My summer holiday style by number!

My summer holiday 1-2-6!

Holiday dressing and shopping is something I find a pleasure. I love the hotter weather, but dressing for the office in hot weather is sometimes a challenge so let's face it, in the UK I don't get to wear my shorts and sunnies that often (as weekend sunshine isn't guaranteed)!

This year was no exception, I loved planning my summer wardrobe and packing before my holiday, and shopping in Spain. So...
...Here's my 1-2-6 of this summers holiday style:

1. My make up bag travelled with me, but I really only used one item - my new "Oh my gloss" Rimmel lipgloss. It's rather lush - bright but subtle, not too sticky and stays put!

2. I seemed to do my accessories in two's* - I travelled with two hats (though only one mate it back sadly), two pairs of sunglasses, and brought two bracelets to match two rings, and two rings (not to match the bracelets!)
*I didn't stick to the two accessory rule when it came to shoes mind you!

3. I brought three new dresses: I hadn't intended to! I do always like to buy one dress on holiday as it's nice to have something that nobody else is likely to turn up wearing at a summer wedding! However, this time around I couldn't resist three beauties - one sassy, one sweet and one oh so-easy-to-wear. You can decide which the one below is...

One new dress, in white. With white sandals. Hair up, fringe back.

4. I seemed to wear four colours predominantly: red, pink, white and black. Picking colours in my palette that I could mix and match made dressing easy especially as my printed items could all be co-ordinated with one of these. It really helps with packing to focus on a few colours.

5. Shoes* are my packing nemesis - I need flip flops and trainers for practical reasons, but being petite and needing a variety of heel heights to make certain outfits work makes taking any less a challenge... for me.

On trend tropical print. Worn with hot pink. One pair of heels, out of 5 pairs of shoes.

6. My hair - I wore a curly ponytail which meant I could wear a full ponytail, a shortened ponytail and a full updo... add to that my fringe au natural, straightened or plaited and those six variations meant a whole range of 'hair-do's'

What's been your 2016 summer style by numbers, so far - make up, accessories, clothes, purchases? Let's hope we don't have to pack it all away too soon, so...

...Here's to a warm September!
Denise x

PS - More pics may follow.

7 ways your wardrobe can further your wellbeing

Have a wardrobe you love that loves you back!

I recently did a wardrobe audit with a client and was reminded how much more our wardrobes hold besides our physical clothes.

Our wardrobes sometimes hold our memories. They can hold our confidences. They can be an expression of our emotions. And in the back of them, we can try and bury the odd secret!

A not so healthy wardrobe is one that isn't helping us, such as those filled with clothes that no longer fit and keep us thinking about when they did, rather than encouraging us to dress who we are now.

A healthy wardrobe however is one that makes us smile when we open it. One that can make us feel good, not just hold the things that make us look good.

Confession: This is not my wardrobe! (Image from iconhomedesign.com)

Here are a few things you can do to ensure your wardrobe furthers your wellbeing:

1. Find in it the colour/s that boost your mood - what colours do you have in your wardrobe? Work out what your regular happy's are, if you regularly wear your pink scarf, cardigan, skirt etc think about what that's telling you. If there's a colour that you love but don't own, find your perfect shade and shop for it!
2. Clear it out - apparently de-cluttering is de-stressing, for example get rid of what doesn't fit (or put it elsewhere).
3. Pass on old stuff - there's nothing more feel good than helping others
4. Rediscover something fabulous that still fits - and wear it, you'll feel fabulous
5. That t-shirt you own that doesn't fit anymore that you just can't part with... Frame it: If you love it, why not hang it on a wall!
6. What's your happy memory outfit - wedding dress, graduation outfit stuck in the back of the wardrobe when it could be closer? Trigger the memory... if you smiled just thinking about it so imagine how you'll feel touching, smelling and dancing around in it!
7. Use your wardrobe as an opportunity to involve a friend - make it fun, get a group together and catch up. You may even be able to swap shop... Just stay away from the red wine!

The point is that you should only keep in your wardrobe, those things that make you feel great about yourself and improve your wellbeing.

And of course if you'd love a professional opinion, I'd gladly help.

Take care 'til next time,
Denise x

Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services

Look at: http://damsonbelle.co.uk/

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Springtime means pastels.

And how to wear them, if you want to...

Its traditional that retailers go from deep, strong, bold colours in the winter to pastels (pale pink, baby blue, peach and mint for example) in the Spring, and this year Pantone have doubled the ante by making rose quartz and serenity their star colours for their colours of the year.

For some of us that's going to be quite a challenge, either because it's" not me" (too 'girly' and romantic) or because pale is unflattering on us.

If it's the former, my big tip is obvious and simple: Just don't wear it... There's nothing wrong with not being 'in fashion' with everything - you can be on trend in other ways. But more importantly, it rocks to just be authentic and do your own thang!

If though, like me, you don't mind a pastel but they're not top-to-toe flattering, there are things you can do. Namely these 6 things...

• Wear pastels on your bottom half with something deeper on top (we should wear our best colours nearest to our face)
• Go for pastel accessories with something deeper
• Paint your nails pale
• Go for softer make up - my favourite soft is nude as opposed to my wintery plum shades
• Find your best pastel: there's at least one for most colour types* eg peach for a warm undertone and lilac for a cool undertone
• Say "sod it" and occasionally go all out because you want to (you rebel you!)

However, if you're fair and love pastels, go for it - they look great on you. Whatever your choice - pastels or not... Enjoy the season!

Happy Spring.
Denise.

*To find out your best pale shades (and all the others) and how to wear them, why not treat yourself to a colour or image consultation?!

Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services

Look at: http://damsonbelle.co.uk/

Follow on Twitter at: @DenDamBelle https://twitter.com/DenDamBelle

Check out my Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/dendambelle/client-journeys-events/

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A great start to the year

Damson Belle in January

Given I don't push the new year, new you agenda, I'm pleased that I've still been engaged in a few exciting activities this month.

I've presented on the impact of our image during a corporate wellbeing week, taken a lady special occasion shopping and worked with a bride and her bridesmaid.

What's been great has been the variety of what I've done and also who it's involved: both men and women, a teen and the more mature, the self-assured to the less confident. The results have included someone doing a wardrobe review, someone breaking a black eyeliner habit, some new outfits and several compliments.

The feedback in each case has been positive and affirming that what I do makes a positive difference. And that's why I do it. It's great to see people reflect, challenge themselves, grow in confidence, try something a bit different and ultimately feel good/better about themselves.

Over the coming few blogs, I'll share a little more about these experiences or my recommendations in theses areas.

I hope you've had a good January too.

Here's to a fabulous Febraury,
Denise.

David Bowie - a Star Man.

The original recreator.

I often refer to authenticity in my work as an image consultant, and as such I encourage my clients to consider the impact of making sweeping image changes without careful consideration.

However with the unexpected passing of legendary David Bowie this week, I am also reminded that for some people change is their authenticity.

David Bowie was a style chameleon. He changed his sound, his name and his style on a number of occasions. And each time, he somehow remained himself.

Many pop stars do it - Madonna, Prince/Squiggle, Paul Weller, Norman Cook/Fatboy Slim are examples.

But before them all, in my lifetime, there was David Jones/Ziggy Stardust/David Bowie.

He was an original. An originator. An inspiration...Every. Time.

An despite the sweeping style changes, he always came across authentically and with real charm. 

What was your favourite Bowie image or re-invention?

I loved his 70's style - the creativity, the make-up, the bright bold colours be it a sharp suit or a clingy jumpsuit. And what a dapper gentleman he became in later years too.

What an icon, what a loss.

Goodnight Ziggy. RIP.