Hi, my name is Helen Brookes and I am @40plusnotgivingupyet
I am a SHOPPING ADDICT who craves the opportunity to help women get back their mojo and feel the very best they can.
I love sharing my high street finds (and fails!) on my Insta feed and you can tune into my honest try-on sessions anytime, anywhere via my daily Instagram Stories @40plusnotgivingupyet.
I’ll share stuff I love, bargains and discounts and answer your burning fashion questions such as;
- Which SIZE should I buy? (size 12 in one store? size 16 in another? or can I size down)
- What does the material FEEL like? (itchy? cheap? silky? Do I need to iron?)
- Will it show my BULGY bits? (we’ve all got them just what to wear to make you feel as confident as you can)
- What kind of UNDERWEAR will I need? (I love a bit of control underwear but also let’s talk practicality if it’s see through you need to know)
- How can I DRESS IT UP or down? (insta style with heels don’t always transfer well to the real world where you’re probably just going to Lidl)
- And of course….does it have POCKETS?!
We’ve all ordered online and been bitterly disappointed when the garment arrives, usually in the wrong size or fabric. Don’t think it’s you. My mantra is if it makes you feel rubbish, or it’s all wrong then IT’S NOT YOU IT’S THE DRESS!
I’m also a hungry bargain hunter and definitely not into designer clobber (I don’t have the cash and even if we did, I think a trip to Mauritius would be more my bag!). I’ll share the deals and discount codes and if I can I’ll try and wrangle a code for you! I share the beauty products and fake tan secrets that I can’t live without too, anything that helps my mid 40s!
I’m also pretty random and share lots of the stuff I love; family life, VERY simple foolproof recipes, and travel and just life as a Mum of three – my two girls Lola and Poppy, and George my nephew. I’ve been hit hard by loss in the past having lost my sister, and my Mum and Dad and I will talk about grief sporadically as it’s a huge part of my life and I’m happy to normalise it and share. Oh and there is also a very tolerant husband in the wings but he NEVER appears on insta.
Helen
Let ME try before YOU buy!
It’s a lottery buying online. Let me road-test your purchases – before you click buy! I take the best of the current high street fashion and feed back to you about it’s cut, sizing, quality and how best to style it. Time saving reviews delivered straight to your phone!
My Instagram @40plusnotgivingupyet
Had a shit fit first thing about most of my jeans not fitting. Then went out for the day and had fish and chips on the beach (first time in months and months) and it was bloody worth it. I am pissed the two things aren't mutually exclusive but for now pass me the salt and vinegar..
⭐Wave gown pr product @onehundredstars
#40plusnotgivingupyet
April 12th has been quite an assault. To all the Mums who also have daughters just like them, you ok? 😂😂😂
#40plusnotgivingupyet
After my confession and according to my DMs in stories, it appears I'm not the only one that enjoyed doggy chocolate buttons back in the 80s and that makes me happy. Some of you also tell me you nibbled on a bonio or two 😂. You are my crew....
#40plusnotgivingupyet
April 12th must do's: thermals AND tummy control, then home by 7pm 🙈.
Rock n roll a year in the making it's just gone 6pm I'm sipping my cuppa. Couldn't have asked for more really...
#40plusnotgivingupyet
I'm gonna be honest other people's dogs on dog walks have been a joy and bonus these last few years / I mean months.
But I'm ready for some human interaction now.
#40plusnotgivingupyet
This last few weeks I've tried on stuff that's size 16 and been too tight. And 10 that fits fine. Ranges here from size small to size 16. Sizing I THINK is a little better than it used to be I mean I'm never size 8... but it's still a crock of shit.
I'm 5'10. Size 14 and my belly is currently 41 inches 🙈. I do my try ons to show fit and feel but often the message is don't worry about sizing.. it's hard I know and my fave recent clothing purchase is a skirt that is elasticated waist and size 10 so I'm a bugger for not listening to my own advice.. BUT if and when you get back in to the changing rooms can you listen to what I'm saying?
#40plusnotgivingupyet #size14 #size12 #size16 #sizewhatever
I should really be on a yacht in my navy nautical blazer but instead I'm on a random and wobbly swinging plank. I think that could be a metaphor for my life or at the very least a euphemism.
Or.. am I just trying to think of something to say about my rather stupid pic but I look nice so I'm sharing?
Or... Today's walk involved rope swings and it was nice. There. Not quite as good is it?
Happy whatever it is today.
Jeans @hm
Blazer @marksandspencer old old old via charity shop
Shirt MY DAD'S I bloody love wearing it makes me feel close
Trainers @nike mega old
Sunglasses @tkmaxxuk
THEY'RE HERE! Launched just now available to pre order on the @ashianalondon site all the fabulous new charms to fit your Bowies and Esmeraldas and a new size, but same fabulous hammered style, the Ziggy. I've put the link in my bio don't forget my discount code 40PLUSNOTGIVINGUPYET works for 15% off across the site too.
There are sooo many lovely ones in both silver and gold and I am absolutely bloody thrilled. Abi @stealmystyle40 and I haven't been able to get together for obvious reasons to take pics but this is our dream #collab with the very lovely small business Ashiana. Last time we launched the site crashed so please be patient if there are issues they are a small business and we have done everything we can to stop that happening. And if this drop sells out you (pre-order delivery end April) then you WILL be able to pre-order for May so don't worry!
As requested by so many you can now buy the hoops on their own and buy sets of charms and pick and choose. All the charms fit on all the three hoops - the bigger Esmeralda, the Bowie from our first collaboration and now the smaller Ziggy. We want you to be able to mix and match and hope you love it as much as we do!
For now here's a selection of a few of them. Yup I still hate close ups and if you saw in stories you'll know I took a zillion and most of them I look like Quasimodo. But I mean is anyone looking beyond the earrings really???
#40plusnotgivingupyet #collab/ad #smallmumtallmum #ashianalondon #ashiana #jewellery
#smallmumtallmum
You can see our #smallmumtallmum reel on our Instagram highlights so check it out!
A hashtag born from an Instafriendship with Abi @stealmystyle40!
We shopped, we storied, we shared our try-ons and laughed at the differences in sizes. Our followers told us they LOVED it and asked for more. #smallmumtallmum was born!
