What’s this got to do with fashion and turning 50 I hear you ask. Well, I was interviewed yesterday by the delightful Lucy-Ann Prideaux from a wonderful and informative organisation called Daily Bread 365. Lucy-Ann and her business partner, Claire, understand that to feel happy with every part of your self, your body and your life, you need to have some inspiration along the way. So they have developed and designed a programme that does just that. It provides daily tips on how you can live your life to the full and be happy. The canny girls also realised that the way you look on the outisde must reflect your internal essence if you are to be authentic  – hence their call to interview me. So if you want some inspiration to eat well, get fit and feel more joyful, take a look at their site  www.DailyBread365.com. I will be interviewing Lucy-Ann to get her expert advice specifically on fitness at 50, so watch the Feel Fab at 50 site for more details.

So we’re not the only ones with a half century on the score board. Blue Peter is also 50 this year. To celebrate, the presenters have been invited to tea with the Queen. Lucky them. I do remember the programme fondly, especially John Noakes but it seems quite tame compared to children’s TV today. Remember all those milk bottle tops we used to collect? Never did get a Blue Peter badge though. If you’re feeling nostalgic, take a look at www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/bluepeter and take yourself back to childhood. Happy memories.

I’m now back from the hectic but fabulous TFIC conference – my first as President – and I’m shattered. What has made it all worthwhile for me though were the number of fantastic compliments I received about my image, style and overall look. Many of my colleagues remarked on how much younger I appeared since the last time they saw me at the beginning of the year. Not to be sneezed at when you are uder a great deal of stress to perform! As I know you are all regular readers, I will share with you my secrets.  Firstly, I changed my whole makeup. Not overnight. I took some convincing that it needed to change but the results are dramatic. I have softened my entire look, using lipgloss instead of bright matte lipstick, and grey eyeshadow instead of hard pencils. I have grown my hair a little. Not so much that my funky look has disappeared but just so it creates a softer line. Thirdly, I have grown very attached to powder type colours such as stone, silver grey and charcoal as my neutrals. Any colour is introduced via my jewellery, shoes or handbag. It definitely seems to be working. Softer can be easier on the eye when we get older. Check out the difference bewteen this photo and the ones on the site. Subtle changes but massive impact. Give it a try.

I’m the current President of The Federation of Image Consultants (TFIC), the governing body of our profession responsible for standards and qualifications and so on. This weekend is our 20th Anniversary Conference and I will need to deliver a number of keynote speeches. If you ever thought that looking good was important, please spare me a thought when I address many of my peers.

Have you noticed that now the dark nights are drawing in your immediate thoughts vere towards keeping warm in the evenings. The recession is here and the cost of gas and electricity has gone through the roof, so you’re probably loathe to splash out on your heating bills. What can you do? The latest craze is to lounge around in your PJ’s. Add some socks and perhaps a fluffy shawl and you’re nice and toasty and stylish to boot. This Autumn brings a return to the other British fashion staple, the cardigan. Neither garment has to be cheap and cheerful though. If you can afford it, seek out cashmere and add some luxury to your enforced ‘frugality’. I’m sure you could justify the price somehow! John Lewis have reported increases in sales of cashmere of 70% on the same period last year so it looks like it’s catching on. Take a look at www.cashmerecentre.com, www.purecollection.com or www.dennercashmere.co.uk It might even make feeling the cold seem great!

www.purecollection.com