F.A.B. MAG UK SPRING 2023

FABMAG

ISSUE 12 SPRING 2023

UK

Forty & beyond

Welcome back to F.A.B Mag Uk. The season is SPRING. It comes with lighter evenings and longer days. Its also the season of my Birthday and My daughters. Im 50 and my daughter Patsy is 30. We have planned a mini break to Paris to mark the occassion. A proper mother and daughter trip, although im not sure at times who is the parent!! I’ve even given you a little guide to dressing like a parisian on page 14.

We recently completed a charity walk in aid of The St Nicolas Hospice here in Suffolk. They cared for my mum in April of last year and it felt important to us all to say thankyou to the team there. They really are incredible. Anyway my daughter was the one with the bag of snacks, the pace setter and the one with the plasters and head torches!! She was brilliant.

This seasons cover is a showstopper and features the wonderful LUNA. Read my Q&A with Luna on page 8. We have the return of our girl in Miami Gail Gensler and our Traveling trailblazer Siobhan Daniels who has just returned from a string of book promotional tours. Along with fashion, some Easter baking and the wonderful Models of Diversity this is issue has something for everyone.

As always thank you for reading and if you would like to be featured please get in touch.

Editor Zee chats to cover star Amanda chapman-bruce.

SPRING

We

MODELS

Introducing

Who

KICKING

Our girl in miami talks training clothing

EASTER BAKES

Bake a beautiful Easter Bundt Cake - its easy!

MY MENOPAUSE

Claire Kenny gives us her take on the menopause so far.

Our cover girl Amanda Chapman-Bruce. Gail Glenser in miami, Donna Ashworth, Siobhan Daniels, Claire Kenny, Linda Blacker and Models of Diversity and everyone who advertised this issue.

This Issue I’d like to give a special shout out to a local friend of mine Sophia Norris She is an absolute warrior and inspiration. Giving Breast cancer a big kick in the bollocks. youve got this Soph. LOVE US XX

For Advice and support contact; breastcanceruk.org. uk

additional images throughout provided by unsplash.com

With special thanks to all of our contributors this month...

SHE’S COSMIC!

Editor Zee talks with Cover Star LUNAPhotographer,Activist, Businesswoman,Texile Designer & Magpie!

Luna,

as the name suggests, means out of this world, the latin for Moon. a shining light in the darkness. That’s exactly how I feel about this issue’s cover star. Photographer and avid championer of women LUNA ( or amanda Chapman-bruce) Social media can be a dark place at times, and for women of all ages, sometimes intimating. That’s why I adore LUNA’S approach to her photography of women. I’ve met some inspiring and incredible women over the social networks I inhabit and it was impossible to scroll past her work. So who is the activist, artist, textile designer and photographer LUNA?

“AUTHENTIC BUT NOT ANTIQUE ”

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day for men can look different depending on which end of the week you catch me…The first half of the week I lecture at the local college part-time delivering Level 3 Graphic Design - I started about a month ago - nothing like a career change at 48! Tuesday evenings are usually rehearsals with my partner as we attempt to get our retro rock and roll band back up and running after a bit of a hiatus (easier said than done!), and the latter part of the week I am usually freelancing creating various graphics, textile designs and artworks for home, fashion, and musicians! I also save Thursday to Sunday for any photography jobs. There is usually some sort of dress up in between all this for the grid - often to the amusement of my partner ( who has been used to my antics for some time now ). Disclaimer...Life admin and chores feature heavily, but that’s the dull stuff that isn’t very interesting to talk about!

What inspires you day to day?

Those who stand in the face of adversity. Those who stand up for what they believe in. Those who believe in themselves. Those who don’t bend to the media or society’s will. The upstarts, the upsetters, the agitators, the truth speakers. We need to show our impressionable youth what community looks like, what standing up for each other looks like, what supporting each other looks like, and give them the power and confidence to call out something that doesn’t sit right. Without a doubt the people actively fighting for a better world are beyond inspiring.

Oh wait, if you mean art wise, it is pretty much anything that is brightly coloured or sparkles!

“I HAVE HEROES AND INDULGENCES”

How did you get into photography?

I Studied photography as part of my foundation art course back in the early 90s. I loved the whole process of developing my own film and experimenting with exposure techniques. I was told my work in general was quite expressive, and that I was best suited to textile design or advertising. At 18 you sort of just go along with it because you haven’t got much of a clue what you want to do (I still don’t in all honesty). Fast forward a few years later and I’d specialised in Textile Design - Along with hand sketching and computer sketches, I would use my camera to take images of florals and abstract pattern, and manipulate them into my designs. It wasn’t until Covid that I explored using my camera for portraiture. Any modelling jobs I had in the pipeline were shelved, and I was feeling creatively unsatisfied where I was working. So I decided to join in with one of my good friends lockdown photo challenges and began using the prompts to explore self portraiture.

My imagery connected with quite a few people which was the loveliest thing, and surely but slowly I began to grow a gallery of fabulous folk that I had photographed. I continued my self portraits to journal my self expression through clothing. This included creating and crafting styled shoots for various independent business who felt they connected with my vision.

Where do you get the inspiration for your art and photography?

Where to begin…I think I can split this into two parts, I’ll call them heroes and indulgences.

There is a wide range of artists, photographers, fashion designers, and musicians that inspire from Viv Westwood to Frida Kahlo, Anne Lebowitz to Grace Jonesthese are the heroes (and far too many more to mention). The indulgences are probably easier to talk about as I am a sucker for the drama of saturated bold colour, visual contrast, pattern play, blurred and diffused imagery, sparkle and shine, and creating a strong presence with my subjects. I chase creativity and authenticity. What also inspires me to keep photographing is the joy in the process. When you are shooting with someone, and you are able to reveal a part of them that makes them question how they actually see themselves - that is the magic right there, it is so sincerely honest and beautiful. The feel good vibe of a shoot is second to none and I love the energy that is created - I really hope that shows in my images.

I love your tee collection Self expression is my thang!- Current faves are ‘Less Bitter, More Glitter’ and ‘Authentic not Antique.’ How did that side of your business start?

Thank you so much! That is true self indulgence - it generates little profit, but I love doing doing it!! I am a textile designer by trade and have spent over 20 years working for most of the highstreet designing product and print for homewares and fashion. Throughout my career people have been telling me to get my own stuff on tees, and sell my own art. So to celebrate being the ‘wrong side of 40’ as people referred to it (which is utter bollocks as it is DEFINITELY the right side) I created a capsule range of slogan tees which I called Positivitees. They were just a bit of fun and seemed to resonate with the tribe of awesome women and men who weren’t suffering gladly from the BS driven anti ageing malarky peddled by the media.

Less bitter more glitter is about just chucking things in the fuckit bucket and finding joy in sparkly stuff, or just shining regardless of the crap around you.

Authentic not antique was my 2 fingers up to ageism. We are ageing the way we are supposed to, and that is perfectly acceptable without the daft labels and ridiculous pressure to remain youthful looking.

I use a third party shop currently - They provide circular fashion, made and printed using renewable energy with eco friendly inks. There is no plastic in the packaging either which is always a bonus. I would love to have a studio set up and print my own preloved tees one day, alas I don’t have the room or the equipment at home to do so. I’m not very good at advertising the tees, and don’t really push them - as we don’t actually need to buy more shit! If your last tee has fallen apart and you were wanting to buy one of mine then that’s brilliant, otherwise, save the planet AND your money!

What are your passions, what drives you day to day?

Apart from the obvious desire to keep a roof over my head and bills paid, my drive is pretty humble presently. That is not to say I am unambitious, but having been made redundant a few weeks before Christmas and it taking 2 months to get sorted again, I’ve had to dig deep and remain as resilient and resourceful as possible. I have a great deal of stubbornness and refuse to let life’s curved balls knock me over for too long…I bounce back if nothing else out of spite, menopausing and all! Life can be a bit of a joker at times can’t it, and it is the moments in between all the shite that is the good stuff - we have to hold onto that as tightly as possible!

Photography wise the drive is to be a better photographer technically - I’m the sort of person who doesn’t read a manual and dives straight in. I would much rather get stuck in by exploring and experimenting - there’s nothing quite like a happy mistake! Plus my ADHD will do everything it can to stop me completing a ‘howto’ tutorial more than a few lines or few minutes long!!

“MY ADHD WILL DO EVERYTHING TO STOP ME”

I think we all suffer with imposter syndrome from time to time, and comparison is the thief of joy as they say. The important things is remembering to turn the volume down on the inner voice when it starts that rubbish!

My passions remain to create art, and visual joy. No matter what format it is in. I cannot express how important it is to make time for creative play. It isn’t about creating technically perfect masterpieces, or even finishing a projet/ piece of art. it is totally about allowing yourself to be free in the process of creating. You cannot fail at creating - if you have an end product, it is a bonus!

What’s next for Adorn with Attitude?

Evolution not revolution I think!! I will continue to create visual joy for brands, and for my personal enjoyment. I haven’t got any written goals or a 3 year plan, and whilst some may see that as a mistake, I much prefer to run with the flow and see what develops. For me Adorn With Attitude is about celebrating ourselves, making connections, and making an impact - I don’t need a business plan for that!

“EVOLUTION NOT REVOLUTION”

Springtime In Paris!

Editor Zee shares her milestone birthday plans for a trip to Paris with her ddaughter Patsy.

This year I celebrate my 50th Birthday! My Daughter Patsy is celebrating her 30th. Both of us were born in April and we have decided to do something special to mark our milestone birthdays.

We are off to PARIS! When Patsy was born i often thought about my 50th and that she would be 30. It seemed a lifetime away, and indeed it was. I battled my way through single motherhood in the 90’s with support of my family and girlfriends and I have to say she has turned out to be my most favourite human and best friend. Indeed there where times where I didnt think we would ever get here, I was a strict parent and borderline hysterical sometimes about the perils of the world that I brought her into. I was healing from mulitple tramas that had bestowed me and I felt a shadow over all my efforts.

Now here we are! We speak daily and communicate, (often through the wide mouth filter on Snapchat), and she has be roaring with laughter. She is an amazing mother and wife and she gets on with her stepdad like hes always been there. They even gang up on me..annoying. I’m most proud of her emphany and kind heart. She’s become her grandads best buddie after we lost our Mum,her Nanny Cyndy, last April. They spent days at country fayres when she was little and he was her role model.

So this Spring we are packing our bags and eurotunnling our way to Paris. Im dreaming of Hot chai lattes in Cafe De Flore. Looking out over Paris from the SacreCoeur, Pastries in The Carette Bakery. I will take her to Monmartre for a mooch as I love it there. Then an Aperol Spritz at Le Bimbo Montmatre! Ohh and the little Cafe in the first ever Dior store will be a must for Patsy.

Icannot wait to be there with my little girl making special memories for our milestone birthdays. Of course Im going to attempt my best parisan style and if youre looking for inspo then have a look at my idiots guide to “being chic” BISOUS.... XXXX

Dress like a Parisian.

The Retirement Rebel....

F.A.B.’s much loved columist brings us up to date with her latest adventures.

It is never too late and you are never too old. That is what life has been telling me since I hit the road when I was 60yrs in my motorhome, over three and a half years ago.

Back in 2019 when I turned the key in the ignition and set off on my solo adventure as a pro-age campaigner, I was overwhelmed with life. I felt that there had to be more to this ageing lark than the cards that life seemed to be dealing me. Disposing of my home and possessions I nervously headed off into the unknown.

Since then I have navigated a pathway to happiness. Although it has not been without its difficulties. Like the time I spent nearly five months in a field on my own in Norfolk in lockdown throughout Christmas. Or when I got stuck in the mud on a hilltop in the Outer Hebrides with noone there to help me. In both of those situations though I found a way through. A clutch technique my brother taught me helped me free myself from the mud after about half an hour or so of trying.

Being in lockdown tested my resolve, especially when my pipes froze and I had to collect and melt snow to boil it so that I could have a strip wash and make drinks. The good thing to come out of my nomadic life is that I have relised I am far more resilient and capable than I envisaged I would be.

Throughout all this I harboured a dream to write a book about my life’s adventures and how I had been broken in my fifties, before I eventually found my inner warrior to live the life I always wanted to live.

Iwas thrilled when in January 2022 I got the email from Vertebrate Publishing to say that they wanted to go ahead and publish my book. They believed in my story and that it would resonate with so many women both young and old. We came up with the title RETIREMENT REBEL.

After the initial excitement of getting my book commissioned I was scared about whether my writing would be good enough. I needn’t have worried. Vertebrate publishing guided me all the way through the whole process. They even listened when I asked for a Robin to be added to the design of the book cover. Robin’s appear often on my journey and I always feel it is my mother and elder sister, who both died, guiding me.

The messages of hope and determination to feel better about life and myself, contained within my book, are really resonating with scores of women. They relate to my life’s journey because they themselves are going through similar things like empty nests, as children leave home, bereavement, bullying, ageism... particularly in the workplace ...and the menopause.

Iam contacted daily by women via email and my website, shuvonshuvoff.co.uk. They open their hearts to me saying that they dream of having an adventure like mine, some to travel ,others just to do something different with their lives but often they feel too afraid. They say that I have inspired them. I feel honoured that they trust me. I am becoming quite an agony aunt.

Publishing my book has also enabled me to campaign even more for positive ways to age, especially through adventure. I have been intived to speak at events including the Kendal Mountain Festival and the Wild Writers festival in Peebles.

Ihave several Literary Festivals lined up for this year as well as Motorhome shows, which is exciting. There is definitely a growing number of solo female van travellers and I am delighted that I may have played a small part in some of those women taking to the road to find happiness and live in the moment.

Introducing Models of Diversity.

Models of Diversity, the registered charity who campaign for more diversity in the fashion,beauty and media industry has collaborated with one of the top Photography influencers in the United Kingdom, Linda Blacker on a visual campaign to highlight the lack of age inclusion and diversity in the industry.Photographer Linda said “we created this campaign to celebrate women their 40 and push for more representation in the fashion and media industry.

R ather than celebrating ageing and the beauty in it, again, as the industry profits off of their insecurities, whilst simultaneously making them feel invisible.”

These beautiful women women are bombarded with anti-aging propaganda again and are aged between 40 & 70, and we feel they look incredible!

Models of Diversity.

LINDA BLACKER X MODELS OF DIVERSITY

JO WOOD

69

I HAVE NEVER BELIEVED IN JUDGING SOMEONE BY THEIR AGE , RACE ,RELIGION OR PHYSICAL FORM . WE ARE ALL PART OF THE HUMAN RACE AND WE NEED TO APPRECIATE RESPECT AND LOVE EACH OTHER ..

JO WOOD

ANGEL SINCLAIR

60

OUR CEO HAS ALSO MADE AN APPEARANCE DESPITE HER PROTESTATIONS. ANGEL HAS SUFFERED HER OWN DEMONS IN THE PAST WITH ALCOHOL AND CHRONIC BULIMIA SHE IS NOW 15 YEARS SOBER AND IS A PILLAR OF THE AA COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING FELLOW PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDERS BY SHARING HER EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE AFTER FIGHTING HER OWN BATTLES IN TREATMENT AT THE PROMISE RECOVERY CENTRE. ANGELS PASSION IS TO TEACH OTHERS FROM THE LESSONS SHE HAS

SAMANTHA

AS WE AGE WE GROW INTO OUR POTENTIAL. I BELIEVE THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LIMITED, IT IS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED. THERE IS WONDER, BEAUTY AND JOY IN ALL SEASONS OF OUR EXISTENCE.

PAMELA DAVIS

58

I AM THE PROUD OWNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FASHION CANDY STYLE. THE COMPANY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2011 A UNIQUE CONTEMPORARY BRAND OF FASHION FUSIONEMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH STYLE.

AS A MATURE BLACK PROFESSIONAL WOMEN, A CAMPAIGN WITH THIS MESSAGE AND ETHOS WOULD BE SO VERY INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING TO BE PART OF.

I HAVE BEEN A MODEL FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND IN THE PAST 2/3 YEARS IT SEEMS LIKE “SOME” OF THE INDUSTRY IS FINALLY SITTING UP AND TAKING NOTE, THAT THERE IS A LOT OF AGE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR AGE, COLOUR ETC.

THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT “SHIFT” IN ATTITUDES AND PERSONALLY MY WORK ETHIC CHAMPIONS EXTREME DIVERSITY ON MY CATWALK, AND OTHER AREAS. WOMEN IN PARTICULAR OVER 50, DESPITE THEIR SPENDING POWER ARE CONSIDERED FRUMPY AND WE ARE FAR FROM THAT. WE HAVE BEEN INVISIBLE IN THE FASHION, BEAUTY, AND MEDIA INDUSTRY WITH NO VOICE- IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!!!

JOANNE HARRISON

61

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN YOUR CAMPAIGN BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A LACK OF DIVERSITY OF OLDER PEOPLE PORTRAYED ESPECIALLY IN FASHION MAGAZINES.

FOR EXAMPLE I AM PROFOUNDLY DEAF AND I HAVE TATTOOS I AM REGISTERED WITH ZEBEDEE AGENCY

MINA KUMARI

54 I AM A 50+ ASIAN PLUS SIZE WOMAN, WHO REALLY DOESN’T SEE ANYONE LIKE ME.

IT SHOULDN’T BE ABOUT COLOUR SIZE OR AGE, WE HAVE STYLE, CLASS AND AMBITION.

I FEEL SASSY AND HAVE A ZEST FOR LIFE, SO WHY DOESN’T THE FASHION INDUSTRY SHOW MORE WOMEN LIKE ME?

I WANT TO BE ACCEPTED FOR WHO I AM. AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER!

MINA - FOR ME & WHY I SAID YES TO THE SHOOT.

I AM A 50+ ASIAN PLUS SIZE WOMAN, WHO REALLY DOESN’T SEE ANYONE LIKE ME.

IT SHOULDN’T BE ABOUT COLOUR SIZE OR AGE, WE HAVE STYLE, CLASS AND AMBITION.

I FEEL SASSY AND HAVE A ZEST FOR LIFE, SO WHY DOESN’T THE FASHION INDUSTRY SHOW MORE WOMEN LIKE ME?

I WANT TO BE ACCEPTED FOR WHO I AM. AGE IS ONLY A NUMBER!

SHERINE KHALIL

AS AN ARABIC WOMEN OF AGE WITH A DISABILITY I FEEL TO BE PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN TO SHOW THAT WOMEN OF ALL AGES SKIN COLOUR AND ABILITIES SHOWED BE PRESENTED TO SOCIETY WHICH WE ARE A BIG PART OF BUT SEEM TO BE OVER LOOKED BECAUSE WE DO NOT FIT THE CLICHÉ STEREO TYPE.

Mothers Day.

A GIRL NEEDS A MOTHER

Donna Ashworth

Somewhere inside of you, is a little girl who needs a mother. Whether you have a mother or not, the need will always be there. Even if you never had one, if you didn’t experience that maternal love, there is a hole inside of you that perhaps, you didn’t even know you had.

A woman needs a mother, this much is true.

So if you’re lucky enough to have a mother living, call her, listen to her, show up if she wants you, or even if she doesn’t. Let her care, let her in, let her be a part of your life, for you are an enormous part of hers.

If you no longer have a mother, be very kind to the little girl who lives within you, she is hurting. She misses her mother more than you realise. Be gentle with her and don’t be too harsh when she is lost. She doesn’t have a mother to show her the way.

For those of you who have had a mother, who couldn’t love you the way you deserved, your heart is even more broken and bruised. There is little in this world more painful than that. Surround yourself with as much love as you can possibly find. You deserve it so very much indeed.

You see, a mother is the source of life, the teacher of love, she is shelter, she is nurture, she is home.

Take her with you wherever you go and let her love carry on, even after she has gone. It’s part of you. She never really leaves. If you look within, you will find her there.

Hold on to that, my friend, hold on to that.

FAVE UK BRAND ATM

ISOLATED HEROES

w

SOCIALS YOU’RE LOVING THIS SEASON

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WE ASKED YOU FOR SOME OF YOUR FAVE “INSTA LADIES”

AND HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THEM!A

KICKING AGEISUM

One topic I don’t read a lot about is fitness apparel for midlife women. There are one or two women- driven niche brands out there that recognize that our needs have changed, but I have personally found their clothing to be a miss for me. They are just not that exciting, nor do they address my personal requirements and are limited in choices.

I’m a fashionista at heart and want to have diverse outfits to choose from. Some people are just looking for functionality out of their fitness apparel. I get that the fashion component may not be important to everyone, and some are intimidated to go bold beyond the traditional black leggings and sports bras. While functionality is indeed critical, some gym-goers, like me, also use these clothes to represent their fashion aesthetic. Midlife women are no exception- we are currently considered the healthiest, richest, and most active group of women in history.

“EVERY WOMAN OUT THERE ACKNOWLEDGES THE THREAT OF THE DREADED CAMEL TOE!!”

Those of us in midlife need top-notch fitness apparel to help us get through grueling workouts like boxing, weightlifting, HIIT, spinning, Pilates, yoga, CrossFit, dance, etc. We also account for 64% of global spending, so clearly, we have the want and we have the means! I admit I am very particular when it comes to exercise apparel. I’ve been doing for this for a long time (I’ve even seen certain trends come back around, like the one piece and flare) I know what I like and don’t like. I’m not afraid to splurge a little when it comes to my fitness clothes, as I know I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of them. I’m also happy to step out of my comfort zone and try different things for a new look. Fitness clothes are an expression of my fashion aesthetic-my way of enjoying trending items. Here’s what I look for when shopping for fitness apparel.

UPPER BODY SPECS.........

If you follow me or if you’ve ever met me in person, you know I like to wear black. However, dark colors are my preference for regular clothes, not so much for fitness apparel. When it comes to fitness, I’m comfortable wearing bold colors. This has expanded my choices while I’m shopping for athletic clothes. No colors are off limits! In terms of fit, there are a few specific aspects of the top design that I’m looking for. The first is a ¾ sleeve or long sleeve. We all have certain areas that we feel more self-conscious about than others. I’m no exception. I’m not a huge fan of my elbows. Additionally, I am not one who just glistenssweat! The idea of my perspiration flying off my arms and potentially hitting my neighbor is not appealing, so the longer sleeve helps with that. I am also not a fan of taking sun, so the longer sleeve protects my skin when I’m doing an outdoor workout.

NO COLOURS ARE OFF LIMITS!

For sports bras the obvious perk is support, but I have also found certain styles are more flattering than others to my eye. Racer backs are universally flattering. U-shaped tops=never! Regardless of what shape your arms are in, the view from the front makes everyone look wide. And from the back, the upper arm looks unattractive, in my opinion. The other detail I like is an exposed shoulder. Shoulders are an area where you can see the fruits of your labor more easily. Years of boxing have given me toned shoulders that I’m proud of. I want them to get some love! The exposed shoulder is a huge plus for me, though they can be tough to find with a longer sleeve. Mesh tops are another alternative and allow for fun color blocking!

Lower Body Specs Let’s talk about leggings

(everyone’s favorite)! Similar to my choice in tops, I don’t shy away from wearing colors like neon green and purple. Sometimes it’s good to stand out- this is Miami after all! Also like my workout tops, there are a few distinct details I prefer in my leggings. Every woman out there acknowledges the threat of the dreaded camel toe. Awful! Especially in the gym!

When You Look Good… There’s a unique power to walking into a gym confident in your style. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you play good. Grammatical issues aside, that phrase perfectly encapsulates wearing fashionable but functional fitness apparel and having it translate to a betterworkout.

Women over 50 are not represented or targeted in marketing campaigns, despite the fact we control a net worth of over $19 trillion. The simple fact is that the ones designing and marketing these clothes are not of our age group, so there’s an inherent lack of knowledge and empathy there. As a pro-aging lifestyle model and influencer, I want to not only be the authentic midlife model wearing the clothes in the advertising and marketing campaigns, but to also add value to brands by raising awareness and providing my first-hand knowledge on the subject. We all like to let our fashion aesthetic show in the gym. ESPECIALLY those in midlife. Fashion & amp; functionality=champion!

Ask me about my favorite fitness apparel brandsI’m happy to share!

EASTER BAKES .

THIS EASTER WHY NOT TRY SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT? I LIKE TO GIVE EASTER BASKETS TO THE GRANDCHILDREN JUST LIKE MY MUM ALWAYS DID. I’M ALSO REALLY LIKING THE IDEA OF BAKING YOUR OWN EASTER CAKE TO TAKE AS A GIFT FOR THE SUNDAY EASTER LUNCH, IF YOU PARTICIPATE. THIS YEAR IM MAKING EASTER EGG CHOCLATE BROWNIES AS THEY ARE MY GRANDSONS FAVOURITE. CHOCLATE BARK WRAPPED WITH PRETTY RIBBON IN PLANT CELLOPHANE OR PRETTY WAX PAPER IS A NICE ALTERNATIVE TO SHOP EGGS. THIS MAY SOUND A BIT KIRSTY ALLSOPP BUT IF YOU HAVE THE TIME GIVE MY EASTER CAKE A WHIRL. DECORATE IT WITH MINI EGGS AND ICING SUGAR OR IF YOURE FEELING FANCY SOME OF THOSE POSH SUGARED ALMONDS AND POSH CHOCLATE EGGS YOU FIND IN SNAZZY DELIS. WHATEVER YOU DO ENJOY IT..ITS CHOCOLATE SEASON

AFTER ALL!

ZEE XX

INGREDIENTS

180G BUTTER, SOFTENED, PLUS EXTRA FOR GREASING

225G CASTER SUGAR

¾ TSP ALMOND EXTRACT

2 TSP BAKING POWDER

180G PLAIN FLOUR

75G GROUND ALMOND

3 LARGE EGGS

2 TBSP MILK

3 TBSP COCOA POWDER MIXED WITH 3

TBSP HOT WATER TO MAKE A PASTE

100G DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP

30G ICING SUGAR, TO DUST

1.5L (OR BIGGER) BUNDT CAKE TIN

METHOD

STEP 1

HEAT THE OVEN TO 180C/160C FAN/GAS 4. THOROUGHLY BRUSH A 1.5 LITRE BUNDT TIN WITH MELTED BUTTER.

STEP 2

CREAM THE BUTTER AND SUGAR TOGETHER UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. STIR IN THE ALMOND EXTRACT.

STEP 3

MIX TOGETHER THE BAKING POWDER, FLOUR AND GROUND ALMONDS. BEAT IN ONE EGG AT A TIME, ADDING A SPOONFUL OF THE FLOUR MIXTURE IN BETWEEN. REPEAT UNTIL ALL THREE EGGS HAVE BEEN ADDED, THEN FOLD IN THE REMAINING FLOUR MIXTURE AND STIR IN THE MILK.

STEP 4

SPOON HALF OF THE CAKE BATTER INTO A SEPARATE BOWL AND MIX IN THE COCOA PASTE. ADD THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS TO THE OTHER HALF OF THE MIXTURE. ADD SPOONFULS OF EACH OF THE BATTERS ALTERNATELY TO THE TIN AND DRAG THE HANDLE OF A TEASPOON THROUGH THE MIXTURE TO CREATE A MARBLED EFFECT.

STEP 5

BAKE FOR AROUND 40 MINUTES AND THEN TEST THE CAKE TO SEE IF A SKEWER INSERTED INTO THE DEEPEST PART COMES OUT CLEAN. THE CAKE WILL TAKE 40 - 50 MINS, DEPENDING ON THE PROPORTIONS OF YOUR BUNDT TIN.

STEP 6

LET THE CAKE COOL IN THE TIN FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING OUT ONTO A COOLING RACK. ONCE COOLED, DUST THE CAKE WITH A LITTLE ICING SUGAR. DECORATE IS AN EASTER THEME.

My Menopause

40 Plus

Things have been feeling a little ‘off’ since the end of last year and I’ve been struggling to put my finger on why. Until I travelled to London for work and had my epiphany. Work travel is nothing new for me and I’ve been doing it on and off for years. I’m one of those hardened tube users. I’ve used our creaking transport system during heatwaves and when heavily pregnant. I’ve poured myself into heaving carriages with my face in someone’s armpit or squashed against the doors. And it’s never bothered me one bit.

So why have I started feeling panicky now?! The bloody menopausethat’s why!

Ithought the menopause was just about forgetting things and being boiling hot all the time, so the breadth of other symptoms has shocked me. These are feelings I’ve been having on and off since late last year and it’s taken me until now to make the connection. Most shocking I think is the impact on my mental health, particularly the anxiety. On the tube on my most recent work trip, I realised that I had a hamster wheel spinning around and around in my head which

“SO WHY HAVE I STATRTED FEELING PANICKY NOW?”

Blogger Claire Kenny shares her early experience of Menopause and why there’s so much more to it than hot flushes and fortgetfullness.

Repeatedly told me that I only had to wait three more tube stops until I could get off and back onto the relative safety of the platform. On the crowded train home, I was acutely aware of the huge, empty cavern in my chest that I couldn’t fill with air because it felt like I’d forgotten how to breathe. I’d even felt it at the theatre that weekend, where despite loving the performance, I spent far too much time thinking how hot it was and how claustrophobic I felt. There are random physical symptoms too, which initially had me wondering what on earth was wrong with me. It’s unsurprising that one of the most common sentiments around the menopause is feeling like you’re losing your grip on reality. I mean, how do you see the wood for the trees with all this random stuff going on?!

While I now know that there’s an overarching explanation for how I’m feeling, especially as tests have excluded anything serious, a large part of me has been wondering whether my symptoms are completely unrelated to the menopause and that I’m basically just in exceptionally poor shape.

Ialso feel a huge sense of injustice. At 47, I’ve FINALLY got myself into a place where I felt strong, capable and optimistic, yet here’s another curveball!

When I shared my thoughts on sociaI media, I was struck by how many people responded. I know many of the women who commented as friends yet had never heard them speak about how significantly they were being impacted or how hard they’d had to fight to get help

Ican see why this is so taboo. It’s crushing and scary to realise that you don’t feel strong when you pride yourself on having your shit together. But for me, silence and isolation are a far deadlier enemy, so this is something I’ll continue to talk about. Maybe some of my friends and followers will feel able to do the same; maybe they won’t. But either way, I think we’ve come too far - thanks to the amazing trailblazers who’ve bravely started the conversation - to suffer in silence.

Thankfully I know we’re more geared up to get help these days, and as well as trying to do more mindfulness and other activities that I know calm and relax me, my GP is going to be my next step. And I promise it won’t be wall to wall doom and gloom either! There MUST be somethingpositive! Just let me get rid of this brain fog and I’ll find it.

PHOTO: BURST.SHOPIFY.COM

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PHOTO: BURST.SHOPIFY.COM