Hi Everyone!

How are you all and how are you faring through this cold weather? One more month to go before the 1st of September and officially in the fashion industry ‘summer’ is declared.

For the rest of us, spring will simply have arrived. And what better way to prepare for spring, than with a ‘spring clean’… Oh yes! I’m back to that cull again. I have to say that I am probably constantly culling: I find it rather therapeutic. At the moment, I am surrounded by boxes, clutter and mess. And for a neat freak like me the chaos is almost paralysing.

I am of course in the throes of a house move! It is the perfect time for a cull and reorganisation of my ‘stuff’. It’s the vision I have at this point of having everything back in order and everything new and fresh that excites me and is getting me through the trauma of a house move. The opportunity to hang my clothes in a better closet, organise my drawers, place my furniture in a new way and hang my beloved paintings. I imagine it done and look forward to enjoying the result. Which brings me to the question of personal style; an absolute passion of mine is to encourage others to be confident and this is what we have been talking about over the last few months and which of course is my mission in life.

My other passion is the style that you have around you, your personal environment. The precious pieces (stuff), your favourite things, that you have collated, collected, been given and have treasured over the years that speaks so lovingly of and to you. Two thoughts to consider here; stuff you want and stuff you don’t want. Moving house is great for culling as you know, but even if you have been in your home for many years it’s a great feeling to freshen things up with cupboard culls, a new shade of paint colour, some cushions, new towels and sheets.

Just as we want to keep up to date in our attitude and dress style, keeping up to date in our homes too, can give us such a renewed sense of inspiration and motivation. The quickest and most instant change you can make to give your home a lift is by treating your table to fresh flowers. Buy them just for you, because you deserve them. It is definitely worth some thought and consideration. For some ideas on your ‘spring clean for spring’ a great place to head is Target for home wares. The quality is fantastic and the prices are as well.

Their displays feature new season colours with all the items grouped together so that you can very easily choose what you need that coordinates with your furniture. I was very impressed with the stock Target has to offer from which I chose items for a recent styling assignment where I set up a dining table and an alfresco table for a photo shoot. Not only did the client purchase the stock but I bought the same glasses, placemats and napkins as well.

I really enjoy entertaining and adding some new things to make the table look warm and inviting, especially with fresh flowers included. The flow on effect is that you can enjoy knowing that you have created something new for yourself and for those you love. Let spring inspire you, even though it is still winter; it is good to start to prepare now. Well if you hadn’t already noticed the new season stock is arriving in stores now. The colours and patterns are a joy after what seems like the endless grey of winter. Whilst that is good for the senses I encourage you not wish away the season just yet as we know time is precious.

There are still fantastic cold weather bargains out there, so make sure you buy what you need for next winter. You will be glad you did so. Also the days are still cool into October, so if you see something you love, buy it; you will get to use it before the end of winter. Over the years I have noticed that many women’s wardrobes don’t include a range of good trans-seasonal pieces.

When I put together a wardrobe for a client I always like to include these. It simply means having a lighter alternative jacket, long sleeved tops and T-shirts and some lovely accessories such as a lovely pashmina which is warm to wrap around the shoulders on a cool night and a must for spring.

David Jones has a table of them on display in almost every beautiful colour you could need including the ‘Tiffany’ blue shade which you could try. It’s such a fresh colour and looks gorgeous with white. While they are not genuine pashminas, they are incredibly soft and luxurious and priced at just under $40 and can serve as a scarf or wrap. I tie my pashmina around my handbag as an accessory when not needed, and they are a ‘godsend’ when travelling as an easily worn replacement to a jacket. Well, this time next month I will be settled in to my new environment. Yay! I look forward to talking to you then about the fashion forecast for the new season. Till then...

Lots of love

Zofia xx

Win a Style Sesssion with Zofia

To celebrate Style in the pages of Have a Go News one lucky reader has the opportunity to win an hour’s style session with Zofia at your nearest Westfield Shopping Centre. To be in the draw simply tell us the name of one of Westfield’s Shopping Centres on the back of an envelope together with your name and address and phone number. Send to Zofia Competition c/o Have a Go News PO Box 1042 West Leederville 6901. Entries close 1/9/10 and only over 45s eligible.