This is “au revoir”. I have been silent on this space for quite some time and a few of my loyal readers have contacting me to kindly enquire if I am ok. The short answer is that yes I am. I have had a few health issues probably following my stay in the hospital in Toulon and have been recommended to avoid too much stress and to take it easy. I must say that I am beginning to find the digital world overwhelming. Too much information and the technology seems to update every five minutes. I don’t know if any of you are also finding our online world challenging. Where have all the humans gone, we now get bots!
The above photograph was taken during a visit to St.Tropez in January.
The photograph above was taken in St.Tropez market during our last visit. The jacket I am wearing was bought in the market. I also have a similar one in grey. I find them very useful to pop on over trousers or a dress and often wear one when travelling.
This is “au revoir”
I am beginning to want to connect more and more with people especially friends and family. I really enjoy my twice a week pilates sessions and especially look forward to my Thursday morning Nordic walking group in Richmond Park. The added bonus of both of these pastimes is that I keeps my body moving. Vital as we get older.
This July I shall be 75 and feel that it is time to “prendre ma retraite”. I have been lucky to have had the most fantastic and interesting careers. My first job was at the age of 18 as assistant press officer at Browns of South Milton Street. In the words of The Devil wears Prada “a job any girl would die for”. After a couple of years as press officer at Browns I moved to Jaeger and worked there till I left to have my daughter.
I worked freelance for a while and then in the early 1980s trained as an image consultant. Firstly working from home with private clients. Then I qualified as a Master Coach in Neuro-Linguistic Programming in 1994 having trained in both the UK and the USA. I subsequently combined my two passions fashion and communication skills creating and delivering a program incorporating image and coaching which I delivered to clients such as Mars confectionery and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
It is time to pursue other interests. My husband and I look forward to travelling. We will be returning to South Africa again as we loved the safari trips we took. If you did not read about our adventures you can catch up here.
I shall continue to take photos of my outfits and post them on Instagram.
Thank you all for your comments I have enjoyed engaging with you over the years. I wish you all the best for the future.
Keep in touch Josie. Much love always as I remember all the fun we had back there then!
Well I had just logged onto the blog to check your email address and will probably send one anyway. Sounds like a good decision, I have several friends who have kept up a high level of work type activity until around 75 and have then announced a shift into la retraite. Thank you for the window into your life and professional advice over many years.
I reread your piece on being in hospital in Toulon, what struck me was the emphasis on politesse. From your observation has that survived the pandemic in France? What semblance there was of a social contract on how we behave in public seems to have disappeared in England.
I was just thinking about you after looking at a capsule beach wardrobe post from 2020 from une femme d’un certain age, and thinking “I haven’t read anything from Josephine for awhile!” and then found this. I’m looking at closing my voice studio in 2030, when I’ll be 72. (I shake my head whenever I write that.) I’ll still give lessons on a drop-in basis, but as far as maintaining the studio – I think I’ll be done by then.
I’ve enjoyed your blog so much. Best wishes for the future!
Best of luck in the next phase of your life. I enjoyed the vicarious journeys to the south of France through your posts.
Josephine,
Best wishes to you from the USA. I’ll miss your common sense wardrobe, beautiful travel pictures, and introduction to Look Fabulous Forever. I envy you the chance to travel with your husband and enjoy your life “free as a bird.” Guess I’ll have to figure out a way to read your travels on Instagram, which I’ve never read. I had been wondering if you had been posting and that maybe I just missed your blog, somewhere, somehow. You are a classy lady and deserve time to enjoy yourself and not worry about “turning on the computer.” Best of luck; I’ll attempt to load Instagram and read about your journeys.
Thank you so much for sharing your fashion finds and lifestyle with us all. I have enjoyed it immensely and wish you every success as you move forward.
All the best for your Retraite ! Thank you so much for all the posts!!
Wishing you good health & much happiness in all you do in the future. Thank you for your down to earth blog which I have really enjoyed over the years.
Used to love walking in Richmond Park when I lived nearby. I now live by the coast and enjoy walking there, it’s a wonderful way to escape from the digital way of life . Enjoy what you do and thanks for all your interesting posts. Best wishes, Eleanor
Thanks so much I’ve loved your visits to st tropez market….maybe I’ll get there one day!
It’s been a real pleasure reading your blog and thank you so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
It sounds like you’re going to be enjoying a wonderful time ahead embracing new adventures. I wish you every happiness, long life and good health.
I have loved reading your posts and seeing your outfits, thank you! Best wishes for your next adventures x
Best of luck for the future Josephine!
Very best wishes and thank you! Anna
Very best of luck for the future, may you have happy years of travelling ahead! Lesley
Thank You, I always enjoyed and learned from your blog. Wishing You good health and new adventures.
Wishing you all good things in your future! Your blog has been a joy and inspiration to read.
Best wishes to you!
Au revoir! Thank you for so many enjoyable posts. Enjoy life, carpe diem!
Awe-best wishes and cheers. It appears that many of us are reevaluating our futures. I am awaken each night with thoughts racing of what todo-how to navigate our new USA. It is not a pleasant sleep these nights. I am feeling the weight of the world, and I need to find a path. Knit, create, garden, cook, connect…slow and calm…or try anyway. Your voice has been lovely-check in with us once in awhile eh?
All the very best to you for the future Josephine. I’ll continue to follow you on Instagram but will miss your blogs, as I said previously. Take good care of yourself and Thank you! X x x
Thank-you . All the Best !
All the best for your future. I’m now following you on Insta!
I have missed reading about your European adventures. Here in West Texas, we don’t get to see much of Europe and European fashion and culture. Thanks for the memories and enjoy your travels. We will miss you!
I will follow on instagram! I love your posts!
I was thinking of you only this morning! All the best. I shall follow you on Instagram.
Best wishes and enjoy your future adventures. Thank you ☺️
Your blog has always been so interesting and positive. I was thinking of you just recently and wondering if things were ok with you. Very best wishes!
Au Revoir Josephine and enjoy your trip to South Africa, how I miss it. Thank you very much for your wonderful posts and blogs over the years, so self-less of you, thank you, you have been a diamond. I feel the same as you about technology and wanting to do less of that and connect more with people. I think we must do whatever it takes to stay healthy and happy. Thank you lovely lady for all the joy you have given us. All the very best in your retirement. xx
It’s been a pleasure living vicariously through you and your many travels. Best wishes to you and thank you!
Au Revoir Josephine, thank for all of your interesting blogs over the years. You have given us lots of inspiration and advice on so many interesting and varied topics.
Wishing you all the very best in your new ventures.
I’ll add my best wishes to the ones above. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us on the blog for the past years. I must admit I prefer blogs to Instagram or other social media, but I totally understand the effort involved in keeping it running. Thus, a wise decision to let it go and spend more time doing things you enjoy with the people you love. I’ll try to remember to pop in and visit you on the gram!
Looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed your blog over the years. I particularly loved your pieces on life in the South of France and your visits to the St Tropez market. I shall miss your insight into fashion and life. Wish you all the best for the future and thank you.
Thanks Josephine xx
Sending so much love and remembering the fun times we had travelling around the UK. Keep in touch I’m still on the same email nd mobile. Let’s chat soon and enjoy every second of the next part of your journey.
Best wishes for the future and enjoy your travelling ! I have very much enjoyed following you over the years
I echo others here, I have enjoyed your blog and am grateful you took us along on your adventures! I am now following you on Instagram. “May your travels be filled with peace and blessings. May you reach your destination safely and return home in good health and filled with joy.”
I will miss you Josephine! Your outfits and advice over the years have been wonderful. Please take care of yourself!!
Thank you Josephine. I’ve so enjoyed your blogs over recent years and will definitely follow on insta. Very best wishes for your new season and safe travels
I had just wondered about you, Josephine! Oh yes, I too think that blogging and all social media has changed so much. Even for those of us tech savvy people. I used to love blogging and sharing information when it was, what seems now, a smaller more intimate group. I haven’t blogged in over a year and yet I DO think of returning to it as as way of reaching out. But yes, smaller groups of friends and certainly family somehow have more meaning now. I am 77 so hear you about the ageing factor! I hope your medical issues have been resolved: this getting older thing is not easy! Will see you over on IG. oxox
Josephine I will miss your blogs however could not agree with you more – connecting in person with family and friends is so much more special. Although I am one-half British, no longer have family living in the UK I wish you good health and fun adventures ahead.
Thank you Josephine and best wishes.
Thank you so much for your insights and humor. All the best to you.
I have also wondered in recent times if you were okay. I’m pleased to hear that you are.
I will miss your posts, but totally understand your reasons for retiring from your blogs.
I have been following for many years now, (from Australia) and have enjoyed your posts.
I wish you all life’s best for this next chapter.
Kay xx
Enjoy your retirement! Thank you for your blog… I’ve enjoyed following you… Very Best Wishes to you
Wishing you all the very best for the future. I have loved reading your blogs and admire your grasp of technology – it is so complex these days! Thank you and good luck x
Thank you so much for your blog and inspiration over the past years. I loved your capsule dressing for travel, and found it very useful many times.
Seeing the pics of your visits to France and snippets of life there was very uplifting.
I wish you well on your retirement, and will look out for your Instagram posts. Best wishes Jan xxx
Thank you for all of the wonderful posts and good luck to you! Yours was the first style blog to which I subscribed and it has been very helpful. Happy travels!
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Thank you all so much for your lovely comments. They bought tears to my eyes. We are off to France next week. I plan to take some photos of St.Tropez market so look forward to seeing you again on Instagram.
Wishing you and your family every happiness Josephine! I was wondering how you are and it’s so good to know you are enjoying life and planning new adventures. I have loved following your blog over the years; you have such a wonderful style and appreciation of beauty in all aspects. It’s been such a treat!! Enjoy beautiful Richmond Park xo