HOT tips for summer...

How can you pep up your summer wardrobe with a few key bits to make it look 2011? Well the answer is yes, with these few key items:

1) Sleeveless Jacket - sounds like a silly idea but actually is a great for adding over a summer dress and add that bit of authority and structure to an everyday dress that you can also wear to work!Add a slim belt to finish off this look. If you aren't sure about this look, start off with a knitted sleeveless jacket and you will definitely be hooked.

2) Tangerine (or also called Apricot, Papaya, Mandarin) - find your shade that suits you. Every season the shops challenge us with 'tricky colours' and we have to reach for our self tanning lotion to help us work that look. Last summer it was a lemon yellow.

3) Wide trouser - if you only make one addition to your spring/summer wardrobe then make it this. As this is the first time in a while the fashion industry is moving away from skinny jeans. Colour wise move away from black and go for either a colour or a neutral like camel. Once you decide on a pair, make sure you wear a top that can be tucked in (essential... otherwise you just look a mess). And then finish off with either high heels or a wedge shoe. Doing a relaxed look here is not that easy, so i advise wearing heels to give the seventies look. And lastly, avoid 'draw string' pull wide trousers... not a good look.

4) Midi skirt - there are ones out there that are 'less frumpy' than others. So be careful with the choice of material you choose and make sure you wear it with a tucked in shirt and ideally with peep toe heels - as this gives you more of a 2011 look. I will not kid you here, it is a tricky look to pull off, so get out there and see which one you feel most comfortable in.

How can we keep our health and energy up?

In this modern, hectic world we live with: increased stressed levels, sedentary jobs and greater pollution. With our diets moving away from natural foods, we may well be living longer but we are having to deal with all manner of diseases. So how can we keep our energy levels up and keep these at bay then?

Then to tilt the scales in your favour then look no further than Vitality Juices. Quite simply they neutralise dangerous free radicals. But i hear you ask, but can juicing really promote vitality? Well a sprightly patient told a friend of mine on his 90th birthday that he still had two ambitions in life. One was to get a cenetenary telegram from the Queen, the other was to be shot by a jealous husband. He'd been juicing for 50 years and sounds like such a great guy! I like his style...

Vitality juices contain mostly fruit, with either honey, ginger, live yogurt and sometimes the odd vegetable. But don't be put off, they are all lovely to drink! Here are some receipes for you to have a go with, just click on this link: http://juicerrecipespro.com/vitality-juice-recipes.html

Amazing Books

Found these 2 gems, as they give instant inspiration. Flicking through the books, the pictures show you what worked in the past and what works now. I promise you won't be failed but to be inspired!


* "Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style" by Kate Betts.

* "I love your style" by Amanda Brooks (http://www.iloveyourstyle.com/)

Women: 22 outfits they won't wear (or throw out)

By Daily Telegraph Reporter:

Britsh women hoard clothes worth £285 that they will never wear but refuse to throw out, the equivalent of 22 outfits each, according to research.

Impulse buys are blamed by 45 per cent of shoppers for their bulging wardrobe.

Jeans are a significant problem , with 88 percent owning at least one pair they would never wear, while 22 per cent hoard up to six pairs of shoes and 95 per cent tops that will never be worn.

More than half, 54 per cent said guilt over wasting money made them keep the clothes while 41 per cent were planning to lose weight.

Men hoard 19 items worth on average £248, according to the poll of 1,200 adults for the shopping channel QVC.

*This certainly tallies with my visits to see clients wardrobes. The only aspect that it doesn't cover is how much people hoard/cram into their wardrobes.

Testimonial

Thrilled with another lovely testimonial. Thank you!

I am getting married in the Spring and Katie managed to find my bridesmaids their perfect dresses. No small order, since we had hunted high and low for these items before being recommended Katie's services. With minimum fuss, we had found our outfits. Thank goodness she saved my sanity and my bridal party and are now very happy with their new outfits. I highly recommend her services. I just wish I had just found her earlier, saving myself both the time and money spent!

Spring/Summer Trends?

This season is 70’s inspired. There are 3 aspects you should definitely consider when putting together your look for the coming season. You want to try and make sure it is:


1. Fresh and not dated

2. Have a clear idea of how you would like to look

3. Don’t just put a group of clothes together. Instead, think HOW the clothes are styled or worn to gain maximum effect.

Easy ways to gain a 70’s inspired look?
• Clash bold prints: not easy but give a big impact. Here you can definitely have a lot of fun with this and find a personal look that works for you.

• Wear a jacket and faux fur, for a glamourous evening look.

• Wear oversized trousers with a fitted top for a lovely work look! This is easy to do and should be worn with high platforms.

• Wear a soft long maxi dress with a big rimmed hat, for relaxed social look.

• Tie a printed scarf around the front of your head and wear a dress. This is very demure and a bold statement.

• Wear bright colours with each other. Or, if you aren’t quite ready for that look, instead wear a black bottom half.

• Wear a pleated skirt or high-waisted trousers. This is one for anyone who finds the 70’s look a bit scary. And the benefit here is this is a quick and easy way to give a nod, without full on commitment to the 70’s vibe.

Enjoy putting a modern twist to your 70’s inspired outfits by mixing the old with the new. And you can easily add something new and individual to your look by adding an unusual accessory, with the rest of your 70’s outfit. But do beware of just going all for all out 70’s look, otherwise you run the risk of just looking stuck in a time warp. Never a good thing and am sure that is not the look you are hoping to give!

Testimonial

Another great Testimonial. Am so pleased...

"Taking the time to understand her clients' needs and having perception to read between the lines, along with her personable manner means Katie gets results. But perhaps more important is that she takes her clients along the learning journey, providing tools and tips to take forward.”

Want to feel fabulous?

Then here are 3 simple questions to mull over.

1) How do you see yourself?

2) How do you think others see you?

3) How would you like others to see you?


Now do they all match....? If not, then you are sending out a mixed message and have not quite honed your signature style yet.

Testimonial

I am really happy today since receiving this lovely testimonial from a happy client...

"I had lost 10kgs after having had my two kids and was looking at getting some clothes. I had used a personal shopper in a department store and although I thought it had benefitted me - always found that when I got home, the items I had bought had never worked in conjunction with the rest of my wardrobe. I had looked at a few personal shoppers but thought that Katie sounded upbeat and would understand my dilemma. Well, did she just! She came and cleared out my wardrobe (something my mother would have been proud of) ... leaving a few choice items. Initially I was horrified but leaving me for a few weeks to really test out and think about my outfits, did me the world of good. It really helped when we went shopping together. It was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it and have to say, I now use everything in my wardrobe! It all fits, and I have had so many compliments - thanks a million Katie. I will certainly be using your services again"