Changing direction

"Adjusting to a new path and a new direction will require new qualities and strengths, and these qualities are always exactly what we need to acquire in order to accomplish the great things ahead in our life"

- Rhonda Byrne, author of 'The Secret'

Recently I have found myself in a new place, crossing unchartered waters. Many changes have occurred in the last few months, both in my career and in my life. Whilst I have embraced them wholeheartedly, a fear of the unknown has haunted me, and at times overwhelmed me.

The following passage feels incredibly empowering, and helps me to know that I am in exactly the right place, and the decisions I am  making are taking me to where I want to be. I love the idea that my older self is somehow pulling or willing me along to join her. It is so liberating. Suddenly there are no mistakes, but choices that have allowed me my life experiences. Understanding where I am and accepting these choices helps me to stay calm and focussed.

"My thoughts turn to something I read once, something the Zen Buddhists believe. They say that an oak tree is brought into creation by two forces at the same time. Obviously, there is the acorn from which it all begins, the seed which holds all the promise and potential, which grows into the tree. Everybody can see that. But only a few can recognize that there is another force operating here as well - the future tree itself, which wants so badly to exist that it pulls the acorn into being, drawing the seedling forth with longing out of the void, guiding the evolution from nothingness to maturity. In this respect, say the Zens, it is the oak tree that creates the very acorn from which it was born.

I think about the woman I have become lately, about the life that I am now living, and about how much I always wanted to be this person and live this life, liberated from the farce of pretending to be anyone other than myself. I think of everything I endured before getting here and wonder if it was me- I mean, this happy and balanced me, who is now dozing on the deck of the small Indonesian fishing boat-who pulled the other, younger, more confused and more struggling me forward during all those hard years. The younger me was the acorn full of potential, but it was the older me, the already-existent oak, who was saying the whole time-'Yes-grow! Change! Evolve!Come and meet me here, where I already exist in wholeness and maturity! I need you to grow into me!' 

-"Eat Pray Love", Elizabeth Gilbert

Making Space

My job as a style coach includes helping others clean out their wardrobes. I have styled both men and women, and am always fascinated to see how the different sexes shop. 

No doubt it will come as no surprise that whilst men are more practical in how they choose their clothes, women are far more emotional. 

Men tend to find a style they like, pick their size and 'job done'! Women, however, are much more preoccupied with a barrage of questions: do I like it? do I feel good? do I look fat? will my partner like it? will I fit in? etc etc

Clearing out your wardrobe can therefore be a daunting task as it is likely some buried emotions will resurface with the memory of  an old dress, top or outfit. We hold on to clothes for all sorts of reasons, perhaps in the hope we might lost those few pounds, or that fashion might re-emerge again, or simply we can't let go of the past.

I was sent this piece, based on the principles of Buddhism. It might  just help in taking that first step to opening the cupboard doors!

THE PRINCIPLE OF EMPTINESS

- Joseph Newton

Have you got the habit of hoarding useless objects, thinking that one day, who knows when, you may need them?

Have you got the habit of accumulating money, and not spending it because you think that in the future you may be in want of it?

Have you got the habit of storing clothes, shoes, furniture, utensils and other home supplies that you haven't used for some time?

And Inside Yourself............? Have you got the habit to keep reproaches, resentment, sadness, fears and more?
Don't do it! You are going against your prosperity!
It is necessary to make room, to leave an empty space in order to allow new things to arrive to your life.
It is necessary that you get rid of all the useless things that are in you and in your life, in order to prosperity to arrive.
The force of this emptiness is one that will absorb and attract all that you wish.
As long as you are materially or emotionally holding old and useless feelings, you won't have room for new opportunities.
Goods must circulate...
Clean your drawers, the wardrobes, the workshop, the garage...
Give away what you don't use any longer...
The attitude of keeping a heap of useless stuff ties your life down.
It's not the objects you keep that stagnate your life but rather the attitude of keeping...
When we keep in store, we consider the possibility of wanting of penury...
We believe that tomorrow it may lack, and that we won't be able to fulfill those necessities...
With that idea, you are sending two messages to your brain and to your life:
That you don't trust tomorrow and you think that the new and the better are not for you,
For this reason you cheer yourself up by storing old and useless stuff.
Get rid of what lost its colour and brightness....
Let the new enter your home and your life.

May prosperity and peace reach you soon.

How to really love a child

I loved this so much I just had to share it...

...A manifesto for bringing up my children! 

Growing old gracefully

"Guard your tongue in youth,
and in age you may mature a thought

that will be of service to your people."

 - Minquass

The Native Americans placed a huge amount of respect and importance in their Elders. They believed their Elders held the answers, and that there was much to learn from them. Their Elders kept their culture alive. 

In my earlier post, Rites of Passage, I touched on the subject of those who avoid growing up, and strive to stay young for as long as possible. The idea of growing up seems to create a huge amount of resistance in some. Fear of the unknown is undoubtedly a major factor, but what is it that makes some so scared of growing old and growing up? 

Inevitably, as we grow older we recognise our own mortality more and more. Understandably, death can be a frightening thought. Although, it is interesting to note that many who have faced it and been brought back to life, have reported a feeling of tranquility and acceptance.

When it comes to growing up, it seems that the common theme is a fear that it somehow makes you boring! That one must dress frumpily and lose their spontaneity and zest for life. 

"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional" seems to reiterate this idea. 

But where did this idea come from?

I wonder if it began with the advent of the teenager in the Fifties. Until then there had been no definition for this hormonally challenging time in a person's life. Children were smaller versions of their parents, and were expected to follow in their footsteps into adulthood. After the war, expectations began to change and teenagers found themselves with more independence and a new found freedom. Popular music and clothing helped to create this division between teenagers and adults. Since then, teenagers have long looked for a way to differentiate themselves from their parents and create their own identity.

These days, people seem to stay younger for longer. 30 is the new 21, and 40 is the new 30, etc, etc. As a society, we are continually looking for ways to make ourselves remain young. Be it beauty products, the way we dress, the music we listen to. 

But what does it actually mean to be a grown up? Is it not possible to retain your inner child, and release it from time to time?

In the film "Lars & The Real Girl", Lars suffers from delusions, and believes a blow-up doll is his real life girlfriend. The film is a touching and comical look at how he works through his condition, and how the community pull together to support him. An underlying theme and turning point of the film, is his struggle to become an adult. He goes to his older brother for advice:

LARS: "How did you know that you were a man?....."

GUS: "It's not like you're all one thing  or the other, you're still a kid inside. You grow up when you decide to do right; and not what's right for you, what's right for everybody. Even when it hurts."

LARS: "Ok. Like what?"

GUS: "Like you don't jerk people around. You don't cheat on your woman. You take care of your family. You admit when you are wrong, or you try to anyways."

Many countries still celebrate this momentous rite of passage with ceremonies and rituals. This was the Native American Indian boys ritual to manhood:

The Legend of the Indian youth's Rite of Passage

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.

He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.

It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

In the past, 21 was considered the moment when one became an adult. The gift of a key represented the start of adult life. These days it seems there is a reluctance in a growing number of people to open the door and venture on to the 'other side'. It seems to me that we need to bring back some sort of initiation into adulthood, and support one another within the community.

How would it be if we began celebrating growing old as a positive and valued rite of passage? Replacing the resistance with acceptance. Respecting and valuing our Elders more.

I have a feeling we would be a lot happier and nicer to one another. Perhaps it would help to alleviate our fears as we see our own Elders more content with themselves. 

Doing right by yourself and by others certainly makes one feel happier. The responsibilities of life don't need to be  a burden, they are after all, what maketh the man.

If one can be a 'grown up' and  still be young at heart, maybe it might enable a greater understanding of the younger generation. In turn, perhaps we might get more respect from teenagers. Who knows they might start listening to their Elders more, asking questions to gain wisdom, knowledge and acceptance.

"Do not regret growing older.  

It is a privilege denied to many. " 

~Author Unknown

Soul Mates

'People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave.'

Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Positive Beauty Manifesto

WE BELIEVE...
1     Beauty is the celebration of what is unique about each one of us
2     Taking the time to care for ourselves boosts our self-confidence
3      Beauty and femininity are complex, and should not follow a simplistic set of rules or universal conventions
4     Beauty should celebrate intelligent, individual and confident role models
5      Being bombarded by unattainably perfect beauty ideals can damage that confidence
6      True beauty radiates who we truly are, including all our imperfections
7      Feeling beautiful is more important than looking beautiful
8      A woman can play with her image, make-up and clothes without being superficial
9      Neither neglecting your appearance nor obsessing about it are healthy signs for women
10  We can be beautiful without being young, overtly sexy or thin

-Psychologies Magazine

Memories in the attic

I am in the process of de-cluttering my flat and making space for my new life. My loft is stuffed with goodness knows what, from old fancy dress costumes to numerous fabrics and tins of paint.

Last week, with a friend and her daughter visiting, I got down the bag of toys saved for when children come to visit. At the bottom of the bag was a felt bag full of fabric dolls I had made over twenty years ago.

It had been a project for my mum's school, the dolls were all the characters from the Roger Red Hat books.

I spent hours, days, weeks & months stitching and creating each doll and making a bag of The Village with Three Corners. I was probably about fifteen when I made them, and so much teenage angst must have been poured into every stitch.

Twenty years on and as I looked through the torn and tattered dolls (covered in what could only be moth eggs) I realised it was time to throw them away. A week of avoiding the issue, and tonight I finally said goodbye.

So, in memory of the dolls, here they are in all their tatty glory:

Roger Red Hat & family

Billy Blue Hat & family

An old couple?

Sita & Ramu - weirdly, none of their eyes survived!

Percy Green Hat, don't know where his dad is...

Johnny Yellow Hat may well have lived with his Grandparents.
Sadly his twin sister Jennifer is nowhere to be seen.

It's strange how much we cling to things and find it difficult to throw them away. Even if they become a millstone around our necks, it can be hard to let go.

In the end, it wasn't actually as difficult as I had anticipated. It feels good to have photographs to remember them,  and even better to feel just that little bit lighter.

The Art of French Baking

I have been in desperate need of cheering myself up after a very long and demanding week. I thought I should take my own advice and do something for me. 

So what better way than with my new cookbook "The Art of French Baking". Macaroons & chocolate filled croquantes. Presentation needs working on, but they are delish!

Now for a nice cup of afternoon tea...

Fountain of Love

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." - Buddha

"Fountains of Love" - Cherished Memories

February is traditionally the month of love. We are in the depths of Winter and with the weather so cold outside, it is particularly important to nourish ourselves with both love and sustenance.

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world" - Lucille Ball

Loving yourself is to give yourself what you need and to allow others to give to you too. For many women, this is a struggle. So well practiced in looking after others and worrying about others needs, when it comes to themselves, they feel selfish and perhaps unworthy of love.

Rory Raye is a relationship coach, her blog at www.havetherelationshipyouwant.com has some great advice for women. One visualisation exercise she suggests is to imagine that you are a waterwheel:

Circle your hands towards you, imagine yourself receiving love and affection and bringing them to your own heart, circling down your body, coming up and giving back love and affection.

Now reverse this, and turn the wheel out from your heart, giving love and affection, coming up your body, and scooping out more love and affection.

Which feels better for you?

I instantly felt better receiving love, I could see that having love in the first place made it easy to then give some back. Reversing the wheel, I felt like I would run low on love, because there was nothing coming back for me.

As a fountain overflows because it is full, when our hearts are full of love, we overflow with love and happily give back to others. If there is nothing coming back for ourselves, the fountain will run dry and we will have nothing left to give.

Somewhere along the way, we have been sold the idea that being selfish is a bad thing. The reality is that there is nothing wrong with being selfish sometimes, especially when we need it. I don't mean disregarding everyone else in favour of ourselves all the time, but rather, taking some 'Me Time" when things get tough and we feel tired and low on energy. To be completely selfless all of the time can be very destructive, resentment can set in as we feel unappreciated. It is helpful to learn to recognise the signs that we have begun to give too much.

I know when I have been expending too much energy I find myself feeling tearful, or I become irritable and begin to blame others for their lack of attention to me. As soon as I hear myself say "they don't appreciate me", "I do so much for them, or "they are so ungrateful" these are my signals that I need to take some time out and give back to myself. Fill up my fountain, so that I can overflow once more and give when I have enough for myself.

What are your signs?

It might be helpful to consider:

"Giving myself away and being stingy are not my only options. I can share myself. Yet to share myself I have to have a self to share."

"Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much" - Anne Wilson Schaef

Throughout February, I will be exploring 'Me Time' in more depth and thinking about what  we can do to help ourselves feel better.

Rites of Passage

A rite of passage marks a person's move from one state to another. Throughout our lives we go through a number of different transitions as we embark upon new phases of our lives. It can often be defined by a big event, such as milestone birthday, marriage, or birth.

According to Arnold van Gennep, an anthropologist of the 20th Century, there are three phases to a rite of passage:

DETACHMENT

A motion of cutting away from the former self.

TRANSITION 

The period between two states where one has left the former self but not yet found the next.

REINCORPORATION

The rite is completed. One has accepted and assumed their new identity, and re-enters society in their new form.

Detachment often involves some sort of change in appearance, be it a haircut or a whole new wardrobe. What we wear can have a huge impact on how we feel, often assisting these difficult transitions in our lives. It can be a painful time as we struggle to let go of who we once were, and move on to the next stage.

THE FIRST RITE

Last summer, my niece, Grace, unwittingly highlighted her first rite of passage perfectly for me. She was to begin school in September, & whilst she was excited I could tell she was nervous & anxious of what this change would bring. One morning whilst chatting, her younger sister, Evie, walked in. I greeted her with delight and a tone appropriate to her tender age of two. Grace's bottom lip suddenly protruded and she exclaimed "I want you to talk to me like that!" Whilst she clearly wanted to grow up and enjoy the privileges that came with it, part of her wanted to stay in the safety of what she knew. A few months later, and she is of course flourishing and fully grown into her new role.

School uniform can help, a useful tool to aid a child on their journey. It differentiates them from their younger siblings, encouraging the transition to the next stage of school life. A uniform can create a sense of belonging, somewhere other than the family home. However, as we grow up and become teenagers, the school uniform can come to represent something we no longer want to be asscociated with as we struggle with self-expression and individuality. And so begins another rite of passage.

1991- my school blazer ripped to pieces as an act of liberation!

GROWING PAINS

Becoming a teenager can be quite a traumatic experience. As a budding young woman, hormones are raging, our breasts grow, hairs sprout & suddenly we are faced with the inconvenience and pain of a monthly period. Not to mention boys! It can also be a time of experimentation & rebellion. Trying out new things and wanting to be different from our elders. What better way to do this than with our appearance.

My teenage years were littered with fashion faux pas, from the 'Desperately Seeking Susan' look - a woolen snood worn as a skirt, black tights and neon socks, laced ankle boots, pink lace gloves & a bow in my hair; to painting my nails black as a Goth, thankfully only lasting a day; and wanting to look like the older girls with white stilettos, a white mini-skirt and cut-off t-shirt. Hairstyles included a poodle perm, the Betty Boo beehive that went disastrously wrong when I got the hairbrush stuck in my hair, and the inexplicable fan look whereby we all chose to spray our fringes within an inch of their lives into an upright position on top of our heads!

I might not have looked good, but at least I was trying.

The poodle perm in all its glory

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS: OUR TWENTIES

As we move into our late teens, we begin to flex the muscle of independence. Learning to drive, earning our own money, perhaps going to University. By the time we hit our twenties most have left the family home & entered the exciting new phase of discovering the big wide world. We find there are not just a few ways to express ourselves, but a dazzling array of choices.

I spent my early twenties at drama school. Grunge had come and gone and Britpop was everywhere.  T-shirts, combats & trainers became like a uniform. Being surrounded by artistic friends, I began to experiment with outfits, trying on new looks to see what fitted. As I moved from college into the world of employment, I became more aware of fashion but always felt I could never quite make it work. It was the time that fashion forgot; I didn't seem to know who I was let alone how I wanted to look. Strange half-student half-adult outfits emerged from my wardrobe. When I tried to dress more smartly I felt like I was wearing my mums clothes and it just didn't feel right.

The time that fashion forgot

My job became everything, and as I needed practicality, I stuck with a boyish look by day; nights out were spent at a local club that encouraged fancy dress, something which I gratefully embraced it. My life was now imitating my art.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE...

It is difficult to define when the next rite of passage occurs, as it is different for everyone. Lots of change occurs in our twenties, as some get married, have children, and others push on with their careers. Leaving our adolescence behind can be a scary prospect and some point blank refuse to take it; choosing to stay 'young' for as long as possible and avoid the responsibilities of adulthood.

I think for women who choose marriage and children there is a natural rite of passage to becoming a woman. The whole ritual of getting married and choosing a wedding dress assists the journey into married life. Pregnancy creates huge changes in our bodies, preparing us for motherhood. However, some women get 'lost' in their children and quite often find a new rite of passage when they discover the need to 'find' themselves again.

For those of us who follow the career path, becoming a woman can be a difficult transition, as the traditional route of marriage and children is not one that all choose to follow, or perhaps choose to do later in their lives.

In my coaching, it seems to be a common theme among working women in their late twenties and early thirties: a struggle to accept themselves as a woman and let go of the girl within. The idea of looking sexy can even fill some with absolute fear. This desire to change and grow up is not one that can be ignored, as we become frustrated with the way we live and look. A need to be taken more seriously at work is often the trigger. In the Eighties, women expressed this with power dressing; wearing suits with shoulder pads to compete in a male-led environment. These days women have begun to claim back their femininity, choosing to wear styles that suit them well and give them the confidence they need to declare 'I know what I'm doing and I'm good at it!"

My rite of passage came quite late. I spent my early thirties struggling with my career, knowing I wasn't happy, but not sure how to change it. I began a daunting journey of self-reflection and acceptance. It was a great time of experimenting with my clothes as I explored the different corners of my mind.

With a move away from costume, I left behind the fancy dress outfits, and sidestepped into the vintage scene. For a number of years, the safety of the Fifties suited my lifestyle. I began curling my hair, rouging my lips & wearing the delightfully feminine fashions of that time. I was enjoying celebrating my womanly hourglass curves. It was the beginning of my rite of passage into womanhood. But soon Change came knocking at my door, and it was time to move on from the bubble I was living in. Suddenly I felt like I was wearing a mask and a costume that no longer suited me.

FACING FORTY

Now in my late thirties, I am embracing the fact that 40 is not so far away. I suddenly understand the fashion choices of Patricia Field in the "Sex & the City" film. I once felt rather disgruntled that they were all now wearing designer labels rather than the vintage shop chic of the TV series. Actually, if SJP had continued to wear outfits like the infamous tutu on the side of the bus, the term 'mutton' might have sprung to mind. They are all in their forties, so it is only fitting that their clothes reflect this.

Whilst I still love vintage and looking as feminine as I possibly can, I am developing a love of new designers, better quality, and no doubt a more expensive price tag! My rite of passage is complete. I feel more like me than I have ever done so in my life, and I want my clothes to reflect that.

FIFTY AND BEYOND

Fifty is another milestone and again can a be a difficult time of adjustment. Natural changes in a woman's body often occur around this age, and accepting this new stage can be painful. Many women comment on a sudden invisibility, no longer being noticed by men. Luckily, there are new roles to consider as our children grow up and fly the nest. It can be a time of great discovery as wisdom and a better financial position gives us the ability to look after ourselves more easily. And so it goes on.

Whichever phase we are in  there naturally comes some resistance. As we near the change, we realise that it is inevitable but we cling on to our past because it feels safe & familiar. Once we accept the change, life becomes so much easier,

So if you are struggling to accept your latest rite of passage, know that you are not alone. Maybe your clothes and the way you look are the key to your transition. Remember the teenager (but without the awkwardness) experimenting with different styles. Even if it is only in the safety of your own bedroom or a changing room, try something different and see how you feel. Take some risks.

And if all else fails, hire a style coach.. We're here to help!

www.juliaknight-stylist.co.uk

Sigh of relief

So January is off to a flying start, but it has not been without its worries & stresses of everyday life. What with the doom & gloom of the current economic climate and the cold weather, my week began with a slump. The effects of Blue Monday certainly seemed to rub off on me. So I set about lifting my spirits with some inspiration from The Secret.

Watching philosophers, writers & speakers talk about how to move on in your life through the power of your mind & your thoughts was very inspirational. The very basic premise is that what we think about becomes our reality. In the words of the great Mike Dooley:

THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS!

Most importantly, it is how we feel that triggers our thoughts. So if you can imagine what it feels like to have what you want, you're halfway there. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Especially when we feel tense & stressed, trying to imagine something that makes us feel good feels like the hardest thing on Earth. I know too well how hard it is to pull myself away from worries when things look bleak.

Last Thursday I found inspiration at the Kitsch Kabaret, whilst watching the fabulous Cate Mackenzie & her love fairies. Cate is a life & love coach, full of magnetism & positive energy. She encouraged the audience to think about what they want through the power of dance & music. We were told to breathe in deeply and exhale with a sigh of relief, with the thought of our wishes coming true.

The idea behind it being that whenever we get the thing we really want, be it a new job, more money, a new relationship, there is often a moment of relief. If we can feel it now, reality will soon follow.

So my suggestion for the weekend... 

Breathe in, breathe out... aahhhh PHEW!  

Imagine the relief you feel when you finally get what you want.

To find out more:

www.thesecret.tv/
www.tut.com/theclub/

www.catemackenzie.com

Beauty begins from the inside...

"Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your mind's eye and you will be drawn toward it. Picture yourself as defeated and that alone will make victory impossible. Picture yourself vividly as winning and that alone will contribute immeasurably to success. Great living starts with a picture, held in your imagination, of what you would like to do or be."

Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick

The first step in creating a new look for yourself is deciding what you want to be and what you want to look like. I always encourage my clients to look through magazines and see who inspires them. I like to create mood boards for myself to remind me of the look I'm trying to achieve. It helps me to focus and creates a strong image to hold in my mind.

If you are starting the New Year with a desire to change yourself in some way. First look for inspiration and then begin to imagine yourself looking that way. Whether it is to fit in to that pair of jeans again, or wear that little black dress. How does it feel to be able to wear them again? Focus on that feeling, imagine how you look; what would friends say if they saw you looking and feeling fabulous?

Maybe take some time this weekend, perhaps five minutes in the bath to think about the ideal you and how good it feels. Try it for a week and see what happens....

StitchED & BitchED

Knitting and sewing and all things W.I. seems to be centre-stage in a certain age group of women. Whether it's a need to regain our femininity or a chance to make new friends and be creative, craft is booming. As we get older, it seems making friends gets harder. In fact, our priorities change and our lives get busier. Hobby groups are a great way to meet new people as a common theme triggers the conversation. This was my impetus to start a knitting group.

Inspired by the US version http://stitchnbitch.org/  I wanted to set up a group near to where I live. The ED stands for East Dulwich! Originally we stuck to knitting and crochet, but I soon realised that other crafts such as sewing and cross stitch could easily be done in a sociable setting; stitching was soon added.

StitchED & BitchED has been running for over two years now, and despite a few pitfalls, is growing from strength to strength. A highlight for me was the knitting bomb of Christmas 2010. We spent our evenings knitting giant paper chains, stars, and I made a fairy. Just before the snow hit and the police arrived, we decorated the Goose Green roundabout in East Dulwich!

This Valentine's Day I'm planning something new, to spread a little love and put a smile on the face of my fellow East Dulwichers. Watch this space...

For me personally, I have made some lovely new friends whose paths I would not normally cross. It also means I don't end up feeling like Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed sitting at home doing cross stitch on my lonesome!

The Mag is a perfect place to meet, it  has become like a very sociable lounge with drink on tap. We even have our own standard lamp by the fireplace!

If you fancy joining our group, new members are always welcome. We meet on the second and last Tuesdays of the month from 7.30pm.
You can always check out our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/105594917610/

Happy stitching people!

New Year new you...

.... and so begins 2012. Despite the doom and gloom the media likes to predict. I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a great year, one of new beginnings and a time of change.

I have at last got my website live www.juliaknight-stylist.co.uk

I hope over the next few weeks, months, years I can offer  insights that will help us all feel and look just the way we want.

As always my favourite saying from the Universe:

"DREAM BIG START SMALL"

It's all in the baby steps, before you know it, a website is created and then a blog. A business is born!