The Weekend Wrap-Up #1
Midlife beauty and style news, PLUS two ways to enjoy The Midlife Beauty Edit.
Hello, happy Saturday, and welcome to The Weekend Wrap-Up.
While I’m DETERMINED not to get into (very) British weather chat—don’t let me!🙅♀️— we’re diving straight into the cosy, with links to some great autumn wardrobe-sorting reads, plus midlife beauty and style news.
The Weekend Wrap-Up is free to read, each week. But‚ as of this week, for paid subscribers, I’ll be posting a more in-depth post, with a focus, every Tuesday.
These will be along the lines of last week’s top autumn nail trends, and the one before on affordable autumn fragrances that smell more expensive. Cheat sheets, if you will, to screenshot and take shopping, or give you ideas.
So, to recap:
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The Weekend Wrap-Up on Saturdays.
A post each Tuesday, on a specific midlife beauty and wellness topic or trend.
Expert interviews, either as part of the Tuesday post, or, sometimes, as a bonus edition.
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In this is way, I hope to offer added value (and with much gratitude) for those able to support my work here. I'm so grateful for each and every subscriber, and so happy you’re here - however You Get MBE Mail!
Baby, it’s suddenly quite nippy outside
Jane at made the excellent point earlier this week about wide-legged trousers–I’d add, too, palazzo jeans—and chilly shins! I already had the M&S two-pack of knee-highs in my basket, as I wore them on repeat last winter (they do a thermal version, too). But now, I’m eyeing the Uniqlo ones, too (head to Jane’s post for her links).
sent me down an M&S accessory rabbit hole with the thursday 10 this week. You know, I’m already a fan—like everyone—of the new season’s bags (and, um, everything?), but there are some gorgeous new drops. Personally, I’m quite tempted by this fake leather studded bag.
BUT!—and tell me if it’s just me—one issue I’ve had with these crescent-shaped bags is that I find it a faff when I need to grab something, quickly (purse/phone/Rescue Remedy, this week, if I’m honest)? It’s a bit of a mad root-around.
For that reason, boringly I think I’m more of a trad-shaped, giant tote girl. So maybe not the studs, this time.
As ever, at 5 Things Friday came to the rescue yesterday, with a clever hack for sorting out 5 Autumn Outfit Formulas - based on a simple but genius exercise. The premise is to think about the times and places you need outfits for, IRL, and identify the gaps (and areas of overspend). I’m doing it.
I’ve been on the lookout for a new coat—maybe you, too?—and had to retire my full-length sleeping bag puffer coat last winter, after a few faithful years of beach and forest service, since the dodgy zip got so bad that I frequently had to step out of my coat, which just got awkward.
did a deep-dive of great winter coats this week (brilliant for working out, too, what kind of length/style/material you’re drawn to).
My favourite coat I’ve ever owned was a long, camel-coloured, cashmere blend one from Hobbs that I had in the 90s, was THE SOFTEST, and I still get misty-eyed thinking about. That said, at the other end of the price spectrum, I do keep coming back to Uniqlo’s coat offering this season, too - this lighter-coloured version of a wool blend wrap coat they’ve had out for a while now is coming in November.
Side note: speaking of snug wrap-ups, I raised an eyebrow or two in John Lewis last week, when I tried this on over my trench.
John Lewis Faux Fur Dressing Gown in Caramel. LITERALLY like wearing a 🧸.
Birkenstock debuts foot care
It’s definitely time, here in the northern hemisphere at least, to put away the Birkie slides for another year - although I’m still slipping on my Arizonas first thing in the morning, to pad out into the garden and re-fill the bird feeder (I’m in my bird feeding, Merlin app-consulting era 🤷♀️).
Speaking of which—tangent incoming— wrote something fascinating at The Gardening Mind the other day, about bundling up and going outside on cold mornings, and being with nature, in keeping with the Swedish tradition of gökotta (getting up early to listen to birdsong). Jo writes: “The mornings might be crisper, and the birdsong more sporadic than in May, but getting out there early and dare I say it, communing with nature in your own way, does get those happy-making chemicals going.” Given it was St Francis of Assisi’s feast day yesterday, it feels fitting to mention it this weekend. A midlife mindfulness hack right there!
Back to Birkie’s. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the company, Birkenstock have launched a range of six footcare products, made in Germany from (of course) 100% natural ingredients. The vegan products start at £23 each (if you don’t count the £9.50 pumice), for a foot balm, scrub or lotion, but the 3-Step Foot Care Kit (£28) would be a good way to give the ritual a whirl?
Can you smell the eucalyptus through your screen?🍃
Oooh, on that - if you’re on the lookout for a handy, purse-sized hand cream to keep sandpaper palms and rough cuticles at bay, I 100% recommend picking up Space NK’s Nordic Wilds Hand Cream (£5).
It feels as amazing on the skin as it smells (kind of like Olverum, the luxe-y bath oil I mentioned the other week), and it’s not at all greasy.
Midlife style, in the wild.
Gretą Gerwig and Natalie Portman (seasonal nails ✔️) in Paris.
(Love Natalie’s biker jacket - pssst, M&S has restocked its new vegan one!—and Greta’s textured waves. Did someone say sea salt spray?).
Victoria’s bob is still making headlines (again, the focus is on the textured finish).
On the red carpet with Cate Blanchett at the Borderlands premiere - makeup by Mary Greenwell, using Armani Beauty.
Vanessa Paradis does boho chic at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris.
For show’s finale at the Grand Palais, Chanel ambassador Riley Keough sang live, starting off swinging in the giant open bird cage on the runway - evoking Vanessa’s own, iconic 90s Chanel Coco ad (remember it?).
Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. Thanks so much for reading, and hitting ❤️ Like below posts - it really helps in encouraging Substack to spread the word, and I appreciate it so much.
See you on Tuesday!
I wondered when Birkenstock would break into beauty — given the brand's heyday and the obscene open door to every brand starting their own beauty offering (ugh) — felt like it was only a matter of time. Let's see how long it lasts...
Happy weekend! xx
Enjoy the birding. The absolute best hobby I have ever done! Calming and also great for the brain to learn bird ID markers and their songs