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

What to wear this Spring – highlights from the high street

April 04, 2019163 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, 2019128 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, 2019128 Views2 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, 2019168 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, 2019203 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, 2019324 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]

Fashion Wisdom

When does a hobby become a habit, or an addiction?

January 30, 2019247 Views0 Comment

Goodbye dry January, hello moderate February I’m nearly at the end of Dry January and bloody hell, it’s been LOOOONG. It’s also been not entirely dry. There was my nephew’s wedding: a beautiful day at the St Pancras Hotel, which would have been slightly less … [read more]

Wisdom

So long wet December. Hello dry January

January 10, 2019388 Views2 Comments

Is this madness - being stone cold sober for January, the most depressing month of the year? I've done the research and here's my Alcohol SWOT analysis. [read more]

2018 in review – highlights and lowlifes

December 20, 2018469 Views6 Comments

A look back over my personal challenges, activities and achievements. Because if I don't write it down, it's like it never happened. [read more]

Vauxhall Grandland X: keeps calm while you carry on

November 23, 2018377 Views6 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]

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Fun Wisdom

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

October 24, 2018468 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, 20164535 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, 20164943 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, 20175656 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, 20169185 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, 20164034 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, 20166488 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, 20152399 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, 20163960 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, 20163587 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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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

When does a hobby become a habit, or an addiction?

So long wet December. Hello dry January

2018 in review – highlights and lowlifes

Vauxhall Grandland X: keeps calm while you carry on

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Lifestyle Maven, the midlife lifestyle blog.

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Welcome

Lifestyle Maven, the midlife lifestyle blog.

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