I had the most fantastic time on Saturday. I attended a drawing course at The Style Alchemist run by the gorgeous Lynne Nicoll in beautiful Marlow. Our instructor was the wonderfully talented Gilly Howard (Toile de Gilly) who trained alongside the famous milliner, Stephen Jones, so has a great pedigree. I’ve never picked up a crayon since High School when my art teachers made fun of my drawings but as a younger child, I could spend hours in total rapture drawing women’s clothes – something in that, obviously. So it was with some trepidation that I paid for this one day course which would teach me how to create designs, on paper anyway, for my clients.  I LOVED it. I can’t believe how well I did. My drawings were fabulous – even my husband said so – and my poor client, Shenda Collins (another gifted consultant who youcan find at www.imagecoach.co.uk and who will be appearing in next month’s Woman & Home magazine too) loved what I designed for her too. So ladies, another tool in my professional tool box for you to enjoy. How exciting! Not many clients can say they had their clothes specially designed for them.

Lynne is also doing something fabulous for a poor African girl, who was destined to be sold. Lynne has not only raised enough money to rescue her, but is now putting her through nursing training. If you would like to donate or get involved in some way, contact Lynne directly( enquiries@thestylealchemist.com).