Goodbye 2020 you will not be missed. Let’s pop the Champagne and let the celebration of 2021 begin. Thank you so much for your support this past year. When I launched this blog. I didn’t have any purpose or strategy other than to share my love of interior design and my personal collected style. About eight years ago I let my hair go gray. I began to blog about the process of going gray and the lack of products available. As a result of sharing this experience, I realized that women over 50 (and beyond) were underserved by the blogging community in general. A few years ago I was contacted by Lisa Bayne of Artful Home to become a brand ambassador for her company Artful Home. I didn’t even know what a brand ambassador was and honestly thought she had me confused with someone else (maybe she did). Putting myself in front of the camera was not something I relished. Lisa gave me the confidence to move outside of my comfort zone. You guys made me realize that this should become an integral part of this blog. Let’s take a look at 2020 Wrap Up a Survey and Moving Forward. You can click on any posts you missed or just scroll to the bottom for the link to the survey. My challenge is to provide content that both the over 50 fashion and beauty community find interesting as well as the design lovers.
MOST POPULAR POSTS OF 2020.
This was a collaboration with Beth Djalili from Style at a Certain Age, Sandra Sallin, and Vicki Archer. I have written several posts on going gray but this one combines all the information from the previous posts.
Going Gray and Maintaining It the Good the Bad and the Ugly
Owning your own style after 50
This was a popular collab with Vicki Archer and Susan from Une Femme D Un Certain Age.
Over 50 Fall Fashion Trends, We can Actually Wear 2020
I think this post struck a note with you all because we all want to look stylish but we don’t want to look like we are trying too hard!
Oh boy did you love this Target Dress? Over 500 of you purchased it. Why? It was flattering and it was cheap!
Makeup Tips and Tricks for Mature Women with Gray Hair
This was a collab with three stylish women with gray hair, Vicki Archer, Sandra Sallin, and Beth Djalili.
Sunday Fab Five Studio McGee Mark Sikes and More
This was one of our Sunday favorites that were also one of yours. What’s not to love Mark Sikes and Studio McGee?
Design Ed Scott Schrader Design
Scott Schrader’s book is a favorite in our home. I think it is one of the best garden design books available. Love his work! This image has also become one of my most popular pins.
Over 50 Fashion Spring the Collected Look
This is one of our Project Design collabs that Mary Ann, Annie, and I have done.
Over 50 Fashion the Power of Accessories
Jennifer from a Well Styled Life and I have a monthly collaboration we call the Monthly Fashion Edit. This was one of your favorites.
Over 50 Fashion Summer Jeans Styling
This was another collab that Mary Ann, Annie, and I do with a select group of bloggers each month.
2020 Design Trends Why a Collected Look is Here to Stay
So glad this was a favorite. It is definitely a passion of mine.
MOST POPULAR DESIGN CENTRIC POSTS
Design Ed Scott Schrader Design
2020 Design Trends Why a Collected Look is Here to Stay
Nature Inspired Christmas Decor in my Home
My Outdoor Rooms the Pool Area
How to Style a Console Six Ways
MOST POPULAR OVER 50 STYLE POSTS
All of these are collaborations with other bloggers
Owning your own style after 50
Over 50 Fall Fashion Trends We can Actually Wear 2020
Makeup Tips and Tricks for Mature Women with Gray Hair
Over 50 Fashion Spring the Collected Look
OTHER FAVORITES 2020
Elizabeth from the Vintage Contessa and I have been doing the Ageless Style Series since 2017. Here were your favorites this year.
MY FRIEND KELLEY MOTSCHENBACHER
AGELESS STYLE DESIGNER SHERRY HART
AGELESS STYLE JENNIFER CONNOLLY
Mary Ann, Annie, and I have partnered together with a series that we have titled our Sunday favorites. It has become very popular with our readers. Here are the most popular posts in that genre for the last year.
Sunday Fab Five Studio McGee Mark Sikes and More
FIVE FAVORITE FINDS JOHN ROBSHAW CILANTRO COLESLAW AND MORE
Sunday Fab Five Madewell Grief and More
Sunday Fab Five House for Sale Ina and Dolly
Sunday Fun Five Interiors Emily Henderson Ice Cream
THANK YOU
I want to use this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for making this a group of like-minded women interested in LIVING STYLISHLY AT ANY AGE. You guys inspire me every day with your comments and insight. I am completely in awe of you all. When I sit down to write about ideas I want to share here, there’s always the consideration of what you would like to read and how it can benefit our community of readers as a whole. With so many wonderful resources and bloggers out there sharing great content and ideas, I am so grateful you are here.
Below you will find a quick completely anonymous survey. I would love it if you could fill it out. It is your chance to air your grievances! I can make sure that you are happy with your decision to spend time here on the blog.
Click here to fill out the survey
MOVING FORWARD
I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions (mainly because I rarely follow through!). I have begun to clean and edit our belongings for the move. However, beginning tomorrow I am returning to Weight Watchers. I have certainly put on the covid pounds. Mary Ann and I have both had good luck with it in the past so we are going back on the program together to keep each other on track. We would love to have you join us with Weight Watchers or any other program that works for you. I need to start some sort of online exercise program as well. Any suggestions? Let’s do this!
This month I am beginning a new collaboration with Sarah London Style. She was one of your favorites from Ageless Style and we both are passionate about a Collected Look. I hope you will tune in and enjoy.
You may have noticed that the blog is now titled Cindy Hattersley Design. After I finish up a couple of projects, I will no longer be doing Interior Design for clients. I will be devoting all my time to the blog. Anyone interested in E design I would highly recommend Mary Ann. She is a pro.
As always thank you for being here and reading 2020 Wrap Up a Survey and Moving Forward. Sorry this was so lengthy. Mary Ann Annie and I are so happy our friend Sandra from Apart from my Art is joining us today. Pop over and visit
SANDRA SALLIN FROM APART FROM MY ART
ANNIE FROM MOST LOVELY THINGS
MARY ANN FROM CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
I’ve been reading your blog for so long and because I have been sporadic in blogging for much too long, I thoroughly enjoy each and every post I come upon. Thank you for the recap, I can go back to catch up on a few!
I just started the Noom program which has been catching on a lot in spite of being around for a few years. It’s much like WW in that it’s calorie based and the app and easy way to keep count of the foods you eat in a day is a way to hold you accountable and you have the info on calculating the nutrition info right on the app. The app is super friendly, it explores subjects ranging from keeping our goals to the factors that cause us to make bad food choices and ways to understand and change them. You also get a Goal Specialist to consult with, and further on, a coach and a way to join chats with others on the program. It’s all done in a fun sort of way. I’m loving it but it’s an eye opener about calories, I’ve been counting carbs foreverrrrr!
Good luck to you and Mary Ann. Keep us informed!
Jane x
Cindy,
You have truly brought many ideas and inspiration on so many topics that I enjoy. I feel like I’m visiting a group of friends for discussion on topics of interest. Thank you.
I always look forward to opening a new post from you.
Happy New Year.
xo,
Karen
What a lovely mention Cindy. I’m super excited about this project as your feature on me in Ageless Style gave me additional courage to step outside my comfort zone in so many ways ! And guess what pal? I’m on WW too, so I’ll join you 😉
Excellent post, Cindy. You have such a lovely writing style, and your styling is perfect, in both fashion and interiors. I have decided to make 2021 my year of HOPE, and OUTRAGEOUS OPTOMISEM.
Thanks so much for a great blog.
HI KATE
I LOVE YOUR ATTITUDE! THANKS FOR FOLLOWING ALONG!
WHAT A GIFT YOU GIVE US WITH YOUR BLOG!YOU PUT 110% into it and SEE WHAT HAPPENS!!
I cannot wait to see how the survey turns out!
I think LISA B was right to PUSH YOU TO PHOTOGRAPH YOURSELF as those are the PHOTOS WE LOVE!
CONGRATULATIONS on A NEW YEAR with NEW FOCUS………..what ever you POST there will be an AUDIENCE!
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!!!!!!!!!!!
XXX
Thanks Eliz you are the best!! Keep Calm and Carry On so true. We have no choice but to make the best of it!!
I am so glad I discovered your blog this year! Your photos, your outfits, your many great design ideas…I could not pick a favorite. I will say, as far as weight gain and loss, Weightwatchers is a great way to go. In our household of two, we discovered that we actually lost weight this year because we did not eat out except for occasional takeouts. A situation we will no doubt remedy once eating out safely becomes an option again. Happy new year and thank you!
Hi Marci
I am so happy you did as well. I feel like I have new friend. Your comments are always insightful and so appreciated by me. I basically follow weight watchers loosely unless I am totally off the rails which I am right now. It just works for me. Ironically I was really good in the beginning as well. The longer it has gone on the more lax I have become. I know I can take it off I just need to get with it!!
Cindy,
Do you read Houzz.com? They did an article on upcoming trends for kitchens in 2021. The collected look is definitely a new trend, you are a trend setter!
Enjoy your blog.
Hi Nancy
I gave up on Houzz when it became so “salesy”. I will check it out. I don’t think I am a trend setter but I am happy that you think so. Thank you so much for following along this year. I so appreciate it.
I can never be bored with pics of the collected look. Also interested in websites and Etsy sites you like that are different that the usual.
I signed up with Noom. Basically calorie counting on phone app. One day so far I like it. Very easy.
Hi Cindy
I have been curious about noom as well I just know myself and WW works for me. I plan to do more posts on Etsy and Ebay coming up
!!
Cindy, One of the highlights of my year is feeling like I have a new friend in you. I am always inspired by your posts and I do believe we need more blogging suggestions for women over 50 and older. Just because we are aging, doesn’t mean we don’t still love all the same things~gardening, decorating, beautifying our homes, entertaining and of course, looking fabulous. I know, for me, that I still feel better than I did in my 20s and aspire to age gracefully. Thank you for putting so much effort into your blog~it really shows.
Though 2020 was a difficult year, there are so many blessings and gifts that resulted. My hope is to take those into a new year and keep hopeful, joyful and generous in spirit.
Hi Mary
I feel the same about you. I so appreciate your commaraderie and kinship through blogging. And you are absolutely right this year has come with challngs as well as blessings.
Yours is my favorite blog which I only discovered in 2020. Thank you for your work. I feel like I belong somewhere. I am planning to start weight watchers and I think if more of us do it together we will succeed. I’ve been home alone for nearly 10 months and food was one of my only comforts. As for 2020, it was a challenging year. But I don’t think it’s necessary to bash the whole year. I got a puppy last January and he is wonderful. I did 45 lovely paintings. I broke up with a verbally and emotionally abusive partner. On the big stage we all learned a lot. We voted en mass. We helped each other. We dug deeper into ourselves. Yes people died. But babies were born. We traveled less and read more. Played music. Gardened. Rearranged our furniture and made new friends. I think we should look back on 2020 and see how far we’ve come. And shall I say, it could have been even worse.
Leslie
I love your attitude. I agree with you. We can always look at the glass half full if we chose to. We live in the country we have enjoyed our garden this year more than ever. My daughter was forced to work from home in doing so she was able to spend more time with Summer. Our son and dil had a very successful craft beer and wine tasting bar. It has been shut down since April. We have enjoyed alot of quality time with them. We have to count our blessings .
I think you are definitely THEE champion of stylish women over 50. You inspire me everyday. Your encouragement is contagious.
I printed out the Weight Watchers grocery list and have been following it although Howard thinks we are starting tomorrow. Let’s do this!
Mary Ann
If I only were. You inspire me everyday as well. You are the master at making the best of what one has. I am with howard tomorrow
!!