Sorry, although the link I gave will work, this one gives you a quicker access to the FREE programme.  

http://www.midlifematters.co.uk/

Mid life – not a very positive phrase, but a reality non the less.  This is the time of our life that many experts term our ‘second adolescence’ and I certainly understand what they are talking about. Not generally known for my rebellious nature, I certainly had a good go at non conforming when I was in my mid teens and I’m wondering if I’m showing the same symptoms now!  One of my older image trainees said as much on Monday because I professed to not always wearing ‘my colours’.

A lady who knows lots about this subject is the wonderful, warm, witty and gorgeous Karen Knott. At the ripe old age of 54 (and she definitely doesn’t look it), she coaches midlifers to get to where they want to be in their lives. Her business, Midlife Matters, turns your midlife years into the time of your life, and we could all do with some of that.

If you:

Are a woman of a certain age – which of course you are or you wouldn’t be reading this!

Lack purpose, focus and direction

Panic when you think about the future

Feel invisible at times

Don’t know where to begin

Feel time is running out for you to accomplish your dreams

WELL, you’re in for a treat.

Karen has devised a 10 part coaching programme just for you AND even better, it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE.  Each part of the programme contains information and strategies to answer all the questions you may have at this exciting, but often scary, time of your life.

To register go to:

http://www.midlifematters.co.uk/Welcome.htm

Working from home can be great. You can fit in the ironing, watch the TV, go to the gym and make your life very pleasurable if you’re so organised. It can also be very lonely, especially if you’re not client facing or if you’ve been used to a different environment, one where you had plenty of colleagues to chat with.

If you’re one of the increasing number of people with a home run business, you’ll gain great benefits from taking a peek at this wonderfully, helpful site. 

The brainwave of its founder Emma Jones (pictured), Enterprise Nation provides lots of hints, tips and advice.

You might also see an article from someone you recognise!   

http://www.enterprisenation.com/

PS I do hope you’re not working while still wearing your pyjamas!!

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a couple of days. The entire village has been without broadband since Sunday. It was stolen from us by a gang of technical whizz kids who re-routed a cable!  You don’t realise how much you rely on the phone and email until you don’t have it anymore. Anyway, I’ve received zillions of emails re new perfumes to try (thank you) and as I’m in London again over the next 2 days, I’ll have the opportunity to try them out. I’ll let you know if I decide to buy a new fragrance or stick with Narciso.

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).

Israeli designer Ronen Chen is a name we should be looking out for.

Ronen Chen, 43, is one of Israel’s leading fashion designers for women’s clothing and has a flourishing retail and wholesale business. He has 14 successful years of experience in the fashion industry behind him.

He owns 11 beautifully designed concept stores under his name and is sold in 50 additional specialty boutiques nationwide.

Ronen Chen’s label is designed for the modern woman aged 35 -65 who wants to look and feel good. His designs are fashionable but not trendy, super comfortable & flattering. The workmanship is fine & the prices are attractive.

Ronen Chen’s styles are available in sizes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. These are equivalent to European sizes 36-46, and to American sizes 4-14.

www.ronenchen.com

For a peek at the clothing on offer, take a look at www.anneodowd.com or ring 020 7402 5292 . Prices are good too, from £25-60. The London concept store is situated at

23 New Quebec Street
Portman Village
Marylebone
London W1h 7SD

Tel: +44 (0) 020 7723 1973

 A lovely young lady I met a few years ago has recently become an author and contacted me to see if I would review her new book. During our email conversations, she mentioned that she had been treated to an image consultation as a birthday gift. She had got a lot from it and loved what she learned, except and I quote ‘ stripping to bra and knickers wasn’t the best bit!’

I was literally taken aback. I know hundreds of image consultants and I have NEVER heard of any of them asking a client to strip down to their undies. There’s no reason to do so. It might be OK for Trinny and Susannah to prod and poke in their 360 degree mirror but that’s not real life, it’s TV and they need the audience ratings. Admittedly, if I’m doing a wardrobe weed or personal shopping, I may see a client in her underwear BUT only if she wants me to. I go into another room or wait outside the changing room if that’s her preference.

The way image professionals are taught to carry out a style consultation should never allow the client to feel exposed in this way. After all isn’t it supposed to be an enjoyable experience? Even though I like my body, I wouldn’t want to take my clothes off in front of a stranger if there was no real need.

Image is not just about body shape. It’s about the multiple facets that make up who we are as an individual. If you are asked to take your clothes off in a style consultation just be aware that it is not necessary and, if it’s uncomfortable for you, find another consultant who’ll be more considerate towards your feelings.

Until I quit smoking 2 years ago, I’m pretty sure you could smell me coming a mile away – really. I always favoured really strong heady perfumes. No florals or light spritzing for me. Since that time, I’ve moved away from those overpowering choices and literally settled on just one fragrance. In fact, I can’t actually smell it on me when I’m wearing it, but the comments from others are so good that I keep with it. My fragrance of choice is Narciso Rogriguez’ For Her and I wear in the oil formula which costs £99 but has lasted me well over a year, so great CPW (cost per wear) value.

But I got to thinking.  Should I be using a different fragrance in the summer from the one I wear in the winter? We change our clothes and make up, so shouldn’t we change our scent at the same time or have I found my own ‘signature’ scent which is seasonally universal?  What do you think? Let me have your thoughts.

I was lucky enough to meet up with a lovely lady called Keren Smedley last week. Author of ‘Who’s That Woman In The Mirror?’ and ‘Who’s That Sleeping in My Bed?’ she certainly knows a lot about being a midlifer and all it entails. Her company, Experience Matters, runs a number of workshops  to help us deal with the challenges and opportunities that occur at this time in our lives.  So if you’re interested in finding a new love or having better sex or you want advice on how to successfully  manage elderly parents, divorce or redundancy then take a look at her workshop schedule for 2009.

http://www.experiencematters.org.uk/workshops.php

Time to recognise all those real women of substance living and working in the UK

Have you recently met a woman of substance? Is she determined, honest and selfless? Does she have plenty of integrity and inspire others?  Now the time has come for you to put pen to paper – or even go online – and tell us as the search is on to find Britain’s real women of substance.

A Woman of Substance Awards have been launched to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s debut book, A Woman of Substance, first published in 1979. The book is one of the top 10 bestselling novels of all time with more than 31 million copies sold in over 40 languages and in 90 countries.

The awards are inspired by Barbara Taylor Bradford, the creator of the original – and now iconic – woman of substance, Emma Harte, in the worldwide bestselling novel. Conducted in association with Debenhams, P&O Cruises, and in support of the charity Target Ovarian Cancer, Barbara is encouraging females across Britain to nominate themselves and/or other women in their personal and professional lives at www.awosawards.co.uk

Barbara Taylor Bradford says: “A Woman of Substance is a book that has changed the lives for a lot of women. It empowered them to believe in themselves.  It gave them the confidence to overcome a lack of education or great adversity and triumph as a human being.  It showed them that with great ambition, discipline and stamina they could really succeed.  I’m delighted that now, 30 years later, we are surrounded by real examples of women of substance and I feel it’s about time that we recognised and celebrated their achievements!

“It’s essential that we don’t rest on our laurels.  Even today, we need to champion women who do extraordinary things be it in their home and with their family, in the area they live in, in the work that they do given the research show 23 per cent of women in the UK have no female role model in their lives today.  It’s quite shocking.”

As part of the launch of the Awards, Barbara, together with her publisher, HarperCollins, carried out independent research to explore females’ views of what it takes to be a woman of substance in 2009.  It reveals that WAGS, wannabees and women who kiss and tell are a massive turn off for ordinary women. Daughters of the rich and famous who have not personally earned their success, models and a number of politicians are also seen by females as women with no substance.

Our most important role models are our mothers, grandmothers, friends and sisters. And the qualities we admire are: someone who fights for what is right; someone who has overcome personal barriers and hurdles to achieve success; someone who has risen to fame because of raw talent; someone who has worked hard to help others succeed and someone who remains true to her roots.

A Woman of Substance Awards’ entry information can be found at www.awosawards.co.uk. The closing date for submissions is July 31. Finalists and their guests will be invited to attend the awards event personally hosted by Barbara – at The Dorchester hotel in London in September.

The overall winner will receive a prize package of a luxury cruise for two people and two children courtesy of P&O Cruises, a full makeover (hair, make-up and manicure) and styling session courtesy of Debenhams Westfield, a £250 Debenhams gift card, a copy of Barbara’s latest book, Breaking The Rules (due out 3 September 2009), a newly released, luxury bound limited edition of A Woman of Substance, plus a DVD package of Barbara Taylor Bradford films.