A couple of years ago, I decided I’d had enough of wearing heels. I made a big point about it, and got rid of (almost) all of the ones I had. I kept my most loved pairs though. You know. Just in case. Hm. Over the past few weeks, I’m kind of regretting my decision. The reason I had for throwing them all out (ok, ok…I would never do that. I sold some and gave the others away), was because I wanted comfort. I still wanted style, of course, but most of all, I wanted comfort. I’m 46-years-old and now realising I was jumping the gun, so to speak. I want to look and feel beautiful again. I want my legs to look pretty in skirts and dresses. I want glamour. I want sexiness. And I don’t really care if my feet hurt and my back aches after a few hours. What the heck is going on?
I’ll tell you what’s going on… And Just Like That is going on. And Emily in Paris. And The Bold Type. Crikey…do you think I’m watching too much TV? I don’t actually (just sayin). Have you watched any of these shows? The fashion and styling is just EPIC. I want Carrie’s wardrobe (don’t we all?!), as well as the fashion dept at Scarlet magazine! I want that. I want to look and feel beautiful again. I want to go out and look hot in heels (well, as hot as my 46 year-old self can look).
I think the other reason is Covid. I’m tired of being locked up and not allowed out somewhere nice without the need for a face mask that prevents me from rocking my favourite dark lipstick. I want to dress up, not just play dress up for the blog. I want to go to glamorous parties. It’s been years since we got the opportunity to go somewhere like that. I want to wear the Jimmy Choo heels Michael bought me several years ago with a posh frock. FYI, the Jimmy Choos are heels. There’s no way in hell I was getting rid of those! Here’s me wearing them back in 2019. I still haven’t had the chance to wear them out anywhere though.
Since I started watching And Just Like That, Emily in Paris (just finished Season Two) and The Bold Type (just started Season Three), I’ve been making more of an effort, full stop. For years, I’ve let my beauty routine fall by the wayside and I’d basically just accepted the dodgy skin blemishes, the cellulite and the extra little muffin top over my jeans. But enough! I want to look and feel beautiful again. It’s time. I know I’m still relatively young, but I don’t want to head towards my fifties without at least trying to be—and look—my very best.
So, I recently upped my skincare routine. I splashed out on some new products from The Inkey List—which I hadn’t heard of before I started doing a little research. I got everything suitable for my skin type and I’ve been using them for about a week now. I read that I probably won’t notice any changes for six weeks or so, but I reckon my skin is starting to feel better already. I love how it feels immediately after use. It feels like I’m treating myself like the amazing woman that I am, and that I deserve it. Do you know what I mean? Or do you think it’s just one of those peri-menopausal, mid-life crises? 😉
Anyway, I went shopping the other day and bought the most gorgeous pair of white boots. With heels, I might add. I’m also on the look out for some slinkier dresses—and I’m thanking my lovely blogger pal, Laurie for that. She recently shared (on her YouTube channel) a gorgeous fine knit body skimming dress that I adored. Unfortunately, it’s only available in a colour that I don’t think will do me any favours but it’s given me the spark to {try to} love my body a bit more and start wearing clothes that show off my shape. I do have a habit of hiding it, when I know I don’t really need to.
Laurie also suggested wearing a slip beneath skirts and dresses to help them skim over the body and I think that’s genius. I know, it’s bloody ridiculous that I hadn’t actually realised that before (DUH). I mean, women have been wearing slips for decades (I can be a bit slow to the game sometimes.) But I’m putting myself out there again—to feel good, to look good and to try new things. And writing about it here is just giving me fuel for the fire (not to mention the added incentive to actually stick to my guns lol). So, I hope you’ll stick around and see where this takes me. If anywhere at all. But at least I’ll feel good about who I am, and that’s what I’m most excited about.
Well, that’s enough about me. What about you? What are you up to right now? I hope you’ll share all your recent posts in the link-up, below! For now though, I must dash because another episode of The Bold Type is calling…
Suzy, I totally get how you’re feeling but I think that looking sexy and wearing shoes that don’t hurt after 5 minutes are not and should not be mutually exclusive. Features like the straps and platform on your Jimmy Choo’s are really cute and they’re probably quite comfortable. And it just goes to show that our tastes can change from year to year. I’m dying to see how you’re going to style your new boots.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Heels do add so much sophistication to a dressed -up look!
I’ve only seen one episode of Emily in Paris but I agree the fashion is great! 🙂 I think it’s natural to fal into style ruts and then to decide one day we want to change it up again! I do miss my heels but I gave mine up (sold or donated) when I had a knee injury, so I find other ways to feel dressed up and pretty when I want a little extra boost from my outfit! 🙂
Thanks for the link up!
Hope that you are having a nice week 🙂 It’s been a big week here for the kids, their first week back at school after the summer holidays!
I’m 46 too and going to have to watch my skin especially in the summer. I definitely feel like the blog has helped me feel good about myself (most of the time) and help me try to stay on track with moving and drinking water (taking pictures of oneself and putting them out there helps with that) but I also want to keep being active as I get older.Those are gorgeous pictures but I think you look fabulous now too. We all have room to be healthier and at our best though. Excited for a double date tomorrow!
http://www.chezmireiillefashiontravelmom.com
I couldn’t agree more, Mireille! I hope you had a fabulous double date last week. I hope we’ll be able to start going out a bit more often soon too. Thanks so much!
Have a fabulous weekend,
Hugs
Suzy xx
Suzy, I can certainly appreciate the sentiment. While I’ve never been much of one for slinky dresses and heels, the pandemic made me realize on an emotional level that life can change so quickly, and it’s okay for me to want what I want and enjoy what I enjoy. For me, I’ve been indulging in boots and booties. Maybe not Jimmy Choo expensive, but not cheap either. And I enjoy them every time I wear them. So you go girl! You have a lovely figure. Show it off!
Michelle
mbijm
You’re so kind, Michele! Thank you so much. I love that you’ve been indulging in boots and booties—I think we should treat ourselves, after all, life is very short, isn’t it?
Have a wonderful weekend,
Hugs
Suzy xx
Suzy, I FREAKING LOVE THIS POST! You are super sexy and I love that you are owning it! Nancy Sinatra has me on the hunt for a slinky little form fitting dress now as well! As for heels, I got rid of all of mine when I had my kids. Then the kids got older and I regretted that heel purge. But I have since replenished my collection of crazy heels. Although I don’t wear them often, I am keeping them. Because I can and I have the room to do so. Even if I only wear them a few times! I can’t wait for you to wear those Jimmy Choos somewhere fabulous!
Oh, and I am all caught up on And Just Like That as well as Emily Paris. Both have been inspiring me sartorially as well! Have a great weekend, my friend.
Shelbee
You are SO FREAKING WONDERFUL, Shelbee! I grinned from ear to ear reading your comment, my friend. Thank you. I’m so glad you’ve managed to replenish your heel collection. I am going to start mine again lol!
Have a fabulous weekend,
Hugs
Suzy xx
Oh, I have been watching And Just Like That. I have mixed feelings about it. It seems like the producers or directors or someone decided to make Carrie a bit dowdy. There were times I loved her look…like the one in Paris…and times I really didn’t like them…the wearing rubber gloves look…seriously? I haven’t seen Emily in Paris because I want to go so badly and I don’t think it will ever happen.
I love those Jimmy Choos…I can see why you want to wear them again! You are a gorgeous woman now, but I know when you don’t feel particularly gorgeous, you just don’t feel it no matter what anyone says. Take care of yourself, and I hope you get your groove back!
Thanks for the link up!!
You are so, super kind Marsha! Thank you so much. I recommend you watch Emily in Paris anyway, because it’s just a really cute, fun series. It will make you laugh, and that’s always a good thing!
Have a wonderful weekend
Hugs
Suzy xx
Ha, I love how honest you are. I’m sure we can all relate to this. We all have these periods where we couldn’t care less. But I also agree that our feels so much better do try to be the best version of yourself! So good on you!!
Thank you so much, Nancy! I couldn’t agree more.
Have a lovely weekend,
Suzy xx
I love the look of heels and how they make me feel, but I always bring flip flops with me, and change within 15 minutes. Ugh. I guess I’ll just stick to chunky heeled boots.
LOL I think it’s brilliant that you always have flip flops to change into when you’ve had enough of the heels. At least you had good intentions!!
Have a great weekend,
Hugs
Suzy xx
Right on Suzy! I know I had to wear just the comfy shoes when I couldnt due to my illness, but when things changed and I could, I was buying the heels! Block heels as the stilleto ones arent easy to walk in for me, and they aren’t as comfy. I think it is common to change your mind about fashion only to come back to it later. Those JC shoes must be taken out- so gorgeous! I am glad to hear you are excited about adding a few things to your wardrobe. I liked that knit dress as well!
Enjoy your day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressdandstylish.com
Thanks so much, Jess! I prefer a thicker block heel too…but too blocky because I find them a bit difficult to walk in as well LOL!
Oh, and I just ordered that knit dress. I can’t wait to try it out!
Have a fabulous weekend,
Hugs
Suzy xx
What a great post, you’re probably echoing many of us! Whether it’s television, the end of Winter, the hopeful end of isolation, or in my case my glamorous friend coming to stay – we all need to give ourselves a boost or a kick up the backside at times. OK certain styles may be off the radar as we get older but no reason not to do the best with what you’ve got and pull out the stops!
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
You are so kind, Pamela, thank you! I can imagine having a glamorous friend to stay would be a good boost lol.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Hugs
Suzy xx
I did a thing too. I got rid of almost all of my pants and jeans and decided I only want to wear dresses and skirts. I want to be more girly. COVID has made me want to dress and do things. Being locked up has made me feel claustrophobic.
I love those heels. Your husband has seriously great taste. I’d hold on to them forever.
WOW that is a big thing, Daenel! I don’t think I’m brave enough to get rid of all my jeans and trousers—although they are due for a good clear out. Perhaps it’s time!
Michael does have great taste—he married me, didn’t he?! LOL!!!!!
Have a lovely weekend,
Hugs
Suzy xx
Thank you so much for the shout Suzy! I always think you look lovely anyway! I live in a very down-trodden town of Essex. When I go into town there’s a sea of black leggings and black puffer coats. It’s like a uniform! And then there’s me.
All dressed in creams or floral hue’s sticking out like a sore thumb! Not to grab attention, I’m actually quite shy, but I won’t be bullied into blending in with all those other women in the town for fear of being looked at.I learned long ago that if you dress good, you feel good. I’m very guilty of wearing leggings around the house though until I walk out the door!
Ps. I hope you got some good SPF in that skincare? It’s super important in your climate xx
Awww thanks so much, Laurie! I totally know what you mean about the sea of black leggings and puffer coats. We see it whenever we go back to visit Michael’s mum in Essex. I always love it when I so see women (and men, for that matter) that have made a concerted effort to look good. I love that you always look fabulous regardless—and I always LOVE watching you on YouTube when I’m getting ready myself. You inspire me! Although, I rarely go anywhere these days. I spend all day at home on the computer. However, I am planning to change that soon enough (once I’ve got my new car…but I’ll be posting about that next week).
And yes, I got an SPF30 sunscreen with 100% mineral UV filters!!!
Big hugs, and have a wonderful weekend!
Suzy xx
Oh! And PPs You look absolutely amazing in that dress! xx