If you want to know more about this fascinating subject and how it can help you sell your home and dress your body, then look no further than the Feng Shui conference on Saturday 25th September. I will be speaking alongside Rachel Elnaugh ( Dragon’s Den) and other knowledgeable presenters.
For more details and to obtain your ticket go to:
http://www.fengshuisociety.org.uk/Feng-Shui-Conference-September-2010.php
or does no-one really care anymore how they dress for important events? No, let me re-phrase, as this unprecendented rant from me only applies to the women amongst us, not the men.
I attended a wedding at the weekend. It was tails but no top hat, so quite formal. ALL the men, including the small boys (under 10 years old) were in suits and ties looking really handsome. The women? A few were badly dressed, and I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt by saying it was probably due only to the fact they had little idea of what suited them, but the majority had made no effort at all. Well, unless you call wearing faded jeans and a once white T-shirt, trying! I spotted fit-flops teamed with a faded, long cotton skirt with a ripped hemline, too tight maxi dresses worn with ridiculously placed fascinators, dated suits with the 90′s shoulder pads, really bad hairstyles and the most prevalent of all, the ultimately dated accessory – a cigarette dangling from every pair of lips. I actually felt quite disheartened for the wedding couple before we even entered the beautiful Norman church. The bride and groom both looked fabulous but the female side of the congregation let them both down.
If we can’t be bothered to make an effort for what should be the most exciting and happy day of someone’s life, when will we? What are we saving ourselves for, or is it just all too much effort? I know we’re in a recession but it didn’t stop women looking glamorous in the war did it? Come on ladies, pull yourselves together.
Customer Service. My bug bear, or at least the lack of it. I rarely receive the level of service I require and if I do, you’ll have heard about it via this blog. Spurred on by an inspirational Australian colleague, Clare Maxfeld, I decided to investigate locally and take my passion one step further. Clare had taken part in a Mystery Shopping expedition and was shocked by the appalling service levels in her native Melbourne. Knowing full well that I could expect a similar response in Peterborough, I decided to test it out for myself but using the shopping trip for a very valid reason. To buy a new suit ( we’re going to a wedding in less than a month) for my ‘much larger than he used to be’ husband.
Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather. The service we received from the 3 stores we entered was unbelievably brilliant. My husband’s chest has expanded to 52 inches and his waist is 10 inches smaller. Most men’s suiting has a ‘drop’ of 6 inches i.e. the difference between the chest and waist measurements so we were never going to buy off the peg – or were we? M&S, Big on Style and Moss Bros ALL spent ages tracking down separate jackets and trousers from stores throughout the UK. M&S’s store manager went through every rack to see if they had any returns ( the store here is too small to warrant the larger sizes as standard stock) and his staff took to their computers to track down other ranges that would be suitable. Big on Style was fabulous but all the trousers were far too large, so at least hubby’s ego stayed intact, and I did buy him a fab pair of pink stripey socks care of Dragon’s Den’s Peter Jones.
I was literally gobsmacked and so was hubby. Has word got out that customer service is the only thing that differentiates a store if it wants to retain its customer base or is it just different for men? Whatever the answer, let’s hope it continues.
I was talking about my stress free week in yesterday’s blog and how fabulous it has been. I feel completely refreshed, weightless and happy. So it was great timing and synchronicity when a much awaited book from Elizabeth Villani dropped through my mail box as she advocates the same things.
I met Liz a few years ago and liked her immediately. She is one of those truly lovely people who inspire and encourage without being pushy or brash. Her book has a BIG message for anyone who knows that their life isn’t all that is could be right now.
But don’t just take my word for it. Here is what Robert Holden, author of Be Happy and Shift Happens! has to say about it:
‘Awakening is the sort of book that finds you when you most need it. The timing is always perfect. Inspiration is at hand’
Aavailable from www.o-books.com
I have a really busy life and a husband who is not keen on holidays in the UK or abroad. This means it’s often difficult for me to switch off completely, forget about my lovely clients, my writing, my teaching and my business generally.
So following up from my Spa break last weekend I have made a concerted effort to do no work – unless you count writing this blog as working. I have met up with friends and colleagues for coffees and days out, attended daily yoga classes and stretched my body into shape, read a brilliant novel, bought a bright pink YSL lipstick (I LOVE it) and generally done nothing more strenuous than my daily Killer Sudokos, another passion. I’ve knocked alcohol on the head for the last few days, though the weekend beckons and so do a couple of glasses of wine, and ate supremely nutritious food (apart from a couple of heavenly cappuccinos and a piece of divine walnut cake). The only TV I’ve watched is my beloved cricket – Test Match against Pakistan and the fantastic Eoin Morgan, so no depressing news, police dramas or sensory stimulation. How do I feel? Fantastic. You should try it. I might not be able to keep it up but for a few days it really is heavenly.
I’ve just returned from a long weekend break with Leisure Plan Holidays. I use them frequently, as they are SUCH good value for money and experts in the field of fitness and looking after yourself (but you can still have a drink!!)
This particular break was at the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. I was astounded by the fantastic quality of service I was shown by EVERY member of staff. I know I shouldn’t be surprised as this what hotels are supposed to do, but it’s rare to find it these days. So I can heartily staying there. Some of the bedrooms have seen better days but the food in the Tempest restaurant is to die for.
So having been pummelled, oiled, soothed and reflexologied out I am content with the world AND also the great sale at All Saints, just down the road in the Victorian Quarter!! More on that tomorrow.
Forget the gym, holding your stomach in or taking to your poolside chair never to sit up again! Mama Mio’s brand new serious tummy toning cream has been a huge hit since it launched in Debenhams. Two pumps rubbed into your stomach once a day can make you loose inches from your waist, or the very least tighten your wobbly bits. Products in this fun new skincare range all have quirky names and Mama Mio has chosen their ‘Get Waisted’ serum to help raise funds for my charity of choice – Look Good Feel Better (aimed at helping cancer patients worldwide to look fabulous). They are hoping to raise £10,ooo by donating £1 for every bottle sold through their own website or in Debenham’s stores throughout the UK. Its even been given the seal of approval from Weight Watchers magazine. What are you waiting for? You get the bikini body and you’re doing your bit for charity too.
Get Waisted Body Shaper £35
My friend and 50′s expert Karen Knott has invited you to join her on a special FREE teleclass she’s running on Tuesday 29th June called:
3 Steps to Change: A Magical Metamorphosis!
Karen will be sharing with you exactly HOW we can use our middle years as a catalyst for personal growth, fulfilment and transformation!
On this 60-minute teleseminar you’ll discover:
I f you’re exploring your future options in preparation for the next brand new chapter in your life, join this teleseminar as my special guest at no charge!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To claim your complimentary invitation, simply click on the link
http://www.midlifematters.co.uk/Teleseminar_sign_up.htm
The fabulous Karen Divine is one of my Feel Fab at 50 experts on nutrition, and a TV star to boot, so I was thrilled when I found out that she is doing some detox retreats to ensure we all can feel healthy and light.
Devine Detox and well being retreats are designed to help ‘take you on a journey within‘, to help you detox physically, mentally and emotionally. It has been created by Karen Devine (www.karendevine.co.uk) designed to also, teach, inspire and empower you in stunning locations.
It’s a combination of juice fasting, colon cleansing, detox and elimination support measures, supplements, daily yoga and one to one support throughout your week to assist you on your personal journey
Devine Detox Retreats are run in small groups to allow for individual attention, there are also a team of expert therapists working on mind, body and spirit. And of course there are many informative talks each day and some surprise workshops along the way.
I heartily recommend so go to http://www.devinedetox.co.uk/ for more information. You won’t regret it.
You can also buy a download of my interview with Karen by going to http://ww.feelfabat50.com/shop/index.php?maincat_id=1
As most of you probably know, I am hot, hot, hot on customer service. Not that there is very much to write home about these days as eye contact and a smile is usually lacking in most of the shops I frequent. We have enough disappointment and angst in our lives and a friendly smile can really make a difference to our day. It’s good to feel special and wanted and it doesn’t really take much effort on the part of the sales assistant so why they don’t make more effort is beyond me.
So I was quite intrigued by a session called Civility Counts on my recent trip to Vancouver. In North America and the East, it seems that civility is a huge subject. I wasn’t aware of the damage and under performance created by bullying, worrying about others in your workplace, actively avoiding them and so on. Add to that offensive bad manners, which often people don’t realise they are doing – such as answering their mobile phone when in a conversation with you or avoiding eye contact on meeting, and the world does appear to be a very selfish and self centred place.
I have to say that I’ve been hooked on this subject and how it affects all of us, whatever our background or employment, so I’ve just ordered the ‘manual’ to help me figure it all out and ensure that I’m not breaking the rules!
‘Choosing Civility’ by P M Forni – fascinating. If you feel that your environment is not what it should be in terms of civil behaviour, manners, respect, restraint or responsibility then this book is for you.
I feel so strongly about this subject that I plan to run workshops – so if you would like me to help out, please ring to chat further. After all, image is obviously concerened with Appearance but also incorporates Communication and Behaviour so in my profession I have a duty to include this in any corporate workshops. Enable and empower your people to be civil and just watch your productivity rise.
