Kathryn Bigelow chose the right time to become the first women director to win an Oscar because today is International Women’s Day.  

First proposed in 1910 and launched in 1911, International Women’s Day came about because of a woman named Clara Zetkin (leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for Germany’s Social Democratic Party), who thought every country should mark an annual Women’s Day to press for her gender’s demands.

1975 was designated ‘International Women’s Year’ by the United Nations, which officially sanctioned the day and started sponsoring it. Annual events are now organised by various bodies that work for the welfare of women and campaign for gender equality.

Though it originally came into existence because of women’s fight for better pay, voting rights and an end to discrimination, the annual celebration is now largely dedicated to inspiring women worldwide and celebrating their achievements.

March 8th also has poignant memories for me too. It would have been my 24th wedding anniversary if my first husband had survived his cancer.

Wishing all women, wherever you are in the world or your life’s journey, a fabulous day.

Lipstick gave way to lipgloss a few years ago as it was deemed to make one look older. I never really got on with the gloss, especially as it has the habit of finding its way into the creases of my lips, which wasn’t exactly attractive.

So I’m delighted that make up director, Peter Phillips, has edited the original recipe for Chanel lipsticks and Chanel Rouge Coco is the wonderful result. It delivers hydration, pigment and silkiness and is as far removed from a conventional lipstick as you can get. It melts on the mouth.

There are 37 shades, so something for everyone. Go try. Price £21.

A date for your diary!

Wednesday 14^th April 2010

7-9pm

Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire

Colleen Oakley, a lovely colleague of mine, will be hosting the launch of  Silpada Designs UK. Beautiful sterling silver based  jewellery – at prices to suit all pockets , seasons, body shapes, personality types. You could be among the first people to be introduced to this new UK business.

If you cannot attend but would like a party, to discuss the business opportunity, or to order some of this gorgeous jewellery, please call Colleen Oakley 07930 324034

Click and have a look at the website!

Click and have a look at the website!

http://www.silpada.co.uk/index.html

I recently purchased one of the new Ted Baker bright neon pink totes (pictured is the orange version). It’s lovely, bright, cheers me up and gets noticed. It is heavy though, even when empty. I don’t carry that much around with me as I have suffered with neck and shoulder pains in the past, so this design flaw is a bit of a nuisance.

Imagine my surprise though, when I plonked it on the passenger seat of my car and the seat belt warning lights flashed at me! Come on Ted Baker, you can do better.

My lovely  friend and yoga teacher is offering the most amazing one day yoga retreats at her fabulous home (complete with brand new custom built yoga studio) at Pentney Lakes in Norfolk.

Tanya is the most generous of women and her package offers 3 hours of yoga plus lunch. The afternoon is your free time to utilise in whichever way you feel is right for you - walking, jet skiing, relaxing in the beautiful surroundings.

The price - just £25 per person! The groups will never be larger than 8 so you know you’ll also get individual attention.

She is running them every other Monday starting in May.

For more info, contact her in 01760 444294 or tkp1@live.co.uk

Another fascinating lecture at the Mind, Body, Soul weekend was given by Frances Harris, an ex marketer of 25 years standing who had, like Beverly Drumm, completely changed her life - is there a theme here I wonder?

The talk was centred on colour, but not in the way I am qualified to deliver, but in way that related to what the colour meant for you, now, at this moment.

Frances has a pole on which were tied the nine colours representing the chakra system. We had to pick the one that jumped out as us - your hello colour- and then the one you least favoured - your goodbye. She then went around the room telling us what our choices represented for us. I was pretty astounded as mine was so spot on, even my friends gasped at the accuracy.

Want to learn more, go to http://www.soothingminds.co.uk/articles.aspx?artid=213 and take the test for yourself.

Frances is also a colour healer and, as you know from my previous blogs, I have been increasingly attracted to orange, a colour I don’t like and it doesn’t like me either. I have also had trouble with my lower intestine. You guessed it. Orange is the colour of healing for that part of the body!  Intuition is a powerful thing.

Just a quick blog to say that our petite dressing expert, Karen Gillam, is in today’s Express. Good for her and for all you petites out there.

You bet they were. I did something last night that I have never ever thought I would be asked to do in my wildest dreams. Yes, I was modelling a new collection of clothes on a catwalk!! Yes me - amazing.

I don’t think Kate and Naomi have much to worry about but I loved the experience and unlike Naomi, I didn’t fall over my killer heels.

What was really great about the range was how adaptable it was and how the clothes flattered all the models who’s ages ranged from 15 up to 50 something and who were all completely different shapes, sizes and colourings.

I can also see now why models are so thin. After changing into 10 completely different outfits, with 1 minute between changes, I was exhausted.  It’s very physical being gorgeous

If you missed out on an invite and would like to take a look you can see us in a double page spread in Saturday’s Evening Telegraph, which I expect will be also available on line a few days later. The whole show, from start to finish, was televised so look out for it on You Tube too.

The clothes - you can find them on www.eyzzclub.co.uk

And to the fabulous designer, Anne Foxley -Green, a big thank you for having faith that your clothes could still look wonderful on my middle aged body on your big launch night. It was a huge honour and one I’ll never forget. Move over Twiggy!

I almost forgot. The reason this all was able to happen? Anne came along to one of my Feel Fab at 50 social events and that’s how we met.  She’s now a regular, and last night I met at least 3 more women who also want to join in. Peterborough is definitely becoming THE place for the Fabulous 50 something

I mentioned in a previous blog that I had been away on a mind, body, soul weekend.  Much as I love yoga, even I would find 8 hours a day a bit much so I decided to tap into a couple of workshops instead.

The first was Love Your Body Love Your Life, the presenter Beverley Drumm (pictured), an ex Management Consultant who completely changed her life and now runs inspirational classes in Nia Technique and Kundalini Yoga, both slow to catch on in the UK but making their presence felt.

Beverley began the presentation by asking how many of us in the room (about 35 I guess) loved their body and their life. I wasn’t surprised to see only 2 hands rise.  In fact, I was surprised that any were raised at all. Isn’t that so sad?

What is it about society today that says we all have to be so perfect and that we need to have it all? I think, as women, we are always looking for something else in our lives - and I’m no different here - but perhaps we should sometimes just stop and smell the coffee, by giving thanks for what we have in the here and now. The future doesn’t exist, only the present is real.

Come on ladies, celebrate who you are, embrace your unique gifts and talents and live a joyful life.  It’s the only one you have. Don’t like the way you look? Then see an image professional who can help you discover who you are and dress authentically. That’s what we’re here for.

http://www.nianectar.co.uk/

for more information about Beverley and her inspirational, holistic workshops.