Every year it seems that the same Top Ten New Year resolutions crop up. Why? Because they are just so hard to keep! So, this year let’s try to make them count! Year after year we start the year with good intentions, resolutions- our commandments. Unfortunately some of them get lost as the year goes on.

But this year will be different, because the key is to avoid making the mistakes that cause failure like setting the long term goal so far away that we will give up before reaching it. So, instead of making New Year’s resolutions or commandments let’s go with decisions in 2011. Decisions are final and is easier to act on what will help us to succeed.

Some women look always great no matter the size they are, they are ( almost always) happy, rarely get sick and are always fizzing with energy, they don’t gain weight or lose memory  .

So what’s their secret?

1. Like yourself: “The sooner you become your own best friend, the better live will be“- Diane von Fuerstenberg

There is no point of dwelling I wish I would be taller, younger etc and losing all the energy on the wrong factors. Accept who you are! If you don’t like your weight- this is in most cases- something you can change- then do ” walk the talk rather talk the walk”. Otherwise make the best out of your size since there are so many retailers out there who provide fashion options no matter what size you are.

2. Accept what you can’t change: “The key is being yourself. Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live”- Gianni Versace

Once you have accepted who are you will start to find things and features you love about yourself. You will start to dress for yourself, you will find your signature look and style personality- the result is that you will feel happy in yourself and with yourself- you will be true to yourself. All this will keep you motivated, positive – and fashion forward, because you know what works on you.

3. Be true too yourself: “‘How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone“- Coco Chanel.

Also, buy only clothes that fit you in the moment- never get trapped of buying clothes in a smaller size because you have plans to shed pounds or because you are dieting. That concept never works because firstly you tend too loose always weight in a different way and places, secondly  don’t reward yourself before you have achieved your end goal. The risk of slipping is too great and last not least once you bought the item in question most women lose their will power to lose the weight to fit into that dress. So, better reward yourself for small achievements and buy always  items that fits your current build, body shape and weight. Be someone rather trying to be someone you are not!!!

4. Stop to shop until you drop: “I am against fashion that doesn’t last. I cannot accept that you throw your clothes away just because it is spring”- Coco Chanel

Buy clothes that only work for you, your life style and budget. Meaning stop buying clothes you never wear because they are the wrong size, you don’t have an occasion for them to wear or because they are too expensive for the salary you make. Fashion is only fun when you start to build a workable wardrobe that consists of having clothes that work for your body shape, colouring, proportion, the life style you are leading and that you can afford! Make good investment buys rather than bad fashion buys.

5. Don’t get yourself in too much debt!:” Style is very different from fashion. Once you find something that works, keep it.”- Tom Ford

Fashion is just not worth it! They are just things, which are not as long lasting as it takes to pay back your credit card. We all know this feeling ” I am dying to have that dress”, ” I just needed to have this bag” or ” Every penny spent on those shoes are worth it”…unfortunately all not true. It is not that once you satisfied yourself with that purchase you stop shopping for more. No, there will be another item that you need because it will look great with what you bought before….and that is how it goes one. Break out of the devil circle by building a workable wardrobe where you only buy what you need to update or replace. You will see you have much more of your clothes because you start to work them by wearing them rather building up clutter of clothes that don’t work with each other or won’t work for most occasions.

6. Declutter your wardrobe! “When putting a wardrobe together, if your budget is limited, the most important thing is having the discipline to invest in one or two beautiful key pieces and mixing these with classic pieces. Plan your long-term wardrobe. Only buy pieces that you can’t live without; don’t be tempted by disposable”. Roland Mouret

Everyone is different in their needs, but keep in mind that changes in your lifestyle will affect your working wardrobe. So, before you start of thinking of planning your wardrobe, assess your lifestyle and what you need to wear. Start with a wardrobe audit and go through your clothes piece by piece, assessing whether they are the right colour and if they are right for your body shape, proportion and scale.Clothes that you don’t wear and which only have sentimental value should be put away out of your workable wardrobe. So, make room for clothes that complement you and the way you live. It is so therapeutic as well to get rid of “the old you” and make way for the ” new you”.

7. Be Fashion Forward- Say hello to Eco fashion and No to animal cruelty in the name of fashion!:” Now is the most exciting time in fashion. Women are controlling their destiny now, the consumer is more knowledgeable, and I have to be better every single day.”- Oscar de la Renta

It is time to be fashion savvy, knowing a little bit more about the label you buy- making a difference to our lives and how we live. Say Hello to Ethical fashion that it ethically sourced.Ethical fashion and ethical products should promote the use of environmentally-friendly materials & production processes, as well as providing good working conditions and a fair wage. As well say NO to real fur and buy faux fur instead.  It is a big revival in fashion and it has never looked more chic or real than this time around by none other than Kate Moss. Other animal advocates are Stella McCartney and Bridget Bardot. It is without doubt the only way to go for fashion!D

8. Moderation is key for a balanced you! “Fashion is all about happiness. It’s fun. It’s important. But it’s not medicine.” Donatella Versace

Unfortunately most of us lead their lives in extremes at work or in our private lives or in the way we eat and drink. Either we work or party full on or we indulge ourselves without measures in food or/and drinks or we diet in excess. Therefore it shouldn’t come to us a surprise that such a life style doesn’t leave us damaged. Our body needs time to recover from work or play. So, build in some time to give your body and mind some time to recover and to re energise. You will feel better and look better rather worse to wear – no label in the world can and will change that.

9. Sleep, keep fit and eat well: “Mens sano in corpore sano”- (a healthy mind in a healthy body) is a famous Latin quotation, often translated as “A sound mind in a sound body.

Sleep will keep you balanced and calm, give you piece of mind, energise you and will help you to stay focus for the day. Plus it does wonder to your skin and digestion. Try to keep fit and to increase your activity by incorporating exercises into your daily routine e.g. using the stairs instead the lift, walking the kids to school, take the bicycle to work instead the car or get off 1 or 2 tube stop before your final destination. Why not keeping the same standard of high quality and labels in clothes as well in food? I never understood how some have high standards in clothes labels but none in food and opt for junk food or settle for bad quality in food. Eating bad food will show! There is no way of hiding no matter how much money you spend to try to hide it. So, do a U- turn and be good to your inner self by eating well, keeping fit and sleeping enough hours to feel energised, healthy and look your best.

10. Wear the right colour: The best colour in the whole world is the one looks good on you.”- Coco Chanel

Dressing in the right colours can improve your self-esteem and confidence. It’s an easy way to look good, feel good and co-ordinate your wardrobe. Not only that but wearing the right colours can help you achieve a younger, healthier and groomed look without having to resort to drastic measures. In business first impressions count and these are often based on your outward appearance.

Colour has a definite psychological and emotional impact on us. Being aware of the emotional impact that the colours you wear will have on others is an important consideration and can affect the people with whom you are meeting

We are all leading a busy life style, where it is difficult to carve out some time for yourself. But it is important to find time to yourself and for yourself! Get some “me time”, which means to every woman something different. It will make you feel calmer, balanced and happier when interacting with family, friends and the outside world.

Click here for more info

Food of thought for 2011: :“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.” – Coco Chanel

Have a great 2011,

Michaela