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
There is no way to do this justice in words but suffice to say it was MAGICAL 🥰 @thesteamdreamsrailco stepping back in time to a bygone era aboard the Mayflower from Sussex to Bath.
The day shall stay firmly in my memories from the beautifully restored carriages to the delicious cuisine in Pullman Dining and the wonderful service. And the sheer joy on that train of all of us passengers too was so lovely to see. Not to mention the sound of the train as it steamed along the Coast and up to Bath. Even the sun came out for us!
We also enjoyed an afternoon in Bath which was pretty wonderful too. I ended up booking a walking tour and loved it. Such a beautiful city.
I’m just glad I didn’t try to squeeze in another meal because homeward bound we were completely spoiled by an excellent dinner with course after course of local seasonal produce. I couldn’t squeeze in the chocolates we were given at the end but suffice to say we are enjoying them now and that, and the flowers that we were given, just added a cherry 🍒 on the top of a pretty perfect day.
*@thesteamdreamsrailco ad pr invite. They do unique train rides across the country but this was their first from Sussex. They also have one departing July 13th Haywards Heath to Oxford aboard the Royal Scot 🥰🙌
*walking tour I booked via Trip Advisor with Bath Walking Tours. 2.5 hours to walk around the city with Andy as our guide covering over 2000 years of history. I LOVED it and would recommend.
#40plusnotgivingupyet #steamtrain #thesteamdreamsrailco
If Carlsberg did Weekends…
A few pics can’t describe the magic of it but here’s some snaps anyway. Horsham to Bath yesterday with @thesteamdreamsrailco on their Mayflower steam train. I will do a reel as it was so incredibly special but also the most magical way for me to toast my Dad (who would have been 83 years old yesterday) as we passed through villages on the South coast where he grew up. The sun shone and we dined and relaxed while the train steamed along AND we got to spend the afternoon in Bath too before heading back with more delicious food served to us in our amazing dining carriage. Utter bliss.
Then today I cheered on my friend @rachelhb81 who ran her first (and she says last too 😂) marathon in memory of her Dad who died last year; AND raising money for @alzheimerssoc The atmosphere of people cheering on these incredible people running for those they care about was just wonderful. And so incredibly moving.
So on to the last pic @donnaashworthwords Take Them With You.. I have shared this before and I shall share it again because it sums up those memorable days when you are also missing someone. I took Dad on that Steam train and Rachel ran for her Dad. I admit definitely got the easy option they are NOT comparable in effort??!! 😂🙌 bravo Rachel and everyone else who took part today you are all utterly incredible.
@thesteamdreamsrailco ad pr invite more to follow because these pics can’t do that day justice
The fourth pic of me on the platform was actually taken by a follower @mrsokb husband who sent her a pic of the steam train he admired at Horsham station and she noticed me 😂 thank you for this 🥰
#40plusnotgivingupyet
I DIDN’T want to do this try on. But a poll in stories said you lot wanted to see the barrel leg jeans I was all prepared to look like a Cowboy with rickets.
Barrel leg jeans Net A Porter £880 nah you’re alright
Free People £98 still a bit ££££
ASOS version £22.40 okay I’ll try them 🙌🙌🙌
☝️☝️☝️ ASOS version.
Might be a rodeo in me yet 🤠
They’re better than I thought by a long Texan mile but still just a bit odd to me. I prefer my Levi’s. I can happily leave jeans trends and anyway Vogue has apparently declared skinnies are back in and so ffs who gives a… wear what you love 😍
#40plusnotgivingupyet #midsize #honesttryon
3 more casual wide leg all true to size. I’ll link up full try on in stories but holler if you want the links.
All @marksandspencer
Which is your fave ???!
#40plusnotgivingupyet #midsize #40plusstyle
FELT CUTE MIGHT DELETE LATER
I finally look like a movie star… The movie star is apparently Sloth from the Goonies so Heyyyyy you guys… WHAT MOVIE STAR DO YOU RECKON???!
I shared in stories and also got Mad Eye Moody, The Elephant Man and a few of you said ‘the Bells 🔔 the Bells 🔔 Esmeralda!’ 😂😂😂😂 THANKS TO YOU GUYS I mean when your Monday starts like this you gotta laugh 🥴🥴🥴🥴
Face has returned to my own normal. Which is still wonky to be fair. How was your Monday?
#40plusnotgivingupyet #dentist
Pinterest vs me☝️ classics that never date. And my own artistic license she is holding a phone but I have chocolate so I win on that right?!!! How did I do?
Shopped my wardrobe will link anything current in stories / Facebook / @shop.ltk :
Jeans @levis via @amazonfashioneu my fave shaping as per with the tummy control vest too
T-shirt @marksandspencer ad
Trench @peacocks_fashion last year ad
Shoes old @marksandspencer
Earrings @amazonfashioneu
Necklace @estellabartlett & @prelovedofbrighton
Bag old @coach
#40plusnotgivingupyet
Wide leg trousers with pleats that work on a tum AND come in petite regular and long. Dress up or down. These are EXCELLENT and sooo similar to the ones I found last year and again they’re @marksandspencer I will link in stories / on my Facebook and in @shop.ltk but if you want me to send it holler!
I’ve already worn them like this with a belt and shirt chucked over the top will share soon too simple 😍
Trousers @marksandspencer
Tummy control vest @amazonfashioneu
Earrings @ashianalondon collab code 40PLUS works on the site
#40plusnotgivingupyet #midsize #wideleg #marksandspencer
🌴 🦩 🏝️ WOULD YOU WEAR THEM OUT??? 👆 they might be Pjs but why would you save them for bedtime?! 🌴 🦩 🏝️
PJs via @nextofficial they’re LONG these are part of 14 regular set. They make me happy. To be fair all the others looked as much like PJs as these so I’m more than happy to wear them 😂😂😂
#40plusnotgivingupyet
#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!
