Donate your unwanted designer clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery to Women's cancer charity 'Silence No More'

If you would like to grab a donated designer item you can find them at the Nearly New Designer Charity Clothes Sale!

Thursday, 9th of October 2014 at Grace Belgravia 8.30am-8.00pm

For information on how to get there please visit: http://www.gracebelgravia.com/ 

See you there!

Julia x

I have always said that you should only buy and wear things that make you feel good about yourself. If you like many other women would love to feel a little bit slimmer in your outfit, then read my five top tips to appear slimmer in just minutes!

1. Wrap Dress.

DVF made the wrap dress famous and is still making the most gorgeous pieces today!

A wrap dress is a great way to make you look slimmer as it tucks you in at the waist and conceals your midsection! A great print also draws attention away from areas you are trying to cover!

2. Sun kissed.

A tan (faux of course) is one of the quickest ways to give you a little confidence boost, oh and it also makes you look slimmer!

A faux tan gives you an instant glow as well as making your complexion look more even. Fashion blogger. If you can’t tone it, tan it!

3. Wear All Black.

Black is elegant and chic and we should all know by now is the oldest trick in the book to looking slimmer . Dark color creates the illusion of a longer, slender silhouette. Plus, an all-black tailored ensemble like this one worn by Miroslava Duma is perpetually chic.

4. Side Panels.

Side panels are just amazing! Dark panels on either side of your dress give the illusion of the hourglasses shape we all crave. Below are two very different but both effective examples!

5.The Perfect Fit.

Having your wardrobe tailored to fit your perfectly is essential, plus it is a great way to look slimmer! Wearing clothing that is either too small or too large will make you look bigger.

Book an appointment with our expert tailors or myself and I can help to get your clothes fitting like a glove!

Take a deep breath, grit your teeth and let your ruthless streak run wild. 

This is definitely the stage at which you need the company of a good (and honest) friend, a strong will and 
concentration of a Buddhist monk. 

I would advise you to go through wardrobe at the beginning of every season, asking some pretty 
demanding questions of every piece: 

- Does it fit? 
- Is it comfortable? 
- Is it flattering? 
- Have I worn it in the last year? 
- If not, why not? 
- Is it still in fashion? 
- If it's not - will it come back into fashion? 
- Would I wear it if it was altered - let out, taken in, shoulder pads removed, shortened, buttons changed, dyed another colour? 

Then make three piles:
The Good -- these go back into the wardrobe on the right hangers in colour families and grouped in trousers jackets 
dresses blouses etc. 
The Bad -- Items that need something doing i.e. Dry cleaned, mended, altered etc 
The Ugly -- Items that can be sold (or swap with friends) Or sent to charity. 

Spring clean wardrobe:
Once you've sorted your clothes, pay a little attention to your wardrobe. 

- Vacuum throughout 
- Wash down shelves and woodwork 
- Replace lavender bags, moth repellents and potpourri (pretty dishes of herbs) 
- Cedar wood sheets can be bought from the local joinery workshop, cabinetmaker or DIY store. These can 
be used as draw liners or placed at the bottom of the wardrobe and are insect repellent and leave a nice 
aromatic smell. They can be refreshed by buffing them up with sand paper. 
- You can also visit www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk for many clothing care products!

If you want to repel moths from your wardrobe but want a chemical-free method, then lavender is the perfect solution. 

Using the lavender plant to repel clothes moths is an old homemaker's trick.  Lavender will also leave a pleasant scent behind. 

The natural aromas in lavender repel moths. In spite of being the insect world's pickiest eaters (only your finest natural fibers, such as your new cashmere, will satisfy), it seems moths do not share our attraction to the purple flower's perfume.

Lavender will not, however, kill moth eggs or larvae, so be sure the space is free of them first.

Both of the Total Wardrobe Care signature scents 'May Chang' for females and 'Vetivert' both contain lavender. This not only prevents moths from eating little holes into your favourite clothes but it also leaves them smelling devine. 

Instructions for use:

Slide in between piles of folded garments. Use two for a standard sized drawer. It is sealed in cellophane which holds the fragrance until opened.

(Made in the UK)

Shop Total Wardrobe Care products here: www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk 

We all struggle with keeping our whites white, especially over the summer period as it is the perfect colour to keep you cool over the hot Summer days! 

With the wonderful Wimbledon gracing our TV's at the moment, this is the perfect time to make sure our whites are as white as possible!

We have listed our top five simple tips to keeping our whites white...

1. Separate your white clothes and fabrics from your dark clothes before doing the laundry.

2. Pre-treating stains on clothes or other fabric items before you wash them will ensure that the stain is removed and isn't "set" by the washing process.

3.Wash white clothes in hand hot water using our laundry liquid.

4. Make sure that clothes are completely rinsed. This removes all traces of dirt or grimy water that can dull the look of whites.

5. Rinse the fabric in a little vinegar and water. Hang outside in fresh air, for a fresher feel and smell.

I have picked some top outfit inspiration for the hot summer months. 

1. White lace is a great way to cover up whilst still catching a breeze. 
2.  A white and navy stripy top is a wardrobe must have!
3. A white blazer can keep you warm when the sun goes down.
4. A crisp white shirt is a wardrobe staple, team with blue jeans for a classic chic look. 

With the first day of summer just around the corner that means one thing... Holiday! 

Instructions

1. Wash all your bikinis, sarongs, kaftans, beach towels and other holiday bits and bobs to ensure that there are no hidden stains – these can fester and be very hard to remove if you leave them for long periods of time!

2. Take one large breathable storage box, line it with acid free tissue paper to protect your garments 

3. Fold all your holiday garments and pack them neatly  into the box.

4. Throw a gorgeous smelling Vetivert sachet into the box to repel moths and keep your garments smelling beautiful till your next holiday.

5. Pack all of your flip flops into a breathable shoe box.

6. Label both boxes with a description card so you can easily locate items.

Do you have to contortion yourself in to a corner squashed up against a bed to get the best view on the back of a wardrobe door, or do you have to stand on a toilet seat to see your feet, is the mirror about 18 inches wide and you fill all of the mirror.

How many times do you go into a boutique try something on and think, this is a trick mirror and makes me look slim. When I meet with my clients they say the same, what’s the secret, why are your mirrors so flattering, where do you get them from?

Answer – they are BIG ! You get to see yourself in relation to your surroundings, and in relation to other people, this is how you appear to others. Think about it. Is your mirror, 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide , well lit with natural day light and can you stand back 4-6 feet and get a good look at yourself in relation to the room?

Answer NO

Do you have to contortion yourself in to a corner squashed up against a bed to get the best view on the back of a wardrobe door, or do you have to stand on a toilet seat to see your feet, is the mirror about 18 inches wide and you fill all of the mirror.

I have been into houses of the rich fab and famous all over London and I have had the privilege to go into mere mortals homes as well and it’s always the same. It’s got nothing to do with money but everything to do with space. I just don’t understand why interior decorators and architects repeatedly get it wrong, I understand everyone else but not those who are paid to design the best use of space.

So please treat yourselves. It will cost the best part of £200, depending on how extravagantly you want the frame to be. Buy it 6 feet tall and four feet wide. Try to find a wall where you can stand back to get a good look. Make sure you can see your feet. Also its ideal to have natural daylight behind you. Or good electric light.

Key to hanging a mirror. If it lays flat against the wall it slightly foreshortens your image and you look as though you are falling into the mirror. The solution is to bring the bottom of the mirror out by 1 -2 cms at the bottom , you can do this with a wooden batton. I have been known to stuff tissues behind as this is a pet hate!

Back view- This is very important and a small hand mirror is just not big enough. If there is space, get a cheval mirror on wheels, Morplan.com have a good chrome one for £170.00. This you can position for a good back view. If space is a problem get a hairdressers back view mirror, these can be bought from hairdressing suppliers for about £10.00

 Have fun!

The winter season is coming to an end, your favourite winter sports/ski resorts are closing and your wardrobes, draws and cupboards are crowded with excessive chunky garments and bulky equipment. 

Total Wardrobe Storage can provide the perfect out of season storage solution. 

Total Wardrobe Storage is a luxury storage service for those who need more space, ideal when moving, renting or travelling abroad. The expert care of your garments is our top priority, our services include.

·         Delivery and collection from your home

·         Photographing and Cataloguing for your personal Web Wardrobe

·         Dry Cleaning Service

·         Repairs and Alterations by our expert tailors

Find our more at: www.totalwardrobestorage.com 

1.    Guard against moth damage by making sure only clean clothes are returned to your wardrobe.  Moth larvae feed upon fabrics stained by food, perspiration and urine.  They also feed upon skin particles and keratin.

2.    Moths don’t like the taste of dry-cleaning fluid therefore when storing out of season garments, dry-clean them first.

3.    For seasonal storage, use our breathable garment covers that are available in a variety of sizes in cotton and also non-woven breathable fabric. The covers are moth and dust proof.  SHOP

4.    Use our non-biological laundry liquid suitable for hand washing delicates and machine washing.  Free from parabens, phosphates, bleach, artificial colours and fragrances, it is kind to your skin and to the environment. SHOP

5.    Use our pot pourri cones between folded clothes in drawers and on shelves to keep garments wonderfully fragrant and moth free. Perfect for everyday use around the home too. SHOP