When I'm 64...




Hello lovelies and welcome to my birthday post!

The question as posed by The Beatles, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" comes to mind as I embrace my 64th birthday today. My dear hubby reached this milestone late last year and has given it a test run so I think I'm gonna be fine. Am I defined by my age? Well, of course not. As we all know, age is merely a number. An interesting thought though is that my mother at this age would have already been retired for four years and here I am with three more to go before I can rest on my laurels. 




So this is me, embracing life regardless of my age and loving the place I'm at. I can't see me ever wanting to give up on the shimmering sequins or silver high heeled boots. The thrill of dressing up is for me and me alone. I'm conversely not out to shock (no low necklines or high hemlines) or impress anyone. I really do this all for my own pleasure. I don't care a jot what onlookers think of my outlandish or over the top garb. Life really is too short to curb my enthusiasm for the joys of dressing up just for the hell of it! 




January isn't the best of month's to have a birthday if you live on a tiny island like mine. No big shopping malls for a day out with the girls, or even fancy restaurants for an evening of fine dining. Instead I got all dressed up in my favourite outfit of the day and took myself off to the oasis of calm that is the Abbey Garden. It was Saturday afternoon and I had the place completely to myself as I wondered around, seeking the best bit of light on the overcast day. 




A birthday gift to myself were the rather fabulous flares in a feminine mix of pink and orange hearts. Find them here in the Asos sale. I've had them lined up to wear with my mermaid coat for some time now and just adore them together. I have a party to attend in March and think this might be the perfect outfit for the birthday bash of a friend.




A bit of birthday bling by way of these preloved rings - what d'ya think? My necklace of jumbo pearls is an old favourite too.




I may not be defined by my age, but I definitely am by my sea swimming. My Wonder Woman swimsuit pretty much says it all. I do feel nigh on invincible when I emerge from the cold winter waters. At this time of year I'm one of the few who are still taking a regular dip in the icy Atlantic Ocean that pounds our shores on the Isles of Scilly. I'm proud to be part of a huge groundswell of women (and men) who have found this form of exercise to be life changing. You can read my backstory in the latest edition of the Tresco Times yearbook - see my piece on page 12. 




As the sunset stretches a bit later each and every day now, I'm delighted to find time to capture the last of the suns rays after work. My inner critic has deleted so many of these fun sea shots as they show a post Christmas softness to my figure or maybe simply the body of a 64 year old...




Perhaps this year will bring an easing of this harsh self-criticism that's blighted me for as long as I recall. Deep hurts from my teenage years still ring in my ears, leaving me struggle with self confidence and self doubts. Others may see me as fine while I'm still battling with not good enough syndrome. It's time for a coming to terms with me, all of me, at all times; the leaner summer body and the rounder winter shape that may be inevitable or simply the result of the passage of time. Your thoughts on this and anything else are very welcome! 

                                                                                     Anna x

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20 comments

  1. Happy birthday Anna! I think you've got incredible style, and dressing up purely for oneself is the way to go! And I can think of worse places to celebrate one's birthday! I'm loving both your outfit and your Wonder Woman swimsuit! xxx

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    1. Thanks so much Ann. I think we're very similar with our pleasing ourselves attitude and celebrate us both for that xx

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  2. Bon anniversaire Anna!
    Vous êtes une femme énergique et votre joie de vivre transparaît dans vos messages.
    Merci de nous faire partager votre optimisme.

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    1. Chere Vero, vous etes tres gentille! Merci beacoup pour les mots genereux.

      A bientot!

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  3. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! Love your outfit and you look gorgeous!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  4. Happy birthday Anna. OMG this outfit looks amazing. I like you, think any day is a good dressing up day. I always look forward to seeing what wonderful outfit you have come up with.

    Loving the Wonder Women swimsuit and I think it sums you up perfectly. Have a fab day MX

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    1. So good of you to drop by with some lovely birthday wishes Mathilda. Today is a perfect day for dressing up - surely that has to be our motto!

      Cheers,
      Anna x

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  5. Happy birthday mermaid Anna! I wish you a bright and happy year...
    Hugs, Susa

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  6. OMG, Anna! Happy Birthday!! I love your birthday outfit (you know I obsess over that coat!) and agree about dressing for oneself. Fabulous look! Your WW swimsuit is amazing - you are a vision rising from the waves! I have been dealing mentally with my post-Xmas soft body, and the fingers of depression that creep in when my weight fluctuates. Some of that is age (going on 55), some is chocolate! I am trying to be kind to myself.

    Big hugs for you!

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    1. Thanks so much for your constant support and kind words Sheila. I really do hear what you say about trying to be kind to oneself, but I somehow manage it towards others much more easily xxx

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  7. It seems that to be a woman is to be critical of one's body. I often wonder if men go through this. As someone with a long-time husband, I know he sighs at his lessening strength and thin hair, but it really doesn't seem the same thing at all.
    BTW, when I had my 64th birthday, my daughter made invitations to mail out featuring the Beatles song and illustrations. Great fun. And now with a big whoosh it's 11 years later and I smile to think that 64 seemed the brink of old. Now I AM old and it's just fine thank you. I'm terribly fortunate.
    I love fashion, but I do censor myself more than you. I also live in a small coastal town but my clothes, though colorful, are far less bright and lively than yours. You're an inspiration. Happy Birthday.

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    1. Thank you Kate for your birthday wishes and wise words. I do agree that men aren't blighted by our self criticism and are able to be self accepting in a way I could never imagine. I certainly do feel on the brink of old and wonder how I'm going to fare over the next 10 years. That said, I'll be dressing up in colourful garb for as long as it makes me happy!

      xxx

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  8. A Belated Happy Birthday Anna, your outfit is fabulous.
    Your W W swimsuit is fun, you look good in it.

    I agree with dressing to please yourself. I find you inspiring and love the colourful and often quirky outfits you put together.

    I hope you enjoy a wonderful year ahead.
    Warm wishes,
    Phylis x

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    1. Yours and every other comment here fills me with joy to know that I'm connecting with like minded women across the globe. Thanks for your birthday wishes xxx

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  9. I hope you had a wonderful birthday Anna! I love your gorgeous sequin coat and the Wonder Woman swimsuit! The sunset photo is awesome.

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. How lovely of you to drop in with your birthday wishes Emma. Thanks for your comments xxx

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  10. So sorry I missed your birthday Anna. Huge belated Happy Birthday wishes. Hope you had fun, looked like you did my friend. Jacqui x

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    1. Thanks for this Jacqui. Talking of fun, it looks like you've been having a great time too recently!

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