Do you match your dog?

It’s a joke, isn’t it, that owners grow to look like their dogs? In fact, I often say that I’d like to adopt a retired greyhound because, hey – I’m hoping!  But like all clichés there is more than a grain of truth in there somewhere.   

Every Monday afternoon I see a woman walking her Doberman. Now, there’s a match – especially when she’s in her black leather coat and knee-boots. A very pretty (honey blonde) I know has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  Well, of course she does.  Now moving onto another friend who keeps Old English Bulldogs – obviously I assumed that here was the exception to the rule: then I met her husband!  So here’s a thought; maybe, if your dog doesn’t match you, does he or she match your ideal mate?

What a novel idea for the dating scene. You already know that dog-walking is a great way to meet people, but now you’re going to be looking at the single men you meet (and their dogs) in a whole new way.

And, looking at my husband, I need to adopt a Smooth Haired Fox Terrier, not a greyhound. Oh well….

New Hairstyle, New You!

I’ve just discovered a new hairstyle… and no hairdressers involved!  Visiting the West Country for Easter, I rediscovered the ‘natural curl’ present in a damper environmentJ 

I’ve also had that rare luxury of being able to read the papers for more than 5 minutes!  How appropriate then to read Glenda Cooper’s account in The Telegraph and reasons for changing hairstyles through the ages, I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to many of those cited!

She notes that we give away more than we realise about our state of mind through our hair, whether we hold on to styles through the decades (The Queen, Jerry Hall) or morph frequently (Madonna, Victoria Beckham).

A change in relationship, lifestyle, life stage, job or career can prompt a need to change hairstyle, which could include colour and/or style.  Wigs have long been used as a disguise, to ring the changes or to hide changes brought on by health issues.   As with glasses and shoes, our hair is an accessory. 

Hair is an easily changeable element of our identity but the problem arises when you consider we make most changes on the back of an emotional charge.  Cheaper than a completely new wardrobe, less controversial than Botox, less permanent than surgery, faster than weight loss, not permanent, it can still be traumatic to some; we all want to get it right. 

The good news is that Personal Branding enables you to bring some objectivity and logic to the emotional motivation.  You can ring the changes while honouring who you are.  Working within your colour season, warm or cool, ensures you confidently ring the colour changes in line with your natural colouring.  Switching from bob to layers, long to short, curly to straight, can all be achieved but move away from working WITH your colouring and personality and you may end up with the kind of style that you’d like to forget but everyone else remembers!

It’s possible to ring the changes and look your best, feeling great rather than self-conscious.  We all have several styles that can look classy, elegant and stylish; it’s about working in partnership with your House of Colour consultant and your hairdresser to discover them.

My West Country break’s now over and my regular hairdresser appointment is booked; I wonder what will be discovered next!

Cosmetic Surgery or Natural Beauty?

Concern about the cosmetic surgery industry has been in the public eye over the last week with a new report regarding regulation just being published.  An interesting Q&A has been posted by the BBC covering the main points.

Vanity is not a particularly nice interpretation – however, excessive pride isn’t something to be ashamed of is it?  After all, ‘If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well!

At House of Colour we believe it’s up to the individual to choose their path to beauty however, in almost 30 years our consultants have seen clients numbering in the hundreds of thousands.  We have a tried and tested three step process, taking into account age, shape, size, colouring, budget, lifestyle and the latest fashion trends, giving access to looking and feeling your best by utilising and enhancing your natural assets. 

And so I’ve had time to contemplate my appearance.  The grey hair, or is it distinguished silver highlights, much as the logical head of my Colour Analyst and the knowledgeable head of my Personal Stylist KNOW without a doubt that I can make look great,  so why does it still bother me?  My husband says he doesn’t notice it, but then he is a man, can I believe him? My friends say they don’t notice it, but do they see me objectively?   

In many colour analysis consultations, I’d cite the example of the Mother of the bride.  She needs to know she looks good so that her attention is focused on her daughter and guests, not her outfit, how it feels, how it looks, does it work?  I realise that if I overcome my commitment phobia (time and money) to regularly cover up my ‘natural highlights’ I will also remove a constant ‘niggle’ that my husband and friends are only being polite.    There are some who even think dying hair and wearing make-up is unnecessary – opening a completely different debate!

But where does it end? Countless billions are invested in research and expenditure on various beauty treatments.  The subtle change to my jowls with the onset of my 40s, the change in skin texture on my hands, the ‘laughter lines’ around my eyes, suddenly become redefined as ‘crows feet’, never mind the tramlines appearing on my forehead, Dad always used to call them character lines, are we really removing our character?

Do we take the long and expensive road to eternal youth, embrace the way we look, accept  our changing appearance or find some middle ground to  work with it naturally, involving make-up, clothes and hair styles?  

 

Life’s lessons applied to your wardrobe

How many of these lessons can also apply to our wardrobes?

I’ve just paid £15 for a £1 portion of chips!

The nice man in the chip shop informed me, after I’d handed over my money, that the 50p I’d given him in the changes was worth £15!  Strangely enough he didn’t want to give it back to meL

• We don’t always realise the value of what we have in our wardrobes.   I’ve met many clients who’ve realised that items they already possess can be used differently, accessorised or altered and brought back to a useful working life again. 

I arrived home to find half of one of my plants had fallen off.  I’m fond of it, a faithful old friend that survives my neglect!  Having rectified the situation, it looks so much better for a significant pruning. If I take care of it properly there’s even a chance it will survive and thrive again.

• We may be fond of our wardrobes but just like plants, a serious prune every now and then is essential to maintain a long, healthy and useful life.  It may be that a whole section needs an overhaul or simply a bit of maintenance, care and attention will bring it back to life. 

My kitchen storage jar (containing chocolate drops) had mysteriously developed a chip.  It’s a mystery how others containing sultanas, raisins, flour and nuts don’t have the same inclination to jump off the shelf – maybe my two young boys can shed some light?  So I bought a replacement but unfortunately, my memory didn’t serve me well and I bought the wrong size…. then discovered I already had a replacement and could have saved my time and money.

• We often think we need something new but our memory of what we’re trying to replace isn’t quite accurate.  Not only that but there is often something already in our wardrobe that will do perfectly well, possibly with a bit of tweaking using accessories, if we only took a look.

All these lessons are useful practical tips that apply equally at times of economic recession or abundance.  Understanding how to inject a bit of colour, variety and interest into your wardrobe by starting with what’s already there has got to be worth a bit of time and attention – hasn’t it?

 

Holidays- a break from the Norm!

I’ve just had my first holiday in a VERY long time!  It’s not that I haven’t been away but somehow going abroad to a nice warm place, while you know those at home are bundled up against the cold, feels very different to holidaying at home.

For the first few days I do very little, despite including exercise clothing in my suitcase, it’s invariably day 5 before I feel inclined to use it!  It’s also about day 5 that my brain tires of ‘doing nothing’ and craves information - I start to read the paper, a book, a magazine and now, a new revelation.… talking books on the plane!  A pure delight to put on the headphones and lay back with my eyes closed as the dulcet tones lull me into an almost sleep!  

And so the pattern’s set for the first few days after returning home - I observe the world from a very different place. 

·         After a day in my office I realised that a trip to an air-conditioned gym wouldn’t be as  restorative as fresh air - 45 minute walk

·         While walking, consolidated the day’s activities - returned with my brain feeling much calmer

·         Saw an alternative way of organising my ever-increasing list of projects and tasks – a change is as good as a rest for injecting fresh energy!

·         Recognised that the air freshener I was given for Christmas is as refreshing as good old fashioned fresh air – windows opened, brain clearer

·         Ensured I had a lunch break, including a walk to revitalise for the afternoon.

·         Cleared 2 items from my wardrobe that have been unworn for over a year

·         Cleared 2 items from the children’s toys that haven’t been played with for over a year

None of this is a huge revelation, I’m guilty of getting stuck in ‘business as usual’ as the days run into months – but by shifting lots of little things by one small notch, the energy and performance of my day has shifted considerably and my ideas for what can be achieved are growing.

From desks to wardrobes, homes and offices, to cars and gardens - a change of perspective can only be healthy – I’m now planning my next holiday, another new concept, generally that gets done on the plane as I come in to land! 

 

 

The Power of a Uniform

Uniform: Remaining the same in all cases and at all times; unchanging in form or character.

Taking a flight to catch some winter sunshine recently I noticed the flight attendants, collectively.

At the start of the flight the attendants wear a suit complete with head wear.  As the flight gets under way..... jackets come off, head wear is stored for landing and an inherently uniform appearance is displayed.  Waistcoats are revealed and strong red lipstick is immaculately in place. From the identical styling of hair for all the female flight attendants with long hair (a neat bun sitting just above the nape of the neck) down to the shoes, they are uniform.  Representing the company and consistently delivering the brand values through their activities.

Throughout the flight, we received efficiency, smiles and excellent service. ... consistently.

Consistently for the whole flight and consistently from all attendants.  It's for a reason that Emirates has an excellent reputation amongst airlines for their travellers’ experience.

Their staff training and high standards will have contributed significantly to producing these results but it's no coincidence that there is similar attention to detail and prescription with both their uniform appearance and the appearance of their uniform as there is to their standards of performance.  Not surprisingly, as well as being highly regarded Emirates is a successful business.

Or is much of my experience subjective?  How much does their appearance contribute to and reinforce my expectations?  It’s a widely recognised fact that if you look like you’re going to do an excellent job then people perceive that you will.

What could we all learn from this for ourselves and our businesses?  While it may not literally be a uniform you need, what does your daily 'uniform' communicate about you ....does it support you in achieving your goals......? Is your appearance consistent with you, your product or service; is your personal brand congruent, credible and believable and do you deliver in line with the expectations you set?

Internet Shopping

I’ve just done my shopping… on a Sunday!  The shop was warm and comfortable, like my favourite armchair, it only took me an hour, AND I was home with my feet up in no time.

Internet shopping, not everyone’s cup of tea, but extremely handy for busy people when you know what you’re looking for (style, shape, colour, patterns, proportions) and even better when you know which brands suit you and fit you.

While browsing our Facebook page and following the trail threads, I was prompted to look at a brand that works really well for my clothing personality (Classic Ingenue) and figure shape (sharp curve), (Damsel in a Dress) – and thanks to the bargain I picked up in the January sale, (a dress for £50 reduced from £189), I even know my size! 

The beauty of internet shopping is that once I’ve decided to buy I order several items to try on in the comfort of my own home… with my accessories and shoes ‘handy by’.  I just need to make sure I return them promptly if I don’t want them, it’s what my Granny called trying ‘on approval’…. Bring it home, try it and if it doesn’t work, take it back to the shop!  The age of the credit card has made this to everyone’s mutual benefit, providing you have the discipline to take it back you can order more than you’re prepared to spend, allowing you to try a few things and select which work best.   I placed the order at 10pm on Sunday and by Tuesday, the delivery had arrived. 

I’m not a fan of shopping because taking my clothes off is such a hassle!  So much easier to try them on as I’m on my way to bed or getting dressed in the morning – it’s more time efficient, my husband is there to offer a second opinion and I can generally get unwanted items in the post the next day and back on my credit card before the next bill is issued!

However, from bygone days of catalogue shopping, I’m well aware of the advantages of shopping knowing my colours and clothing personality.  Much as some outfits look fantastic on the models, I recognise the ones that won’t work so well on me, whether it’s pattern type, scale, colour scheme or shape, some things are clearly MINE and most are not – a great time and energy saver!

I’ve been too busy writing this to be bothered to try them on tonight however, tomorrow morning will suffice and my credit card balance will live to tell the tale!