Newcastle update – the story so far

By |2021-05-07T17:14:11+01:00May 7th, 2021|Categories: Interiors, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , |

Given that we've flipped back into the Narnian Winter (it's snowing again as I write) there's absolutely no point in talking about Summer clothes or outfits so it's something completely different this week. I haven't said much about our Newcastle adventure since last September so I'm going to talk about that instead and show you what's been going on there. So here's a Newcastle update - the story so far. The story so far... why Newcastle? You may remember it [...]

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The latest SS21 drop at John Lewis & Partners

By |2021-04-27T17:03:59+01:00April 27th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Well hello, how nice it is to be back on a Tuesday for a change. It's just a quick post today to tell you about the latest SS21 drop at John Lewis & Partners. As we discussed last month they're going through a style evolution on their fashion floor and we're now moving into stage 2 as more small labels arrive to augment their already established collection of brands. Their vision is to have a foundation of good capsule pieces [...]

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Linen for a British summer & midlife lately

By |2021-04-16T17:13:16+01:00April 16th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Well hello, I hope you've had a good couple of weeks. Ours have been busy - I never want to paint another wall again, especially with Mr MC as my foreman, he has levels of perfection that way exceed my skills (and thankfully I think we're agreed on that so I may be reassigned to something that plays more to my strengths... such as shopping!). So how has 're-entry' felt for you this week if you're in the UK? Different [...]

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What’s going on at John Lewis & Partners?

By |2021-03-23T13:53:46+00:00March 19th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Thank goodness - on Sunday we'll reach the Spring equinox and then in a week's time the clocks go forward. These are the little things that mean such a lot at the moment because they'll make a significant difference to the lives we're living. Today's post is all about new season, this time with a focus on more everyday outfits that will take us from lockdown to beyond. I'm pleased to be working with one of my favourite retailers again [...]

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Wardrobe planning for SS21 – thinking about going out!

By |2021-03-12T17:31:02+00:00March 12th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I know we've had crazy weather in the UK this week but we're turning the corner towards springtime and it feels as though it's time to start looking ahead, albeit tentatively. Today I'm working with Boden, doing a bit of wardrobe planning for SS21 - thinking about going out. Of course we'll all be emerging from lockdown at different paces but here's the roadmap that we have in England at the moment: 29th March - golf is back for those [...]

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Launching SS21 – Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo

By |2021-02-18T17:05:31+00:00February 18th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Today I'm working with Uniqlo to kick off the new season by launching SS21 - Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo. Like the first snowdrops, for me this shoot is always the sign of brighter times ahead and it feels particularly victorious to still be able to bring it to you this year despite the added hurdles that are impacting retailers everywhere. We're slightly later than I hoped to be because the clothes samples only arrived at lunchtime today so [...]

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Uniqlo denim – jeans review & try-on AW20

By |2020-10-02T10:34:33+01:00October 2nd, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|

Today I'm really pleased to be working with Uniqlo again. My brief was to have a look at their denim and write an honest review of some of this season's core styles. I don't know whether you're aware but Uniqlo take denim very seriously; they're constantly working on it and their ultimate objective is to create a capsule of timeless jeans in the world's favourite cuts: skinny, relaxed and straight. So they gave me free range to put together some [...]

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Athleisure – how to style it when you’re over 40

By |2020-10-26T13:08:05+00:00August 31st, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|

I know I'm probably going to throw you out for the week by posting on a Monday but this Bank Holiday always feels like a good time for setting new intentions so I'm taking my first look at what we might be wearing over the season ahead. Of course the last five months have made us reconsider our lives in countless ways and one of those is our approach to style. The whole world of fashion has been disrupted and [...]

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Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Autumn 2020

By |2020-08-27T07:34:27+01:00August 27th, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|

Well it isn't good to be back from holiday but it is good to be blogging again! So hello, how are you? I hope you've had a good couple of weeks. I have lots to tell you but it'll have to wait until next week when I've had time to go through the photos we took in Turkey. In the meantime as promised I'm bringing you my insights on the latest collection from Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Autumn [...]

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Retail update – small British brands – and à bientôt…

By |2020-08-07T11:30:28+01:00August 7th, 2020|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Retail update - small British brands - and à bientôt... I'm typing with my fingers crossed because if everything goes to plan, we'll be setting off on our holiday tonight. Preparing to go has been challenging because all kinds of things have kept changing. This has included our usual petsitters being offered a holiday that was too good to resist on the same dates as ours which wasn't a problem until we realised the cats' inoculations had run out and [...]

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The future of retail after Covid-19

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

Hello and first of all thank you to everyone who took the time to send a birthday wish on Tuesday. I was showered with messages from every corner of the internet and it was lovely to know that so many people had me in their thoughts, in fact I couldn't wish for anything more. I'll tell you more about what we did next week when we have a catch-up but in the meantime I want us to start thinking about [...]

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Lockdown outfits – keeping spirits high

By |2020-04-03T12:13:41+01:00March 31st, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Hello everyone - are you still hanging on in there? I'm delighted to be bringing you some lockdown outfits today because I'm determined we'll stay chic, even if we're all at home. I'd like to say a huge thank you to Boden who are working with me today and are the only large brand to have honoured their commitment. Occasional posts like this will enable me to keep Midlifechic going so if you want this blog to survive they're a [...]

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Easy spring looks from M&S and a try-on

By |2020-03-13T16:48:32+00:00March 13th, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Easy spring looks from M&S and a try-on Spring's going to be here any minute - really it is and so for my latest Marks and Spencer edit, I thought I'd look ahead to warmer days. It's been a struggle to get my head in the right place because we've had gales blowing here every day but today the sun finally shone through and I managed to get some pictures outside for the first time in months. As I searched [...]

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 18

What to look for when you’re buying jeans & a try-on

By |2020-02-25T17:05:28+00:00February 25th, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

What to look for when you're buying jeans It's another denim try-on today, this time I'm working with John Lewis & Partners, looking at their And/Or range which is good because last time I did this, I found the jeans that have been my go-to pair for the last two years. When I asked in the reader survey which looks were most relevant to your lifestyle, smart casual (jeans with a blazer) and relaxed casual (jeans with trainers) scored 82% [...]

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M&S SS20 – core denim try-on

By |2020-02-07T16:36:50+00:00February 7th, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's a retailer try-on today with my first M&S edit of the year so let's have a look at what's going on there. As we discussed back in September, there's a new womenswear team on board with a strategy to address the basics. Their view is that the marketplace is already well served with fast fashion retailers chasing the latest trends so the role of M&S should be to get the core basics right - which is something I think [...]

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Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo SS20 preview

By |2020-01-23T07:34:44+00:00January 23rd, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

Here's a sign that Spring is on its way, heralded by one of my favourite posts of the season – the Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS20 preview. We’ve been granted an exclusive early look at the collection again but before I show you the clothes, remember that with this range you have to be quick. The online allocation often sells out by midday and just because something is in your basket, it doesn’t mean it’s yours - if [...]

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Christmas cornucopia from M&S – things you may have missed

By |2019-12-10T10:46:18+00:00December 10th, 2019|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , |

I don't know about you but I think I can say that I'm more or less ready for Christmas now and so for my last M&S post of the year, I thought I'd put together a 'Christmas cornucopia'. I'm focusing on the things I've found that you may have missed along with some little bits and pieces to make your time extra special. So let's go on one last virtual shopping trip together - after this one, my posts will [...]

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 0

Wrapping up Christmas – a more sustainable approach

By |2019-12-06T10:58:26+00:00December 6th, 2019|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , |

Today I'm bringing you the last of my John Lewis & Partners' posts for 2019, I've loved working with them again this year. Of all of the brands on the high street, they have to be the most dynamic in their determination to find a new approach to bricks and mortar retail. As I've mentioned before, they have a whole department dedicated to retail innovation which makes them exciting to work with because they're always revealing another 'well I never!' [...]

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 0

What’s going on at hush and an AW19 try-on

By |2019-10-22T16:24:26+01:00October 22nd, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

It's been a while since I've worked with them and a few of you have been asking me what's going on at hush. It's a small company that has found itself growing so fast that it's suddenly had to switch its focus towards gearing up for growth in a big way. Everybody here of course has known and loved hush for a long time, but two years ago when they launched at John Lewis & Partners, they were introduced to [...]

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 0

Winter outfit ideas – John Lewis & Partners

By |2019-10-18T11:59:20+01:00October 18th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

As you know, I spent some time in Leeds this week getting ready for the Midlifechic reader event next month. I love being there because it's one of my favourite John Lewis & Partners sites. It's the anchor store for Victoria Leeds, a shopping centre that opened in 2016 incorporating some of the restored Victorian arcades and I don't think I've seen a more architecturally beautiful shopping centre in the UK. The new glass buildings compliment the old iron structures [...]

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 0

Bumper Boden edit – Autumn 2019 (and a try-on)

By |2019-10-01T16:58:25+01:00October 1st, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Today I'm really pleased to be bringing you a bumper Boden edit - Autumn 2019. Longstanding readers will know that I've been trying to open a dialogue with Boden for years. As you've seen, since spring we've been getting to know each other by doing a small monthly edit - and during that time, from your feedback and comments they've learned a bit more about you too. For this post I've had a chance to go [...]

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 23

Hope springs at Marks & Spencer – AW19 collection

By |2019-09-13T16:42:56+01:00September 13th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , |

Today's post is all about M&S but it isn't just my usual monthly try-on of new styles in store, I want to talk a little about why I'm making the statement that 'hope springs at Marks and Spencer.' And yes I know the first thought that's going to come into your mind is that last week they dropped out of the FTSE 100 for the first time ever. I'm sure when that result was announced you could quickly reel off [...]

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Last minute travel buys – M&S June edit

By |2019-06-14T16:58:03+01:00June 14th, 2019|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I'm trying not to mention the weather but... I am finding myself glad that we have a couple of escapes to the sunshine booked (although last time I looked, it was even raining in Turkey). Anyway I'm working with M&S today and the focus is holidays. We've spent enough time on here planning holiday wardrobes so I thought I'd look at last minute travel buys, the little extras that make all the difference. I love doing posts like this because [...]

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M&S SS19 – what’s new and a trying-on session

By |2019-05-21T16:15:41+01:00May 21st, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

Whenever I work with M&S the feedback you give me is that you find it helpful to be guided through their huge inventory. So, today I'm going to do a trying-on session of some of the things that have caught my eye recently and then I'll talk you through a few M&S updates. As always, they've had some huge successes and I appreciate it can be frustrating when online stocks are limited so I'll highlight when you may need to [...]

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Spotlight on John Lewis & Partners own label collections SS19

By |2019-04-09T17:13:08+01:00April 9th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

It's lovely to be working with John Lewis & Partners again. Rather than write a general new season review, I thought I'd have a look at their own label collections and define what each brand stands for. Then I'll move on to a show-and-tell as I try some of the pieces myself and tell you what I think. It makes sense for John Lewis & Partners to continue developing their own ranges. Traditionally, department stores have operated as a 'house [...]

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Marks and Spencer trying-on session – Spring 2019

By |2019-02-26T16:30:10+00:00February 26th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

The sun is shining, in fact the tabloids are calling it the Moroccan Melt so to everyone who asked me to bring the weather back with me from Marrakech, you're welcome! It means that for once, the new Spring collections that are arriving feel timely. It's usually hard to imagine spring in February but this week retail sales have been booming as everyone casts off their winter layers. I'm sure we'll have another stretch of jumpers and boots next week [...]

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Exclusive: Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS19 review

By |2019-02-21T07:01:03+00:00February 21st, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

At last we're moving into Spring and once again I'm delighted to bring you the exclusive on the new collection from Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo. As I say every time, Inès is my ultimate style icon so it's a huge honour when Uniqlo give me this opportunity to be her English counterpart. The collection launches here today at 7am in the UK and here in the US. Sorry Australian readers - I couldn't get any info for you [...]

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New Christmas outfit ideas from M&S (and the one I’m wearing)

By |2019-03-27T11:15:47+00:00December 4th, 2018|Categories: Christmas, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Happy December everyone. Before I go on with this post I just want to say to everyone who's been asking for a Midlife Lately - it's coming on Friday. There's a reason why I haven't been doing it and I'll explain why then. In the meantime, last week Marks & Spencer challenged me to look through their partywear and put together an outfit for one of my early Christmas events. The first party in my diary was a work related [...]

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Everything Christmas at John Lewis & Partners

By |2018-11-16T16:50:50+00:00November 15th, 2018|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Interiors, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , |

You seemed to enjoy our last virtual wander round John Lewis & Partners in May so when I was thinking about my Christmas posts, there seemed no better place to spend a day. It has to be said that they really have become the kings of Christmas in the UK. Some of my friends now say that they refuse to even think about Christmas until the TV ad comes out - they see it as the official launch of the [...]

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Brands that give back – Specsavers and Kidscape

By |2018-11-02T12:45:56+00:00November 1st, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

I mentioned last week that I'm thinking carefully about how I can make Midlifechic count. Without changing things too much, I'm going to work more with charities, find brands that have good environmental and social policies and also help support small companies, particularly those run by women over 40. Today's post ticks off two of these criteria because I want to you to tell you all about what went on at a charity fundraising event that I went to last [...]

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Midlifechic edit – Marks & Spencer AW18

By |2018-09-21T16:48:12+01:00September 21st, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Shoes, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

One of the things that I often hear people say about Marks & Spencer fashion is that there's just too much of it, that it's too hard to know where to begin. So I've spent some time going through the current collection identifying the particular strengths that I can see at the moment. Of course it makes sense to look at what I see as being their hero areas, however they're pretty strong on some of the new season trends [...]

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John Lewis & Partners new women’s clothing collection review

By |2018-09-14T12:21:22+01:00September 14th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

In my posts about trend and colour, I included some of the press shots from the John Lewis & Partners new women's clothing collection which, it has to be said, are lovely. But then PR shots always are - so what I really wanted to do next was road test some of the styles to see how they look on a normal woman (me) shot in less than ideal conditions (the incessant rain and wind that we're experiencing in the [...]

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How to wear Hush when you don’t do slouchy

By |2018-09-04T16:58:58+01:00September 4th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I'm really pleased that so many of you said you enjoyed my edit of the Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo collection because I have a few more reviews of individual retailer collections planned over the next few weeks. Today I'm looking at Hush and I'm working in exactly the same way, in a collaboration where I'm free to style the clothes as I want to and talk to you about how they feel to wear. I know quite a [...]

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Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Autumn 2018 Review

By |2018-08-31T11:00:15+01:00August 30th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's time - I'm excited to bring you my Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Autumn 2018 Review. Yet again they've identified Midlifechic readers as their core audience and so I've had the chance to examine some of the pieces early - I can't tell you how happy this makes me. For US readers it should be going live for you today too. Just in case you're a new reader, what's so great about this Uniqlo collection? It consists of a [...]

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Spotlight on John Lewis – a virtual afternoon in store

By |2018-04-06T10:40:27+01:00April 6th, 2018|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Interiors, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Please note that this is a sponsored post in collaboration with John Lewis. As such, links are affiliated and upon purchase, a small commission may be paid to Midlifechic. The retailer pays so this costs nothing to readers but it enables me to continue bringing you two posts a week. Now that Midlifechic is being viewed over half a million times a month, It costs into the thousands of pounds to keep it running and loading smoothly. I thank you [...]

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Spotlight on Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS18 – EXCLUSIVE

By |2018-02-15T08:42:52+00:00February 15th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

At last it feels as though Spring is really on its way. As always it's heralded by one of my favourite posts of the season - Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS18. We've been given an exclusive preview again. Before I show you the clothes, remember that with this collection you have to be quick. The online allocation tends to sell out by midday. Just because something is in your basket doesn't mean it's yours. If someone else checks [...]

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Spotlight on the relaunch of Issa at House of Fraser

By |2017-09-14T10:33:17+01:00September 12th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

So, as you will already know if you follow me on Instagram, last week I was invited to celebrate relaunch of Issa at House of Fraser. The venue was Kensington Palace which, of course, is where William, Kate and Harry all live. It was an especially auspicious time to go there because it was the day that Kate's third pregnancy was announced. Our event was in the Orangery but I couldn't help looking across at the Palace and feeling sorry [...]

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Spotlight on Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo AW17 – for women and men

By |2017-08-31T09:50:16+01:00August 31st, 2017|Categories: Family, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

So we're kicking off Autumn 2017 with my favourite post of the season - the launch of Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo AW17. It is live now in the UK and launches at 9pm ET in the US (although be prepared - it launched an hour earlier than advertised in the UK). I think everybody who reads Midlifechic knows that Inès is my ultimate style icon. Other than Helen Mirren, I don't think there is anyone like her in terms of [...]

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 26

Spotlight on Specsavers – new specs appeal

By |2017-07-11T13:30:42+01:00July 5th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Health, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

As a break from the summer sale madness, today I thought I'd talk to you about my new glasses. I've been aware that I need some for quite a while but, in the same way that some people dread going to the dentist, I dread the opticians - so I always put it off. The reason for this is that my mum had Macular Degeneration and was nearly blind towards the end of her life. Watching her lose her sight [...]

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 36

Spotlight on Baukjen – sunny days and nights

By |2017-05-16T14:58:27+01:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I'm very pleased to be working with Baukjen again today. You may remember that they were the first of my brand Spotlight Posts back in February and this time they've sent some of their Spring / Summer 17 collection for me to review. As always, when I work on a Spotlight post I like to assess whether a range can work hard for me by covering my key wardrobe requirements: work, weekend and evenings out. Baukjen Spring / Summer working wardrobe Starting with workwear, [...]

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 22

Spotlight on linen and denim at Uniqlo

By |2017-05-16T15:50:18+01:00April 7th, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Happy Friday everyone. As we count down to the Easter weekend I'm hoping you can feel that Spring is in the air. Today I'm reviewing Uniqlo's new collection. As you already know, Uniqlo is a brand that I rate very highly. One of the the things I like most about them is the balance of their retail mix. They launch limited edition collections which are collaborations with brands and people ranging from Inès de La Fressange to Miffy. This means there is always something new to see. [...]

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Spotlight on Pure Collection – brand review

By |2019-08-09T16:34:13+01:00March 17th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

So it is with great pleasure that I bring you the second of my spotlight posts which, as you will remember are the posts where I focus in greater depth on a single brand. Today I am looking at Pure Collection. I will be honest and say that when they first got in touch with me before Christmas, I told them that I wasn't convinced that they were the right fit for Midlifechic readers. Although I knew that they made great cashmere, I didn't [...]

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 29

Finery Review Spring 17

By |2018-03-02T09:43:15+00:00March 13th, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's great to be working with my friends at the Over4Collective again today. We've been so busy getting our website together that we haven't had time to do a project for a while so I decided it was time to introduce them to one of my favourite brands, Finery so that we could bring you a Finery Review Spring 17 . I've spoken before about how fond I am of my contact at Finery, a young French woman who never questions the [...]

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Spotlight on Baukjen… and midlife love

By |2018-01-08T17:06:04+00:00February 14th, 2017|Categories: Midlife, Product review, Project Happier, Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I am very pleased to bring you the first of the spotlight posts. It's a big thank you to Baukjen for being the first brand to come on board as part of this series and I'm particularly pleased to be working with someone that I haven't featured before. I have only one Baukjen piece in my wardrobe and it is a jumpsuit that I bought in a hurry after seeing it featured in a magazine last year. For some reason [...]

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Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Spring 17 launch

By |2017-03-18T21:47:24+00:00February 2nd, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

So, I am proud (very proud) to be the first blogger to bring you the new collection from Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo. As I have said many times before, if I could align Midlifechic with any woman in the world, it would be Inès. I have been eagerly (and rather nervously) awaiting the launch of the Spring range. Why nervously? Because I didn't feel that SS16 was as strong as the Autumn ranges and I hoped that wouldn't [...]

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What to wear for a formal party – women over 40

By |2019-08-09T16:59:13+01:00November 8th, 2016|Categories: Christmas, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Well hello everybody and happy November. There's no avoiding it any longer, we're on the Christmas countdown. I'm diving in head first with another party dressing feature (there will be a few). This time we're looking at what to wear for a formal party. So let me give you a bit of background. We've had a 'save the date' in our diary for a long time. A client who has become a friend is having a special celebration in a [...]

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 27

Chic layering using Uniqlo technical clothing

By |2019-08-09T16:57:20+01:00October 26th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

You may remember that when I went to Paris in May, one of the things I commented on was that lots of Parisians were demonstrating the art of chic layering by wearing a Uniqlo quilt underneath their coat. I have since discovered that Uniqlo is a big thing in France. When they opened a new store in Bordeaux recently, the police had to be called in to control the excited crowd. Of course I'd just like to add that living in the frozen North, [...]

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Dressing for quiet confidence – Winser London

By |2019-08-09T16:35:42+01:00October 10th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I don't know about you, but every so often an occasion crops up when I use what I'm wearing to boost my confidence. It's almost like putting on a suit of armour to help face something bigger than an ordinary day. Usually for me, it's a meeting with a tricky client but last week, as you know, I went to my middle son's school for the preview of the BBC documentary that he has been taking part in. We were only given a [...]

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Cashmere review – the best on the high street

By |2019-08-09T16:46:42+01:00October 7th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

As the nights grow darker, my usual Autumn treat to myself is a cashmere jumper. Every year however, prices seem to climb higher so I decided to set myself the task of looking into my little indulgence as carefully as possible. When I was in London last week, I had a couple of hours to spare between meetings which gave me the perfect opportunity to compare as many stores as possible so that I could write a cashmere review. Anyone who knows [...]

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Finery Review – standout chic for Autumn

By |2016-09-30T15:49:57+01:00September 30th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I don't know about you, but when I get to this point in the season, I'm over the excitement of Autumn clothes because I've become accustomed to the new trends. It feels as though each retailer is simply offering a slightly adjusted version of the same thing and I yearn for something that stands apart. There are a handful places that I turn to for visual refreshment: Cos, Me+Em, Kin at John Lewis (not Modern Rarity - I feel like I'm the [...]

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 29

Marks and Spencer fashion for women over 40 – a style challenge

By |2016-09-20T11:59:38+01:00September 16th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Today we're looking at Marks and Spencer fashion for women over 40. As you know, ever since I went down to the press day I've been excited about their new looks for this season. My favourite pieces still haven't been released but I think they're off to a good start. To launch the new season they are running a blogger challenge. A couple of weeks ago they gave a number of us a look book which contained about 40 different items [...]

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 28

48 hours of Hush – from work to weekend

By |2016-09-19T14:37:19+01:00September 13th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Relationships, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Today I'm talking about Hush, another of our favourite Midlifechic brands. I've been trying to meet the team there for a while and it has become almost a running joke between us that whenever one of us suggests a date in London, the other can't make it. In the end serendipity played a part when I went down to London for the John Lewis 'Christmas in July' event. I'll tell you more about that soon but the important thing for today [...]

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 51

Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo – Autumn 2016

By |2016-09-10T07:43:05+01:00September 8th, 2016|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I'll come straight out and say it - this is my biggest blogging high to date. Uniqlo has selected our community at Midlifechic to be the first to see their new Inès de La Fressange collection. I feel so proud that we are being recognised by brands as a group of intelligent, vocal women who deserve their attention. They are beginning to realise that just because we are over 40, we have not given up on style and Uniqlo is [...]

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 70

Autumn 2016 at The White Company – a review

By |2016-09-07T13:18:52+01:00September 7th, 2016|Categories: Fragrance, Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

A mystery package arrived this week and it was lovely to open it and find that The White Company had sent me their new Autumn candle to review. As you know, Home Fragrance is really important to me and you could say that it was a brave move to send it to someone who spent last year working as a certified 'nose' for the UK's biggest home fragrance manufacturer! Industry knowledge means that I know quite a lot about The White [...]

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 14

Over 40 style blogger challenge – white shirt & denim

By |2017-03-18T22:16:43+00:00July 19th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I was chatting to my blogger friends in the Over 40 Collective recently about how difficult it is to know what to blog about during this fallow period when the sales are on, especially when the weather is as mixed as it has been. We talked about paring things back to simplicity and from there an over 40 style blogger challenge arose - styling a white shirt with denim. Of course the sale period was a problem until somebody suggested Marks and [...]

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 22

A day working with the team at Hope Fashion

By |2016-07-15T15:28:12+01:00July 15th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Work life balance|Tags: , , , |

As you know, I spent Tuesday with the team at Hope Fashion taking part in their Autumn shoot in which they decided to use real, everyday women rather than models. As you can imagine, it was great fun. All of the clothes were hanging on rails and they quite simply let us loose to see what we would do with them and then they shot the outfits we had put together. I'm not going to show you those pictures now because [...]

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 11

Boden early Autumn 16 – dressing for the weather (again)

By |2016-07-12T12:44:33+01:00July 11th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Today saw the release of the Boden early Autumn 16 collection with some great trans-seasonal pieces to see you through this 'not Summer' weather. With every day bringing a new sartorial challenge, these pieces will help you to layer now and all the way through to next Spring.     Soft blouses like this have been my failsafe this season, they have enough arm coverage to stop you shivering but are loose enough for you to still feel cool when the sun suddenly emerges from [...]

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 7

Playing chicken with the Hush sale

By |2016-06-30T12:13:22+01:00June 29th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Sale|Tags: , , , , , |

As you probably know, there is 20% off at Hush until midnight (Thursday 30th June) with code SMILE, so my hunch was that the Hush sale would start on Friday, however I have now heard that it will be Tuesday 5th July. Looking through the site, many of the items are already sold out or in a low stock position. I've been through what I think are the best buys, assessed the stock levels and I'm having a little wager [...]

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 3

The merits of the Boden sale

By |2017-03-18T22:21:24+00:00June 24th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Sale|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Last week I shared the restrictions I impose on myself before I click on a 'sale started' link. I still stand by the suggestion that you should limit your high summer pieces to about 10% of your total wardrobe. However there is one sale that I shop a little differently and that is the Boden sale. I've found that every time I've had a conversation about Boden this season people have been suggesting that it's a brand that has lost its way. In fact it's [...]

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 34

An elegant dress for an evening in Paris

By |2017-03-18T22:21:24+00:00May 30th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Travel|

In a post last week, I explained that my midlife return to Paris centred on a special dinner, the culmination of a promise I'd made to myself 29 years ago. It was special because I was with the right person, in the right place at exactly the right point in my life when new beginnings are opening up all around me. It was extra special because I had a second elegant dress to wear. The look I was aiming for on [...]

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 30

A sassy look for an evening in Paris

By |2016-05-30T09:17:09+01:00May 28th, 2016|Categories: Project Happier, Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , |

As I looked around the plane on the way to Paris, I could see lots of excited little girls dressed as princesses on their way to EuroDisney. I don't think we ever grow out of that fairytale dress dream - although perhaps our tastes become a little more sophisticated and I had the same flame of excitement burning inside me knowing that I had two special dresses in my suitcase. I am now quite often approached with offers of clothing (and [...]

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 22

Guess where these new season looks come from

By |2016-05-13T18:29:33+01:00May 13th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

I had a very busy day down in London yesterday meeting up with some of my favourite brands and gently putting our midlife views across to them. We're beginning to gain traction ladies - they're noticing the number of discussions that take place on this blog and slowly, we're starting to be taken more seriously. I'll share some of the things I learned with you over the next few weeks but first I just want to show you some pictures of [...]

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 33

Simple summer broderie collection from Uniqlo

By |2017-01-02T13:26:30+00:00May 7th, 2016|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Now that the sun has finally appeared, I imagine everyone will be shopping frantically so I just wanted to show you this simple summer broderie collection from Uniqlo. Why? Because the pieces are less than half the price of broderie from some of our favourite retailers. I really resent paying £60 for a little white cotton top. Maybe it's just my laundry skills but I find that they only last one summer before they go chewing gum coloured and need replacing. These [...]

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 7

Hope Fashion London – a career opportunity for you?

By |2016-05-04T16:13:17+01:00May 3rd, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

As you know, I'm really keen for my blog to help other midlife women to succeed in the second half of their lives. As such, there are certain brands that capture my imagination because they are run by women like us who have put everything on the line to follow their dreams. They include Finery, Winser, RachelWears, Baukjen, M+EM and Hope. Today I want to talk to you about the baby of the group, Hope Fashion. I introduced you to [...]

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 15

Chic but comfortable Summer sandals 2016

By |2016-04-21T23:45:20+01:00April 19th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Shoes, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

I think that you have to be more careful buying summer sandals than almost any other kind of footwear. After all, you are wearing them with bare feet so they are in direct contact with your skin. Any friction is not only going to hurt your feet but it is also going to create inflamed patches and hard skin which isn't a good look. Without you really noticing, the arch of your foot starts to suffer during your 40s. This is why [...]

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 16

Fashion for women over 40, looking at Mango and The White Company

By |2016-04-22T00:44:19+01:00April 7th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Last weekend I finally achieved my Marie Kondo session and decluttered my dressing room. I had felt a bit cynical  about the book's title "The life-changing magic of tidying" but in fact it is gradually feeling a bit life changing. Our bedroom is now very minimalist and I'm finding I'm sleeping better as a result. I sent ten bin bags of clothes to the hospice that cared so well for my mum and dad in the last weeks of their lives. [...]

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 32

New Spring fashion for women over 40 from John Lewis

By |2016-03-18T22:27:36+00:00March 18th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

We've had bright sunshine all week in the Lake District. The daffodils are out, the lambs are gambolling and it feels as though a new season is finally rolling in. This always makes me feel as though I have nothing to wear. Suddenly the core wardrobe of camel and grey that I've loved all winter feels dark and dull so I'm very much in the mood for some new season shopping. Last Autumn I focused on specific retailers which you seemed [...]

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 23

Mother of the Groom Outfit Ideas and Special Occasions

By |2016-03-08T14:19:07+00:00March 8th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , |

I was very excited to be approached with my first 'style challenge' last week. Gina Bacconi asked me to look at their luxury occasionwear selection and style 3 outfits my way with Mother of the Bride /Groom in mind. Now this was good timing because I've had lots of requests from you for help with outfits for weddings, race days and even a garden party at Buckingham Palace. However, the thing that made me really want to accept the challenge [...]

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 12

Boden Shoes Spring 2016 – trying them on

By |2017-03-18T22:21:23+00:00February 26th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Hurray - I'm free! Thank you so much for your very supportive words over the last week, I'll tell you all about it in more detail soon but I'm rushing now because I'm off to spend the weekend with some of my favourite bloggers including Annette from Lady of Style and Catherine from Not Dressed As Lamb. In the meantime, two things have kept me smiling during this life changing week - your fabulously considerate comments and the thought that I would celebrate [...]

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 15

Uniqlo Spring 2016 review and Project Happier #4

By |2016-01-30T17:38:22+00:00January 30th, 2016|Categories: Project Happier, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

We've nearly made it to the end of January which has to be the toughest month. Actually it would have been tougher for me if I hadn't been doing Project Happier - although I've stumbled at times, it's kept me focused. Today is my first day of not working for 12 days and I apologise if you were looking out for my adventure with my reader Sarah on Instagram on Thursday but all my plans had to be changed at the last [...]

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 40

6 great pieces in the Hush January 2016 sale

By |2017-03-18T15:08:58+00:00January 5th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Sale, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

A quick post from me because it's a school night and I'm helping the boys with their homework which requires more and more concentration these days. However, with one eye I'm perusing the Hush January 2016 sale which started this morning and I thought I'd tip you off with what I think are the best buys. This wrap shirt is my favourite and I've ordered it to replace the Mango one that I wore over Christmas because the cleavage on [...]

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 0

Hero beauty products for women over 40

By |2017-03-18T15:09:08+00:00December 5th, 2015|Categories: Christmas, Hair & Beauty, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I don't often do beauty posts but there are a few things I've been using recently that I wanted to share with you. I don't know about you but I'm feeling like the very cliché of a midlife woman at the moment: exhausted. Work has been relentless since I came back from holiday in August. Because my department is new, there is no path to follow, so I never know what is coming next. My new girl enthusiasm has meant [...]

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 37

New brands for women with curves

By |2016-02-11T21:31:04+00:00November 29th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

At last - I know some of you have been asking me to cover new brands for women with curves for a long time. The thing is that because my year has been so busy with my new job, I haven't been able to look beyond my own horizons for a while however I have two new brands to talk about today. Like most women, I've collected all kinds of different friends over the years. The fabulously fashionable ones are [...]

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 18

Rediscovering Links of London

By |2015-11-18T17:23:31+00:00November 18th, 2015|Categories: Accessories, Christmas, Product review, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , |

A little while ago Links of London got in touch with me to see if I would join them in celebrating their 25th anniversary. I must start by saying that I felt really honoured that they had chosen Midlifechic and I see it as a sign of recognition of you - my intelligent, classy readers. Gradually I think that we are becoming known as a highly engaged group of intelligent women and the traction that we are starting to generate is partly [...]

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 27

Kin by John Lewis Autumn 15 – a review

By |2015-10-02T19:22:36+01:00October 2nd, 2015|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the supportive emails and comments after my last post about the end of days, every single one has lifted my spirits. Even Mr MC came out of hiding and posted his first comment - who knew he reads my blog - not me - until now! Because we moved to the North from London when my eldest was 7, my everyday friends here are the ones that I made via the younger [...]

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 38

Time to put on your pearls girls!

By |2015-09-18T16:59:59+01:00September 18th, 2015|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Something a little different for you today. As Midlifechic grows I'm finding that I'm being approached by lots of brands who are keen to work with me. This is immensely flattering and in another life I'd try running a hugely commercial blog and accept all of their offers. However as things stand, I just don't have time to write about anything I don't genuinely think is great so 98% of the time I take a deep breath and gently turn the [...]

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 33

Reviewing my Autograph by Marks and Spencer delivery

By |2015-09-11T20:21:19+01:00September 11th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

So, we've looked at Boden and Hush, so today I thought I'd share a Marks and Spencer order with you. I can only apologise for the photos - my photographer arrived home late from school after a week that has been filled with rugby trials and endless homework. He was tired and most definitely not in the mood to play David Bailey but he gamely did his best. So here is a rather dark try on of my M&S delivery [...]

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 31

My Hush Autumn Winter 2015 Order

By |2018-01-15T16:56:15+00:00September 4th, 2015|Categories: Fragrance, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've given up - although the sun is shining in these photos, the Indian Summer doesn't seem to be showing any signs of arriving so I've been busy placing Autumn orders. My Hush parcel arrived today. I like Hush but it doesn't usually suit me. Even though I love their look, I think I'm too much of a neat freak for their clothes to work on me. However this season I received an email saying they'd been paying more attention [...]

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 19

A Boden review Spring / Summer 2015

By |2015-06-19T18:17:18+01:00June 19th, 2015|Categories: Family, Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

You might want to make a cup of tea - I've got lots to talk about this week! First of all it's been very exciting to be approached by Boden. Lots of you have been commenting on their growing relationship with bloggers and how they seem to have been focusing on the younger 20-somethings who, realistically, have never been their core audience. There have been  a few threads discussing it on Mumsnet with women noting that whereas most brands are making [...]

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 68

A wintry weekend in Liverpool

By |2015-03-03T17:42:53+00:00March 3rd, 2015|Categories: Family, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

So, whilst we wait for some of the new things I've ordered to arrive, I thought I'd take you on a trip to Liverpool. If you remember, Mr MC had booked us in to stay in the city overnight after his meeting last Friday although it very nearly didn't happen. Our youngest woke up that morning with tonsillitis and if it hadn't been for my lovely sister quickly rearranging her plans, we wouldn't have been able to go. I can't [...]

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 27

Finery London review of my delivery

By |2015-02-07T18:06:14+00:00February 7th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , |

I know I'm late posting this week but I wanted to do a Finery London review as soon as my delivery arrived. If you've missed the excitement, Finery launched on Thursday and currently ships to the UK, Canada and the US. They describe their range as "design that's contemporary but forever, beautiful but accessible, for women who love clothes as much as we do". I also like the fact that they say "I think we understand that women don’t shop by age, [...]

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 43

Ines de la Fressange at Uniqlo review

By |2015-01-26T14:57:46+00:00January 26th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

I think the lack of sleep and inability to do my hair properly is really starting to show in these pictures but I wanted to do an Inés de la Fressange at Uniqlo review before I sort out my returns. As you will know if you are a regular reader, Inés is my style icon so I get very excited when a new range comes out although I still think the Autumn ranges tend to be better than the Spring. However before we start, here [...]

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 28

Trying on the new Boden Winter 2014 range

By |2014-10-31T13:25:57+00:00October 31st, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

It takes longer than it used to to recover from a late night of merriment and on Monday I was still feeling weary. However there was no getting round the fact that the Boden van was in its way and we had been told that we would be the first people to receive the new Boden Winter 2014 range. You will remember that we were holding our party in the village Church as all proceeds will be going towards the [...]

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 20

Perfect knee high boots for women over 40

By |2017-01-02T13:28:50+00:00October 10th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Shoes, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Actually I think they're pretty perfect for women of any age but I'm discovering that there are so many ladies out there adding 'women over 40' to their search phrases that this helps them find us. So, before I start, I just wanted to apologise for (and growl at) the gremlins that removed all my carefully worded replies to your comments on the last few posts. I can't understand what happened but I wasn't being lazy I promise - I do appreciate the [...]

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 38

New British Brand – RachelWears

By |2014-10-03T15:47:18+01:00October 3rd, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

You may remember me saying that last week got off to a lovely start (before it all went rather wrong) when I met up with a Midlifechic reader. Rachel Roberts was one of the very first people to contact me via Twitter - I was sending my blog live for the first time as she was also about to launch her new clothing brand so we were both feeling very nervous. We finally decided to get together and it made [...]

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 33

I’ve found the perfect pea coat

By |2014-09-10T14:22:54+01:00September 9th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

It's time to talk about Winter coats. Even though the sun is shining and we seem to be having a lovely Indian summer, it seems that if you haven't committed yourself by the end of September the best have gone. I think it's important to look at coats as investment purchases that will last a few years. Cheap fabric shows  and coats with a high proportion of man made fibre tend to look stiff and feel scratchy. Let's face it, [...]

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 19

The Boden party to end all Boden parties

By |2014-05-23T12:12:38+01:00May 23rd, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I can imagine that in the South, Boden parties are ten a penny, a bit like Pampered Chef, but up here there only seems to be one a year - but boy is it a good one to go to. Last year my friend and I were unsuspecting, just putting the postcode into the satnav to see where it would take us and were quite alarmed when it took us down a mile-long sweeping drive bordered by trees until we [...]

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 11

Let loose in London

By |2014-04-28T19:12:11+01:00April 28th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

Happy Monday everybody. I'm comfortably back in the North after my hectic time last week. So, picking up where we left off, I arrived in London with just enough time to get to the hotel and change. I knew it was pretty close to Covent Garden tube but when I got above ground Google maps wouldn't work on my phone so there was nothing else for it but to take a cab...or...a rickshaw - made me smile! So which outfit [...]

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 11

Chic Stationery – Dottie Rocks pencils

By |2016-02-12T09:49:02+00:00March 12th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review|

Living in a house full of males, you wouldn't think that chic stationery would be something I'd need to stress about. But big rugby playing hunks though they are - they have an eye for a nice pen or pencil and as fast as I restock, I find they all disappear. So last week I took to the web to find something suitably girly that they might just leave alone. Now I'm not a 'Hello Kitty' sort of girl so [...]

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 0

Can you find an outfit for a night out at M&S?

By |2016-03-21T19:29:04+00:00March 10th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|

What's going on at M&S? There's a lot of noise about M&S in the press at the moment. Spring / Summer 2014 saw the second collection launched under Belinda Earl's reign (note: Belinda's previous roles were at Debenhams and Jaeger - let's hope she's bringing more of the latter than the former with her). She sounds as though she's in touch with the customer that M&S is aiming for - she's reported as saying that they might be 40 plus, [...]

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 3

New Balance Outlet Review

By |2016-04-28T17:57:25+01:00February 21st, 2014|Categories: Retail Review|Tags: , , |

We aren't blessed with retail opportunities up here in the Lakes but one thing we do have is the New Balance outlet and factory. This half term, the only thing my 17 year old son wanted to do was to visit it with a big spend in mind so, dragging Mr MC and the 2 smalls along, we set off for a day out. In case you don't know, New Balance has a big factory in Flimby and 4 New [...]

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 0

New favourite for wardrobe staples 2014 – Gap!

By |2014-02-26T15:44:05+00:00February 17th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review|Tags: , , , |

I had a really big surprise when I was down in London last week for meetings. Joy of joys we finished early and happened to be on Kensington High Street. Mr MC was with me and wanted to pop into Gap for some new jeans so I went in to have a look around the womenswear on the ground floor and boy is it back on form. Of course I'd read about their Spring/Summer 14 collection and new creative director Rebekka [...]

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 0
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