LIFE | a little update & finding my happy

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Before mum died … seems like a life-time away, it also feels like yesterday.

Before mum died … I seemingly didn’t have a care in the world. I probably did but It just felt like I laughed constantly [especially with my mum] my world was good.

I was the girl up for anything. If you told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t do it then you can guarantee I would probably try . I’d then run back to my mum and tell her all-about it. She’d shake her head while we sat laughing uncontrollably. I loved that. I loved sharing stuff with her. She would pretend to be shocked [at some things ] but believe me my mum was a little minx, an instigator and terribly encouragable.

For example my mum found this story particularly funny … [and ‘Tracey does Kavos‘ which despite being hilarious & very, very innocent I promised I’d never talk about .My mum was worried people would get the wrong impression . If I ever write my memoirs it’ll be in there for sure…] Continue reading →

LIFE – Letters from Mum

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AD | gift only

LETTERS FROM MUM

“I trace the line of each letter with my finger…

Absorbing every single word

I Imagine your face as you wrote each one; no doubt giggling at your own jokes

I smile … but at the same time a wave of heavy, sadness engulfs me and I can’t stop the tears.

Happy tears, sad tears , innocent tears for a time when I naively thought you’d be around forever .

I smell the paper; I’m disappointed that it doesn’t smell of you … year’s stored safely away in a Cigarette box has put pay to that.

I hold the letters against my heart and imagine that you are holding me

A part of you is etched on those precious pieces of paper. Conversations that can’t be erased . Words forever embedded in my heart “

I wrote this poem after I was approached by the lovely Emma from Inscripture to see whether I would like to collaborate with them and choose a piece of their beautiful jewellery.

After looking into the company I couldn’t say no.

It’s no ordinary jewellery … they take special words from letters, cards etc and engrave them onto jewellery –  ‘You live the moments, we create the memories’

It is a beautiful concept and something that would make a special keepsake / gift.

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LIFESTYLE | April Highlights …

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*This post includes a press trip, gifted items , a book signing and some affiliated links marked with an *

Good afternoon …

I enjoyed doing March highlights so much I’ve decided to make it a regular thing. Haha I know what you are thinking I’ll give it 3 months ! Have faith my friends , have faith !

So April has been and gone very much like March – like a whirl wind. Or as I referred to it last month like Zola Budd with diarrhea ! Can you believe it’s bloody May tomorrow.

So I started the month off with a night away with JD Williams. They invited myself and 2 others lovely ladies – Joanna and Rachel – to attend a cookery school held at Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire as part of their ‘try something new‘ campaign.

We Spent the evening at The Golden Fleece in Thirsk. A deceptive but very lovely hotel. It looks tiny from the outside but is like Dr Who’s tardis. It seemingly gets bigger the more you venture in.

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LIFE | dear john …

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I shouldn’t have but … oh oh I only bloody did… I’ve just lost an hour scrolling through a Tattle forum . It’s like Mumsnet but waaayyyyy more bitchy. My curiosity got the better of me and into the rabbit hole I fell.

OMG!!

Just a little background so you can see where I’m coming from if you are new around here . Let’s call it ‘a bloggers perspective ‘

I don’t usually feel the need to justify myself … but the forums niggled me, got me feeling like I should… which in itself is niggling me that I feel that way? Confusing yes but bare with me …

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STYLE | Most Wanted with JD Williams

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#AD – this post is a paid collaboration and contains affiliated links

I am happy to announce that this month I am working with JDWilliams on their ‘Most Wanted Campaign’.

I am sure you are already familiar with this fabulous brand [ and their very catchy, colourful TV advert ] However if you haven’t already been acquainted – JD Williams offer a fabulous selection of clothes , at great prices. Their collections are specifically aimed at ladies over 45 years of age ; ladies of every shape and size.

It’s great that a brand have acknowledged that WE do matter , that aging is fun, style is timeless and we don’t all want to get to a certain age and fall into the twin set and pearl brigade… not that there’s anything wrong with that if you do. It’s all about having a choice.

So back to the campaign. I have been asked to choose an outfit from their Most Wanted Collection and style it my way .

Can you just imagine… I was like a kid in a candy shop. There is just so much choice; a one stop fashion fix.

I eventually decided on the following outfit; as well as being stylish it is also practical for a lady who spends a lot of time outside, in all weathers, with her beloved dog, Mollie.

Single Breasted Belted Red Trench [£45.00]

I am very partial to a trench coat especially after watching the film ‘Atomic Blonde’. Charlize Theron looked absolutely stunning in everything she wore and I decided there and then that I needed more [trench coats] in my life. I guess it’s the secret agent , Bond girl vibe [ I always fancied myself as a Pussy Galore kinda girl ]… As I mentioned above it is single breasted, lightweight and looks equally as good worn fastened or open. It’s ideal to slip over dresses or as I have worn today with jeans , a plain over-sized tee and scarf.

I don’t currently have a red trench coat in my collection. Thinking about it I don’t carry much red in my wardrobe at all . So it has filled a little gap and taken me into a new territory.

Boyfriend Tee– pack of 2 black and white [£15.00 ]

I don’t think you can ever have too many white tee’s. I love the over-size and light-weight feel of this one. Perfect for layering, worn half-tucked to show off your waist / belt or left loose for a more relaxed look and feel.

One black and one white. Perfect; and at just £7.50 each, very affordable.

Shape & Sculpt Control Jean’s – [£40.00 ]

I love wearing jeans . I absolutely hate shopping for them. The few pairs I have received from JD Williams however have always fitted me beautifully.

The pair I have on in these photographs are from the Shape & Sculpt Control Denim collection. As I have entered peri-menopause I’ve found I’m subconsciously curvier without particularly eating anymore than usual. The middle age spread appears to be an actual thing!

These jeans are high waisted so your stomach is concealed; thanks to the hidden magisculpt panel your tummy is also flattened without you feeling as though you are wearing a corset and can’t breath. It also has intelligent seaming to define your bottom. I’m all for anything that makes my bum look perkier.

These are a good pair of jeans; I feel as though everything is held in place without any discomfort

Navy & White Polka Dot Kitten Heel Shoes – [£22.00]

How gorgeous and fun are these ; I do love a statement shoe and I’ve never worn dotty ones before.

I tend to shy away from high-high heels, my dodgey left foot put pay to those days. I prefer a flat , or kitten heel nowadays. The heels on these are just 2 inches.

They are perfect and I can’t tell you how comfortable they are. They come in a regular, wide and extra wide fit . I choose wide because dodgey foot requires me too … and I hate my toes to feel squashed up. Anything that feels like a slipper [ and these do ] is a goer in my books.

For a more casual look and an alternative to shoes I also choose these ankle boots. I love the look of a skinny jean and chunky boot combo.

Suede Pull On Boots [ £50.00 ]

Like I mentioned above I’m all about comfort these days. When I go anywhere I don’t want to be the one sat in the corner complaining about her feet hurting.

Or for exceptionally muddy dog walks these wellies are ideal

Hunter Original Tall Gloss Wellington Boots [£100.00 ]

Scarf [£16.00]

I love my scarves . I have a fairly big collection already ; one for every occasion.

I find adding a scarf to an outfit is one of the quickest and easiest ways to jazz it up or change it around. I choose this particular one because it combines and pulls in all the colours of the outfit. It also feels beautiful and silky.

I’ve worn it tied in a bow and also left it tied loosely around my neck… again there are so many variations you could try.

So there you have it.

I’ve really enjoyed styling this outfit using pieces from the Most Wanted Collection and I would love to know what you think as always in the comments below ?

Until next time, Tracey x

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Linking up with –

ElegantlyDressedandStylish

Notdressedaslamb

Mummabstylish

LIFE | Menopause made easy with Health & Her

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menopause /ˈmɛnəpɔːz/

– the ceasing of menstruation.

– the period in a woman’s life [typically between the ages of 45 and 50] when menstruation ceases.

Menopause … the subject we don’t speak about apparently? I disagree slightly as my friends and I have never had any problems broaching the subject. Let’s face it best friends talk about EVERYTHING … especially after a few Sherbets.

A couple of my friends have already been through the menopause [and survived ] one is mid-hot flushes. The rest of us are seemingly peri-menopausal, joking that this year on holiday we will be up all night … not due to partying … just because non of us can bloody sleep anymore!

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