In the many years that I have been an Image Consultant, I have enjoyed the privilege of browsing through many women's wardbrobes. As well as discovering what the thought process has been behind some fabulous purchases and some overwhelming disasters, there has been some consistency.

As an abiding rule, despite many attempts to revolt and express “ourselves” we have been inspired or held back by our mothers and close friends/partners and, secondly, no matter what our budget, we simply love to bag a bargain!

My “bargain-hunters” are just as likely to enjoy a hefty bank balance as they are to be restricted to a stringent allowance. The beauty is that looking great need never depend on how much you paid. How often have you received compliments in an outfit that you bought for peanuts in the sales or on Ebay and felt smug that it didn’t even cost a fortune. Charity shop finds have become the latest in true fashionista shopping and refashioning items is an upcoming trend.

The joy of shopping successfully is all down to knowing how to wear clothes that suit you and suit their purpose. Whilst I appreciate that well tailored clothes in sumptuous fabrics with design and detail will dazzle and and delight, the “D” factor can easily be diminished by the powerful “F” factor.

The Frugal Fashionista is finding her place by securing fabulous pieces that still fit, flatter, feel great, function and add fun. So remember ladies, it is not about what you spend, it is about what you buy! A bargain is only ever a bargain if you would have loved it at full price and every purchase must have a place in your heart before it is worthy of a place in your wardrobe, whether it cost five hundred or a fiver!

Clare can show you how to identify the gaps in your wardrobe or create them if you need to declutter!

For many years now, people have told me how lucky I am, or it's alright for you. And, yes, I consider myself lucky, very lucky, but a lot of my luck has come from my own self talk. In my era this was called "showing off!, which came with a huge negative conotation.

As I have written in my profile, I have always loved colour and creativity, but I also love the outdoors and enjoying the different weather and landscapes.

Growing up in Edinburgh, I became aware of the artificial ski slope and I was desperate to learn how to ski. I ended up working a Saturday job in Safeway, which I hated - the meat wrapping department!!!...but I was determined to be able to ski. I spent everything I ever earned, for many years, on skiing. I was truly terrible at it, and scary to myself and others. However, I persevered! Instead of concentrating on my studies, I was either sewing, knitting or skiing!

Then I got to my late teens, working several jobs, and managed to save enough to go hitch-hiking round the USA. The picture here shows the very fragile handrails to get to the top of half dome in Yosemite, no ropes and a long drop below. Same day I met a bear face to face!

Following many challenges in this journey I arrived back home and took up a job made in heaven - ski instructing in the Highlands. That didn't last long because I got an amazing offer to teach in Italy and left this job and flew, the following day to Italy. Lots happened in between times but having arrived in the winter wonderland of Austria, I came across the USA luge team who invited me to train with them. That led to me training with the British team which was incredibly exciting, exhilarating and downright stupid! Through my travels and challenges, I eventually landed up in Cornwall looking through a whole new lens of possibilities.

This is when I decided to launch my Colour Me Beautiful business, before most people had ever heard of it. This role harnessed my passion for colour and creativity, yet in a place that wasn't ready for it!

I'm getting to the point - life is for embracing, loving yourself and enjoying the "skin" you are in!  Don't look in the mirror and wish you looked different, or look at other people and want to be like them, or dwell on negativities that have been passed to you by other people who are living with their own fears.

Self esteem is an upward or downward spiral and what you do affects the way you feel and how you feel affects the things you do.

​By understanding how to look great you will reap the immediate benefit of feeling great and then, the only way is up!

My passion for colour and pretty things is overwhelming, and, in my role as an Image Consultant, I am well versed with the logic, process and amazing buzz and feel good factor that can be achieved by understanding your colouring and bodyshape, yet I remain perplexed!

What is glamour and style? I constantly ask myself this because of the bemusing comments that I receive from, both people I know very well and those who I don't know at all! Even at my run/walk group people comment how I looked glamorous, yet I could easily question that as I usually arrive with a scruffy ponytail, very old top now destined purely for running or gardening, a shrug which is reduced to holes, so again simply worn for a bit of warmth and I often sport a large safety pin, obviously attached to my top as a back-up plan! The trainers are, however, intact.

I go out walking and running in the rain and the mud, enjoy really dressing down on my camping trips and feel really at home when battered by the sea and my hair is covered in salt, yet still I hear the words glamour and style. For sure, I do not have the figure to prance around in my neat running pants or swimwear and my tan is entirely "homegrown"!..as are my nails! In this given state should I not be scared to be seen by my pupils of style and image, you would have thought so!

Many years ago now, after the local carnival my friends decided to continue the party in town. The decision was taken that we either all changed back to our glad rags or stayed in fancy dress. I was not amused when the vote was made to head into town as Zombies!

Can you believe that even with my clothes in holes, my make-up purposely messy and fake blood all over me, I received compliments about how nice I looked and I was supposed to look dead!

I can only guess at why because I don't actually have the answer. What I think it must be is that over a period of years of knowing what colours and styles suit, even what is ancient, in tatters and I am wearing for really messy still works! I do not have the perfect face or figure or spend a lot on clothes, but something about understanding yourself really works, even when you aren't trying. There comes a stage when you don't feel right in anything that isn't really you, yet you can be as dolled up as you like or as dressed down as you choose.

Whoever you are or want to be, you can easily achieve glamour and style by learning how to simply be comfortable in your own skin and always dress for YOU!

​Many years ago, I took part in regular employee trainings, before the internet and online services took centre stage. Looking back, the reality of the importance of confidence and being happy in one's self image hasn't changed, and despite many job interviews now taking place on line, how you project yourself will still manifest itself..

You only have to look at Tik Tok and the new age of influencers to see the impact and power of self image. The old saying of "fake it until you make it", really does apply. 

The great thing about knowing your colours and how to understand your personal style, is that you will look great and feel great and, in turn, appear to be confident, approachable, put together, well balanced and have everything in place. This puts you in a great place in the starting blocks.
First impressions really do count so let your colours work their magic and visualise your success and smile...you got it!

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I’m probably stating the obvious here, but how many times have you bought something new that is similar to something you already own? 

Shopping your own wardrobe will save you £££s, and the planet. Take some time to sort through your clothes. Categorise them into shirts, t-shirts, trousers, jeans, skirts, dresses and so on. Then, sort by colour. How many white shirts do you own? Yes, you’ll find you have several of the same item. Spend time researching the trends for the forthcoming season (or attend one of our informative events!), and use Pinterest to pin outfits that you love. Now, go back to your wardrobe and try to recreate these. No doubt you will already have most elements that you can build upon, and any gaps, try second-hand shopping first of all.  

Did you know that Oxfam have an online shop?

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​Summer holiday season is almost upon us and whilst we love nothing more than an excuse to jet off to the sun, sometimes the thought of getting everything ready beforehand can seem a little daunting.

In this month's newsletter we take you through our top packing tips and tricks to ensure you have everything you need whilst still meeting the luggage limit!

Keep It To A Capsule Collection
Many of us have a tendency to take away more clothes than we actually need.

To avoid this you need to create a capsule wardrobe for your holiday which will allow you to mix and match several items easily....

Colour code - stick to a few key colours from your palette and build your holiday wardrobe around them. Be sure to include neutral shades for pieces like trousers/skirts so they can be worn with multiple tops and accessories.

Lay out your shoes/accessories - and then halve them. Providing you have footwear that is suitable for any activities you'll be doing whilst you're away you really don't need to take multiple options. With accessories, just a couple of key pieces will see you through. As for bags - one daytime/beach bag and one for the evening should suffice.
Pack Like A Pro

A few simple tricks will ensure you maximise your suitcase space and ensure your clothes arrive in pristine condition...

1. Pack light clothes inside out to ensure they don't mark or pick-up stains in transit.
2. Roll your clothes rather than folding them - this saves space and reduces crinkles.
3. Utilise the space in your shoes by rolling smaller items like underwear and popping them inside.
4. Use ziplock bags to pack gadgets and toiletries.

Be Practical
Thinking practically can make a huge difference when travelling.

1. Wear your heaviest items of clothing to travel. That way you can snuggle up on the plane, which is often cold, as well as save precious space in your suitcase.
2. Invest in lightweight luggage so you can use as much of your baggage allowance for clothes as possible.
3. Take a carry-on with a few items to freshen up with and a change of underwear so you're feeling fabulous when you reach your destination.
4. Slip-on shoes offer ease at airport security and comfort, as most of us will experience a little swelling while in-flight.

Need Some Help With Your Summer Style?

A one-to-one style consultation will tell you everything you need to know about how to wear different patterns, styles and fabrics to suit your body shape. 

Get in touch to book in for a colour, style or full image makeover session.

We’re well into 2017 and along with the influx of ‘SALE’ and ‘MONEY OFF’ emails, we’re also seeing lots of ‘NOTHING NEW’ messages; people who are shying away from the shops and instead vowing to buy no new clothes!

You may have heard the statistic that most of us wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time; we get into the habit of reaching for the same items time and again, leaving clothes lurking at the back of the wardrobe (some with their labels still on), never to see the light of day

Whether you have a wardrobe bursting at the hinges with purchases or a modest collection of clothes, it is likely that there will be items in there that you may not have worn for several months, or perhaps even forgotten about. January is a great time to take stock of many things, your wardrobe included, so this month we’re encouraging you to shun the sales and instead go through your existing clothes, weeding out anything you don’t wear and perhaps discover some new outfits that you may not have come across before!

​Here are my top tips to help you perform a successful wardrobe weed…

• Is the item in your colour palette? If not, can you wear it with something that is to ensure it flatters your natural colour characteristics? If the answer to both of these questions is no, then we’d suggest you remove it from your wardrobe.
• Does the style of item fit you well? Does it flatter your body shape and proportions? If you don’t feel comfortable in something then it’s unlikely you’re going to wear it, so it’s best to get rid of it
• Has it worn well? Is it bobbled? Does is have holes or pulls in it? Sometimes we hold onto clothing for longer than we should do because we love them so much. However, wearing clothes that have seen better days can make you appear scruffy, it may be time to keep this item for days when you’re relaxing at home!
• How do you feel in the item of clothing? Feeling comfortable in your clothes is so important – if you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious then you won’t be able to relax and feel your best. If there is anything in your wardrobe that you really don’t like wearing it definitely needs to go!
• When did you last wear it? If it’s more than six months ago, then it’s unlikely you’re going to wear it again (unless it’s a seasonal piece of course). The exception to this would be classic items like skirts or trousers in a neutral colour, in which case give yourself another three months to get back into wearing them, if you’re still not reaching for them after this time then time to pop them on eBay or send to the charity shop.

Once you’ve completed this process you should have an edited wardrobe which only contains clothing which fits, flatters and makes you look and feel great!
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​Now it’s time to look at your clothes with a fresh pair of eyes. Experiment with different combinations of clothing, try accessorising with belts, statement necklaces and scarves. Have fun with your clothes and enjoy discovering new outfits without leaving the house (or spending any money!)
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