What if your wardrobe was like your own personal shop which only stocks things you like, which fit you and suit you, in all your favourite colours and ready to wear?

You could do this!

I helped a friend to do this today. Very satisfying.

Some tips tomorrow...

A sudden change in the weather (gales forecast for tonight) has me sorting the wardrobe and putting away the summer clothes.

Two things I have never had, and never will have in my wardrobe are often described as essentials. The little black dress and the crisp white shirt.

My reasons are these.
 
The black dress only suits women with bold dramatic colouring. If you have very dark hair and brown eyes you will look fabulous in it. If you are white blond with bright blue eyes and a clear complexion you will look fabulous in it. Most of us in Britain are neither, but have softer, gentler, more subtle colouring which is overwhelmed by black. The dress wears you, rather than you wearing the dress. For me the go-anywhere useful dress is either a medium grey (I like grey with a bit of colour in it - blueish, or purplish) or a French navy ie not too dark. Much more flattering.

Similarly the crisp white shirt. Too harsh on me. The shirt itself looks crisp, but I look faded. Unless your teeth and the whites of your eyes are as white as the shirt it's not a good look!  A softish denim blue is my classic shirt. 

Of course if you are young and beautiful you will look fabulous in anything, but as I get older I look with a more critical eye and don't accept any fashion statement that begins Everyone should have....

Do you know what suits you best?

If you are an artist and/or are interested in colour you may enjoy this website and this discussion of greys.

..like a Frenchwoman (and keeping those few pounds off).

I've bought The Frenchwomen Don't Get Fat Cookbook, and what's more I'm using it! Some of you will know I like cookbooks but don't much like to cook..

Try this lovely lemon cream with a baked apple. Whip the grated rind of a lemon, 3 tblsps lemon juice and 3 tblsps sugar into 75g of creme fraiche. Delicious. This serves four people which gives you a clue about why it works. (Portion control.)

Another good quote - Don't eat on autopilot.

I'd love to know if anyone else likes this book....

Our local garage offers a MultiColouredBiodegradableTriple-foamBuytimeSuperwash with HotShampooHighPressureShampooHotHi-FoamBrushWaxGlossHighPressureRinse - all in Five Easy Steps!

Wow.

Think I'll just stick to the bucket and sponge...

We bought free range eggs, beetroot and a sweetheart cabbage. It is just north of Otter Ferry on Loch Fyne should you be travelling that way.

Of course we've done something similar ourselves, though not so much this year..

Not difficult at this time of year! This lovely display was at Cawdor Castle Food Fair.