it looked! 

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Style Not Age Challenge: Out and About

I hope you all had a joyous Christmas! Ours was quiet, as dictated by the rules and regs. We did a doorstep drop off of presents on Christmas Day, and then had a celebration with just the two of us. 

It's the last Monday of the month so time for the Style Not Age Challenge. Hilda has chosen "Out and About." I get out and about most days on my walks but I thought I would make more of an effort than showing you the usual hiking gear and dirty boots. I'm wearing an outfit that I might wear into London on not too cold a night to go to the theatre or dinner. 

This is my oldest coat and one of my favourites: it's black velvet with a fur lined hood, and makes me feel very glamorous.  I bought it many years ago in a lovely little department store in Newbury that has since closed. 

I'm wearing the coat with Spanx faux leather leggings, red and black ankle boots (old) from Lotus Shoes, a slouchy jumper (old) and a red collar from Rew. I have a few of these and they're perfect for adding warmth around the neck but without the fiddle of a scarf.  They have a button to fasten. Magic!

I haven't taken any pictures in the garden for a while so it was great to see the daffodils coming through. It's been a mild weather so far so a few plants from summer are still flowering. I planted a bare
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 

Primark coat and boots, F&F camo leggings and a 'Selected' jumper.

You'll find more pictures on the different highlighted blogs. It's my turn to set the next challenge - don't forget to join us on the last Monday of January. See you this coming Wednesday for the last #WowOnWednesday of 2020. 

Sharing this poist with Beauty by Miss L Link Up, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness 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,  #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb,  Lizzie in Lace  and Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire

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)

Here's a seasonal recommendation.  I don't normally like Christmas films and programs, making an exception for Love Actually, because they're too schmaltzy. This Norwegian comedy drama is mostly gentle with occasional bite, and plenty of wry observations. 

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

Little Fires Everywhere (Prime): Slow. 

The Undoing: yes the coats were wonderful but in each episode there were several minutes of boredom and a feeling "will this ever end?"  

Reboot of All Creatures Great and Small (Channel 5). It's had excellent reviews but I had too much invested emotionally in the original series for this to work. Find the original series on YouTube.

1917: unusual take on the First World War but lacked emotional heft and firepower.

What's New for December and 2021

One to Miss

The Wilds (Sky): interesting premise: a group of teenage girls crash land on a remote island. But it's very patchy with limited tension or hooks. 

I Have Sore Misgivings

The big Christmas Day newbie on Netflix is Bridgerton from Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy). I'm in a minority on this but I loathe dramas where the ladies wear poke bonnets. Anything vaguely Jane Austen and I'm outta here. If Mr Mutton insists I'll give it a try #openminded

I'm also a bit lukewarm about the prospect of Midnight Sky (Netflix), George Clooney's directorial debut. Normally I love films about space and aliens but this one has had poor reviews.  Clooney is a scientist trying to warn astronauts returning to Earth of a mysterious global catastrophe.

I'm Looking Forward to.....

Motherland Christmas Special (BBC2 and iPlayer) - I love this spin on motherhood where the mothers (and a stay-at-home dad) are the stars and the children are an inconvenience. 

The Killing:  I mentioned in a previous Friday Favourites that I was longing to see The Killing, the crime drama that launched the Scandi Noir phenomenon.  Well, The Killing is back! Sky and Apple TV. 

Mank (Netflix): David Fincher re-evaluates 1930s Hollywood through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish "Citizen Kane." Starring Gary Oldman, Lily Collins, Amanda Seyfried

Behind Her Eyes: Thriller from the studio behind The Crown (Left Bank Pictures). Landing in 2021, a new psychological thriller limited series which features the talents of Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, and Tom Bateman.

Halston: biopic starring Ewan McGregor documenting the rise of the fashion designer Halston. Ten episodes are set to release at some point in 2021 with filming having started in November 2020.

Favourite Podcasts

Fortunately with Fi and Jane: laugh out loud observations from UK broadcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, who belie the notion that there's no humour in the lives of middle aged women. Each podcast features a guest and some of the questions (and answers) are riveting. Latest guests include Dawn French, writers Robert Harris and Maggie O'Farrell and Bananarama besties Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin, who rendered Fi and Jane a bit star struck -  they were both fans in the 80s.

The Dating Game Killer (Wondery): In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree. 

The Man in the Window:  in a similar vein is this fascinating series about the serial killer known as the East Area Rapist and Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, who committed at least 13 murders, 50 rapes, and 120 burglaries in a spree that was eventually detected thanks to painstaking research on a family tree DNA website. 

Tracks  (BBC Radio 4):  The final series of the ambitious drama by Matthew Broughton which started in 2016. 

My Favourite Books in 2021

I had to look at Amazon to see all my Kindle purchases - a sobering experience! I read a lot of books but in the main I wanted light reading, nothing too deep, so I didn't read too many literary novels. Mybad. 

Fiction

Monogamy - Sue Miller:  A haunting meditation on love, marriage, fidelity, betrayal, and loss

Queen Bee, Jane Fallon: shenanigans when a woman upsets the "Queen Bee" of an exclusive gated community

Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams: outstanding debut and a strong young woman heroine for our times

Playdate - Alex Dahl: lots of twists and turns when a little girl goes missing

Small Pleasures - Clare Chambers: set in the 1950s, a story aching with things never said and loss

Non-Fiction:

Me, Elton John - autobiography: surprisingly open, full of anecdotes and humour 

Rosemary, the hidden Kennedy daughter - Kate Clifford Larson 

Unnatural Causes - Dr Richard Shepherd: the recollections of a Home Office pathologist

Love to know what your favourites were, and if you disagree with any of my misses! Let us know in the comments. 

There's a final post for 2020 next Wednesday when I unveil the 2021 Is This Mutton annual survey, and there will be a last #WowOnWednesday link up for anyone with posts to share. Hope to see you then! In the meantime, have a safe and Happy Christmas. Happy holidays!

Sharing with  Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi,  #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb,  Shelbee on the Edge Turning Heads at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, ChicandStylish at Mummabstylish, Stylewithasmile at Stylesplash,  Topoftheworldstyle at High Latitude Style, Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire,  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 Readers' Favourites - Most Clicked 

Shauna from Lipgloss and Lace with her post "Holiday Essentials." How gorgeous does she look in these tartan (plaid) pants?

Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper with her post "What are you wearing for Christmas?" Now that it's just the two of us, probably a Christmas jumper and jeans for me  (although I won't wear the jumper during the cooking). Penny showed us some options and explained her rationale. 

My favourite non-fashion post: "Boho Sustainable Fashion Brands" by Jennifer at Curated by Jennifer. She put a lot of work into bringing us an exciting range of brands.  I've been more committed this year to avoiding fast fashion and trying to buy from smaller independent brands.  More on this in 2021.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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This Year's Christmas Sweater - and Link Up

 

I've got a handy tip for you this week when it comes to Christmas jumpers/sweaters.  My 2020 buy came from a children's department so was only £20.  I was hoping to find a pink jumper to wear with my brocade skirt. Most of the jumpers seemed to be black, navy or blush pink.  But a last look at M&S revealed a charming and thick pink jumper with silver reindeer, in the kids' department. 

The same thing happened last year when I was trying to find a pair of gold ankle boots.  Nothing anywhere, until I found a pair in the Boden children's section.  They were half the price of normal boots.  

No Glam Vibes 

I'm not feeling any glam vibes at all this Christmas in terms of wanting (or needing) to put on the glitz. So the skirt was cast aside in favour of jeans, which is a better look for the jumper because it's quite sloppy in size.

I don't know about you, but without any parties or major gatherings, I'm looking forward to wearing comfortable clothes over the festive break without the need to break out sequins - except for the ones on a Christmas jumper.

This is my much loved (by me!) Christmas nativity crib which came from John Lewis last year.  Our tree is around 12 years old, which reduces the carbon footprint of an artificial tree quite substantially. In all honesty I prefer the look of a real tree but I can't be bothered with getting it home or vacuuming needles for the next six months.

I love the look of white artificial trees when decorated in one color, which I've seen a lot of this year. But I still like my tree and the traditional decorations bought over the years which include a glass bird I bought in Oberammergau, Germany, where they have a gorgeous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop that's open all year. 

The new buys this year are the garland behind the tree, which lights up (Amazon) and the wreath in the dining room, from Ella James.

Christmas jumpers seem to be quite divisive in that people either love them or are a bit sniffy about them. As I said last week, I like the prettier types with a bit of sparkle rather than the novelty ones. This year the Fair Isle jumper has crept into the Christmas sweaters category, and they're very tasteful. Too tasteful for me to wear as a Christmas jumper!

Any new buys for you with Christmas decor this year? What does your tree look like? Do share in the comments. 

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. 

Darlene, from Aquamarina Style, was spot on with her post How to Style Sweatpants for the Holidays.  I'll probably make an effort on Christmas Day with a few sequins but the rest of the time I'll be wearing something comfortable, and Darlene's cheetah-print pants with red looks both festive and stylish. 

My favourite non-fashion post was from Mary Katherine at MK's Adventures in Style. Her post 

A Tale of Two Penpals really resonated with me, as I'm sure it will with you, because I had a lot of penfriends from around the age of 11.  MK met her penfriend on holiday, when they were seven, and the two little girls agreed to write.  Fifty years later, they're firm friends, meeting up and still writing.  A wonderful story. Did you have any penfriends and are you still in touch with any of them?

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