I have noticed that I am going greyer by the day and am fed-up with having to dye it the colour nature intended every 5 weeks, so I recently discussed the options with my colourist:

Option 1: Grow out all the colour and dye it white blonde/grey.

Option 2: Carry on dying it.

Option 3: Stop dying it altogether and grow old gracefully.

Wow, I am spoilt for choice. That is apparently a fact of life for those of us born with dark brown hair, there are few options open to us.

The thought of growing out my colour and looking hideous for 6 months didn't sound too appealing especially in light of the fact that you do not know whether the lighter look will suit you!! So I tried on a couple of wigs and a few hairpieces, and here is a photo of me in my favourite "blonde".

You either love it or hate it - I could get used to it but think I am not quite grey enough, or old enough yet!!

One Person's Trash Is Another Person's Treasure

I am a big fan of recycling old clothes either by selling them through an agency or swapping them at an organised party. It is not only environmentally friendly but it also means that you either recoup money for a future shopping trip, or you bag someone else's clothes and thus have a new addition or two in your wardrobe!

My mum sells her clothes and her friend's clothes on e-bay via a lady. Last month my mum's friend asked her to sell a Betty Barclay coat that she had never worn! Now I am not usually a big fan of pink, as many of you will know. I think it is very girlie and does not suit my personality, however, I was more than willing to try it on, as it cost £295 and the price tag was still on it to prove it!

So here is my new "best" coat a bargain at £50! Can't tell you how many people have commented on my "happy" coat and it cheers me up no end on these relentlessly grey days!

Who actually wears these clothes?

I have just prepared some collages of the Spring/Summer fashion trends. I never actually know who would be brave enough to wear half of the things currently in fashion, even I, who have worn lime green boots and a lime green swimsuit on the beach, wouldn't be seen in most of the things designers are suggesting! But there are a few things that I can recommend.

Double denim is back - bring on that 80's look! If you don't think you can face the "blue on blue" look, try mixing the textures or colours of the denim. Polka dots are also in this season and my favourite, as are tie-dye and multi-prints, for those of you who think polka dots are too twee! The khaki suit and military/army look is in too, for those of you wanting a more informal trend and includes everything from military style jackets to cargo trousers.

Talking of the 80's, I have been scouring the shops for an all-in-one jumpsuit. Those closest to me will remember that we have been here before many years ago, my love of them has never waned and I have been waiting for this moment! So be prepared as I will obviously post a picture when I find the right one, and for those sceptics (and you know who you are), yes there is a right one out there!

www.stylematters.org.uk

An Uplifting Story

Last week I happened to hear a great talk about the underwear! Now obviously as an image consultant I know the importance of good underwear, but what really helped reiterate this was a photograph that the lady showed to the group as part of the talk.

OMG the before and after pictures were amazing. In the first picture the lady's breasts were down by her waist and everything seemed to merge into one. In the second photograph the lady's breasts were where they are supposed to be and she had a clearly defined waist, looking overall much slimmer!

I really struggle to find good supporting bras that still look sexy and feminine and I am sure I am not alone here. My M&S bras never seem to last long before they loose shape and effectiveness, and I hate paying good money for expensive bras when no-one ever gets to see and appreciate them!! When I have splashed out I know it has been worth it as I have really had my wear out of them and I do have a much better shape and bustline!

So out with the old and in with the new! I came home afterwards and looked at my best, sexiest scaffolding and realised they were well past their sell by date (apparently bras have a shelf life based on the lifespan of the elastic) and decided it is time to go shopping. I have since booked an appointment with Eloise Lingerie, which is based in Wimbledon and has it's own car park and am going with a friend so we can make a morning of it!

I will let you know how I get on and promise if I can get permission to show you this photo I will do.

www.stylematters.org.uk

Winter Warmers!

I am not one to suffer the cold! Style is placed on the back burner when it comes to keeping warm, as the majority of my friends will confirm. So imagine my surprise, and delight, to see that in this week's Grazia there is an article on earmuffs.

I have to worn my earmuffs throughout the Winter and even bought two pairs, in case I loose a pair. I love them! They are so snug and warm. They please me in so many ways for a start, earache is a thing of the past, they are also a small reminder of the 80's and finally if I am being honest I think they look rather cool!!

So here is me in one of my pairs. Admittedly I would probably look better if I had have smiled but I am not a natural in front of the camera!

www.stylematters.org.uk

The joys of shopping at Holister

Today's blog is actually about Tilly, my daughter.

Tilly has absolutely no interest in shopping or clothes which I blame myself for, as I don't think she appreciated being dragged around the shops as a toddler! If she could live in velour tracksuits she would, much to my disappointment.

So last Sunday I took upon myself to go visit Holister, because if my daughter insists on wearing "trackie bums" and "hoodies" she is going to be wearing smart ones!! Well, was I in for a shock. Do you remember as a teenager having to queue to get into nightclubs, well it was just like that except I was queuing with hundreds of teenagers to get into a shop!!! Half an hour it took me to get inside the dimly lit rooms of Holister and a further fifteen minutes to pay for the goods once I had chosen them. I am not sure what all the fuss is about other than the fact that they have some great colours, reminds me really of the Gap trend many years ago and the Jack Wills trend more recently.

Anyway to cut a long and very boring story short, while I was in there I bought her next year's Easter present and next Christmas' present, as I do not intend to repeat the experience in a hurry!

www.stylematters.org.uk

High Vs Low

As the day of the Park Hill School Christmas Party looms, the talk at the school gates seems to focus entirely on what we are wearing. Some of the ladies are wearing short, short dresses and others are opting for full length party frocks. Whatever the dress, the general consensus is that you can either wear a short, short hem and high neck or a long dress with plunging neckline but not both! At the end of the day it is whichever asset you wish to flaunt.

The other day I decided to try on my small collection of long dresses, two to be exact, and realised no assets at all were on display. Just two very wobbly arms, obvious lumps and bumps where they shouldn't be and a drooping cleavage! So, and this is where you will be proud of me, I decided to save money and buy some black lace to sew in to one of the dresses and thus hide the drooping cleavage. Off I trundled to Kingston and John Lewis, only to get side-tracked by TK Maxx!!! They had a huge selection of evening dresses and amongst them all I found "the one". More flattering than the clinging dresses I had in my wardrobe but not as racy, this little "all-in-one" ticks all my boxes except for the colour, black, but we can''t have everything!!