Yes, that’s the motto of the scouting movement and it’s something we should probably consider, especially when we’re going into a holiday season when shops will be closed.

Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. The long build up to what should be the ‘perfect’ day, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, preparing dinner for all your guests and the pressure of meeting everyone’s expectations is typically a woman’s role at this time of year.

During times of challenge, the nervous system needs extra doses of  C and B complex vitamins.  If you don’t replace them, you will never feel as great and as ‘on top of things’ as you should.

Being a Type A personality, this type of scenario is not rare. As a result I have looked into solutions that are as natural as possible. I’ve found Nutri Calm works wonders when I’m under stress. The nutrients and chamomile it contains helps soothe me and restore my sanity at times when I think I’m going mad.

When we’re menopausal, our adrenaline levels can also be affected. If you remember your biology lessons, you’ll know that adrenal is the ‘flight or fight’ hormone which comes into play when we’re stressed. Originally there to save us from the sabre tooth tiger or some other equally life threatening danger, adrenaline levels can soar with everyday occurrences – a large bill coming through the letterbox, a drunken relative, a fight over the TV remote. The body doesn’t realise the difference or the degree of stress, only that it’s there.

Nutri Calm is something I keep in the cupboard for occasions just like these, because it’s natural and it works.

If you’re interested go to

http://www.naturessunshine.eu/uk/lovinlivin/atoz.asp?letter=N

I don’t know about you but I am getting the ‘grumpy old woman’ syndrome more and more when clothes shopping in the High Street. I see something that really appeals to me displayed beautifully on a mannequin, not always in the window but sometimes in store, and despite frantic hunting around I cannot find anything that resembles it on the rails. I eventually find an assistant, and after ’looking’ for me, declares that the one on the dummy is the ONLY one in store and NO, they do not have another in the stock room and NO, they cannot undress the mannequin for a mere customer as it’s against company rules.To do so is the exclusive domain of the window dressers as they are the only people allowed to take the clothing off the mannequins and they aren’t coming back into the store for at least 2 weeks. Call me mad, but why would you advertise something for sale that actually isn’t available? All you will get is lots of irate customers, like me, who vow never to set foot in the shop again.

The last time this happened to me was in one of Peterborough’s H&M stores a few days ago. To be fair, the girls on the till were very empathetic and I felt that this was a story they had heard many times before as they both encouraged me to write a letter of complaint to their Head Office. Still smarting, I went to their other store and found the item I was looking for with the help of an assistant (it was the last one in stock) and regaled her with my experience in the first store. She was shocked. In her store, no such ‘window dressing’ policy existed! What can I say? Do these shops want loyal customers or not? Come on guys. This is a recession. Customers count, don’t they?

NB_ The photograph is not of H&M’s window display but the fabulous mannequins available from www.mannequins-online.com

If it wasn’t enough that Barbie had all the major designers creating outfits for her to celebrate her 50th birthday, she now has the ‘must-have’ shoes as her Christmas present.

Christian Louboutin has collaborated with Barbie to create a limited edition ‘Cat Burglar’ doll. In a black catsuit and Differa sandals, she is the perfect gift for fashion lovers. She comes with a collection of 4 red-soled Louboutins, each with their own shoe box and bag. Price £100.

When I saw this, it took me straight back to my childhood. Gosh, how much would I have wanted Santa to put this present in my stocking! At this price, I doubt however much I prayed, wheedled and cajoled that I would have had my prayers answered. Despite that, the doll, which is being distributed through Net-A-Porter, has already sold out.

I am half way through my detox programme (blog post 23/11) and am feeling great. I found I needed to take the supplements twice a day rather than 3 times, probably because I don’t eat that regularly. It has been actually been much easier than I thought, though to be fair I already have a healthy diet and I haven’t entirely given up caffeine and alcohol but I have reduced my intake pretty substantially. It is the season of goodwill and making merry and I don’t want to feel totally deprived.

Despite that, the results so far are:

I’m sleeping so much better and not waking in the middle of the night.

The hot night sweats have disappeared

My stomach is definitely flatter and even though I’m not sure I’ve lost weight, I do feel slimmer

My eyes sparkle and my skin has improved. I expected a breakout of spots but it hasn’t happened.

I feel more energetic and certainly more lively in the mornings, some of which have been very early recently

I also feel much clearer in my thinking and decisions have become easier to make

For the price of a daily coffee it’s a great investment in myself, my health and my looks.

http://www.naturessunshine.eu/uk/lovinlivin/shop.asp?act=moreinfo&id=2315

If you are plus size 16-32 and fashionable (or want to be ) I have found another great choice for you to look at.  LovedRobe has  great designs and is really good value for money. There is a wonderful butterfly tunic at £22 in their latest collection. Unfortunately, I can’t access the photos so you’ll have to see for yourself.

www.lovedrobe.co.uk

Have you ever heard of handbags and purses made of eel skin? No, neither had I until I met the lovely couple who run BoBelle.

Eel skin leather is an incredibly strong, supple and luxurious leather which is a by-product of the food industry in Asia, so incredibly eco friendly.

Each accessory at BoBelle is lovingly hand made and hand dyed and, according to Greek mythology, eel skin leather is thought to bring good luck and love so each product is named after a Greek Goddess – how fabulous.

BoBelle pride themselves on excellent customer service, exquisite designs and fair trade luxury. For more details see their website.

www.bobelle.co.uk

Chaka Khan is the new face of Evans, the plus size retailer, and will star in their Christmas campaign. The range is very on trend, which is great news for us over 50′s as Chaka – also in this age group – will be seen wearing sequin tunics, shimmer leggings, suede over the knee boots and bold accessories (hopefully, not all together). About time that a retailer realised older women who are plus size still want to be fashionable. Beth Ditto did wonders for Evans’ sales figures earlier in the year, so let’s hope Chaka does the same. Available now online or in store:

http://www.evans.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?beginIndex=0&catalogId=20554&storeId=12553&categoryId=189986&langId=-1&top=Y

If online stores leave you cold because the clothing seems one dimensional or garments are displayed on models that you will never look like in your wildest dreams, then take heart. Not perfect I know, but here are some sites that let you see what you might look like if you were to buy their wares:

www.boden.com Has a mix and match facility so you can dress a real person with a variety of clothes to make an outfit and, better still, it details the total cost and the cost of each item as you go along. GREAT idea. It reminded me of playing with paper cut out dolls when I was a litle girl and changing the outfits with the paper tabs to hold them on – do you remember? It was brilliant fun at the time but I can’t see young girls going for it now can you?

http://boden.mixmatchme.com/MME/boden/home.aspx#&&/wEXAwUKbWVudUl0ZW1JZAUBMwUIbGlua05hbWUFB0RyZXNzZXMFCWNhdGVnb3J5MWXpMYINsqaUdaNyVMWjl2/xS+NwQg==

www.asos.com and www.net-a-porter.com Catwalk walk video clips allow you to see the garments in action and Net-A-Porter also has hints and tips on how to wear. These two sites are probably the extremes in price points but both are good in allowing you to see what you are buying.

www.dune.co.uk – Once you’ve chosen the shoes or boots you like, there is a facility to rotate the footwear so you can view from all sides.

www.knickerpicker.com Lets you pick the real life model that is most like you in shape and bra size. You can ask her to walk towards you and turn around so you can see both front and back of the lingerie.