This week was Day 1 + 2 of our first Colour Analysis training course so I've been a little busy but, absolutely LOVING the opportunity to share my experience with our new trainees - and what a fantastic group they are!

After months of behind the scenes planning, I am delighted to announce the launch of my new business 'The Style and Colour Academy' and the dates for our first course in Colour Analysis!

Now that the decorations are back in the loft (?), there is no better time for a fresh start, a declutter (or I prefer to use the word 'edit') - it's time to take back control. Of course, this will mean different things for different people. It might be eating more healthily, drinking less alcohol, sorting the finances, organising your wardrobe or clearing out the kitchen cupboards. For me, it's about re-evaluating my priorities in business and ensuring I am working as effectively as possible (oh and all of the above too of course!) .

With the summer holidays fast approaching the prospect of adorning a swimming costume (or God forbid a bikini) can be a little daunting to say the least! So strut your stuff with confidence this summer by finding out the most flattering swimwear for your body shape using my style guide below...

Doing my own colours.... 'Having your colours done' is not a phrase which means something to everyone. And the 'seasonal system' can appear misleading... people often think if they are a 'Winter' this has a reflection on their character (cold or dark!). So let me enlighten you a little...

If you are new to subscription boxes, this is how they work. For your styling fee of £10 you receive five items of clothing in the post (which can include shoes). You then have seven days to try them at home. Returns are free (as is shipping) - the only money you stand to lose is your £10 styling fee if you choose to return all items. I signed up to STITCH FIX and Lookiero as the two leading names in this relatively new market and these are my findings:

Whilst some people gained weight during lockdown, I put my mind to loosing a little. I think it was something I could have control over and it made me feel better about the chaos and uncertainty around me. But since restrictions have lifted, wining and dining has become my new normal. I know some people may look at these images and feel I have nothing to worry about, but this is about personal comfort zones and comfortable is something which several of my clothes are currently not! My wearable wardrobe is shrinking before my eyes, so until I get back into a healthier routine, I’II need to think creatively with my outfit choices. These are my styling secrets to help disguise some of the summer holiday indulgences… Smock dresses – our saving grace this summer! Loose fitting, cool and comfortable and not a muffin top in sight. Shirt dresses – shirt dresses are so on trend this summer. By tying the belt above your tummy this keeps the focus on your slimmest part. A slightly fuller skirt can help to disguise the extent of the tummy bulge too! Try keeping bottoms more fitted and tops looser (or oversized) – stretchy high waisted jeggings (best in a relatively thick denim) will help secure any spare tyres. Team with a bubble hem top or tops tied at the bottom to skim over (not cling to) your stomach. Be brave with prints! A print will provide an excellent distraction from unwanted lumps or bumps – always a winner. If you are anything like me, my weight fluctuates throughout the year. It doesn’t mean you need to buy more clothes, or size up. Personal styling is about finding the most flattering clothes to make the most of our bodies, so have a play with the clothes in your wardrobe to find your most flattering combinations. For more personal styling advice visit www.styleandcolour.co.uk or email me wendy@styleandcolour.co.uk

Allocating some time to a charity shop spree provides a guilt free way to shop. You can put your hands on a whole variety of colours (irrespective of the current trends) and find some truly inspiring items to add excitement to your wardrobe for a fraction of the price of the high street. And the best part is that it encourages you to be more daring... if it's not right when you get it home, it doesn't matter! You've contributed to a bigger, better cause. I've done a number of face-to-face colour appointments over the past couple of weeks and talked to all my clients about red. EVERYONE can wear it but it's all about finding the right tone. The 'right' red for me is a pink (not orange) tone so I was over the moon to find this dress on a charity shop run. Hunting through charity shops was a regular past time when I was younger.... I would find some fantastic fabrics in dated styles and 'up style' them with my Grandma's old sewing machine. Well, I don't get there quite as often, but if I can, I still love to mooch. Last week I popped into Acorns and found this beautiful red dress (just £7) and and gorgeous chunky, large scale, silver bracelet (£2)! LOVE THEM! Who wouldn't? Style it up with an animal scarf or a woven belt, a bright red lipstick and BANG! Just £9 for a a new outfit and all to a good cause. Do you know which red is the right red for you? x https://www.styleandcolour.co.uk/shop/Face-to-Face-Colour-Analysis-p365044639

The ‘rules’ are simple – there are none! In fact, the more courageous you are, the more considered the outfit will appear. However, if the concept is new to you, I would suggest trying the following to ease you in: Stripes worn with florals (or animal print with spots) creates an easy start and these are items which most of us will have in our wardrobes. You can even just use a floral scarf with a striped top to get you going. Use complementary colours (if you are not sure what these are, have a look at my earlier blog on colours which work well together. Separating the clash with a waist belt suggests a sense of informed decision in your look and can add the perfect finishing touch. Once you’ve found your confidence with this look, you can begin to consider the benefits of flattering print placement too! A vertical line down the middle of a blouse or dress is great for larger busts as it elongates and narrows. Broken stripes on an outfit causes confusion to the eye and can create a distraction from a rounded tummy. In fact, prints in general can be hugely successful in disguising unwanted lumps and bumps! BEWARE!!! This look does come with one warning! Trying to make the prints match has the potential to leave you with an outfit where onlookers are not entirely sure whether you are making a statement or got dressed in the dark! Print clashing is about mixing it up with CONFIDENCE, so if you still feel nervous but are desperate to give it a try, keep an eye out for the garments which have been made featuring two prints of different patterns or colours already for you. Still not sold? Have a look at my Colour Analysis and Style Advice services to help build your style know-how and grown in self-confidence. Wendy x