Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Enjoy Yourself
Photo: Sarah Brick. Hair and make-up: Lindsey Poole
Winding down and tidying up, over the last day or so, I’ve been listening to the new podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, with hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman. By episode three the podcast really hits its stride, and for me, the fourth episode on phone hacking, the recent Netflix ‘data dump’ and Hallmark Christmas films, is the most interesting so far. If you like pop culture, TV, film, music, journalism and gossip, you’ll love this.
For holiday entertainment, on Christmas Day I’ll be watching Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy (when I first introduced my mum to the telly-loving, The Royle Family she laughed and said, ‘It’s just like us!’) and I’m not a dedicated Whovian, but I will be tuning in to see the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa.
The second series of BBC crime thriller Vigil is better without the submarine, and Suranne Jones is always, always worth watching. The excellent 1980s Australian drama, The Newsreader is also back with a second series leading up to Christmas ’87, and spoiler alert it’s not merry. But my favourite series right now is Slow Horses on Apple TV+ starring Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. This adaptation of Mick Herron’s Slough House Series, about a bunch of ‘washed-up MI5 spies’, is brilliant and funny and at times, revolting (Gary Oldman take a bow).
It’s unlikely I’ll manage to drag myself off the sofa and to the cinema, so Wonka, might have to wait till January. And there’s always Paddington 2. Meanwhile, House of Gucci is on Apple, Amazon Prime and BBC, and at two and a half hours long, that’s Boxing Day sorted. Maestro, the Leonard Bernstein biopic is on Netflix, and Kenneth Branagh’s 2021 movie Belfast, starring Jamie Dorman, is on Netflix and BBC2.
Thank you so much for reading That’s Not My Age this year, for subscribing and supporting this site and taking the time to write such brilliant comments. They’re the ultimate chutney pairing for my old cheese. And, as always your contribution is hugely appreciated. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a relaxing holiday. Enjoy yourself!
Photo: Molly Mahon
STYLE NOTES
Chunky cardigan loaned from OMHU. My very old jeans are MiH. Power Pumps loaned from Russell & Bromley. Gold evening bag on loan from Mimi Berry.
Discussion (22 Comments)
Liza Green says:
Merry Christmas – thanks for all the TV tips! Love the casual vibe, probably much like I will wear on Christmas Day, easy for mucking around with the grand children. Love that shade of lipstick on you can I be cheeky and ask what it is. All the best to everyone for 24.
Ooh I will have to ask Lindsey the make-up artist about the lipstick. If it’s OK I’ll get back to you after the holidays, Liza.
Anna says:
Merry Christmas to you too, Alyson – and everyone. Thank you for such a lovely space.
Barbara says:
You have introduced me to so many ideas not to forget brands over the years ( still drooling and saving for Jo Gordon’s big blanket scarf; you showcased a green zigzag one, kindly borrowed, years ago). Above all for making being older and female privileged and almost fun. Thank you! Look forward to 2024!
P.S. By the way, just love your look this morning; cardigan a gorgeous colour on you, stunning jeans. Really good.Norma Austin Hart says:
Merry Christmas Alyson and thank you for providing me with a style guide that is inspiring (sometimes I realize I already have the separate pieces in my wardrobe and I can reclaim them) and encouraging ( I never thought I’d wear silver trousers to my retirement party). Looking forward to seeing your new ideas in 2024.
Harriet Forde says:
Great outfit ( colours look lovely on you) and great TV choices….loved the Newsreader!
Can I add Fisk into the Aussie mix, great odd ball characters, v entertaining plus short episodes so an easy binge!
Your advice could be well placed for the main character’s brown suit !!!
Happy New YearI LOVE Fisk! Thanks for the reminder, Harriet. I meant to add that to the list. The second series has just launched. And, I’m also a fan of Colin From Accounts. It’s a golden year for Australian TV.
Paula Leslie says:
Merry Midwinter to all and wishing 2024 provides some loveliness to all.
Thanks Alison for all the reflection and inspirations.
☃❄☃Mary Long says:
I’ve already got got that outfit. Cardi from Boden, jeans Uniqlo, don’t have the shoes I wear Stan Smith’s usually. Always love your ideas.
Thank you
Mary Long
Boadicea says:
Alyson, Thank you for all your always interesting and informative posts and for allowing me to add my occasional comment. I always look forward to a new post and enjoy reading others’ refreshing input. I reckon that overall we’re a nice bunch o’ gals!
My wish for you and yours, your readers and theirs and yes, for me and mine too, is for a healthy and happy 2024 from which hopefully, all other good things will follow.Julie Seddon says:
Thank you for all your suggestions over the year Alyson and for showing that ‘older’ isn’t a synonym for ‘invisible’ when it comes to style at a certain age. I always enjoy your tips on putting things together that I might not have considered and you’ve certainly helped me shop my wardrobe this year! Have a lovely Christmas and I’m looking forward to TNMA in 2024!
Annie says:
Thank you Alyson for all the inspiration you have provided throughout this year.
All good wishes for a peaceful and joyous Christmas.
Quentin Blake’s animations on iPlayer are a must watch beautiful observed and very funny.Carolyn Triance says:
Merry Christmas, Alyson and everyone else reading TNMA. Thank you for your tips throughout the year. As for tv, like you, I have Belfast and Maestro marked, along with All the Light we cannot see (Netflix) and maybe another episode of the Italian detective series on 4 called Inspector Ricciardi, which is extremely well filmed and acted, set in Naples in the 1930s.
Fran says:
Wonky is definitely worth seeing even if you are child free like myself and my husband. Thanks for your interesting posts this year Alison and Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Rebecca Eng says:
Alyson, thank you for your wonderful, informative posts! I have been enjoying your blog for several years now. Wishing you a wonderful and happy Christmas! (I love your holiday outfit!)
Kate says:
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Thanks for being so spot on – always . TNMA is the only fashion and advice site I turn to these days. With so much chatter out there, yours is the true voice of realistic, wise and beautiful aging (faff free is now THE phrase I use to guide myself on my clothing, hair, makeup choices – true compass for me ).
You are a gift !Sandra says:
Thank you, Alison, for a year of inspiring posts! All the best of the season to the TNMA family and all its readers. On this Christmas day, I’m relaxing in my much-beloved “& wiser” sweatshirt, looking forward to more relaxing (and TV) in the coming days.
Mrs Tonia says:
I’m a bit late in commenting here since it’s now 2 January. But merry mid winter as someone wrote above.
Thanks for your commentary and viewing suggestions and for steering us all towards a more stylish appearance these past few years. Invaluable. So one feels more “with it” as they said in my youth. Still relevant.
Of tv programmes I tried Vigil but abandoned it. We are watching The Newsreaders Australian series. I enjoyed the first series of that. Still probably available on IPlayer. On BBC
Can’t bear to watch anything too violent right now with so much death and destruction out there. To all the mayhem earthquakes and tsunami in Japan now added.
So I’ve favoured relationship storytelling. I watched The Improbable Pilgrimage of Harold Fry last night. Very well acted and low key unfolding story.
In cinema before Christmas I went to see Maestro about the life and relationships of Leonard Bernstein. I was a bit confused by it so will watch again on Netflix. Following documentaries on iPlayer about his composing and music would definitely enhance watching this.
I’ve watched Pain Hustlers series on Netflix about the promotion of opioid drugs. Entertaining and well acted.
Next up with my gift cinema vouchers I plan to see Sofia Coppola “Priscilla” and the new film “One Life” about the Kindertransport.Best wishes for 2024
Helen Parkinson 
Christine Power Leave a Reply
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Alyson, happy holiday and all the best in the New Year to you and yours. I look forward to reading more posts in the New Year.