My 2010 New Year's Resolutions

Every single blog I have read this last week has been about New Year's Resolutions. I was starting to feel a little left out. So here are mine. I have split them into 'life' resolutions and 'style' resolutions. I have also written my 10 shopping Commandments for 2010 in my last weekly column for British Style Bloggers here.

My New Year's (Life) Resolutions:

1. To be more organised!

2. To save more. Or just save at all.

3. To pass my driving test.

4. To be more spontaneous.

5. To add (at least) one more country to my list!

My New Year's (Style/Shopping) Resolutions:

1. To shop less.

2. To wear more colour and less all black. (Check out Style on a String's post about this and my post)

3. To learn to do a few up-dos, so that I don't always wear my hair down.

4. To make sure my nail polish is always fresh, no more chips for me.

5. To learn to be more ruthless and not to hoard so much, so that my wardrobe and dressing table are not so over flowing all of the time.

Happy New Year folks. Love, SG

365 project: reminder!

Tomorrow I will be starting my 365 project. Any ideas for the first week's theme would be greatly appreciated!! :)

Street Style: 2009

Apologies to those readers suffering from end-of-year-list-overload... but there's still enough time to squeeze one more in before we say goodbye to 2009, That's Not My Age's top five fabulous over-forties:



Straight in at number one: Julie Christie. Because she's gorgeous and talented - and I still can't believe we met her!



For his fabulous facial hair and super-chic Miu Miu glasses, Daniel Azzaro, 66.



William Gilchrist, 44, be-suited on a bicycle and oh-so dashing.





For excellent, yet subtle, use of colour and a natty scarf it's a tie between, Joan Rolls, 56 (above) and Jette Egelund, 59 (below).



In simple monochrome basics, Doushka Krish, 43, proves less is more.



OK, OK, I know I said five but I just can't resist pointing out (again!) that we snapped The Sartorialist, Mr Scott Schulman at London Fashion Week. Woo hoo!

Photos: Dvora and Stephanie Rushton

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS: more prancing about!

I realise that I haven't posted any photos of Christmas presents. So here they are.

Here are a few of my Christmas presents. My favourite of them all is the BEAUTIFUL H&M faux fur coat, from my sister! How cute is it?!

I am also wearing an Accessorize hat from a friend and cashmere M&S arm warmers, also from my sister. These are in the photo above with another pair of arm warmers that I got, in my stocking, from Dorothy Perkins.

The socks were also in my stocking and from Dorothy Perkins. They are keeping my toes nice and toasty!

The necklaces, in the photo on the bottom left, are in fact just two necklaces. The bottom heart is the necklace I bought in Urban Outfitters today. The other was in my stocking. From Topshop.

I bought the ring, in the bottom right photo, in the sale in Accessorize at the weekend. It spells 'love'.

I hope you all got beautiful things for Christmas.

More soon. Love, SG xx

An Ode to Urban Outfitters!

I love Urban Outfitters.

Just putting it out there.

I spend hours 'fantasy shopping' on UrbanOutfitters.co.uk. I could spend even longer.

I love the quirky items that it stocks.

I particularly love the jewellery. Jewellery is definitely my downfall and it is always a bit different in UO.

 I also love the unusual gifts they stock, like the range of Lomo cameras.

Everytime I walk into an Urban Outfitters store, it reminds me of New York. Happy times.

I bemoan the fact that there still isn't an Urban Outfitters in Cardiff. Please, UO open a lovely new sparkly store in Cardiff? Pretty please!!

In case you hadn't realised, I went to Urban Outfitters today. In Birmingham. I bought two gorgeous necklaces in their sale. Lovely.

No More Black: Jumper Dress

I snagged this gorgeous jumper dress on sale in New Look. I'm trying to break away from my all black wardrobe.

Taken in the kitchen at the in laws!

Monday (Morning?!) Pic-Me-Up

The top two decorations are M&S bargains - £1 each! Reindeer is sooo cute! And sparkly!

The big red bauble was a Christmas present from my girl friend last year.

365 project

As my shopping ban ends, so I feel I need a new project to keep my occupied! 


365 Project seemed just the ticket. The idea is to take a photo a day, every day, for a year.


You can either choose a subject for the project; clothes, food, etc or just use it as a picture diary for the year.


I have decided that to make it (slightly) easier and to get you all involved, I want you to suggest a topic a week. If you have an idea for the first week - starting on Thursday - please leave a comment here!


I will, of course, upload my photos to here. But as I use film a lot, they might not be uploaded every day.

A Very British Glamour

One of my favourite presents from Mr That's Not My Age is this Norman Parkinson book, full of fabulous photos and the odd mince pie crumb! Here's a small selection of very glamorous images - including a couple taken in Blackpool, Parks on the promenade, would you believe it?


And there's still time to see the exhibition; Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour is on at Somerset House until 31 January 2010

LINKS A LA MODE: 24 DECEMBER 2009

The Happy Holidays Edition

(Edited by Retrochick)

Links à la Mode : December 24th

• Alice in Stilettos – Don’t Be Victimized By Fashion
• DailyDivaDish – New Year’s Eve Fashion: Make an entrance without breaking the bank. Includes 2 looks + DIY ideas.
• Fashion X K8 – Bringing attention to an essay of literary criticism that provides the proper vocabulary with which we can converse about a new fashion paradigm.
• Fasshonaburu – An interview with Liu Wen, the first Asian model to strut her stuff on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show catwalk.
• Idiosyncratic Style – Wham GLAM Thank You Ma’am – Indulge in a little glamour for the holidays.
• Jewelry Whore – HUGE Roundup of DIY Christmas Present Ideas! It’s not too late to make some fabulous jewelry for Christmas presents!
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS – You’re only a couple clicks and a few stitches away from owning your own one-of-a-kind designer piece with free patterns from SHOWstudio
• La Société de Mode – A scream of an interview with stylist Brett Bailey
• Little Miss Makeup – Bold lips: This season’s hottest makeup trend.
• M.I.S.S. – Another simple yet attractive necklace by Pandora from Acessory Source in this week’s She’s Crafty.
• Previously Owned – To celebrate the [almost there] opening of the ONLINE store Previously Owned BLOG is giving away a Royal Blue hobo!
• Retro Chick – Vintage Hair Styling with Flamingo Amy
• Style on a String – Harem Pants: Yay or Nay? And some quick tips on how to buy and wear them.
• Sugar and spice and all things nice – 10 things I like…. no, LOVE… about FANTASY SHOPPING!!
• sweetarchivia – Review of the much anticipated launch of the Rodarte for Target line by the Mulleavy sisters.
• THE COVETED – Versace Pre-Fall returns to color
• The Demoiselles – Wing Tips: Your First Time…at the Tailor
• The Fashion Planner – The Fashion Planner is excited to announce the publication of The Fashion Planner’s Guide!
• The Style PA – I review the comfy, Cable Cosy by Isabella Oliver
• The Working Wardrobe – Learning the art of layering that is both fashion-forward and office-appropriate

How to... shop successfully in the sale: The shopping plan

Christmas Day is over and so the sales have begun!


My treat - to celebrate the long awaited and anticipated end of my six month shopping ban - is some much needed sales shopping in Cardiff with my mum! (Next week)


Sales shopping is always a tricky one. There is always the temptation to just dive in and buy anything and everything just because it is reduced and therefore, a bargain. But how much of a bargain is it when you have spent £££ on a lot of stuff you don't actually need or even want.


The key to successful sales shopping is to have a plan. Know what is missing from your wardrobe and what you hope to pick up and aim for that. If you see a couple of 'surprise' bargains along the way then you can always grab these too, of course!


1. Winter coats are always good. I have managed to get all five of mine in the past two winter sales. They tend to be classic pieces that will last for more than one season.


2. Boots are on my list this year. I have my beautiful Primark over-the-knee boots but want some sturdier ones that might last a bit longer (see my top ten winter boots!).


3. Jeans are another good sales find. If you can find a pair in your size and a style you like, then you are in business. This year, I am on the hunt for some jeggings.


4. Party wear is always on sale after the festive and New Year party seasons are over. Anything in black with some embellishment is likely to be classic enough to last you a couple of party seasons.


5. Underwear. M&S, in particular, usually have massive discounts on their lingerie. Grab some cute undies for the New Year! It's a good time to stock up!


6. Costume jewellery is always cheap in the sales. As it is one size you are sure to find something you love! Most high street stores cut their costume jewellery to £1 later in the sales.


7. Check out gift sets of cosmetics and perfume in the post-Christmas sales. These are always discounted and you can often find something you use in amongst them.


8. It might be terribly geeky or OCD of me but I always buy Christmas wrapping paper and cards in the sales. It saves the hassle next year and I get some nice Paperchase ones for half the price!


9. Decorations are also discounted come January. I like to buy a couple of really special ones for next year's tree!


10. CDs and DVDs. I always end up going home with new films or music from the sales - they are always bargainous!!


As always, happy shopping! I'll post my sales stash next week!


More soon. Love, SG

Merry Christmas everyone!

About to tuck in to this yummy chocolate cake!

Random festive photos....

That's Not My Age loves an inflatable rooftop Santa, or house wrapped in flashing fairy lights - but then I am from Blackpool - so whilst visiting the brother in Manhattan and extended family in New Jersey, I was pleased to see that he wasn't missing out on our cultural heritage.



And just to prove what discerning taste I have.... my favourite Christmas tree decoration of all, is this pretty bicycle from Merci.

Happy Christmas friends, followers and fellow bloggers!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

It is snowing here again this evening!


This is the Priory in Great Malvern, doesn't it look lovely and peaceful.


I'm going to try to get out and get some photos later... If we get home!

Risotto ai funghi

This is my own recipe which I make from memory, so hopefully it is ok to follow!

Serves 3

Prep and cooking time, about an hour

500g mushrooms, sliced

1 onion, finely chopped

1 vegetable stock cube, in about 1 litre of boiling water

250g arborio rice

Salt and pepper, to taste

Parsley, fresh or dried

1. Fry onions for a couple of minutes in large frying pan, until they are starting to go brown.

2. Add mushrooms and continue to fry until they are soft.

3. Add rice and allow to fry for a minute.

4. Add enough stock to cover the ingredients.

5. As stock simmers and reduces add more. Continue to add stock, a bit at a time. Until all stock is gone and rice is soft and creamy. This can take 20-30 minutes.

6. Season to taste. Add a little parsley before serving.

Merry Christmas to me!!

I have treated myself to a beautiful new netbook on which to write my dissertation! And blog, of course!


This is me cwtched up on my mum's lovely festive red sofa - with netbook - in a Dorothy Perkins jumper dress and M&S woolly tights! V snuggly.

Natural ingredients: mulled wine and moisturiser

After one too many glasses of fine mulled wine at the local pub last night - which incidently made The Guardian's top 50 festive pubs list - That's Not My Age is feeling her age. The south London boozer is proper traditional, like - serving the best mulled wine this side of the Thames, full of cloves and spices, each glass made to order - and as reviewer, Garth Cartwright points out, ' The Hermit's Cave offers plenty of consistency. Why I don't think they've changed the carpet (or anything else) since I first started supping there in 1994.'

So, it was a huge relief when the anti-age introductory set from Aromatherapy Associates landed on my doormat. This selection of skincare products made from natural ingredients and essential oils is going to give me a 'firm, plumped and more youthful complexion.' Hooray! So readers, I am going to conduct a little experiment. Mr That's Not My Age will take the before and after shots, and unlike the misleading Twiggy/Olay advert, these photos will be natural, untouched, wrinkles-and-all. You have been warned!

Risotto ai funghi?

Anyone?

This is my culinary masterpiece tonight!

Amazingly simple and yet delicious (even if I do say so myself!).

I'll give you the recipe soon!!

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas... La la la...!!

And so the snow fell.

On Saturday night it started to snow and on Sunday morning we woke up to a beautiful dusting on the ground.

Grumpy old woman!

Apoligies my lovelies, I know I have abandoned you for too long.


Have gone to la parents for the Christmas period which is always a mixture of fun and stress. And more stress this year, as have no internet to keep me entertained!


Every year, memories of Christmases past always turn out to be very rose-tinted. I imagine them to have been perfectly easy and fun but every year the reality never quite lives up to the expectation! Very quickly I find myself wishing back in my own flat with my own things and my own rules.


I miss my wardrobe most. It is always such a pain living out of a suitcase. I manage it on holiday because, let's face it, we would endure a lot to be on holiday, somewhere in the sun, or even in the cold! But when it is still in the UK (admittedly a different country!) I feel a little hard done by. This year I had to pack lighter than usual as there was no room in the car for my large suitcase as well as the two guitars, amp, computer and whatever other paraphernalia the boyf felt necessary for a short trip to his parents! Since the snow has fallen I am definitely regretting taking out all but three of my long sleeved t-shirts.


It's not my casual wardrobe that suffers most when I come to la parents but my dressing up wardrobe. I never really feel like dressing up to go anywhere here and also never really have any idea what occasion may arise for which I might need to dress up. So I don't bring much and then end up regretting my decision come Christmas Eve when the pub beckons.


Christmas Eve pub trips always stress me out. It is the one time of year - in my town, at least - that you can be guaranteed to bump into nearly everyone (you didn't want to!); exes (boyfs and friends), those girls who were in the "cool" group at school, friends who you've lost touch with (probably for a reason!), etc. I always feel an immense pressure to look good and have a good story of where I am and how incredibly successful I am now, no matter what the truth. So this year I have managed to bring precisely nothing with me in my little suitcase which might be even nearly suitable for such a trip. I might have to raid my sister's wardrobe - who, incidentally, does not have the hassle of having to come home for Christmas, as she only lives down the road.


Ok, rant over. Sorry. I feel like a grumpy old woman, or sound like one at any rate. Apologies. It was not intended, it just happened!


All shall be "merry and bright" from now on!

Debbie Harry: Looking good in a snood

For the last couple of days That's Not My Age has been sporting a hand-knitted Norwegian hat, with ear flaps, to keep out the cold - which looks chic in a slightly eccentric, Sigur Ros kind of way - but a trip to Camden has changed all that. The Being Blondie exhibition at Proud Galleries, London, features rare photographs by Brian Aris, including images of the totally gorgeous Debbie Harry in New York with Stephen Sprouse, in her back garden in Greenwich Village and in a snood, on a ferry off the coast of Scotland.

More glamorous than a bobble hat, no?

For more images and an interview with Brian Aris, check out BBC News




Would you wear the scarf/hood hybrid?

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

Stella loves That's Not My Age

Flicking through The Sunday Telegraph's Stella magazine over lunch, That's Not My Age nearly spat out a mouthful of Moroccan vegetable soup. Poor Mr TNMA, he doesn't get much attention these days, if I'm not on the blog I've got my head stuck inside a newspaper or magazine - even at the dinner table. But there was a good reason for my poor table manners, That's Not My Age has been name-checked in a national magazine! Stella's, '2009 The way we wore,' is a review of the year in fashion, from Balmain's Michael Jackson catwalk tribute to First lady fever, four fabulous pages of end-of-the-decade style moments. Teens vs grown-ups pitches younger models against seasoned supermodels, and Tavi vs That's Not My Age. Now these two bloggers have been mentioned in the same sentence before, but last time, I wrote it.

So in a piece of blatant self-promotion, I've scanned in the page for all to see. That's Not My Age, sitting right there next to Anna Wintour, and hopefully it won't be the last time!

More Dorothy Perkins excitement!!!

Another day and another post on Style Society! Check out my NYE outfit choice here. I think that I might have to invest in one of these power-sleeved dresses. Too good!