I returned to my desk, picked up several of the shopping bags, disappeared into the ladies for a few minutes and changed. When I returned to face myself in the mirror the person staring surprised me. You put on a simple but beautifully cut black suit with a simple black silk blouse and stylish shoes, and you suddenly think: There's a grown-up in the mirror. As I had so rarely dressed up for anything, the transformation surprised me. Clothes have a language, reflecting your sense of self, your class and education, your aspirations and the image you wish to present to the world. Maybe Trish was right: I always saw myself as something of an eternal student in hiking boots and chunky sweaters. But now, having changed into that suit, I appeared to be someone with responsibility and money. Much to my surprise I liked the way I looked...even if I knew I had neither the responsibility nor the salary that the suit signified.

Excerpt from Leaving the World, by Douglas Kennedy

One of my clients, a lady in her 50's, was told recently that women as they age should wear navy. The trouble was that the idea of wearing navy left her cold. Navy, viewed by her as conformist, middle aged and bureaucratic, simply did not suit her sense of self. "I want to be funky, playful and stylish, " she cried enthusiastically, "someone edgy and chic."

Clothes are a great way to give expression to your dreams and aspirations and the internal longings of your soul. In the same way as actors gain reinforcement from their costume, clothing allows you to communicate not just what is but what might be.

The colours, fabric and style of clothing you chose to wear reflects both conscious and unconscious views of your inner self and outer sense of self. As best selling author Douglas Kennedy confirms what you wear communicates both who you are and who you want to be.

Get the edge and dare to be different. Stand out from the crowd and break free from whatever is holding you back,. Create a new self image today. You can begin this process by asking the following questions: How do you want to feel? How do you want to look? What image do you want or need to project externally? How will this help complete your inner and outer transformation? If these questions leave you scratching your head contact me at The Colour Girl for a style make-over. I'd love to help.

Benefits:

• Improved decision making – saving time and money by choosing clothes and accessories in colours that suit you best
• Look more vibrant, younger, healthier, thinner and sexier!
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Enhanced energy and personal success
• Create powerful, lasting first impressions
• Increase your visibility and raise your profile
• Build a reputation that precedes you
• Increase your options by wearing colours you never thought you could
• Gain and maintain a competitive edge
• Fare better in economic downturns
• Attract your soul mate
  

Are you feeling brave enough to change the way you look? Click the following links if either your confidence or self-esteem could do with a boost first.

Labels: Thecolourgirl.com

It's hard to believe but my little baby is now all grown up. Today she turns 18!
There she is with my ol teddy bear - fast approaching 50! No, not really! I have a few years to go. But one thing is certain creating life is one of the most important life roles anyone can ever invest in and commit to.

Unlike my video recorder Hannah didn't come with a manual. As a single parent I had to figure it all out by myself.

Many people say I should write a book about single parenting, going to University when she was 2 and completing my degree when she was 5; starting a business; retraining again, putting her through private schooling and nurturing and encouraging her passions - and somehow maintaining worklife balance and maintaining my sanity.


The truth is where would I start - now she is 18 and life for both of us is really just begining a new, or when she was born and life began in ernest!

I'll reflect on that and get back to you!

In the meantime - HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH BABY GIRL:)

What do you think of my new logo - my wonderful friend Lionel Taylor (www.taylormcallum.co.nz) designed it for me - he is a real whizz. We knew each other when we were 16-17 and this year he FaceBooked me! And voila - look at the marvel he has created. I am helping people bring more colour into their lives.

Here's what one wonderful lady said to me, following a period of deep grief:

Thank you for your guidance and inspiration. You have made me rethink my Autumn palette and I love it! I have still been feeling a little fragile with grieving and your enthusiasm has helped me to be uplifted by colour. I would be interested in contacting the dressmaker at some stage. Where is she based? Thank you for your advice regarding stores that stock my colours. It's great that you are looking for me. Thank you again for being so giving with your time and energy and for brightening my world.

That feedback rocks my world. I feel blessed to be able to help brighten other people's lives:)

Labels: Thecolourgirl.com

Yay! Finally the drought is broken - inspired partly by Piera McArthur and also enlivened by my new love interest:) While visiting Piera in her studio the other day she asked me if I was painting.

"It's too cold" I moaned, wrapping my arms around me for extra effect.
"Stop making excuses, " she frowned.

Duly, but lovingly censored, I headed off to my studio (my converted, and very draughty, garage.) Armed with a few deadlines - art awards and a friends upcoming birthday I was re-inspired.

The title, inspired by the words scrawled along the bottom, initially was...

"I love the way you make me feel.... When we kiss I shudder."

I've since shortened it to, "When we kiss I shudder."


As you can see from the image, I have a few other paintings lined up - one of which is my grandfather - sketched in pencil and awaiting glazes of oil. This has been requested my my mother to sit alongside the portrait I did of my Grandmother and which finalled in the 2008 Adam Portraiture Award

You can view "When we kiss I shudder" and learn more about the inspiration behind the painting here

Labels: Commissioning a work of art, Spirituality in art