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

Hot design trends and cool new gadgets for your 2020 kitchen

June 17, 201970 Views0 Comment

Why I love a trade show Years ago, Mum owned a small chain of chocolate shops, making and selling hand made chocolates. It all started in our kitchen. One of my earliest memories is of scraping out a saucepan of melted chocolate. I ate so … [read more]

Fashion

Affordable dresses for the summer events season

June 03, 2019284 Views2 Comments

This article is a paid partnership with JD Williams. British Summertime means events season. From sporting events such as Royal Ascot and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, to festivals, glamorous garden parties and weddings, every weekend is an opportunity to get dressed up. For some people. … [read more]

Wisdom

Self-employment and how to survive it

May 26, 2019145 Views0 Comment

The self-employment survival guide Five years ago this week, I dragged myself onto the London Underground and into my corporate job as a recruitment consultant for the last time. Twenty years working in consultancies was coming to an end and I was ready to burst … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

We need to talk about Menopause

May 13, 2019374 Views10 Comments

AD: This content has been created as part of a PAID PARTNERSHIP with Shionogi B.V. for the UK launch of Femal. We need to talk about Menopause Yes we do. Buckle up, I’m going in, and you’re coming with me. I’ve avoided talking about this … [read more]

Fashion

What to wear this Spring – highlights from the high street

April 04, 2019335 Views2 Comments

I love this time of year. The sun is dazzling, but it’s still cool enough to wear tights and long sleeves without attracting strange looks. It’s also the perfect season for layering light fabrics and wearing floaty dresses. So what’s hot on the high street … [read more]

Beauty

K-Beauty: 6 Korean skincare brands you should check out

March 26, 2019277 Views2 Comments

K-Beauty – everything you need to know about Korean skincare I wouldn’t describe myself as an early adopter. I’m the one trying to catch up with the rapidly disappearing bandwagon, rather than jumping on it. So, unlike me, you may already be familiar with K-Beauty. … [read more]

Wisdom

Ignored by the mainstream: Living in the invisible middle

March 19, 2019278 Views6 Comments

The invisible middle Here are some of the things I’ve learnt since turning 40 (several years ago now): Headstands are no longer a party trick I can pull off without vomiting. Trampolining is only for those mums who bothered with their pelvic floor exercises. Everyone … [read more]

Wisdom

A love letter to mums everywhere

March 07, 2019291 Views6 Comments

Would you apply? Wanted: Women wanted for long term, unpaid work. After an initial traumatic physical experience, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: caring, cooking, laundry, cleaning, nursing, shopping, teaching, safeguarding, counselling, financially supporting and loving unconditionally for the rest of your … [read more]

Food

How to have a healthy heart

February 25, 2019326 Views0 Comment

Issues of the heart Hearts are on my mind this month, and not because of Valentine’s Day. National Heart Month is a cause close to my, um, heart. Thing Two was born with a VSD – a hole in his heart – which I’ve written … [read more]

Beauty Fashion

These are a few of my favourite things: My beauty and style picks

February 07, 2019462 Views2 Comments

Objects of desire I was sad to hear The Pool is closing. The online magazine, written by female journalists, was an eclectic mix of news, feminist writing, politics, arts and society. But crucially is wasn’t embarrassed to tackle the thornier issues, such as the season’s … [read more]

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Fun Wisdom

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

October 24, 2018583 Views157 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]

Popular posts Wisdom

The blogging hierarchy

July 03, 20164650 Views35 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, 20165076 Views26 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, 20175951 Views24 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, 20169412 Views19 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, 20164182 Views18 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, 20166702 Views17 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]

Beauty

The honest blogger’s guide to… cellulite treatments

October 28, 20152507 Views15 Comments

I love reading about product innovation, particularly from beauty brands who make big promises. The cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry spends millions of pounds on advertising to convince us that their new technology will turn back our biological clocks and help us look ten years younger. … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

Life is short, eat the cake

April 03, 20164119 Views14 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, 20163702 Views14 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]

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Hot design trends and cool new gadgets for your 2020 kitchen

Affordable dresses for the summer events season

Self-employment and how to survive it

What to wear this Spring – highlights from the high street

K-Beauty: 6 Korean skincare brands you should check out

Ignored by the mainstream: Living in the invisible middle

A love letter to mums everywhere

How to have a healthy heart

These are a few of my favourite things: My beauty and style picks

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