Just a quick blog to say that our petite dressing expert, Karen Gillam, is in today’s Express. Good for her and for all you petit
es out there.
I mentioned in a previous blog that I had been away on a mind, body, soul weekend. Much as I love yoga, even I would find 8 hours a day a bit much so I decided to tap into a couple of workshops instead.
The first was Love Your Body Love Your Life, the presenter Beverley Drumm (pictured), an ex Management Consultant who completely changed her life and now runs inspirational classes in Nia Technique and Kundalini Yoga, both slow to catch on in the UK but making their presence felt.
Beverley began the presentation by asking how many of us in the room (about 35 I guess) loved their body and their life. I wasn’t surprised to see only 2 hands rise. In fact, I was surprised that any were raised at all. Isn’t that so sad?
What is it about society today that says we all have to be so perfect and that we need to have it all? I think, as women, we are always looking for something else in our lives - and I’m no different here - but perhaps we should sometimes just stop and smell the coffee, by giving thanks for what we have in the here and now. The future doesn’t exist, only the present is real.
Come on ladies, celebrate who you are, embrace your unique gifts and talents and live a joyful life. It’s the only one you have. Don’t like the way you look? Then see an image professional who can help you discover who you are and dress authentically. That’s what we’re here for.
for more information about Beverley and her inspirational, holistic workshops.
Then you’re in luck.
Like many of us, Oprah has realised that she has a closet that is cluttering up her life and her space. With the help of an image professional (please note that even Oprah needs someone like me in her life ) she has been able to discard those items that no longer serve her, as she is now. Also discovering her unique style through the process, she had an epiphany/’aha’ moment about why some of her choices were never worn. This is the power of a closet cleanse.
If you want to own some of Oprah’s cast offs - many unworn - and help her South African Leadership Academy for Girls in the process then you will need to go to O’s eBay auction which runs from March 1st - 11th. Visit oprah.com/oprahauction for more details.
Photo: Ruven Afanador
My favourite perfume is by Narciso Rodriguez and it’s the only thing from this brilliant designer’s collection that I can afford to buy. But that may change. The New York Fashion Week designer has created a diffusion collection for the auction site eBay, with prices starting from $65/£42. His dresses usually sell for about $1800, so a massive saving. His first showing will be 8 capsule pieces with the most expensive around $350/£250.
Then you need to listen to my being interviewed by the fabulous Karen Knott. Karen is also passionate about women in their 50’s and is instrumental in coaching them to grow, develop and realise their ambitions.
To find out more, hear what we had to say by clicking on this link
I wouldn’t be seen dead in a pair of training shoes unless I’m exercising and, even then, I’m loathe to don them preferring Fit Flops for yoga. So I was quite taken aback when I saw that Boden had introduced Satin Sneakers! Apparently, they are so beautiful you need to wear them with a skirt rather than hide them under jeans. That’s definitely one trend I won’t be adopting, but feel free to go ahead if you think you can carry it off.
http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Shoes/Flats/AR421/Womens-Satin-Plimsolls.html £39
So sayeth the late, witty and acerbic Dorothy Parker. But is it true?
I wrote a blog a few weeks ago about my new Geeky style glasses and I have had so many people comment positively on my new look - both male and female. While the look hasn’t yet caught on in Peterborough, in London it’s everywhere. Something probably prompted by Colin Firth’s Oscar nomination in A Single Man, the new Tom Ford movie. If a pair of specs can make him look so sexy, why shouldn’t they do the same for the women on the planet?
Yes, after years of being pretty dull and boring ( I love trousers but haven’t worn a trouser suit since 2004) they are back with a vengeance.
The good thing, or the bad if you have no clue how to individualise, is that there is so much scope on which one to choose and how to wear. They veer from being reminiscent of the 80’s power driven business woman to the soft and flowing and very feminine.
Too much choice? Here are some pointers:
1. Soften a traditional suit with lace or silk. A ruffled neckline or a print will work well too.
2. Short jackets need flared trousers unless you have no hips. Look at your rear view. How large is your bottom? If too much is on show, stick to a skirt suit.
3. If you are trendy, and of course you are, then peg trousers should show ankle and be worn with high heels. I’ve teamed mine with a shorter, shaped jacket with a wide shoulderline to balance but a blazer would also work. I never thought I would ‘get’ this look but after trying it, I love it.
4. If you love the power dressing look, opt for a severely tailored suit, perhaps double breasted if you don’t have much of a chest. There are plenty around looking like they have come straight from Savile Row and these will need a longer length jacket. You’ll also need a smart belt and stiffish leather bag to carry it off. If you don’t like high heels, this style will suit a brogue or flat shoe much better than your other options.
5. Colour is important. Vivienne Westwood has suits in shocking pink! I’m not suggesting you go that far but you can skip dark colours unless your industry requires it or you need authority in your workplace. There are a host of beiges, greys and pastels which can work really well for Spring/Summer or opt for royal blue ( Christopher Kane) or white.
6. Lastly you can mix jackets and trousers for a more casual effect as long as the fabric and shapes coordinate together.
Experiment. You might be surprised. I was.
Illustrated - Karen Millen at ASOS.com £110 trousers £180 Jacket
……. the fabulous Pure Collection cashmere company, that is. And the word is Thanks.
I have purchased many beautiful sweaters from them over the past few years because I love the colours and the quality of their garments. I now have to add their service to that list because they are just amazingly good to their customers.
I bought a sweater in a fabulous heather type purple many years ago. It goes with stacks of things in my wardrobe and I always get complimented on it. I went to put it on yesterday and found a hole just under the armpit. Luckily, I had other choices in my wardrobe and I was thankfully at home and not in some hotel where I would have been scuppered.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not great with a needle so I rang Pure Collection to see if they had a mending service. Not only do they have one but I was able to send the sweater back free of charge without a cost of repair! That’s pretty good don’t you think?
www.purecollection.com
