How to choose the correct "white" T shirt

I find that blogging and reading other blogs really helps to re-enforce some fashion tips that I know but do not always follow, and more importantly to learn some new ones. Here  is a useful list that I came across the other week at The Second Lives Club, especially "Never wear a white whiter than your teeth."
I remember that when I trained in colour analysis many years ago I was counciled to wear off white and not "persil white".  Back then the concept was in it's infancy in the UK, and advice was very prescriptive and had to be followed to the letter. Easier said than done as T shirts in soft white were not easy to find. I eventually resorted to the tea bag tick. Let me explain further this involves placing your white T shirt in the washing machine with a teabag added to the drum (Tetley's will do fine). Et voila it comes out a "soft white". Best with pure cotton,  synthetic fabrics can produce variable results. If you want to try this trick I would advise experimenting with an old T shirt. 
Over the years I have crept back to wearing pure white so I did an experiment with my wardrobe to check the teeth thing. Despite spending a considerable sum of money on having my teeth whitened a few years ago they are far from pearly white. It really did make a huge difference, the off white was so much more flattering. In conclusion I will have to resort to the teabag trick again or slowly replace my "whites" with "off whites". Following this revelation and some research I came across "Kettlewell" here. They specialise in T shirts in all the "seasonal colours" including a "soft white". I ordered one and find it good quality and flattering.

Soft white T shirts available from Kettlewell here

Pure white T shirts available from Kettlewell here

Off white shirt by Cos here

Pure white shirt by Cos here

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Facial exercises - Do they work?

I first learnt Eva Fraser's facial exercised in the mid 90s. It was when I noticed the first signs of sagging around the jawline and decided that it was time to take action. (This was before botox and restylane and all those other procedures were mainstream). I was working at a promotional event where she was giving a talk. She must have been in her early 70s and I was absolutely amazed at how taught and smooth her face looked. I eventually tracked her down to her studio just off Kensington High street and enrolled in a course to learn her techniques. I was taught by one of her trainers and at the beginning I found it extremely difficult to get the intricate muscle movements exactly correct. A one stage I nearly gave up, however when I asked the age of my trainer and she said she was 58 (she looked at least 10 years younger), I persevered. With a few occasional lapses I have continued with the 10 minute a day regime.
It is difficult to assess the results as I don't know what my face would have looked like had I not done the exercises. The only thing I do know is that if I get lazy and stop doing them for a few weeks I have a sense that my cheek muscles are not as firm. This regime is not for the faint hearted as it does take considerable disciple; but who said looking good was easy!

1. Article on Eva Fraser in The Independent here

Eva Fraser website if you want further details

I found this video on U Tube. An interview with Eva on Breakfast TV taken a couple of years ago. It is quite long however worth taking a look at and Eva does demonstrate some of the exercises.

Have any of you had any experience of facial exercises? If so I would love to hear from you.

 Thank you for reading. I really love to hear from you and appreciate the time you take to leave comments.

3 ways to wear a print dress

Prints especially floral prints are very much in the news at the moment. I don't think I will be trying out floral print trousers any time soon however a delicate print dress can add a touch of verve to a summer wardrobe. That is if there is going to be a summer this year! It must start soon or we will have to start building arks here in London.
Continuing with my love of blue I thought I would play around with some ideas of how to adapt a blue print dress for a variety of occasions. I have chosen to work with a lovely wrap dress by Diana von Furstenberg. I do have a slightly similar one in my wardrobe that I bought a few years ago. Mine has a mixture of greens with a touch of black in the print and I do actually find it extremely versatile and flattering. It can be worn with flats or heels, a denim jacket or dressed up with jewellery and even a hat. Are you a fan of prints and if so how do you wear yours?

A visit to Town by chicatanyage featuring Diane von Furstenberg dresses

Blue print dress with casual accessories by chicatanyage featuring Kate Spade handbags

Blue print dress by chicatanyage featuring a Yves Saint Laurent lipstick

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