The Weekend Wrap-Up #3
Claudia Schiffer's wellbeing secrets, Caroline's Circuits book news, the cosiest candles, cord scrunchies, plus Miranda Hart's memoir (and Strictly moves).
Hello, happy Saturday!
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It’s all about the OG Supers right now.
Claudia Schiffer looks autumn-radiant on the cover of the tenth anniversary issue of ICONS, the digital fashion magazine, which dropped this week. She’s also the new face of RHODE’s Barrier Butter—launching later this month—the latest addition to Hailey Beiber’s beauty range.
In her interview with ICONS (which you can read here), Claudia talks about family life in the UK, her latest homeware design collaboration, and how she looks after her health and wellbeing.
“Working out relieves my stress, so I try to work out every day,” she tells ICONS. “I do a ballet class with Sleek Ballet Fitness, which is a company owned by two former ballet dancers. They come to my house and we do a mixture of Pilates on the reformer, ballet and dance. It’s lots of fun.”
She also likes to add Epsom salts or magnesium to baths, "which always helps me relax," (a heads up: don’t miss a special edition devoted to therapeutic bath time soaks this Tuesday, at the MBE).
It’s super-interesting that Beiber tapped a midlife style icon for the RHODE campaign.
“When I think of Claudia, the 'iconicness' is just immediate, plus her reach and impact on so many different age groups,” Beiber told WWD.
Strong moves
In other midlife wellness news, Caroline Idiens, founder of the enormously popular UK workout platform Caroline’s Circuits, revealed that she’s written a book, FIT At 50, coming in spring 2025 (ICYMI: Caroline shared her beauty and wellbeing tips with The Midlife Beauty Edit here).
“My dream for this book is so much more than yet another exercise manual or a book promising bikini bodies,” she said on Friday.
“I want to share my passion and my experience with achievable EXERCISE programmes and ( the big surprise) real FOOD! To focus on our future health, to staying stronger as we age and the small changes we can make to do this.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston has been sharing behind-the-scenes video clips from her collab with online fitness platform PVOLVE.
There’s something about Jen’s high-cut, belted situation that’s giving me flashbacks to the Jane Fonda 80s workout VHS - just me?
The COSIEST scented candles
We were in Winchester last weekend—so beautiful in the autumn, if you get a chance to visit!—and, well, THE WHITE COMPANY.
I know I said I wouldn’t say the “S” word again for a bit, but THESE CORDUROY SCRUNCHIES (is there a more fall fabric?). Also, randomly, I learned today that scrunchie is chouchou in French.
They’re £12 a pair, and as soft as they look.
A couple of weeks ago, in Affordable fragrances that smell way more expensive, I said I’d come back on candles that smell like fireplaces. I picked up The White Company’s limited edition Fireside Signature Candle in Winchester, (from £22, although some sizes seem to go out of stock quickly online).
I’ve had it burning while writing this week and it’s GORGEOUS. With notes of smoked woods, birch and amber, what really comes through for me is that really nostalgic, slightly bonfire-ish smell (but not in an overpowering way).
I mentioned the AMAZING D.S. & DURGA Portable Fireplace last time, and Jo Loves’ Log Fires is another option (along with woodsy oils, there’s a black leather note).
But perhaps the most iconic, fake-a-fireplace scented candle, Diptyque Feu de Bois is dense and smoky, and a total classic. The mini version is £35.
But, you know who makes a VERY decent fireplace scented candle?
🇸🇪
IKEA, Enstaka - from £1.
I’ve nearly finished a jar, and—while of course the quality of ingredients, and the type of wax used, will affect price— it’s really good.
I’ve made a new discovery at M&S that has nothing to do with conker-coloured midi skirts, or autumn bags.
STICKY TOFFEE TEA.
I know. (And it’s red bush, so think of the antioxidants!) If, like mine, your kettle seems to be permanently on at the moment—and/or you’re trying to cut back on caffeine—this is the seasonal business.
The bags are those silky pyramid-style ones, and there’s also a lovely Aniseed, Fennel & Liquorice Infusion that’s not a million miles from a (pricier) Pukka one.
To listen to
Loved ’s conversation with Miranda Hart this week, on the How To Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast.
Following the release of her memoir, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You, Miranda talks movingly, and hopefully, about her struggle with a (long undiagnosed) debilitating chronic illness, midlife hormones, and the power of words - not least, the ones we tell ourselves.
“Anyone who feels “lesser”, for any reason … I just so passionately believe that we are inherently valuable and worthwhile, and loved,” she tells Elizabeth.
In between book promos, Miranda’s Instagram reels inspired by Strictly are a must-watch - see below, in anticipation of tonight’s show.
Midlife style in the wild
Speaking of Strictly, new pics just released this week of M&S’ autumn campaign with Claudia Winkleman.
And just a couple of days after we posted 10 of the best cream blushes for a gorgeous midlife glow to-go at the MBE, makeup artist Gucci Westman posted this how-to reel, with one of the application tips included in Tuesday’s edition (and it really does make a difference).
(💙 the denim!)
Having mentioned Victoria Beckham and Anastasia Soare in Let's talk midlife brows, British Vogue reported that Victoria took “full advantage” of Soare’s presence at an event in Los Angeles this week, and got her brows done.
Have a great weekend! I hope it brings you some R&R, and autumn sunshine.
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Love the piece on scented candles. Just finished Falling Leaves by Sand and Fog which came with a sweet harvest themed wooden lid you can repurpose as a coaster after the candle is finished. Hints of leaf crunching in the New Forest🍁🍁 🍁.
Love that Rhode tapped a midlife beauty! And kind of obsessed with Jennifer Aniston’s workout situation!! xx