Ad | MORTIFIED as I pose it up all sparkly with my laughing pal taking my pic and a lorry load of builders watch on. But you gotta flipping OWN IT right?! I love the skirt and confidence is KEY in whatever you wear including a rainbow sunshine sparkle skirt designed to take you out of your comfort zone and into the party season!  Also... as I whacked this skirt on today with an oversized knit I figured sometimes you just need SPARKLE.

I think the top might have already nearly sold out it's been a winner with you guys but lots of other fab pieces I've selected from @mandco_fashion with FREE worldwide delivery AND 25% off it definitely feels like Black Friday has come early! All try ons loadsd up in stories and saved to highlights as always!
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#40plusnotgivingupyet #40plusstyle #instamum #mymandco #christmasoutfits #partyoutfit #sequinskirt
#sequinlove ...

This crew, my husband and George, all of us love a dog walk and some fresh air. It just helps blow the cobwebs away doesn't it no matter what?

This week it is Child Grief Awareness week set up with @griefencounter with the tag #lostforwords. Because sometimes even someone as gobby as me doesn't know the right words to say. I will never ever forget having to tell George his Mum had died when he was just 8 years old. Nor having to tell him my Dad, who had effectively raised him as a parent since she had died, was dying. Both times I was with my Dad. Now, Dad is gone but I'm not really on my own because we are a crew and George is now part of that.
The hoodie I'm wearing is @diskokids who donates proceeds from this hoodie and also her 1970 tee shirt to @winstonswish who are an amazing charity that help children suffering with grief. Helen at @diskokids reached out to them when her daughter was 3 years old and her Dad died. Helen has written a blog post with her experience I'll link it up in stories.
And for me, I have been asked to take part in a BBC Sussex podcast in a couple of weeks by @wemakegoodtrouble discussing teenagers and grief. I'm frankly terrified it is so out of my comfort zone. And I'm no expert, in fact I think I get it wrong so many times in parenting, in raising teens.. But, they are looking for people who have lived it and their experience so I've said I will do it. I remember panic and despair when I knew my Dad was dying and George was so completely and utterly lost seeing my Dad ill (we didn't tell him Dad was dying and in hindsight that might have been wrong but it was my Dad's decision and no-one told him how to do it either!). I didn't know how we would get through at that time. I didn't have anyone to give me any answers. I felt like I was going under a tsunami of sadness and I didn't know how I could be the grown up and get us all through it. But as a crew (with an extended crew in family and friends too) George pulled through (with me!). And we talked openly. And when I get hit by it I talk. George does sometimes too. And we go for dog walks. And we are still getting through.

#lostforwords
@winstonswish @diskokids
@griefencounter ...

1970 Heathrow airport. My Mum and baby sister meeting my Dad's Mum and sister at the airport. A VERY treasured photo because of so many reasons but first up HOW COOL IS MY MUM!? Really can't work out why she also has a monkey (this is not a big reveal where we find out my sister was a monkey omigod love that book if you know you know..). Nope this is just a fab photo that captured a moment before I was born but that shows very clearly the differences in Mum's side and Dad's side. And I love it. My Mum is actually holding my sister *quite precariously* but she was pretty gung ho with us both I think that was her personality plus she was a Nurse and very laid back (you hear me @kelly_andco right?! a lovely Nurse I've met through insta who definitely knows what I mean!).
I have lots of treasured photos some so badly stored and I found a place local to me called @photographs.forever.uk who will scan and make good any photos you cherish. This is not an ad. This is me absolutely FLIPPING THRILLED that photos I would have kept in a box for fear of sun damage or wear and tear can now be put up in a gallery wall and I thought I can't be the only one so sharing the love. It wasn't expensive at all but for me getting photos like this back is completely priceless.
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Happy Saturday all.
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#40plusnotgivingupyet #40plusstyle #instamum ...

Look if I'm gonna give you an insta shot with a fabulous door / vintage bag / great print cardigan etc etc please don't think I can nail the hair too. Actually.. I can NEVER nail the hair. .
Happy Friday All. Damn I'm looking forward to it. Piles of laundry and stacks of homework offset by takeaway curry and lie ins...
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All items tagged. Cardigan lusted over at the @shopmatalan jeans shoot and they sent it to me (gift) can't tell you how much I love it especially with my fab bag! The boots that I love so much @marksandspencerfashionpr they have worn in so well and are mega comfy. And jeans I swear by my @jdwfashion shape and sculpt damn they're good.
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📷 George. He is the bomb at this. Patience and being 6'5 to give me a better angle wins!
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#40plusnotgivingupyet #40plusstyle #instamum #matalanmoments ...

I've worked in finance, marketing, for a not-for-profit organisation (supporting farmers and oh yes they are WONDERFUL people) and in retail. Oh, and of course, a bit of waitressing. And the paper round mustn't forget that! Kids threw everything up in the air and then last year shook it up again and now I try on sparkly dresses for a video on my phone. For parties I probably will bail on or try to be home by 10pm for. How very odd.
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It's a good dress though. And how I'd wear it. Try on is in highlights under Topshop BUT I've also put it in @liketoknow.it for those that love it http://liketk.it/2GJQk I'm going to dabble in LIKEtoKNOW.it but l will still tell you where things are from cos that's my bugbear with it! For the blazer it is old but I think I may have found one similar will show in my stories in try on today. And LOTS more sequins and party outfits on their way!!!! .
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#40plusnotgivingupyet #40plusstyle #instamum #partyoutfit #sequins #sequindress #christmasoutfit ...

I didn't get a chance to give @ruthlangsford my CV🤣. Oh I LOVE what she and her fellow @loosewomen do. Today they discussed dementia and caring for elderly parents which is something I have known far too well but they also hit the lighter and, frankly hilarious, subject of nativity plays and the all important role you get. We harbour some grudges right?!?! And *apparently* what role you played actually means they can predict what you are likely to be when you grow up. I was an Angel too👼 but I think I was a smaller Angel not the Gabriel so I think I'm destined for clerical work🤣. What did you play!?!? I've linked up this study in stories for those who want to play.
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A VERY lovely day with my pal @lynsey_queenofclean who invited me along. Loved it. And home in time for tea. That's my kind of day out🙌🙌🙌. .
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⭐My dress @silkfred gifted as part of paid partnership. Linked in stories. .
#40plusnotgivingupyet #40plusstyle ...