M&S Baby all over again...

If you're broody, have a young one, expecting a baby or know someone who is - take a look at 

Marks & Spencer's new baby launch.

Weds1st October see's this little face on the pages of M&S and in stores across the country. Expecting  my third, I'm not tired of doing this all over again. It's still exciting looking at all the tiny clothes, wonderful interiors and latest crazes since the last time. 

However, trusting quality not forgetting good value I'm impressed by the pages I've been privileged to have a preview of from M&S's latest baby launch. 

A little preview and a few of my favourites below: 

Click here for: M&S.com for more info

Hair chop with Melanie Giles!

                   

I recently had the privilege to get a new hair chop in the wonderful salon that is Melanie Giles. As her third salon venture after Bath & Frome I was certainly not disappointed walking through these doors in Bradford-on-Avon. 

Not only is the interior a stylishly understated, uber calming and welcoming environment, its a place that means a lot to Melanie's team since they all played a part in putting it together. 

Now, being a previous customer of a stylist I have been happy with for at least 16 years, this was a step out of the comfort zone! But one I was willing to take for a change. And again, there was certainly no disappointment. The very talented Lisa asked few questions before she understood the style I was looking for and created magic with perfection using a product I'm a big fan of: Aveda 

Pampered with welcoming conversation, a little Aveda tea treat, a wonderfully created Cappuccino and much needed head & shoulder massage plus a stylish haircut I left in the capable hands of Lisa, there is no doubt I would recommend this salon whether you want a simple cut, super creative barnet, a cup of tea, catch up with friends, amazing hair product or even more of a pampering upstairs in their very open, fresh and delightful beauty area. 

After much conversation with Lisa, I discovered graduate Ben was in need of a model for an up and coming hair competition with Aveda. Who am I to stop someone in their dreams?! Jumping at the chance to let Ben create whatever takes his fancy with my hair (Aarrgghhh - what have I done?!) I have agreed to take part in the competition for him on Thursday 10th July. 

Watch this space - I'm sure you'll see more!

So, make sure you check the Melanie Giles salon out. You can simply pop in for coffee and a few delicious treats or browse the amazing array of Aveda product but whatever you need, you have it under one roof! 

www.melanie-giles.co.uk

Miracle dress under £50?!

Good housekeeping magazine is one of my favourites, they never fail to provide good reading and inspiration from cover to cover. Of course I'm an avid fan of their fashion and style features too, particularly this one where they try and test the best dresses to give you shape and style: the miracle dress! 

I'm often encouraging clients to read features like this, specifically since this one proves you don't always have to buy designer for great quality and style and you can look good whatever your shape or size 

www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk

Spring Fashion Fix 2014 @TheOracle Reading

Last week at popular shopping centre: The Oracle in Reading I joined a great event called the Spring Fashion Fix as a Colour Consultant with a great team of stylists, models, make-up artists and more. One day only produced an array of colour consultations, style solutions, a mini fashion show, make-overs and massage. All for free to shoppers of the centre, I'm delighted to have made a difference to their day!

One lovely client 'Clare' said "I find it fascinating that you know so much about colour and can tell what suits me. I've never seen it before but you've showed me how. You've made a real difference to the way I feel about my clothes. Thank you for taking the time to give me that confidence"

And for just a few lovely words by just spending a few minutes with someone really makes my job very enjoyable. I'm always telling friends, clients and colleagues that I don't do this for the money, and it's true. I'm proud to say that I have a job I thoroughly enjoy and for as long as I bring happiness to peoples wardrobes and increase their confidence I will always love my what I do and would do it free of charge if someone pays the bills!

Spring Fashion Fix at The Oracle, Reading

Fashion & Interiors: When two worlds collide

Being a fashion & interior stylist, quite often I like to bring the two together. This month Bath Chronicle's weekend magazine published a feature I've written about the two. 

Read it online by clicking the link below (April 10th edition) page 18/19 and let me know your thoughts

Bath Chronicle Weekend issue April 10th

Inspiring stories: Weight loss, looking good & feeling fabulous

Before meeting and styling a client, it is understandable to consider that they may not be the most confident of people, it's possible they will take a substantial amount of time to come 'out of their shell' to discuss their wardrobe and body confidence issues with someone they barely know. This is not uncommon, something I'm familiar with and understand how to make my clients feel at ease in an instant. This is no TV program, there are no gimmicks, I'm dealing with real women who need help.

Having recently taken part in a fashion shoot for weight loss program Lighter Life, this is no different. I had the pleasure to meet a lovely lady: Angela Watson who was far from shy, since her newly found body confidence came from losing a staggering 8.5 stone in just 8 months!

Angela realised she needed to get to grips with her weight for health and confidence reasons. 

We met one afternoon to shop for her shoot outfits, with her newly discovered body confidence it's a breath of fresh air to be part of this increase in her self esteem and so rewarding to see how just a few of the right items can make such a big difference to the way someone can feel. 

Having shopped for many an outfit, Angela was more than happy to take part in the shoot, you know you've done a good job when you see your client smile like this!!

This feature can be see in the latest Lighter Life magazine. 

For more information on the Lighter Life diet: http://www.lighterlife.com

Quite possibly the funniest book I've read in a long time...

And it's a children's book. I think. 

I love this. The unbelievable top secret diary of pig. 

So, when my youngest picked this off the shelf and insisted he 'needed' it, I agreed on the basis he needs to improve his reading skills and the price tag was a mere £3.95, unaware of the content I thought this might keep him entertained for a short while. 

It wasn't until I took a peek inside the cover and started eyeballing the contents that had me laughing out loud. With a dry sense of humour this doesn't happen often. 

Now, born a West Country girl it's not hard to attempt the accent that would compliment such pig and entertain a 6 year old, not only does it add to the humour I found myself unable to continue for fits of laughter after day 1. 

Whatever your age or interest in pigs or suchlike, I would thoroughly recommend taking 5 minutes out of your day to read an extract or two. Just don't forget to forge the accent if it doesn't come naturally. It helps immensely.