FRENCH-INSPIRED STYLE, BEAUTY, TRAVEL & LIVING
It’s almost Halloween, the spookiest night of the year : the night when the ghosts of the dead return to earth, and the line between this world and the next becomes blurred. Are you in the Halloween spirit yet? If not, I have just the cure to get you there! Halloween only comes round once …
It has been a while since our last travel guide (and a while since my last travels!) so I thought it was time to a) travel again, although I’m staying in France this time and b) share one of my trips with you, and what better place to start than with what to do and …
Today I want to go through the lessons learned from the outfit challenge, and I also want to thank everyone who participated last week, whether it was in the Facebook group or on Instagram. I hope you have got more clarity on your personal style identity, know what outfits work for you and what don’t, and …
Take a little time at the end of the day to analyse your outfit, so that you can better understand your personal style identity, know what outfits work for you and what don’t, and also make small tweaks to improve your outfit for next time. I also recommend taking photos of your outfit each day – they don’t have to …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about How to dress for your body type and drop a dress size (without dieting or exercise!) It is not uncommon for women to struggle with body image issues. Whether it’s wanting to lose weight, having lost weight, or the inability to keep weight on /off …
Top 12 Colors for Summer 2020 Bright and bold or soft and muted – there is a colour for every taste this summer. Here are my top 12 colors for Summer 2020 and some tips for how to wear them. The Pantone Colour of the Year 2020 is Classic Blue: Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, …
By guest Contributor, Juliette Smith Hi, and Welcome back. I’m really excited to share this guest post about the top ten Instagram worthy spots in Madrid by Juliette Smith from Madrid Discovery. Who better to advise on the best locations than a local? Madrid is the capital city of Spain and mostly known to be …
There has never been a better time to declutter your wardrobe (and make a little extra income). Firstly, many of us are at home with the current pandemic, and decluttering your wardrobe is very therapeutic and a good distraction! It can even be fun! Secondly, for many of us we are at the time of …
How is everyone coping with lockdown? I hope these tips helped a little. Today, I’m sharing a brief update about lockdown, why I think sustainable fashion is so important and my top 5 sustainable fashion brands. One thing I’ve been thinking a lot about during lockdown is the environment. I feel like Mother Nature has …
Although travel is off the agenda at the moment, these 3 European capital cities should definitely be on your bucket list for when we can travel again. 3 European Capital Cities to add to your bucket list. Head to Rome for an amazing cultural experience Without a doubt, Rome is one of the most popular …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, where today I want to share with you my 5 Top Tips to stay sane when you are feeling overwhelmed. Let’s be honest, the world is not calming down, the economy is unpredictable and many of us are feeling overwhelmed, unsure and even burned out from constantly adjusting. But, the key …
“How to dress like a Parisian” is one of our most popular posts, so I thought that I would share 5 French brands you should know about with you today. Before, I go into any detail though, I would just like to say there are lots more than 5 French brands you should know about, …
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about 3 things to remove from your wardrobe today. Do you know that one of the best things you can do to improve your personal style is completely free! Going through your wardrobe and removing anything that doesn’t serve you isn’t just very therapeutic but it …
There are different types of travellers and each have their own preference and reasons for travelling. You may find one who is motivated by thrill, self-improvement or even escapism. You may find that the way each type of traveller looks at destinations may be unique from others. Let’s take a look at some of the …
So, as Valentine’s Day is now just over two weeks away, I thought it was time to share some Valentine’s Day looks you’ll love, whether you’re planning a romantic date, a Galentine’s night with your favourite girls or spending the night with Netflix and Ben and Jerry, there’s an outfit here that will fit the …
In my recent post on 12 European Places to visit in 2020, in January I recommended looking for Winter Sun in Tenerife (a Spanish Island). So, here is bit more information on what to see and do in Tenerife. If you have had enough of the January cold and you want to skip the winter …
There’s something about “French style” that is endlessly intriguing and there are countless magazine articles and books on how to “dress like a Parisian”, “get the French look”, “dress like a French girl” etc. I’ve lived in France for over a quarter of a century, and when it comes down to it, of course, French women …
Make 2020 your year of travel. Whether you’re planning a city break, a family holiday, a cultural trip, a romantic getaway or a beach holiday, here are some suggested European Places to visit in 2020. I’ve given one suggestion per month, but for most destinations any month is equally valid. I limited my picks to 12 places …
Today I want to share with you a story about Swan Lake and the legend of the flottins and flottines, little creatures who arrived at Evian on the shores of Lake Geneva and saved Christmas one winter night. The story takes place in Evian les Bains, a beautiful alpine town on the shores of Lake …
Have you heard of Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style? The Box of Style is a quarterly subscription box, curated by Rachel Zoe and her team featuring over $400 of seasonal fashion and beauty finds for just $99.99. They kindly sent me the Winter Box of Style for review. As a Personal Stylist, I often find …
Set in an oasis of calm in the centre of Nice, the Hotel WindsoR is a charming four star “belle époque” hotel, just a stones throw from the sea front. It was truly the perfect place for a weekend break after a long week! It was heavenly to soak up the calm atmosphere and some …
Three affordable jewellery brands you should know about When it comes to styling, jewellery is the icing on the cake, and enables you to inject a bit of your personality into your look. We all have different tastes in jewellery, some like classic, simple jewellery, others like statement pieces, some like silver, some like gold …
Vienna, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, stunning architecture, delicious cakes (try the ‘sacher-torte‘ – you’ll thank me later!) and rich cultural legacy, is an ideal European travel destination, and here are my top 5 reasons to visit Vienna. Due to its central location in Europe, Vienna is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the …
Today’s is a very short post, as I just wanted to let you know that “The Code of Style” magazine has launched and here is the October (and our first!) cover. The Code of Style Magazine is a NEW Lifestyle & Entertainment Magazine offering digital and print, covering topics in: Fashion, Beauty, Hospitality, Health, Community, …
How to drop a dress size without dieting with these simple style tricks As a Personal Stylist, I often work with women who have been through a transitional period and have put on weight because they have had a baby, been through a stressful event, suffered from illness or been through the menopause. The good …
Vietnam is a tropical paradise nation with so much to offer the tourist, with pristine, unspoilt beaches and lush tropical jungle, and if you are into old architecture, there are some stunning buildings, particularly the temples. Here is a brief guide to some of the best temples to add to your list of must-visit …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our guide to wearing satin. Satin is often regarded as a material that is exclusive to glitzy social events, yet this free-flowing fabric can be worn in a number of ways. Layering with satin is a trend that was started a couple of years ago, and we are …
I am so excited to share with you the first photos of my dream handbag from Sarah Haran. As you know, I am a Personal Stylist and my mission is to empower women and help them look and feel their best every day, by understanding the clothes, styles, colours and accessories that will enhance …
Ways to Fight the Anti-Aging Battle* Aging is inevitable and a totally natural process, but you don’t have to dread it! Here are a few tips to help you fight the anti-aging battle ! The longer you let any skin problems go, the worse they get. Many skin problems can go from practically unnoticeable to …
Hair Care Travel tips As you have seen from my travel posts, (see here, for my recent trip to Madrid) I love travelling and travel whenever and wherever I can. However, it’s not always easy to maintain a beauty and hair care routine when you’re on the road. Firstly, there’s the problem of overweight …