Hello again
I’m back again with the last thoughts on 2023 with a couple more of my best buys, some of the makeup I have discovered in 2023, health and wellness and finally my thoughts on the state of the world and politics.
Here are more of my buys last year. I do love a linen frock but oh my word that pic reminds me I had a meltdown about my short hair. It was too short. Thankfully the hair has grown! Actually I’m seriously thinking of getting some colour back on my hair. What do you think? It took me over two years to grow the hair out. But you know, what with these grey cold days and the virus which has laid me low I’d really like to warm my look up. Not sure though – some advice would be so welcome!
And I know, I know, you’ve seen this red coat twice before, but I can’t resist it. I just adore coats and this one I am in love with. As soon as we are well enough this will be worn up to London.
Now to makeup. I discovered a really amazing foundation – it’s South Korean and the brand is Erborian. It’s their CC creme, which is also described as their High Definition Radiance Face Cream. Unfortunately they only have 3 shades (I use the lightest which is Clair) and at first I was rather astonished to find that the cream is white. But I find it amazingly unlike a foundation and the CC part of it just blends into my skin so I appear to not have any makeup on at all which is something I really like. I higher recommend it.
I also found that a very inexpensive (UK) brand called Rimmel has really great eye shadows and mascara. I’m smitten and don’t intend to buy any more of the expensive eye makeup that I have been buying for some time. Btw, as I like to be frugal, but often am not, I also highly recommend the very reasonably priced Boots No 7 moisturisers. So my resolution to myself is that I am going to continue with these cheaper brands, which are just as good as the far more expensive brands, and just as effective.
Health and well-being. Hmm. Still coughing but so much better. Got my mole removed on Wednesday and have a small plaster on it so there won’t be much of a scar. Fingers crossed re: the lab results – will let you know. But do take heed of my advice – get your skin checked regularly as the Mole Clinic nurse wasn’t worried about my mole on my previous appointment but was with this one.
I’ve just listened to a well known broadcaster, Dr Michael Moseley, and his podcast on Inflammation and Ageing. As you know I want to punch ill-health and ageing in the face. But a more sensible path to take is to follow some of Dr Moseley’s advice.
In this podcast Moseley interviewed, Janet Lord who is Professor Immune Cell Biology at the Institute for Inflammation and Ageing at Birmingham University. Inflammation she argued was THE key factor behind age related disease and she gave five pointers to reduce inflammation in our aging bodies.
Her first point was that ‘sitting is the new smoking’. Never sit for longer than an hour. Hmm, while I absolutely agree with her and will take this on, I think she needs to have a word with film directors and producers who are making these extraordinarily long films, several clocking up to near or even more than three hours. Other than being in the cinema she suggests that if you have a desk job or, like me, someone who sits and writes for some hours, set a timer on your phone and get up every hour. And, obviously, she says don’t become a couch potato sitting watching daytime telly. I say that as all I did for around 2 weeks in December was sit on my sofa and do exactly that – that is so not me!
Restrict your eating was her second piece of advice. By that she meant eat slightly less calories through either fasting for one whole day (which I don’t do) or Intermittent Fasting, which is restricting your eating hours between 10 hours and fasting for 14 (which I faithfully do every day). This type of fasting gives your body time to get over the digestion process and take up anti-inflammatory activity and Professor Lord gave examples of research that showed restricting eating extends life considerably. And you know it was something it worked for me with my hip pain, which is no longer after I began IF.
Exercise! And by that she meant mainly walking and upping ones steps to over 10,000 steps. She cited research that showed those who walked less than 3,000 had many markers for inflammation, those who walked between 5-7,000 steps had half of those markers and those who walked over 10,000 had no markers for inflammation. I usually walk between 5-7000 daily so will aim to up those steps when I am fully recovered.
Reduce stress. And by that she meant any kind of stress, but they both gave some positive advice that for starters maintaining a good social life was key to ageing well. Dr Moseley also spoke of reducing his stress through deep breathing using the 4-2-4 method. breathe. That’s breathe in for 4 breaths, hold for 2 breaths and breathe out for 4. Doing that for 2 minutes lowers blood pressure significantly.
And finally, eat a Mediterranean diet of mostly vegetables with fish and maybe chicken once a week, and eating meat hardly at all. We certainly do that having meat only every other week and fish or chicken every two to three days with vegetarian meals, in between with added pulses. Berries and nuts were also excellent additions to this diet. What one is after is a good diverse microbiome and personally I’m still contemplating taking up the Zoe programme, but the expense of it does rather put me off.
I really like this advice, which is simple and not that difficult to follow. And yet I reflected on how very 1st world this advice was. How would I be able to do all this in a war situation? Think of being in the midst of the horrors happening in Gaza and Ukraine. Indeed how would I have fared with the ghastly cough virus as a refugee? Or someone moved from pillar to post, as in, ‘move south away from the north’, ‘oh, let’s bomb the south as well’. Yes, I can follow their advice, but can people in that situation? No. So I am eternally grateful for living where I am. And yet, and yet, I don’t think we should turn our attention away from the horror and try to forget what is going on right now in this world. We need to look and be aware because to turn away is to be complicit, instead we should be horrified and bear witness to the deeds that are being done.
These btw are just my thoughts, I am not doing a well-researched context driven piece of writing. I’ve read and printed out countless articles on all and sundry and I’m rather overwhelmed by them. Instead I do recommend the podcast The Rest is Politics where the two political pundits Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell keep us all up to date and reasonably in touch with the world’s ills.
OK, this, apparently, according to the two above, is the year of elections of which two are in the UK and the US. One of these has a definite date (the US) and the second (the UK) is still a guess but November is the guess, so that will be a key month of this year. Thinking about the UK first, it is good news up to a point, as at the moment Labour is well ahead in the polls. But again listen to that podcast as Alistair Campbell reveals a poll that shows many people are undecided. Well, if the UK chooses the Conservative Party once again I think that this will be an absolutely disaster for our country. I won’t go on too much about it (as I could say a lot more) except I will say that we will continue to crumble as a nation and all our social infrastructure including our health and social care services will be finished. The thing is the Labour leader is not charismatic, he’s dull but I for one prefer dullness to the types we have now. I do believe it is a fingers crossed situation and also that, if they get in, once Labour is in power they won’t have an easy time as the coffers really are bare. We are a poorer nation all round now and for some time to come.
And what of the election in the US? Oh lawks, I feel that I am sure to lose some American readers over this but if that yellow blob of Id wins the election and becomes President the ramifications internationally are huge, let alone the consequences for Americans. I rather think that even now the war in Ukraine is becoming the forgotten war. Yes, Richi Sunak has just gone to the Ukraine and committed more weapons and support but the main provider of weapons is the US and even Biden is finding it difficult to continue this. If Trump gets in that will be the end of Ukraine. And where will that lead us – into exceedingly dangerous times.
As for what is going on in Gaza, the world watches in horror at the slaughter. Horror though should not be a on scale of ‘my horror is worse than yours’. Israel’s ghastly experience on October 7 has scarred them horribly but do the 1200 deaths merit the 23,500 so far of mainly civilian Palestinians? There you see, that’s another scale of, ‘my horror is worse than your horror’. It should be all slaughter and all war is an abomination.
Actually we should step back and see the context. Why did that October massacre happen? And the answer would take many pages describing how Palestine has shrunk and suffered and been occupied over so many years. Why are civilians being slaughtered? And I am sure there are arguments that can be found as to why. Indeed we just have to look to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to see South Africa arguing that what is going on is genocide with Israel arguing that the war is justified as it is a war of self-protection. Do read the article I give you below. My words are so insignificant but this has to end and Israel does need to look at its leader – and get rid of him.
In the meantime, the conflict widens with the US and UK striking at the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Actually these ‘rebels’ are hardened warriors and won the dreadful civil war in the Yemen, so I don’t think a few strikes are going to do a great deal. Interesting don’t you think that above all shipping lanes have to be defended (because of the cost to products) as opposed to stopping a war against defenceless civilians. Priorities, hey.
I’ve just read an article in my newspaper about Bernie Sanders. What a man – he’s someone I really admire. And I note that he’s considered exceedingly left-wing because he asks for basic things like decent housing, a minimum wage, access to good healthcare and education, all of which would be considered quite normal on our side of the pond. Despite always supporting Israel he’s finding it more and more difficult to do so with this war. He’s not optimistic about the world as a whole and its current situation but the article ends with him saying we don’t have the moral right to simply walk away – you gotta keep going. Yes. Absolutely. Agree.
On a lighter note I promised you a pic of my two young grandchildren.
But I’m not letting you off the hook yet. This has been the hottest year for the world ever, bringing us up to near the 1.5C warming that we need to prevent.
What will the climate be like when they are my age? What I wish for my grandchildren is that we elect politicians that act on this crisis rather than ignoring what is happening or, even worse, endorsing more oil and coal extraction. This is madness. So my last word on 2023 is that it really matters who we elect as our leaders.
That’s all for now, but on another lighter note I’ll leave you with the look of 2023 which I have decided is the way I like to look.
This reminds me how I was just a few weeks ago. So here’s to getting out and about again wearing this type of clothing and enjoying the life we have now.
With much love to you all and especially those who have read this to the end!
Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
Further reading:
Jonathan Freedland, Israel is in the dock because of one man: Benjamin Netanyahu, The Guardian. 13 Jan 2024
Ed Pilkington, If Trump wins it’s the end of democracy. The Guardian 13 Jan 2024
Afraid my system doesn’t like this! Can’t download, as it keeps ‘flashing’
I do/did have an IT problem but think it’s better now. Many apologies – they really are ‘tear your hair out moments’ 😁
‘The look of 2023’ for you is perfect Penny happy new year and much better health in 24
Thank you so much Gillian – your kind words are very much appreciated 😀
Penny, I can’t read your post! It states ‘resource limit is reached’ not sure what that means! I hope it will sort itself out as I was looking forward to a good read!
Hi Linda – I have a severe IT glitch at the moment that comes and goes. We’re working on it!
Hooray, it’s sorted, and what a good read it was! You always write so well and with such good sense and clarity. I do hope your energy levels get back to normal and you feel more like your old self soon. I absolutely love your red coat, and, personally, don’t think you need any colour in your hair, it looks great and I bet you are much happier now it has grown into a style you like! Keep up the great blogs, and fingers crossed we have an ‘okay’ New Year here in the UK!
Thanks Linda – and you’re right about the hair – I’ve been feeling very grey these past few weeks and actually my hair is a nice colour. I might experiment with something that washes off but that’s all.
And I shall wear my cheerful and colourful coats when I start going out again. Fingers crossed for 2024 🙂
Thanks for your final round up of 2023. Presently listening to the Adagio in G by Albinoni, glorious! Just remembered you don’t like music much but it is very important to me, couldn’t live without it. I’ve never been convinced that expensive cosmetics are always better. Like many other things you pay for the packaging and marketing. I do use a pricier foundation – Vichy – which is so good I’ve stopped trying anything new. I’ve been disappointed with a lot of Look Fabulous Forever make up which I’m sorry about as I admire Tricia and her ethos.I think Avon offers great value for money with a return option. The state of the world is truly terrifying and seems to worsen daily. I’m reading Rory Stewart’s memoir, very illuminating. The advice about how you can help yourself age well is sound I think and I follow at least some of it despite my illness. Must heave myself up and get something to eat now! Hope you get good news about your mole.
Hi Lynda
I do like some music particularly strong female voices. Do you remember Buffy St Marie – loved her voice.
LFF is not really for me now as I have tried many brands and tbh if I could afford it would use Elemis skin care, but the Rimmel brand of cosmetics will do me fine as they are very effective and indeed good quality.
Rory Stewart is a good person. I think he comes from the breed of people who want to serve the country and that’s why he found Parliament so frustrating – he was not really a ‘party’ man. And my word doesn’t that come out in his book! It’s very readable too.
Yup – fingers crossed re: the lab results. Thanks Lynda 🙂
I read that Webster’s Dictionary was banned in Florida schools and Anne Patchett’s books including The Patron Saint of Liars, the plot about a home for unmarried mothers who give their babies for adoption, which what the state of Florida wants rather than choosing abortion. If there was ever a better example of Fascism in action it’s book banning. I agree about Bernie Saunders we could do with him in the UK.
Thank you for including your photographs of your grandchildren such sweeties guaranteed to cheer your readers.
It is extraordinary that in this day and age people are banning books and yet maybe it is a sign of where some nations are going. I shudder at the thought of that person winning the US election – dark days if he does.
My grandkids are so lovely but they have their moments!!! I feel fortunate that I now have 3 of them. Thanks Flora 🙂
I did have some trouble getting to your post but obviously managed eventually. What a world, Just when you think things could not get worse there is something else. Ukraine, the unthinkable tragedy in Gaza and now the Houthi attacks with the threat of wider conflict. You certainly will not lose me as a reader for your opinion on that orange idiot. a truly detestable human being. I cannot understand why any one would even consider him for any office, let alone our president. just a horror.
No magic potion to deal with aging, move more, eat less and mostly fruits and vegetables, a bit of lean protein. I have been using a cc cream myself for quite some time. it seems to even out the sags and wrinkles, and the one I have been using, IT cosmetics has an SPF of 50, also claims to have some anti again serum in it for what it’s worth. I have stopped using eye makeup for the most part, just touching up my eyebrows where they are thin. My dry eyes and the drops I use for my Glocoma seem to make my eyes uncomfortable. so the less I have to fuss with them the better it seems. I am still coming to terms with this. perhaps a part of my particular aging story that I must accept, at least for now. You look wonderful Penny! your hair looks great, and I am reluctant to offer advise about adding color. I was so resistant to give up coloring my hair but now I get more complements that ever , at any other time in my life.
Thank you for posting your beautiful grandchildren. they give up hope don’t they, and make it worthwhile to fight in our own little ways to make it a better world.
With love from New York, Darby
That was a bad IT problem which was at the ‘tearing one’s hair out’ level. We think it’s resolved but Mr F has to do some work on his platform as he hosts several other websites alongside mine. He’s very techie but found this particular glitch challenging.
Thanks so much about the hair. I agree that I need to brighten up my makeup and wear bright coloured clothes. The current hair colour is fine and indeed is near to needing a trim too as, three cheers, it’s grown.
Yes, CC cream is really good for our ageing skins and covers up so many imperfections – as a newcomer to them I am really impressed.
While we have to bear witness to the suffering of others we also have to protect ourselves from how damaging it is (I am so privileged to say that) but grandchildren are indeed such joy.
Thanks as ever, Darby and apologies for the IT problems 🙂
I say, if you’d like some color in your hair, try it. Your hair grows so fast that you really wouldn’t have to worry about it for very long. It’s hard to tell from your first two photos as I think the red coat gives you extra color. I love adding fun colors to my hair every once in a while. My stylist calls them fashion colors, but I don’t know if they’d be known as the same thing in the UK. They wash out gradually (quicker if you use warm water).
I am dreading this election. I honestly wish someone would come riding out of the sunset on a white charger and save us. I like Joe Biden, but I’m not sure he has done that much. Then again, he did inherit quite the mess. My fear is, if Fraudy-five gets re-elected, he’ll never leave. He seems to have the Supreme Court in his back pocket. I think he has done so much to ruin this country. He allowed racist, misogynistic people to come slithering out from under the rocks. He’s made hatred and white supremacy OK. I could go on and on. His policies of isolating our country from the rest of the world alienated us from so many. I will get off my soap box now.
Like you, I worry about the world we are leaving our grandchildren. Climate change is so very real, and everyone sticks their heads in the sand rather than do something. Oops, on my soap box again. I try to do my part every day and encourage others, but, ultimately, the big changes depend on the leaders of the world’s countries.
Now, to leave on an up note. I love your style, your desire to learn, and your spunky character! I’m so glad to have found your blog!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha
I do hope this reply gets to you as the blog currently has a severe IT glitch which we’re working on but yet to resolve – grrrr! Thanks for the tip re: colouring the hair, I might try a spray on or something that will wash out so I can experiment.
And re: Biden v Trump. – There’s a good article by This Week which has an American edition so you might have seen it. Biden appears to have done quite a bit but this is not getting through to the American public – interesting. What I do think is that really he should have the grace to step aside (and I am going o say this) at his age. It’s rather like Ruth Bader Ginsberg who also should have resigned earlier instead of hanging on so it was Trump that replaced her rather than Obama. The Democrats don’t seem to be getting their act together about this.
Stay on that soap box Marsha – it’s very much needed these days! Thanks as ever 🙂
https://theweek.com/joe-biden/1020727/just-what-has-joe-biden-accomplished-anyway
Hello Penny,
Just to let you know I too had problems reading your post on my phone but no problems with my laptop. Pleased to hear you feeling better, you will soon be back to your fit and healthy self.
As someone you resisted embracing my natural grey for a long time I will venture an opinion. My advice is to play with a bit more colour in your make up , maybe a warmer blush and lipstick. If that doesn’t do the trick how about a spay on colour , which in time will wash out but will mimic something more permanent.
All good practical advice on the health and fitness front , I know I need to up my steps and get back to building strength with hand weights.
I think so many of us are thinking the same about the political situation .
On the style front , yes that edgey look is most definately you Penny.
Hi Jill and thanks so much for advice on my hair. I’ve decided to do exactly that – brighten myself up in other ways. But I do have a problem with lipstick as it always bleeds upwards so I look like the Joker after only around half an hour. Tried so many things including lip primes which don’t work. So that’s why I don’t wear lipstick. Will try some more, perhaps.
Yup I really do have to follow my own advice as I haven’t exercised much for 4 weeks – hopefully I’m on the road to better fitness and health.
And a huge shout-out to being edgy – yay!!
Thanks again Jill 🙂
Hm, I don’t think you should colour your hair. Or I should try different makeup colours first. That can make a difference. I use Rimmel mascara for decades. And I think that all the health experts that talk about fasting are totally wrong. That’s not good for the body at all. It’s also about what you eat together.
Hi Nancy – yup, I’ve decided not to colour my hair again but brighten myself up in other ways. What we eat is so important but often it would be true to say that everyone tends to eat too much. The science behind the Intermittent Fasting (which is restricting the hours rather than food, and that has to be emphasised, as it’s not about restricting food) gives the body time to recover from digestion and get on with other stuff like reducting inflammation which has to be a benefit. I agree don’t actually fast.
Thanks Nancy 🙂
Hi Penny happy to hear you are on the mend,we too went down with a viral infection New Year’s Day and it took 10 days to come out the other end albeit still have the cough! I have tried other make up brands but still go back to LFF even though it’s a tad expensive. Interesting reading of the five pointers for ageing, we like yourselves sat too much with this infection and are now trying to up our game with diet and exercise, if you have Netflix the “Blue Zones” is an interesting series to watch, better than spending on the Zoey project.
Your hair I would leave as it is,not go backwards to colouring it, I haven’t coloured mine for two and half years now,I use White Hot hair products and it lifts the colour and condition of my hair.
Personally I think makeup and wearing bright colours lifts our age group and positivity,although the world is not a happy place at the mo,I too worry for my grandchildren’s future.
Take care of yourselves
Kind regards Margaret
Hi Margaret and thanks for the good advice about my hair – I won’t colour it, instead I shall brighten myself up in other ways. It was just that I was feeling rather grey! Sorry to hear that you too were unwell – there’s a lot of it about. The GP who listened to my chest said half of Lewes have got the ‘cough’. Yes, still coughing and now in the 4th week, but far fewer coughs and I am on the mend – but wow that was a nasty one.
Will try the Netflix Blue Zones – thanks again 🙂
still having difficulty. I can only read your post by clicking on the comments and then scrolling up.
Darby
Hopefully it’s better now, but it was a tricky glitch which we’re watching out for.
Dear Penny
Late to the call this time – but wanted to say that your grandchildren are delightful. I hope your operation goes/went smoothly and that you’re soon ‘back in the swing’.
Regards changes to hair/make-up, style etc… my suggestion is “Do as you please.” Be conventional/ break the rules/ leave well alone…. what does it matter – other than to please ourselves? One of the (not so many) perks of getting older, I reckon.
I like your latest style. Your hair looks great: relaxed, suits the shape of your face. And in keeping with what you’ve been aiming – talking about the last few months.. go Penny!
Regarding hair colour, there seems to have been (another!) swing recently. About a decade ago I wrote an article about women in New York marching/rejecting hair colour – ‘daring to be grey’. It caught the mood which and grey hair became acceptable/fashionable when Helen Mirren and Judi Dench etc. were rolled out as role models. For 40 years I’d had highlights but stopped about seven years ago … part of the ‘grey revolution’. I was happy. I saved money on hair products and spent the dosh on ‘good haircuts’.
However, this new ‘freedom’ has grown to the point where older women are now being pressured to NOT colour their hair … Mmm! So, should we older women be flattered that ‘grey is good’ or be free (and appreciated) to make our choices?
I recently had highlights again. Two reasons: the colour and in hope they give my hair my some body. I’ve always liked mine the front of my hair (white/silver since under aged 30) but I was fed up with the darker, ‘pepper and salt’ patch at the back. As things stand, I’m happy with the highlights and intend to continue until …
Reading through the posts it seems you’ve changed your mind about colouring your hair. Great! it looks good. Of course, you may change your mind again, in which case, go for it. (If you’re aiming for anything drastic … non-permanent is a wise approach.)
On a totally separate note, I can’t finish without responding to your comments about the Rory Stewart/Alistair Campebell Podcast. I quite like RS but I wouldn’t listen to, watch or read anything from Alistair Campbell. I’d hate to give him any promotion or cash because of the role he played in the lies that brought us the Iraq war. Nor do not like his take on the Palestine/Israel tragedy. I see him as part of the problems our country faces. On that cheery note, I’ll finish, but not without wishing you as always …
All the very best. Mary xx
Hi Penny,
Certainly my best wishes for you to feel completely well soon.
I guess I’m late to the party since you have made a decision about your hair. I concur; it is lovely as it is. One of your best physical attributes. Right you are. Experiment with makeup. Rimmel offers great stuff, as does ELF cosmetics. I don’t know if it is available where you are. Their makeup brushes serve me well. Very good quality and super-inexpensive. I order them on Amazon and have them sent to Ecuador.
I like your last look picture. Thanks for smiling in your photos.
Love that last outfit! As far as the news, I do not watch the news: each side is very biased and while I stay abreast of what is going on in the world, it is hard for me to form an opinion when unless you are there, you only see what is portrayed on media.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Happy New Year!
I enjoyed your recap. I am so sorry you are having IT problems.
Rosemary
https://www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com