5 Things Friday

Hello! Even though it’s only been a week since my last newsletter, it feels like so much longer. I’m back from my holidays and, after a week where I did my best to switch off from social media, spend time with two of my daughters and generally relax, I’m very much raring to go! I actually got back in the early hours of Monday morning and, after a few days at home getting back into a routine, I’m now heading down to Bath for the weekend to visit my sister, Kerry.

At this point in the summer I’ve watched and read more packing edits than I care to mention, but I think we sometimes over complicate what can actually be a very simple process, if you let it be. This week, I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone: get my packing done for my beach holiday and share how I go about the whole process.

Just a quick reminder there is 20% off an annual subscription, ending this Sunday! As a paid subscriber you’ll receive 5 Things Friday every week, packed with fashion, beauty, midlife chat, travel and all the little things I think you need to know. You’ll also get exclusive extras, including the fortnightly Sunday Seven with everything I’ve worn that week, travel blogs, styling videos and beauty content that I don’t share anywhere else.

As you know, I went for a little makeup refresh the other week and was so pleased with the results that I shared a sneak peek over on Substack Notes. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the response it received! It had the biggest reaction I’ve ever had on Notes and gave me such a lovely confidence boost. I’ve always enjoyed wearing makeup, but as I’ve got older I’ve definitely embraced the “less is more” approach.

Hello! I’m back with a little something extra for the weekend. I’m still finding my feet here while I navigate my social media pause, but I’ve been so encouraged by your lovely response.

My husband turned sixty last month and, if I’m honest, I think it hit us both harder than we expected. For the first time, it felt as though the clock was really ticking and we’d crossed into a different stage of life. And, although I know it’s a privilege not everyone gets, neither of us was especially thrilled about it. As women, I think we’re made aware of ageing much earlier.

If you’re new here, a big hello and thank you for joining my little community over on Substack. There’s a good chance you’ve found your way here after watching my Instagram Stories. If not, I thought I’d explain why you’ll be seeing a little more from me on here over the next few weeks, or at least until Meta sorts out the problems that are currently unfolding. The last few months have been incredibly stressful.

Before I get started, I’m planning on dropping into your inbox on Sunday with a little update of outfits and looks from this week. So make sure you check your inbox this Sunday! I feel like a round-up of everything I’ve been loving this summer is long overdue. Over the last few weeks I’ve talked about feeling a little below par, but there’s also been so much good stuff to enjoy and plenty to share. So, let’s accentuate the positives.

As an extra I thought I would drop into your inbox with another instalment of Invest.Style.Repeat which I started last year. I was asked if I could share a few ways to style this item as separates so this time it’s a video edit with me spending a little time picking out some pieces from my wardrobe and my thought process when I’m styling up different looks.

I had various titles in mind for this week’s newsletter, but in the end I settled on something that felt a little more positive than what was actually going through my head. Some of my original ideas were: I Hate All My Clothes, I’ve Ruined My Wardrobe, and I Want to Throw It All Away and Start Again! I know, I know... it sounds dramatic, but ever since I came back from holiday, I’ve felt a little out of sync.