I find so much inspiration on Instagram and follow so many blogs. These can be on fashion, beauty, travel, healthy eating, honestly, I love a good read. Because I love so many ladies on insta and am always intrigued to learn more about them, I thought you may be too. On Tuesdays I am going to start interviewing some of the lovely women who inspire me most days and find out more about their lives and how they got to where they are.
First up is the beautiful Michelle of My Fashionable 40’s. Michelle finds beautiful high street items and styles them up fabulously, making an outfit look cool and effortless.
Tell me a bit about yourself
I’m a married mum of one sport mad 12 year old daughter… oh and we also have a Parson’s Russell terrier called Sid. I work part-time in a customer service role for a family run business that produces experiential training activities. I love my job! The family I work for have taught me so much. I am forever grateful to them as they came into my life just when I needed them!
I hail from the West Country and have lived in the Bristol area all my life. My daughter’s love of sport comes from her dad (definitely not me!) who played football for Chelsea for pretty much his whole football career. He’s from Bristol and although we didn’t meet until we were in our early 30’s I can’t believe we didn’t meet years earlier as we grew up around the corner from each other.
Where did your love of fashion come from? I always love all your choices and wonder where you get your inspiration from?
My love of fashion came from my mum… she has always been really into her clothes and is still a source of style inspiration to me. These days my inspiration comes mainly from Instagram and Pinterest or blogs that I read. I love your style Shelley! My favourite accounts are Emma Hill, Little Spree, Emma Rose Thatcher, a lady called Pockets and Stripes and Laura May Wilson. The pared back style of these ladies really appeals to me.
Your Instagram has grown so well why do you think this is? Any tips or tricks?
I’ve had some lucky breaks! Gorgeous Fran – The Fashion Lift credited me (this was a few years ago) as she bought a sweater after she’d seen it on me and that really helped me along in the early days. More recently a gorgeous Spanish interior designer reposted a lot of my outfits on her Stories which nudged me right over the 50K mark! I think hashtags get you noticed…..especially for brands like H&M, ASOS and Warehouse who have all featured me on their websites….that really helps pick up new followers. Also joining in weekly hashtags such as #whatweworeonwednesday and #fridayfeet. I do research new hashtags as well as using the more obvious age and style specific ones.
Where are your favourite places to buy fashion from and why?
I’m a huge champion of the High Street. I love H&M, Zara and New Look. I’ve recently discovered & Other Stories and Arket both of which I now adore! ASOS is another place I shop frequently too! They are all good places to buy trend items or even basics I find!
I often turn to eBay to source things as I’m a big fan of preloved as well. I’m lucky enough to have some really good preloved stores in Bath so I love to have a little root around in those.
I’m intrigued by peoples morning routines and how they set themselves up for the day. What is your breakfast/morning routine?
Oh I love this question Shelley!! The first thing I do everyday when I get up is exercise. I have a mini trampette and I bounce (run on the spot) for half an hour. I chant a few mantras whilst I’m doing it and this totally sets me up for the day. I’ve been doing this for about 10 years. It’s like my daily dose of meditation! Then I have my breakfast… always porridge and usually go through any emails that I need to deal with before I get in the shower. I give myself a vigorous body brush and end my shower with a burst of cold water to get my circulation going. It’s a good way to start the day!
In the last 5 years what new belief, habit or behaviour has most improved your life?
I think the morning routine that I spoke of in the last question has been a game-changer! I’m a big believer in the universe. Ask and it’s given. I devour books by Jerry/Esther/Abraham Hicks and am a huge fan of You’re a Badass by Jen Sincero. These have definitely changed my life for the better.
If you could put one book in the high school curriculum what would it be and why?
Definitely You’re a Badass as previously mention. Today’s kids seem plagued by doubt……but put your mind to it and you can do anything.
What impact do you want to have on the world?
To be remembered for being kind. To have instilled some lovely qualities in my daughter. I lost my dad 4 years ago and I was blown away by the amount of people who turned up to give him a good send him off. He was just a very sweet, gentle and humble family guy. It touched me so much to see how many peoples lives he had impacted. I was so blessed to have him in my life and my daughter reminds me so very much of him. She has such a lovely soul, just like him.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
Don’t ever doubt how capable you really are! We are so adaptable to change as long as we are open to embracing it. You grow through what you go through as they say.
What do you love/hate about Instagram?
Without a doubt the best thing about Instagram is the connections I’ve made. My lovely (now real life friend) at SusieSoSo encouraged me to start my blog 6 years ago. We chat everyday. She is still my coach and mentor (my rock really) through the highs and lows of Instagram. I am so lucky to have her in my life… she keeps me going. Recently a friend I lost touch with over 15 years ago found me thanks to Instagram and our friendship is back on track and it’s as if our break never happened. So grateful to Instagram for the friendships I’ve made and recovered! What I dislike about Instagram is the way it makes people brave enough to say things that they wouldn’t dream of saying to you face to face. I’ve been lucky as I’ve never been trolled, and I’ve been able to view the handful of comments that have offended me (I’ve never had anything really negative said to be honest but I am super-sensitive) as constructive criticism and when I’ve got over the initial shock (and hurt) I’ve learnt from them. You grow through what you go through as they say! We are all a work in progress no?
You can find Michelle on Instagram here.
Shelley x
