Lifestyle Maven - Page 2 of 22 - The UK lifestyle blog for your fabulous 40s and beyond

How to host an effortless, stress-free dinner party, with no washing up

November 21, 2017 1638 Views 2 Comments

What would you do if you won big on the lottery? I’ve given this a lot of thought over the years, hoping the law of attraction would work its magic. I’m still waiting, but my plans are in place and I’m ready. They fall into … [read more]

Fun Wisdom

The crazy things kids say

November 07, 2017 1135 Views 5 Comments

I have two amazing, bright, funny, gorgeous boys. Over the years they’ve said some crazy sh*t – as I’m sure all kids do. And I write them down. As their knowledge and experience grows, these weird conversations happen less frequently. But I love looking back … [read more]

Beauty Fashion

The ethical Christmas gift list

October 19, 2017 1636 Views 5 Comments

The ethical Christmas gift list I’m finding it increasingly difficult to choose thoughtful gifts for any of my loved ones. Christmas is particularly challenging. Mr Maven is bored with my usual rota of wallets, watches and briefcases; the choice for kids is either disposable, cheaply … [read more]

Food

Halloween-o-Peppers

October 11, 2017 1752 Views 0 Comment

I’ve never been a fan of edible art. Experimenting with new tastes is one of life’s great pleasures, but my personal belief is that food is for eating, not decorating. Also, Mum always told me not to play with my food. I know the argument put … [read more]

Food

How to be the Hostess with the Mostess (or “The One Where I had a Great British Bake Off in my Kitchen”)

September 26, 2017 1851 Views 0 Comment

One of the overwhelming memories of my childhood is sitting on the stairs while my parents entertained their friends over dinner. They had, and still have a large group of very close and brilliant friends, who have all been buddies for decades. Mum and Dad … [read more]

Food

Basic bread baking: what you knead to know

September 21, 2017 1658 Views 0 Comment

As the evenings draw in, I’m seeking out the kind of ‘hygge‘ food you can serve in a bowl and eat with a spoon: stews, soups and casseroles. The kind of food that makes you sink a little deeper into your chair and warms you … [read more]

Beauty

My beauty heroes: Autumn

September 11, 2017 2204 Views 0 Comment

My skincare regime has evolved for Autumn. Now that my previously sore eyelids are back to normal, I have been able to spend a few weeks nurturing my skin, with a few new products to add to my daily routine. These autumn beauty heroes represent … [read more]

How to choose a gym you’ll actually use

August 29, 2017 1698 Views 0 Comment

I’ve been on a bit of a fitness journey over the last few months. After the physiotherapist told me to stop jogging last year, I came to the conclusion it wasn’t doing me any good anyway. For every couple of minutes of jogging, there would … [read more]

Food

Le Petit Ballon, sommelier selected wines (WIN a wine box here)

August 17, 2017 2846 Views 5 Comments

I’m no expert At least once a week, one of my kids asks me one of the several flavours of the ‘what is your favourite’ question. ‘What’s your favourite film of all time?’; ‘What’s your favourite meal ever?’; or ‘What’s your favourite song?’.* The more … [read more]

A day trip to Shakespeare’s England

July 27, 2017 1392 Views 4 Comments

We all need a break from our routines once in a while. In my opinion, none more so than my sister, whose world was turned upside down by the death of her husband earlier this year. I invited her away for a short break, so … [read more]

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Fashion Fun Wisdom

The Ethical Christmas Gift List

December 08, 2015 2011 Views 12 Comments

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, even though for bloggers, Christmas started with the press shows in July. Last year I wrote several gift list posts, including a specific list for beauty fans and another full of bizarre, unusual and downright crazy gifts … [read more]

Wisdom

Bring me sunshine

November 05, 2016 1900 Views 12 Comments

I was invited to speak at an event this week, attended by all my University friends. And I wish with all my heart that none of it had ever happened. You see, the event was a funeral, the speech was a tribute and all my friends … [read more]

Fashion Popular posts

5 tips to help you find your personal style

February 11, 2016 2338 Views 12 Comments

“I have nothing to wear”. How many of us start our day by muttering this under our breath? The experts say that we only wear 20% of the clothes in our wardrobes. I have been hoarding clothes for years and I reckon I only wear … [read more]

Popular posts Wisdom

A brave man’s legacy

May 04, 2017 4968 Views 11 Comments

So this is not my average frivolous rant, or product review. This is important. My brother in law, who I will call ‘Alan’ to respect his family’s privacy, has suffered four years’ of cancer. It began in his tonsil and eventually spread to his lungs … [read more]

Wisdom

How to tame your inner demon

January 12, 2018 2866 Views 11 Comments

The demon in my head I have a voice in my head and she’s a real bitch. She’s a demon and she is very busy, chattering and chipping away at my confidence. She beats me up from the inside, keeps me dwelling on past events, … [read more]

Fashion

Autumnal fashion shoot

October 01, 2015 1313 Views 11 Comments

I am not claiming to be, nor do I have any desire to become a fashion blogger. This post is taking me totally out of my comfort zone. I won’t bother you with my insecurities and I’m not fishing for compliments. This post was born … [read more]

Wisdom

How to sleep well

February 02, 2018 2017 Views 10 Comments

I have had many periods of poor sleep during my life. The biggest cause of sleep deprivation? Parenthood, obviously. Looking back, I know that I got away lightly with my kids’ sleeping patterns and that some parents suffer years of disturbed sleep with their … [read more]

Wisdom

Running to catch up

September 23, 2016 1522 Views 10 Comments

I bloody hate exercise. It was all so easy in our twenties. In those heady days my friends and I managed to stay relatively slim and fit, by surviving on toast and vodka and going clubbing at least once a week. We focused on starting … [read more]

Fun Wisdom

Mastering the art of iPhoneography

May 18, 2016 1605 Views 10 Comments

I recently rediscovered the photos I took while travelling across Africa during my gap year in 1991. The way we captured and interacted with our photographs was so different then. Putting a physical film in the back of my camera meant I had only one chance … [read more]

Wisdom

Why we need to #GetComfortable talking about Feminine Health

December 18, 2015 1158 Views 10 Comments

Men, look away now, nothing to see here. We’re going to talk about feminine intimate health. I’m a Pushmepullyou mum. I have two children. One was pulled into the world via an emergency caesarian and the other was pushed out resulting in a third degree … [read more]

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