I did something yesterday that I have never done before. I was stressed out by a particular situation BIG TIME. Though it wasn’t actually any fault of mine, it was left to me to sort it out and I couldn’t actually see a way forward. Instead of sitting around and panicking, like I usually do – I thrive on stress even though I hate it – I took myself off to a pilates class. It’s rare that I concentrate fully so although my body is physically in the room my mind is certainly outside of it. This time I made a commitment to focus entirely on what I was doing.  By the end of the hour, I felt marvellous. Although I still had my problem to deal with, somehow it just didn’t seem quite as menacing. The other benefit was that I was so relaxed by my evening yoga class, that I manged to achieve my first headstand without a wall beside me. It’s always interesting to see a problem from a different perspective and you can’t get more different than upside down. Fabulous stuff. I highly recommend it. 

I had a lovely client come to see me over the weekend who had obviously tried very hard to learn from the TV make over programmes and accompanying books what shape she was. “I think I might be a cornet” she cried “but then I could be a lollipop or perhaps a column”. Confused? – you bet. I try very hard never to label my clients. One cornet can be very different from another in every respect, yet many of these programmes don’t seem to take that into account. What does matter is the combination of silhouette, proportion, scale, face shape, personality, life style, budget, style preference and the client’s own goals ( and that’s just for starters!). A complex mix, but if properly analysed the result is a long lasting one which provides the perfect blueprint from which the client can choose a wardrobe that works. Even more important is the boost to her confidence in both the way she looks and how she is perceived by others. What is true is, from this point on, their lives can change dramatically for the better if they so wish, and I’ve got the clients to prove it.  Never underestimate the power of image. It’s a remarkable thing.     

It appears then that the timbre and tonal quality of your voice will determine whether you are successful with the opposite sex or have more luck in the workplace. We have always been led to believe that a sexy, husky voice will turn a man to putty in your hands but not so.  New research has shown that the male sex actually prefer the higher notes of a lady’s voice. Apparently, the voice becomes higher, and is deemed more attractive, when women are most likely to conceive and their fertility is at its peak. Ambitious women, on the other hand, lower their voices to compete with male colleagues in the workplace. Lady Thatcher and Princess Di were both advised to deepen their delivery to appear more powerful. Interesting stuff, especially as I have a very deep voice, and sing tenor (a male part) in a choral society. Have had no problem attracting a mate though I never did have children – perhaps that’s why?   

Last Friday I moaned and whinged like a grumpy old woman about the general levels of customer service. So what a sheer delight it is to report back on one of the best services I received in a very long time. A 5 star hotel, an upmarket boutique perhaps, but no this wonderful experience was from one of our local NHS hospitals. I had requested a bone density scan from my GP as I have a history of eating disorders, am going through the menopause, have turned 50, smoked for many years, have an aversion to most dairy products and was a couch potato until my late 30′s. Although I have never broken any bones and have no history of osteoporosis in my family, these other factors add up to ‘risk’ category. The letter asking me to choose when I wanted to be seen only arrived on Monday and I was able to easily get today’s appointment (less than 5 days later). Parking was a doddle and I easily found a space, though perhaps asking for a fee is little ‘unfriendly’. As soon as I hit the main reception, a lady came over to ask me where I wanted to go and then promptly escorted me to the relevant waiting room. As soon as I sat down, I was checked in, shown some magazines to read and asked if I needed anything. Within a minute, I was shown into the DEXA area, even though I was 15 minutes early, and made to feel really comfortable by the radiographer and her nursing assistant. I naturally was a little scared but I soon started to relax under their wonderful guidance and I felt that I truly was in the hands of experts. The whole process took about 10 minutes and I was shown the results, which luckily were fine, immediately. Despite the hospital being next to a building site literally, as they are building a more modern version next door, the whole process was streamlined, efficient and very friendly. I’ve not had that much experience with hospitals – thankfully - but if this is the NHS today, I’m glad I’m privy to its services.  Tips to stave off osteoporosis include regular weight bearing exercise, adequate calcium ( I don’t really do dairy but eat seeds and nuts and lots of green veg instead) and water, reducing sugar intake and fizzy drinks and the avoidance of non essential drugs.     

It was Feel Fab at 50′s first teleclass last night. Concentrating on the petite market I invited Karen Gillam, from Dress Code UK (a clothing range specifically for petites size 6-20) to be our guest speaker. Despite being really nervous, we had a great call and the feedback from listeners was also fantastic. Not bad for less than the price of a cappuccino. So many thanks Karen.  Visit www.karengillam.co.uk or you can purchase the download via this site

Madonna’s new album, Hard Candy, is released today amid all the hype. There’s no doubt that Madge looks amazing for her age, with or without air brushing. She continues to push the boundaries and amaze us all with her limitless energy and fabulous figure. But does there come a time when even Madonna needs to dress for her age? The photo is undoubtedly sexy but is verging very close to slutty. No doubt this is what she wants – everyone talking and having an opinion. So here’s my question; Does her new album cover do her justice or is she just trying too hard?