2021 Off to a Less Than Flying Start: And Link-Up

Have the first few days of 2021 had you jumping for joy?  I've seen quite a few amusing social media posts where people are saying that they had the free trial of the new year but didn't like the look of it.  As far as Covid-19 is concerned, the UK is dealing with the most serious situation since the pandemic started. In wave 1, most of us hardly knew anyone who had had Covid,  now we all know people who have had it. It has now touched several people in our family and the next door neighbours. 

At least the vaccines are starting to be rolled out and they will help us to control future outbreaks of different variants of the coronavirus, as happens with the flu each year. 

My hubster was very poorly over the weekend with a very bad cough, exhaustion and lose of appetite. The coughing and fighting for breath kept us both awake. We didn't think it was Covid, because he was diagnosed with respiratory issues a few weeks ago and is waiting for a referral to a specialist. But to be on the safe side he had a Covid test, and it was negative.  

How do we cheer ourselves up?

In these gloomy times, what to do? Make ourselves some promises is my suggestion.  I have promised my mum that I will drive down to see her as soon as it's possible  (hopefully for Mother's Day, which in the UK is in March).  In the meantime, I send her the occasional surprise.

To keep myself going, I buy things - like this skirt in the sale - and book things.  Last year's cancelled holiday to Greece was transferred to July. Plus the Elton John concert was moved to November.  And I will book some more things:  the new David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy, the opening of the new Munch Museum in Oslo. I love to see these jewels in my calendar, and if they get cancelled again, I know I'll be refunded. But it's the hope and anticipation that keeps me going. The prospect of a beach holiday also has me on the straight and narrow diet-wise! 

Nature also keeps me going. I love to see the season's changes in the forest where I walk. On my urban walks, my eyes are pealed for sightings of snowdrops and daffodils in the gardens.  I must confess I'm hoping for some decent snow - we haven't had any in London for years. I know a lot of people hate it but oh, the joy of a heavy drop! The winter wonderland photos. The snowman! The cat and bird prints in the garden. It's been snowing in parts of Spain for the first time in many years, so I'm optimistic! 

It will be very exciting when we finally go back to work in the office. I imagine it won't happen until the summer at the earliest. By then, we won't have seen each other for 15-16 months. So I can imagine there will be a lot of squealing but probably no hugs. 

The Times asked a few celebrities for tips on getting through the current lockdown. Some of these are worth sharing. Jacqueline Wilson, the author, recommends starting the day with a quiz. She and her partner usually have breakfast in bed and have a bit of fun doing a quiz before they get ready for the day.

Victoria Derbyshire, journalist and broadcaster, is trying "jog walking." Former Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill is all for spontaneity - doing something silly with the kids like building a den, or going on an imaginary safari in the woods. Ian Rankin, author, suggests embracing the emptiness. By this he means the empty streets of central Edinburgh, which he is now exploring and photographing. I would love to explore the empty streets of London but I'd need to catch a train or drive, so it's not possible with all but essential travel banned. 

Finally, the redoubtable Baroness Boothroyd, 91, former Speaker of the House of Commons, says that we have battled through difficult times in the past and won through, and we'll win again. She urges us to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and keep on going.

In the pictures I'm wearing a skirt which was in the sale at Kettlewell Colours.  I already have this skirt in purple and green. It's got an elasticated waist and the material is very soft, so it's perfect for working from home. The blue is echoed in the brocade bomber jacket, and I kept the green tones going with my snakeskin boots. The bag was a Christmas present and I see it's reduced in the sale at Marks and Spencer.

I've just joined the lovely Kettlewell Colour Club on Facebook and seeing the members' colorful outfits has inspired me to start adding more color to mine. Stay tooned on this topic!

What are your own tips for getting through the next few weeks?  Do share in the comments.

Sharing this post with: #OnMondaysWeLinkUp at Glass of Glam, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #LinkupOnTheEdge at Shelbee on the Edge, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Thursday Moda at Elegance and Mommyhood, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Style with a Smile and Stylish Monday at Stylesplash, Style Six at Coast to Coast, TFF at Doused in Pink, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi,  #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb,  Lizzie in Lace  and Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire, Beauty by Miss L

A quick reminder: if you haven't done it already, please take a few minutes to complete the annual Is This Mutton? survey, which will be open until Monday 18 January. If you're female and over 45, very keen to get your views on coping with the pandemic. TAKE THE SURVEY  All contributions are anonymous, no email addresses are being captured, and you don't need a Google log-in to take part. The results will be shared next week. 

No gifted products or affiliate links were used in this post. 

#WOWONWEDNESDAY LINK-UP

It's time for #WowOnWednesday, the link-up where bloggers find new readers, and readers find new blogs to read! Last week's favourite posts (most clicked) were: Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom  with her Most Viewed Blog Posts of 2020

Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper with her post New Year, New Hope? 

My favourite non fashion post was by Simply Small Town and the book recommendations "On the bookshelf in November & December". I am a voracious reader these days, so book suggestions are always welcome.

 

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Fashion, fashion for the over 50s, fashion for the over 60s, fashion over 50, look great at 60, snakeskin boots, velvet