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Lockdown creativity

Having lots of time at home has given me the opportunity to be more creative. It’s just a pity I don’t have more access to materials. This week I made some driftwood and string garden garlands, silk orchid hair clips and some shell garlands for the terrace.
My drawings and paintings are hung all over my little cottage. I can’t imagine anyone would ever buy one but they make me happy. I painted this one several years ago after I lost my 17 year old dog, so it reminds me of her and how I was feeling at the time,…a little bit lost without her.
I am a bit lost again at the moment without any potential to work as I am just not very skilled in the art of relaxing. I don’t watch TV (I don’t even own one) so I’m always on the lookout for creative opportunities and ways to re-use items I find on the beach.
Applying makeup every day also makes me happy. I enjoy playing with eyeshadows and lipsticks to create a new look using different combinations of colours and products. I know many women in their fifties stop wearing makeup but I cannot explain what a difference it makes to my mood for the day. A splash of vivid pink lipstick transforms my mood and energy levels for the day.
I’ve just returned from a very hilly hike to Scabbacombe beach which is wild, remote and totally worth the hip breaking ascent and descent to access the shore. Check out my story for the stunning views of the south Devon coastline today.
Have you been more creative in lockdown mode? What have you been making?

#devon #hillwalking #hiking #scabbacombe #creativity #over50 #50plus #over50beauty #matureskin #maturemakeup #plantbased #vegan #pinklipstick #midlife #middleaged #silverhair #silverbraid #silversister #grayhair #fitover50 #ilovepink #ageing

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It’s difficult to say ‘No’

his morning I’ve been catching up on lots of emails from companies wanting to partner for posts and IGTV. Sadly, I had to decline all of them as their focus is; anti ageing creams/potions/apps, makeup and beauty products made from animals, diet pills or meat focused diet plans all of which I can’t approve.

I love ageing, so anti ageing is a bit of an insult to anyone who has made it to the magnificent milestone of reaching the incredible age of 50. Let’s be honest, there are so many ways to die, it’s a miracle any of us make it to 30 let alone 50 and beyond. Ageing is our greatest achievement. I don’t want to look younger, I want to look and feel healthy.
After researching the best diet to give me back my mojo a few years ago, it lead to a path of enlightenment regarding the use of animals in food and the beauty industry. This was a one way ticket to a cruelty free life, and I’ve never looked back. Cruelty free and vegan products look the same without the pain.

Diet pills are in no way a long term solution to weight loss. Eating a whole food plant based diet changed my shape/weight and life forever. It just takes determination and a change of eating habits established since childhood.

As for high animal protein diets, check out a few documentaries about this and you will never take a life for a moment of food pleasure again.
I celebrate my cheeky wrinkles each day, I love each and every one of those lines left from hours of fun and plenty of belly laughs.
#vegan #crueltyfree #ilovemywrinkles #proageing #wrinkles #ageinggracefully #weightloss #bodybositive #midlife #middleaged #over40 #over50 #fitafter50 #laughterlines #silverhair #grayhair #matureskin #maturebeauty #over50style #maturestyle #silversisters #middleaged #over50lifestyle #aging #healthyaging #agingwell

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What am I selling?

I was asked recently ‘what are you selling?’ I’m selling a healthy midlife body and positive mindset. The cost is your time and commitment. It starts today with you appreciating you are still here and have the ability to change, to embrace and adore your perfect ageing body.
One of the saddest things which has increasing monetary value and is highly sought after, is a toy which is decades old, still in it’s perfect box. No scratches, scuffs or creases. Unplayed with. Untouched. Unloved.
That toy never fulfilled its purpose.
I think the secret to positive ageing is to live in the moment. Not in the past. Not in the future. We are here. Now.

I cannot compare my face or body to the newer showroom shiny one I owned (and didn’t like so much) when I was a teenager. Nor should I. I now have plenty of miles on the clock, lots of scratches, bumps and prangs gained from joyriding my way through life.
It takes more of an effort to spruce myself up each day, no longer not just a quick flick of a mascara brush and away I go. But I’m happy I can still see with the help of my glasses. My hearing is diminishing, so I will be in need of a hearing aid before too long – thanks to many car journeys screeching along with Evanescence for hours on end.
Today I pruned my peach fuzz face with a razor. Plucked my brows which grow everywhere except where I need them. Put in my velcro rollers, then slapped on some makeup to create the best version of my well worn crinkly face.
I don’t look younger, I look my age and I’m completely happy with that.
It’s so important to love your wrinkles, crinkles, scars and all. Never aspire to be the toy in the box.
#ageing #aging #agepositive #positivity #bodypositive #midlife #vegan #plantbased #healthyaging #silverhair #grayhair #over50 #over40 #wrinkles #positiveaging #matureskin #maturewomen #peachfuzzface #womenwhoshave #maturemakeup #olderwoman #fitover50 #pastelbluehair #bluehair

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Let’s talk about filters

Lets talk about filters. I am asked often if I use them and the answer is ‘no’. I only use Instagram editing to modify the brightness, shadows and highlights. I simply can’t be bothered to do anything else, it’s just too much effort.

I know lots of women (and men!) use filters with wonderful professional results. Some are filtered to a particular hue or effect, some smooth out wrinkles and make your eyes pop. But, when I started looking for women my age for inspiration just over a year ago, I didn’t find many unfiltered shots of natural ageing…. no botox, no fillers, no facelifts etc. So I started my own.

I have friends who have gone under the knife, with tucks, liposuction and a full facelift and it made them happy. Others with botox, lip fillers, makeup tattoos and it made them happy too. We should do whatever we need to make us happy. Dye your hair? Do it! Shave your head? Do it! Lip fillers? Of course …and so on.
I’m happy to watch my face slowly melt into old age. Which reminds me of a story. When Seb was 8 he asked what would happen if we put a doll in the oven. I said ‘Lets find out!’. So we popped Barbi (no idea where she came from as I don’t have a daughter – sorry to whoever left it at my house) into the oven, then took her out at 5 minute intervals. Pity we didn’t document it as it was incredibly funny. Barbi aged very quickly. Her face melted, her hair made it’s way down her face and her boobs sagged under her arms within 10 minutes. I now know how she felt.
I want to be a positive ageing role model to the younger women in my family and to daughters of friends too. But, if you have coloured hair, botox, fake boobs and you’re happy, thats also a positive role model.
Never worry about the opinion of others. Join which tribe you want, we can all still be friends and happy with our own choices.

#ageing #aging #emptynest #ditchthedye #silversister #aginggracefully #healthyaging #vegan #bodypositive #over40 #over50 #braids #silverbraids #bluehair #matureskin #maturebeauty #maturemakeup #maturewoman #gettingold #violethair

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Wakeup Mid Lifers!

I’ve been hitting the bottle again today. Don’t panic! It’s the same temporary vegan hair colour I’ve used before. Instead of adding it straight out of the bottle I’ve mixed it with my shampoo for a softer effect. It will wash out within 1 week, quicker if its sunny which it should be for the rest of the week.

My sister sent me a recipe for dandelion honey yesterday. I was intrigued but not convinced it would be a successful experiment. Seb jumped over a high wall and collected lots of flowers for me from a meadow next to Churston Woods. I could have jumped over but didn’t rate my chances climbing back as I don’t have his Spiderman climbing skills.
I’ve been getting a bit frustrated lately, I just can’t help it. I hear so many people talking about supporting the NHS by staying home or clapping once a week but they still smoke or are grossly overweight. They don’t consider or appreciate, the additional load their poor choices or lack of care places on the NHS.

I struggled with my weight all my life and never gave my body the care and attention it craved. It eventually crashed and it was only then I realised how stress and neglect was affecting my body. My life chasing the next goal was taking me closer and quicker to my grave.
The only goal I want to achieve now, is to wake up other mid-lifers up to the long terms effects of their current lifestyle and diet. If I can do it, anyone can.
What inspires you to make positive changes?

#vegan#plantbased#aging#healthyaging#violethair#purplehair#over50#over50style#maturebeauty#matureskin#maturemakeup#50plus#healthyeating#midlife#middleaged#wellbeing#fitover50#over40style#silverbraids#braids#maturehairstyle#over50hairstyle#silverhair#olderwoman#ageing#ageingwell#agingwell#aginggracefully#crueltyfree#selfcare