Spring is always the time of anticipation for me.  New beginnings and a fresh look at the world. Centuries ago, Spring was considered to be the first season of the year, and that makes absolute sense to me. In eastern philosophy, Spring is represented by the colour green and for maximum benefit, we should ideally eat a diet full of green -  vegetables, fruits,  young shoots, herbs, salads and leaves to cleanse the liver and help us feel energetic and alive. It’s no surprise then that the shops are currently full of green, especially the beautiful citrus lime which is so awakening and effervescent.  It can be a difficult colour to wear against the face, especially if you are cool skinned, but not impossible. Try teaming navy with lime green stones in your jewellery - John Lewis have a fantastic selection to suit all tastes and budgets. Ted Baker have the most amazing handbag, which converts into a clutch for dual purpose appeal.  Try also their scarves, tops and dresses which mix the green with navy, white and grey, so very wearable whatever your colouring ( see photo - dress £65 from www.tedbaker.co.uk).  For the brave, Hobbs, Precis and Jesire are showing trenches and summer jackets in a yellowy green, which is very bright.  Yellow and green go really well as contrast colours against deep blues and purples and the shops are crammed with every shade imaginable. This look will be truly dramatic and a great change from the normal black & white combination we always rely upon. Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean. If you  are lucky enough to have these colourings in your own complexion e.g. blue, purple or green eyes and golden, yellow blonde or reddish hair you will look amazing as you are picking up and reflecting your own natural characteristics.  This is not the time to be shy. Go for it and see how these bright colours can really cheer you up.

I’ve just come back from the most marvellous 3 days in London.  I’ve met some fabulous people, eaten exquisite food (put on a few pounds I daresay) and had time to re-think some of my wardrobe. Fashion Feng Shui is concerned with providing you with total authenticity in your most intimate environment - your body/wardrobe.  It’s about giving you the choices that really affirm who you are and how to attract what you most desire into your life by what you choose to put on your body. It’s about wearing clothes that are fulfilling, fortifying, flattering and functional rather than just suiting your body’s shape or your colouring.  The philosophy is concerned with the Mind, Body, Spirit connections.  Of course I know all of this, I’m the UK facilitator and practitioner of Fashion Feng Shui, but sometimes even I can lose focus when I become sidetracked by the more mundane and stressful activities and this is probably where I’ve been in recent times.  I am also a big believer in the teacher will find you when the time is right and Evana has been a godsend. Her teachings have reminded me that I need to connect with people and have fun when I’m truly in my element - which is Fire by the way.  How can I bring this into my life? By simply changing some of the clothes I wear so they reflect the elements of  the fire energy. My wardrobe has changed in the past 12 months and suddenly I’m noticing how much metal I wear. As this tends to lend itself to perfectionism, I can see why I’ve been stressed.  There is always a good reason why you made certain choices at certain times in your life but now it’s time for me to make some simple changes.  Fun and joy are well overdue and if shopping can help me get what I desire, this could be my idea of heaven. Watch this space. 

I’m so excited. Evana Maggiore and a number of other lovely ladies from all over the world are now in London awaiting tomorrow’s seminar. It is an honour to co-train with this wonderful lady and I’m sure I’ll have lots to tell you when I return on Thursday. Hope you are enjoying the lovely sunshine and, by the way, on another completely different note, shoulder pads really are back this year - enormous - just like before!

I just thought how beautiful and fresh Michelle Obama looked when she entered 10 Downing Street for the first time earlier today.  It’s no coincidence that she’s the first First Lady to grace the covers of Vogue and O (Oprah Winfrey’s magazine). She somehow seems to make dressing look effortless. She looks stylish and comfortable at the same time. Her choice also really captures her ‘brand values’ of warmth, sincerity and the importance of being a mum as well as the wife of one of the most important Heads of  State in the world. Not an easy achievement, when you have the eyes of the world upon you ready to criticise your every fashion faux pas.

So if you were the leading lady, what would you wear? What are your brand values? Does your clothing encapsulate what you want the world to know about you? Consistency is the key. It’s no good dressing for success one minute if you look like a tramp the next.  It confuses people and then they become unsure of your message and what you stand for.

Have think about it. It really is important, even if you’re not as visible as Mrs Obama. Your eyes don’t lie but your clothes can!