During the past 10 years obesity rates amongst young people have doubled.  In response to this, and to meet the growing demand for teen fashion, many retailers are starting to offer a plus-sized fashion range.

Later this year Evans, the High Street Fashion chain, will launch an on-line range of clothes for the larger teenage girl (sizes 18 and above). At the moment the website name and launch date are unnown.  Currently Evans only cater for plus sized ladies from sizes 14-32 and, unfortunately, their ranges have not had a reputation for being particularly inspiring or fashionable.

Other retailers are also following the plus-size teen trend and last month M&S also introduced a plus-sized range of school uniforms, Marc Jacobs is to start offering clothes in size 14 and above and ASOS has launched a plus size range called Asos Curve.

It seems that currently the emphasis is placed on teenage girls but hopefully it wont be long before teenage boys needs are addressed too, there is most definitely a need there too.

Please do add your comments to my website (go on to Julie's blog and add comments by clicking on the COMMENTS box at the bottom of the article)  It's lovely to have your opinions too and to get feedback on articles.

Have a great afternoon!

Yours in Colour & Style

Julie

X

A week ago I accidentally caught my face on a cake tin as I was taking a cake out of the oven - stupid I know and I can't really think how I managed to do it.  Even though the cake tin only touched my cheek for a nano-second, I thought I might have a nasty burn.  My first instinct was to put ice on it, which I did for 5 minutes until I got bored.  My husband said he couldnt see a mark so I didnt worry any more about it BUT later on I saw I had a nasty burn on my left cheek!

In desperation I posted a note on Facebook - most people were sympathetic but a couple of friends advised me to get some Bio Oil.  I had never heard of it and wondered if it would still work as by now the burn was a day old.  They assured me it would be fine so I located a bottle of the magic oil at my local chemist shop - at a cost of Ten pounds for 200 ml - expensive but would be worth it if it got rid of the nasty scar on my cheek.

After using the oil for a week - massaging it in to the scar for 3 or 4 times a day - the scar has miraculously faded and is now almost gone - unbelieveable!  I had a similar burn on my wrist - from the iron that time - which took almost a year before it stopped looking angry.  I would really recommend this Bio Oil, apparently it contains the breakthrough ingredient PURCELLIN OIL. As well as treating burns it has many other healing properties including rehydrating dry skin, minimising stretch marks and helping to heal scars.  I am definitely going to keep some Bio Oil in, especially as I often seem to get burnt ;-)

Hope you have a great week

Yours in Colour and Style

Julie  X

Ladies, I just noticed that that ASOS have a fantastic up to 70 per cent off sale on at the moment - plus an extra 10 per cent off if you enter ASOSTreats at the checkout - this offer is for 2 DAYS ONLY/or 30 hours! (ends midnight Thursday 22nd July)

Grab some bargains whilst you can, dont miss out!

Ladies

Kettlewell Colours have just announced their 50 per cent off Summer Sale.  If you are looking for high quality beautiful coloured tops, skirts or dresses for your holidays then their site is worth a visit. 

If you want to place an order then please do have a look online asap and let me know what you want to order.  I will then get them delivered to your home.  Dont delay, at these prices they wont be around for long.  Call me on 01472 504680 0r email julie@colourconfident.co.uk

Visit www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk for 50 per cent off bargains

The Cotton Cardi in 16 colours, sizes S-XL which was £35 is now ONLY £17.50
The Crochet Trim Vest in 16 colours, sizes S-LL was £20 and is now ONLY £10
The Twist Vest in 10 colours, sizes S-LL was £25 and is now ONLY £12.50
The Bolero Long Sleeve in 10 colours, sizes S-LL was £29 and is now O NLY£14.50
The Swing Top in 10 colours, sizes S-LL was £26 and is now ONLY £13

Also Studio Sweatshirts in 7 colours sizes S-XL are reduced from £39 to the give away price of £10

Grab your bargains quickly, I know from their previous sales they will soon sell out.

Yours in Colour and Style
Julie X

Certainly created some interest my last blog item - thank you for all your  comments girls.  I agree that £40 for the serum is expensive BUT the fact is that your eyes are 'the windows to the soul' and your eyebrows 'frame your whole face' 

Your eyes and brows are NOT just some insignificant, small details on your face - they are extremely important and paying attention to eyes and brows can make an enormous difference to your look.

I didnt get any serum today, hopefully tomorrow they will still have some left.


Yours in Colour and Style
Julie X

Beauty editors are  saying that what we know as mascara may soon become a thing of the past.  They are predicting that  we will soon be using serums that not only lengthen but also condition our lashes, something we need at every  age but especially as we get older.

If you want to try this then probably THE one to look out for is RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum which is said to give you great results in only 4 days.

This product has been on sale in America previously but is now being released at Boots on 14 July 2010 at a price of thirty nine pounds, ninety-nine.  If you are interested put the date in your diary - I think there will be a mad rush for this product as it comes out on sale.

For further information watch this video on u-tube at http://showhype.com/video/rapid_lash_eyelash_renewal_serum/

What do you think?  Leave your comments on this blog - share your ideas with us

Have a great and very hot weekend!

Yours in Colour and Style
Julie X

Yesterday, I went to my local Spar for an ice-cream - a treat in  the hot weather.  At the counter, in front of me in the queue, was a man in his 40's - he smiled and commented on how gorgeous I looked and suntanned and sexy.  I am more used to compliments these days and it was lovely to be noticed but I was still taken aback and although I smiled I only replied about my suntan.

It is great to receive compliments but this man, I soon realised was drunk - he even had the evidence in his hand and kept asking the assistant if he had paid for his drinks. Maybe he was celebrating England's win over Slovenia in the football, although I think it might have been a bit premature time wise!

In the evening I told my husband Patrick about my admirer - he said 'well he might have been drunk, but he could still recognise a gorgeous, sexy woman.' Ahhh!

What do you do with compliments that come your way?  I always advise clients to treat them like a gift and if you don't accept them, it is like returning their present or leaving it unopened.  Yesterday it was difficult for me to accept the man's compliments as I didnt want to encourage him but it was easy to accept them from my husband. 

I used to feel awkward about receiving compliments, especially about my looks, because I never felt I dressed well or had good style BUT I am much better at it these days - a great confidence booster.

Today, if you get a complment, I hope you will smile and receive it with thanks - and also look for ways you can  compliment others - though perhaps  not the person who has just complimented you. By nature I am an encourager and I always think that looking for good things keeps you from looking at negatives - it works for me anyway!

Take care
have a great day
Yours in colour and Style
Julie X

Today's Hair & Makeup Makeover Workshop at Hair Razor's was a success, once again.  Emma and her team worked to cut, style and transform the ladies hair and I applied their best colours in makeup - they all left feeling pampered, looking radiant and confident and smiling!

It was a lovely afternoon and well worth the effort involved!

Emma and I will very definitely do another workshop soon so watch this space if hair and makeup makeover is something you are interested in - if you contact me I will let you know as soon as the next one has been arranged so you don't miss out.

Emma and I plan to put on workshops to show you how to manage your hair in between trips to the hairdressers - eg:

looking at the rqnge of hair products available
What you can use the hair products for
which products are best for your hair
how to use them to your best advantage 

If this is something you are would like to attend, please register your interest and also let me know if there are any other ways we can help you manage your hair - or any other image related ideas you would like to look at please let me know.

Have a great evening and weekend

Yours in Colour and Style
Julie X

ALL ABOUT STYLE

Julie and Diane

Invite YOU

to a day of fun and style

The Stanford Centre, Laceby

Saturday 18 September 2010

Discover the secrets of how to dress your individual shape, using 3 simple steps

Create the look you have always wanted, whilst reflecting your unique personality

Start to enjoy shopping for clothes

Save time and money

COME AND UNLEASH A NEW, CONFIDENT YOU!

Price: Thirty-Five Pounds  -  includes lunch and all refreshments

For more information contact Julie 01472 504680 julie@colourconfident.co.uk

or

Diane 01724 875636 info@diane-miller.co.uk     www.diane-miller.co.uk

Following on from my 2 previous blog entries I am continuing my experiment to see if using rainwater on my face improves my complexion.  I am pleased to report that this morning I did it!  Yesterday I was put off using rainwater as I had collected it in a bucket outside and it was freezing.  Last night I decided to transfer the water to a bottle and put it in the bathroom.

This morning, the water was not freezing and next to the sink, ready for me to use - much easier to tackle first thing!  I have to say I found it a very pleasant feeling - cool and refreshing and left my skin feeling lovely.  Usually after cleansing my face I cant wait to put my moisturiser on as my face feels dry, but today I hardly needed to put moisturiser on, my skin felt so lovely and soft.

I plan to continue this regime because, now I have reached that age,  I do have some areas of dry skin on my face and using rainwater may help.

I have already thought about what I will do if it doesnt rain - use cooled boiled water - boiling the water softens our hard limescaled water.

A few years ago, some friends of mine were told by a beauty therapist that they, and many others, were allergic to using tap water on their faces.  I did poo poo this at the time, saying it was just someone wanting to sell their products but maybe there is some truth in the limewater not being best for our complexions.

Hope I have given you some food for thought - maybe you will want to try it too?  Let me know if you do and we can share our findings and suggestions with other readers.  

It is still a bit rainy - but as I am discovering, rainwater is probably more useful than I first thought.  I really want the sun back though, it’s cold and the sun helps me feel happier too  ;-)

Have a good day

Julie X

This morning I collected a small bucket of rainwater from the garden to use as part of my morning routine.  Of course, the water was cold and I wasn’t keen on washing my face with freezing cold water  - even though that was part of my own blog's recommendations!!! (see yesterday's blog)

In practise the cold water just wasn't appealing - I will try again tomorrow and let you know if I have more success.  If you have any health and beauty tips that you want to share, please do comment on this blog or email or write to me - it would be good to share useful tips with each other.

Shame today is not sunny either - but I forgot to say yesterday, too much sun is definitely bad for your complexion ;-)

Yours in Colour and Style

Julie X

We have had a lot of rain in the last 3 days AND most of us cannot wait for the sunshine to return…

Why do we have rain and what are its benefits?  We know it is needed to grow crops and flowers - I am usually pleased when the rain has watered the garden for me.

Your skin is like the leaves on a delicate plant and one benefit we may not consider is that rainwater is excellent for our skin.  Hard tap water is often blamed for spoiling complexions and many women use only rainwater on their face or, at the very least, boiled tap water – boiling softens water. 

Many women in their 80’s who ‘own their own complexion’ have used nothing more magical as their facewash than freshly gathered dew or fresh rainwater.  With the current plentiful supply of rainwater it may be worth you trying this out for yourself, I plan to.

Whilst on the subject of skincare, I would not recommend using toilet soap as a cleanser – facial cleansing bars are better and kinder to the skin.  In my Blog on 10 November 2009, I wrote about the cleanser I use - Aqueous Cream – it is brilliant, non-allergic and cheap too (under £3 for a huge tub) – doctors prescribe it for many problem skin - you probably have some in your cupboard.

If you are going to wash your face only once a day then do it at the end of the day, rather than at the beginning, because the pores in your skin can work freely during the night.

If you wash your face in the morning you don’t need soap – cold water is good to brace the skin – but if you want to use anything else then how about a handful of fine oatmeal?

Makeup is great to define and enhance your looks during the day, but remember to take it off before you go to bed.

Back to the rainy weather – it has almost stopped now BUT I need to collect some to wash my face tonight…

As they say, every cloud has a silver lining – rainwater has many positives – just like YOU – if you don’t know what your positives look for them – ask a friend to help you J

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Best wishes in Colour & Style

Julie  X

In December 2008 Joy came to me for a Colour Analysis. Joy had worked for years as a childminder; she loved her job and adored children.  Now in her early 40's, she and her husband had been trying for a baby for many many years without success. 

As I got to know Joy better, she let her guard down and sobbed - she was so unhappy at not being able to have a child.  To experience her sorrow first hand, and as a Mum of 2 children, my heart went out to her and my constant prayer was that they would have a baby.

Joy was so thrilled with the results of the Colour Analysis - we found she was a bright Winter, suiting deep, vibrant colours - that she paid for her Mum to come and have Colour Analysis done as a Christmas present - which is another lovely story in itself.

I was so delighted, 8 months later, when my prayers were answered and Joy announced she was pregnant - baby due May 14th 2010.  The pregnancy wasn't without its problems - bleeds, sickness, backache, extreme tiredness etc but my Joy remained cheerful throughout.  Her happiness wasn't even marred by a traumatic and 5-day labour and on 13th May - one day early - little Lucy Ann was born!

As you can imagine my client and her husband are over-the-moon with the new little addition to their family, even if their 2 cats aren't so pleased.  Whilst it would be silly to claim that the pregnancy was a direct result of having Colour Analysis I can say that when we begin to look after ourselves our feelings change and our bodies change and become more relaxed. 

Even though Joy didn’t feel her best after the birth she still made an effort to wear her best colours and some lipstick, she said, 'I wanted to look nice; it makes me feel better'.  

I have lots more testimonies to share about ladies who have come for colour and style advice and their lives have changed dramatically and for the better.  If this story has whetted YOUR appetite for change please call me on 01472 504680 or email julie@colourconfident.co.uk and begin YOUR journey today!

Have a great weekend - I think it is going to be a hot one so cover up if you are going to sit out in it - burnt red skin doesnt suit any of us!

Yours in Colour and Style

Julie X

Whilst talking to my client Ann-Marie this morning she said she’d enjoyed the Wardrobe Weed article on my blog(March 2010)   I asked her if she now had a slimline and tidy wardrobe but she hesitatingly replied ‘No’.   She had found my blog useful but after chatting further it became clear what had stopped her taking action.

She said her wardrobe was full of expensive clothes that didn’t fit/or suit her but she felt bad getting rid of them.   She was frustrated because she knew she was only giving storage space to unworn clothes.   I agreed but added not only were they taking up wardrobe space but also causing her extra stress and guilt because they reminded her of poor purchases she'd made or money she had wasted. 

Surprisingly, research tells us that ladies spend £13,000 on unworn clothes – wasting much hard earned cash!   Retail therapy, supposedly a treat, to give you a boost, often quickly fades when poor choices, hasty purchases and mostly sale shopping leads to daily guilt trips on seeing our unworn purchases hanging in the wardrobe.

These unworn items may be:

The wrong colour - Colour Analysis takes the guesswork out of choosing colours that suit you

The wrong size and style - Style Analysis shows you how to choose clothes that flatter your body shape, size etc.

Too big - some ladies buy clothes too big to hide themselves in - these will make you look bigger

Too small - clothes that are too tight will 'draw attention' to your bulges etc

Too small - some ladies buy small clothes to slim into - this rarely works - gives rise to more guilt

I suggested Ann-Marie send her surplus clothes to charity shops which would benefit the charities and ladies who bought these expensive clothes would be pleased with their 'bargains’. I also pointed out that she would be relieved of much guilt and stress. Ann-Marie agreed it was a good idea and she said she is going to do it.

As Ann-Marie has had Colour Analysis and Style Analysis done and now knows how to buy clothes that suit her - the added benefit for her is that, in future, she will easily be able to select outfits because HER WARDROBE WILL ONLY CONTAIN CLOTHES THAT SHE KNOWS MAKE HER LOOK GREAT AND FEEL CONFIDENT EVERY DAY.

If you are hoarding clothes that no longer fit/suit you and are causing you stress, I hope this article will benefit you too.  If would like professional guidance about wardrobe weed or help so you can avoid future retail therapy disasters that cause you stress and guilt – please give me a call – I would love to help - YOU TOO CAN LOOK GREAT AND FEEL CONFIDENT EVERY DAY!

Enjoy this lovely sunshine :-D

Julie

x

Hi Ladies

When I was interviewed on the Lara King Show on radio Humberside this week (Tues 11th May) one of the questions Lara asked me was how important accessorising was.  I replied that it was very imortant, without having the chance to go into much detail.

As I know that accessorising is an area that many of us struggle to get right I thought it would be worth offering some advice about this on my blog.

You can change the whole look of an outfit just by using accessories.  Get accessorising right and you will look fabulous, but get it wrong the results can be disastrous, regardless of how much money you have spent.

One golden rule is to buy your outfit first and then choose your accessories, not the other way round.

Many women say they don’t accessorise because they don’t know how or don’t have time; but the basic trick is to balance simple with detailed.  This means a simple outfit should be accessorised with more ornate accessories.  And a more detailed outfit should be teamed with simple accessories. Wearing a plain outfit with plain accessories gives a boring look but by mixing simple with more detailed you strike a balance and give you and your outfit interest.  If you have a 'fussy' outfit and then add lots of accessories you can easily end up with the Dame Edna Everidge look!

plain dress       +   print handbag

print dress               +             plain handbag 

Accessories can be used to draw attention to your best features – eg if you have great legs then how about wearing attention-grabbing, fab shoes to show off those great legs.  If you have a tiny waist then why not wear a large belt as a focal point to show-off your waist.  For those with a great cleavage then an ornate necklace will draw attention there.

On the other hand, fancy and detailed accessories or indeed any detail is best avoided in an area you want to hide.  If you have a more than ample bosom, and if you don’t want to draw attention to it, then it’s not a good idea to carry your handbag so it falls in that area.  A short necklace on a short neck will draw attention to your neck, so better to have a longer necklace.

Another consideration with accessories is that of scale - basically the categories are small, medium and large - and whatever your own scale is - small, medium or large, determines the scale of accessories you should be wearing, although there are exceptions to this rule.  A small woman with a BIG personality can carry a large handbag - think of Barbara Windsor - she would look ridiculous with a tiny handbag,

There are so many tips and tricks to learn about accessorising and getting it right will pay dividends – I hope I have raised your awareness and whetted your appetite, there is a wealth of information out there in books and on the Internet. 

If you want any further advice on accessorising or anything else related to image then please do contact me, I will be pleased to help you.  If ladies are interested in learning more about accessorising I will put on a workshop - if that is something you would like then please let me know.  

It's our ladies fellowship weekend away tomorrow, so hopefully, the weather will be good, but if not I am sure it won't spoil things for us - 16 ladies in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside of Claxby, with lots of food and chocolate, no housework and no children - it will be GREAT & LOTS OF FUN TOO!

Have a lovely weekend, I hope the sun will shine on you too!

Julie X

I saw an interesting ad today for some British made swimwear that allows you to get an all over tan without having to resort to topless or naked or sunbathing.

The swimwear is made from revolutionary Transol® fabric which has millions of tiny apertures which allow up to 80% of the sun’s tanning rays to pass through – giving you an all-over tan with minimal tan lines.  In case you are wondering – apparently you can’t see through it even when the swimwear is wet.

They have this swimwear in the latest styles and colours including the on-trend monokini (refers to a one piece bathing suit or bottoms only).  I had a quick look at the website – may want to check it out too www.kiniki.com they do women’s sizes from 8-20 and men’s sizes from small to XXL. 

Someone has already asked me whether you would need to use sun protection all over when wearing it – I would suggest that as the swimwear allows a high percentage of the sun’s rays through it then the answer to that question would be yes, but it is just my opinion and I would always tend to want to want to be safe rather than sorry - ouch, I have had some nasty sunburn in my time.

Now the weather is picking up we can begin to think about our holidays :-D Though the weather forecast last night spoke about snow next weekend !!! NEVER??? They might just be wrong, again???

Don’t forget to put your clock’s forward an hour tonight as BST begins!

Have a great weekend

Yours in Colour & Style

Julie X

When I found out that bum bags were a hot fashion item this season it really made me laugh because it is not that many years ago when you would have found me sporting one of these - I have just found the evidence in a photo (see below) - it was not a good look for me - it drew attention to my tummy - and, gosh, I was even flashing some flesh - thankfully you wouldnt catch me looking like that now - I have come a long way :-)

Me and my bum bag in the old days - but who is the handsome guy behind me?

Generally bum bags are traditionally associated with countryside ramblers and American tourists [who incidentally call them fanny packs as in USA fanny=buttock, in case you were wondering!]  But now bum bags are now selling like hotcakes on style websites such as ASOS (www.asos.co.uk) and you will find many celebrities sporting them.  However, it has to be said these bum bags are not like the traditional boring utility style of the past, like the one I was wearing - they are more colourful and feminine - see photo below:

For part 2 you will again need a day when you have at least 2 hours spare so you can really concentrate on fine-tuning your wardrobe and sorting your clothes into a more versatile and working wardrobe.

First give your attention to the items that were in pile i) (clothes that are worn, badly stained, too big, too small, itchy, wrong colour/style, you don'd like and those you havent worn for a year or more).  This is your final chance to see if there is anything that can be salvaged, if they cant be redeemed then sort into 2 piles - 1) things useful to local charity shop (wash first) 2) things to be binned.

In your wardrobe now should be the clothes from pile iii) the ones you like and that look good on you –now it’s time for some FUN as you co-ordinate some outfits.  

Get your clothes out of the wardrobe and put them on your bed.  Have a trying on session with them – put your favourite blouse on – look at yourself in the mirror – why is it your favourite? Does it make you look wonderful? Perhaps it is the colour that is good or the style or both? Do you get lots of compliments when you wear it?

Next try on every skirt you have with this blouse and then all your jackets and cardigans with the blouse and skirts.  Next look at trousers with this blouse – try to find outfits with the blouse using skirts, jackets etc that tone with or complement your blouse. 

Next move on to your next most favourite top or jumper. Try on every skirt you have with this top or jumper and then try on all your jackets with this combination ... keep going like this with the rest of your clothes.

Soon, you should be able to see how useful your existing wardrobe really is. You will have a number of outfits in your wardrobe, not just a number of clothes.

Try to make different looks by putting tops and bottoms together that match. Also don’t forget about using accessories like scarves and belts to tie outfits together into interesting looks.

Some things just don't work?

On this second sorting through your wardrobe, you may discover one or two items that really don't go with anything else anymore. Perhaps the colour just isn't right for you any more? Perhaps the style is dated or doesn't lend itself to other items you really feel comfortable in? You might have already discovered so many more outfits that work really well, that you just don't need this item anymore.

Whatever the reason, just add these to the removal pile.

Some time in the near future you should consider making a shopping list of all the items you need to complete outfits…

BUT Now it’s time for a treat

You can probably see now why you needed a short break between parts 1 and 2. Wardrobe weeding is tough work and you are probably pretty shattered by now. This is the time to indulge in your special treat - you deserve it.

You now have a wardrobe containing clothes that you know you are going to wear. You know what looks good with what - you've learnt to mix and match what you already have and you will make so much more use out of the items you have.  Well done!

Don’t leave your Good clothes in your wardrobe: There is never a better time than now to wear the good clothes that you have. Wear your best jacket casually with jeans. Choose to look good and feel confident now; don’t wait for a special occasion!

Have a great week

Yours in Colour & Style

Julie X

Many people start the New Year with fresh enthusiasm for looking after themselves and keeping-fit but it has been recognised that March 18 is the most popular day for people to quit their exercise regime.

If this is you and your enthusiasm is waning after the long winter we have had then maybe this newsletter will encourage you to keep going – there is more than just weight gain at stake!

Consequences of giving up on exercise

Loss of energy – energy is generated due to exercise

Insomnia – exercise regulates the body clock and promotes sleep

Skin becomes less healthy with clogged pores, ageing skin and loss of elasticity – sweating in exercise unclogs pores in the skin, gym activities are anti-ageing as they help maintain elasticity in muscles and the oxygen charging through the body helps to remove free radicals, giving a healthy glow.

Sex Life may decline – gym bunnies reach orgasm more easily and more often. Harvard university research shows that the sex life of a 40 year old swimmer is similar to that of a 20 year old.  This is apparently due to the extra blood flow to the vagina increasing sexual feelings.

Brain decline – loss of memory and related skills - exercise causes the brain to expand, jump-starting your visual memory and organisational skills.

Appetite & Metabolism will be affected – you will need to reduce your calorific intake or you will put on weight, otherwise the extra calories will be stored as fat.

Size of bum may increase - as the muscles just get smaller, the fat padding gets larger – leading to that squashy feeling.  You may lose weight but go up a dress size as muscle weighs more than fat.

So keep going if you have started exercising and keep up the good work!

Have a great day

Yours in Colour and Style,

Julie X

Due to some health problems you are receiving this article much later than promised but I hope you will find it was worth the wait and that it spurs you into action and to weeding out your wardrobe!

The recent beautiful sunshine we have seen reminds us that Spring IS in the air, even though we continue to be plagued with heavy frosts and even threats of snow.  Spring is typically associated with de-cluttering and cleaning so now is probably the most popular time of year for people wanting to clear their wardrobes too.

Why the need to de-clutter our wardrobe?

Statistics tell us that most of us wear only 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Put another way we wear less than a quarter of our wardrobe most of the time and 80% percent of our clothes just sit in the wardrobe taking up precious space. 

A good wardrobe weed will tell you whether these statistics reflect your wardrobe but more importantly it will help you discover WHAT IS and WHAT IS NOT working in your wardrobe. So how do you tackle wardrobe weed?  There are lots of suggestions on offer but this is the method that works for me – let me know if it works for you too!

Wardrobe Weed Part 1

Find a day when you have at least 2 hours spare time and follow these simple steps:

1. Remove everything from your wardrobe

2. Separate your clothes into 3 piles:

i) clothes that are worn, badly stained, too big, too small, itchy, wrong colour/style, you dont like and those that you haven't worn for more than a year

ii) items you like but that need cleaning, mending or altering – do not put these back into your wardrobe until they are mended and clean

iii) clothes you like and that look good on you. Items that need something to go with them to complete an outfit.

3. Now that you have identified all the keepers put them back in your wardrobe in an order where you can find them easily.  I hang all my jackets next to each other and repeat this with trousers, blouses, dresses etc and I always separate suits as I am more likely to wear them separately and in different ways – adding versatility.  I put my jeans and jumpers on shelves - never hang woollens as it stretches them.

Never use wire hangers as they are not kind to clothes – ideally use quality wooden hangers but if not the shaped heavy plastic ones.

Now you have now completed your wardrobe weed - congratulate yourself on a job well done.  If you still have some energy left then sort the clothes from pile ii) for  cleaning and mending.  Finally put the clothes from pile i) into bin liners or charity sacks ready for disposal – but for now hide them in a cupboard!

Happy weeding

Yours in Colour & Style

Julie X

Hi ladies
 
Apologies for my last blog Are You Being True to Yourself  if it offended anyone - that wasnt meant at all and because one lady wrote to complain I removed it from my website immediately, and you would not have been able to access the article after I did that. I am new to blogging and writing for the media etc and my intention was purely to raise awareness about how people make first impressions and gave an example.  Obviously, I now realise, that I made a bad choice in using a person in the media and it probably looked like I was showing some political bias but that was not my intention at all - I dont have particularly strong political views anyway.  So, very sorry if you read it and it upset you, I didnt mean to do that -  my job is to help people look and feel good, not to upset them. I will re-write the article Are You Being True to Yourself  soon so you wont miss out. 
 
I've just returned from a scarf tying workshop in Essex - which I will write about in the near future soon and probably offer a workshop for you too - but before that I will write about Wardrobe Weedout - which should reach your inbox later this week.
 
Have a great week!
 
Julie X

I was surprised this week to find that day in the year most renowned for arguments and fighting between couples is February 14th and another website I looked at referred to Valentine's Day being one of the least romantic days of the year because "the majority of men act like robots, purchasing flowers and chocolates for their sweethearts because this is what everyone else is doing." It went on further to say that many people celebrate the day out of obligation rather than celebration.  So, perhaps it is not surprising that this day often brings strife rather than love to surface as many men are robotically buying/ordering chocolates and flowers for their women and driven to do this by fear and obligation but not by love.  Isnt that sad?  And perhaps the people who are made the most happy by this celebratory day are the ones making money - eg the shop keepers and makers of cards and chocolates.

So how did Valentine's Day begin?

There are varying opinions about it's beginnings.  Some say it originated from St Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 AD, the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St Valentine left a goodbye note for his friend, the jailer's daughter, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other stories say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Anyway, whatever the true history it is now a fact that St Valentine has become the patron saint of lovers and February 14 has become a traditional date for exchanging love messages, poems, cards and simple gifts such as flowers.

For me tomorrow will be just like most other Sunday's apart from the fact that I will probably get a card from my husband (who knows I am not a lover of cut flowers anyway - I much prefer living plants) What about you? What will your day be like?  Whether you do or dont get a card or flowers, or box of chocolates or a nice meal - have a great St Valentine's day!

Julie X

I had another lady this week who was difficult to diagnose during colour analysis due to her wrong hair colour.  When we are born we have the perfect colouring - our hair, eyes and skin all complement one another - but when ladies (mainly) go grey and start colouring their hair then problems often begin.

My client complained that in the past none of the lipsticks she was recommended were ever right for her - this is probably due to the fact that her hair is out of sync with her skin-tone and eyes - and hair colour is very dominant. 

Once this lady gets her hair colour restored either to it's original colour or at least with deeper warm tones then the lipstick problem should be a thing of the past for her.

Amazing isnt it that something that seems so unimportant as a hair colour plays such a huge role - but then hair, as we have already said, is very dominant, no wonder it is referred to as our crowning glory - so please do be careful you are getting good advice before colouring your hair or having it coloured.  If you are experiencing difficulties with hair colouring give me a call, I would love to help you!

Julie X

If you colour your hair you may be interested to hear about a lady who contacted me last week:

"Hi Julie, I may be in need of your services...I have lost my grey and have gone blond with streaks of toffee etc...Problem is, none of the colours that normally suit me now do etc, I am sure you have heard this many times."

Yes, this is a typical story and it happens to many ladies who go to the hairdressers or colour their hair themselves. The problem is that many hairdressers want to warm grey hair up - which is great if you have warm skin tones to match, but if you have cool skin tones and you have a warm hair colour then you will find yourself with the same dilemma as the lady here.

Colour Analysis not only advises you on the best colours for clothes but it also gives advice on accessories and hair colour.  Hair colour is very important and many hairdressers dont appear to be trained to take into account skin tones and eye colour when advising clients on changing their hair colour.  As a result many ladies are struggling like the lady I mentioned and many I see wonder if they should change the colour of their clothes to match their hair!  At a talk the other day a rather troubled lady who had formerly been diagnosed as a Winter was finding that she suited orange and browns and had even bought clothes in these new colours.  It was easy to see why - her hair had been coloured and now had warm, orangey tones to it.  I see far too many people (not just ladies) with this problem and many people's hair colours are much too strong for their colouring.  If you would like advice on the best hair colours for you then give me a call, I would love to help you restore your hair to it's crowning glory!

Julie X

A favour to ask, it only takes a minute and costs you nothing...

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free (pink window in the middle).  

This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising.  

Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know. It could save a few lives!

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

 
AGAIN, PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10.

Julie X

I just heard that a very good friend of mine died this morning - Ray was a lovely man who lived life to the full and gave so much of himself to everyone and everything - his life was richly blessed and his family will surely dwell upon the fortune he has left them!

I am sure Ray would have agreed with the sentiments of Maya Angelou:

“Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.”

Julie X

In my last blog I mentioned meeting Lara King - once again, I admit I dont listen to Radio Humberside very often either and had never even heard of this lovely, bubbly, funny and interesting lady.  However, like Helen Philpot, Lara also inspired me to tune in - you can too at 95.9 AM and on DAB weekdays 0900-1200 for Lara's mix of music, topical guests and advice.

Guess what, Lara also said she wanted me on her show - I think I heard her say that to a lot of ladies that night - but she did say she would phone me and if she doesnt, I am definitely going to phone her!

Enjoy your day of rest - if you are able to have one!

Julie X

Last night I had a very enjoyable and interesting evening with a WorkWise Women event with ladies who are involved in the local media.  There was a question time format and the panel of media experts included Michelle Lalor editor of the Grimsby Evening Telegraph for the past 7 years, Helen Philpot, probably known for her time on Look North with Peter Levy but currently a freelance broadcaster with Radio Humberside and also very much focussed on re-launching Channel 7 and running media courses and Sue Mason who has been deputy editor of the glossy magazine The Journal for the past 20 years.

I am ashamed to admit that I havent watched Channel 7 for a few years now - but after meeting with Helen I am inspired to tune in to see local media productions with local people.  Helen suggested I watch a programme they produce at their Immingham Immage Studios called Bargain, Stitich and a Wardrobe - at the moment you can only watch previous programmes in their archives but there will be a new series soon - Helen suggested I may like to be involved in it! I've already looked at a look at a couple of past programmes - very interesting - information about latest fashions, how to update your current clothes and a mini-makeover. 

As you are reading my blog it may be something you are interested in too - have a look and let me know what you think - channel 879 on Virgin Media or online at www.chanel7tv.co.uk  You may even see me on it in the future!!!! :-D

Have a great weekend, I think the sun is going to shine, enjoy!

Julie X

At our Looking Good, Feeling Good Workshop last Saturday one lady brought up an interesting subject - The Law of Attraction and was sharing with the Group how she visualised a horse and in time it was delivered to her just as she had visualised it in the exact horse box she had visualised it in too. Then she said she visualised a cheque and it came...

Even though the lady seemed very sure and very sincere I must admit it all seemed very bizaare to me.  Out of curiosity I did a bit of research into the Law of Attraction and found it was based upon a book called The Secret and contained in the book is The Secret which tells you that 'Everything that’s coming into your life you are attracting into your life, and it’s attracted to you by virtue of the images you’re holding in your mind.'  

As a Christian, with a belief in God, I have great concerns about the ideas presented in this book and the claims that it makes - that we can use the powers within the universe to attract things that we want. Every day I try to spend time in prayer talking to God:  thanking Him for who He is, what He has done for me and for His answers to past prayers. I say sorry for all the times I messed up and finally I tell Him about my problems and then ask Him for the things I need for the coming day. I always view God as a loving parent and not as some magic genie who grants all my wishes which The Law of Attraction appears to encourage.  As a loving parent myself I dont give my kids everything they want because I know it is not good for a child to have everything they want, apart from the fact that some things they have asked for were definitely not good for them. I wonder who believers in The Power of Attraction thank for the gifts they attract and could they attract things that were not good for them?  Also is there the danger that evil things could be attracted? How would someone who was suicidal or depressed use this Power?

Interesting eh? Let me know what you think.

Julie X

Yesterday's workshop Looking Good, Feeling Good - was a huge success.  Jan and I have never worked together before and our areas of expertise are quite different though complementary (Jan is a life coach www.youplus.co.uk) However, we were delighted with the way it went and we have had some very positive feedback too.

The workshop was made up of 30 ladies - some who had travelled from Scunthorpe and Lincoln, to attend - and there was quite a buzz as the ladies interacted with each other during activities and break times.

Jan and I are meeting up next week to de-brief and plan the next workshop - which is provisionally planned for Sat 22nd May - venue and price to be confirmed - details will be posted here aas soon as they are available. In the meantime, if you would like to put your name down or want further details, please contact me and watch this space!

And now for some relaxation...

enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Julie X

Talking about handbags on my last blog reminded me to share something with you that has really stuck with me ever since I read it - I found it thought provoking and I am sure it will make you think too.

The article commented on ladies who place their handbags on public toilet floors and then go back to the dining room and place it on the table!  I have observed this a lot since reading the article and it has caused me to not to put my handbag on kitchen worktops, or any one else's either because I now see the potential for handbags spreading germs etc. yuk! yuk!

Most of us carry a handbag and whilst we may know what is inside, I wonder how many of us have ever stopped to think about what about what's on the outside? I hadnt, until I read this article!

Where does your handbag go? On the floor in your car or the floor of a bus, on the floor in a public toilet, in a shopping trolley whilst grocery shopping?  Most  ladies think that their handbags may be a little dirty but...

tests were done at Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake City, USA on an average woman's handbag are shocking!

During tests the handbags were found to be so dirty that even the microbiologist who tested them was shocked - Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Laboratories says that nearly all of the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria.  Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags could make people very sick.  In one sampling, four out of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it. "There is faecal contamination on the handbags," says Amy

I heard a tip the other day and felt it was worth sharing - it is certainly one I am going to try.

I dont like changing my handbags because I like to be very organised and have everything, I may need, with me. This means that I often carry the same large and quite heavy bag - not the best look for me as a 4' 10" petite!

What was suggested is that you have have a basket that you empty the contents of your handbag into at the end of every day - and the next day take out only what you are going to need that day!

I'll report back on how this works for me and if you try it too then please drop me a line (email or comment on this blog) it would be lovely to hear from you.

Have a great week!

Julie x

I do hope 2010 has started well for you.  I know the weather is a bit grey, but as one friend pointed out the other day, it is a different colour to white!  I am pleased the snow has just about disappeared and it would be nice if that was the last we see this season, if not this year!

Many people I am meeting at the moment are feeling grey, like the weather, unfortunately. This is a common mood at this time of year - after the highs of Christmas and when the days dont seem to get very light.  It was for this reason that Jan Rilatt and I planned our Looking Good, Feeling Good Workshop in January (23rd) - we know that this is the time of year when people are starting a new year and often feeling at their worst - gained a few pounds over Christmas, the house is quiet, the weather is dull and on top of that, this year, there is economic gloom to contend with.

Jan and I are pleased that our workshop is now fully booked and there is even a reserve list of 6!  We are both very excited about running the workshop and have already made plans to run it again - the provisional date is Saturday 22 May - date and venue etc to be confirmed later - so if you are interested in coming along, please watch this space!

Julie x

I hope you all enjoyed great Christmas and New Year celebrations and had lots of time for relaxation with family and friends. Patrick and I had our 2 children Dan and Clare home from uni and it is not often these days that we can all get together - it was a rare treat! 

Now the children are back at uni, Patrick is back at work and I'm busy planning for this year's Colour and Style events and working through some ideas.  If that wasnt exciting enough I am thrilled that the Confidence Workshop that Jan Rilatt and I have planned together, on 23rd January, is now fully booked and has a waiting list. We are also being asked when the next workshop will be and what other workshops will we be putting on. The signs are that it is very likely we will put other events soon - please watch out for news of them in the local papers, on posters in local shops and of course on this website - please sign up for my newsletter if you would like to receive email notification from me about future events.

I wish you all very very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Colourful and Stylish New Year!

More soon...

Love

Julie x

This time of year when the family are home we often get out old videos of the kids when they were happy to be filmed - under the age of 13! The other day we were watching one which was taken 20 years ago when my daughter Clare was 2. I was absolutely horrified to see myself at age 31 - even my daughter commented "Mum, what were you wearing!!"

I have only been working as an Image Consultant for the past 3 years and prior to that I would have said I looked ok but was probably not making the most of myself.  However, these old videos reveal that I did not look good at all - looking really mumsy, dull and boring.  I have recently upped my style with hair and clothes, got really up to date and realise I have come a long way in a short time!  I aim to put my story on my website so you can read it - it should really encourage you - it is on my to do list, and will be coming soon!  

I cannot believe that in my 30's I was wearing a non-colour top to toe - beige!!!! yuk - even old ladies look awful in that because it usually matches their skin and hair colour.  You would never catch me in any non-colour these days - I always wear deep, bright and cool colours - and like all winter ladies look great in them. Not only was I wearing beige but the clothes I was wearing consisted of a long baggy cardigan (M&S - definitely old before my time), a long shapeless skirt and flat shoes!!! I must try to find a photo to support this video, otherwise you may not believe me, I found it hard to believe and I was there!  And you know what, if I can make this transformation then so can you.  There are loads of books out there, tv programmes dedicated to it - helping you make the most of yourself, showing you how to choose the best clothes for your body shape etc. I must admit I had a cupboard full of these and I had read them and made copious notes too - shame was I didnt really apply them because all the notes were accurate!  Maybe you are doing the same, I would urge you to go through your books on Colour and Style and make a determined effort to follow the conclusions you come to.  However, if you are like me, and you need some help then please do contact me - I would give me so much pleasure to help you with your journey in Colour and Style to help you find clothes, accessories, hairstyles etc that give you back that wow factor in your life!  My husband now says he loves his new sexy wife - isnt that great? No wonder I feel so young, attractive and alive these days, despite being older and heavier!

Yours in Colour & Style

Julie X

Red lips have been sported by women from time eternal.  Applying red colours to perk up a pout can be traced back to ancient times and the colouring has been made in lots of ways including a concoction of carmine beetles and ants - yuk!  In the past ladies have been so attached to their red lip colourings that they were even buried with a pot of it!

From Elizabeth I to the Roaring Twenties where flappers wore red lips to signal post WW1 freedom to the 1940's and film star Veronica Lake sported perfect red lips that many tried to copy - with WW2 raging during that time it was surprisingly, considered patriotic for sweethearts to maintain their appearance! In the 80's, as the working girl world came to the fore - red lips became power lips - their beauty was perfectly captured by Robert Palmer's iconic Addicted to Love video.  Madonna crucially endorsed red lips in 1986 when she declared MAC's Russian Red to be her favourite - not surprisingly it became an instant best seller!  More recently we have been seduced by Scarlett Johansson's wonderful lips and when Sarah Palin said that lipstick was the difference between a 'hockey mom' and a pitbull it made just about every headline!

Historically, lipstick sales flourish in times of economic dispair, so it is perhaps no suprise that during our current recession lipstick sales are flourishing and also that this season is all about a hot slick of bold red!  Red is the colour of choice at Christmastime and many of us will be wearing red in one form or another - a red top, red dress, red coat  or red accessories?  If you are wearing red then a pink or neutral lipstick just wont look right! 

Maybe in the past you have tried red lipsticks and decided that it just didnt look right on you?  If this is you I urge  you to try a different red lipstick. There are many many shades of red but these can be broadly separated into one of 6 types - light, deep, bright, soft, cool or warm and guess what - us humans can be separated into these categories too! What you need to find is the red lipstick with characteristics that correspond to your characteristics.

If you do find yourself stuck for a red lipstick this Christmas then please do contact me - I stock a lovely range of makeup that have been designed with these different characteristics in mind - www.janefardon.com and this collection contains 8 luscious red lipsticks - I think you will find that one of them is perfect for you!

Julie X

Some great advice below in an article from my friend and fellow Image Consultant, Jane Fardon, who last year launched her own fabulous brand of cosmetics. The Jane Fardon Cosmetics primer is particularly good for protecting the skin at this time of the year and in the summer - no wonder it is   their top-selling product!   The Shadow Lifting Pens are a must for those of us who want to erase some of the lines and camouflage dark areas around our eyes - these are also in demand for girls who want their eyes to shine in the disco lights.   I stock the full range, including all   the luscious lipsticks.   Please contact me if you would like more information and to try it out! You can even have a peep first on-line at www.janefardon.com

After re-reading this article I am going to get myself a glass of water - to re-hydrate my skin!  Also, what occurred to me is that if   this is the time of the year when you drink more alcohol (like me) which also causes de-hydration - you probably we need to drink even more water than in the summer!

Have a great day and the H2o!

Julie

x

WINTER WEATHER AND OUR SKIN

During wintertime, we enjoy the simple comforts of  big, cosy jumpers and snuggling next to the fire or radiator, away from the harsh weather conditions.   But no matter how well you wrap up, wintry weather can still strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier and cause the top layer (the epidermis) to dry and flake off.   And whilst you may think that January and February are the worst months for skin, this is not the case.   By the New Year, your skin has adjusted - it is during the autumn when you will notice a drop in humidity and a difference in your skin.   For most people, regular use of moisturiser should help to guard the skin against the effects of the weather.

Dry skin is the result of low moisture. If you watch the weather report on cold winter mornings, you have probably heard the weatherman talk about low humidity, the scientific term for a shortage of water in the air. This dry climate translates into dry skin, even for those who do not spend much time outdoors during the winter. The reason for this is that dry air sucks moisture out of the skin.

Moisturiser 

A vital part of your skin care regime, throughout the year and especially in the dry winter months, should be moisturiser. Lotions and body creams provide a protective layer on the skin, helping to hold in the water that keeps it supple. If you normally use a light night cream, switch to a richer formula when the temperature drops. Doing so will feed thirsty skin by replenishing lost moisture. You can then use a lighter one in the morning before your foundation. Don’t forget that your face should feel soft but not ‘sticky’ when you apply the foundation. If it feels sticky, then you need to pat the skin with a tissue to remove the excess moisturiser.

If you can bear it, take a warm -- not hot -- bath. High temperatures, in the shower and out, lead to dehydration, which is the cause of dry skin.

Primer

This is a brilliant way to keep moisture in the skin as it forms a protective layer against the wind, as well as giving dry skin a smooth finish for the foundation.

Diet

Your body needs moisture inside as well as out to keep the skin lush and healthy.  It may surprise you but you need to drink as much water in the winter as you do in the summer. By getting the recommended 6-8 glasses a day you will keep some of the dryness at bay and will feel better all round.

Exfoliation

Scrubbing dead skin cells from the body is undeniably one of the easiest ways to keep your epidermis looking good in all seasons. Some say you should exfoliate your whole body with a loofah or body-polishing pad at least once a week. You can also use a mild exfoliant on your face. Pumice stones are great for removing coarse skin from the heels of the feet. Just remember not to do any of these too often as it can irritate the skin, particularly on the face.

Humidity Control

The temperature indoors during the winter can contribute to dry skin as much as outdoor temperatures. This is because electric heaters/central heating take moisture out of the air, causing the humidity levels to drop. An easy way to replace environmental moisture is to put a jam-jar of water (or something prettier) on the radiator.   You can also feed water into the air by filling your home with plants as they release water as part of photosynthesis.

I forgot to mention that my client who is looking for a wedding outfit is also a petite!  Us petite's (I am just under 4'10") have even less choice in the shops.  Fortunately, nowadays there are more suppliers of petite ranges of clothing.  In this instance I directed my client to Karen Gillam a fellow petite Image Consultant who designs and sells her own range of peite clothes.  If you are a petite lady (under 5'3") I would urge you to have a look at Karen's small but fantastic range at www.karengillam.co.uk I bought the Camilla Pencil Skirt and have worn it for my corporate work, parties and everyday - it is very smart and classy and elongates my tiny frame in the place where I need it most!

Camilla Pencil Skirt from www.karengillam.co.uk

Julie X

A lady I saw this week is almost at desperation point - she needs an outfit for her son's January wedding but the shops are all geared up for the coming Christmas   party season and she cant find anything suitable.   This lady is not on the Internet, otherwise I would have directed her to some websites that cater for occasion wear for ladies - all the year round.  

Apart from trying some of the smaller boutiques locally perhaps the only other real option here is to send for some catalogues and choose an outfit by mail order.   In the past there was a bit of stigma attached to buying clothes by Mail Order, and possibly some of this remains, but if you can get beyond this then you will find   there are lots of lovely suppliers of great quality clothes, who offer a wonderful service.

Here are one or two that I have used myself/directed clients to:

Gray & Osborn cater in sizes 10-26  www.grayandosbourn.co.uk

My friend and fellow Image Consultant, Diane Miller (from Scunthorpe) had a wonderful girls' day out together in Meadowhall a couple of weeks ago.   We both spend   our working lives trying to encourage other ladies (and men) to try different styles of clothes etc but we find it very difficult to be objective about ourselves and our own style. With this in mind   we organised a day out to   encourage each other to try new and different styles etc. Diane and I have a lot in common, get on well and really enjoy each other's company so it was a chance to catch up with each other,   research the latest fashions, enjoy a lovely lunch out and buy some new things for ourselves!

We had a brilliant day. We travelled by train so no driving or traffic queues etc and arrived at 10 am though we didnt leave the shopping centre until 7.15 pm! After 9+ hours shopping and chatting we were   absolutely exhausted but as well as tired legs and aching feet we had some   lovely clothes and accessories.   We had   a fabulous day out; it was so much fun too!    

On recounting our fun day out   ladies have commented that they too would enjoy   going on a girls' shopping trip.     It is a sad fact that so many ladies   go shopping for clothes,   cant find anything to suit them and become very discouraged.   Maybe you are one of them?     BUT it doesnt have to be this way, with a little knowledge   and encouragement you   too could enjoy shopping trips like Diane and I.     With this in mind   Diane and I are now considering   organising a day trip or even a weekend shopping trip - with teaching on colour and style and possibly a stay over in a hotel.   Would you and your friends be interested in this?   If this is your kind of thing then please do let me know and your preferences and of course watch this space...

Julie

Charnos, the lingerie and hoisery people have produced a great site which is well worth a look www.lessonsinlegs.co.uk especially if you are wondering which tights/stockings willl best suit your legshape this winter.

Here you will find Lessons in Legs where the legsperts behind Charnos Hoisery have put their 70 years of knowledge and expertise to good use in an attempt to offer help and inspiration to all women by educating and advising them on the power of their legs!!

First you have to identify your legshape from the 6 leg outlines- The Athlete, The Wine glass, The Pillar, The Compact, The Showgirl or The Flamingo.  After this you get a description of your legshape and then a lesson on your legshape and then a Day tip and a Night tip. 

Have fun! 

Julie

Whilst browsing a magazine whilst in my hairdressers this week I found a article recommending a website called Tights Please.  People who have known me for any length of time would know I always used to wear trousers - until a client commented last year on this and it was a bit of a wake up call for me and a challenge. 

I am very blessed with shapely legs.  In my youth I had very skinny legs but thankfully they have gained weight now, but so has the rest of me where I didnt need it!! To be truthful I always wore trousers because I have a hip problem and it meant I could wear sensible, more chunky footwear.  These didnt look good with skirts. However, I have now found that short skirts, thick tights and leg warmers etc look brilliant on me and this is so refreshing - and I love the funky look that these give me - it really suits my quirky/impish/fun personality.

I really fancied some red tartan tights but couldn't find any in the shops - however, at tights please they have an impressive range and I found some red tartan for me - cant wait til they come!  If you are looking for tights, stockings or socks I would recommend you have a look at www.tightsplease.co.uk it's free uk delivery too!

Julie 

I met an old school friend last week who commented "your skin still looks like it did when you were 14, you must tell me what facecream you are using!" I never did get to tell her because her mobile phone went off and she had to dash away - but hopefully you will get to read this Alison.

I am 51 and get lots of compliments on my youthful complexion.  My secret is probably that some of it is genetic as my Mum has good skin and so did my Grandfather (her father). Also my Mum instilled in me, from an early age, the importance of a good morning and night routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising. I did this from about age 21 and I guess I am now reaping the benefits.

Like my Mum I have never bought expensive products, mainly Oil of Ulay/Olay, Simple, L'oreal etc and even found some very good night and day creams in supermarkets like Lidl - which cost less than £3 a jar, a bargain and a good product as well! 

About a year ago my good friend Jane Fardon (Image Consultant in Sheffield, who launched her own brand of makeup last year) told me that she uses Aqueous Cream BP for cleansing and as a light moisturiser for day time.  I tried this and was delighted with the results.  A large 500g pot of this cream (the unscented one is best) will cost you less than £3 from Boots or Superdrug and I have seen it in the £1 shop too  It will last you for absolutely agggggeeeeeeessssss!  This cream is often prescribed by drs for eczema and other skin problems - so have a look in your cupboard, you may already have some. 

As the name suggests the cream is water-based and so you can use it like soap and rinse it off with a flannel or tissue it off as you would other cleansiers.

I would recommend anyone to give it a try, it certainly works for me, leaves my skin feeling lovely and saves me lots of money too! It can also be used in the shower as a general all over cleanser and is especially good if you have dry skin.

Julie

I got a text from my daughter today asking if I knew what MBT's were. I didnt but with the help of the invaluable search engine Google found out - MBT's (Masai Barefoot Technology) are a type of shoe which claims to tone your body, improve posture and ease back pain!  My daughter recommended them as I have had hip problems for years and her friend's father saw a great improvement in his walking since wearing some.

MBT's were invented by a Swiss engineer Karl Müller in the early 1990s after a visit to Kenya and discovering their Masai tribesmen dont suffer from back pain - hence their name.  Muller concluded that walking on hard surfaces, like pavements, that don't have any "give", has damaged our backs, not to mention our knees and ankles!  He decided that this could be corrected wearing a shoe with a curved sole, basically with no heel, which imitates the rocking motion of a foot walking on soft sand or grass.

When I saw photos of these shoes I realised I had already seen them in the shops but discounted them because they looked dangerous, clumpy and also expensive (£120 mark), maybe you have seen them too?

MBT's

Be interested to know if any of you have tried them or own a pair? Let us know if they helped you.  In the meantime I have promised my daughter that I will try them out in the shops next opportunity I get!!!

So sorry to you all, I have really neglected my blog. Truth is I have just been on a late and long summer  holiday in France and my workload just piled up - probably most of you will be able to identify with this?

I have   so much to do at the moment, and not knowing where to start I made a list - wow, then I felt even more   overwhelmed ;-)  

When I get in a situation like this I remember a book I read   last year which contained some great advice.     One of the questions posed was - 'How do you eat an elephant?' The answer was 'one bite at a time!' A   strange answer you may think but when it was explained further that the elephant (problem) was that the lounge needed decorating   and there was little spare time to do it.   To tackle this problem the lady in question decided to put one strip of wallpaper   up every day - within a week or so the lounge was finished. I myself cant image decorating in this way - common sense kicks in with all the wasted time getting the equipment out and putting it away again.   However,   when this principle is applied, the fact that rather than being in a state of panic and paralysis we begin to make progress and the elephant gets smaller!!!

What elephants are you facing at the moment? Could this principle help you?  

Have a great day!  

Julie X

I received an email yesterday, maybe you had it too, about about a new fashion of see-thru skirts - the email claims these skirts are the current rage in Japan and will be the rage here soon and to be found in TK Max and Primark. It says these skirts are actually prints on the skirts to make them look as if the ladies panties are visible - see below:

I wondered if this this email, like many I receive, is a hoax or is it true?  A simple and quick search revealed that it was a hoax - if ever you are not sure there are many trusted and valuable sites on the Internet but one I often use is www.snopes.co.uk  For information about the skirts, including photos have a look at this site: http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/skirts.asp When I see emails like this it seems to me that some people have an awful lot of spare time to waste but I guess it gives the rest of us a laugh - and thats good because 'laughter is the best medicine' - Proverbs 17:22  Have you had any medicine today?

I finally started writing my blog! Seems as good a date as any to start, the first of a new month. It is ok starting but what do I write? Agghhhh!!! When I was thinking about writing this, I had lots of information to share and now...my mind has gone blank!!! Does that happen to you as well? I understand it is common with ladies of a certain age, including myself ;-)  As one of my main aims in life is to encourage others I am not going to scold myself here, rather I will praise myself because I have taken the first steps and started a blog J  What are YOU praising yourself for today? - please write and tell me and also tell me your news and what you think of my blog as it progresses.

I will be back soon with information about many things including colour and style & little nuggets of information I think you may be interested in.

Julie