It’s all spinning a bit too fast at the moment, despite the fact that I declined the blogger invitations that came my way. We haven’t had a Christmas as busy as this one for a long time so I haven’t had time to come up with a post… all I can do today is take you along with me virtually. Allons-y!

Christmas midlife lately – ordinary work day

This was last Thursday (I think) when for once I had a late start because I had to wait for my car to be serviced so, I remembered to do a WIW photo. What else can I say? I was wearing a red skirt because I was in a festive mood, despite the fact that it was cold and wet. That of course gave me an opportunity to delve into my umbrella library, I’d forgotten about this spotty one.

Christmas midlife lately - red satin skirt

Jumper; Hush skirt (AW2018); Hush boots (gifted AW2018); umbrella (past season)

Christmas midlife lately – Christmas lunch Friday

Some of you saw this on Instagram, last Friday Mr MC held his president’s Christmas lunch. He focused his speech on the Food Bank and raised a good sum of money for them by bringing along the contents of a Food Bank Christmas lunch parcel and eating them in place of the sumptuous meal that we were about to enjoy. Well done my man – it ensured that lots of people put cash into the envelopes that were waiting on the tables. Mission accomplished…

sequin skirt outfit, women over 40

Blouse (gifted AW19); skirt (gifted AW19); Boots (gifted AW19)

… and he wore the medal of honour! Along with a pair of limited edition trainers that Nike designed as a tribute to the old Bakerloo tube trains, borrowed of course from the oldest son’s extensive sneaker collection.

Christmas midlife lately

Blouse (gifted AW19); skirt (gifted AW19); Boots (gifted AW19)

We’d planned on it being a sensible afternoon but of course there were drinks in the bar afterwards and somebody offered us tickets to see the 16-piece Daft Punk orchestra that was playing locally that night. Having actively planned not to go because we’ve been out so much recently and desperately needed a Friday night in, we rushed home to get changed and went along. We were then persuaded to stay for the next line-up which was a session from ex Hacienda DJs Graeme Park and Tom Wainwright… which explains my puffy eyes in the next photo.

Christmas midlife lately – Panto Saturday

So here we are in far more sensible parent mode arriving for the matinée of the middle son’s panto.

relaxed Christmas chic, Christmas midlife lately

M&S coat (AW14); White Company cashmere jumper (AW18); Great Plains scarf circa 2009; Jeans (gifted AW19); Boots; Umbrella; Bag on trial for next year’s shop

And here’s the boy in all of his blue glory – it’s taking some work to remove all of that paint every night. He can’t get it off until he’s in the shower so when we went out for something to eat with our friends on the way home, he had to sit in the restaurant in all of his blueness – which entertained a few small children no end! Of course being the genie’s mum gives you a special photo opportunity.

Christmas midlife lately

Christmas midlife lately – drinks party Sunday

Thank goodness it was a matinée, we had a good night’s sleep and felt back on form ready for a Christmas drinks party at a friend’s on Sunday afternoon…

party outfit, women over 40

Sequin jacket; halter top (gifted AW19); velvet trousers; boots (gifted AW19); Midlifechic Boutique pewter clutch – sold out

Christmas midlife lately – Christmas lunch Tuesday

Tuesday was the day of the Northern Professionals Christmas lunch that we go to every year. It’s hard to explain but Northern Professionals is invitation only and you have to be given the nod before you can go along. I’m not sure how you’re vetted but there’s no agenda, it’s just an opportunity to socialise with other professionals every so often. At the Christmas lunch there’s a prize for the best costume and here I am with Nicola who took this year’s trophy – and an unexpected photo-bomber.

I bought this t-shirt as soon as I saw it. I know it probably isn’t PC to smile at the Carry On films these days… but they were part of my childhood and I do.

Christmas midlife lately

Jacket & trousers sold out (gifted AW19); t-shirt; boots

Christmas midlife lately – working brunch Wednesday

On Wednesday I was still feeling very, very full so a client catch-up over a light brunch made a nice change from lunch or dinner – plus no wine was involved.

My purple blouse was sent to me by Jermyn Street brand Hawes & Curtis who weren’t really on my radar until now. If you’re interested in history, theirs is fascinating and really worth a read here. They have a legacy of making shirts for the royal family and I have to say that I’ve never known a blouse to fit as well as this. It’s a standard size 12 and yet it’s like a second skin, as though it’s been made for me. I should mention that despite all of the wining and dining I’ve been doing, I’m at my preferred weight at the moment so if you’re between sizes, size up.

I chose the pussy bow blouse because I knew it would work brilliantly for this time of year when I do a lot of desk to dinner stuff. I’ve tied it in a low knot as I always do but of course you could style it with a high bow too.

desk to dinner outfit, women over 40

Blouse (gifted AW19); Finery flared trousers (AW17); M&S shoes (AW16)

Since this one arrived I’ve been looking at their plainer shirts, they do three fits: fitted, semi-fitted and relaxed. My purple one is from the fitted range and it’s certainly the cut that excites me because it’s so hard to find a shirt that flatters your body like this.

Their range of fitted white shirts includes a variety of different specifications such as double cuffs or high collars. I particularly like the ones with hidden detail below – note the pattern concealed on the inside of the neck and cuffs along with quirky coloured stitching.

Christmas midlife lately

Fitted shirt with contrast detail

There are patterned shirts too and new prints are constantly being designed by the in-house team so you won’t find them anywhere else. Hawes and Curtis are a good find I’d say – and they’re well priced, it costs £60 for two shirts or blouses.

Christmas midlife lately – London bound Thursday

Back to midlife lately and this is a very early morning shot from yesterday morning, I was waiting excitedly at the station because Avanti have just taken over the franchise from Virgin so I thought my journey might feel different (and I realise that this sounds incredibly dull but when you spend as much time on trains as I do, it’s quite an event!). Anyway it didn’t, the only difference was that the train was late, not a good sign. I did have a long, plain black coat with me by the way, don’t fret.

Skirt (gifted AW19); cardigan; boots (gifted AW19); bag (past season)

I arrived in London for an early meeting followed by an appointment to have my colour assessed at Josh Wood. You’ll remember that when I started my greying journey back in February, they told me that they would be happy with it by December so we’ve now achieved the end result – it was too dark for a photo when I came out of the hairdressers so you’ll see it next week. I then did my usual dash from Holland Park to Oxford Street for a cut with Premlee at Hersheson’s and after that it was off to meet some old friends from my M&S days for dinner.

This morning I had one more meeting, a quick catch up with a much loved old schoolfriend and then a mad dash to get home and finish this. I just hope it’s made sense because this week seems to have been such a rush. There should be one more post, maybe two, before I stagger to a complete halt next Friday and take a couple of weeks off… I can’t wait. Until then, enjoy your weekend and thank you so much for still being here, reading.

Disclosure: ‘A Christmas midlife lately’ is not a sponsored post

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