Miss K goes to Court!!

Not for anything I did you understand but I was called for jury duty - not the most convenient timing as I am in the throws of organising Norwich Fashion Week Vintage show as well as re-launching my styling services (more of that to come) but I was interested to see what happens so I went along hoping that I wouldn't get a long drawn out case that lasted for weeks!!

The first few days were spent frustratingly sitting around waiting to be called to a case in bad 70's style room with no daylight but on the Thursday I finally got to see inside the court room to be part of a jury.

The court room again was a bad version of 70's décor - I was hoping for dark wood with a judge sitting high up in  grand room - but at least the judge and the lawyers both wore robes and wigs so I wasn't totally disappointed.

 

 

Of course lots of outfits had to be worn all with a legal, murder mystery theme were in order!! So this is what I wore for my week in court.

 

 

Day One.

Vintage 40's suit, blouse and beret Lulu Vintage.

 

Day two.

Vintage 40's suit - Retreat Vintage, hat 1930's trilby,

Blouse H&M and my hubby's 40's tie.

 

Day three.

Vintage 1940's dress Lulu Vintage and bow tie Retreat Vintage.

 

 

Day four.

Vintage 70's suit from charity shop, vintage Richard Allen scarf and hat from Aladdin's Cave.

 

 

 

The week was very interesting and I enjoyed seeing how the system worked but I am glad that it only lasted a week sitting in one place for hours on end is not my idea of fun and it did make me see how lucky I am to have a job I love that is varied, exciting and was itching to get back too!!

 

 

 



Rainy day fashion

Dull, miserable damp weather typical of this time of year and most of us are tempted to imitate the gloom with dark and drab outfits - why not brighten up the day with some colourful clothing!!

Don a hat - not only will it help with frizzy hair - the bain of my life - however carefully style my hair the moment I step outside it will end up frizzy so hats not only save me from a "bad hair" day but it can also be a fabulous way to add some colour into your outfit.

 

 High - heeled wellies - Having to avoid rain splattered pavements and puddles is a nightmare for shoes whether your preference is for original or repro they will both get ruined in this weather. They are lots of great colours and patterns on the high-street and some even have heels!!

 

 Bright rain mac  - protecting you vintage outfits with specially designed rain mac in fun colours - find one that will pack in your bag and pull it out if you get caught in a down pour.

 

 

 

Banish black coats - instead of the normal dull black or grey winter coats wear a bright coloured one, it will brighten up you day and make a few people smile along the way.

 

 

 

Whatever the weather stay warm and bright - what is you favourite outfit to cheer up the dull days - send me pictures - would love to see you in them??

 



 

 

 



New Year Goals and Dreams.

With all the festivities done and dusted my thoughts turn to New Year plans and resolutions. So what is in store for me in 2014??

Well to begin with I am hitting a major milestone - my 50th birthday - I am not quite sure how I feel about it  but if these women from www.advancedstyle.blogspot.com  are anything to go by I am still a mere spring chicken!! So really this will not be an issue for me and I plan to embrace it and celebrate in style throughout the year!!

 

As far as resolutions go I am not one for making sweeping statements that never last longer than the time it takes to put all the decorations away I am going to give myself some personal and professional goals that I would like to achieve this year and as they say that once a goal is written down it makes it more attainable so here we go -

 

Personal.

 

1.  Now that I am getting older I need to start taking a more care of myself, I do generally eat well and dance when I am out but feel that I need a bit more exercise and a healthier diet - spending hours at the gym is not my idea of fun so I will look for other ways to move more - ballet and tap are something that I would love to take up again. Eating wise I love to cook so the plan is to dig out my recipe books and start enjoying being in the kitchen again.

 

 

 

2. Refine my wardrobe is a goal I have had for a while - as stylist and personal shopper it is something that I tell my clients all the time but don't always manage to do all the time myself. I have my own signature style but I want to get a little more organised with how I buy my clothes and make sure that I only purchase items that mix and match with other things in my wardrobe - unless some die for dress needs a good home.

 

 So I am going to take my own advice - get my outfit inspiration ideas up on the notice board in my dressing room, see what I already have and what I need to purchase to pull it all together.

 

 

 

3. Relax more - running a business is stressful and I never seem to switch my brain off so this year I am going to have some "me" time every day - even if it is moving away from the laptop for lunch, I used to love to read books and magazines but I never seem to find the time to do that anymore so I intend to do that too, go for a walk, or treat myself to a bit of pampering - anything to may me relax at least once a day!!

 

 

 

4. Get out and about more - my weeks and weekends are always packed with events but I seem to miss out on some of the simpler stuff - heading off in the countryside for a picnic, wandering around a museum or art gallery - there were so many exhibitions I have missed last year! A few more short breaks are on the agenda - discovering towns and cities that I have never visited, just strolling around taking in the scenery.

 

 

5. 365 project - which involves taking a picture of something fabulous that happens or inspires you every day of the year.  Another version suggests you put a note in a jar about something special. So I don't know whether I will keep this up everyday but I am going to do my own version a combination of both ideas.

 

 With the onset of digital photography and Facebook  no one seems to print pictures anymore so I am going to print at least some of the photos with little notes and antidotes attached to the pages to document  my adventures this year and put them in a 2014 album so I can look back and remember the fun times throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

So they are my goals for the coming months. Professionally I have lots of new ideas for the collection, new projects and services that I am going to offer but more of that when I officially get back in the office next week.

 

Have you made resolutions or goals for 2014 - let me know I would love to  hear your plans your year???





 

 

 

 

 



 



Icon - The LBD

Following on from Chanel says and after seeing Coco Avant Chanel film; which is fabulous beyond words - so beautifully shot and Audrey is wonderful as Chanel. It made me think of all those iconic, classic items that every girl should have in their wardrobes. We owe her so much for the way that we dress today - I am sure that somehow these items would have found they way into our wardrobes eventually but the Little Black Dress, the simple jersey, the tweed suit, costume jewellery and loads of pearls.

I am sure that you all have at least one LBD in your wardrobe - they can be worn is soo many ways so if you haven't got one this is the time to buy as there were many fine examples for A/W. It can be worn for every occasion and in many many different ways so here is my top 5 ways to wear you LBD -

1) Layer it up with a classic black polo, add this season's statement necklace and killer boots.

2) Chanel it up with layers of costume jewellery and pearls.

3) Add a tux jacket - very Kate Moss or Alexa Chung

4) Throw on a fur wrap and glam it up for evening - very Micheal Kors looks for winter.

5) Add a leopard coat with this season's skinny belt.

Chanel says"Do glamour?!"

Coco says "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccabily they remember the woman"

I've been reminded with the Chanel film Coco avant Chanel of one of her famous quotes; and anyone who knows that I am always in heels, hardly ever in jeans and wouldn't dream of leaving the house in a tracksuit or fleece - I just don't seem to be able to do scruffy and according to Madamoiselle I shouldn't. Maybe it was living in Paris for a little while - some of the French Chic may have rubbed off? (Or maybe it's my distant French heritage?) They seem to have a polish that others can't seem to aquire - I suppose what it comes down to is just taking a bit of effort and caring what we look like.

My favourite chic French women like Ines De Fressenge, Vanessa Paradis, Charlotte Gainsbrough and Lou Dillon mange look effortless and pulled together for every occasion.

I am not saying that you should dress up to the nines every day but just make a little effort every day to be a little more glamourous.

The other great advocate of this therory is Rachel Zoe - those of you who have read her book and I do reccommend that you do as it is great fun and she is so much larger than life but has fabulous ideas on how to bring some glamour to you life and wardrobe.

In these days of recession, doom and gloom doesn't it sound like a good idea to dress up a little when you step out the door - a bright colour instead of black, a fun vintage dress and high heels or even a floral print scarf tied to your bag.

So here are my Top Tips to bring some easy glamour into your life (some credit due to the above mentioned Rachel Zoe) :

1) Wear a red lip - if you are not sure which shade to choose pop along to one of the cosmetic counters in your local department store to try ut a few. You could always try a stain if you are afraid to do the full on mouth.

2) Throw on a fur wrap or shrug (faux or real depending on your ethics) over your jeans or use it to glam up your work suit

3) Add some heels - they will always make you feel glamorous and there are some fabulous ones around and they don't have to break the bank.

4) Buy some bling - costume jewellery can transform the plainest of outfits.

5) Smile - nothing makes you look amazing and confident.

To quote Chanel again " I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little if only out of politeness.

So let's glam it up and make Madamoiselle proud.

My first post

For my first post on my new blog I thought I would let you know some of my favourite style influences. Apart from the obvious Audrey Hepburn - which women with any interest in fashion and style cannot love her classic look, Jackie O again for all the same reasons but I adore the lesser known contemporaries of Jackie O - Babe Paley, Nan Kemper , C.Z Guest and Slim Keith. As I love entertaining, having friends and family over for dinner is one of my favourite things to do - these women as well as being such style icons to me were all great hostesses.

The amazing Diana Vreeland who changed the way fashion magazines looked.

Diana von Fusternberg for looking amazing for her age and re-launching her company later in life (rather like myself being a 45 year old taking another step in life!)

These are just a few of the women I find inspirational, on future posts I will introduce you to more of my favourite people, places, fashion and share my tips on how to get just a little bit of fabulousness into your life.

I hope that you will follow my blog and sign up, tell me what you think.