Style Tip - FAB Happy Ever After...

Welcome to the last and final chapter in the FAB series...this week I'm talking about how to not only look good, but to stay fit and healthy. Having control over your body allows you to feel relaxed and in control of all the other aspects of your life...in a way exercise is the new clubbing! 

We also have to try and calm our minds - one way to do this is to give social media a rest...at least a few hours every day. Social media can seriously interfere with our rest and sleep patterns, which in turn can affect our mood and appearance...

As we get older our hormones change...we can help ourselves adapt easier by eating a nutritious and balanced diet with everything in moderation. To look good, stay vital, independent and enjoy life to the max, as we get older exercise unfortunately becomes non-negotiable. We need to try and cut down on stress, keep up our social life, stay open minded, laugh and find a passion to enjoy life to the fullest.

Our health depends on positivity. Our own negative comments can make us feel as low as if someone else is insulting us. As older woman, we are the new power generation - we are very much engaged in life and like to look good, not just look good "for our age." 75% of woman over 40 have more fun, 76% said they were healthier than ever and 65% of woman in our age bracket said they are happier than before. How chic and fabulous is that?

I hope you have enjoyed reading my FAB series. Being Fabulous & Beyond is a life journey that starts now...even I have to work on all these aspects myself every day...just remember "old is the new black!" 

Till next week...stay glamorous xxx

(Inspired by the book Stylish Forever by Alyson Walsh and images courtesy of Pinterest)

Style Tip - FAB Wardrobe Building Blocks...

This week in the FAB series, I'm talking about wardrobe blocks...the pieces we use to build an amazing wardrobe. Staple pieces we wear almost every day and return to again and again....it's the confidence you get from finding clothes and accessories that work in your "real" life, not just on the runway and in fashion magazines. These pieces are reliable, figure-flattering essentials...it's definitely my grown-up, fuss free, everyday "uniform."

As you get older its all about streamlining and redefining your style. Over the years we have figured out what suits us and what we like - now it's time to exploit our personal style to the max.

Trends don't matter to me...what's important is wearing what I like and what makes me happy - I have said this many times over...off course I know the latest trends, follow fashion very closely and work with fashion everyday, but I won't wear something that's in fashion and doesn't suit me or doesn't make me happy...if it does...bonus! I choose confidence boosting clothes that fit and flatter me and makes me feel fabulous. On the basis of this comes effortless style...

These are my style basics,

• Shoes that I can actually walk in - it doesn't matter the style or heel height, just make sure you can walk in them...we all know its impossible to be fabulous when you feet hurt.
• A good quality denim shirt - it goes with everything and adds instant chic appeal, plus its timeless. For everyday glamour, slip on a denim shirt with a leather pencil skirt or a pair of leather pants.
• Slim fit black pants - the quality of the fabric and the perfect cut are the most important factors.
• Everyday denim jeans - denim adds attitude and energy to your wardrobe.
• A great suit jacket - worn with jeans, a great top and some gorgeous heels, instantly pulls your whole look together and looks effortlessly glamorous and elegant.
• A great pair of wedges - my go-to shoe when I want the height, comfort and glam factor...

Maturity and life experience has a strange way of giving you confidence, which is very elegant. George Elliot said "It's never to late to be what you might have been", so use your maturity and confidence to wear what you love and what makes you happy!

Parting wisdom from Lauren Hutton "Fashion is what you offered four times a year by designers, and style is what you choose"

Till next week...stay glamorous!

(Inspired by the book Stylish Forever by Alyson Walsh and images courtesy of Pinterest)

Style Tip - FAB A little bit of vanity...

As we get older our maintenance levels increase...we need to find time to look after ourselves a bit more, pay attention to ourselves and take responsibility for ourselves...this week, in our FAB series, I'm talking about our beauty routine as we age and get older. 

I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that - Lauren Bacall. 

Wise words from a beautiful woman. There are no miraculous products out there promising instant facelifts or Botox without the actual knife or needle...but a great skincare regime really does help. We need to take 5 minutes and be nice to ourselves. We need to take care of the whole package, instead of "obsessing" over the tiny details. Our skin is the single most powerful asset we have. Having regular facials with facial massage is a great way to stimulate muscles, improve the circulation and get the skin glowing. Treat your skincare routine like a ritual not a chore...

When it comes to make-up, there isn't one formula - we all have different faces, complexions and personalities...these are my quick fixes:

• Do your research and find a skincare and make-up brand to fulfil your needs
• Concealer is your greatest weapon when it comes to concealing dark circles and hiding tired eyes
• Make the focus your eyes and use an eyeliner you love and feel comfortable using
• Use a blusher to add some colour to your complexion
• Find a lipstick colour and brand you love and stick with it
• The easiest, quickest and cheapest way to stay in "fashion" is to buy a new nail polish

Coco Chanel said - beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself...there is definitely a growing community of woman who believe that looking and feeling good, doesn't involve looking younger...but we still have a long way to go. When it comes to ageing beautifully and gracefully, we must try and remember to dress who we are now, not who we were...

The invisible accessory that defines your style is perfume, it has a magical ability to pull our whole look together with the spritz of a scent...word of caution: try not to overspray. 

What I've learned now I'm in my 4th decade...

• Take a little extra time getting ready
• Less is more
• Keep moving
• It's worth paying a little more for a decent haircut
• Get your eyebrows shaped and tinted by a proffessional
• Look for the right product that suit you and your needs
• Use a decent mirror

I will leave you with these words from Kay Montano - the London make-up artist that has worked with all the biggest and best magazines, photographers and models in the world - "What would I say to my 15 year old self? My 15 year old self wouldn't have listened"

(Inspired by the book Stylish Forever by Alyson Walsh and images courtesy of Pinterest)

Style Tip - FAB Style Tribe...

Welcome to week 3 of my FAB series...this week I want to know - what is your Style Tribe? When we can buy what we want instantly, anytime, day or night though 24 hour online shopping, trends become irrelevant. Now its all about style...style is a work in progress, doing your own thing and being an individual.

Casual Glamour - This is my Style Tribe - relaxed glamour, effortlessly blending day and night the modern way...reliable everyday basics with a "showbiz" piece added for a touch of drama, a look-at-me-standout-piece. In today's fashionable world, shimmer and shine, animal print and embellishment can be worn everyday. Think diamante and denim, khaki and leopard print, sequins and stripes. Adding a little sparkle and bling to your everyday basics is the key to casual glamour with elegance.

Image courtesy of Unique Image on Polyvore

My tips for achieving Casual Glamour in your everyday style are:

• Pile on the accessories
• Add pops of colour to your basics
• Be confident, creative and care how you look

It's all about dressing for yourself in a modern way, always looking polished and investing in a quality wardrobe that is part of your style DNA. The grown-up woman is elegant with discerning taste, knows what suits her and ensures her clothes fit...Although we would like to believe that effortless style comes naturally, we all know it requires effort...Don't follow trends religiously, but  rather know fashion, play with your accessories and spend time on yourself. Grow older with dignity, style and a wardrobe full of effortlessly cool clothes, that are timeless, trend-defying and chic.

What I have learned about fashion:

• Every outfit needs a "showbiz" item
• Don't wait for an "occasion", wear your clothes anytime
• Wear what you like
• Avoid match-matchy
• Buy good quality lingerie
• Buy gorgeous shoes
• Ignore the rules

I'm a stylist, I like being creative and experimenting on myself. As Nick Wakeman - the London based Creative Director of Studio Nicholson once said "I spent my 20s not knowing anything, my 30s working it out, and I'm going to spend my 40s using what I know." She also said "When I turned 40, I stopped caring what people think of me. I will wear what I feel amazing in." Great advice and my style motto from now on!

Nick Wakeman

Fabulous NY stylist and fashion model Linda Rodin said "forget about the wrinkles and focus on the silhouette" So...be yourself, everyone else is already taken - Oscar Wilde

(Inspired by the book Stylish Forever by Alyson Walsh and images courtesy of Pinterest)