How to wear ‘Nautical’ for Redheads

Casual Monday Outfit

Spring is just around the corner (I hope!) and it’s always a good time to get out those striped tops and ‘do a bit of nautical’. The trouble is that if you have Warm colouring those black and white or navy and white stripes with a classic black or beige trench can play havoc with your complexion and make you look really washed out. So what’s a girl to do if she’s got lovely auburn hair and green eyes? I’ve put together this outfit just for you!

Nautical Trend 2011

I’ve chosen a brown cord trench coat worn with gorgeous camel skinny cargo trousers tucked into boots. For that nautical ‘look’ I opted for a long striped tunic from Warehouse worn with this three colour belt. For added cosiness (it’s not Spring quite yet!), I chose a camel coloured boyfriend cardigan from Top Shop and a fabulous fringed scarf from Jane Norman. Throw the look together with a pair of bronze earrings, a cocktail ring and your favourite bag and you’re ready to go out! Fabulous!

For more styling advice directly to your email click on the Follow Me! button and type in your email address.

For one on one personal colour analysis or personal styling consultations contact me at isabel.defelice@cmb.co.uk or by phone on 01932 224302.

Why not join the conversation and follow me on Twitter @isabeldefelice or post a comment on my FanPage at http://www.facebook.com/isabeldefelice.imageconsultant

Isabel's Casual Monday Outfit for Warm Colouring by Isabel de Felice featuring browning boots

stripe box tunic
$45 - warehouse.co.uk
Knit tunics »

Knitted Boyfriend Cardigan
$90 - topshop.com
Knit cardigan »

Misses Signature Luxe Corduroy Collection:Trench Coat - Brown
$59 - spiegel.com
Trench coats »

Live Cargo Java Camel Brown Trousers
13 GBP - vanmildert.com
Cargo pants »

Clarks Women's Cardy Boot,Cafe Brown Leather,5.5 M US
$165 - endless.com
Browning boots »

Mulberry bags BROWN
914 GBP - matchesfashion.com
Oversized bags »

Barse Semiprecious Cocktail Ring
$50 - nordstrom.com
Cocktail rings »

Kalevala Moon Goddess Bronze Earrings - Small
$90 - finnishgifts.com
Bronze earrings »

Genuine Leather Belt
$30 - yesstyle.com
Genuine leather belts »

fringed lace scarf
12 GBP - janenorman.co.uk
Lace shawls »

 

 

How to Vamp Up for Valentine’s Day…

How to Vamp Up This Valentine’s

More and more people are celebrating Valentine’s Day with an evening out and an evening out means a killer outfit.

Before you go rushing out to the stores, maybe a little rummaging in your wardrobe might do the trick.

Show a little lace…

One of the key trends for the new season is showing your bra whenever possible!

Simply unbutton your blouse a little lower than usual to show off your satin, patterned, or lacy bra.  If you’re too shy for the full on lingerie look then wear a smart jacket or cardigan over a pretty camisole and allow the front to show a bit.

Valentine’s Red

Alexon Red Dress

It doesn’t matter if you are in a couple or not, Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful excuse to put on a great dress and go out. Whilst we might be bombarded with everything heart-shaped and red, it doesn’t mean you have to wear red head-to-toe.

Red is the colour of love, romance and passion! Nothing boosts the energy or sets the pulse racing more than a splash of red.  Red will also make you feel more confident on the night but if red isn’t for you, maybe try pink. From baby pink to fuchsia, this shade will bring out your feminine side and suggests gentleness and empathy.

Or, to go with the new season’s fruity theme why not try orange? From subtle apricot to tangerine, these shades show that you are vibrant (from the red tones) and cheerful (from the yellow tones).

The shops are already full of the LRD (little red dress) so if red it has to be, you will be spoiled for choice.

Just make sure you choose the right shade for you and you will have compliments galore!

Valentine’s Make-up…Add some va va voom!

You want your make-up to look natural, but if there isn’t a special person to bring a blush to your cheeks this Valentine’s then dab on a little CMB cream blush for a fresh, healthy look.

Add a bolder red lip colour like a ruby or tomato to lift your look and brighten your spirits in the winter months.

How to dress slim on the big night…

No time to drop a dress size before the day?

Colour Me Slimmer – The NEW book by Colour me beautiful on clever dressing for a slimmer you is out now!

“There comes a time in many a woman’s life when she wishes she could look and feel a little slimmer. So whatever her size or age, Colour Me Slimmer will help her to gain the confidence to dress with style and flair, while making the most of the attributes that nature has given her.”

The latest book takes a closer look at clever dressing and will show you how to make the most of the good bits, and how to work with the problem areas to create the perfect wardrobe for a slimmer look.

Be Body Positive!

What's your shape?

Dressing well and looking good isn’t about size, it’s about shape. The ‘ideal’ body shape is evenly proportioned and balanced and this is what we try to emulate when dressing our own body by choosing the right styles, cuts, fabrics and colours to suit us.

As an image consultant I’ve seen hundreds of women and I understand the challenges of dressing well because I know that whether a size 10 or a size 18, we all have issues with at least one area of our body. We all want to appear to have the perfectly balanced figure and the trick is to understand how to dress the individual parts of our body to achieve that.

After all, we all come in different shapes, heights, sizes and scale don’t we?. Your body may be straight or it may be curvy or it may be a combination of both.  Knowing your shape and how to dress it is the first step to discovering a new, gorgeous and slimmer you.  And there’s no dieting involved!

How to look fabulous instantly….

Your personalised style 'rules' workbook

The Imagewise Personal Style & Body Shapes consultation is your simple, straightforward guide and your first step to understanding, working with and appreciating the figure you have.

I’ll take you through the various aspects of your image to help you determine the best top to toe style choices for you.

– Find out which colour combinations make you look slimmer, younger and more radiant

– Learn about the shape of the different parts of your body and which clothes and fabrics will flatter you

– Understand scale, proportion and posture for a balanced look

– Receive wardrobe advice for your lifestyle

– Get the foundations right with the best underwear for your shape

– Discover how to use make-up as your secret weapon

So if you’ve been struggling finding the right clothes for your shape, want to look and feel fabulous everyday (and not just on Valentine’s Day) or you want to look instantly slimmer, taller or balance your body shape, then book a Style & Body Shape Consultation today…

Gift Vouchers

Or better still….ask your partner to buy you one as a Valentine’s Gift.

We offer gift vouchers for all of our services.

 

 

Simply call us on 01932 224302 or email us at isabel.defelice@cmb.co.uk and leave the rest to us….

What to buy her?  Top tips for guys…

Heart Pendant by Tiffany

Make sure you are aware of your loved one’s size before buying anything; lack of research could ruin your hard work.

Make a note of her personal style and choose something that fits into it.

Push out the budget and buy the best you can afford.

Make sure you wrap it well, presentation is key!

Sexy underwear that she wouldn’t ordinarily buy herself, think Victoria’s Secrets not Ann Summers.

If you’re going to go for flowers break away from the predictable red roses and get something with vibrant colours like the ‘Bird of Paradise’.

Try a glamorous bag to jazz up her LBD (little black dress). Accessorize has a good selection of evening bags.

Classic jewellery, like pendants, should always please.

And lastly don’t let your card bring down your present, put some thought into choosing that also!

For personal shopping trips, Gift Experience vouchers for any of our services or further advice you can contact me on 01932 224302 or by email at isabel.defelice@cmb.co.uk.

And finally…Just A little bit of fun trivia about lingerie

Last year Britons spent a huge £786 million on bras

1 in 10 people wear their underwear for three days in a row, while nearly half admit to wearing none on a night out!

The average female bust measures in at 38.5in, 50% of woman are a D+ cup size

M&S sell a pair of knickers every second. ‘Boy shorts’ have overtaken G-strings as the most popular design

Half of all consumers say comfort and fit are the most important factors

BHS claim that if they lined up all their knickers sold in spring/summer they would stretch from Lands End to John o’Groats.

Have a great Valentine’s Day!

All the best

Isabelx

Dress to Drill…Looking good at the gym…

Dress to Drill – Workout Style Tips

Sportswear from NEXT Spring 2011

After the excess of the holidays, January often finds us feeling sluggish and in need of redressing our overindulgences.The best way to approach getting back on form is to set yourself realistic goals and ease into a regular fitness routine.

The key to getting started is motivation, and what better way to get you in the mood for exercising than to invest in some colourful, stylish sportswear.

 

Essentials – Get a good bra!

Figleaves Sports Bra Spring 2011

Whatever fitness routine you decide to take-up you first need to make sure that you invest in good sports bra. You need a good, comfortable fit and proper support in all the right places. The important thing for ladies to remember when exercising is that you will need even more support for your bust than you do in your regular bra. You also want to feel good in your workout clothes so make sure you choose your best and most energising colours and styles that flatter your figure.

The gym – What to wear?

The mistake we often make with exercising is that we think it doesn’t matter what we wear as long as it’s comfortable. We frequently opt for the baggy t-shirt as it covers a multitude of sins and then wonder why we feel dreadful when we see ourselves in the mirror down the gym. If you wear something that flatters your body shape in an uplifting colour you will already feel better about the way you look which will motivate you to keep up the exercise.

Pretty Coloured Sports Top from M&S Spring 2011

Tips for Tops:

Look for tops in the brightest colours within your colour palette. Reds and pinks are great energising shades, just make sure they are the right reds and pinks for you. Greens and yellows can be uplifting too.

Don’t wear a strappy top if you hate your upper arms, wear a t-shirt or three-quarter length sleeves instead.

Make sure you wear a top that fits well and doesn’t look like you’re hiding in a tent!

Tips for Bottoms:

Find styles that complement your figure and don’t attract attention to your ‘problem’ areas. Draw focus away from the thighs or bottom by wearing a darker colour on your bottom half and keep the lighter and brighter colours for your top.

Outdoor workout – Style Advice:

Feminine Charcoal Jacket by Sweaty Betty Spring 2011 collection

Exercising outdoors means you need to prepare for the cold and layering is the key here. To avoid feeling like the Michelin woman, invest in some lightweight sports clothes that are designed to keep you warm without weighing you down. It’s worth finding a good quality lightweight waterproof jacket that keeps out the wind and wet. Remember to look for colours and styles that you feel good in; Lycra leggings don’t look good on most of us, jogging bottoms are more cosy and comfortable to exercise in and come in a range of stylish designs.

Tips for outdoor clothes:

Layers should be lightweight and your top layer should be something you can unzip easily, you can then take it off and tie it around your waist if you get too warm.

Sleeveless jackets give an extra layer of warmth without adding a lot of bulk.

For really cold days wear a fun hat and gloves as numb fingers and painful ears will take the pleasure out of your run/walk.

Final thoughts…

Colourful Sweatshirt from Littlewoods Spring 2011 collection

It’s worth spending more money on your sportswear to get a flattering fit and the right support you need and it will last longer. If you need guidance on the right styles for you then why not contact me about a Colour Analysis or Personal Styling & Body Shapes Consultation and I’ll solve your dressing dilemmas – forever!

You can contact me by phone on 01932 224302 or by email at isabel.defelice@cmb.co.uk

Enjoy your workouts!

All the best…Isabel xx

 

Isabel de Felice is an award winning image consultant, stylist and personal shopper with Colour me Beautiful

 

Feel Good in 2011..

New Year…New Confident YOU!

Get back your feel good factor…

Time for a change?

You spent December rushing around thinking about everyone else, now it’s time to focus on you. There is no better time to reassess your style and your wardrobe than at the beginning of a brand new year so get ready to kick-start your feel-good factor in 2011 with a positive and confident new you.

Feel Good Make-up Tips…

Our face is the first thing people see when they greet us so you want to make sure it’s looking its best. At this time of year your skin needs a lot of care and a little cosmetic help to get some brightness back in to your complexion.

Must have basics:

Skin Adjuster – to help keep redness caused by the cold wind at bay

Morning Light Foundation – to give a balanced complexion and all over protection

Concealer – to help tone down dark circles and blemishes

Keep your eyes looking bright…

After the Christmas excesses your eyes may feel a bit dull so keep drinking plenty of water and invest in some eye drops.

For make-up, wear a lighter shadow and keep the darker shades for just a little definition as they will emphasise any tiredness around the eyes. Colours with a bit of shimmer or in lighter shades applied in the centre of the lid will lift and brighten the eye.

For shimmer choose from:
Gold Whisper, Indian Ocean or Khaki.

For light shades choose from:
Melon, Peppermint, Lavender Bliss or Pearl.

Gorgeous lips…

Dry lips pale out our complexion so keep them regularly moisturised and wear a fabulous colour lipstick to lift your spirits in these dark days.

Feel Good Styling & Wardrobe Tips…

 

Time for a de-clutter?

How many feel good outfits do you own?

In reality most women have only about 3 or 4 outfits that they really enjoy wearing. Why?  Mainly because they believe that looking good costs money or they get into style ruts and make bad shopping choices. When you open your wardrobe you should feel happy with everything you see and know that you will look good every day, not just on the ‘good outfit’ days.

‘Casual’ doesn’t mean ‘Can’t be bothered’

Casual doesn’t have to mean baggy old t-shirts over badly fitting trousers!  You should still feel good about yourself in your dress down clothes. Making your casual wear more stylish doesn’t need to be expensive either…it just needs a bit of thought. Your jeans should always be a good fit and flatter your shape. Wear a top with a bit of interest; it might just be in a fabulous colour or in a cut that looks great on you. Even adding a key accessory can up the ante in your casual style stakes.

A pair of leggings and jumper dress or tunic can look stylish and still be comfy at the same time. Just make sure you get a good quality pair of leggings and that the tunic is an appropriate length and suits your shape. Just a little effort will make all the difference to how you feel, even on the dress down days.

Your size doesn’t matter…you shape does!

Though you may not feel your best post-Christmas, remember, you don’t have to be a size 8 to look good. Women are meant to have curves, it is natural, it is sexy and it is feminine. Fashion has recently returned to more womanly shapes and being ultra-feminine, so celebrate your fabulous curves, learn how to dress them and enjoy making yourself look fabulous.

Five top tips for a ‘Feel Good’ wardrobe…

Feel good in your clothes...

First of all a wardrobe weed is essential. Throw away items with the ‘ugh’ factor. Any items that get the ‘ugh’ reaction must be assigned to charity, friends who look good in them or recycling!

– Pick out the items in your wardrobe that you do like and think about why you enjoy wearing them and what it is about them that suits you.

– Consider your personal style, what do you like your clothes to say about you?

– Learn to understand your body shape and find cuts and fabrics that work with your body-lines.

– When you have done a bit of self-assessment you can start doing some research into finding the right clothes for you. Pick out the retailers with ranges that appeal to you and have the right cuts and fabrics that suit you.

Start your New Year taking care of you and get some valuable style advice.  Contact me for more details about a Personal Style & Body Shape Consultation, Personal Shopping Trips or my Wardrobe Weeding & De-Cluttering service.

Contact details:

Tel: 01932 224302

Email: isabel.defelice@cmb.co.uk

Have a feel good New Year…All the best…

Isabelx

Expert advice from Colour me Beautiful's award winning consultant - Isabel de Felice