As a corporate employee for many years, I always dreaded the new year and the inevitable ‘targets’. You can call them goals and objectives if you prefer, but my overwhelming sense was that they weren’t anything to do with me but set purely from a business perspective and I was just there for the ride.  Perhaps a little harsh, especially as I invariably always over-achieved. The great thing about starting your own business is that you can make your own ‘rules’ - I call them guidelines-  and the first thing I did was to change the language and the process to manifest what I wanted to achieve.  We all need something to strive for and to inspire us to grow and to develop as human beings, both personally and professionally, but the words ‘ target’ and ‘objective’ just brought back memories from a different life, one that wasn’t as fulfilling or happy as the one I have now. So what do I do that makes such a difference? I have fun with my future world, that’s the difference. I dream BIG and I visualise my future in words and pictures. It’s a well known fact that 75% of us learn by seeing so it makes sense to create a vision using images rather than figures and letters. So if you want to create a beautiful 2009 for yourself, here’s what you need to do:

1. Get yourself a scrap book, preferably with a beautiful cover, or a large piece of card will do the job well.

2. Go through magazines and newspapers and pull out any pictures or headlines that resonate with you. No need to question why, just do it. This process may takes hours or weeks.

3. Collect and keep them safe and, when you’re ready, choose the ones that really ’speak’ to you.

4. Take some glue and stick them into your book/collage. If necessary, you can do one for each area of your life. The resulting collage(s) should provide the vision about what you want for yourself, your life, your happiness, your job, your family and so on.

5. Place it somewhere where you can see it every day. It should bring you joy and excitement every time you look at it, so make it prominent. You should be able to feel the buzz you will have once you are living this new and better version of your life. If not, go back and look for more resonating images and do not be afraid to think ‘big’.

If you have lack space or you prefer to write, then do so. No holds barred and no rules except one - it should have the 3 P’s throughout - i.e. it should be written in the Present tense, Personal (about you) and Positive (no should’s, ought to’s or negatives allowed).  So don’t write, ‘I will go on a diet and lose weight’ but ‘I weigh 9 stone 7lbs and feel fit, healthy and full of energy’. See the difference?

Try it and see. It’s fun and it works - trust me. Make sure you capture how much you want to earn, what your future partner will look like, the house or holiday of your dreams and so on. The more details you can capture, the better your brain (and the universe) can cope with manifestating it all to you.

My thanks go to the wonderful coaches who have helped me on my journey and understand how much what I’ve shared with you makes perfect sense: Sue Clarke www.inthehotseat.co.uk, Suzy Greaves www.thebig-leap.com, Karen Knowler www.therawfoodcoach.com, Evana Maggiore www.fashionfengshui.com, Laura West www.joyfulbusiness.com,  Gerina Gaffney www.gerinagaffney.com and Damien Churton, www.yournaturalway.com.

Wishing You a Happy. Healthy, Prosperous and Joyful 2009

During my return trip from New Zealand, I had the pleasure of having hours to kill at both Auckland and Honk Kong airports. Knowing that the literature in my handbag wouldn’t suffice, I took a look through the book stall and came across a little gem. Can we help it if we’re Fabulous? and other thoughts on being a woman’ is a great read from a New Zealand TV presenter, broadcaster, author and chef called Peta Mathias. Very insightful, especially if you’re 40 plus, and written with a dose of common sense laced with humour, so much so that I’ve laughed out loud on many occasions during my sojourn into her world. If you feel a bit low or need to feel inspired about what life might hold for you, then I recommend this book as a feel good tonic. She will give you permission to do most things, so there is little guilt attached. Covering the subjects of fashion, food, relationships, men, travel, health, hormones, music, singing, sex, love and happiness it’s got everything you might need to know in any given situation. Publisher is Penguin (ISBN 978-0-14-300804-0) or alternatively you can buy it from her own website http://www.petamathias.com/can-we-help-it-if-were-fabulous.html.

1958 must have been a very good year for producing creative and talented people. Starting tomorrow at 2pm, Radio 2 is celebrating much loved musicians who have turned 50 this year. Entitled 30 at 50, tomorrow’s programme highlights the work of Michael Jackson. Future programmes will include Madonna, Prince and the Motown label, though why Paul Weller isn’t included I’m not sure. Take a look at the Radio 2 site for more details www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/30at50

I’ve always hated sales, believing that it’s mainly tat that graces the rails rather than true bargains, but this year has been a very different story. Santa, in the form of my hubby, chose to bring me some surprises in the form of a beautiful Vivienne Westwood coat and a tartan skirt. When I heard he had been given 50% off the retail price, it was too tempting an opportunity to miss. So off I headed yesterday to my favourite boutique, Boheme, to see what she had in stock. I won’t bore you with the details but needless to say I was there for hours and spent about £700- £800. For this, I got a total capsule mix and match wardrobe including 2 skirts, a jacket, 4 shirts and a tie (yes, a tie!). The shirts and jackets will go with existing pieces in my wardrobe, including jeans and my smarter trousers. I also found another bargain, thanks again to hubby, in the form of a shop never before ventured into called Mr Shoes. If you like modern, Westwood type shoes this is a MUST. I bought 3 pairs of boots and 3 pairs of shoes for about £100 and they are totally amazing. For more details look at www.bohemeclothing.com and mr-shoes.co.uk

My stepson and his girlfriend bought me a beautiful top for my birthday from Twenty8Twelve (Sienna and Savannah Miller’s label, for those of you not in the know). I loved it, a simple scoop necked longer length T, that won’t crease, with added sequins to give it glamorous feel. I also know that neither my stepson or his girlfriend are made of money, so the more than generous gesture for my 50th did not go unnoticed. Just one problem, which is why it was still hanging unworn in my wardrobe, the colour  - a very pale, milky mustard. If you have ever met me, you’ll realise why that particular shade is never going to look great.  Sick, ill, jaundiced are just some of the adjectives that spring to mind when I put it on. Needless to say, with the amount of professional knowledge I’ve acquired over the years, I tried everything I could think of to make it work, even combining it with a black polo neck, but the fabric and the glamorous nature of the garment just wouldn’t lend itself to being paired with a plain jumper. At the end of my tether, a ’saviour’ appeared in the form of my husband. Rooting around in the utlity room, he came across some fabric dye (shade denim blue) which I’d purchased a while back to rescue a mac that I had never really loved, so I’d sold it instead. Of course, I’d forgotten about its existence but my practically minded saviour got to work straightaway. The result, a beautiful, flattering blue top which looks fantastic, even if I do say so myself. Even better, no-one else owns one exactly like it. If you’ve never tried dying clothes before, give it a go. It’s really easy as long as you follow the instructions and, in the current economic climate, it will add a new lease of life to otherwise unworn or tired clothes.

I was forced out of my comfort zone on my recent trip to New Zealand. It was very scary indeed and something I probably would never want to repeat - certainly not in my home town anyway. When I say scary, I’m not talking about abseiling, white water rafting, mountaineering or even public speaking. Though these can be extremely frightening, this was even worse as far as I’m concerned. What was it then that caused so much fear and anxiety? Going to the supermarket without my makeup on. Some background for you -  I was lucky enough to be a ‘model’ for my friend’s beauty therapy trainees who were sitting their exams so throughout the day I’d received a fantastic full body massage, a facial, some waxing and the removal of facial hair (which I wasn’t aware I had) so I was feeling quite relaxed and lovely, even if I did look a total wreck. If you’re unsure of what I mean, imagine a ruined hairstyle due to my hair being stuck in a headband for many hours, redness around the upper lips, chin and eyebrows, spots on the forehead and an oily skin - get the picture? I was not aware that a trip to the supermarket, especially one with a friend who is a TV celebrity, was on the cards. If I had, I might have feigned illness or something equally debilitating. So not only am I hauled around the shop but I have to be introduced to the many friendly shoppers that stopped to say “hello” to the newly arrived Brit. How I survived I’m not sure, but I did, though maintaining eye contact was difficult to say the least. My husband always tells me that I’m pretty au naturel (but he has to say that doesn’t he?) and my friend, Mary, told me exactly the same thing on this occasion, but it’s not enough for others to tell you, you have to believe it yourself. The ancient Greeks coined the word ‘persona’, which strictly translated means ‘mask’ and we all have one whether or not we are aware of it. I envy those of you who are happy to stroll through life bare faced but for me it’s purgatory. Perhaps, in another lifetime, I’ll be a natural beauty and proud of it but for now I’ll stick to my policy of keeping the cosmetics industry in profitable business.

I was lucky enough to meet a wonderful lady called Joanne Taylor while I was in New Zealand. I have always been really interested in colour, not just from a ‘which colours flatter’ point of view but in the fact I believe we know very little about how powerful colour can be in our everyday lives. Joanne is a colour coach and she teaches you how the colours you wear can affect you and highlights the reasons why you might be attracted to certain colours at different times of your life. Amazingly accurate and astonishingly insightful is how I’d best describe what I experienced. Joanne not only told me why I was drawn to my current wardrobe but also which colours could enhance my life and how. I was so impressed, I may well sign up to train as a colour coach myself in 2009 if time permits as I don’t believe we have anything similar here in the UK at present. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about yourself you can contact Joanne by email at joanne@lightenup.net.nz They are currently 13 hours ahead of GMT so don’t expect an answer straightaway!

I was moved by the article by Oprah Winfrey in the January edition of O magazine, where she talks about her weight gain and the struggle she has had keeping slim. She has realised that she has been using food as her drug of choice to combat her lack of self love. This has manifested in overwork and people pleasing of the highest magnitude. As Marianne Williamson pointed out - it’s not the overweight Oprah that is standing in front of her but the unloved one. I suppose I was especially taken with this article because it’s easy to assume that someone as rich and famous as Oprah would have it sussed by now.  The fact that she hasn’t means that we can all take some comfort from the fact that whoever we are we can still have problems and issues about ourselves that need to be resolved if we are to be happy and content with our lives. Until we do so, we cannot live a joyful existence. Oprah decided to take a month off where she slept when she felt like it, eating pure, simple, nourishing food and re- introducing some physical activity. She has fallen foul to undiagnosed thyroid problems which has meant exercise has left her scared and panicky and easily fatigued but she is now back on track, walking her dogs and enjoying nature. She is making herself No 1 priority for 2009 and I think we should all do the same. We cannot function at our best if we are constantly looking after others’ needs before our own. I always think of airline safety procedures when anyone argues with me over this. In case of emergency, you are told always to look after yourself before tending to children or the elderly. Why? Because without your help, they will not survive and by putting yourself first you are then in a position to help and assist. Putting them first could mean that you don’t survive and then they too will die. So whether your drug of choice is food, alcohol, nicotine, sex, gambling, shopping or being a people pleaser, I urge you to take some time for your own needs. Reading a book, having coffee with friends, doing something totally new and exciting or doing absolutely nothing at all  - if this is what pleases you then go ahead. It’s fine to do so and it should be totally guilt free. You are your own best friend and so you deserve to love yourself as such. We only have one life, we should learn to embrace and enjoy it to the full. As we get older time seems to move more quickly. Don’t look back on your life with regret but make the most of every single moment.

I’ve just come back from the most amazing trip down under - New Zealand to be precise. One of the reasons I was so far from home was to speak at the New Zealand Federation of Image Consultants’ Annual Conference on Feel Fab at 50 - a great honour and thrill. I’d never been to Australasia before and had always thought that New Zealand would be a beautiful place with fantastic scenery, friendly people, cheap housing (comparative to the UK) and an old fashioned dress sense. Well I was certainly wrong on the house prices, which were very like London in the parts of Auckland where I stayed and even more wrong about the local style. In fact, New Zealanders rarely go to Australia to shop for their clothing these days. You’re more likely to find that it’s the other way around. I was impressed with the variety on offer for all shapes and sizes, the local designers including Trelise Cooper (who looks fabulous at 50 herself) and Paula Ryan ( who is in her late 50’s and looks amazing), the bi-annual style magazine ‘Simply You’, boutiques such as Taylors, Workshop, Cue and Moochi (catering for my style preferences, my budget and my size which is often difficult to find in the UK) and the friendliness of the service received. I was given a present of a huge black faceted glass cocktail ring and a full on necklace made up of differing lengths of multiple strands of bronze beads. I’m betting both will be the envy of my friends when they see them.  I also all loved the many image consultants I met out there, especially Mary Cox - a familiar face on NZ national TV, who was kind enough to give up her spare bedroom to accommodate me. A fantastic trip and one which I certainly hope to do again in 2009. For more info take a look at www.trelisecooper.com if you love feminine clothes with fabulous and often colourful fabrics and www.paularyan.com if you love a stylish, easy to wear, mix and match, neutrally coloured capsule wardrobe.

I had such a great time yesterday running the Find Your Fabulousness workshop. All the gorgeous participants really did find something great about themselves to take home and nurture, some of it totally unexpected too. It’s a real bonus when you have a room full of wonderful and inspiring women who want to learn and give and that’s exactly what we had yesterday - fantastic. I’m running the same workshop on Saturday February 28th at a country house hotel - Theobald’s Park, Cheshunt - so if you’re interested please contact me for more details.