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YOUR STYLE GUIDE TO DRESSING UP

Before you know it the lead up to 25 December will have started. Are you ready to party? Well, Annabel and I have been to see the new fashion trends at M&S to edit the very best that our favourite store has for us older women. You are spoilt for choice with festive sparkle jackets, trousers, sumptuous velvets, classic black outfits with a glittery twist and some elegant dresses. In short, there’s something for everyone. So, without further delay, here’s your style guide to dressing up for Christmas:

Elegant dresses

Animal print is back with a vengeance and I found this midaxi tie neck waisted dress with its elbow length sleeves very comfortable and forgiving of my lumps and bumps. £39.50. We also oohed and aahed over this vibrant yellow sequinned Midaxi Shift dress from Autograph £99. And there’s two other dresses we’d like to highlight to you…

Velvet Round Neck Midaxi Dress £45 in Teal and this timeless Velvet Lace Midi Column Dress £99 – either will guarantee that you look chic.

Any of the above dresses will look wonderful with the comfortably flat yet feminine Bow Block Heel slingbacks in Black or animal print £35.

Co-ordinates

If you’re unsure of what to wear, think about coordinates because they have got to be the easiest kind of outfit. The styling is done for you – just add shoes and jewellery! Lots of Christmassy colours ie standout red and chic greens.

Embellished Relaxed Single Breasted Blazer £75 (available in both green and black) and matching Wide Leg Trousers £55 (in three lengths) . There’s also a matching long sleeved top £35 in petite or regular. Red is such a wonderfully festive, standout colour. I was impressed by this Collared Short Tailored Jacket £59 and matching tailored straight leg trousers £39.50.

Cosy coats

One word for the M&S winter coats – wonderful. Generously sized, stylish and essential to keep you toasty on the way to and from a night out. Particular faves are the red Single Breasted Longline Tailored Coat with Wool £89 that Annabel is wearing in this photograph and the Textured Longline Tailored Coat £79 that she is holding. Or there’s the unbelievably good to touch Faux Fur Longline Coat £79, Lavender Grey Feather and Down Longline showerproof puffer £125.

We’d also like to give a shout out to the Checked Longline Trench Coat with Wool £109 which is a classic that you’ll wear again and again. Last but not least, the very smart (and generously sized) navy Wool Blend Collarless Longline Coat £89 which in my humble opinion is an absolute must-have bargain!

Keeping it (relatively) casual

As some of us prefer to add a touch of glitz to our outfits – for example if you’re invited to a more informal occasion – there’s plenty on offer.

We were delighted to see that M&S has even given denim a festive twist. There’s a Denim Diamante Trucker Jacket £55 and Ivy High Waisted skinny jeans £32.50. Wear with some Sparkle Flat Square Toe Ballet Pumps £45 and you’ve got a fabulous relaxed party look.

Other single pieces you might find useful are the Sleeveless Sequin Top in Petite or Regular £35, the elegant High Neck Blouse £29.50 in Red or Black or the supersoft red cashmere long sleeved crew neck £89 (available in 14 colours).

Collaborations

We’re really enjoying the M&S collaborations and the standout Sienna Miller piece in our book was the wool blend double breasted blazer £125 in winter white (available with matching trousers and waistcoat). Check out the entire Sienna Miller collection here.

Dressing up for a night in

When it’s time to relax, we’d like to recommend some seriously cosy clothes to curl up on the sofa in while you watch Christmas films on TV. Teddy Fleece Dressing Gown £25 in five sizes and six colours and the one size fits all Fleece Star Print Oversized Lounge Hoodie £22 in Navy or Grey Mix. Lower the heating thermostat and open the popcorn!

We hope you’ve found the above dressing up edit useful and that you’ll be celebrating Christmas in style.

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ARIANE POOLE – MAKE UP TRICKS

If you missed a fascinating Instagram Live chat about make up hosted by Ariane Poole don’t worry! You can still pick up some brilliant tips and tricks by watching here

In this Live, Annabel and Ariane talk all things fashion & beauty.

For 20% Off until midnight 17th use Code WHISPER20 at the Ariane Poole checkout.

We used
Touch Up Illuminating Pen:
N2 & N25
Single Eyeshadow: Frozen Grape & Heather
Ultimate Eye Pencil: Mercury & Deep Amethyst
Brown Mascara
Navy Mascara
Crème Blush Sunrise

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NEW! WHAT TO WATCH

It’s that time of year when we love to hunker down in the evenings with a good boxset. And there are so many to choose from. Here are the top five Annabel thinks are what to watch:


Slow Horses – Apple TV
Apples Never Fall – BBC iPlayer
Pachinko – Apple TV
Nobody Wants This – Netflix
The Perfect Couple – Netflix
Joan – ITVx


And what next? Sweetpea on Sky Atlantic, The Hardacres on C5, Rivals (Jilly Cooper) Disney+. And next month The Day of The Jackal with Eddie Redmayne is coming to Sky Atlantic!!

TV is so good, no need to go out 🤪

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THE PERFECT PLIMSOLLS

Grace has been wearing these plimsolls for a couple of months now and they are FANTASTIC! Durable, £11.99 and have come out unscathed from a recent machine wash.

Canvas Lace Up Trainers £11.99 when you checkout using HEYAUTUMN on New Look website.

Canvas with stripe trim, rounded toe, wide fitting (so super comfortable), lace up fastening flat sole. Vegan friendly.

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STAY PUT EYELINER

You wouldn’t think there’s much difference between one eyeliner and another but this one that I bought from Zoeva Cosmetics is my new favourite. Easy to apply, easy to sharpen, stays put all day, great colours with a bit of shimmer – what’s not to like.

Zoeva Velvet Love eyeliner in Metallic Taupe (their best selling colour) £16. Lots of other brilliant colours available too. Check their website.

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New season fashion edit – next level layering

Hi everyone. Here is our new season fashion edit. Get ready to fall in love with the latest Marks & Spencer Autumn collection! We are thrilled to share our top picks with you. This season, M&S has really outdone themselves with pieces that bring a fresh burst of energy to our wardrobes. Read on for all the must-have styles! 

As we enter Autumn our thoughts turn to layering. Why layering? Because it is the most practical way to maximise our wardrobes especially now that our weather is usually mild. A sleeveless knitted top is brilliant for those days were you need a little warmth but not too much. Would also look great worn with a fine long sleeved crew neck sweater.

Green is a standout colour in the new Autumn/Winter collection and this geometric pattern in flowing, breathable viscose was a winner in our eyes.

If you don’t already own a gilet (there are a couple of thoughts on where the word derives from but probably the Spanish jileco or the French noun – le gilet – meaning cardigan) then you are missing a trick. It’s the perfect extra layer when there’s a chill in the air and this one from GoodMove fits the bill perfectly.

Who doesn’t love the luxurious feel of cashmere – these two items of knitwear were definite favourites!

Here are our favourite two jackets – great styling and value for money.

  • Faux Leather Harrington Jacket £59 – buttery soft and feels like the real thing and the detailing belies it’s very reasonable price.
  • Supersoft Crew Neck Jumper £17.50 If you haven’t discovered these already then please check them out. Available in many colours, these are a brilliant basic. Available in sizes 6 – 24.
  • Tweed Tailored Houndstooth Blazer with Wool £79. In a blue mix colourway that you can dress up or wear with jeans, this is a winner. We suggest going up a size.

Grace is still wearing white jeans (clinging on to Summer!) and found this striking striped top – just one of the excellent selection of knitwear and tops that are now available.

This Pure Merino Wool Longline Knitted Vest £39.50 in Bright Green or Black is a versatile layering piece. Worn over trousers or a long skirt, over a crisp white blouse or fine wool jumper, it’s simply stunning. Last but not least, we loved the new range of handbags – especially the fabulous quilted ones.

Happy shopping!

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Spacemask – a me time treat

Here’s another little me-time treat you may well like – a Spacemask. My sister gave me a pack and I’ve just spent a very relaxing 20 minutes wearing it.


Just take the mask out of the pack and it automatically starts heating up. Pop it on over your eyes and fit the loops around your ears. The warmth and gentle scent really promotes relaxation.

Available in Jasmine, Rose, Chamomile or Orange/Grapefruit scents.


Box of 5 costs £18.50 from Spacemasks (10% off your first order) or available as single packs on Amazon but more expensive at £7.99 each.

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FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS

Just finished reading “Fresh Water for Flowers” by Valerie Perrin and I was completely captivated by this beautifully written novel. The story follows Violette, a cemetery caretaker who has a unique ability to learn about and care for the dead and their mourners. As she unravels the mysteries of the deceased buried in her cemetery, we are taken on a journey of love, loss, and redemption.

Perrin’s prose is lyrical and poetic, painting vivid images of the French countryside and its inhabitants. The characters are richly developed and their stories intertwine in unexpected ways, keeping me hooked until the very last page.

“Fresh Water for Flowers” is a tender and poignant exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt and thought-provoking read.

Available from Amazon here

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GRACE’S MOUTHWATERING PRAWN AND EGG CURRY

Grace’s Prawn and Egg Curry is super quick, super delish. I used totally fabulous Argentinian prawns from Aldi (cost half the price that other supermarkets charge) and a Thai green curry paste pot (M&S £2.50 for pack of four). Serves 2.

Thai green curry paste
Handful Argentinian raw prawns
400ml can coconut milk
Fresh coriander and basil
2 hard boiled eggs
Cucumber
Pack of microwave rice

Warm through coconut cream in a saucepan, then stir in curry paste. Add rest of coconut milk. Pop in prawns and cook on medium heat for a couple of minutes.
Microwave rice and share between two plates Top with quartered boiled eggs and pour over curry/prawn sauce. Top with the fresh herbs and batons of cucumber.

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THE UGLIEST SHOES? WE’RE KEEN ON THEM!

Despite the Times and Telegraph fashion departments declaring Keen shoes as the ugliest ever, they have become the most sought after footwear for a reason (or two).

First and foremost, the comfort level of these shoes is unmatched. The wide toe box allows for plenty of room for your toes to move and breathe, while the cushioned footbed provides excellent support for all-day wear. You can walk for hours in these shoes without any discomfort.

Additionally, the durability of Keen shoes is outstanding. The rugged outsole grips well on various surfaces, making them perfect for holidays.

In terms of style, we find the unique design of Keen shoes to be quite charming. They have a quirky and fun look that sets them apart from other Summer footwear options.

Overall, we highly recommend Keen summer shoes to anyone looking for a comfortable and versatile option for their outdoor activities. Don’t let the critics deter you!

Check them out here

This is not a paid ad. We genuinely think these shoes are brilliant.

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Summer is here (at M&S at least!)

The warmer (and unfortunately, wetter) weather has arrived and so I suppose we can say that Summer is finally here. However, forecasters are predicting heatwaves in July and August, so Annabel and I were keen to meet up at our favourite one stop store to give our summer wardrobes a refresh and prepare for the sun. Here are some of our top picks that, at the time of writing, are available in store and/or online and are all very reasonably priced…

Screenshot
  • Linen Rich Printed V-Neck Midaxi Dress £45 (available short, regular and long lengths and in black/white colourway)
  • Linen Rich Printed V-Neck Tunic in Bright Sage (also available in same lovely pattern as the dress Grace is wearing) £39.50 in short, regular and long lengths. Worn with Suede Flat Mules £39.50 and Straw Tote Bag £45
  • Pure Cotton Striped Shirt £35 worn with Lyocell Blend High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans £35 (available in three other colours and short, regular and long lengths)
  • Pure Cotton Embroidered V-Neck Beach Dress £39 (also available in black)

In addition to our personal choices for older women that we’ve featured in the photographs above, there were stylish shorts of varying lengths, plenty of sleeveless tops and dresses, some great lightweight jackets, hats, jewellery, sophisticated swimwear and super cool sunglasses.

In fact there was so much to choose from in store (not forgetting M&S’s delicious coffee and the delights of the Food Hall), but you’ll also find even more brands and styles online – either way, M&S definitely has us older women covered. Why not have a look?

Have you checked out our recent recipes yet?

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