If 50 is the new 40 does that make me 38?
Well for those of you not there yet let me tell you for one thing I keep having to remind myself of my actual age! And listening to other women over 40 I hear the same sentiment.
It’s weird to feel so much younger than my years especially because as a kid I always felt older than I was. Being the first born of 3 & having divorced parents I fell naturally into taking care of my younger siblings. Later at 16 I started work then was driving a car at 17 & by 19 had moved out into a flat! All this amounted to a lot of day to day grown up responsibilities that frankly made me feel like a proper adult.
I’m not really sure when I began to notice it reversing, how little I knew, how much I yearned to see & do, perhaps it was when I started having babies? I don’t know however I do remember my 40th birthday being quite a shock, not shock horror more like “wait, what?”
It is particularly common these days for women over 40 to look, feel & most importantly, behave a lot younger than their years & thank goodness for that! Who wants to go back to the days of blue rinse hair sets eeh gad! When I was an apprentice hairdresser I used to do those awful old lady hairdo’s on women who were the same age as I am now!
More & more of us older girls are taking up new careers & setting exciting uncharted goals. Some of us are even tackling new technology to expand our horizons whilst keeping our brains sharp & on point!
Many a modern woman is bearing children in her late 30’s even 40’s confident of keeping fit & healthy into our 50’s & 60’s as our babies grow into young adults. True being an “older Mum” is not so rare any more, we are many hear us ROAR!
There you have it we style ourselves younger, we definitely take better care of our health too so probably education & science have contributed to that. Don’t smoke, don’t get sunburned, eat lots of fruit & veg- tick tick & tick.
What about the cosmetic science? I’m not talking about moisturizers that supposedly reduce wrinkles & turn back the clock because we all know that’s a load of nonsense. On that for a moment- does anyone else resent those cosmetic companies that advertise to US using models half OUR age? Bloody cheek of it! Not only do they blatantly lie about what their products can achieve but they misrepresent the very demographic they’re selling to! Don’t they get it we’re not only older, we’re smarter & more experienced too? Steps down from soap box & exhales…
Nope none of that old rubbish, I’m talkin’ chemical peels, botox & fillers. Otherwise known as non-surgical treatments.
These can successfully be used cleverly & sparingly to maintain a youthful appearance. Last year I had a chemical peel to reduce a large patch of pigmentation on my face & although I wouldn’t say I’m wrinkly it did soften the fine lines around my eyes too. RESULT!
Yes it hurt a bit at the time of application but that only lasted 15 minutes. The healing time of 2 weeks was a little inconvenient although we still had friends around for dinner during that time so it couldn’t have been too bad. Admittedly the husbands were a tad confused & curious but the women just behaved as usual & the kids barely even noticed!
Don’t get me wrong I definitely advocate “growing old gracefully” & most certainly don’t ever want the scary wind tunnel look on my face however I feel a long way off “old” & I’m impressed with the new subtle techniques being applied these days. I’ll absolutely be up for giving it a go sooner or later, stay tuned & I’ll let you watch (wink)
Until then It’s colouring my greys out & staying well away from frumpy clothes. Speaking of which….
Frumpy? This outfit most certainly is not…
Obviously you’ve heard of Finery London, fabulous design for remarkably reasonable prices but not on the high street, this brand is online only.
I signed up to their newsletter & had put various items in my cart but hadn’t actually made a purchase until lo & behold they sent me a £15 voucher to spend. An enticing promotion because it included sale items. Now that is different!
So naturally I did finally buy a thing… or two – clever people aren’t they?
The Empson Camofleur dress caught my eye for the interesting darts at the neckline & the trumpet shaped sleeves but I also loved the royal blue versus tangerine contrast. I’d be remiss not to mention the really lovely attention to detail in packaging & super fast delivery time from Finery London.
When the dress arrived I immediately knew I wanted orange shoes to go with it but couldn’t find any anywhere so I turned my search to second-hand options. I found these platform peep-toe suede pumps by Whistles from a second-hand website called Twicely. Unworn & in their original box they were a snip of the retail price & the tangerine was a perfect match – job done!
In conclusion 48 feels pretty good actually & 50 doesn’t sound scary at all
In fact it sounds exactly like a stonking big party in a Villa in Tuscany!
I for one am not about to SLOW down there is way too much of life I’ve yet to experience. Also I have a lot of work to do to get RetroChicMama to the top of her game.
Have you started a new career? Or do you have big dreams to chase? Are you having your babies later in life & if so how are you finding that? Tell me everything, I want to hear it all!
Shop my outfit
- Dress – Finery London
- Shoes – by Whistles from Twicely
- Nails – OPI Blue My Mind
Thanks for sharing my 48th Birthday,
Love, Mx
Comments ( 24 )
Amy
Happy Birthday you gorgeous woman! I LOVE THOSE SHOES!!! xx
retrochicmama
Thanks Amy, you’re pretty hot yourself!;-) xxx
Trudi Coyne
Happy Birthday lovely lady. I love your blog .I got beautiful earrings from The Finery with £15.00 discount so am with you in your delight for it. I unfortunately don’t have your slim figure so have not tried their clothes yet.
I think 45-55 is a tricky age. I recently met up with a girl I studied with and most of our conversation was about being able to dress in Topshop etc which our mothers would never have contemplated!
You look always look fabulous and am delighted you don’t get paid by a particular brand or don’t pretend you just love something that you have been given to promote.
I find it difficult to enjoy blogs that you know are heavily funded by a variety of companies but refer to items as old to try and make it look like they have spend very little.
Did you have a particular facial peel and where did you have it done.
I’m happy to give you personal email if that is easier.
Keep young and enjoy life.
retrochicmama
Thank you so much for this massive vote of confidence Trudi, I do so appreciate it!
I think Finery has a couple of interesting pieces that would suit any size although probably styled differently to their catalogue. They make it pretty easy to return so why don’t you buy a few things to try at home? Let me know if you want a second opinion.
The peel I had is the popular TCA (trichloroacetic acid) it can be anything from a very light, gentle peel to a deeper one for dark pigmentation such as I had. After thoroughly researching I decided to go to H&H Cosmetics & am very happy with the result. You probably know this but it’s worth mentioning that anywhere you go should give you a thoroughly detailed consult on a separate day before you decide to go ahead with the treatment.
Let me know how you get on xxx
Michelle
Apologies if this rocks up twice, I thought I’d already commented!
First things first happy birthday to you, that dress is incredible – perfect to have a birthday in!
And I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment of this – I’m not sure I’ll ever feel like a ‘grown up’. And in so many ways that’s quite a nice thing isn’t it? I changed careers last year and it was nowhere near as difficult or challenging as I expected, I often feel very fortunate that we live in a time where that’s the case. That women can wait until later to choose career paths or change them, to choose families – it all means we don’t have to grow up so soon!
Oh and there are not enough superlatives in the world for those shoes. Be still my beating bedroom floor.
M x
retrochicmama
I also often think about the women in our past who paved the way for us, some of them with their lives. It’s incredible to me that women weren’t “allowed” to vote 100 years ago but worse still is this continues in many countries today! I always get annoyed around election time when I hear women not going to the polls, we shouldn’t forget how much was sacrificed for us & how important it is to use our collective VOICE.
Plus we can also wear bright orange high heels if we want to!!!
xxx
Emily Condon
Happy birthday and well done. It’s wonderful that there is such a supportive online community of 40 something women, encouraging and building up each other. I would totally wear that outfit (I also turned 48 this year) and you look fabulous in it! So far it’s been an up and down year; some of the aging things are surprising me, but like you, I feel younger…until my lower back reminds me I did too much or I can’t read the tiny print. One thing I am doing is slowing down to be in the moment more. I quit my corporate executive job to take an indefinite sabatical so I could BE. I am thankful for every day and the new experiences each day brings and that those experiences don’t involve a commute, an office or staff. 🙂
Keep up the great work and have the most blessed birthday yet!
retrochicmama
Hi Emily, lovely to meet you & thank you so much for saying that!
I do know what you mean about slowing down to “BE” that’s something I also keep reminding myself. I just don’t want life to whizz by me so it is important to take the time to notice stuff isn’t it? When people wish for the weekend on a monday or start talking about Christmas in October, I cringe a little – please don’t wish your life away! – I think.
I’m really happy for you taking a sabbatical & curious to hear your plans, will you be taking up a new adventure of some kind? Do keep me posted won’t you? xxx
The Stylopedia
OMG. That dress is MAGNIFICENT! I love it, I love the blue nail polish, and the orange shoes. Super post, and happy happy birthday to you. I’m so glad I got to see you on it! xx
retrochicmama
Aww thanks Lisa that’s really kind. I had a ball meeting you, almost forgot to collect my kids from school! HAhaha whoops.
xxx
Dawn Lucy (@FashShouldBFun)
What a great outfit. Love the orange and blue! So chic! And yeah, I’m 49 and I don’t know where the years have gone. I don’t feel that old! We’re looking’ good, Girl!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
retrochicmama
Thanks gorgeous, back at ya! 😉 xxx
Petite Silver Vixen
As someone who loves colour that dress is right up my street! It’s like a modern art painting it’s so vivid. And the style is just that little bit different from the high street which is great. And fabulous to team it with the tangerine. Happy Birthday to you. I’m slightly older it’ll be my 50 next year – gulp. 40 was no big deal for me but 50 seems huge! But I couldn’t agree more with you about everything in this post especially the cosmetic companies!
retrochicmama
Yes it is interesting that you say that about 50. I have wondered if I’ll feel differently when it arrives, we’ll soon see 😉 That’s the thing I guess, time moves on whether you like it or not! May as well embrace it hey? Thanks for the birthday wishes, hope to hear from you again xxx
samantha
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
retrochicmama
Thaaaaaaaaank Youuuuuuuuu Sammmmyyyyyy!!! 😉
xxx
C Cole
Happy Birthday- love the shoes. I gave up s secure job at 48 to do an EngD. At 52 became Dr of Engineering – always challenge the views of the last generation. My mother would never have had the opportunities I have had xx
retrochicmama
I’m floored by what you just said! What you’ve done is incredible woman – Bravo!
I think you’re right, we should try to keep pushing the boundaries of the previous generation it’s the only way we’ll ever be truly “equal” to men. I also think it’s important to support the few women who are there now because it can’t be an easy place to be.
Thank you for the birthday wishes Crissy, it’s lovely to see you here- pop back any time xxx
Keit
Honestly you look younger and hotter than most of my 20 something girlfriends, so excuuuuse me, but if I look like you when I am 48 I’d be all: “the whole world can go and kiss my feet!” 😀 But I would probably be all dried out like a raisin! 🙁 What is your secreeeeettt?
Seriously though, happy belated birthday lovely lady! Thank you for being there and stalking my bloggy, it means a lot to me! I wish you everything that makes you happy and more! ^_^
Also, wooohoooo, that dress is so fancy and luxurious O_O
retrochicmama
Hahaha you crack me up Keit! Which is the reason I keep stalking you – you funny bugger kiss kiss kiss
Abby
Happy belated birthday! You look gorgeous and the combination of mini and colour suits you perfectly! Love the layout of your blog. Me too, I’ve done everything from scratch, so I know how hard it is. There aren’t many bloggers over 40 so Im happy I’ve stumbled upon your site. Say hello from to Sydney (I miss it a lot, especially with the kind of weather we heave recently).
Abby
retrochicmama
Hi Abby, nice to meet you too! Wow you started from scratch too I just popped over to your Blog, it’s amazing! Defo stay in touch x
p.s. I live in London, I’m from Sydney originally but I’ve lived here off & on since I was 20 & now I’m a legit cit 😉
milamtracy
Your site layout is really great, super easy to read and peek through. Great legs sister, you look amazing!
retrochicmama
Thank you that’s so great to hear, I know I’ve still got a lot of work to do on it – every day is something new as well as shooting, writing & editing – but I love the steep learning curve, always got off on on challenge me 😉
I’m so pleased you’re moving your blog to a self hosted site, that’s wicked & so is your blog! I love the whole concept of turning your life around, it’s easy just to go with the flow but to make a change…well there’s a challenge BRAVO you! x