All grown up

A funny thing happened to That's Not My Age recently. There I was, minding my own business, when up popped the lovely Julia Darlington, 45, (immediately above) and our conversation went something like this:

Julia: 'I know you. Where are you from?'
Thinking Julia was a work contact from way back when, I proceeded to run through my CV...
JD (looking bored): 'No, I mean where are you from?'
TNMA: 'Er, Blackpool.'
JD: 'I used to live with you!'
TNMA (looking confused): 'Eh?'
JD: 'I used to live with you!'
TNMA (still confused): 'Where?"
JD: 'In Manchester.'
TNMA: 'Where?'
JD: 'The flat where you never paid any rent.....'

Now, I know my memory's not as good as it used to be, and I had been on the sherry, but I just didn't recognise this sophisticated lady. And she certainly didn't look like someone who'd live in an undergraduate squat . Obviously, I hadn't changed that much - apart from wrinkles and better clothes - I still look like a student. Anyway, we reminisced about Manchester; how much we loved cheap drinks at the student union bar - even when it was créme de menthe, backcombing our hair and making jersey tube skirts on the overlocker at college. Oh yes, we were that sophisticated.

So, fast-forward twenty-odd years, Julia is now buying director at Wallis - the top image is her favourite outfit from the S/S 2010 collection - and has worked for lots of big high street retailers, including M&S, French Connection and Habitat. Mrs Darlington (married, one kid) has her own ultra-modern office with an amazing view of the London skyline, crikey, I have a table in our spare room jammed next to an old bed we couldn't dismantle. Never one to miss an opportunity, I asked my very own retail expert what her secret is, and how to look grown-up, gorgeous and well-groomed.

Julia Darlington's style tips

1. Wear less black. This is probably the biggest change I've made. I wear softer neutrals, more colour and bolder prints.
2. Know your body. Mine has changed over the years which means I can wear more figure-hugging clothes - cleaner lines just look more elegant.
3. Accessorizing is important. I've grown up with fashion and still want to look contemporary but now I just take an element of a trend and make it work for me.
4. Look for clothes with the Martini factor - something you can wear any time, any place, anywhere.
5. Go to bed early! I'm in bed by 10pm these days, I can't do it any more (don't worry Julia I wasn't going to suggest a pint of snakebite and a kebab).

And here are some more of Julia's favourite things from Wallis:



The utility look. Now we know the military trend works for grown-ups but team khaki with sequins a la Balmain and we're talking double Martini factor.



The leather t-shirt. This may have a certain Tyrolean charm but sorry Julia, I'm not convinced. And thigh-skimming shorts were fine at the Hacienda in 1984 but today they're more créme de menthe than Martini, as in, I've got to the age when I have to say never again.


Do your clothes have the Martini factor?

Style Icon: Jackie Kennedy

She is undoubtedly the original First Lady of Fashion.

The wife of the 35th President of the United States, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassiss.

Both Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni have been compared to Jackie Kennedy however neither has managed to capture her innate sense of style.

Courturier and family friend Oleg Cassini was chosen to design the First Lady's wardrobe, a decision which proved pivotal, as all eyes fell on Jackie and she and the President toured the world.

Tragically widowed at the tender age of 34, Jackie Kennedy's style extended beyond the White House as she continued to be a style inspiration to women all over the world for decades afterwards.

If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.


Tell me, who is your style icon?

DISCOUNT TIME LADIES (AND GENTS)!!!

To claim your 10% off any orders at Temporary:Secretary enter the code SUGARANDSPICE at the checkout.


Temporary: Secretary have some absolutely gorgeous items and I know I'll be taking full advantage of the discount - something my bank balance will not thank me for, but whatever!!


Why not celebrate the release of Alice in Wonderland later this year with this gorgeous necklace?
 

Or what about this relevant necklace?
 

And this for your sweetheart, gents?

T&C's
- 10% off all items - including sales items
- Offer excludes P&P which will remain £2.95 for UK shoppers
- Offer can be used worldwide, both UK and international readers are welcome to use the discount
- Discount code is valid for 14 days


Come back next week for more great offers for all of you lovelies!

Penguins are officially my favourite animal...

After watching 50 First Dates (not for the first time) on TV one evening recently I fell in love (again) with penguins. I mean, how cute are they? The way they walk - waddle - gets me every time!


You might remember that I interviewed budding womenswear designer, Charlotte Taylor, earlier this year. So I was only too please to see Charlotte Taylor's first collection - entitled Harold and Barbara - which she launched at London Fashion Week this month.


Charlotte cites, as her inspirations, "trashy grannies, penguins, old soap operas, movies and the eccentric".


The collection - which is the first for the Charlotte Taylor label - is grown-up and yet captures an element of fun. It is made up of flirty, floaty dresses and flowing, hooded capes which look both tailored and warm. The contrast between the tweed and silk is inspired!


Here are a few of my favourite photos from the Lookbook:

I love the cape in the first photo (top left) and obviously the dress in the final photo (bottom right) but would love just to be able to get my hands on one of the penguin print scarves (worn as a handband in the photo, bottom left).


To see more of Charlotte's collection, check out her blog here.


Which is your favourite piece?


I'd also like to take this opportunity to say, congratulations to Charlotte! Sorry I couldn't make it to London but do hope that all went well!


More soon. Love, SG

In the army now

A little tripette to London Fashion week tells me that military chic is on the march. Stylist, Mouchette Bell (over 40), wears a distressed combat jacket casually layered over an old sheepskin and topped off with an ear-warming hat. Love, love, love this outfit and the way Ms Bell has nonchalantly piled on the fluorescent Erickson Beamon necklaces - how very A/W 2010.



Clooney with a camera? No, this is Wayne Tippetts, 51, photojournalist for 25 years and a very charming man. Check out his fabulous website, Street Style Aesthetic.



And, because one of my colleagues says, 'Two's company, three's a trend,' here's a gorgeous military dress from Celine's S/S 2010 collection for your delectation.

Fashion tip: Head-to-toe khaki can look a bit Tenko. Make like Mouchette Bell and mix it up.

Photos
London Fashion Week: Fashionistable
Celine: style.com

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up: Sonia Rykiel pour H&M

Saturday saw the launch of the Sonia Rykiel pour H&M collection.

I had my mum to stay this weekend so we thought we'd take a leisurely stroll into town on Saturday and obviously stopped at H&M on the way.

There were some absolutely gorgeous things in the collection and I could have bought loads but was really good and just bought the jumper below. Isn't it so very French chic? I love it!

Oh yes, and my fringe that you've not seen yet! What do you think?


I hope you all had lovely weekends. More soon. Love, SG

How to... shop till you drop and still "be green":

Clearly I was ahead of the times...


Earlier this month Dame Vivienne Westwood urged BBC Radio London listeners to stop shopping for six months in order to avoid unnecessary waste.


London Mayor Boris Johnson has launched his climate change for London campaign with a number of stars, including Westwood, lending their voices and support to the cause.


Well, Dame Vivienne and Mr Johnson, I'm one step ahead of you - I already gave up shopping for six months! It was not easy. But it is certainly possible. You can read about how I got on here.


If you don't think you can manage six months, or, like me, have done your six months of no shopping, what next? It's all very well not buying anything for half a year but what about the other half of the year. Do you suddenly forget all of those noble 'green' reasons you gave up shopping in the first place? (NB - not sure my reasons were ever very noble or green but whatever - I did it!)


Well, you can still shop and "be green". I think.


Dame Vivienne Westwood advises that people shouldn't buy clothes unless they absolutely had to and that then that shoppers should only invest in quality pieces that would last.


That's the first step. Only buy what you absolutely need. This might be a little restricting, particularly in the beginning. So why not allow yourself one frivolous piece a month whilst you wean yourself off the shopping bug. That way you have to really think about what you buy and will hopefully choose something you really want, as opposed to something you think you want or want for that moment!


You should also - obviously - be allowed to replace items. Say your favourite, much loved and, therefore, much worn pair of jeans develops a hole in crotch, say, you have my permission to buy a new pair! But if, say, I button falls off a shirt or a dress, sew it back on! I've even been known to sew up holes in the toes of tights, particularly the pretty patterned ones I own. (I just make sure not to wear them with peep toes!!)


I don't know many women who feel that they have everything they "need" in their wardrobes. So, if this is you, make a list of the absolute essentials that you feel your wardrobe is lacking and when you go shopping, take this with you. This should then act as a guide.


Of course, charity shops and vintage shops are - technically - ethical. But that doesn't mean you should go mad. If you don't absolutely love the item, don't buy it for the sake of it or just because it is "green" to do so. It won't be if it just ends up sitting in your wardrobe until your next clear-out! Plus, there might be someone else looking for that exact piece who will love and wear it.


In summary (because I think I have waffled on a bit here!):


Ask yourself these questions when you're considering buying a "new" item:


Do I need it?


Do I love it?


Will it go with the other items in my wardrobe? (If you have to buy new shoes etc to wear it, don't buy it!)


Will it last? (I.e. is it well made and will it still work next season?)


If you answer yes to all of these - go on, treat yourself!!


For further reading, check out Style Eye's post and Vogue's article.


In other reading, for the weekend, why not check out twentyteneightyfour's post “It’s not about fashion, it’s about style.” Which might also help you to realise that it's not all about the latest fashions.

Blogger's wrist

That's Not My Age has been carrying an injury for some time now, I'm calling it Blogger's Wrist, otherwise known as Repetitive Strain Injury which can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. According to the NHS website, most cases (of CTS) develop in people who are between 45 - 64 years of age, and left untreated it may lead to permanent nerve damage. Yikes. So, I'm under doctor's orders to take three anti-inflammatory pills a day, (Diclofenac Potassium, if you must know), with or after food - but I keep forgetting the lunchtime dose - and to rest. Now, you may have noticed that my blogs have become a bit shorter recently but I don't think that's what my GP meant.

In case you're wondering whether or not you have it too, Blogger's Wrist is quite easy to recognise; very sore tendons in the wrist and hand, particularly around the thumb area, shooting pains up the arm, aching elbow, numbness and throbbing caused by obssessive blogging and overuse of the mouse and keyboard. So yesterday, my fabulous acupuncturist whose usual role is to sort out my snotty sinuses stuck a few extra needles in my hand and gave me a special arm massage. If you live in London, I highly recommend The Traditional Acupuncture Centre, the practitioners are fantastic and friendly, and it's on Roupell Street, home of Konditor & Cook, the best cake shop in town. Which sells, "The sort of cakes you'd bake yourself if only you had the time energy or inclination," or so says Nigella Lawson. This is their famous curly whirly cake but it's the muffins, brownies and olive foccacia that keep calling to me on my way to the bus stop:



Fabulous acupuncturist used Weleda Massage Balm with Arnica for the special arm massage, it contains lavender and rosemary too, and smells lovely. So I went straight out and bought some, after eating my spinach and cream cheese muffin. I tried to get Mr That's Not My Age to give me another massage last night (of the wrist area, please!) but he says he's not qualified, and he doesn't want to cause further damage and ruin my blogging career. Actually, I think he's still sulking over my previous blog post but more of that later.



And physio friend, who I only seem to contact when I'm having a physical breakdown has recommended rest, massage, gentle stretching, moist heat and a splint. I'll get back to you on the gentle stretching, when I've found out what it is, I have been wearing a Neoprene wrist support pulled extra-tight to stabilize the wobbly hand, but it's not a splint, and after about five minutes I get pins and needles and have to take it off. Not sure that doctor/ acupuncturist/physio would approve.

Photographer friend suffering from Snapper's Wrist has invested in a proper splint which is the same colour as a sticking plaster, and works a treat. He also recommends bromelain, which according to wikipedia is an 'anti-inflammatory agent and can be used for sports injury, trauma and arthritis.'

So I will report back on any improvements, and offer further advice on easing the pain of Blogger's Wrist - in the meantime, is anyone else out there suffering for their blog? And do you have any tips you'd like to share?

I'm also searching for a super-low wrist rest to use with the wireless, low-profile iMac keyboard? But I can't find anything suitable. Any suggestions?


And now I'm off to rest my aching hand and try to procure a special massage.



Photos

Arms, Edward Steichen
Weleda Massage Balm: Weleda

And the winners are...

*Drum roll, please*


The Glamourous Grad Student


Claire of A View From Here


And...


Hannah (Steele)


I will be contacting winners for their choice of size and colour and an address to send the shoes to but if you are one of the winners and you see this before I do, please send me those details and I'll get them sent out asap!!


Well done!


And for everyone who didn't win this time, watch out for another giveaway coming to you very very soon!


Love, SG

Links à la Mode: 18 February 2010

 

Style vs Fashion

Edited by Retro Chick


With the Fashion Week season in full swing and Fashion Pulse Daily live blogging from the IFB conference it can be easy to forget that there are other things going on in the world, where real women are shopping and dressing for real occasions.


There were actually surprisingly few Fashion Week oriented posts submitted this week. Possibly the Fashion Week attendees are still too busy to partake in Links á la Mode, but what I did find was a lot of posts focused on fashion, style and image in the real world. A Typical Atypical calls for a low fashion revolution and Idiosyncratic Style urges you to bring out your cocktail frocks for every day. Meanwhile, in the body image arena Intrinsically Florrie learns to love her specs, Sugar & Spice discusses tanning and Mariels Castle weighs in (see what I did there?) on the body size debate.


It would be impossible to leave this weeks links without mentioning the untimely and incredibly sad death of Alexander McQueen. There were posts submitted on this issue but I made the decision not to include them, not because they were bad, but because I felt that if I included one persons post I would need to include them all. There has been so much personal reflection on the life and designs of this amazing man in the fashion blogging world that to choose a small selection seemed impossible. If you would like to read these posts then, as ever, the full list of submissions is available in the forums.

Links à la Mode: February 18th

• A Typical Atypical – What girls really want to read about, and why fashion bloggers are changing the face of fashion
• Bonne Vie – Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Inspiration: What you borrow from another culture when it comes to wardrobe should be thoughtful
• Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Dear New Look; it’s over!
• Eternal Masquerade – Covering the Parallels Between Our Current Winter Wonderland and Under the Sea Fashions
• Fashion Pulse Daily – Fashion Pulse Daily blogs live from the Future of Fashion Blogging panel during IFB’s Evolving influence conference this week!
• Hot Beauty Health – Ready for Spring? Here are 9 Big Beauty Trends for Spring 2010!
• Idiosyncratic Style – Fashion Dare – Let your party frocks come out and play!
• Intrinsically Florrie – Making a spectacle of oneself: learning to love glasses and finding the right pair
• Mariels Castle – It’s not about been skinny or fat its about being healthy!
• Retro Chick – Love, Lust & Burlesque with the Bridewell Collective
• SFindiefashion.com – Spring comes early to Golden Gate Park. Showcase of spring 2010 looks from San Francisco designers.
• Stacie Blair – Show your Olympic spirit with fashionable gear from Aritzia!
• Style Eyes – The dilemma of a fashion blogger and why I’m taking Dame Vivienne Westwoods advice to stop shopping
• Style Symmetry – Fashion Blogger Interview Kingdom of Style’s Queen Michelle
• Sugar and spice and all things nice – Discussing the dangers of tanning and why the only safe tan is one from a bottle!!
• The Clothing Menu – interview with independent jewelry and clothing designer, Norwegian Wood
• The Fashion Planner – The Fashion Planner is hosting an eUndies.com Giveaway!
• The Very Subjective – very subjective (and therefore – very true) observations about style do’s and do not’s.
• Thread Style – Heel-wearing fashionistas also can be feminists.
• twentyteneightyfour – My thoughts on style vs fashion and how our appetite for fashion blogs is part of our quest for style
• ventures of jenn – The Great Vintage Debate: the ‘price’ of vintage both within and outside of the western world and what it really means.

On days like this... I wish I was in London!

Cardiff is a capital city, why can't we have the same fun as London?

Check out the fun you can have if you're in London over the weekend. Highly recommend popping into Topshop's flagship store on Oxford Circus to join in the fun and games!

There's even a how to blog workshop taking place!

I've been hearing lots of good things about WAH nails recently and now, here they are, at Topshop's 'LFW week of fun' (as I am now calling it!!).

I love these nails below. They do some pretty amazing designs but to be honest I think they look great on some people but I'm never sure I really pull them off, so tend to go for more subdued designs. You can check out more of their designs on their blog, here.

If anyone is in London this weekend, for LFW or any other reason, have a good one!


More soon. Much love, SG

Style Icon: Michelle Obama

The world's eyes were on her husband following his historic win at the polls in the American Presidential election in 2008 but Michelle Obama is no wallflower and has certainly not hidden behind her husband's shadow.


She never gets it wrong, whether it is a Presidential Ball, the school run or a state visit.


If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.


Tell me, who is your style icon?

Your purse is on fire!

Apart from Peter Kay, the only other thing That's Not My Age liked about the Brits was Jay-Z's leather jacket. Now, it's not often I'm sartorially inspired by a hip hop artist - but regular readers will know that I do occasionally dabble in a bit of rock chickery, so it was only a matter of time before a grown-up biker jacket - surely that's a luxe leather in fashion terminology? - made its way to the top of my wish list. And this Rick Owens' Luxe Leather (ROLL) from Net-a Porter is so gorgeous, I would sell Mr That's Not My Age to buy one. Actually, I wouldn't, I'm just feeling a bit giddy because the ROLL is practically identical to Mr S. Carter's jacket, don't you think? Anyway, my new biker jacket will replace the one I bought from Affleck's Palace in the mid-eighties which, like countless brain cells and collagen, I've lost somewhere along the way. Now, I just need to figure out where I'm going to find that spare grand. It's a hard knock life.



What would you buy if you had more money than Liam Gallagher (knobhead!)?



Jay-Z photo: AP Photo

Come Out To Play...?

Playsuits.


I have never really been much of a fan, if I'm honest. Some people manage to pull them off but they never really appealed to me.


Until now.


I spotted this little beauty on the Dorothy Perkins site earlier today. I love it and think it would be perfect for a summer picnic or even for work with a pair of smart pumps.

Having discovered that I do like playsuits afterall I decided to have a quick look for any others that I might like. I found two others:

This one from Topshop:

And this one from asos:

What are your thoughts/feelings on playsuits?


More soon. Love, SG

Fashion icon and Body Image Season

It is not even lunchtime and I have posted my monthly column for British Style Bloggers.


You can read all about it here!


Tell me what you think?

Lemon and sugar

Nothing else quite tastes so good.

What are you having on your pancakes today?

Quote of the week: Mamy Rock

The 69-year old DJ and That's Not My Age regular, who says, 'I'd rather sign a contract with a record company than sign-up for a nursing home,' is playing at my next big birthday party, alright?

What do you think's on Mamy Rock's playlist?




PS Thanks to Advanced Style for drawing my attention to the fabulous photo gallery at www.mamyrock.com.

It might not be Smythsons...

So yesterday I had a little splurge in Paperchase. I love that shop! Here are my purchases; a diary (to create a scrapbook journal), heart stickers and two pens (write in said diary!).

Stationary shopping is always so much fun.

And I thought I would also show the sunglasses case that I bought during a little shopping trip on Saturday. A bargainous £5 from Topshop! Vg.

La belle Paris

Yesterday - whilst also being Valentine's Day - was three months until I go to Paris!!!!


I am so very excited.


I went to Paris for the first time last summer and loved it. So when the opportunity to go again arose, I jumped at it.


By way of explanation. When I lived in Italy, my roommate - Cecile - was a girl from Strasbourg. We were like sisters by the end of the experience but the distance makes it difficult to see each other very often. I last saw her when I was in Strasbourg for a week during my internship at the European Parliament in Brussels in 2007. We decided that it had been too long so I suggested Paris! We will be joined by another friend - Steph - who was in Italy with us. Steph actually lives in the UK, so I see Steph every few months. In fact, I saw her yesterday - as fate would have it. We celebrated Valentine's Day together with a beautifully romantic walk at dusk over the barrage in Cardiff Bay - arm-in-arm. (Photos to follow!)


I can't wait to see the beautiful city again and this time, to take my beloved camera with me.


In my research for the trip I came across a couple of blogs which I thought I would share with you:


God, I love Paris - is written by an American girl now living in the French capital.


Paris Daily Photo - features a photo a day of the city - surprisingly! But they are always beautiful and inspiring. Love.


Paris Breakfasts - another American in Paris - this one is obsessed with macarons - I love it!!


I have no idea what we will do for our 48 hours in the city. As I have already been once and made the effort to do all of the tourist things, I don't feel the pressure to rush around this time. Cecile has been to Paris often, so it will be nice to go with someone who knows the place a little.


I will try to put together a Guide to Paris on a Shoestring for the blog when I return. Which I will accompany with some photos from the trip!


For now, any tips, hints or recommendations that you have would be greatly appreciated!!


Merci beaucoup!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is celebrated simply in our house. With a card and a kiss. (I did also get a lovely bottle of perfume - thank you very much!!)


Speaking of kisses, I just happened upon a lovely series of photographs by Brian Harris, entitled, Kiss. Brian Harris has been a professional photographer for many decades and his portfolio contains a huge variety of subjects, from graves and whisky campaigns to Eastern Europe and embracing couples.


I thought that the photo below was perfect for Valentine's Day:

Kiss in Paris, Brian Harris

You can check out more photographs by Brian Harris, including the other photos in this series, here. (A quick thank you to Brian for his permission to post this beautiful photo on my blog)

Happy Valentine's Day blog readers.

Much love, SG

PS Remember to enter my first giveaway for your chance to win one of three pairs of Butterfly Twists!!

"I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address"

There is something about brand new stationary that is so delightful. This afternoon I took a fantasy shopping trip to Smythson. I dream that one day I might be able to afford some personalised correspondence cards from Smythson. The dream would be Name-Engraved Correspondence Cards with a stiletto motif on a white card with blue ink. How gorgeous is the motif (below)? However, a set of 50 cards would cost me £354.00. Ouch.

But the personalised cards aren't the only thing on my fantasy shopping list today. When money is no object, why stop there, afterall!?


The 'Happiness Is Shopping' pocket notebook is, of course, a must:

And what about the topically named 'Recessionista' pocket notebook?

Maybe the Red Stiletto Shoe Motif ready-to-write Correspondence Cards are more affordable at £30 for 10:

Naturally, if anyone wants to spoil me...!!!


Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend. I've just watched in amazement at Wales have won their Six Nations match against Scotland in the Welsh capital!


More soon. Love, SG

To Spring: 10 things I like about... Spring!

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down

Through the clear windows of the morning, turn

Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,

Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell one another, and the listening

Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn’d

Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth

And let thy holy feet visit our clime!

Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds

Kiss thy perfumèd garments; let us taste

Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls

Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour

Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put

Thy golden crown upon her languish’d head,

Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.

(William Blake, 1783)

I am fed up with the cold weather now. Snow is fun but relentless cold is tiring after a while. I'm bored of tights and boots and knitwear.

I thought I would put together the 10 things I am looking forward to most about Spring in the hope that it might make me feel a bit better.

1. Warmer weather. Obviously.

2. Longer days. Lighter evenings.

3. No need for hats and scarves and gloves (and tights).

4. Pancake Day (next week!!) and Easter eggs!

5. New spring summer collections which make me dream of summer holidays.

6. My birthday is approaching!

7. Blooming flowers and blossoms.

8. The beautiful light. Perfect for amazing photographs.

9. Another Sex and the City film is in the offing!!

10. Summer will soon follow spring.

What are you looking forward to about spring?

That's Not My Age

Age is a funny thing. I spent my 39th year worrying about being forty and single, no kids, no house, no pension plan. I'd often pretend to be 35-years old, that was my showbiz age, and for a while I could get away with it. But then forty came along, and so did Mr That's Not My Age and I realised it wasn't such a big deal. I felt exactly the same on my 40th birthday as I did the day before, nothing had changed. So, before I get all sentimental, I'm going to tell you about Bob & Roberta Smith - bear with me, this is just one person - the artist Patrick Brill, 47, a man who doesn't take himself or the ageing process too seriously.




This is his time machine. Which is wind-generated, and like HG Wells' prototype is basically a chair (in the middle), with a rickety wooden windmill built around it. But don't be fooled by its makeshift appearance, like Botox, the machine has the abilty to increase or decrease your age.



Bob & Roberta also plays in two bands, The Apathy Band and The Ken Ardley Playboys, and admits that this in itself can feel a bit like time travel, 'When you're in a band, on-stage, it can make you think you're younger but people in the audience look at you and think you're older.' Mr Brill-Smith insists that the rock 'n' roll side of his work isn't a mid-life crisis, after all he's been playing for years and like The Rolling Stones is going to continue until well after he's started collecting his pension,' I'm quite keen to carry on. When the other band members die off, I'll replace them with younger people - like George our drummer who's thirty.'

So, does the ageing process bother B&R? ' Well, I've always felt a bit middle-aged,' he says, 'I suppose it's all about potential talent. When you're young you have it. When you're in your forties, you don't. You're just talentless and old.'

The rocker with the Dr Who tendencies admits that he's recently started playing the piano and drums so that he can sit down, it takes a lot of energy to maintain this level of creative output but, 'Not as much energy as the audience need to sit through it!'




What age would you use the machine to travel to?


Bob & Roberta's factory outlet is on at Beaconsfield gallery until 21 February - and there's also a café, the Ragged Canteen which sells very nice coffee and cakes.