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Hello, Blogland. I'm on a roll, my third post in a week! Before I crack in with sharing my outfits here's a question for you...Botox and fillers, yay or nay? I've realised that I'm in the minority on planet TikTok and the vast majority of over 40 year old women on there embrace aesthetics, in fact someone actually commented that all women these days have fillers and Botox and you're letting yourself go if you don't.
I don't always love what I see reflected in the mirror but I don't dislike it enough to spend hundreds of pounds having stuff injected into my face. Yes, at 59 years old I've got wrinkles, my jawline's not as firm as it was and my eyelids are a bit wonky but I can swim a mile in 41 minutes, I weigh the same as I did when I was a teenager and I've got so many amazing clothes I get palpitations just opening my wardrobe. Bemoaning my looks as a teenager, my mum told me that pretty was all well & good but ultimately forgettable and it was far better to be interesting and memorable and 16 years after her death people still talk about her and her unique style. I love this photo of her and her mates, taken in 1963 when they busked their way around the Isles of Scilly (she's the one with the killer tan and shades!)
You know me, if there's money to burn it's spent on clothes, travel, gel manicures and Wetherspoons all-dayers!
I didn't need it but this All About Audrey tunic had been popping up on my Vinted feed for a couple of weeks and when I checked, the seller had a couple of items that always sell well at festivals, so I bought a bundle and was awarded a 20% discount for my trouble, making the tunic just 80p!
I wore it over the All About Audrey dress I wore to the swimming pool (and on Wednesday's blog post) and loved combination of the print and colour and it's 80% silk, making it a joy to wear.
On Thursday, for a walk into town, I wore it as a top with the incredible vintage velvet maxi skirt I'd scored for £3 from Vinted a couple of weeks ago. Could that dusky shade of rose pink be a more perfect match?
We didn't have a specific mission in mind, we just thought we'd better pop into the charity shops in case the staff were missing us (they were!)
There wasn't much to take our interest but I was delighted with these Last of Pompeii mugs still in their boxes and priced at £1 each. Researching the maker when I got home, they're a Spanish company who produce ceramics for museum gift shops and, as you know, I find a museum gift shop very hard to resist!
I can never resist a glossy photography or art book and the novel, The Story of a Marriage sounded intriguing. A firm believer in buying British my grandma used to buy her nighties and underwear from David Neiper. I was excited to spot these metallic leather mules for £2 in the clearance charity shop (they're on the website for £58).
Good Friday always feels like weird day and doubly so with not being able to go for our Friday swim as the pool was shut. I thought I'd dress like a woman from the Wild West and wore the skirt and blouse I'd sewn (with Liz's assistance) last year.
Here's a tip for instant youthfulness, forget Botox, stand facing the sunlight, it'll take years off you!
Yesterday afternoon meant my three-weekly nail appointment at the salon. Goodbye Ink, hello Sage!
Inspired by my nails I went for a green-themed outfit today, the skirt I'd made from a bolt of vintage Anokhi fabric I'd bought from eBay during lockdown, an All About Audrey recycled cotton sari top I'd snaffled off Vinted and my trusty vintage denim waistcoat.
Although we'll be flying the official Three Lions flag when the World Cup kicks off (that's if the world hasn't imploded by then), our existing flag was looking very tatty because it kept getting tangled up in the magnolia tree. Jon moved the flagpole a bit further away from the wall and hung this rather fabulous flag of flags he'd bought from a charity shop years ago.
Can you see William?
He couldn't resist writing something derogatory about the leaders of two of the countries represented on the flag but unfortunately he forgot to put something underneath the fabric when he scribbled on it and now we've got rude words on the kitchen table!
Thanks so much for all the kind messages about our 34th Never Had a Wedding anniversary, stay fabulous and have a fantastic weekend!
Such beautiful outfits again! It's a pleasure to visit your blog. If it were up to me, I'd happily read three posts a week.
ReplyDeleteNo fillers or anything like that for my face. I don't want that. I want to be allowed to age gracefully. After 60, I absolutely deserve it. :D
You are kind, thank you so much, Andrea!
DeleteYou are a shining example of looking authentic and beautiful by knowing what clothes suit you and how to use makeup to enhance rather than disguise. I want to be allowed to age gracefully, too. I'm not in competition with younger women, I'm happy in my own ageing skin! xxx
Pay to have someone inject toxins into my body?
ReplyDelete"you're having a laugh", "dream on sunshine" or words involving s*x and travel!
My lines are proof that I have lived, they are my autobiography, but good luck to anyone who feels the patriarchal pressure for women to look a certain way. 😢
(PS, you are amazing just as you are, my darling, and I too weigh the same as when I was 20 years old)
That did make me laugh, s*x and travel, indeed! I'm not a fan of needles at the best of times, let alone parting with hundreds of pounds at the same time.
DeleteThat's what I tell myself, those lines are from years of lazing on exotic beaches, swimming in crystal clear waters and drinking and dancing into the night - I'll take that over a lifetime of being boring!
Stay fit and fabulous, my love! xxxx
I'm sure you are familiar with the practice of applying lead to a woman's face because a pale, white skin was considered aesthetically pleasing (goes back to Egypt, Ancient Greece and possibly even before then).
DeleteGoogle 'lead for skin whitening', it's horrific what damage it could do. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_ceruse
Can you imagine anyone being daft enough to do that now, given that we know how toxic lead is? I have a fear that one day it might be concluded that introducing the Botulism Toxin into an otherwise healthy body was similarly unwise.
Goodness me, that makes for grim reading!
DeleteI remember all the public information adverts when we travelled to India for those "whitening creams", often used by single young women pressured into making their skin "fairer" to improve their marriage prospects. I've seen some of the damage myself and its absolutely heartbreaking.
That's the thing that worries me about Botox (and fillers), the concept is still so new that nobody has any idea of the effects of long term usage. xxx
Hi Vix, definitely no botox or fillers! I dont know anyone that does it either! I have always tried to take care of my skin as it was quite dry until fairly recently so I have moisturised it a lot. People tell me that I have good skin for my age which is nice. I love your Wild West looks, they really suit your personal style and naturally allow for great felt hats, tons of chunky jewellery and a vintage denim waitcoat. I am wearing today a bright pink pure silk Jaeger blouse - one of my collection of vintage silk Jaeger blouses, a charity shopped Hobbs trenchcoat, second hand wine- coloured leather bag and vintage necklace.
ReplyDeleteHello Alysia! Like you, I don't know anyone in real life who has botox and fillers, I was shocked at how many women on TikTok there are. I'm all about the moisturiser, too - someone I know recommended applying a bit of Vaseline under the eyes at bedtime and that seems to make a bit of a difference.
DeleteI do love a Wild West Look, it's a bit like Victorian dressing without the formality and corsets!
Your outfit sounds amazing, how fabulous to have a collection of vintage Jaeger silk blouses! xxx
You have had an incredibly busy week - and look incredible whilst being busy !
ReplyDeleteI had a bit of a week too -
I sold my house to a developer- the offer was just too good to say no to . It means I can buy another house outright , but not in Bristol as I want a change and neither of my kids live here now . I can pay off my son’s mortgage , which gives him a bit of a gift to be mortgage free at 35 . I bought a tiny cottage for my daughter to complete her Phd in peace , but she will now move for work and I will be able to help her with a purchase of a London property - hopefully leaving her mortgage free as well -
And the headline news is that I am heading back to Athens and buying an apartment there . I loved my visit there in March ( although the people I travelled with and I did not get along at all and won’t be in touch again ) , but Athens was glorious . Flying out later this month to look at options - and as I am a joint British /Irish citizen I am not overly restricted on the length of stay .
Feels like a bit of a light at the end of the dreadful tunnel that started with Tonys diagnosis and then his death .
Life has been hard - it will stay hard - but I am hoping this
Move gives me pockets of joy . Come visit !
Siobhan
What a week, Siobhan! That's absolutely brilliant that you've sold your house and have helped out both your son and daughter, it must feel so good to know that they're settled and can concentrate on their lives without the worry of keeping a roof over their heads, Tony would be so very proud of you.
DeleteJon and I absolutely loved Athens and would go back in a heartbeat. I've loved Greeve since I first visited in the 1980s and Athens exceeeded all expectations when we visited. What a wonderful place to live, so much history and the loveliest, most hospitable people on the planet. You may regret issuing your invitition, you might never get rid of me!
Please, please, please keep me posted with how you get on. xxxx
I haven't had a real catch-up with your blog for ages and what a very happy expensive time decision it has been today. I've been down several rabbit holes. There are loads of things I want to say - but I will show some self-restraint.
ReplyDeleteI'll start with some thoughts on today's post. I may not always like everything that getting older has brought me but I value my age. The grey hair and wrinkles are because I have been lucky enough to have lived a good length of time. The more of me than there used to be is just evidence of my lack of restraint. I do, like our society, have conflicting views as I definitely don't want to put a known poison in my face but I do like a drink or two! Here's the conflict in society where signs of age are valued in wines, cheeses, art and antiques and yet when it comes to women the plastic Barbie influence seems to have taken hold. What's even worse to me is the effect of all these "enhancements" on the young and their mental health.. You celebrate such diversity in your interests and your travels and I feel the world is losing so much as a result of globalization. It is facilitated by the internet and seems to be very much in favour of American and Western norms and values.
On to your anniversary and congratulations. We're a few years further on than you and living in the same way. This does not meet with everyone's approval and much to my surprise since she learned about our situation, 've been pressured by a young friend to change it. The tax and property things seems to really matter to her and she brings it up every few months despite being told it's not open to discussion. I do accept that things may change as there's just been a big health scare and I can't just consider my feelings.
I spent a huge amount of time reading old posts. There was reasoning behind my choices. Your "I'm on a roll, my third post in a week!" took me back to The Time of Covid and there was so much to read. I did give up and move on as I had the mad idea of typing anniversary as a search. I don't know how the algorithms worked but there was a huge selection from hips to record anniversaries through all sorts and I've got hours more reading to do. I loved revisiting so much of the blog. I am so grateful for your willingness to spend the time and energy sharing John, your friends, your home, garden, cats, books, curries, festivals, sewing, crochet, clothes, Walsall, Birmingham, travels abroad, photos, charity shop finds - and I could continue but I need to eat. Have a great weekend!
I
What a fantastic comment, Ruth! Thank you for the thoughtful words, you had me nodding & smiling along in agreement the whole time I was reading this that Jon asked me what rabbit hole I'd been sucked into (I'm as guilty as you!)
DeleteYes, I'm not wild about my reflection although I'm sure the mirror at the new swimming baths we're visiting has magical properties as I don't look quite as puffy and demented in my orange swimming cap at 7.30am. The lack of restraint is certainly visible in my laughter lines and crow's feet - too much jolity, sunbathing and fun - I know a woman with a flawless complexion who has never had a drink or a late night her entire life - I'd rather have mine!
Several people have mentioned the financial implications about our refusal to make our relationship official, too. I loathe how couples are rewarded for having paperwork, it drives me daft.
Yes to social media and how its affecting so many young (and not so young) people, pushing unreal AI generated images and the endless advertising. Although I love the internet and how its improved many aspects of our lives, the way it's homogenised everything is so depressing. I used to love travelling abroad and knowing where people were from just by the way they dressed and styled their hair and now everyone wears the same clothes. Visiting a Spanish friend in Barcelona many years ago I was confused as to why a group of Japanese tourists knew I was English, he told me it was obvious, the English always wore clumpy shoes!!
I hope you managed to get something done over the weekend and that I didn't prove too much of a distraction! Thanks for being there! xxx
Anyone that knows me at all know I'd say Nay 10X over to filler or botox. I also don't want anyone peddling weight loss drugs my way. I gained weight the old fashion way and will lose it ( or not) in reverse. I love your mom's lesson and as I age, I want to learn and thrive in genui e experiences not artificial anything. I've a lot of inside work to find myself, but like my outside well enough. Your wardrobe is fun and creatively unique. Like you I imagine.
ReplyDeleteThose weoghtloss jabs worry me, Sam. Several people I know have lost loads of weight using them and in one case, reversed a diabetes diagnosis but with each person, as soon as the course finishes they've gone back to their earlier eating habits and regained the weight. There's an amazing lady I swim with who lost 6 stone from calorie counting and swimming after to deciding to change her lifestyle when she retired and has maintained her target weight for several years. xxx
DeleteHa ha, I wholeheartedly support Jon’s sentiments! I have never and would never allow anyone to come near my face with any of that toxic 5h*t. I’m quite lucky that even when my grandma passed away her skin was good, as is my Mums and I think mine is following suit. The lines and blemishes we do get though are a story of our life, why would you want to look like a plastic mannequin? How uninteresting! Nope, I agree with you, it’s a waste of money, time, effort etc xxx
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! We had Jeremy Vine on earlier and normally the panellists are at loggerheads but today both agreed he'd lost his mind.
DeleteI think skin and how it ages is all about the genes. I don't think aesthetics make anyone look younger, just rather strange. I was fixated by Demi Moore in Landman.
As Ruth commented earlier, I don't mind ingesting alcohol but I don't want stuff injected into my face. I always think of poor Lesley Ash, she's never recovered from that botch job, has she? xxx
Tweakments? No thanks! My face won’t launch 1,000 ships, but neither will it scare any horses, so it’ll do. Obviously it’s up to individual women what they do to their faces, but I find myself increasingly distracted by just how strange some actors’ faces look, when I’m trying to watch a film. Then again, I suppose you could argue you won’t notice the really good / subtle treatments. Boys seemed to be under pressure too with looks maxxing. Nuts. Thanks for all your great posts, Vix. Heather
ReplyDeleteThat made me chuckle, Heather! Yes, I could stress about droopy eyelids or a lined top lip but I don't, I stand as far from the make-up mirror as I can, apply blue eyeshadow, green eyeliner (or something equally weird) figuring that everyone will be that appalled by my makeup, they won't notice the rest!
DeleteI agree about how some of the actor's faces detract from what I'm watching...like I just commented to Louise, Demi Moore in Landman! xxx
I have not any firm opinion about botox or fillers, as some friends & acquaintances got some 'enhancements' done and I respect their choices. I can understand it, but I don't support it nor I'm interested in it, and that doesn't mean that I'm letting myself go (and what if I'm doing!?, that's not anybody's business!). Anyway, you look fab and I do love your glasses!
ReplyDeleteLots of gorgeous outfits!, that pink tunic is a beauty and I love how you styled both ways with fabulous accessorizing!. And that western-style outfit is magnificent, the details and jewellery are amazing!, well done!. Those earrings are particularly fabulous, and your new nail color looks fab with those green shades in your last outfit!
besos
Spot on, Monica! If anyone I knew wanted it then I'd respect their decision but I have no interest in having aesthetics myself, I've got the confidence to live without it.
DeleteThanks for your lovely comments, that's one of the joys of getting older, I can't see the screen when I take a photo so rather than taking 15 wonky photos, its easier to wear my glasses and just take one! xxx
I am just over 70 and think I have a young attitude (whatever that means), though no one would mistake me for anything but old. I am shocked at how so many of my friends and acquaintances regularly have botox, men and woman and starting in their 40's too. It is very expensive for them, and I fear a little for their future health.
ReplyDeleteI think it is all about the attitude, J - listening to new music, being up to date with current affairs, engaging with younger people, going to the cinema, that's what makes us appear young. I find it a bit insulting when people say that I look good for my age, I'd prefer to look good full stop and not "good for my age".
DeleteI hate to think of the effect of years and years of these tweakments especially these young people who start with them in their 20s. There's a girl on TikTok who has just been to Türkiye for a full face lift and she's 27! xxx
Yay to you, Vix. Love absolutely everything that you do and say. Especially about not having botox and fillers. I find it scary that women in their 60s and 70s are having both, trying to look like they're twenty. That is so creepy. Especially when I do know that there are some signs of ageing that are going to happen whether we want them or not. And I'm not going to scare anyone younger by saying what they are!! False concrete boobs that stick out a mile like torpedos? Ugh. Looking eternally young in your 70s when you've had upper face lift, lower face lift, and botox?? I refuse to do any of that. It's insulting to women. (one of my "don't get me started" subjects!!)
ReplyDeleteAnd having a marina inserted to balance hormones, and continuing when you're nearly 60, so that you don't have menopause? or taking HRT for the same reason? Ugh. Creepy as.
DeleteThanks, Ratnamurti! I mistakenly thought that confidence and self acceptance came with age (as it has in my case!) but obviously that can't be true for everyone judging by how many women are chosing to go down the Botox/ filler route.
DeleteLike you say, there's some signs of ageing that you just can't fix with a jab and following a few women on Tiktok who've bought into these "tweatments", I've noticed that once one area is "fixed" they start obsessing about another.
We need to normalise wrinkles, lines and sagging instead of trying to erase them.
Those avoiding menpause fixes are plain wrong. Not all of us have a hellish menoapuse (I'm still waiting for something to happen!), worry about that when the time comes. xxx
No fillers or injections for me Vix. You certainly are not alone. Special love for your last outfit btw. Sage green is so good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lise! As a fellow Fire Horse I'm glad you're another tweakment-free woman.
DeleteI think I develop an obsession with green at the same time every year, it must be Spring! xx
Your Mum was indeed a Wise Woman with Sage Advice worth living by. You look ahhmazing, no fillers needed IMO, so, I'd say Nay.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn! My mum was a character, there's no denying that! xxx
DeleteGood on you, I am 76 and don't have many wrinkles thanks to Nivea face cream which my Gran swore by and she had lovely skin so I use it. As she always said "Every line tells a story". Far unimportant to be interesting as prettiness fades but love of live and being interested in what is going on doesn't. The new too looks fab with that stunning skirt. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteHello Sue! Good old Nivea! It just goes to prove that you don't need to spend a fortune on these overpriced potions that claim to stop ageing. I used to love the Nivea Creme in the blue metal tin, it's still widely available in India, I used to stock up when I went! xxxx
DeleteI think theres far worse things that come with age other than wrinkles , im baffled that my legs arent hairy any more and i can grow a better goatee than my other half
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the goatee but my legs are the same, I can go for months before I get the epilator out. I love being able to wear loose tops and not be asked if I'm pregnant any more (far too old for all that)! xxx
DeleteI think we should do whatever makes us feel good, I won't have fillers or botox as I don't like the idea of that substance in my body. I think it can look un-natural if overdone and sometimes peoples faces 'drop' and get left looking far worse, or so I have heard. Im all for biab nails - I have mine done now and then and I have just started using makeup, i.e. foundation and blusher, at the grand old age of 67 - I had my brows microbladed and lips tattoo'd and wish I had done it years before. I don't colour my hair any longer as I do think there can be chemicals in dye that are harmful to absorb (i once did hairdressing so prob overthink it); but that's my personal view - also I quite like grey hair and mine is coming in like highlights so Im lucky. You have some superb outfits this week, Vix, your eye for colour matching always is so exciting. I like Jon's edit on his flag, why not! in our town we support a guy who goes round putting up our union jack flag whilst objectors go round taking them down! Flags are the new way to state your politics, thats for sure! Betty
ReplyDeleteYes, I've got no problem with other people having fillers and botox if that's what they want but it ain't for me! I had semi-permanent eyebrows done in 2005 and again in 2010 but they've worn away now, I loved having eyebrows all the time and I can totally understand why you love your microblading and lip tattooing.
DeleteI think we do lose pigment as we get older and a bit of colour makes all the difference, I adore cream blusher and recently dug out a pot of Lily Lolo mineral foundation a friend gave me years ago, you only need a tiny bit and it doesn't half make a difference to evening up skintone.
I love playing with colour combinations in my wardrobe, it makes getting dressed an adventure.
I'm not a fan of flags hanging from lamposts, upside, half mast and raggedy. Have you seen the Brownhills Miner, the traffic island near me? It made the news after being covered in flags last year. Our council have removed the flags but provided three falgmpoles so people can hang whatever they want without causing a distraction to motorists.
I don't want our iconic Union Jack to be political. Liz and Al have Union Jack curtains, Liz made out of some Jubilee flags she was given and a Reform candidate knocked their door thinking they were Farage supporters, they were horrified. xxx
No to all that insane "beauty" crap.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! xxx
DeletePeople who get botox end up looking older. I don't think that people realize what damage they are doing to themselves with botox and fillers. The worst thing is that they brainwashed themselves into thinking that it does something. It just freezes and swells their faces, they look like burnt or acid attack victims. The worst thing is that it just does not work. It costs money, but it does not work. Poor things. They are also petrified of the sun. Sun protection is important, but some sunshine is needed for one's health. I wish all those people would actually do something that is good for them. Find some joy in their life. It must be horrid living like that just copying what everyone else is doing and worrying about something as natural as aging. On the other hand, they have nobody to blame by themselves.
ReplyDeleteThese outfits are beautiful, Vix! The Wild West outfit is fantastic.
Hello Ivana! I agree, I don't think aethetics ever makes anyone look younger, just strange. I love Julia Roberts' take on it: “It’s unfortunate that we live in such a panicked, dysmorphic society where women don’t even give themselves a chance to see what they’ll look like as older persons,”
DeleteSitting in the sun is such a joy especially for those of us with long, dark winters, not being able to enjoy the feel of the sun on your skin is denying yourself one of life's simple pleasures. xxx
Indeed. I once saw a documentary with Julia Roberts travelling around Mongolia, living with the nomadic families. You could see that there was actual damage to her face (charred lips and so on) due to being so exposed to the elements and spending all that time outdoors in the harsh weather but she looked so happy so be there. I had real respect for her after watching that. I thought- here is a woman who knows how to live her life fully. There is nothing wrong with taking care of one's self, eating well, exercising, avoiding too much sun, applying sunscreen and so on...but to give up on spending time outdoors just for the sake of having a younger skin- no thanks. I live for the outdoors.
DeleteI think the Asians have a better approach to anti-aging in some ways, less surgical, more about proper skin care. Still, they seem to go to extreme lengths to avoid the sun and that's something I cannot do- unless I lock myself in the house. Especially now when I live on the island that is literally famous for the highest number of sunny days in the country. I wish I knew about sunscreens when I was younger, though... it was just not something that was talked about or practised...but I have no regrets about spending my life under the strong Mediterranean sun.
Sometimes hairspray or rubbing alcohol will remove that ink.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudia! We tried the hairspray and it worked! xxx
DeleteMy friend had Botox for migraines and it worked for her. I decided I would give it a go for the lines between my eyebrows. It was a local GP who did it. I had it done and waited, and waited, and waited. No bloody difference was there! 😂
ReplyDeleteOh no! It would have been fantastic if it had worked for your migraines! I hope you eventually find a solution. xxx
DeleteWhat a bargain that All About Audrey tunic was! You really do find the best things on Vinted.
ReplyDeleteThose Last of Pompeii mugs and metallic leather mules were great finds as well.
And it's nay from me by the way. I don't mind having wrinkles at all and in fact I think it would be quite unnatural if at my ages I didn't have any. And obviously I hardly notice yours. I'm too distracted by those fabulously funky specs :-) xxx
Ann! Its lovely to see a comment from you pop up!
DeleteYes, I'm not at all adverse to a few wrinkles, I can't see a problem with looking our correct age! xxx
Hola Vix, amo mucho cada entrada de tu blog, uno de los mas visuales y valiosos que he tenido el placer de ver por aquÃ. Tus conjuntos y tus videos de TikTok son insuperables. Y me gustan hasta las palabrotas de vuestra mesa.
ReplyDeleteTras pasar un tiempo mirando en detalle cada fotografÃa paso a felicitaros por vuestro 34 aniversario de No boda. En julio mi marido y yo celebraremos nuestro 40 aniversario de No boda también, aunque hace 3 años sin saber porque decidimos casarnos.El Botox yo ni de lejos, esas caras de velocidad son lo peor, una amiga mÃa se hizo un retoque muy delicado y casi no se nota.
Blanca desde el Pais Vasco, ya ha llegado el sol. Un saludo
¡Hola Bianca! Me alegra mucho que tengas sol en el PaÃs Vasco; nosotros también estamos disfrutando de un clima inusualmente cálido. ¿Verdad que sienta de maravilla después de nuestro largo invierno?
DeleteMuchas felicidades a ti y a tu pareja. ¡Enhorabuena por legalizar vuestra feliz y exitosa relación en el momento que os pareció adecuado, en lugar de dejar que otros os presionaran!
Me alegra mucho saber que no soy la única que no quiere bótox ni rellenos. ¡A veces las redes sociales son un lugar muy extraño! ¡Brindemos por vivir nuestras vidas y lucir como queramos, según nuestras propias reglas! xxx
PD: ¡Espero que sigas disfrutando del coche nuevo!
OOOOH - "all women these days have fillers and Botox and you're letting yourself go if you don't" - where are we going? Excited!
ReplyDeleteI'll just leave this here
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X0eXtVC6TLk
Elaine Anon (gone over the hill and far away with her scarey old lady chin hairs)
Oops, this has irked me - I’m 69 this year and was a teenager/young woman in the 70s - during the ‘second wave’ of the Feminist Movement. The Movement was demanding 7 conditions.
Delete1 Equal pay now
2 Equal education and job opportunities
3 Free contraception and abortion on demand
4 Free 24hr nurseries
5 Financial and legal independence (not needing a man to ‘vouch’ for us)
6 An end to all discrimination against lesbians and a woman’s right to define her own sexuality.
7 – Freedom from intimidation by threat or use of violence or sexual coercion, regardless of marital status and an end to all laws, assumptions and institutions which perpetuate male dominance and men’s aggression towards women. (Marital rape was not a crime until 1991).
Sorry - not sorry - but fillers and botox aren’t a concern for me. As to letting yourself go - that’s on par with fetching your husbands slippers when he come home from his demanding job lol. No-one should be shamed for their looks at any age - surely we’ve come further than that. I’m more concerned at there are 10 year olds begging for anti-aging products and 10 step beauty routines and that it has not dawned on many folks that photos can be filtered/Photoshopped/a product of AI - and are not ‘real’. Companies have - for decades - been raking it in on the back of stoking up insecurity over appearance. Look how quickly the Menopause market has exploded. Sheesh.
Climbs off soapbox, shakes anorak etc
Elaine Anon
p.s. amazing outfits Vix xx
Hello Elaine!
DeleteAs an avid Spare Rib subscriber back in my early teens I remember the 7 demands and how f*cking depressing is it that we're still fighting?
I saw a feature on the BBC about young girls obsessed with beauty routines and how many of them are clamouring for expensive anti-ageing products after being hooked on Ai generated posts on social media, what the hell has happened to childhood? I originally thought that banning children under 14 from the internet was a touch draconian but I'm starting to see that it might save the future of humanity.
I've spoken to young women in their 30s already terrified of the menopause after all the horror stories they've heard and told them that I'm still waiting for something to happen, no hot flushes, no weight gain, no hair loss, no weird skin issues - I'm fed up to the back teeth of having all this targetted male-run marketing trying to flog me post-menopausal snake oil....grrr!
That YouTube link was bloody brilliant, thank you!
Here's to visible ageing, sod the Aesthetics police, lets age disgracefully and flaunt our crepey upper arms, our thinning top lips and wrinkles...if I'm going to let myself go, I'm happy to do it with so many fabulous women! xxx
I really laughed at Jon's 'improving' of his flag, though my second thought was "typical man not putting something underneath first" :)
ReplyDeleteMy nan used to say "Handsome is as handsome does", which I've always thought very wise, like your Mom's saying.
After my op. I did have hyalouronic fillers in my lips, twice, but when my trusted practioners moved away I couldn't find anyone else I liked the look of. Also, it was expensive, and needed to be done every six months, so I stopped bothering. I do have facial massages from my local beautician, a small business owner next door to my hairdressers. She's really more of a friend these days, and she has really helped my face even up. I suppose it is vanity really, but I needed the confidence boost after my op, and it's helped comfort wise with my nerve damage.
I'm a bit older than you, and though I personally wouldn't have Botox, I'm pretty relaxed about what women my age do. It does really worry me though about all the young women having these treatments. I don't see how that's a healthy thing. Also, being on TikTok, you must have seen those skincare routines that they do using about 10 products. Not good.
I'm staggered at that All About Audrey top. £1!!! What a bargain - you simply couldn't not get it! xxx
Hello, Annie! What's he like, eh? Mind you, he's been atypical in looking up how to shift Sharpie stains and getting rid of the Trump/Putin graffiti on the kitchen table now.
DeleteI can completely understanding you needing a confidence boost after your op and also its great to be able to support local female-owned businesses, isn't it? I've been considering a facial at the salon I go to, it's something I've never had before but really fancy it.
I don't have a problem with women having aesthetics but I have noticed that the TikTokers who post about them never seem satisfied and keep having more and more procedures, it's like once one perceived problem has been sorted, it magnifies another area to stress about.
I've seen those crazy beauty routines on blogs, too - the amount (and the price) of the products - is staggering. You'd have to set your alarm two hours before you needed to leave the house and start getting ready for bed ridiculously early - you might as well live in the bathroom! xxx
I'm 66 years and about 2 years ago I noticed I looked different - I find it a bit amusing really - quite freeing - The thing I don't like much though is my top lip disappearing - When I was young I thought it too large and lip lined it smaller - You look pretty though Vix - flis xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Flis!! Andrea who blogs at Looks of Love T is a bit of a makeup wizard and recommends buying a lipliner the same colour as your lip and lining the top outer edge, it makes such a difference and doesn't look false or like a pantomine dame! xxx
DeleteWhat optimistic messages your post gives Vix.
ReplyDeleteAccepting our age and learning new things and taking care of ourselves as much as we can!! You are wonderful and your little wrinkles give you charm!!
The clothes you present are fantastic🧡!!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Katerina! xxx
DeleteWhat is it with women who can not accept that aging is natural (getting older is inevitable growing up is not! as the saying goes!) But to fill their faces with plastic - it just reflects on them. Yes, I am sure everyone would love to remain youthful looking however that is not realistic. Being healthy, optimistic with a positive outlook is so so much nicer. (Gets off high horse....)
ReplyDeleteI was told some years ago the best face lift is a smile and that is the policy I go with :)
Stay who you are - life is for living so live it!
Go Jon! Keep writing home truths on flags haha
I love that, Kate and I never want to grow up, either. I want to age disgracefully, I'm happy to upset those who think we should hide our lines and freeze our faces. The only alternative to ageing is death and I'm certainly not ready for that! xxx
DeleteI like that you don't do filler or botox. I don't think it's good for our bodies to put that rubbish in it. X
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jess! I'm not bothered if other people want it but aethetics aren't for me! xxx
DeleteThanks for your comment Vix. Yes, I've been accompanying my coffee delving into old posts - anniversary brought up an "old trout" remark from Jon! I'm having great fun.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get started on big business and the realisation they've had that they can start screwing over boys and men about their looks, odour, weight etc - and screw up their mental health as a side line.
I could go on to other things like it's not enough to wash your clothes AND soften them NOW you've got to add extra smelly things as well. AND there are things like this - Cushelle Quilted Raspberry & Rhubarb Toilet Tissue. I am going mad!!!!
Ah yes, the romantic "Old Trout" Valentine's greeting! I remember it well!
DeleteThe steriod-enhanced bodies, the odious Manosphere and those daft adverts tring to convince your men that women will fall at their feet with the right smell, which I thought had died out in the 1970s - men do have a lot to contend with, no wonder they're so angry.
Jon & I are incredulous when we see some of those products - slimey towels with a stink that lasts for months and scented loo roll, what is it they say? A fool and his money is soon parted!
It's rather disconcerting that so many women (and younger and younger) are seeing these procedures as "normal" and "natural." Hell no for me! I can't be bothered, and you're right, good lighting is key!
ReplyDeleteOh, Jon. Although I completely agree, they are both c**nts.
It is worrying that young women are getting so hung up so early in life, spening £££s on procedures rather than enjoying life. Social Media and the incresing use of Ai have a lot to answer for. xxx
DeleteJane, thank you so much for your comment, I've no idea where it went after I published it, my phone did an update overnight and it's a bit glitchy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you're having such an awful menopause, I know you're not alone. One of my friends was subscribed antidepressants by a very unhelpful (male) doctor when she went for help and it took her a couple of years to be taken seriously.
I'm fully aware that a lot of women suffer very badly and it's brilliant that so many workplaces are making real efforts to make any of their employees going through a bad menopause a little easier. However there's a lot of women who experience little or no problems with menopause (like me) and the fact young women are now terrified of getting older which I find rather concerning.
I hope you find a way to manage your menopause. Xxx
I LOVE your new table graffiti, may it be a talking point at many a future party. :-)
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no to any Botox or fillers (except for a medical reason for having them). I have just seen a photo of three of 'Charlie's Angels' celebrating the 25th anniversary of the show and they were barely recognisable!! Age naturally and gracefully ... and if start I tripping over my jowls I will wear a balaclava. ;-)
I don't think Botox or fillers make people look younger - just weird. So, not for me either.
ReplyDelete