Lisa's Glow & Tell #2

I'm back again to tell you what has given me joy, beauty and inspiration in midlife this week—hopefully, you'll get a little sparkle from my edit too!

I’m trying not to get too excited by the fact that I said I would be bringing you a weekly round-up of things that have stood out for me—and here I am—actually doing it! Truthfully, I can’t ‘cross my heart’ that I will deliver every week, but, while we’re here…

Let’s dive in…

Here are my three top joy-givers and thought-bringers over the last week.

Let’s Be Candid!

If you’re looking for a confidence boost, a fun experience, or just some great photos without the awkwardness of a traditional photoshoot, let me introduce you to Candid—a self-portrait studio in London’s Notting Hill. It’s a little haven of self-love and creativity, and yes, I might be slightly biased because it was founded by my daughters, Aimee and Lily! But honestly, I’d be raving about it even if I had no connection at all.

Candid is all about capturing your best moments, whether you need headshots for work, snaps with your new puppy (or grandchild!), or just fancy a feel-good solo shoot. You set the vibe—choose your playlist, grab a disco ball or crown from the props box, and use the remote clicker to take as many shots as you like. There’s no pressure, no photographer watching—just you, doing your thing. And trust me, even if you walk in feeling a bit ‘meh,’ a few clicks later, you’ll be thinking, Oh, there I am! I look great!

You can walk away with printed keepsakes, and your full gallery is sent to you within 24 hours. Whether it’s a confidence boost, a branding refresh, or just a fun way to spend time with friends, Candid delivers.

It’s the ultimate feel-good, self-love experience—and doesn’t the world need all the love it can get right now?

Find out more here about the Candid effect and what it’s all about here! Pssst if you book, tell them mum sent you. 😉

My Gals 💗

I Love Icy Blue Balls and I Cannot Lie

Like these from beauty salon Farm Girl by Sarah Jane I have had them for a few years and they get used at least twice a week. I pop them in the fridge so they’re shiver-making icy and use them for a variety of feel and look good reasons! After applying a little facial oil or moisturiser, I sweep them up and under my cheek bones, under my eyes, around my mouth and down my neck to my collar bone. Not only to they help to drain lymphatic fluid that adds to puffiness, they stimulate blood flow and collagen and also help to lift and tone the face. Rolling them over the temples is delicious! This is fab for easing headaches and if you add a little deep-breathing, you’re onto a top-class stress reliever too.

TOP TIP: To wake up tired eyes, roll them under the brow bone, gently lifting (not dragging) the muscle and skin and voila—an instant eye lift.

I mentioned my love of drenching my face with cold water in The Midlife Morning Routine that Makes me Feel Amazing because I believe it’s a simple natural beauty hack that doesn’t cost a fortune, shows immediate results and anyone can do it!

The Wonder of Weights

Photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash

Once again, I am late to the party on something that everybody and their granny knows before me—weights are wonderful! Up until this year, if I was going to the gym, it was usually to do an exercise class, but nowadays—I’m there for the lifting! What’s made this change in me apart from the Insta algorithm serving me fabulous women in their 50s getting their dumbells out? Well, I’ve known for ages that resistance training and building skeletal muscle is important as we age, especially for us females who need to protect against bone-thinning and osteoporosis. And with my nan and mum both being sufferers of osteoporosis/osteopenia, plus coming off HRT—so missing the oestrogen, which helps keep bones healthy—I need to up my game.

When I first picked up the weights, it was just for the health and fitness benefits, but the more I’ve been training, the more I realise it makes me feel better mentally too. I originally thought those endorphins were only released in Zumba, running or some other high-impact activity so this was a welcome revelation!

My top inspirations for getting my muscles working are Caroline Idiens, more often known as Caroline Circuits, who has built a fitness empire by demonstrating workouts that can be done at home. Her accessible, time-efficient, and strength-focused workouts appeal to women of all ages, but particularly those between 40 and 60 who appreciate her positive attitude and ability to make fitness feel achievable. Another of my fit favourites is Kate Oakley (yourfuturefit) whose expert comments on midlife fitness are often in the media, such as the Telegraph and Platinum Magazine.

Before heading off to the gym, I flick through Caroline and Kate’s Instagram accounts and save a few workouts for me to follow when I’m there. It’s made life so much simpler and workouts more enjoyable!

Plus, using weights, I’m one step closer to getting the arms of my dreams—Linda Hamilton aka Sarah Connor in Terminator!

Ok, ok, I can wish! But if I can just manage to keep them strong and firm-ish as I age, then I’ll be happy!

So, that’s my little round-up for this week’s Glow & Tell. I hope you enjoyed it! Please feel free to jump onto my comments to have a chat or let me know what’s piquing your interest right now.