Reading books

Best Books to Read from Autobiographies to Thrillers

‘Reading gives us some place to go when we stay where we are.’ Reading has been an escape from the pandemic, where I can lose myself in other worlds. I have not read as much since I was at college. When I was teaching and raising a family, I was mostly too tired to read
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Staged

Binge Watch these Television Series

We have watched a lot of telly recently. Yes, we did binge watch much of what I recommend. My memory is not what it used to be and I prefer not having to wait a year to watch the next series.  And there is some seriously good viewing out there. I know many of you
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Malahide Estuary

Goodbye to 2020 and Look Forward

Goodbye 2020 I believe that most of us (probably everyone) are happy to see the back end of 2020. Personally, it has not been all bad as we welcomed our third grandson on my birthday on December 9th. And we managed to get through the various restrictions including the FIRST LOCKDOWN without too much difficulty.
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Primark green coat

Out and About with Style Not Age

Our ‘Style Not Age’ collective shows what we wear when we are ‘out and about’. In my case, I have been living in casual clothes. I presume most of you have too.  In Dublin (Ireland), we have been in and out of various levels of restrictions since last March. We had a brief reprieve for
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10 reasons why you should take Vitamin C

Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that we have strong immune systems. There has been plenty of evidence to suggest that supplementation with Vitamin C and Vitamin D has an impact on keeping us healthy and in fighting Covid-19.  Regular readers know that I have been championing Vitamin D for years. Check
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Skinician Skin Products

Review of Skinician, an Irish Skincare Brand

I have been using some new products from an Irish brand SKINICIAN for the past few weeks. The products were gifted and specifically chosen for my ageing skin. As my regular readers know, I like to try a new brand for at least a month before I write a review. Sometimes I do not make
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The importance of Vitamin D – don’t be left in the dark.

This post was first published in 2017 and again last year,but there has been a lot of discussion about Vitamin D and the role it could play in helping fight the Covid-19 virus recently, so I have decided to give it another airing. I have provided more up-to-date links. In researching this post, I have
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Gothic Romance for Halloween Week with ‘Style Not Age’

GOTHIC ROMANCE Emma’s theme of Gothic Romance is perfect for Halloween Week. I am more of a Romantic than a Goth in my style but I did enjoy the challenge. It certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone. I chose a local graveyard for my backdrop, within my 5k radius in a really beautiful
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Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle and Gardens is one of North County Dublin’s Top Attractions

I feel blessed to live in Malahide with its abundance of natural amenities, one of the most outstanding being Malahide Castle and Gardens. I tend to walk along the coast most days or around Paddy’s Hill if I want a climb. But I always head to the ‘Castle’ when the coast is too raw and
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Test-driving the New Renault Zoe

ZOE AND ME Last week, I had the opportunity to test-drive the all-electric New Renault Zoe. I know I am no Rosemary Smith (one of the brand ambassadors) so I was pretty chuffed when Renault asked me if I would like to put it through its paces. Those who know me know that I prefer
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‘Style Not Age’: All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

We have had so few occasions to get dressed up in the last 6 months. My summer dresses were particularly neglected and I spent most of my time in more casual and leisure clothes. Social occasions were mainly outdoor barbecues. And with Irish weather being so unpredictable, I always went for trousers and layers and
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Castleknock Hotel Highly Recommended for Covid Times and Any Time

GG and I spent a night recently (gifted) at Castleknock Hotel in Porterstown, near Castleknock, Dublin. WELCOME A few days before our visit we received an email in which the procedures/guidelines in place for safety were explained and laid out. From the moment we entered the large and airy foyer at Castleknock Hotel, we felt
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 Ella & Jo Cosmetics – Affordable and Effective Irish Products

ELLA & JO ‘LIMITED EDITION’ ORANGE BLOSSOM HYALURONIC  SKIN MIST Do you use a facial mist? It has been a necessary addition to my beauty routine for years, particularly so as my skin ages.  I use it to prep before make-up and to refresh my skin.  When I was sent a bottle of Ella &
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‘Style Not Age’ Share FROW Outfits

This month, we are having a little fun and imagining what we would wear if we were invited to sit at the front row (FROW) at any of the designer shows at London Fashion Week. The pandemic has obviously changed how it will look and I believe 90% of London Fashion Week in September will
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How to Fix Broken, Chipped, Worn Teeth and Improve your Smile

‘Teeth are always in style’. Dr. Seuss I have been smiling without showing my teeth recently (see below) because I have not been particularly happy with their condition. My top front teeth had become weakened and worn down, the edges were rough and the enamel was damaged. They had also lost length. Seemingly, this is
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Golf break at Tulfarris Hotel, Wicklow Ireland

Golf with my friends has kept me sane during these turbulent times. I play regularly in my club at Malahide in Dublin. Though I took up the game in my late 50s, I can play to a level where I enjoy it without getting too frustrated now. I wrote about my initial struggles in a
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Our Signature Colour is ‘Style Not Age’ July’s Theme

This month, I have asked my ‘Style Not Age’ friends to each choose their Signature Colour. This is their ‘go to’ colour, the colour that they are drawn to when they open their wardrobe or go into a shop.  I head straight for red, orange and yellow (more mustard really) as I am obsessed with
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Choosing the Correct Cleanser for your Skin

A cleanser is often seen as the least important part of one’s skincare regime. Sure, any old product will do is what I hear from many people of all ages. What you clean your face with is the basis of a good skincare regime. In fact, using the wrong cleanser can damage your skin’s barrier
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Zara check trousers

Check Me Out With Style Not Age

This month, my friends and I in ‘Style Not Age’ are featuring anything and everything check. I love check and have featured many looks over the past few years. You may remember these trousers from Punt Roma, exclusive to Shaws Department Stores. They have got a lot of wear because they are so comfortable.  The
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Books to Enthral, Delight and Educate

I am sharing with you my favourite books that I have read so far this year. When it comes to books, I read pretty much anything except Science Fiction. And I don’t really like anything too violent. I am the same when it comes to the telly. (I started ‘Gangs of London’ but could not
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Lumity takes a Scientific Approach to Supplements

When Lumity reached out to me and asked me if I would like to try their supplements, I accepted. I had done my homework and knew that they were popular with many celebrities, that they have won numerous awards and that they are backed by scientific research. They had done their homework too and knew
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‘Style Not Age’ roar Welcome to The Jungle

Our Style Not Age ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ prompt for May comes from Emma (Style Splash) and gave us plenty of scope. If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that I am addicted to animal print. The leopard, cheetah, tiger and even zebra prints are prominent in my wardrobe.
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Hilda upstyled Zara combo

Upstyling or Revamping your Wardrobe With The Zip Yard

Upstyling is the buzz word of the moment, as is sustainable fashion. They go hand in hand, I suppose. Some people are very good at upstyling. I was not one of them, but I have been converted. The stylist daughter Courtney (you can follow her on Instagram @courtneysmithstyle) is an avid upstyler. From a young
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Unbelieva Brow

My Brows are Back with ‘Unbelieva Brow’ by L’Oreal

My Brows are Back with ‘Unbelieva Brow’  by L’Oreal (well temporarily back). Lockdown has played havoc with my brows. Usually I get them dyed and then all I have to fill them in with a pencil. And my go-to pencil is Charlotte Tilbury. I like many of Charlotte’s products. But they have been gradually disappearing in
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