I’m a bit short of time this week – we’ve had an unplanned trip over to Newcastle to see mum-in-law because she’s been in hospital after a fall and then there’s been this weekend’s Midlifechic overnighter to think about. So today I’m bringing you a cornucopia, a quick round-up of some discoveries I’ve been meaning to mention. There’s an unbeatable beauty product, some good buys I’ve spotted in recent drops and my favourites of a multitude of good books that I’ve read recently so let’s crack on.

I bought this because so many people were raving about it and my goodness it’s good – and great value too. It takes a little while to get going, I’d say I had to use it consistently for four weeks and I was just starting to feel discouraged when I saw the difference. It somehow works to smooth and plump your skin – it isn’t a facelift in a bottle as some people are claiming but it makes your skin look juicier underneath if that makes sense.

I have a number of skincare products that I’m utterly loyal to so I’ve had to move things around to fit this in. My routine is now as follows:

Morning: Milk peel toner, CE Ferulic, Exosome Glow, Age Correct Moisturiser SPF 50

Night: Clinique eye make-up remover; Peptide Cleanser; Exosome Glow; Night Serum; Damage Reversal Night Cream

PLUS neck and chest – Perfect cleavage serum (a girl can dream!)

It’s turning out to be the best summer beauty routine I’ve had, my skin’s really bouncy and happy. The Exosome Glow is the all rounder day serum that I’ve been looking for for a long time and at night I’ve swapped my retinol out for it. I will go back to using retinol in the winter (always this one) but for now, while the sun’s occasionally out, I’m giving it a miss.

This isn’t gifted or sponsored, it’s just a very good product at a sensible price.

Exosome Glow

This has been another of this summer’s most raved about beauty products with a reason. You know the glow you have after a day on the beach? It isn’t the shade of tan that you have at the end of your holiday, it’s warmer than that and this buttery blush mimics it perfectly. Unfortunately since India Knight recommended it in the Sunday Times, it’s been sold out almost everywhere but I’ve found a restock. I’m using the shade ‘sun warmth’ and I just dot it along the top of my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose and under my brows and then blend it for a sunkissed look… that you’d never otherwise get in the frozen north!

Glow With Confidence

I had a lot of conversations about strapless bras on Instagram last week with people who were asking how I’d managed the racer vest structure of the dress I wore to graduation. This is my holy grail of strapless bras because it sits quite low and rather than giving you a monoboob shelf which can look very matronly, it cups your breasts individually and gives you a better silhouette. The engineering is a bit odd because it has shaping inside the cups that looks like fingers to hold you up but it works. I love the fact that it has side support too which helps to push everything forward into place and yet the strap at the back isn’t too thick. It’s just one of those things that you’re always glad to have in your lingerie drawer.

Magic strapless bra

It’s hard to believe that this is a debut because it’s such a good novel and it’s based on such a simple premise that you wish you’d thought of it first. The mother of a new baby has three names in her head when she goes to register his birth – one is her choice, one is her little daughter’s and one is the name that her husband and his family expect her to choose. Their family’s life then unfolds in separate chapters according to which one she gives him, showing just how the way that parents view their children can shape their lives – and lots more of course. It’s so clever and it really makes you think.

The Names

Don’t judge a book by its cover (or title)! This isn’t my kind of book at all and I’d never have read it if a particular friend with similar tastes to mine hadn’t raved about it. On one level it’s a novel about family life written with dry wit but also emotional insight and on another it’s a really clever commentary on politics and society – the backdrop we’ve all been living against over the last 10 years or so. It’s an easy read but it’s an absorbing one, the sort of book that envelops you as you live the characters’ lives for a while and nod and smile along with the challenges they face.

Consider Yourself Kissed

Another book that everybody’s talking about, at its core it’s about Emily and Gennifer, their early romance and the way that it weaves through the rest of their lives. It’s a story about the consequences of going against your instinct, the outcome of conforming to society’s expectations and also, joyfully, about pursuing second chances against the odds.

Ordinary Love

There isn’t much to see if you’re looking for a bit of retail therapy at the moment but this caught my eye when I was in store. It’s one of those dresses that you see on a leading female character in a Netflix drama and imagine to be expensive… and yet it isn’t. I tried it on and it’s an absolute ‘take you anywhere’ wardrobe classic.

Satin and lace slip dress

You really wouldn’t think this was jersey because the crochet lace trims elevates it making it look very Parisian. But jersey it is, which makes it a winner in my book because it’s as simple to throw on as a breton. Comfortable, easy to wash, shapes to your body and doesn’t wrinkle. Such a good way of lifting an ordinary jeans outfit, also available in cream or magenta.

Lace collar blouse

I just wondered if you’d spotted that these outfit lifting knitted jackets are now 60% off in clearance. Also available in red and pink or tipped ivory.

Easy knitted jacket

Me+Em have just gone into 60% reductions as well as adding more lines to their online sale. I’ve bought this dress in lilac, I wasn’t sure about it before it arrived but it’s much nicer on than in the model shots. It’s one of those pieces that packs well and has a slightly more laidback style than their usual dresses so it’s perfect for chic holiday mode. This black and white version is also 60% off and if you’re not a fan of plunging necklines I can confirm that it works brilliantly as a crossover neck as shown in the pictures on the site. You’ll find the rest of their further reductions here.

Holiday halter dress

I turn into a grumbler at this time of year when the shops start to fill with burgundy, khaki and brown. I know it feels like a palette cleanser after all of the summer brights but unless they’re your core colours don’t forget that autumn is the shortest season – you won’t wear these things until October and then in mid-November you’ll start thinking about everything Christmassy and bright. This, however, is a layering piece of pure beauty, just look at the way that the detail flatters the body and gives you a way of personalising the fit. I’ve focused on buying only a few pieces so far this year… but buying well and this is high on my list now and for years to come. Also available in black.

Two way zip knit cardigan

I’m very much looking forward to spending some proper time with a few of you this weekend. 40 of us will be gathering at Malmaison in Birmingham for lots of conversation and laughter. My plan for next year is to run more events with different themes, that’s the way I’m hoping to take Midlifechic and I’ve been working hard on ideas this summer so watch this space.

I am beyond delighted to say that a member of our Midlifechic community, Maureen Casey, who lots of you know from the comments, is one of the stars in an award winning short film, Back of The Net. Maureen left her role in a management position in the NHS at the age of 58 to pursue her lifelong dream of being an actor. She is the very example of what can happen in midlife if you’re just brave enough to try.

What will really help the film now is if lots of people watch it so that it gains traction so here’s a little bit about it:

Back of the Net is a multi-award-winning short film exploring the journey of a passionate young footballer torn between her final shot at going professional and her caring responsibilities to her grandmother Maggie, a former Lioness. Since its release it has been selected for 20+ festivals internationally.

It is executive produced by Emmy-winning director Declan Lowney (Ted Lasso) and stars Emmy-nominee Tom Goodman-Hill (Baby Reindeer) alongside award-winning Maureen Casey and writer Ella Dorman-Gajic. It is directed by Klara Kaliger

I think lots of us will relate to the dementia aspect of the film and it’s Maureen who plays this character so well. With her Midlifechic head on she wanted me to point out that for the part, “I had to let my haircut and hair dye grow out and wear badly fitting clothes from Primark which was interesting. It really struck home how much I depend on all of that for my self image and how much difference a good income makes, so I can have the nice haircut and clothes!”

It’s only 16 minutes long and free to watch so please support Maureen – it’s funny, engaging and very moving. You’ll find it here:

Back of the Net film

Back of The Net Film

I think all of our hearts melt when we come across a husband with a heart of gold. I had an email from John Baker this week who told me that his wife Sian is an avid Midlifechic reader and so he was wondering if I might send her a birthday email. Well I have… but I’m going one step further Sian by giving you your own moment on the blog because you’re 60 today so…

Happy birthday from all of us here – may all kinds of adventures lie ahead for you

You now have 48,000 midlife women around the world wishing you well… and John’s a keeper isn’t he? Give him a hug from us all!

(This isn’t a photo of John by the way but I think we’re now all secretly hoping that this is his vibe…)

Have a lovely weekend everyone and if you’re one of the people who’s still fretting over what to wear in Birmingham then stop – we’re there for the conversation. It looks as it’s going to be hot and sunny so if I keep disappearing it’s because I’m outside trying to convince the yellow thing in the sky to venture further north for a while. Thank you for reading, I’ll be back next Friday.

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