I was recently approached by Jemima Carr-Jones, Deputy Style Editor of Bristol University's Independent Student Newspaper Epigram who was interested in picking my brains on what's it's really like being a Personal Stylist.  We talked about the ups, the downs, my clients and how personal styling is a bit like being a therapist......

"Last week I had the privilege of interviewing Karen Lowe, the Bristol based personal stylist and image consultant responsible for instilling new-found confidence in the lives of men and women across the West Country. Whether you’ve lost your style mojo, find yourself with all the clothes, but nothing to wear, or are simply suffering from a lack of inspiration; Karen champions the power of a well-put-together outfit, offering consultancy and advice about how to reinvigorate your wardrobe... and life.

I started following Karen on Instagram about a year ago and a few months later chanced upon her while shopping in a little boutique in Clifton. We started chatting, thankfully (!), and I have since been lucky enough to have the opportunity to pick her brains about what it's like being a personal stylist.

Bearing in mind that designer brands aren't totally suitable for a student budget, I've had to reluctantly resign myself to the fact that, as stylish as I hope to be, I just don't have the cash to splash. Yes, high-street brands usually look like a lot of the stuff on runway, but I often struggle to find cheaper clothing that is as durable and has the quality which the more upmarket stores offer. At least... this is what I thought until I spoke to Karen. Just from talking to Karen for an hour in Boston Tea Party, I was changed. Despite using clothing predominantly from high-street brands, Karen's outfits are both stylish and well made; something that I couldn't reconcile with the price tag. In my interview with Karen, she reveals how a carefully chosen Primark jumper matched with the right accessories can suddenly look as though it were straight off of the rails of And Other Stories. I am a Karen convert and will now look at clothing through fresh, scrupulous and frugal eyes!  Read more:

You may have watched Stacey Dooley’s eye opening documentary last week called Fashion’s Dirty Secret and if you haven’t, I highly recommend you find it on iPlayer (link below) to gain an insight into the reality of fast fashion and over consumption and the devastation it’s causing the environment.  It’s pretty tough going and not an easy watch, but a worthwhile one no less.

I love clothes and fashion and always have and I’m hands up guilty of enjoying shopping a little bit too much, that thrill when you find something you love and it’s a bargain, you know you don’t need it but hey, it’s gorgeous and it’s only £30, but, and it’s a big but, I’ve never really thought about the impact throw away fashion has on the world we live in.  Until now.

Watching textile factories in Indonesia pumping out chemicals and dyes into the dirty, foaming Citarum river where adults and children wash, clean and play and the effects it was having on them was heartbreaking.  Seeing the Aral river, now mostly dried up and desert like due to cotton production puts things clearly into perspective and really, do I need another pair of jeans when the 5 pairs I already have are perfectly fine and good especially when you consider it can take over 15,000 litres of water to grow the cotton to make a pair of jeans.  I don’t think so.  So what can we do?  

For starters, before you go shopping just because you fancy something new, ask yourself do you really need it or can you wear something you already own yet hasn’t seen the light of day for a while?  Can you style it up differently or even take it to your local tailor and make it into something else ie a dress into a top, a maxi dress into a skirt? 

Assess what is in your wardrobe already and look at what gaps you have rather than duplicating something you already own because let’s face it, you really don’t need  another stripey top! Invest in a piece that is going to enhance your collection and won’t end up months later wasting away in your wardrobe with the labels still on or worn once and never again.  

Instead of heading straight to the nearest shopping centre or high street, check out your local charity shops, they are treasure troves of amazing pieces at great prices.  Why not gather all of your friends together and do a style swap, investigate dress agencies or online pre-loved websites - you never know what you may find.  *If one million women bought their next item of clothing second hand instead of new, we would save 6 million kg of carbon pollution from entering the atmosphere*.

Don’t let your heart take over your head when shopping, if you find something you like, ask yourself, how many outfits can I make from this one new item.  If it doesn’t create 3 new outfits from your existing wardrobe don’t buy it otherwise you’ll find yourself on the financial merry go round of having to spend more and more money on new pieces to go with the other items in your wardrobe and needlessly consuming.  Remember “less is more”.  More clothes doesn’t create more choice, it just makes it harder to see what you already have which more often than not means you reach for the same few pieces again and again.  Most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time……Ring any bells with anyone?!  

Be mindful of where you spend your money.  If you can, invest in quality timeless pieces that will stand the test of time and please look after them.  Don’t boil them in the washing machine, or over heat them in the tumble dryer, treat them with love and kindness, you spent your hard earned money on them after all.   Get to know your local independent shops where more often than not the items are not mass produced but manufactured in smaller quantities and always ask yourself “do I really need this and why am I buying it”.  

It’s been an interesting week following on from the documentary.  I had a moment where I questioned my future of being a personal stylist but I honestly believe that using the services of a good stylist is not only beneficial to you but also the environment.  Firstly we aim to get you making the most of your current wardrobe and showing you how to wear more of your clothes more of the time by combining existing pieces in new and exciting ways.  If we do take you shopping , it’s usually with a focussed shopping list and we’re mindful of the choices we’re making for you and don’t suggest buying in vast quantities just for the sake of it regardless of the cost.   One of the things that saddens me most is seeing shoppers loaded down with overweight Primark bags buying in bulk because it’s cheap with the idea being "if it falls apart after a couple of washes, it doesn't really matter because it only cost £10" - it's a false economy.

As your stylist we don’t making buying decisions based on the heart, we will only suggest something for you if it truly enhances your wardrobe and we know it will give you flexibility.  Our aim is to get you to a place where you have a smaller capsule collection of clothes that all co-ordinate and work together and where possible there is minimal divide between work and casual.  

Our priority is to eliminate the need for you to constantly drip feed your wardrobe and ideally we’d like you to only shop twice a year, for autumn/winter and spring/summer. I don’t want to be a fashion kill joy and absolutely appreciate that sometimes you just want to buy something to reenergise older pieces and because you have hook, line and sinker fallen for something that you love, but I would like to encourage you to make sensible buying decisions and not spend to fill an emotional void or out of boredom which is very often the case.  Go for a run instead.  

If we all made small changes to our shopping habits and became more mindful of what our spending is supporting, together we can make a positive difference and stop the mass consumerism that is destroying our planet and peoples lives. 

For further information on how I can help you have a better curated, stylish and timeless selection of clothes that is kinder to the environment and your wallet, email me on karen@karenl.co.uk or have a look at my website: www.karenl.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bn6034/stacey-dooley-investigates-fashions-dirty-secrets
*Statistic courtesy of One Million Women*

It’s not often that I come across an item that makes my heart beat that little bit faster, makes me smile with joy AND has a functional purpose too.  I usually find one is compromised for the other which is always a disappointment so when the gorgeous people at Tovi Sorga contacted me to see if I’d be interested to try their pure leather contactless payment bracelet I was definitely intrigued.  

I first came across this beautiful luxury leather accessories company a couple of years ago when I was looking to purchase a mobile phone case that was worthy of the money spent on my brand new iPhone.  I instantly fell in love with each piece as works of art and knew that I’d found something special that I would enjoy interacting with.  Let’s face it, we spend enough time on our phones so why not make it as pleasurable an experience as possible….but I digress!

There is a wide choice of styles available for the bracelet which are all gorgeous but there was only ever going to be one for me - leopard.  A quick glance at my IG account and you’ll see why!  I knew that it would work with everything in my wardrobe as a stunning piece of jewellery and would create that all important finishing touch.  The great thing about this piece though is that it’s not just a pretty face, it’s also very clever too and is a dab hand at multi-tasking.  

I don’t know about you but I hate carrying a heavy, bulky purse and in this day and age where cash is no longer king, thankfully you don’t need to.  With the contactless payment bracelet there is a concealed payment chip on the inside which allows you to make payments of up to £30 with just a touch of your wrist wherever you see the contactless symbol.  It works with any Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card and all you need to do is download the bPay app or visit bpay.co.uk/tovi-sorga to activate your account.  It really is that simple.  Prices start at £50 and is available in 4 different sizes. 

It’s fair to say I LOVE this bracelet and whenever I wear it, it attracts a lot of attention but for me the beauty is that it does that rare thing of combining form and function so well, so easily and so effortlessly and with Christmas coming up……#justsaying

www.tovisorga.com

I was recently invited by Maria, owner of Shy Mimosa Perfumery in Clifton Village, to come along and experience the world of unique and niche perfumes and learn the stories behind each and every heavenly scented creation.  From the moment I walked in I knew I was in for a very special couple of hours.  As we started chatting it was clear that  both myself and Maria approached our work from a very similar point of view.  We discussed how clothes, shoes and accessories can make a huge difference in how we look and feel but often perfume is overlooked or not even thought about as the unique and final touch.  In response to this I asked Maria to write a blog post for me that would give you some hints on how to match your style with the right scent whether it's 'classic', 'effortless', 'edgy' or 'quirky'.  I hope you enjoy it and if you're looking for something truly special I highly recommend a visit to this oasis of aromas.

More often than not, we want to have the killer outfit that will represent who we really are, but have we thought to complement it with a perfume?  A fragrance that make us feel ourselves but at times to play a certain role, that of a lover, a busy mum or a boardroom boss.

Talking to Karen recently about style, made us think and I’ve picked a few perfumes from our curated collection of artisanal brands to match a few styles.

For a ‘’classic’’ look, I cannot help but reach for the collection by French brand Le Galion that oozes timeless glamour.  Our ultimate choice will be ‘’Sortilege’’, which is a floral perfume, sensual and seductive that gently whispers ‘’timeless sophistication’’.

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/products/view.asp?brand=Le+Galion&name=Sortilege

My choice for an ‘’effortless’’ look will be ‘’Cierge de Lune’’ by Aedes de Venustas.  An elixir of delicate sensuality, inspired by an orchid, which blooms at midnight, ones a year.  This is not just a perfume but a liquid poem dedicated to hidden beauty.

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/products/view.asp?brand=Aedes+de+Venustas&name=Cierge+de+Lune

For those with an ‘’edgy’’ look, my choice is a raw but chic, leathery and refined perfume ‘’B683’’, which is the vision of Marc-Antoine Barrois, a French Couturier, expressing his avant-garde style though exceptional fabrics and beautiful cuts.  A subtle refinement with an edgy look.

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/products/view.asp?brand=Marc%2DAntoine+BARROIS&name=B683

For someone who enjoys a ‘’quirky’’ look I usually reach for any perfume from the brand Gri Gri, inspired by the ancient art of tattooing.  But don’t be alarmed, if you don’t have a tattoo, the perfume police won’t come for you!  The perfumes are unusual, quirky and utterly delectable.  

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/brands/view.asp?name=Gri+Gri+Parfums

We offer a personalised service for anyone who is looking to change their perfume, or looking for a signature scent, either to mark a certain milestone or entering a different chapter in their lives, or just because!  Get in touch with us to arrange your visit www.shymimosa.co.uk/contact/mimosa.co.uk/contact/ 

And finally to finish off with a few tips on how to find the perfect perfume; choose with your emotions and not with your practical mind.  Always try it on your skin, and you will know if it is the one. 

Visit our boutique for more personalised tips. If you are unable to visit, we offer samples to ‘’try before you buy’’ which we will happily post to you.  

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/services/perfume-samples/

I spend a lot of time talking to women about the importance of correctly fitting underwear, mostly bras to be precise. It really is where the start of looking and feeling good really begins and the power of the right size bra should never be underestimated.... but it so often is!

In over 6 years I've helped many women with their style yet can count on one hand the number who were wearing the correct size. Almost always the cup is too small and the band is too big making your boobs look droopy, adding pounds to your overall size and any definition that you may have in your waistline, well it's gone....

When was the last time you prioritised bra shopping over a new top or pair of jeans or specifically went out to be fitted for a new one??? I'd be willing to put money on you saying "not very often". So why not set yourself a task for this month which I guarantee will help to make you look and feel fabulous in your clothes. I was once told by a client who'd been fitted after our wardrobe consultation that she looked like she'd been for a boob job but without the cost!

For extra feel good factor you can then send your old but still in good condition bras to the Smalls for All charity based in Scotland who in their own words are "a Scottish Charity which collects and distributes underwear to help women and children in Africa. We help those living in orphanages, slums, IDP camps and schools, as well as providing underwear to hospitals to help those suffering from medical conditions like obstetric fistula.

Please check out this fantastic charity and do something positive with your unwanted bras or even make a small donation to support their work: www.smallsforall.org and if you want share with all of your female friends - you'd be doing them a favour too!

I listened to this really inspiring Ted talk earlier from Mindy Scheier, a fashion designer, who has a child born with a degenerative disorder and the difficulties he faced not being able to dress himself. As a result his parents, to make it easier for him, bought jogging bottoms which he began to wear every day, for school and parties and everything else in between. He felt that these singled him as all the other kids were wearing 'cool' jeans and he just wanted to fit in. He said that his joggers were making him feel more disabled. And so started the journey for his mum of how to adapt fashionable clothes to not only make him feel good and give him confidence but also allowed him to be "just like everybody else". 
​
I'm in agreement with so much of what she says about the power of clothes, how they can give you confidence, empower you, make you happier, and learnt that scientists have given this a name, Enclothes Cognition. This relates to the symbolic meaning of clothing and the physical experience of wearing the clothes both of which have a direct correlation to how you feel about yourself. I often discuss this with clients and during talks and quote the same fashion pyschologist used in this talk, Dr Karen Pine and how "when you put clothes on you adapt the characteristics of what you are wearing". That's why when you wear your favourite dress or item of clothing that you know you look good in, you feel amazing. 

It's such an interesting talk and for anyone that enjoys clothes and fashion, or even for those of you who think fashion is irrelevant and unnecessary, although I don't know why you'd be following me if you did!!, I highly recommend listening to this engaging and emotional talk whether you have a child with a disability or not.

Please watch and if you do I'd love to hear your thoughts. 
​

When I was asked by Cabot Circus if I would be interested in taking over their social media channels for the day to create 3 #ootd taking inspiration from LFW Spring Summer trends - there was only ever going to be one answer…..yes, yes and yes, okay three!!  

I’m not ashamed to say I’m a dedicated follower of fashion, always have been always will but as an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist it’s my job to know what’s hot and what’s not so that I can interpret the new seasons trends into a variety of different looks for my clients.  

If someone was to ask me to describe my style I guess I’d say at heart I’m a rock chic with a quirky edge!  With this in mind I knew for sure that the trend for slogan tee’s was going to feature as one of my looks.  I decided to go with the theme of ‘3 ways to wear’ as I think it’s important that the items in your wardrobe bring you maximum flexibility creating lots of outfits and not just one.  

Starting in House of Fraser I chose this fab slogan tee from Mango and styled in with distressed boyfriend jeans from Miss Selfridge.  Look 1 includes a heavenly pink (colour of the season) suede biker jacket from All Saints that I had to fight with myself not to bring home - I’m still not convinced it won’t end up in my wardrobe!  Look 2 I went for a more masculine look featuring a tuxedo style boyfriend jacket again from All Saints.  

For Look 3 I wanted to create a low key weekend look so added a beautiful fuchsia cardigan from Mango.  In all of these outfits I’m wearing amazing heels but they would look equally good with white trainers or the shoe of the season - the mule.  Practical AND stylish.

I then headed over to Topshop as I’ve always loved it in there - it’s my happy place!  As soon as I saw the white frilled sleeve jacket I knew it was going to be the centre piece of the ‘3 ways to wear’ frills trend which in case you’ve been walking around with your eyes closed - are EVERYWHERE and on everything: shoes, trousers, tops, dresses, bags, you name it they’re on it. 

​I chose a high waisted (Style Tip: great for making your legs look longer) straight legged style of jean with raw hems (another trend of the season) to pair the jacket with.  Look 1 features a beautiful white shirt with a fluted sleeve and frilled up-standing collar and have you seen those boots - metallic silver - to die for!  The embellished t-shirt in Look 2 brings a bit of sparkle to the outfit in a subtle way and together with the hot pink stiletto’s in my eyes is a winner.  I’ve chosen a more classic theme for Look 3 with a simple camisole and paired it with dusky pink clutch and heels allowing the frilled sleeves to do all the talking.  What do you think - are you a fan of the frill?

Finally it was off to Reiss as a complete contrast and a step outside of my comfort zone.  Sophisticated, elegant and timeless with a modern twist is how I would describe Reiss - not words I would usually use to describe myself but it was great to step outside of my own self-styled box.  Metallics have been hot for a while now and are sticking around for another season and so I chose the silver sleeveless knitted top and paired it with some waxed denim and killer heels for an evening look.  

I always like to play around with texture and so for Look 1 I paired it with a beautiful soft cardigan and cross body bag.  Look 2 I’ve kept it simple and unfussy with focus on the super sparkly clutch bag.  For my final look I couldn’t resist the larger clutch bag and white blazer for a more tailored feel which is my favourite outfit of the three.  The jacket has fantastic tailoring which gives a great silhouette and would suit most shapes and adds a bit of understated glamour to any outfit.    Which is your favourite evening look, 1, 2 or 3?  

Big thanks to Cabot Circus for asking me to do this - I had so much fun and it was a great experience, my only wish is that I could have brought it all home with me…..especially that pink suede biker….!

Follow here:
Instagram: www.instagram/com/cabotcircus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cabotcircusbristol

So you've been given top tips on hair styles and colour from MANE Hairdressing Salon for spring/summer, advice on how to keep your nails moisturised during the colder months from Sarah at Hair & Beauty at No.8 and what foods you should include in your diet to ensure your skin stays glowing from Hali at Truly Nourished. Here is my final expert blog for you from the super talented Jenny Davies Makeup Artist who is talking make-up trends for the coming seasons:

"Hands up who is more than ready for Spring to hurry up and get sprung??? I certainly am!  It really seems like anything goes makeup wise this spring with bright washes of colour on the eyes, beautiful bronzed skin and lip shades to suit everyone! 

Catwalk shows for spring/summer 2016 saw the likes of Oscar de la Renta, DKNY and Nina Ricci opting for beautiful "candy apple" red lips paired with clean, fresh skin whilst houses such as Chanel, Boss and Missoni went with some very cool shades of blue on the eyes!  Another stunning trend on the catwalk was bronzed, glowing skin! Let's face it we all feel better when we have a bit of colour! Ditch the heavy contour and keep the complexion soft and golden by using a sheer foundation with some liquid bronzer such as Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess luminous liquid mixed in to achieve the desired effect. 

It's so great that this seasons trends are looks that all us "regular" girls can adapt to create stylish looks for ourselves! There's a red shade of lippy out there to suit every skin tone. Some of my faves include Bobbi Brown rich lip colour in Blazing Red and Mac's Russian red! 

If you're brave enough to go for a blue eye (I know lots of people will be running for the hills at the very mention of it!) there are ways and means to pull it off! A gorgeous navy smoked out look is always a winner and guaranteed to make your eyes pop! Or for the younger ladies amongst us a bright aquamarine blue pencil just along the bottom waterline can look very cool too! I have a Mac chromagraphic liner and they are amazingly vibrant!

So whatever trend inspires you this spring remember to just have fun with it and if it doesn't work it's no big deal, just wipe it off and try something different"!
Jenny xx

As with all my expert bloggers, I have personally worked with Jenny and as well as being just lovely, she's also really really talented!! Take a look at her FB page to see photos from her many fashion shoots and personal clients and if you have an event coming up where you'd like to have your make up done professionally I can't recommend Jenny enough.
www.facebook.com/Jenny-Davies-Makeup-Artist-3671845333489…/…

The second expert blog that I'm bringing to you this week is from the amazing Hali from Truly Nourished who is giving us some great advice on how to look after our skin nutritionally during the colder months. She's also included an easy to make recipe from her soon to be published book. Enjoy.

"Winter can play havoc with your skin, many people suffer in the colder seasons with dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin. 
Whilst you may be doing all the right things with regards to skincare during winter by using the right products to protect your skin from the cold winds and central heating, there's much more you can do from the inside to help build stronger skin cells and nourishment from within. My top three nutrients for glowing, healthy skin during the winter are:
1. Vitamin C, it's one of the most important vitamins for your skin as it helps to build collagen and elastin, giving us younger, plumper looking skin. Your body uses up vitamin C a lot quicker during winter months as it helps to build our immune system, so make sure you are getting lots of this important vitamin every day by eating leafy greens, citrus fruits, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi fruit, and red, yellow and orange bell peppers. 
2. Omega fatty acids, Fatty acids are essential for great skin, they contain anti-inflammatory nutrients which strengthens the skin barrier. Stock up on chia seeds and flax seeds and add them to your porridge or smoothie. Salmon, sardines, walnuts, eggs and avocados are also great sources of omega fatty acids. 
3. Zinc, to help repair and rebuild the layers of skin during the colder weather, boost collagen production and protect against flare ups, sensitivities, acne and eczema. You can find good sources of zinc in shellfish, quinoa, chick peas, mushrooms, walnuts and all seeds. 

Here's a great skin boosting recipe for you to try.

Superfood Quinoa and Salmon Salad
Serves 2/3
This salad is a great way to boost your Protein and fibre intake for the day, I usually make a big bowl and use up over a few days, great for working lunches too.

Ingredients:
100g Cooked Quinoa
1 small head of broccoli
2 large handfuls of spinach or kale
8 cooked Asparagus tips
2 handfuls of mixed seeds
2 grilled salmon fillets or fresh smoked salmon 
5 radishes sliced 

Salad dressing:
2 tbs Apple Cider vinegar
2tbs cold pressed olive oil
Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt and pepper
Fresh chopped dill or coriander

Method:
Mix the olive oil, vinegar, coriander, salt and pepper in a small bowl to make a dressing.
Mix the remaining ingredients together in a large salad bowl and drizzle the salad dressing all over, enjoy! 
To find out more from Truly Nourished and when my book will be released or to join our mailing list please visit www.trulynourished.org. I'm also on FB so pop over and say hi: www.facebook.com/TNourished/?fref=ts."

Truly Nourished have catered for a couple of events that I've been involved in and the feedback we received from our guests was fantastic, so she comes highly recommended. Hali also has an amazing personal story which she talks about on her website and is a truly inspirational woman whom I greatly admire - so head over to read how she changed her life for the better.

So last week the lovely people at MANE Hairdressing Salon gave you their top trends for Spring Summer. This week, the gorgeous Sara from Hair & Beauty at No.8 is giving us some useful tips on how to look after our nails during the colder months:

"The winter climate can have a detrimental effect on our hands and nails. Like many women I find my hands are drier and my nails weaken and peel in the colder months. So how do we keep our hands and nails looking their best and not embarrassingly hidden away in pockets?

My top tips would be:
- Use a nail oil - massage a small amount into your nail and surrounding skin to give a boost of extra nourishment. This also helps to strengthen your nail. I use a fabulous oil in the salon called "Dadi Oil" which smells divine.

- Secondly, wear gloves! Use rubber gloves when washing up and cleaning. Hot water and chemicals can dry out our skin and soften our nails. We wouldn't clean our face in washing up liquid so try not to expose your hands to it either. Wear gloves when going out in the cold weather, again to stop the cold windy weather from dehydrating our skin.

- And last but not least, use hand cream. Invest in a good quality cream and apply as often as you like. One of my favourites is Mavala Hand and Nail cream. I keep one in my bathroom, hand bag and bedroom so there is always one in easy reach and I have no excuses for not keeping my skin moisturised and nourished. 

For the ultimate hand indulgence why not come in and see me at the salon and treat yourself to a luxury manicure and brighten up the cold grey days by adding a pop of colour onto your nails. It's a small touch that can make a big impact".
- Sara, Hair & Beauty at No. 8

Sara has manicured my nails numerous times over the years and with hand on heart, I can say that she's fantastic. Her attention to detail and finish is second to none - plus she's also really lovely to spend time with. Head over to their FB page to be kept up to date on their special offers. A little birdie told me that for February it's going to be a free paraffin wax treatment for hands or feet with any manicure of pedicure: 
www.facebook.com/No.8Bristol/?fref=ts
www.amebella.co.uk