I want to thank you all for your support, kindness and overall awesome-ness during my blogging life, it has simply meant the world to me.
You see, when I hit 40 (4 years ago) I gave in. I honestly thought it was time for me to grow up and start dressing properly, I don't know why. I wore jeggings and 'flattering' clothing, (nothing against any of these garments btw, they just weren't 'me') I didn't realise I was trying to appear smaller and less noticeable. When my hair went thinner I cut it much shorter. No pride or interest, I really thought it was the right thing to do. However, I was utterly, utterly miserable.
BUT!
I found blogs, wonderful, brilliant fantastic and amazing blogs of awesome women, I was mesmerised and transfixed, more importantly I felt I found my people!
At first I admit I stalked you all! I was far too shy to comment, but you were my lifeline at first.
Then I thought about commenting.
Then I signed upto Google and inherited the name 'Maria' (which I didn't know how to change)
and I started to comment, I felt like every comment I made at first made me sound like an idiot. But I was gaining confidence and kept going (my comments to you still probably make me sound like an idiot!! ha! I'm very excitable you know!)
I have learned the joys of dressing how I like, I have gone from 1 brooch to multiple. Wearing what the hell I like and gaining confidence has been the biggest gift this year.
And I owe it all to you! because it started with you. So, I thank you!
My very thin and baldy patches are now covered excellently
3 plaits
hell yeah!
Fake hair bliss
3 brooches of Happy
where are my flaming brooches here!
Random twirling, because I'm worth it
Eldest and I shopping
in dreadful weather
oh you know a song is coming
It's Prince 1999
Prince may not work gah!
but here's Lady Gaga 'Born this Way'
I'll see you all on Tuesday
I have a few things to sort out
It's nearly there!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
REGARDING COMMENT RESPONSES
********I have written a single response to your beautiful comments, not because I'm a lazy fecker but because I felt it was the sincerest way I could convey the way I felt about them, I hope you don't mind *****
REGARDING COMMENT RESPONSES
********I have written a single response to your beautiful comments, not because I'm a lazy fecker but because I felt it was the sincerest way I could convey the way I felt about them, I hope you don't mind *****
And thank goodness you started blogging ... life would be dull and boring without you!!
ReplyDeletexxxx
PS We're the same age ... hurrah!!
I am so glad you started blogging.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing what you and a few other favourite bloggers have written from day to day.
I can relate to the 'sounding like a fool' in messages, but we get to a point where we can just be
ourselves and no-one in blog land is ever judging us.
I love that you wear three brooches at a time :)
Yourself and your daughter look gorgeous, even when shopping in typical British weather.
Have a perfectly wonderful Christmas dear Sandra xx
(I'm not far behind you in age, I turned 40 in October)
Hi Sandra!
ReplyDeleteSo you are 44? oh la la! i thought you were 30ish!
So glad you gained confidence and dressing as you like cause like Vix says...you know Vix? People will judge you no matter what you wear so might as well wear What You like!
I have been dressing the way i like for many, many years - I didn't care what people thought and care as the years go by less and less -
Don't worry about idiot comments, i do too i think somtimes, but like Winter Moon says nobody in blog land is ever judging us!
They mostly support and love you!
Keep on blogging Darling you are wonderful
Joyeux Noel !
xxxxx
Peaches! #50? Congrats! I love my bloggy fashion friends. Took up fashion sketching again (after a long hiatus) because of you all.
ReplyDeleteThe best of holidays to you.
btw -- your purple linkup goes to general blog URL. Which post specifically is it? I'll fix the link, just let me know.
I could cut and paste your comment at the top and put it into my blog as me. So many of us, myself included, were "saved" by finding our tribe online. For me, it was somewhat-older (I'm 60) style-obsessed artsy people for whom "style breeds in inverse proportion to the amount of money spent". You look absolutely radiant in these pictures. I love your braids and glasses, your pretty red cape, and most of all your joy. Wishing you even more of it in the year to come. XXXXOOOO
ReplyDeletethe more brooches and braids the merrier;) you look amazing dear. i love your style and i think everybody should wear what she or he likes and not paying any important to what other people think ;)
ReplyDeletehope you have a great weekend!
love and kiss,mary
Well done you on your 50th post, you and your blog are a star.
ReplyDeleteLove everything about you ,Love Les xxx
Beautiful look and great bag! Kisses dear.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.solaanteelespejo.blogspot.com.es/
My dear little Peaches Maria! When I signed up for Google everything was in Spanish! And I don't speak Spanish?? Whatevs. I'm so glad you're blogging. I love the party that is your life. Your daughter reminds me so much of mine. Oh Crazy Girls. Xxxxxxooooooo
ReplyDeleteBe who you are. Be and dress how it makes you happy.
ReplyDeleteFrom a soon-to-be 45-year old.
So funny. A few years ago I was dressing completely vintage and then had the opposite happen to me. I was tired of people staring (admittedly, I was then living in a stuffy suburb) and so decided to blend in with jeans and tees. There are times (like when I read your blog) when I really want to bring some of that glamour back into my life again but again, I'm self-conscious. Maybe I'll share some of my old pix of more glamorous style on my blog. In the meantime, I'll try to gain the courage to be just as groovy as you are again! xo -S.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you found blogging and that your confidence has risen hugely; it's done the exact same thing for me.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved your comments, and have never once found them annoying; it was lovely when you started blogging and I got to put a face to the 'name' of the lovely lady leaving me such sweet comments and encouragement on my own blog! (Comments which have helped to raise my confidence, too)! You have fantastic style, and I really can't believe you're 44! You look like you're in your early thirties at most! (Puts the rest of us to shame! Haha!)
Life is too short to be unhappy and allow other people to stop you from wearing pretty clothes. It doesn't matter what others think of you, as long as you're happy! You always look fabulous in every single outfit! I don't know why society still has us believing anyone over 35 should dress like a frumpy, invisible old lady, but it's a load of rubbish! If you feel good in something, wear it! Life's too short! Oh, and those plaits look so gorgeous. If my hair ever thins as I age, I'll have to remember that idea! xx
Well done for taking the leap from commenter to writer! Your comments were always lovely and well thought out and I knew you'd make a great blogger. When I started blogging 4 years ago it was either fashion obsessed youngsters or older women into high end handbags, it was so nice to start getting comments from people of all ages who didn't obsess about owning labels and loved second hand and creating stuff as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you got your plaits! xxx
Sandra! I have loved getting comments from you. Logging in to see you have commented has always made me smile. Your blog is fab and I'm glad you started blogging! I love reading your blog. And you look absolutely fabulous for your age! And some of your outfits have me very jealous. And the plaits are fantastic! xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy 50th! Your journey sounds so similar to mine and I too feel like I have found my tribe. I love reading your blog, with its engaging, hilarious and irreverent view - keep it up and keep being YOU!!!! XXX
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteSorry if it's inappropriate of you don't want to do it, but I've nominated you for a Liebster award, the rules are on my blog if you want to check it out!
Roxanne @ Simply Roxilicious!
Well I just plain love you because you wear SPOTS!!!! I have only blogged for a year or so and found the same things through fabulous confident woman that blog. I am back being me and very comfortable being me, not worrying about having to conform to size, shape, style or anything. I love my Blogger buddies!! You are by the way one of my most favourite!!
ReplyDeleteAs usual phenomenal post! You are a champion!
ReplyDeleteI can see that you love what you are doing!
Thanks for posting! I love you :-*
Merry and peaceful Christmas full of magic: - *
Regards,
Katherine Unique
To you all, every single one of you
DeleteAll of these comments have made me so happy and I feel absolutely thrilled you are in my life,
I didn't want to sound insincere, so I thought about how I would reply, and I thought the best would be a single reply that hopefully would convey how I felt, I love my blogging buddies and I love blog land, I look forward to lots more posts, and I hope you all have the stomach to read them! Thank you from the heart of my bottom x x x x
Oh, Sandra, Maria, Peaches - whatever your name is - you have really summed it up. Having this widespread community just makes all of life full of comfort and joy!
ReplyDeleteI love your glasses, and I'm going to have to get you on my regular blog list after my break. I keep forgetting to stop by and join your twirly party!
I started out the same way as you, Sandra - feeling as though I had lost my way, but through reading blogs, then starting to comment, then becoming e-pals with a few people and finally taking the plunge and blogging myself, I feel so much better. More confident, more engaged, more ME! And if you feel the same, then I am really pleased for you. You always look adorable - stylish and beautiful and smiley!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're standing outside Debenhams!
Keep going - we want 50 more posts now, and then the rest! xxx
Congrats on your 50th post! I have enjoyed your style & wonderful sense of humor......so keep em coming!
ReplyDeleteI only just found your blog and I'm having great fun with it already.
ReplyDeleteThings we have in common:
1) I started my blog a year ago too.
2) We're almost the same age. I'm 43.
3) I'd given up on enjoying style but reclaimed it too, with help from other bloggers and a nice Beau. No following rules!
4) If "The Big C" means what I think it does, we also share a struggle with our health, in my case chronic pain and disability from a permanent back injury.
5) My blog is about all kinds of things in addition to style.
6) I LOVE brooches!!! In the winter, I wear a different one (or more) every day.
Charlotte Issyvoo
http://www.sublimemercies.com/