Midlifechic - The thinking woman's style blog

Featured-July-1

Making summer plans (at last) and recent outfits

July 3, 2020

Nikki-Garnett-Midlifechic

Hush sale top ten & retail behind the scenes

June 25, 2020

Midlifechic June featured

What I've been wearing and learning the lessons of lockdown

June 23, 2020

Rose

Chic heatwave dresses and good sale buys

June 19, 2020

Midlifechic

How midlifers are feeling as we come out of lockdown

June 16, 2020

HomeMal Garnett2020-02-27T12:40:48+00:00

Making summer plans (at last) and recent outfits
Style, Travel

Making summer plans (at last) and recent outfits

This new schedule of only posting once a week is going to take some getting used to but it's nice to be back. It's going to be a bit of [...]

By Midlifechic|July 3rd, 2020|Style, Travel|0 Comments

Hush sale top ten & retail behind the scenes
Sale, Style

Hush sale top ten & retail behind the scenes

Hello, I'm a day early but the Hush sale has started so I thought I'd bring you my Hush sale top ten. I warn you, the sale site is a [...]

By Midlifechic|June 25th, 2020|Sale, Style|0 Comments

What I’ve been wearing and learning the lessons of lockdown
Project Happier, Style

What I’ve been wearing and learning the lessons of lockdown

Well (and I say this cautiously) it's starting to feel as though we're coming through to the other side of the great coronavirus lockdown. I hope you've had a good [...]

By Midlifechic|June 23rd, 2020|Project Happier, Style|0 Comments

Chic heatwave dresses and good sale buys
Shoes, Style

Chic heatwave dresses and good sale buys

We have a post with a purpose today, it's all about chic heatwave dresses because Meg wrote in to say "I have a colleague who's been looking effortless in the [...]

By Midlifechic|June 19th, 2020|Shoes, Style|0 Comments

How midlifers are feeling as we come out of lockdown
Midlife, Surveys

How midlifers are feeling as we come out of lockdown

Today, as promised, I'm bringing you the answers to the survey questions I asked last week. Thank you so much to everybody who responded so quickly to each survey giving [...]

By Midlifechic|June 16th, 2020|Midlife, Surveys|0 Comments

About Me

Hi, I’m Nikki Garnett, for 9 years I was the editor of Selfridges’ magazine. Now I’m married with 3 sons, 2 cats and a dog called Ted. I live near the Lake District in the North West of England and run a small creative agency with my husband.

I created Midlifechic because a little while ago, amidst all the chaos of family and working life, I was beginning to feel like I’d lost my groove. So this is for anyone else out there who is emerging from the child centred years and looking forward to beginning a whole new chapter.

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The zeitgeist and what to wear for the weekend
Midlife, Relationships, Style

The zeitgeist and what to wear for the weekend

By Midlifechic|2020-06-12T16:43:09+01:00June 12th, 2020|Midlife, Relationships, Style|

The zeitgeist and what to wear for the weekend Has anyone else found this week to be [...]

Women over 40 tell me – how is it for you? And a catch up.
Family, Health, Style, Surveys

Women over 40 tell me – how is it for you? And a catch up.

By Midlifechic|2020-06-10T13:24:00+01:00June 9th, 2020|Family, Health, Style, Surveys|

Hello and happy Tuesday everyone. I'm back after a couple of days off last week when as [...]

Cornucopia: midlife matters and the return to ‘normal’
Health, Midlife

Cornucopia: midlife matters and the return to ‘normal’

By Midlifechic|2020-06-02T16:52:43+01:00June 2nd, 2020|Health, Midlife|

And so we find ourselves at the beginning of June - that's more than two full months [...]

Midlife lately and SS20 at home outfit ideas
Family, Midlife, Style

Midlife lately and SS20 at home outfit ideas

By Midlifechic|2020-05-27T16:51:17+01:00May 27th, 2020|Family, Midlife, Style|

Hello, I'm out of sync at the moment because I had two days off for my birthday [...]

The future of retail after Covid-19
Retail Review, Style

The future of retail after Covid-19

By Midlifechic|2020-05-22T17:12:49+01:00May 22nd, 2020|Retail Review, Style|

Hello and first of all thank you to everyone who took the time to send a birthday [...]

How to celebrate under lockdown – happy birthday to me
Interiors, Midlife, Project Happier

How to celebrate under lockdown – happy birthday to me

By Midlifechic|2020-05-19T15:37:56+01:00May 19th, 2020|Interiors, Midlife, Project Happier|

Well hello... on this day that has always been a beacon in my calendar... because it's my [...]

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Jul 6

Twiddling my fingers because I’m in need of a ne

Twiddling my fingers because I’m in need of a new book to start tonight - have you read anything good recently? I can’t seem to concentrate on anything heavy in lockdown so a pageturner would be great - my favourite read so far this summer has been Magpie Lane by Lucy Atkins so I’ll swap that suggestion for any recommendations... —————————————
Wearing- blouse @hushhomewear, jeans @boden_clothing (ad/gifted); shoes @marksandspencer (past season) #booklovers #bookworm #bookrecommendations #summerreading #agelessstyle #midlifechic

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Jul 4

Out! We have an early table booked for a couple of

Out! We have an early table booked for a couple of hours at a quiet little wine bar and I can report that everything feels well run and very safe (there’s no Guinness though so OH is a bit 😩). I couldn’t for the life of me think what to wear - or remember how to do proper make-up - or how to walk in heels but it’s all coming back to me (and of course a glass of wine helps). We’ll be safely back home before it gets busy but it’s really nice to see the relief on the faces of local business people as they open their doors again. Wearing - blouse @boden_clothing (ad/gifted) jeans @johnlewisandpartners boots @hushhomewear (past season) #wiw #lockdownlife #outout #agelessstyle #midlifechic

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Jun 30

Well I never thought I’d be glad to reclaim the

Well I never thought I’d be glad to reclaim the school run but after 6 years without it I’m delighted that the rain’s been torrential here this week and just too grim to cycle in. It feels like turning back time and it’s one more small good thing that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the pandemic. I think you have to grab hold of these moments with both hands when you know your teenagers are slipping through your fingers don’t you? —————————————
Wearing: sweatshirt @fwp_by_rae, jeans @johnlewisandpartners, trainers @adidas.yung_1 #agelessstyle #midlifechic #casualchic #wfhstyle #schoolrun #jeans #schoolrunstyle #casualoutfits #lockdownstyle

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Jun 24

Wow what a fabulous day, the sun’s even blazing

Wow what a fabulous day, the sun’s even blazing in The North. I can’t tell you how much I’m regretting my enthusiasm when my gym announced it was launching outdoor classes this week. ‘Time to get back to it’ I thought but when I looked there was only space left on ‘Spartan Fit’ so I signed up. And now it really doesn’t feel like a good idea - straight after work at 5.15pm and my car’s saying it’s 28 degrees outside. I’ve no idea what Spartan Fit inflicts on you but I’m posting a picture now because you really won’t want to see what I look like when I come out at the other side of it! —————————————
Wearing: dress @hushhomewear, sandals @ancientgreeksandals #toohotforthegyminsummer #bestlaidplans #agelessstyle #summerdresses #silversandals #summer2020 #endoflockdown

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Jun 16

How I would have laughed if you’d told me 12 wee

How I would have laughed if you’d told me 12 weeks ago that the first shop I’d rush to after lockdown would be the runners’ centre! I may not have baked a single loaf of bread but I can now do 5K easily apart from the nagging pain in my Achilles which apparently is caused by a knee that rolls in - so today I have new trainers that are definitely function over form (why are all sports brands making everything in this manky shade of pink this year?). Anyway as you can probably tell I’m on a bit of a high tonight, I’m so chuffed to be back on the road because after all the hard work I didn’t want to have to give up. And it makes me feel better about my poor performance on the sourdough front. Who else has managed to make a small change that feels big during lockdown (and if it’s bread I applaud you)! Wearing: top @hushhomewear, leggings @sweatybetty, ugly trainers @newbalance #novicerunner #newrunner #covid19challenge #lockdownrunning #over50fitness #agelessstyle #midlifechic

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Jun 15

This is exactly the kind of Monday morning when I’d usually be sitting in an office meeting looking wistfully at the sunshine through the window so there are definitely good things about lockdown. I don’t know about you but I still keep a divide between work and weekend clothes just to break the week up but even so I seem to be completely changing the way I dress for work and I wonder if all the ‘meeting appropriate’ stuff in my wardrobe is now redundant. I was chatting to my middle son (aged 18) yesterday and he was talking about ‘those shoes women wore in the 80s’. On further examination it turned out he meant heels(!) and I do look at mine with mixed feelings of pleasure and pain, wondering if they’ll ever see street life again. Anyway can you tell I’m procrastinating? Back to work... (wearing: t-shirt @hm, skirt @hushhomewear). —————————————
#agelessstyle #womeninmarketing #wiw #workfromhomemum #wfhstyle #zoomlife #lockdown2020 #summer2020 #over50blogger #over50style #midlifechic

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Jun 14

After a week that felt like the toughest one of lo

After a week that felt like the toughest one of lockdown so far, I’ve been grateful for the simplicity of the sunshine in the far north this weekend - I hope it’s been lovely where you are and that you whatever you’ve been up to, you’ve managed to make the most of it. Anyway today’s post isn’t about me, it’s about Instagrammer @bethgoodrham.stylist whose Instagram account has been cruelly hacked. She’s worked really hard over the last few years building her following so I just wanted to giver her a shout out and let you know that she’s opened a new account so you can follow her there. I wish you good things as we head into this new week - hurray for the shops reopening, it’s time to do our best to support our local high streets and get small businesses up and running again. It feels as though we may be coming through to the other side of #covid19. At last. —————————————
Wearing: t- shirt @sezane, linen pull-ons @mango #agelessstyle #wiw #ootd #sunsettime #dogsofinstagram #over40blogger #lockdown2020 #lockdownlife #midlifechic

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Jun 11

I always find Instagram hard because I’m someone

I always find Instagram hard because I’m someone who likes to write a lot not a little and I struggle with the ‘image first’ nature of it - that’s why I blog much more than I ever post on here. Over the last week I’ve been challenged by people asking me why I didn’t take part in the #blacklivesmatter posts last week and the assumption is that I didn’t support the cause. That’s not the case – I just didn’t want to post a blacked out square and move on. It was impossible not to feel absolute anguish watching the killing of George Floyd and so I absolutely understood the outpouring of outrage and emotion. However before posting, I felt it was important for me personally to step back and watch, listen and discuss what was going on. I’ve spent the last week having incredible discussions with my three sons about it. At the end of it, it is of course undeniable that my generation has benefitted from white privilege so it’s important that we open our eyes and keep on learning because we can all do more. If you’re not sure where to start, reading ‘How To Be An Antiracist’ by Ibram X Kendi is a good place. So to anyone who’s asked me why I’ve seemed to ignore the issue I hope this has reassured you that I haven’t, that in fact I’ve been thinking about it more than ever. And I hope everyone who posted last week is keeping on thinking about it too because this isn’t a time for short term tokenism #blacklivesmatter.

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Jun 8

Not going anywhere more exciting than to pick up a

Not going anywhere more exciting than to pick up a takeaway although given that we live in the back of beyond and have to drive to get one it is always a bit exciting for us. Anyway it gave me an excuse to put on this dress which is a gift from one of my blog readers who runs a tiny boutique called @cleverlywrapped. This isn’t a paid post but obviously her doors have been closed since lockdown began so I’m giving her a shout out - if you’re looking for something a bit different do pop over to her website, she sells stunning scarves and wraps too and it looks as though we’re all going to need a few of those for a summer spent in pub gardens... not long now. Let’s just hope the sunshine sticks around 🤞. —————————————-
Dress @cleverlywrapped (ad/gifted); sandals @andotherstories; bag past season. #smallbrand #supportsmallbusiness #boutiquestyle #agelessstyle #wiwtoday #summerdress #mididresses #summer2020 #summeroutfit #pinkandorange #lockdownstyle #over40blogger #over50style #midlifebloggers #midlifechic

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Jun 6

Lockdown Saturdays aren’t quite the same when th

Lockdown Saturdays aren’t quite the same when the sun stops shining are they? I’m a bit useless today anyway - just as I’ve started running a decent distance I’ve sprung injuries in both my right ankle and my left knee so I’m hobbling along with a bit of an unusual gait 😬 - does anybody have any advice on fast healing for Achilles tendinitis? Happy Saturday everyone. —————————————Wearing: blouse @baukjen (gifted); jeans @hushhomewear (past season); shoes @boden_clothing (gifted) #agelessstyle #saturdaystyle #jeansoutfit #saturdaymorning #lockdownstyle #midlifechic #wiwt #over50styleblogger

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May 21

Happy birthday to me.... a pic from my #coronabirt

Happy birthday to me.... a pic from my #coronabirthday celebrations last night, it felt like an adventure leaving the house for a picnic in the park - just seeing other people relaxing in the sunshine (at a distance) was life affirming and felt like a sign that one day we’ll get back to normal life. I’d been feeling a bit glum about the idea of a birthday in lockdown but actually only having the option of a simple celebration with my four favourite people took the stress out of it so I just relaxed and enjoyed it - in fact we all did because of course there was nowhere else for the boys to be anyway (small blessings!) One thing I noticed though was how much effort people made to get in touch. I had messages from people I haven’t heard from in years and isn’t that a great thing to come out of all of this? Little gestures of thoughtfulness like that mean so much more than any kind of swanky birthday celebration would don’t they? #lockdownbirthday #covidbirthday #quarantinebirthday #over40blogger #mumofteens #mumofboys

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May 12

It’s chilly up here today which is a bit of a sh

It’s chilly up here today which is a bit of a shock but it made me focus on a new blog post. So if you’re in the mood for a catch up on how an ordinary family with teens is coping with quarantine along with a round up of what I’ve been wearing it’s now live on Midlifechic (link at the top). Outfit details cardigan @andotherstories, Breton @boden_clothing, jeans @hushhomewear. .
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#mumofteens #over40blogger #agelessstyle #midlifechic #classicchic #relaxedstyle #casualchic #preppystyle #over50blogger #over40style, #over50style, #wiwt, #whatimwearing, #whatimwearingtoday, #ootd, #outfitoftheday #midlifefashion

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May 9

I’m late to the party with a #veday post but we

I’m late to the party with a #veday post but we spent it having a little party on the canal bank at the bottom of our garden... which is still half built but I’m informed that it’ll be finished soon! Anyway we were thinking about my lovely dad who would have been 97 this year. He spent VE Day as part of Bomber Command’s Operation Manna, dropping food parcels to the Dutch who were starving after years of occupation. He used to talk about flying the huge Lancaster Bomber so low that they could see the faces of the people who were eagerly awaiting the food and he always said it was one of the best days of his life. Anyway, even though he isn’t with us any more it’s nice to be able to share his story on here and have his memory live on - I hope you had a lovely day too. #veday75 #thisisyourvictory #ww2history #raf #lancasterbomber #squadron315 #operationmanna #vedaypartyathome

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May 5

... being told something I didn’t quite agree wi

... being told something I didn’t quite agree with in a video call - I won’t say what because said person follows me here... but he might guess! Anyway just to say thank you to @claudiabradby for the necklace and earrings I’m wearing here (AD/ gifted). If you’re a blog reader don’t forget that you have the chance to nominate someone who deserves rewarding for their kindness during #covid19 to win a £100 jewellery voucher. We aren’t looking for big actions, just the small everyday gestures that mean so much at the moment. You can either go to the blog or answer in the comments here and the CB team will pick the winner in mid-May. And in the meantime there’s a new blog post today on Midlifechic with new #wfh outfit ideas. Enjoy the sunshine everyone. #over40style, #over40fashion, #stylishforties, #40plusstyle, #50plusstyle, #over50style, #wiwt, #whatimwearing, #whatimwearingtoday, #ootd, #outfitoftheday

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Apr 24

Just saying hello and happy Friday from my norther

Just saying hello and happy Friday from my northern outpost. As I said on my blog today I love being quarantined with my boys but... I’m really missing female company too - however they’ve promised me they’ll do their best to make up for it this weekend so who knows what conversations will ensue... have a good weekend everyone x (outfit details - dress @hushhomewear, espadrilles past season @purecollection - all bought personally) #over40style, #over40fashion, #stylishforties, #40plusstyle, #50plusstyle, #over50style, #wiwt, #whatimwearing, #whatimwearingtoday, #ootd, #outfitoftheday

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Apr 19

My #runforheroes moment, out in the sunshine with

My #runforheroes moment, out in the sunshine with the eldest. Thanks for the nomination @victoriallyons... my dear old school friend who I suspect had a smile on her face as she did it, remembering the lengths I went to to avoid cross country at school! Anyway now it’s my turn to pass the challenge on to a mix of 5 people (before you kill me remember you can walk if you don’t run)... and I nominate @archiegarnett @gillybobs73 @annebyrnegardendesign @alifetostyle and @leejones_xforce... enjoy 😉#NHS #run5donate5nominate5 #nhsheroes #thankyounhs #bettertogether #coronafundraiser

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Apr 15

Hello - just a quick post for my blog readers real

Hello - just a quick post for my blog readers really to say that I’m getting into the swing of taking some time off so there won’t be a post on Midlifechic this Friday. I’m currently envying anyone who can tie their hair up because today was the day when I had to give in and cut mine myself (@premlee_at_hershesons you’re now so high on the list of people I miss most). I’ve chipped away at the front but I can’t reach the back... and so far I’m avoiding all offers of help from a husband who is enthusiastic with the clippers. Anyway here’s a picture from today’s walk in the woods, ignore the hair and just look at those wood anemones instead. I hope the sun’s shining wherever you are. #haircutbyme #missmyhairdresser #covidhaircut #wiwtoday #midlifechic

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Apr 11

Tonight should have been our first night on holida

Tonight should have been our first night on holiday so I cooked a Spanish feast at home instead. ‘Let’s make it extra special and dress up as though we’re in Mallorca’ I said. And this is what they did 🤔. #mumofteens #mumofboys #lockdown #lockdown2020 #easterweekend #agelessstyle #over40blogger #midlifechic

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Mar 31

When you’re itching to get your hands on your te

When you’re itching to get your hands on your teen’s home schooling because he’s doing the same subjects you did... I think you can tell by his body language that there’s no chance though. Does anybody else think it would be great to go back and do it all again (although not in #lockdown obviously). #coronavirusuk #homeschool #bodenbyme #agelessstyle #midlifechic #lockdown2020

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Mar 22

Well I hope you’ve had a lovely day whether you’ve been celebrating Mother’s Day or not. The eldest didn’t make it home until last night so it’s been the first full day of us being in lockdown together. It wasn’t the day we’d planned, I was looking forward to a special @inn_at_whitewell lunch but instead it’s lasagne at home which will be just as good because I don’t have to cook - and I like the thought of wine on a Sunday night when there’s no alarm clock in the morning #smallblessings. I hope you’ve managed a good day in one way or another, I took some flowers to my mum’s grave and spent a few minutes with her. And now I’m home and this is the best photo we managed - it’s just as hard getting them to smile nicely for the camera as it was when they were toddlers. I feel really lucky having them all at home for the foreseeable future... and I realise that feeling may well change(!) but I’m relishing it for now. None of us knows what this week will bring - stay in everybody and look forward to being back to normal- won’t it feel good? #mothersday #mumofboys #selfisolation #mumofteens #coronaquarantine #makingthebestofit

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Mar 16

I know... two posts from me in two days - don’t

I know... two posts from me in two days - don’t fall over! It’s just that I’ve noticed something good amidst all the bad news. When I took Ted out for a walk this morning everybody stopped for a chat and I know I’m in the North where people tend to do that anyway but this was more than usual. And no one was miserable, there’s a real Blitz spirit up here so it struck me that even though the weeks and months ahead will be tough, good things can come out of it too. If you think about it the world hasn’t had a common enemy like this for a long time, we’re all in it together and so we can support each other through it, even if we have to do it online. In an esoteric moment it made me think of the CocaCola ad in the 70s - do you remember? “I’d like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand...” Great things could happen at the other side of this if we pull together. And sorry if you now have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day... #positivethings #coronavirus #bettertogether #thoughtfortheday #positivethinkingalways #theupside

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Mar 15

I’ve had my head down working for the last week

I’ve had my head down working for the last week so I hadn’t really picked up on the mood of the nation until today. Obviously I’d read about things like the hoarding frenzy in the news but I didn’t really believe it until my online delivery didn’t include any loo roll for the second week running and when I looked we were nearly out. ‘No problem,’ I thought, ‘I’ll pop out and get some,’ only to discover it’s all true, there isn’t any! What is it with loo roll? I’d understand if people were panic buying chocolate - or even gin - but why toilet paper? I mean it’s not the end of the world if you run out is it? Anyway I’m having a coffee and then going back to my village where people are doing nice things like arranging rotas to visit the elderly over the next few weeks. Am I wrong in thinking that things won’t feel quite so bad if we all share and we all care? Outfit details: coat @cosstores, jumper @donnakaran; jeans @hushhomewear, boots @lkbennettlondon (all past season) #sundayvibes #sundayafternoons #sharingiscaring #thoughtfortheday #agelessstyle #midlifechic #over40blogger #styleover40

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Mar 8

Not my usual Sunday night. I’ve escaped to revie

Not my usual Sunday night. I’ve escaped to review the @devarmsboltonabbey and I’m about to tackle a 9 course tasting menu - the choice of an adjustable wrap dress was not accidental! A night in a cosy inn with no alarm set for Monday morning is an even bigger treat. #britishboltholes #weekendbreak #staycation #yorkshire #sundaynights #cosynights #parentsnightout

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Mar 1

My post gym mood now that I’m halfway through th

My post gym mood now that I’m halfway through the 10 week @xforce_academy bootcamp programme I foolishly signed up to in a moment of wine fuelled enthusiasm over Christmas. It wasn’t about losing weight (I’m deliberately eating enough calories to make sure that I don’t) I just decided that I wanted to challenge myself in a way that I’ve never been challenged before... and I certainly have. I hated sport at school, the attitude there was always that if you weren’t good enough to be on one of the school teams you may as well not bother - so I didn’t and found solace in books instead. But it’s always bugged me and so I decided to push myself and see what would happen. The three tough workouts a week have taken me through all kinds of emotions, not all of them (in fact not many of them) positive while I’m doing them. Almost everyone else is a lot younger than me but at last I’m beginning to see that my 52 year old body can do more than I thought - and I’m starting to get stronger and faster than I ever believed I would. What it’s teaching me is not to fill my mind with ‘I can’t’ or ‘I’m too old’, the only person who tells me that is me. I’m learning that most of the limits are the ones in my head so if you’re facing a challenge, bear that in mind. Midlife is the end of some things but just the beginning of so many others, all you have to do is go out there and find one thing that sparks you - you won’t look back... and with that I’m going to have a little lie down..😅...............................................Outfit details: cardigan @baukjen, shoes @boden_clothing (ad/gifted) shirt IdLF @uniqlo_uk, jeans @hushhomewear (past season)
#midlifechic #midlifegoals #newchallenge #newyearresolution2020 #afterworkout #cooldowntime #agelessstyle #sundayvibes #xforce

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