HELLO DEAR READERS let me INTRODUCE you to Hilda Smith a BLOGGER in IRELAND!

IT is TIME for AGELESS STYLE with Cindy Hattersley from Rough Luxe Lifestyle.

ON THE VINTAGE CONTESSA.NET

 We meet up once a month with a LADY or GENTLEMAN ask a Few Questions and have these lovely people answer them for your ENJOYMENT and BENEFIT.Cindy and I seldom tell each other who each individual pick is for the month and sometimes we have PICKED THE SAME PERSON!I think that only happen ONCE!We hope you enjoy these POSTS as much as we do!This month I had to have CINDY email HILDA as OUR POWER and INTERNET went OUT for TWO FULL DAYS!GOOD GOD………..that REALLY puts one in a difficult situation!

OR SHOULD I SAY A VERY BAD MOOD!

I had a little FLEA MARKET to ATTEND and SET UP for my GARDEN CLUB which turned out to be a success!

By the time I packed up and returned HOME all POWER was BACK ON!IT was a GOOD THING as I desperately needed a coffee to start putting this together for YOUR ENJOYMENT!

Let’s LEARN ABOUT HILDA NOW AND PLEASE ASK HER A FEW QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENT AREA AT THE END OF THE POST~JUST KEEP SCROLLING DOWN……………to a comment box!

Living in Malahide, a seaside town about 30 minutes commute from the centre of Dublin city. Graduate of Trinity College Dublin, I taught English to 12 to 18-year old boys and girls for 36 years at The King’s Hospital School, one of Ireland’s oldest schools. Happily married for 38 years to Graham (aka GG – for ‘Gorgeous Graham’ – on my blog), a retired wordsmith; Mum to Courtney (33), a fashion stylist, and Kirstin (36) who works in PR. Grandmother to Logan (4) and Cole (1).

MY first question HILDA is HOW OLD ARE YOU!!Where were you born and who were your parents?

I will be 64 in December, born 1956, and I was born in Roscrea, County Tipperary, in the midlands/centre of Ireland, into a farming family. My parents who are still alive are Jim and Frances Stanley.

HILDA, will you describe your style to my readers PLEASE!

My style is constantly evolving, even now. Some would call it classic with a twist. But I rule nothing out. I am only ruled by whether it suits me, not is it too young for me. In fact, I have been approached by several brands who would like to give me free outfits, but I decline. I consider that their style is  not my style and often too old for me. I do like dressing up to go out (remember those days) but since this damned virus has struck, I have had few occasions to wear my dressier outfits.

Are ACCESSORIES apart of your SIGNATURE LOOK?

I have never thought about it. I am not a jewellery person particularly. I am partial to a hat though. And scarves too. Wonderful to keep me warm in winter and if I am on holidays, I always pack a few as they can be used in so many different ways. And I used to love big handbags, now I prefer smaller ones that I can carry easily.

How would you describe your style strengths?

Difficult question. I suppose I am not afraid to try trends. But I think at this stage of my life, I do know what suits me.

Did you have a MUSE growing up? How about today in 2020?

Twiggy, the model, and Mary Quant, the designer. Oh, how I loved 60s’ and 70s’ fashion. I remember a purple mini-dress and matching bell-bottom trousers with fondness. I also had a paisley-patterned maxi dress, made from crimplene which I adored at the time. I still have the dress.

Today is more difficult. I am inspired by so many. I appreciate individual style and admire those women who are more daring and adventurous than I am. I love flamboyant dressing, though I am more muted myself. I love colour.  For example, I admire your style, your amazing kaftans, robes, headwear.

But style is all about feeling good.

Being considered stylish does not mean you have to wear designer clothes, or dress a certain way.

It is more about how you wear your clothes.

Clothes should give you confidence.

What was your FIRST ASTONISHING moment if you have had one on AGEING?

For example wrinkles, back of hands, hair loss?

Do you recall what went through your mind?

So many.

Which was the first?

Slacking jawline…eye bags.

The one that horrifies me the most is the ‘old woman thighs’ that are all slack skin when I do downward dog.

Note to self – never do downward dog without my tight exercise leggings!!!

PLEASE share your BEAUTY ROUTINE with us!

Do you Double Cleanse? Do you use eye cream?

Do you have a favorite SERUM?

Take us through STEP by STEP…………and if you like the results!

Skin care is so personal. I need hydrating products more than ever before. I started the double cleanse about two years ago and often use two different cleansers. I love a gel or oil cleanser like Simone Mahler and Cera Ve is also a favourite. Also, Eminence Stone Crop Oil cleanser.

I use different serums. If I like it, I use until it runs out. Simone Mahler  (French Brand) would be my favourite. I use a calming serum made from seaweed by Irish brand Seavite if my skin needs some extra love.

I love a facial mist…essential as I age and we have an Irish brand called Ella and Jo Cosmetics whose facial mist I adore.

Creams with peptides and Hyaluronic Acid are a must. I was introduced to IT Cosmetics last year and quickly became a fan.

And top of the list…. SUNSCREEN. Even in Ireland which is not best known for sunshine!

I am currently trying another Irish brand Skinician which is also good.

Beauty salons are closed at the moment over here as we are in a second lockdown, but I found Derma Lux red light therapy and Endymed treatments incredible. Nothing beats a facial from a good therapist. My face is definitely missing them.

Growing up what was your FAVORITE BOOK

‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

My ideal man is a mixture of Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy.

Graham is more Mr Darcy without the gruffness and the wealth.

MOVIE I loved Dr Zhivago ..it was so romantic and loved all the snow and furs.

MAGAZINE ‘Jackie’

ACTRESS Jane Fonda loved her in all those early films. And now love her in Grace and Frankie

TV SHOW ‘Mr Ed’ the talking horse and ‘F Troop’. Though we did not get a television until I was about 8!

DELIGHTED TO BE IN THE TOP 15!

You are an AWARD BLOGGER………..how did that come about? How many years have you had THE BLOG? Tell us the JOY that a BLOG BRINGS TO YOUR LIFE?

Not sure if award blogger is a term I would use. I started the blog – www.overthehilda.ie – almost five years ago because I felt there were no blogs (in Ireland at that time anyway) catering for the older woman. I write about my everyday life, what I find works for me in terms of skin care, supplements. I share my thoughts on ageing, marriage, menopause, anything that I feel would be interesting to my readers.

I suppose the greatest joy is the connection I have made with so many like-minded women all over the world. Obviously the connection comes from reading and commenting on their blogs. I am part of a group called ‘Style Not Age’ and we post once a month on an pre-arranged theme. We had hoped to meet up this year – the rest are based in England – but Covid came along and put a stop to that. I had met Gail (Is this Mutton) a few years ago in London with Laurie (Vanity and Me).

How do you stay in SHAPE or FIT?

Please INSPIRE me as I AM DOING NOTHING NOW says CONTESSA!

I used to play tennis until a back problem stopped me a few years ago. Now I golf badly and walk a lot and I started yoga last January and do some 5 or 6 times a week for half an hour. All easy basic moves. It definitely helps.

How can we find YOU on SOCIAL MEDIA?

Name of blog are you on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK?

My blog posts can be found at www.overthehilda.ie

Instagram and FB also overthehilda

My daughter’s boyfriend came up with the name.

I was thinking of the more cumbersome ‘Not Over The Hill’.

YOU have ARRIVED at A CERTAIN AGE. How does THAT make YOU FEEL?

Blessed, thankful and privileged. Like us all, I have lost friends too early. I am concerned of course with having less energy, wonky knees and problems with my back and pelvis. I want to stay active. I don’t like the loss of elasticity in my face, though smiling helps keep it lifted. I had an Ultherapy treatment last year which I feel helped. But gravity will win eventually.

I don’t think about ageing much, because inside I feel like I am in my 40s.

Mostly I feel grateful for my family, my health and my friends.

These photos taken from HILDA’s LATEST POST ON

GOTHIC ROMANCE for HALLOWEEN WEEK with STYLE NOT AGE!

ARE THEY NOT FABULOUS!!!!

TO SEE MORE HEAD TO HER BLOG RIGHT HERE A CLICK AWAY!

THANK YOU HILDA FOR BEING MY VICTIM AND GETTING BACK TO ME SO FAST!

 Once YOU have checked out HILDA PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK OVER TO SEE CINDY’s VICTIM!

I’m going to tell YOU alittle SECRET………..I can SEE who clicks and who does not click over!

  MAKE ME PROUD!

YOU ALREADY HAVE BUT DO IT AGAIN PLEASE!

If time is an issue I GET IT……MAYBE NEXT TIME!!!

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE!

   XXX

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