Lifestyle Maven | The UK lifestyle blog for your fabulous 40s and beyond

Vauxhall Grandland X: keeps calm while you carry on

November 23, 2018 113 Views 6 Comments

The ignorant petrol head “Dear Vicki, would you like to drive our brand new SUV, the Grandland X? Love Vauxhall.” “Dear Vauxhall, you had me at ‘drive’. Love Vicki” Or words to that effect. And so started the chain of events, which led me to … [read more]

Fun Wisdom

Lethargy beating tips to energize and recharge you

November 18, 2018 95 Views 0 Comment

What’s GBBO got to do with it? Hot on the heels of my last post about unwinding from the stress of modern life, comes new research about the best ways to recharge during the winter months. A study by E.ON revealed that 42% of Brits … [read more]

Fashion

The midi skirt edit – how to wear this essential fashion staple

November 04, 2018 139 Views 1 Comment

Not a dedicated follower of fashion I have never been a glossy magazine reader. Because I’m not an avid follower of fashion, my style has barely changed in 15 years. It’s all jeans and baggy jumpers when I’m at home, and tunic or skater style … [read more]

Fun Wisdom

How to unwind from the stress of modern life and WIN A BED

October 24, 2018 248 Views 157 Comments

Modern life is occasionally rubbish I’ve had a crappy week folks. The boiler packed up, taking with it any hope of a hot shower and making me resort to multiple layers and fingerless gloves to carry on my work from home. The car alarm kept … [read more]

Fun Wisdom

Life hacks in the kitchen: 12 top tips for an easier life

October 07, 2018 205 Views 4 Comments

This post doesn’t really need much of an introduction. Who doesn’t love a life hack? Here are my favourites to make life easier in the kitchen. My pleasure. 1.The best way to clean your chopping board: rub a handful of salt around the surface with … [read more]

Fashion Wisdom

Are progressive lenses right for you? Everything you need to know.

September 26, 2018 249 Views 6 Comments

Channelling Dame Edna You may have seen on Instagram that I have some pretty funky new glasses. They’ve had almost unanimous praise. The only detractor is Mr Maven who thinks they’re a bit Dame Edna. Pah. This is a new look for me, and also … [read more]

Beauty Fun

Join The Age Well Revolution. Together we’re stronger.

September 07, 2018 259 Views 0 Comment

The invisible middle According to We Are Superhuman’s Invisible Middle Study, 70% of women in their 40s and 50s feel they are largely ignored by the mainstream media. We live in a society that values youth over experience, beauty over wisdom. The media projects an … [read more]

Food

Mango meringue pie, a simple recipe with only 5 ingredients

August 14, 2018 282 Views 2 Comments

I don’t consider myself a food blogger, but once or twice a year I’m approached to create a recipe in collaboration with a brand. I always have to check, and then check again, that the brand in question understands what an utterly lazy cook I … [read more]

Beauty

Why you should use a face serum and my pick of the best

August 03, 2018 421 Views 1 Comment

A couple of weeks ago, a friend took me discretely to one side to ask me what filler I inject into my face. I’ve never used a filler. I attribute my good skin to two things: genetics and the consistent use of high quality skincare … [read more]

What to do on a city break in Berlin – the 3 day itinerary

July 28, 2018 237 Views 0 Comment

Mr Maven and I have just returned from a three day city break in Berlin. This was our first holiday without the kids since our 10th anniversary trip to Rome several years ago. Why Berlin? Berlin has a reputation as a diverse city which has … [read more]

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Fun Wisdom

How to unwind from the stress of modern life and WIN A BED

October 24, 2018 248 Views 157 Comments

Popular posts Wisdom

The blogging hierarchy

July 03, 2016 4300 Views 35 Comments

“What is a lifestyle blog?” This question comes up in my life a lot. Most recently, at two very different events. The first was at a networking event for all sorts of professions and the consensus around the room was one of blissful ignorance. Lifestyle … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

8 reasons to love (and hate) being self-employed

May 07, 2016 4694 Views 24 Comments

Two years ago this month, I quit my job of 11 years and walked away from two decades of full time employment, to start up my own business. That means that I’ve already been self-employed for 10% of my working life and feel like I’ve … [read more]

Wisdom

Is Reiki a universal panacea, a placebo, or a scam?

July 11, 2017 5134 Views 20 Comments

Reiki – is it the panacea of all ills the human race has been waiting for, or just a harmless placebo? What is Reiki and does Reiki work? Reiki is an energy healing system, with its roots in Japan. The first time I had a Reiki treatment, … [read more]

Fashion

My O bag makeover

December 13, 2016 8765 Views 19 Comments

With the expense of Christmas looming – I’m entertaining 13 people, more of that to follow soon – now is not the time to be obsessing about new handbags! But what’s a girl to do. I have a habit which must be fed. While sharing … [read more]

Fun Popular posts Wisdom

11 things only parents of boys will understand

March 01, 2016 3798 Views 18 Comments

Nothing prepares us for becoming a parent and looking after small children. Sure, there are practical manuals about caring for babies and toddlers; and then the psychology books take over, helping us get through those ‘difficult phases’. But no one in my immediate circle really … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

Why mid-life women are leaving their jobs in record numbers

July 19, 2016 6104 Views 15 Comments

Self-employed people: they’re everywhere. Opening up boutiques, or industriously working on laptops in coffee shops, or beavering away in their home offices. Of course, they had always been there, but I’d been safely tucked away in my office, busily not noticing them. Each new chapter … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

Life is short, eat the cake

April 03, 2016 3662 Views 14 Comments

I’ve been off the grid for over a week, while I try to process several devastating pieces of news from friends and family. I won’t go into details, to protect those who are more directly affected. Suffice to say, following a period of mid-life wallowing, … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

How to start a blog

October 05, 2016 3372 Views 14 Comments

Cat from Sorting Self, who organises personal development events for local mums in North London, invited me to give an informal presentation about blogging. The event was earlier this week. Despite having given several lectures on blogging and (ironically) presenting techniques to a group of … [read more]

Puppy love. Is having a puppy like having a baby?

February 10, 2017 3272 Views 14 Comments

I grew up with dogs. Shetland Sheepdogs were our breed of choice. They were lively, gentle, loyal and incredibly hairy (a bit like me – apart from the gentle bit). Whisky was my favourite. I teased him relentlessly, but he was my best friend. His … [read more]

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Vauxhall Grandland X: keeps calm while you carry on

Lethargy beating tips to energize and recharge you

The midi skirt edit – how to wear this essential fashion staple

How to unwind from the stress of modern life and WIN A BED

Life hacks in the kitchen: 12 top tips for an easier life

Are progressive lenses right for you? Everything you need to know.

Join The Age Well Revolution. Together we’re stronger.

Mango meringue pie, a simple recipe with only 5 ingredients

Why you should use a face serum and my pick of the best

What to do on a city break in Berlin – the 3 day itinerary

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Welcome

Welcome to Lifestyle Maven, the midlife lifestyle blog.

Can we keep in touch?

Please support the blog

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