Elizabeth Haydn Style

The story so far...

2015-01-23T14:33:00.001+00:00

Many people have been in touch to find out what I'm up to nowadays...

I'm so happy to say i'm still in the world of style and fashion just with a little 'tweak' to the direction.

I opened Pretty Fox in October 2014, based in the heart of Disley village, filled with gorgeous, stylish, yet affodable fashion.

Using all the principles that I applied and taught during my years styling to fill the boutique with clothes, shoes and accessories that work hard in your wardrobe, but that also look stylish and flattering.

Come and give us a visit...

Pretty Fox
8 Market Street
Disley
SK12 2AA

01663 765529

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Website

Phase Eight Bloggers Challenge

2012-11-14T17:39:00.001+00:00

I'm a huge fan of Phase Eight and it's a go to brand for me when shopping with clients. So when I spotted this competition to create the ultimate party outfit I thought I would join in the fun.

Phase Eight say they specialise in dresses and I agree however their tops are fabulous figure fixers and I'm loving their coat collection this year.

So here's my complete look...

Do you like?

I have chosen the Twinkle Jumpsuit as an alternative to a dress and I really like the sparkle detail and the draping trousers of this one.

Not everyone likes to expose their arms and us girls often feel the chill so I added the Paula Tuxedo Jacket. Not only is it a great staple item that you can wear so many different ways you will also be able to wear it throughout the different seasons too.

Then for the bling - how gorgeous is this beaded clutch! And I'm loving this rope style necklace just to 'edge' up the look.

Of course no festive outfit would be complete without statement party shoes. I have selected the Edina T Bar Shoes because as well as going brilliantly with the outfit, generally platforms and chunkier heels tend to be comfier and this girl is never happier than when combining practical and gorgeous! Also who wants cold feet when nipping between cocktail bars?

I want my clothes to work hard for me and I think this outfit does just that. You can wear it bar hopping with the girls or a romantic evening meal. A glamorous house party or whilst throwing some moves on the dance floor.

So what do you think? Do you like my party look?

Retail therapy? Apparently not...

2012-11-13T17:45:00.000+00:00

Do you shop for fun? When you're feeling low and need a pick me up? Or are you a necessity shopper only venturing out when the need calls?

Us women are not so happy whilst shopping it seems with a recent survey by Marisota revealing one in five women have cried whilst clothes shopping.

A third of the 2,000 polled hate clothes shopping. Eight out of ten said they would enjoy it more if they were thinner and ten per cent cry about being too skinny, and it appears weddings are the most dreaded event to have to shop for.

I hear moans about shopping all the time and experience it sometimes myself with poorly lit and dirty changing rooms and snooty sales staff (also mentioned in the survey). Women also can feel overwhelmed with choice or feel there is nothing for them at all and wander round for hours and come home empty handed and deflated.

Body image and shape are also a huge part in some women's dissatisfaction when shopping and the survey reports one in ten said they feel embarrassed asking for their size. But for some people they purely just don't like to shop. I dislike food shopping, no matter how nice the store is, the staff or the general experience, it's just not something I relish.

Many people are turning to online retailers for their shopping needs. As well as the detriment to the high street, the problems people find with shopping are still there. Body shape issues, not knowing what to look for, overwhelming choice are still factors. So many times I have seen unworn clothes in wardrobes that have been bought online and then not returned.

These are some of the reasons why people turn to me and utilise my shopping services, particularly my virtual shopping service. A number of looks, inspirations and suggestions are sent to you - think personal shopping without the changing rooms. All the choices are completely personal to you and are based on your budget, lifestyle and body shape. Many existing clients use this as a seasonal top up or if they need to shop for a special occasion. And it's great for the people that are too far afield to employ me for a personal shop (Skype and Facetime are great tools for this).

Give me a call (07980 789602) if you don't like shopping and I will happily point you in the right direction to improve your shopping experience and just for reading this blog, quote this blog piece and you can take £10.00 of the price of the Virtual Shop.

What do you like about shopping? Have you ever had a 'melt down' whilst shopping that you would be willing to share?

Bag Servant - a search engine with a difference

2012-11-06T14:59:00.000+00:00

I was recently approached by the lovely Lenka from Bag Servant to choose my nomination for Bag of the Month. Every month they bring together a selection of fashion industry insiders to nominate a bag for selection. You can vote for your favourite here and enter the competition to win £300 worth of Jane Goodchild bags.

Bag Servant is THE place for any handbag junkies out there. Featuring bags from top designers to high street brands via retailers you trust. Bag Servant are the only search engine devoted to handbags, with a free concierge service, lots of fashion advise and inspiration to help you find your perfect piece of arm candy.

They make bag shopping really easy with options to search by type, shape, brand, colour, occasion and the fun personality option.

There are 12 personalities to choose from, from Miss Practical (the Sunday Girl mooching through life) to the Glamourpuss (the femme fatale who loves to make an entrance). My chosen bag was selected for the Chic Yummy Mummy (being mum has never been sexier).

If then after looking through the 9,844 bag options you still haven't found what you're looking for you can utilise the free handbag concierge service. They will assist you with finding a bag that matches something you have seen, they will get in touch with retailers or manufacturers on your behalf or even just give you personalised help and advise when looking for your next bag purchase.

So what bag personality are you? Do you regularly change your bag, or do you stick to an old faithful?

What's one of the easiest ways to look your best?

2012-09-17T10:05:00.000+01:00

I've been meaning to write this post for a while but other things kept cropping up and it just got moved down the list, which ties in well with this post, because in terms of dressing and looking stylish people often neglect their underwear and make other things a priority - just as I have with this post.

You see underwear is such an important element to looking good and how we feel about our outfit. Just imagine you have found the perfect dress, it hugs you in all the right places, the colour is perfect and you can wear it a multitude of ways, but then you put it on... your knickers are digging into your hips giving you ridges around your sides, your bum has lines down each cheek showing exactly where your underwear lies. You're wearing your "comfy bra" which also happens to be an unpleasant shade of grey, the strap keeps slipping down and you may as well not be wearing it at all for all the support it is offering. That perfect dress seems less than a perfect outfit now don't you think?

I can not tell you how many times I have hoicked the straps of a client to show her how much better a top or dress will look with the correct fitting bra and how often I hear "oh this is my comfy one, - I wear it all the time" arghhhh!

You see a lot of people don't realise the right fitting, and also the right style, of underwear can achieve a lot of the things that people want from their clothes i.e. look taller, slimmer, bigger/smaller bust, flatter tum etc etc.

I'm going to talk about this a lot more in forthcoming posts, in fact I could dedicate a whole blog to it. Have you ever committed any underwear crimes and fancy sharing your experiences here?

The most important dress - part 2

2012-07-26T23:35:00.000+01:00

A few days ago I blogged about getting married and of course THE DRESS.

Well my very good friend and I (more about her later) have since been shopping. I would like to say it was a pleasant experience but in the most part it wasn't..

We had both been looking forward to our day out for a couple of weeks. We had booked appointments with a few boutiques (which is a necessity) decided on where we were having lunch and booked the day off our day jobs.

Katie, my shopping companion, is the friend I shop with. She gives a good opinion and is one of the few people who has got the stamina to shop with me, she is also on the cusp of bridezilla and since her wedding 2 years ago has had wedding withdrawals. It was my duty as a good friend to take her along.

So the first shop we were told to pull out all the dresses that we liked to try on. Faced with 2 walls of white dresses, we started ploughing through. Now nothing wrong at this point, just a feeling of being rushed. Every dress I put on the lady said how amazing it looked, now I have a problem with that. While they were all lovely, and none of them looked bad, it was obvious that some of them were not right for me. Well after our hour, which a large proportion was spent stood around while the owner answered the phone, the next client came in and my time was up. See ya then.

So en route to our next shop we decided to double check the time of the appointment "oh you are coming in today?", "Erm yes! have you double booked us?". Turns out we were not exactly in the book, but it was OK she would let us come down. Thanks, you're so kind. It was raining, we turned up at the time she requested. "I'm busy at the moment, wait outside - I'll be 5 minutes, there's a cafe down the road if you want to wait there". It was raining, we had just come from a cafe, we were discussing how customer service did not seem a priority.

To counter these 2 boutiques, Timeless Bride in Poynton was a completely different experience. Michelle sat down with me, after offering me a drink, asked me about my likes and dislikes, what my wedding was going to be like and then started to show me her stock. We chose a few to try on to start to see what direction we would end up going. One of the things I liked about Michelle, was she was honest, if something wasn't right she would say and also the reason why. It was a lovely experience and so far my favourite dress is one I tried on that day.

I often shop for outfits for guests for weddings and mothers of the bride and groom, but my experience of wedding dress shopping is limited. I am wondering what my other experiences will be like. I spend a lot of my time shopping and have great relationships with local independents and I know that their levels of customer service is a million times better than I experienced in the first 2 shops AND they're not flogging dresses for £1k+. As far as I'm concerned if you go into the business of wedding dress sales, you're not just selling a dress your selling an experience. If you go to a beauty salon, they don't just slap some cream on you, they pamper you and ensure you have a lovely time. Choosing your dress is an important part of planning your wedding and will form part of your wedding memory and some shops it seems would do well to remember this.

What are your experiences of wedding dress shopping? How many did you try on before you found the one? I'll keep you posted on the progress...

The most important dress of my life?

2012-07-10T00:27:00.001+01:00

I'm so excited to say that on Saturday I'm dress shopping, not for a client but for me.

And this dress has got to be special. You see after the kids, the mortgage, the pets, the extension, the new kitchen etc etc, we are finally getting married.

So the dress (I want to keep roughly on the blog's topic although some wedding talk may sneak in). What do I want from my dress? Well I have curves and hey I'm ok with that, but I need the dress to flatter them. I want the dress that represents me and not a 'brides costume' and obviously I want to feel amazing in it and of course for Mr Style to like it.

There is something niggling away at me though, and here's my conundrum. Wedding dresses cost a fortune, they don't go with anything else in your wardrobe and (in theory) you will wear it for a day and then never wear it again. This goes against pretty much everything I believe clothes should be and after all we are talking about a dress.

Don't get me wrong, I am lusting after a few dresses that would make the bank manager's eyes water and I want to feel special, but hundred of pounds on a dress? - oh who am I kidding, Mr Style won't read this - thousands of pounds on a dress! There's no getting away from the fact that weddings are a dear do.

So what style do you think I'll go for? What was your wedding dress like or if you're not married what's your dream dress like?

I'll keep you posted on the dress hunt.

Jeans with BBC Radio Manchester

2012-07-09T16:31:00.005+01:00

My poor neglected blog, I must admit I kinda lost my blogging mojo. Although I have written for other blogs and contributed to other businesses newsletters, I did abondon mine for a while. There's only so many hours in the day and with running a business, raising a family and living life in general (with a massive family bereavement inbetween) the blog suffered. So I have vowed to do better and perhaps put a different spin on things, make it more personal? What do you think?

So what have I been up to? Recently I was asked back to appear as guest stylist on BBC Radio Manchester's Retail Therapy show. Last time I was featured shopping for a busy business mum. This time I was asked to talk about jeans.

Jeans are one of those items that people just hate to shop for. I hear all the time about gaping waistbands, too short/long legs, muffin tops, big bums - you get the idea.

My challenge was to find flattering and stylish jeans that didn't have a designer price tag. Easy peasy (for me)!  Nearly all stores offer a couple of denim lines, some more flattering and better quality than others. The key to buying denim is to go for the best quality you can afford, just the right amount of stretch and as always an understanding of your body shape a must - this way you can avoid any of the annoying, but common fit problems. Jeans are a really important element of most of our wardrobes (a capsule item) and if you get a pair that fits and flatters and can be worn a variety of ways then that's a winner as far as I'm concerned.   Here's some of the items I selected on the day. My special shop is ideal for buying jeans, so if you would like help choosing the perfect pair click here for more details.

What is your favourite denim brand? Have you found your perfect jeans?

Can you click this for me please?

2012-02-27T13:26:00.000+00:00

This is a shameless post requesting 2 minutes of your time. I know it's a little cheeky, and in an ideal world I wouldn't have to ask, people would see the award and think oh yes Liz's blog deserves my click, but let's face it is that likely to happen? Have you even seen this award if I hadn't stuck the big pink logo in your face?

So my thinking is, if you don't ask you don't get. So i'm asking, please nominate me.

Thank you xx

Red and yellow and pink and green...

2012-02-21T16:22:00.002+00:00

I was with a client yesterday and she asked me why I don't 'do colours' and after talking to her I thought it would be worth sharing my opinion on this here blog.

Before I go on though I want to make this clear that this is just my opinion, i'm certainly not attempting to de-value what any other image consultant offers. I can only talk about my experiences and feedback from my clients.

I have had my colours done and this is where my problem lies really. I was told to wear yellow. YELLOW! Not only that I was told I should not wear black. Now this wouldn't have been such an issue if I had been told this this season, however I was told it winter. You see it's the fashion industry that dictates what colours are available on the high street and there I was in my lovely black coat and yellow was no-where to be found (thank goodness).

Secondly, I just don't suit yellow. It's just not a colour I would wear. Now I am quite confident wearing colour, but how would I of felt if I wasn't? Yellow actually doesn't suit me. I realise that there are people offering sound advice where colour is concerned but I have heard a few stories similar to my experience.

A few of my clients have had their colours done and their wardrobes are such a drab place, they have not bought anything that hasn't been advised to buy, they are stuck in a colour rut. The problem is they have been told that they can only wear a certain colour and boy have they bought into that advice.

I know from chatting to shop owners that people shop with their little swatches and if the item isn't the right shade of green or whatever their particular colour on their swatch they won't buy it - what a shame. There must be people out there that love a certain colour but would never buy an item because they have been told they can't - well there's no such thing as can't (kinda).

Don't get me wrong I do talk about colour, of course it's a major part of our wardrobes and our shopping considerations, but it's not the only consideration. Surely trying something on and seeing if it suits you or not can tell you whether it's right or not. There's so many variations and shades to every colour I really believe that people can wear whatever colour they want, it's just about finding a way that's right for you. If you have a black coat and it washes you out, then add a complementary scarf. You love red but it doesn't suit, then like me wear red nail varnish.

Have you ever had your colours done? What is your colour nemesis and how do you overcome it?

What will you be wearing this Spring Summer?

2012-02-04T12:50:00.001+00:00

I know, I know, it's only February, we're all still shivering in our chunky knits, but time stops for no man and this is certainly true in the fashion industry.

Most of the sales have come to an end now and with that means the new season stock is filtering though. So what are we meant to be wearing Spring Summer 2012? I have given the low down on this seasons trends and where to find them on the high street, but don't forget, as Yves Saint Laurent said "fashion fades, style is eternal", so look for items that will stand the test of time, suit your body shape and your lifestyle and that can be worn a variety of ways (think capsule).

Prints

Rodarte

Beautiful bouquets and paisley prints were featured by many designers. Florals were big and bright. Go as bold as you dare. If big prints are a step too far for you, incorporate this look with a scarf or try a bright T and team with a plain jacket to break up the print.

Warehouse £50

Whistles £75

The 20's

Gucci

Channel The Great Gatsby with ultra glam drop waist evening wear. Love this look but don't like to show your arms? Try a fur (faux of course) wrap. With a looser cut this style dress is great if you're conscious of a tum.

All Saints on sale £147

River Island at ASOS £45

Colours

Phillip Lim

Think sugary cup cake toppings. Don't forget everyone can wear every colour, it's just finding the right way for you. If pastels wash you out, wear it on your lower half, or accessorise with a pastel belt or bag.

Mint Velvet £79

Dune £75

In complete contrast to the sugary pastel shades, yellow is tipped to feature a lot, not a shade for everyone though, but who can resist a little sunshine in their wardrobe?

Oasis £45

Shapes

YSL

It's all about the waist, 50's full skirts, cropped tops and peplums. Perfect for creating the hour glass body shape.

Lipsy £65

Sports Lux

Versus

The new season sportswear, isn't about chucking on your trackies and working up a sweat. It's all about the details, exposed zips,mesh and shiny anoraks.

Warehouse £45

So what do you think you will be wearing this Spring Summer? Will you be updating your look or wardrobe this year?

Re-use, re-new, re-coup your spend

2011-12-19T18:17:00.002+00:00

My speciality is utilising what you own, mixing and matching to get more wear out of your items and showing you how to shop and dress for your body shape.

After a Wardrobe Wakeup and a Well Groomed Wardrobe experience, sometimes we are left with items that are just not right for the client. No accessory, alteration, embellishment or layering will make the item work. So what to do with things such as this? Why not re-coup some of the value and sell the item on?

I don't know about you, but whenever I try and sell bits on eBay, it takes me ages to photograph, list, package and go to the post office. So much effort for little reward (mostly because I don't have the time to dedicate to it, thus not getting the best price). Things hang around in the spare room for ages as it takes me so long to get round to listing it all.

So I am really pleased to offer a fantastic service to my clients through the brilliant Pink Spaghetti.

Pink Spaghetti, will list the item detailing all the specifics to get the best selling price (including measurements), they will photograph it from its best angles (they have even got a mannequin which helps display the item). They will then package it up and post it on to the lucky new owner. Added to this if you have any items to sell, I will take them to Pink Spaghetti free of charge (usually £5 collection fee).

All they take for this brilliant service is a percentage of the selling price and out of this comes all the selling fees, PayPal and packaging and postage fees. Not only that they will keep you up to date with the progress of your sales and deal with any questions and queries .

Selling price up to £19.99 50%
Selling price from £20 - £100 35%
Selling Price from £100 - £199 25%
Selling price from £200 please ask for quote

To maximise the prices you get for your sales Pink Spaghetti have provided the following tips:

· If able, list for 10 days and finish the listing early evening on a Sunday. This maximises the time people will be able to bid on the item and Sunday evening is the most popular time for people to be buying on Ebay.

· Compose the perfect title to ensure people see your item and making the item title searchable. When buyers search, eBay only automatically searches for words in the item's title, not the rest of the description, so every word counts. The maximum number of words/characters allowed in a title is 55. So include details like the brand, size and if new.

· Use the Ebay short names to describe the condition of the your items to maximise the amount you can include in the description e.g. BN is Brand New and BNIB Brand in Box.

· Take a good picture to maximise the item. When selling an item for a customer we always use more than one picture to show off any item at its best e.g. details on cuffs, a toy from a different angle.

· Think about seasonality. Summer items will not sell in December and vice versa. It is worth keeping hold of something and selling at the right time.

· To protect yourself in case something goes wrong, always get proof of postage.

· Finally don’t automatically use Ebay to sell everything. We have found a number of specialist sites which are better for selling particular items. Do your research first and look around at the place to get your best price.

Have you ever found a bargain on ebay? What's been your most successful ebay sale?

www.pink-spaghetti.co.uk

enquiries@pink-spaghetti.co.uk

0844 504 7465

Time for style?

2011-12-06T22:56:00.002+00:00

With all the things we have to do, how much time do we spend considering what we are wearing? As far as I'm concerned I want to go to my wardrobe grab something and go, however having a grab and go wardrobe doesn't have to mean a boring wardrobe.

It's all too easy to fall into a style rut, throwing on the same things in the morning because it's easy and we've got to get the kids to school or an early morning meeting or lecture. But just because we have busy lives it doesn't have to mean we lose all sense of our own style.  Being stylish also doesn't necessarily mean we have to spend hours selecting our outfits, or for that matter we don't have to throw away all our jeans. We just have to ensure everything we buy is right for us and our lifestyle and works hard for us.

Shop efficiently and I don't mean combining clothes shopping with doing the family shop in your local supermarket. I mean plan your purchases and ensure everything you buy can be worn a variety of ways. THIS IS KEY TO BEING ABLE TO 'THROW' SOMETHING ON.
It's important to feel good about yourself and often the way we look has a direct impact on the way we feel. Just because your life is busy you must take time-out once in a while for a little pampering.
Get organised, ensure you wardrobe is in some sort of order that works for you, make sure everything is within easy reach and that includes accessories. Think about what you're going to wear the night before.
Accessorise! Yes, that's an order. Black trousers and a white shirt = dull (or waitress) black trousers, colourful or patterned belt, chunky necklace or brightly coloured scarf and now we're talking an interesting stylish outfit.
Tinted moisturiser, a sweep of bronzer, a lashing of mascara and a daub of lip gloss all can be applied in less than 10 minutes, but will make such a difference in the way you look and feel.

Do you have any time saving tips? What is your favourite throw on outfit?

BBC Radio Manchester - Retail Therapy Show

2011-12-04T23:42:00.003+00:00

I was recently asked to appear as guest stylist on BBC Radio Manchester's Retail Therapy Show with Becky Want. I was super excited to be asked to do it. The challenge was to conduct an almost live on air personal shop, meet someone in the morning, find out what they wanted, shop for it and then bring it back to 'base' and talk about all our selections.

So the challenge was on, I had just over an hour, a pretty specific brief and budget and the lovely Kirsty, my willing shopper to accompany me.

Kirsty's brief was pretty straight forward, she has 2 young children and a VERY busy life. She runs her own business (KJBS Financial and Office Systems), she's an active member of her children's PTA, is really involved in her local community and also co-runs a large successful networking group (Colony Networking). She needs her clothes to work hard for her, to take her from school run to client meeting, to networking to meeting friends. Not only that, Kirsty really feels the cold and likes bright colours so this had to be taken into consideration too.

I had a look in mind for Kirsty, I wanted it to be classic but contemporary so not to age her, I wanted good foundation (capsule) pieces that could be mixed and matched and that she could add the colour to, and I wanted it to take her right through from school run to evenings with friends. I also wanted her clothes to be durable, no hand washing or dry cleaning and no items that were going to take up her precious time to iron or look after.

First thing I wanted was a dress that would form the foundation to the look. We selected a blue Oasis Shift Dress, this is quite a classic shape however the leather piping gives it the contemporary edge I was looking for. It is a stretchy polyester mix that will not crease during the day and can be layered a variety of ways to create different looks.

Next up came shoes, I wanted something with a heel, but not too high that they would be uncomfortable. We chose a pair of ankle boots by Unisa, something that could be worn with different style dresses and also trousers.

From Zara we chose a gorgeous, fitted, wool blazer and a beautiful scarf that picked out all the colours from the selections.

From Zara I also selected this dress, a bargain at £35.99, again this is a versatile dress that can be worn alone with simple opaques or can be belted to add a bit of interest.

We also bought a black pencil skirt a black and white ponti top and a blue chiffon shirt. We thought on the day that we had spent around £600 pounds (trying to add up under pressure) but it was closer to £450. This equates to around £35 per complete outfit when you work out all the different combinations you could make.

It was a great experience and I really enjoyed shopping with Kirsty. I have attached the clip if you fancy having a listen. Let me know what you think.

A weekend at Andrea Claire

2011-11-29T22:19:00.000+00:00

This weekend I was so pleased to be asked to run a body shape clinic at a local boutique, Andrea Claire. I was there over 2 days, and as well as a free session with me, customers were treated to drinks, nibbles and competitions.

I advised people on how they can dress to enhance their shape and used the pieces in store to demonstrate and on a couple of occasions showed the ladies how a tweak here and there with their own clothes could make a massive difference. As I always do, I forced the ladies to look at their positives, it's always so easy for people to give me a long list of things they don't like about themselves but in most cases it's only noticeable to them. Of course I gave them tools to disguise these areas as this gave them more confidence but at the same time I shifted their focus to enhancing their positives.

Gina Bacconi, available in emerald green

Andrea Claire is located in Cheadle Hulme, and is home to a unique Joseph Ribcoff Studio (one of my favourite lines in store). Joseph Ribcoff is a Canadian label and the pieces suit all body shapes, from very glamorous evening wear to casual day wear - there is something for everyone. Throughout the store there are little pieces that jump out at you, from the gorgeous jewellery and handbags, to the knitwear and outerwear. Another highlight for me was Gina Bacconi, if like me, you love a bit of sparkle then this is a label for you.

Joseph Ribcoff

The thing that struck me whilst I was there was the difference in this shopping experience and shopping in the larger stores. I spend a lot of time in the shops, and I won't lie, as a personal shopper I mostly spend my time in the larger stores and high street, I have experienced the best of customer service and probably some of the worst and don't even get me started on the changing rooms...

But here's the thing, at Andrea Claire every lady that walked through the door was made to feel welcome. Most of the time Andrea and her team knew the lady's name and if not they did by the time she left. They knew their customers so well and knew exactly what they would like, and if something didn't fit or look right, there was no hard sell or platitudes it was a case of "no that's not right for you, let's try something else". The customers felt safe, they knew that what they were buying looked good and they knew not every other person they saw would be wearing the same thing. It was a shopping experience, the customers were chatted to, looked after and the collections had been bought with them in mind. I know what you're thinking too, this sounds expensive, but it isn't. There is something to suit every budget and some fabulous, detailed knitwear for around £40.00.

I'm not being naive to the fact that such a personal service can't be expected on the high street, but there's definitely lessons to be learnt here. You just had to listen to the way the customers were so loyal and how the new ones had been recommended to come down, to realise that this is something that all business should look to.

Please don't forget to support local independents, for without them all we have is mass produced clothes, being tried on 6 at a time in a less than pleasant changing room and where is the fun in that?

Tell me which independents do you shop in and what is it about them you like?

Andrea Claire
59-61 Station Road
Cheadle Hulme
SK8 7AA
www.andreaclaire.co.uk
0161 485 3331

Are you going wild for animal print?

2011-11-16T22:25:00.000+00:00

I love animal print particularly of the leopard variety. I have a pair of Dune flats that I have had for a couple of years now and i'm so sad that they are finally having to be sent to shoe heaven.

This is one area where I get most resistance from clients, and I kind of get it, not being much of a print wearer myself. However animal print is such an easy way to add an interesting touch to an otherwise mundane outfit and I promise you won't end up looking like Bet Lynch. Animal print can be lux, a statement or a subtle addition, it will not date and can look classic or contemporary. It's everywhere on the high street at the moment too and this is one trend that you should invest in as you will get so much wear out of it year after year.

Add a animal print belt to a simple shirt and trousers combo and straight away you look chic. A black dress, thick opaques and a leopard print boot is one of my favourite combinations. Or make a statement with a bold print accessory.

A few items available in the shops now.

So have I persuaded you to try a little of the wild thing in your wardrobe? Comments are great - pictures are even better!

Versace For H&M

2011-11-10T15:11:00.000+00:00

As collaborations go, this is a pretty exciting one. The collection is full of pieces that look straight off the versace runway.

“The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace,” said Donatella Versace. “For the collaboration we’ve brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace, such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can’t wait to see how H&M’s wide audience will make these pieces their own.”

Really love Donatella's parting words, "my house, my rules, my pleasure", I don't doubt it for a second love.

Guest Styling at Modiste

2011-11-01T11:51:00.002+00:00

I was really pleased to be asked to be the guest stylist at Modiste Boutique in Bramhall for their festive styling event. We had such a great day, there were nibbles, bubbly, fabulous clothes, plenty of jewellery, make up and hairstyling, accessories and to top it all off - cake. Ladies were invited to book slots with me so I could 'style them up' and boy did we have lots of takers. I was so busy on the day I didn't get chance to take many pics.

As per usual when I'm shopping I was met with some resistance to some of my item suggestions "that won't suit me", "I'm too old to wear that" etc etc. However I challenged the ladies to prove me wrong. The didn't by the way :0) I focused my selections on body shape and gave tips on how to dress to enhance their good bits and gave lots of hints on disguising the areas they were not so keen on.

Sue and her daughter Celia

Modiste, owned by Sue (who also creates made to measure pieces) is a lovely boutique, based in my native village of Bramhall. The boutique first opened in 2008 and recently moved to the village square location. Stocking labels such as Sugarhill Boutique, Mina, Ce Me and Nancy Dee to name just a few, there is something to suit all shapes (which made my job super easy). The jewellery collection is definitely worth a view too, with some really unusual pieces and some real show stoppers and the prices are AMAZING with most of it being priced under £30!!

Here are some of my favourite pieces that are currently in store.

Mina Charlotte Dress

I love this (so much so that I bought it) it's super flattering and can be worn lots of different ways. Dress it up with sparkle for a party, or with leggings and boots for the day.

Ce Me Taupe Jersey Dress

This has to win my award for super flattering dress of the day. If you are conscious of a tum, then this is the dress for you. The rouching at the sides nips you in and the wrap effect at the front hides any signs of a tum.

Mina Danielle Top

Until you put this top on you will not appreciate what it can do for you. The sparkle clasp draws your eye to the waist. Looks fab over a simple black vest and black trousers.

Sugarhill Boutique Jumpsuit

A great alternative to a dress and this one is super chic. Don't be afraid of trying a jumpsuit, if you get the right style for your body shape they can look amazing.

Olivia looking gorgeous

One of my favourite dresses was a teal Nancy Dee dress. One of the ladies kindly agreed to pose for a pic after she had her hair and make up done and styled by me. Everything she is wearing is from the store and I added the sparkly belt to highlight her waist and 'festive' up the dress.

So a fab day and a pleasure to work with Sue. Sue regularly updates the Facebook page with the new stock as it arrives. Modiste can be found at:

20 The Village Square

Bramhall

SK7 1AW

0161 478 5136

If you would like some help dressing for your body shape or choosing something for the festive season then please get in touch.

Me, Moi, Mi

2011-10-30T01:21:00.003+01:00

OK a slightly indulgent post, but bear with me… Over the years of working as a personal stylist the one thing that most people that use my services want is to feel comfortable with me, to feel that I will understand their lifestyle or that I won’t judge them (or the contents of their wardrobe).

It’s nice to get to know the people behind the blogs and businesses and what makes them tick. I have recently seen this idea on a couple of blogs and I thought what a great idea (mostly because I'm quite nosey). I would love to know your A-Z so please share …

A-Z

A. Age: 34

B. Bed Size: King Size. We need bigger though as the whole family piles in.

C. Chore That You Hate: Who likes chores at all? I’m not keen on any of them. Ironing though is my least favourite, it never ends in my house.

D: Dogs: 1 dog, and 2 cats

E: Essential Start To Your Day: Coffee and carbs

F: Favourite Colour: …. Indigo

G: Gold or Silver: Both depends on what I’m wearing

H. Height: For years I thought I was 5ft 6 but I’m actually 5ft 5, unless I'm shrinking??

I. Instruments You Play: Recorder, steel drums and Amazing Grace on the piano

J. Job Title: Personal stylist, Mum

K. Kids: Millie and Archie

L. Live: Bramhall, close enough to the country and the city.

M. Mother’s Name: Mum

N. Nicknames: Liz, Lizzie

O. Over Night Hospital Stays: 2 weeks after the birth of my daughter as she was premature.

P. Pet Peeves: Trodden down fake Uggs, short jeans and trousers, bad table manners – actually this list could go on.

Q. Quote From A Movie: Bella: How old are you?

Edward: Seventeen.

Bella: How long have you been seventeen?

Edward: ...a while.

R. Right or Left Handed: Right

S. Siblings: One younger brother

T. Time You Wake Up: About 7.30 when a child and / or cat jumps on me

U. Underwear: Perfectly fitting bras. Must try better to match with the rest.

V. Vegetable You Hate: Brussel sprouts. Mum, I really didn’t like them!!

W. What Makes You Run Late: There are many distractions – phone, kids, pets, twitter, hair, keys (not being able to find them).

X. X-Rays You’ve Had: I’m not sure I’ve had one??

Y. Yummy Food You Make: Spag bol

Z. Zoo Animal: Not really keen, they all smell. Would rather see them in their own habitat.

Bring out your burlesque beauty

2011-10-26T23:08:00.004+01:00

You may be aware I have been working with Blush Dance to put on a fabulous weekend to help women to discover their inner diva. Click here for details.

Blush Dance, owned by Becky Campey, is a fabulous company that shares so many of the principles of my business. They are real champions for women and femininity, showing you how you can be fierce AND feminine. They really are more than a dance class and the moves and attitudes they teach you can be incorporated into your everyday life.

As style and image are more than just the clothes you wear I asked Becky to share her tips on bringing out your burlesque beauty.

So enough from me, I'll hand you over to Becky...

*****

Our mission at Blush Dance is to make everyone see how fabulous they are, inside and out. We help women concentrate on their best bits instead of worrying about their worst and burlesque is the perfect way to do this. The most famous burlesque stars are fabulous women who know how to work what they've got. Think of Dita Von Teese, Bettie Page and Millie Dollar, all these women have fabulous curves and dangerous smiles and know how to use them! Use these five fabulous tips to help inspire your inner goddess to come out and shine.

1. The street is your cat walk.

Walk tall, with your shoulders back and head held high and as if your best tune is playing as you walk. Walking with purpose creates an air of calm confidence, practice it wherever you go - work, the gym, the shops, everywhere. The more you practice the easier and more natural it will feel. We often feel we have to dash around to fit things in and get to places, but instead take your time, find your hip wiggle and you will always enter a room with purpose and a general air of confidence.

2. Eye Contact

Locking eyes with a person is a natural connection and the brain registers it before any other response. It subliminally says I am present, un-intimidated and at ease with you. When performing it creates a compelling connection with your audience and this has the same affect in everyday life. It is a powerful tool, so use it when talking to your boss, your friends, a new business associate, a colleague or the love of your life. It registers to others you are confident, equal and unapologetic you.

3. Add your Sparkle

Have a bowl of fabulous accessories to hand; bracelets, hats, brooches, earrings. Adding a touch of glamour to your everyday can start as simply as accessorising. The more sparkles, the better to add the glam. It will make you feel a million dollars and reinforce the purposeful walk and eye contact perfectly.

4. Less is More

Being confident isn't always about strutting everything you have straight away, often less can be more. When on stage, holding back the last bit of your costume, act or reveal will create curiosity and leave them wanting more. In work, play or your love life drop a little of your wisdom slowly, hold back slightly to create an subtle impact and leave others curious and wanting to know more about your ideas, opinions and you!

5. Posture Perfect

Whether standing, sitting, driving or walking, having an awareness of how you hold your posture creates grace and poise. Sit on the edge of your chair, boost your car seat to sit upright, let your shoulders fall down your back and hold your inner corset with 30% effort. With your body in a calmly aligned state it will create a confident and graceful poise in your mind and the people around you.

For more of these fabulous tips and instruction on how to bring out your burlesque star book onto our Burlesque Performance Course. We will teach you how to develop your burlesque character by giving her a name, an outfit and even a favourite drink! This course is perfect to help build self confidence and make you feel beautiful inside and out.

If you'd like to try out one of our burlesque classes, we have classes on Monday nights in Cheadle and Wednesday nights in Fallowfield at 7.30pm. Classes are just £5.50, come down and give it a go!

View our timetable of fab fit feminine classes online.

Stay Fit, Feminine and Fabulous!

Becky X

All Wrapped Up

2011-10-19T12:26:00.002+01:00

I was really pleased to be recently asked to write a piece for Cheshire Mum, a local blogger, social media guru and all round good lass.

Claire's blog is a haven for us mums, not only to find out about what's new and happening in the mumisphere but also to chat and connect with other parents. Pop over and say hello or catch her twitter.

So without further ado, here's my contribution...

*****

A coat is probably one of the most expensive purchases you make so it has to be right for you and a real investment, but not only that this is the one item that everyone sees regardless of what you’re wearing underneath. So you want it to be stylish and maybe most importantly, dare I say it… functional.

The starting block for any new purchase has to be fit, not the size on the label but actually how our clothes fit us. We all want our clothes to flatter us and we should not ignore our body shape when shopping for a new winter warmer.

If you carry your weight on your hips and bum, then you should be looking for a coat that balances out your lower half. Look for coats with detailing on the top such as fur collars or wide lapels.

Topshop Dark Khaki Faux Fur Hood Waxed Parka £98

If you are wider on top with narrower hips then you will suit fuller skirted coats, this body shape looks better with items that have less detailing on the top half. Look for coats with no collars and avoid double breasted as this will only make you look wider.

French Connection Flared Coat £190

For those with a sporty or boyish figure you need your coat to create curves as this will give you a more feminine silhouette. Volume and detail at both the top and bottom of the coat will have this effect. A double-breasted coat will also give the illusion of a bigger bust.

Warehouse Multi Stitch Coat £100

If you carry your weight around your middle, the last thing you want to do is add any bulk to this area. Your coat should nip you in at the waist and smooth out any lumps or bumps. A belted V-neck is great for giving the illusion of an hourglass figure.

Hobbs Reversible £499

The most fortunate of the body shapes is the hourglass as you can wear most styles, make the most of your even proportioned cures and show off your waist.

Faux Leather Trim Belted Drape Wrap Coat £95

If you’re on the shorter side avoid coats that falls below your knees and watch your arm lengths, don’t forget though if it fits you perfectly you can always get sleeves professionally shortened.

As well as fitting you properly a coat should be right for your lifestyle, if you spend most of your time pushing a buggy then make sure the coat feels comfortable with your arms outstretched and the sleeves are long enough to keep your wrists warm and dry. Try your coat on with your handbag not only does this ensure it goes with it but you’ll get an idea of how it feels, some detailing on shoulder areas can make handbags slip of your shoulders or make the straps feel uncomfortable. Run a few tests too, if it has a hood put it up, does it give you enough cover or even too much? Are the pockets deep enough? Will it keep you warm? Think about what you’re going to be wearing underneath, some coats will not look right with certain length skirts so consider this too.

Whatever coat you go for choose a classic style, you’ll get years of wear out of it so now is not the time to skimp but buy quality.

Do not underestimate the impact a good coat after all regardless of what you’re wearing underneath a good fitting stylish coat will ensure you’re always looking fabulous.

Singing in the rain

2011-09-20T14:10:00.000+01:00

I live in the North West, rain is an everyday fact of life for about 11 months of the year. So when I saw these little beauties I had to share. These will cheer you up even on the greyest of days.

Love Umbrellas are a Manchester based company that produce the most gorgeous umbrellas that can be customised however you like. Perfect for brides and days at the races or for just keeping the rain off. Prices are so reasonable and would make a lovely gift - I'm a fan of the clear dome if anyone was wondering :0)

Bright pink heart shaped umbrella... can be used in sun or rain - £18

Absolutely stunning - Ivory Edwardian umbrella with red flowers on each panel - £23

I have featured a pair of Muddz on my Facebook page before, however I couldn't write a piece about rainy days without these sparkling wellies now could I?

Since 2009 Muddz have been adorning the feet of festival goers, celebrities and those who simply want a bit of sparkle on their wellington boot.

Muddz Boots - Front

Flower strap boot £79.99

This mac from Topshop is such a cute buy at £49 what better way to add some fun to a rainy day?

Topshop £49

Boden Rainyday Mac £115

Don't forget to get in touch if you have any questions regarding image, style, body shape, fashion or shopping.

I'm off to do a rain dance...

Dressing with confidence

2011-07-25T10:55:00.005+01:00

Many people battle with confidence (I have been known to have the odd wobble myself) and the prospect of warmer weather the threat of having to expose body parts fills most people with dread.

The way you feel about your image has a huge impact on your confidence, according to a recent survey I ran 87% of you said the way you look has a direct impact on how confident you are feeling. Think of a time when you were not feeling your best, I bet you were not looking your best too.

So how do you dress with confidence? Now there are a few factors in dressing with confidence, or being confident that what you're wearing is right for you and largely it is down to understanding:

Body shape - clothes can enhance and disguise
Style - your clothes should represent who you are
Underwear - Get the foundations right and your clothes will look better
Accessories - Creates interest and another tool to enhance and disguise
Posture and body language - Play the part, feel the part

I say it all the time, but if you get your basics right everything else will fall into place. This months selection are items that if you get right - and by that I mean suit your body shape, style and lifestyle you will feel good in what you are wearing.

Confidence with the way you look is simply knowing that the clothes you are wearing are right for you, regardless of your shape or your personal style. you should feel good about what you're wearing and all the items you own should make you feel this way.

Wedding dressing (guest)

2011-06-30T14:49:00.004+01:00

So you have been invited to a wedding, you have bought the gift but have you decided what to wear? Nowadays weddings are not the minefield of etiquette that they used to be. It was once considered improper to wear black to a wedding but nowadays it would be perfectly acceptable, however why would you want to when the shops are full of vibrant beautiful colours?

The first steps in deciding what to wear is to consider the venue. Is it a particularly formal affair? Is it outside? Is it an early wedding? Whatever you wear should feel good, you could be celebrating for up to 12 hours depending on the ceremony start time, so shoes and anything you wear should be comfortable.

Whatever you decide remember you will be having your photograph taken, so make sure whatever you wear will not date. In a few years time you won't want to see yourself on the bride and grooms mantle piece and wish you wore something else.

If you would like help dressing for a wedding or any other function. Please get in touch 07980 789602.

Holiday Packing

2011-06-16T23:35:00.015+01:00

Us Brits are not too accustomed to long hot summers, we're lucky if we get a couple of good weeks a year. Just as we've seen recently we dust off our sandals only to have the heating on before we know it.

Spending a little time to plan your summer wardrobe will ensure that you buy wisely, avoiding any mistakes that will sit in the wardrobe unworn. Try and invest in items that can we worn in a variety of ways and can be mixed and matched to create different looks.

Holidays are supposed to be restful and relaxing affairs so have a look at my packing tips to ensure you stay stylish and comfortable whilst you're away and i've put together a holiday capsule wardrobe, to give you an idea of some suggested essentials to add to. All the items can be mixed and matched to create different looks.

Packing tips:

Make a list and plan your outfits.
Take items that can be adapted to take you from day to evening.
Put heavy items just above the wheels of your case so it doesn't tip over and is easier to maneuver.
For every bottom make sure you have 3 to 4 tops to wear.
Don't forget your accessories.
Even if you don't normally use it, hair product and accessories are a godsend if you suffer from holiday frizz.
If something creases easily roll it instead of folding.
Wrap lotions and potions in carrier bags to protect your case from spillages.
Wear your heaviest clothes and shoes to travel in, remembering your layers for the journey home.
Leave a little room for all your souvenirs ;0)

In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding image, style, body shape, fashion or packing then please do not hesitate to give me a call (07980 789602).