Pixie Belle Style & Image

28/02/2018

It's time to say goodbye...

We've had a great 6 or so years with Pixie Belle and all things related to Personal Style and it's been great to have you with us for so much of the journey.

But as we all grow, develop and adapt, it's time to move on.

Pixie Belle Style will cease to exist after today.

It's time.

But i you've enjoyed being a part of our community, why not come and join me, Sam Bell, over here https://www.facebook.com/thesamanthabell/

I'll be sharing thoughts, musings and advice to help you get threw another day without killing someone or without giving up.

Because, like High School Musical taught us...

"We're all in this together"

And in the words of Soft Cell...

"Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" (no pink flamingoes though)

Love you lots!

Sam x

19/02/2018

I got really upset a few weeks ago when I saw that a Personal Stylist had been working with a former client of mine.

I didn't initially understand what I was upset about. Was it just because my former client was now working with someone else? Couldn't really be that when I decided a few years ago to STOP seeing clients...

It took me a few days to unravel the ball of spaghetti but when it hit me, so much made sense and in fact it helped me realise another factor in my decision to stop working as a Stylist.

It was the labels. And in my opinion, the other Stylist had got it wrong.

You see, when we train as Personal Stylists we are taught categories. For colour, for body shape and for personality. And it's good to teach this - it helps us understand which category our clients fit within.

But if you don't blur the lines, if you make up rules, if you only ever put people in categories...

You're doing people a disservice.

You're limiting them.

You're giving them a place to belong but then telling them they can't ever leave that place.

It hurts my heart.

Because when I worked with clients I started with the boxes, the categories, the labels. And then I listened. To them. And what they wanted.

I learned so much by listening to what they said. And often what they didn't say.

And I took all that they said and interpreted that into how they wanted to be seen and how they wanted to feel.

Now this thing about labels seems to be a bit of a theme for me at the moment. I'm noticing the labels people use about themselves. Particularly women.

The label has become an identity.

The label has become an excuse.

"I would never do that because I'm an introvert"

"I can't do that because I'm not a physical person"

"I have to do this because I'm not very clever"

So many labels. So many limitations. So much unfulfilled potential.

Don't get me wrong - I like to know why I like or dislike things or am better at certain activities than others. I do all the profile things. I know I'm an extroverted introvert. I know I'm a Creator/Star/Mechanic. I know I'm a high D&I.

But I also know that I am not limited by these. I know that as a human being I can learn new things, dress in a different way, adapt to my surroundings.

I don't like how labels limit us. Which is why I've recently been learning about personality types and inherent behaviours. I want to help people break free from their labels, the ones that aren't helpful.

I want to help people get clear on what they want from life and then find a way to make that real. It's my passion. And that's what I'm doing over here https://www.facebook.com/thesamanthabell/ so if this sounds like something you want to know more about it, come on over and say Hi.

Love you! No matter what you've labelled yourself.

08/02/2018

I am DELIGHTED to be a contributor in Judith Morgan's Blogfest and what an interesting blog to write - an opportunity to reflect, grieve, breathe deeply and roll up my sleeves.

I do hope you enjoy reading my blog - take a look at the others too, they are fabulous! Oh - Judith's book is flipping marvellous too!

Sam Bell is my 11th contributor and wow! If you’ve read my Odd One Out intro to my book Your Biz Your Way you’ll see that we have SO much in common, something I sort of half-knew as Sam and I have achieved a friendship and rapport on FB, PMing each other often with shared thoughts and interests,...

30/01/2018

You'd be forgiven if you'd forgotten that Valentine's Day is approaching (is it REALLY almost the end of January????) so here's a little helping hand for wearing red on the most romantic day of the year...

Red is the colour of romance. The colour of love. And it’s the perfect colour to wear this Valentine’s Day, whatever you have planned. If the Coca-Cola shade makes you nervous, don’t panic; you don’t have to deck yourself head to toe in red, unless you want to, and if you’re thinking, “I...

19/01/2018

This year's Colour Of The Year from Pantone is ULTRAVIOLET but you might not know how to wear it!

Wearing a colour doesn't necessarily meaning covering yourself in it from head to toe.

Using a statement colour in your accessories is a smart, sophisticated way to nod to a trend with overdoing it.

Ultraviolet - You or Boo?

13/01/2018

Morning all 🙂
I’ve just shared this in my Soul-Full Living Group (link in first comment if you would like to join - women only at present - sorry chaps!) and decided to share more widely as it’s such an important message 💗

A beautiful reminder that you are more than your body.... which may seem a bit odd when we usually focus on self care on a Saturday!

But you can do both 🙂

You only have one body so do need to care for it but it doesn’t need to become the sole thing you define yourself by 💗

Have a great Saturday x

12/01/2018

Does your foundation contain SPF?

12/01/2018

Introducing - ULTRAVIOLET with GOLD!

This year's Colour Of The Year from Pantone is ULTRAVIOLET but you might not know how to wear it!

For those of you who love to glam it up (and have somewhere to wear it) this sexy, sassy outfit has the perfect pairing of colours for a luxurious vibe!

Ultraviolet - Yes or No?

11/01/2018

What items of clothing are you wearing to stay warm?

11/01/2018

With an proposed move to Oz in 2019, our very own style pixie, Samantha Bell, has decided to take on a challenge of NOT buying any new clothes this year.

Here's how someone else faired in a No Clothes, No Make Up spending ban.

Could you do it?

Normally I’m the type of person who would spend hours in her closet, staring at her clothing, and obsessing over the fact that I had nothing to wear. I’d mutter how each of my accessories were old and boring, and opt to go n**e. But normally, I’m not spending over half of my monthly income pay...

10/01/2018

Did you buy anything in the Sales? What was it?

09/01/2018

Diane von Furstenberg's iconic wrap dress is a wardrobe staple BUT...

it CAN end up looking a little frumpy if you get it wrong!

Here's a few tips to help you get it RIGHT!

1. Pattern - if choosing a patterned fabric, make sure the pattern flatters your natural body profile. A geometric pattern on a curvy silhouette can look awkward and a pattern that is too small or too large can leave you looking you've raided the dressing up box!

2. Length - first things first, NEVER wear a dress with a hemline finishing on your calf! It will make you look short and dumpy. Opt for something finishing just above, or just below, the knee.

3. Hair - believe it or not, your hairstyle can make or break a wrap dress. Make sure your hair is in a style to flatter your face shape and height to avoid looking like a dowdy, Mumsey figure.

And of course, if you have any tips of your own, please share!