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16 Aug

Why I wear Sweaty Betty

Having stylish, ‘performance driven’ kit motivates me to get down that gym. My schedule is highly sporadic, so I fit in exercise where I can, anytime from 6.30am early bird sessions, to 8pm at night. In my mind, any length of work out is a great workout, even if just 20 minutes. I focus on non-impact due to hip flexor and knee pain, so for me it’s all about weights, cross trainer, the bike & pilates.  Finding the best gear for style, support & stretch (through technical fabrics) is crucial. Be gone saggy, old, grey floppy t-shirts…enter Sweaty Betty…a brand I’ve worn for years as they deliver against all my criteria, can be styled up for the school...
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6 Jul

How to choose sunglasses

A modern dilemma that affects everyone – how to choose sunglasses that suit your face-shape?  As ever, it’s all in understanding the angles and proportions.  Choosing the right frame is all about creating proportion on your face and softening or widening angles through the frame silhouette. Here you will discover tips such as how to soften a jaw-line or draw attention away from a bigger forehead. Here is my style guide on how to choose sunglasses to suit your face shape; ROUND-SHAPED FACES Face-shape diagnosis; equal proportions, cheeks are the widest part with softer angles. Choose angular shapes to counteract the round face, otherwise you accentuate the ‘roundness’. WEAR; angular, rectangle, square, cat eye, butterfly. AVOID; round, small.   ...
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1 Feb

Best Valentine’s fragrances

Choosing a fragrance for someone else for Valentine’s Day is notoriously tricky as scents often trigger nostalgia.  They evoke certain memories because of the brain regions that process the scent.  Many notes within fragrances are even known for their aphrodisiac effect; Lavender, patchouli, rosewood, jasmine, cinnamon, sandalwood, blood orange and ginger, making them the perfect date night accessory! A beautiful fragrance not only helps you capture attention but can also generate a huge boost to your own confidence.  That’s one of the reasons fragrances are a very popular option for Valentine’s Day gifts in the UK.  Here’s my pick of the best valentine's fragrances for men and women, many including the powerful aphrodisiac ingredients so that you can...
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31 Oct

How to wear sequins

Sequin season is here and so is my How to wear Sequins Guide! Sequins go hand-in-hand with Christmas and are categorically a wardrobe must-have given it’s now all the rage to wear daytime sequins as well as for your seasonal evening soirees.   The key is making your sequins work as hard as possible, especially if you’re feeling the budget pinch this Winter.  Wearing your sequins in multiple ways will help you feel glam, more of the time – releasing that all important feel-good dopamine hit.  Best ‘value for money’ brands at Elys Wimbledon for sequin season are Reiss, Mint Velvet and Forever New. So, how to wear Sequins? Here are my top tips for selecting your sartorial sequin...
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8 Feb

What to wear for Valentine’s

Love it or hate it, what to wear for Valentine’s Day is the question on everyone’s lips as increasing numbers of us are choosing to stay-at-home or opting for relaxed ‘day-date’ options post-pandemic. Valentines style is transforming to incorporate looks for casual village walks, cheeky lunch hour coffee rendezvous and Netflix & Chill sofa snuggles. Mind you, glam is most certainly NOT dead so you can raise the excitement stakes with sequins & heels. If you’re looking for fresh inspiration for Valentine's Style check out my Elys Valentines fashion edit - What to wear for Valentine's Day. Sofa & chill Just because you may binge-watch Netflix on Valentine's Day, doesn't mean you shouldn't go all out 'red & pink'...
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15 Apr

Sustainable shoes launch

A dream come true! To design my own beautiful range of shoes with a sustainable and ethical ethos: 'Shoes with a Conscience'.  I’ve been working with my fellow, local business owner Lizzie at Made the Edit to design the ‘Charlotte Bow’ Kitten heel sliders, which have a ‘No Waste’ ethos as they are Made to Order. Our aim is to help change the world 'one shoe at a time'.  Less fast fashion, more sustainable choice.  Our sustainable shoes are super comfy, easy to walk in,  designed with a range of useful colours to make maximum impact. Here are the details on our sustainable shoe launch: The 'Charlotte Bow' kitten heels come in 4 colour-ways: Rose, Gold, Silver &...
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7 Mar

How to dress for online dating

You only get one chance at creating the best first impression in online dating. Research suggests that 90% of first impressions last forever, moreover, you only have 7 seconds to cement that positive impression.  Never are these stats more vital than in this virtual world of online matchmaking…where you rely purely on your image on a screen to guarantee you a place in the ‘Yes' pile.  55% of first impressions are based on what you look like and 38% on your confidence.  If you’re struggling to know what to wear for your profile pictures, wondering how to stand out from the crowd to create a spark, unsure how to dress or pose confidently or undecided on your ‘wow’ colours and...
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6 Jan

Mood boosting colours

It's that time of year when we feel sluggish, bloated and tired.  We are burnt out, experiencing low self-esteem and struggling to self-motivate.  These are all common emotions to feel following periods of unrest and uncertainty.  I make the time to read self help books such as 'School of Life' by Alain du Botton and Glennon Doyle to kickstart my emotional well-being.  Investing time and money in self-care rituals is proven to bolster your disposition.  Alongside fitness and great nutrition, I recommend wearing mood boosting colours.  Harnessing the power of colour can have such a positive effect on your mood due to the strength of wavelength, frequency and energy found in colours, as opposed to cloaking yourself...
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2 Dec

Straight teeth – my journey

Aside Crosslow Pink
I've often said that a smile is one of the prettiest things you can wear, but often the state of your teeth can hold your smile back. The desire for straight teeth is actually quite common and I wanted to find out more. So, I went on a journey with Su Mon Redapple at Elmfield House Dental in Teddington, to re-discover my dental confidence. My brief for Su was to straighten my teeth, particularly on the bottom row, broaden my smile on the top row, redefine the crooked appearance and create a healthy, whiter, sparkling set of straight teeth.   Here are the brilliant before and after shots, with the the full, fascinating journey documented below.  BEFORE [caption id="attachment_1861" align="alignnone"...
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26 Nov

What to wear at Christmas

Aside About Me
One of things I always get asked is how to create a Christmas Wardrobe?  What to wear at Christmas? I have partnered with Elys Wimbledon to showcase my must-haves for great Christmas style which includes vibrant occassion-wear, as well as cosy staples to see you through Christmas in style.  Read on for the Q&A on what my Christmas will look like and what I'm buying for the family.    Christmas is likely going to feel quite different for many of us this year. Have you changed how you will be spending the holiday season? Christmas is normally one of my favourite times of the year, with parties, sequins, dancing and games.  This year, for everyone, a scaled-back Christmas is...
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