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Sunday, 4 September 2011

That's Not My Age



Well, hello. After two full years of blogging, I thought it was about time I finally introduced myself. So, here I am - out from behind the dashboard. When I started this malarkey it was the done thing to remain anonymous, but times have changed. And I've been putting this off for long enough (mainly because I wasn't quite sure how to go about it, and also, I don't like having my photo taken). So, here goes: my name is Alyson. I'm a freelance fashion and lifestyle journalist and an academic. I was fashion editor of a well-known women's magazine for many years but now the majority of my work is online. Which is how That's Not My Age came about.

These pictures were taken by my lovely friend Dvora at Fashionistable, an excellent photographer with a very strong vision. Yes, she really did make me stand in the middle of a very busy road for this next shot - as you can imagine, I much preferred sitting on the bench. Mr That's Not My Age says I look like I'm wearing the pedestrian crossing but I'd just like to point out that it's actually my new favourite dress by A.L.C., a prized stake-out from the Liberty sale.



Talking of stripes, have you seen the French football team's new Breton-style away kit? C'est fantastique:




PS I washed my hair especially!
at

44 comments:

  1. Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem4 September 2011 at 11:42

    Nice to meet you! Great dress and the French team shirts are perfectly French!

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  2. Semi Expat4 September 2011 at 11:57

    You look wonderful Alyson - loving the stripes of your new dress and your 'freshly washed for the occasion' hair too! Great to meet you. Fabulous photographs too. X

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  3. The Wild Fairy4 September 2011 at 12:04

    So nice to finally meet you Alyson! How chic are you? I love your hair, very pretty indeed.
    ~Siobhan

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  4. Wildernesschic4 September 2011 at 12:28

    Yes lovely to finally meet you .. you are so lovely I do not know why you have hidden away.. well actually after several yucky incidents of being to honest in my blogging maybe I do.. but hey.. I think its good to be open in life.. I love your hair ..your style and I adore that dress xx

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  5. Sharon S4 September 2011 at 12:29

    Hi Alyson!! Its lovely to be on first name terms and to know your backround history too! Fabulous dress and great photos!! xx

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  6. Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells4 September 2011 at 12:57

    Enchanté. You look befits TNMA – stylish, trim and confident …….to the point of standing in the middle of a busy road to be photographed! I’ve never been able to wear horizontal stripes due to my large mammaries, and since reaching “middle age” stripes definitely don’t flatter my stomach. I think I’ll stay behind the shield of the dashboard!

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  7. the gardener's cottage4 September 2011 at 13:22

    hello alyson!

    i think this is wonderful! i too hate having my picture taken but i do think it's important for us non-twenty year olds to put our face out there and show the world that fashion/style doesn't die after 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 even. you are stunning and i adore your new dress!

    xo
    janet

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  8. materfamilias4 September 2011 at 14:10

    Hello Alyson, so nice to meet you. You look fabulous, living up very well in your photographs to all the lively words you've offered us over the past two years. It's true that we were all quite expected to be anonymous not too long ago and now it's beginning to seem a bit not quite comme il faut. I've recently been trying to integrate my digital identities and am currently holding my breath for the first student who comes into my classroom and says, Hey, I saw your new boots on your blog. . . . (or "What did you think you were doing trying those new coloured jeans")
    I absolutely agree with Janet, above, that your project is a very worthwhile one, showing the world that we can still be stylish after 40 (for you), 50 (for me), and 60, 70, 80 (for both our futures).

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  9. Patti4 September 2011 at 15:18

    It's wonderful to see you Alyson! You look very chic and stunning in your stripes. And your silver-ing hair is gorgeous! It took me a while to come out as well, and I am so glad I did. Hope to see more of you.

    -Patti @ NotDeadYet Style

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  10. Anonymous4 September 2011 at 15:19

    When I first opened your blog this morning, I thought "who is that great looking model?" Absolutely true!
    Glad you're no longer hidden, and actually had no idea that you've been anonymous, as I feel sure I've seen outfits that you've worn, but I guess, never your face?
    Anyway, glad you're out.

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  11. Susan B4 September 2011 at 15:35

    So lovely to put a face with your name! You look amazing in that dress, and you have such a dynamic style presence, obvious even from just these two shots.

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  12. sylvia @ 40PlusStyle4 September 2011 at 15:58

    Wonderful dress and great to see you! It gets easier to show yourself the more you do it, I find. And it can be quite empowering too. It's always nice to see a face behind a blog...

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  13. Ondo Lady4 September 2011 at 16:34

    Well it is finally nice to meet you!! You look great.

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  14. Style At Every Age4 September 2011 at 16:58

    Just like you, I hate having my photo taken which is why there are always headless shots on my blog (well not often, I don't even like the headless ones). Nice to meet you anyway and great dress, I was looking out for the Lollipop lady...... (sorry only joking) x

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  15. LPC4 September 2011 at 17:25

    You look fantastic. I love that dress - and it suits you so well. The gray hair, the great shape you're in, the quizzical expression, you represent us, the over-40s who feel stronger than ever in their hearts, so well. Nice to meet you. I'm starting to feel that all of us showing up, visible, may matter in ways we can't predict.

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  16. the nyanzi report4 September 2011 at 18:49

    well hello, i was wondering when you were going to take the plunge and i'm glad you did in this dress. you look super dupa! Dvora did a great job.

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  17. coz4 September 2011 at 19:20

    Well well, I never thought I would see the day, but glad you have done it! Both you and the dress look fantastic - and what does Mr TNMA know anyway? Just joking, Mr TNMA ;-)

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  18. finchleygirl4 September 2011 at 19:21

    you look fab, as usual. I also hate having my photo taken and usually end up making a weird face.
    I have just posted a photo on facebook...the first time in about 5 years so perhaps this urge to 'reveal' oneself is catching x

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  19. mette4 September 2011 at 19:40

    Hello Alyson!
    Nice to meet you. I see a small resemblance with you and Stella McCartney.
    You wear the striped dress well. Congratulations!

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  20. Disneyrollergirl4 September 2011 at 20:02

    Fab pic Alyson, v proud of you... What a relief! (I see you've taken the 'I'll out myself on a sunday, when no-one's looking' approach!)

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  21. Susan Tiner4 September 2011 at 20:12

    Hello, I'm a brand new reader, hence had no idea you were anonymous, but am glad to meet you! You look fabulous, not at at all like someone wearing a pedestrian crossing :-).

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  22. Gina4 September 2011 at 23:04

    Greetings, Alyson. Lovely to meet you! Great dress and great hair.

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  23. Veshoevius4 September 2011 at 23:30

    Well hello! I love the dress and though sad as I am to lose a fellow headless blogger friend it's very nice to see your face. Great hair!

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  24. Anonymous5 September 2011 at 04:50

    How wonderful to finally feel as though I've "met" you. Funny how much difference a photo makes!

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  25. cheeky rose5 September 2011 at 09:42

    Like you I hate being on show, but you look great

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  26. Mrs. Exeter5 September 2011 at 11:13

    I hate being photographed too - I never know what to do with myself. You look lovely in these, however, and I love your stripey frock - and the Breton away tops are great too. xxx

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  27. Make Do Style5 September 2011 at 11:44

    Alyson at last! Lovely to see you all in your blog, bout time! Your dress is fab - makes up for the topshop one hey & have to say the flats tres chic and they are...??

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  28. Ellen5 September 2011 at 12:37

    Hi Alyson, Lovely to meet you!
    And you don't look the slightest bit like a pedestrian crossing... just don't pick up two orange ballons on sticks;-)
    E x

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  29. fabhat5 September 2011 at 14:25

    Hurrah - looking good Madame A...

    fabhat xx

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  30. Anonymous5 September 2011 at 14:38

    I struggle with photos of myself as well, but as others have pointed out, it's good to show the world we've still got it going on. And you do! Love the hair, too.

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  31. Ali5 September 2011 at 16:52

    Alyson! I'm an 'Alison' too! :)

    You look gorgeous and I adore the dress. You are the epitome of chic, my Dear!

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  32. Jennifer5 September 2011 at 18:27

    Nice to "meet" you, Alyson! You look fab in that dress!

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  33. That's Not My Age5 September 2011 at 19:10

    Thank you all for your lovely comments - they're much appreciated! And just so you know, this isn't the end of the headless photos, just a brief interlude.

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  34. simply frabulous5 September 2011 at 20:46

    Very nice to meet you!
    I love your blog and it is wonderful to "meet you in person" :)

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  35. Lilacs5 September 2011 at 21:09

    Good to meet you Alyson!

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  36. Fashionistable5 September 2011 at 22:56

    Well done for going for it. You look brilliant in these (even though I say so myself....) Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Xxxx

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  37. The Style Crone6 September 2011 at 02:54

    Great to meet you! Elegant and beautiful, and the dress is exquisite.

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  38. Anonymous6 September 2011 at 08:21

    I am a fashion designer from Oregon in America. I love your blog. You will never believe that I just made a dress just like that one. I hope you will visit my blog.

    Love from Oregon,
    Danielle
    xoxox

    flowers for you
    my twitter

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  39. Vix6 September 2011 at 20:14

    I'm sorry I'm so late with the commenting! You are gorgeous, Alyson and i's so lovely to see such a pretty face to go with the great body and witty writing. Here's to many more full body shots in the future. Us forty-somethings need to be seen! x

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  40. Stephanie Clayton6 September 2011 at 22:17

    wow...
    please, please feature yourself more often! you are really beautiful, and clearly have great style. i wish there were more of "us" doing quality, self-styled outfit posts.

    - Style Odyssey (blogger still won't let me sign in...)

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  41. Stephanie Clayton6 September 2011 at 22:18

    p.s. "us", meaning...you know, older. :)

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  42. Anonymous7 September 2011 at 03:50

    Hey, you look great! Good for you!!
    The ALC stuff is very cozy - I considered the sibling t to your dress. You wear it well, btw.
    I'm considering taking the plunge and outing myself. We'll see; maybe next week.

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  43. Rosemary the Shopper7 September 2011 at 14:23

    Well done you for coming out, so to speak! I'm such a ham, I will always pose for photos, so I'm glad that you've shown us what you look like!

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  44. Fashion for Aliens8 September 2011 at 19:25

    Fantastic!

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