Hello Everyone!
And welcome to Part 2 of News Views and Useful Shenanigans.
I love getting parcels, and when a package is delivered that’s all tied up with a pretty bow, and in a box, I love it even more!
Table of Contents
New Aussie Taste Sensation
As I was feeling a little peckish, I’m sorry to say I tore into this without much finesse, when I realised what it was, and devoured a handful with lunch!
My children love Shapes from Arnotts, but I’m going to surprise them with a new flavour …
Shapes Vegemite & Cheese. A snack which brings Aussie mateship to our Aussie summer – Shapes and Vegemite together, a very tasty combo.
It’s a bit like the spirit of a nation in a cracker because the Shapes biscuits are baked in the shape of Australia, and come in a disruptive black packaging to reflect the colour of the iconic Aussie spread, Vegemite.
Arnott’s Shapes have been in Aussie homes for over 50 years, and Vegemite has been on Australian supermarket shelves for over 90 years – it’s always up for discussion in our household as some of us are Marmite babies from England!
Nonetheless I’m loving the new style Arnott’s crackers and I’ll be buying Vegemite Shapes for our next family get-together, that’s for sure.
Have you tried them yet? Let the discussions begin 🙂
Gorgeous Women and Skincare Products
I love finding out what other women of a certain age are doing now the kids have left home.
Even better, I love promoting other women entrepreneurs, and today lovely Min Gillespie from Queensland takes centre stage.
Min blogs at Write of the Middle about all things midlife and ways and means of obtaining balance of mind, body and soul.
Over to Min …
I became aware of the Gorgeous Woman Skin Care Products when I saw an advertisement from WomanOil8 Australia seeking Area Distributors shared on a friends Facebook page. I made contact and after discussions, meeting up with the co-founders and using and falling in love with the products myself, I became an Area Distributor.
WomanOil8 Australia
- 100% natural botanical skin care ranges – Gorgeous Woman and ManOil8.
- 100% Australian owned and made.
- Handcrafted in small batches locally in Brisbane, Queensland.
- Made from pure plant oils and contain no petrochemicals, synthetic ingredients, parabens or toxic ingredients.
- Not tested on animals and cruelty free.
- Hydrating, anti-aging, nourishing blends.
“My skin has never felt or looked so good since I’ve been using these products. I love them all but have two favourites check out my site to see which they are!” Min.
Exclusive Discount for Lifestyle Fifty Readers
For all Lifestyle Fifty’s News, Views And Useful Shenanigans readers Min is offering a 10% discount available up until midnight on Thursday 28 February. Just enter the promo code NVAUS10 when you checkout.
The products can be purchased at Min’s Online Shop
What I’m Loving
Oh summer in WA you are being strictly gorgeous. We’ve had a couple of corking hot days, but nothing that I’ve grumbled about too much – no heatwaves like over on the East Coast where it’s been scorching.
Our Little Bali Garden is, despite my lack of gardening knowledge, looking nice and colourful, and the beaches are blissful. I’m thankful for my Sequins and Sand Swimsuit with it’s long arms and zip front for sun protection – check out this post about Best Swimsuits if you’re needing a new one.
Movie Magic and Literary Loving
Dave and I are again on a quest to watch a movie on the big screen every month as we did in 2018 – check out our favourites here.
Last week we went to see Storm Boy, which hadn’t had great reviews, but that just goes to show you shouldn’t judge a movie by the reviews because we LOVED it, and I cried.
An Australian classic reborn for a new generation it’s heart-warming and interesting, the acting was fabulous, and the premise made me feel how cut off we are from the earth these days.
Take tissues – and fall in love with Mr Percival.
On the literary front I’m reading Monday Morning Emails by Jo Parfitt and Terry Anne Wilson.
I’m loving it 🙂
Living a continent apart, Jo and Terry Anne made the commitment to email each other every Monday morning for six months. Part memoir, part diary, part self-help, the result is a vulnerable and insightful recollection of expatriate life between two friends.
It’s both uplifting and painfully honest with a helpful section at the end where experts in their fields give readers a deeper understanding of the various topics raised in the emails.
Monday Morning Emails
That’s all for now folks 🙂 I hope you’ve enjoyed these snippets of news, views and helpful shenanigans.
If you are a woman of a certain age, an entrepreneur perhaps, or you are doing something interesting, please get in touch and I’ll feature you in this series.
If you’ve found this post useful please PIN the image below 🙂
While you’re here, why not sign up for the Newsletter and receive regular updates as well as the complimentary, Lifestyle Fifty Manifesto 🙂

Signing off with love,
Jo
This post contains gifted merchandise, and affiliate links from which I stand to earn a small commission (if you buy from them) at no cost to you. Lifestyle Fifty Website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Thank you to everyone who supports my blog.
This morning I’ve just been looking up when Storm Boy is on at the local cinema, as I would really like to see it. I have the book, from years and years ago, on our bookshelf.
Hi Jill, oh I so want to read the classic version of book now I’ve seen the modern film version. I hope you enjoy the movie 🙂
I loved the original version of Storm Boy so much – remember being taken on an excursion to see the it at the cinema when I was in primary school – don’t know if I’m keen to see the new version!
Sometimes we just don’t want our memories tainted, hey Janet. I do get that. However, it was a good movie nonetheless.
Thanks for the shout out about our book, Jo, I really appreciate it. Terry Anne and I are fifty-somethings and recognised we were just about brave enough to ‘show our linings’ and write about the good, bad and ugly sides of this funny old life of ours.
That’s a pleasure Jo. I really enjoyed your book and your writing, and it was great to be introduced to Terry Anne too. Looking forward to a sequel from you both in a few years time maybe?
I agree with the company Sequins and Sand, such a great business to deal with.
I purchased a black tankini top! to go with a patterned skort., I am taking your advice on forgetting what others think, just have fun.
My cruise starts on Feb 12th and am so excited now., because your email reply was extremely helpful.
Wont forget to pack the aussie shapes for a treat.
Cheers,
Hi Christine, I’m so glad my email helped you 🙂 Great that you have your swimwear sorted and yes, don’t worry about what others think – just have fun! Enjoy your cruise – please share with us at Lifestyle Fifty how it goes won’t you? All the best x
I’m loving the look of those new Shapes from Arnotts, Jo! I’m a born and raised Vegemite kid so I’m most definitely going to have to check these out. Love the packaging and that they’re in the shape of Australia. Very clever! Thanks for including my Skin Care products in today’s post – it’s much appreciated. The least I could do in return was offer a discount to readers for the month of February, and I’ve shared on my social media. Have a wonderful weekend. xo
Thanks Min, hope you like them as much as we do! The Aussie map outline idea was inspired, wasn’t it! Oh, it’s a pleasure. I hope you do really well with them. They look lovely. Thanks for the discount for LF readers too 🙂 Have a lovely weekend as we well x