Sorry , I got the URL  slightly wrong. Here is the correct link to this fabulous site;

http://thewomensroom.typepad.com/the_womens_room/

Enjoy

It’s not often I get to talk to a fashion journalist who knows exactly how us ‘middle aged’ women feel about shopping but today I did just that.  Amanda Carr is the co-author of The women’s Room blog. A great site for any intelligent woman to visit but especially for those of us who are no longer spring chickens – even if we still feel we are on the inside. This is what Amanda and her business partner, Jane, say about themselves and the site:

The women’s Room is an on line community created for 35 plus freethinking, intelligent, stylish women. It’s like a really useful conversation with one of your smarter, funnier friends.

Jane and Amanda have day jobs in the fashion industry and know more than a little about writing for the web. With a combined service record of 50 years in the business we know about clothes. We also know that as a group, us 35 plus women are fascinating, fun, know a lot and love to learn more

We created the Womens Room for women like us: to inform, share and collaborate on lifestyle and fashion, in an honest, witty and inspiring way. We want to connect to women on a daily basis and allow them to connect with each other. We want to build a supportive community, break down traditional age barriers and celebrate where we are in life.

Amanda is a committed urbanite, who knew from the age of six that she wanted to live in a town and London is the best one she’s found, so far. Annoyingly, most of her best friends now live happily in the countryside, meaning she has to venture out of her comfort zone occasionally. Having spent her entire working life in the fashion industry as a buyer, merchandiser, retailer, lecturer and writer, she is frequently incensed by the lack of attention paid to women of 35 plus. The Women’s Room is a joyous way to fill the gap. An inveterate clutterer and buyer of odd things, her house, which she shares with her husband and three sons, looks like a cross between a museum, an art gallery and a shop.

Jane is a creative eccentric and collector of people and things. She lives mainly in North London and sometimes Suffolk. She is a trend forecaster, designer, writer, lecturer and creative thinker. The Womens Room is the culmination of 20 years experience in fashion and life and brings together all the things she loves. Still not afraid to look ridiculous in the latest trend, she is a middle aged mum, wife, friend, sister, daughter and general nosey parker.

www.thewomensroom.com for more information on everything that is interesting

…. that’s one of my very best friends who has just secured the great accolade of  winning the First Women Award in science and technology. A trailblazer in her field as an accountant, she entered the previously male dominated world of science and broke the mould. Paula is not only successful but she is pretty, fashionable and a great friend to have when you need one.  She has just had a beautiful baby boy too, proving that perhaps you can have it all. I can’t wait to see what she will have achieved by the time she’s 50!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/businesstruth/5497460/First-Women-Awards-Interview-with-Paula-Bell-of-engineering-group-Ricardo.html for more details.

Well done Paula.

Photo- The Daily Telegraph

It is with some sadness that I heard Principles was one of the latest casualties of the recession. Brilliant for basics and petites, in recent times I’d noticed how modern they had become and I applauded them for it.  The shops closed, followed by the concessions in department stores so no presence at all on the high street. However, I have just struck gold and you can too, if you’re quick.

Principles now has an online site with great discounts available. I’ve just bagged this fabulous jumpsuit for about £35, less than the price shown for some reason. Originally £89, this is a great item, well made  in a great quality fabric. I’m chuffed as it arrived the following day and I’ve never liked waiting.  For further details http://www.principlesoutlet.co.uk/pws/Home.ice but don’t delay as I suspect it might not be there for much longer.

………or are they. My gorgeous chum Brenda Kinsel took some fab pictures of my shoes while we were in Irvine at the AICI conference. She wrote on her blog how she believed that only shorter, petite women opt for the really high heels I favour. It’s started quite a discussion. If you want to take part and/or read the fabulous Brenda blog go to www.brendakinsel.com

Had a fantastic laugh on Saturday night when my friend Sally and I took ourselves off to the Key Theatre, here in Peterborough, to see Menopause The  Musical. The four actresses gave a fantastic performance and were awarded with a standing ovation. Set in Selfridges the story, if you can call it that, is about 4 women who bump into each other while shopping and having their hair done and sing about what it’s like to be going through ‘the change’. It is hilarious, mainly because it’s true, and it touched a chord with so many of the audience – many who were men surprisingly – if the tears of laughter were anything to go by.  The Tina Turner slot was one of my favourites and did I covet those legs! Check it out in a theatre near you. You won’t regret it I promise. www.menopausethemusical.com

Every year Vogue does an age related issue when it covers great style for all the decades from your 20′s to 70′s. So I was very excited when I realised this month was that issue. However, looking through from front cover to back, interesting though it was, there was nothing and I mean nothing about women in their 50′s. Come on Vogue. Surely you can’t be ignoring us too. Your fabulous editor, Alexandra Shulman is 50 (or is she 51 not sure), so what happened?

Not my usual image topic I know – though the correct image and personal branding are crucial if you find yourself in this position -  but I’ve been featured in a wonderful book with this as its title. It’s a really inspiring and easy to read book which will motivate and encourage you if you do need to look for work and/or aren’t coping well with being out of a job. Full of real life experiences, it gives you ideas to help you move forward and perhaps ultimately see what appears to be your loss as a beneficial gain.

Overcoming Redundancy is by Gordon Adams, price £12.99 published by infinite-ideas. ISBN 978-1-906821-26-5 www.overcoming-redundancy.com