My Fabulous Job

The great thing about my job is that I get to play dress up nearly every day! What could be bad about a job that lets me go into shops and borrow fabulous clothes then create a story for fashion spreads. The only one downside is that I have to take it all back a few days later although I must admit that sometimes some pieces do seem to end up in my wardrobe!

Although we only have a double page spread it is a weekly paper so we are constantly having to come up with new and exciting ideas so my brain seems to be always switched on. I find inspiration every where and never quite know when it is going to strike!!

When I was fashion editor for Urbane magazine we had more fabulous glossy pages to fill I was looking through my old pictures and came across one of the shoots we did - it was shot in an amazing garden that looks like a tropical jungle; you would never believe it was in the middle of a city!

Pictures Nick Clarke Ekiko Photographic Models Sandra Reynolds

It prompted me to go through some of my archives - here's a few of my favourites I have done over the past few years:

All pics courtesy of Archant Ltd, Models Sandra Reynolds Model and Casting Agency and Power Model Mangement.

The other aspect of my job is to help others look fabulous everyday - as a stylist and personal shopper I love watching the face of clients when they look in the mirror and see how good they look for the first time. It is so rewarding to be able to give someone confidence and make them fell great about themselves.

It is amazing how much a change of image can change your life - a profound statement I know but it really can make a difference. You only have to watch Trinny and Suzanna, or my new obsession Style Her Famous and Style By Jury on Sky.

If you look fabulous you feel great. Wearing the right styles for your body shape really do make you look younger and slimmer.

I'm planning a series of "How to wear the Trends" whatever your shape - so watch this space and if you have any particular questions let me know?

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.