FASHION High summer style

Where There’s Wool Where There’s Wool THERE’S A WAY THERE’S A WAY

This month we’ve light knitwear that will see This month we’ve light knitwear that will see you through late summer and into autumn too... you through late summer and into autumn too...

This Page: Oui cardigan in cashmere wool, £175. This Page: Oui cardigan in cashmere wool, £175.

Windsor V-neck jumper in sustainable 100% new milled wool, £429.

Oversize knitted jumper by Oui, £80; leather trousers in olive, £285.

Include round neck jumper in 100% sustainable cashmere, £549.

Daylike slipover in 100% new milled wool, £149.

Top/Left: Uta Raasch cotton jumper with three quarter sleeves, £95. Top/Right: Peter Hahn jumper with short kimono sleeves, £55. Bottom/Left: Fadenmeister round neck jumper in silk blend, £185. Bottom/Right: Oui round neck jumper in 100% cotton, £149. Stockists: Oui, www.oui.com; Windsor/Daylike/Fadenmeister, www.peterhahn.co.uk.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

NEW COSMETICS, PERFUMES AND LUXURY ITEMS IDEAL FOR MIDSUMMER NIGHTS

1. Enjoy a voyage of discovery with Hermès...

Voyage d'Hermès is a brand new fragrance from one of the world’s most well-respected brands, available at the fragrance concessions of John Lewis. It’s composed of woody notes and a musky scent which, the brand claims, is ‘lively, reassuring and generous, between warmth and intensity.’ Hermes was established in 1837 and now has annual revenues of over €6bn. £110/100ml.

5. Hygiene for hands in a post pandemic world

Diptyque’s rinse-free hand wash is ideal for maintaining hygiene in a post-pandemic world assuming – as is the case when we write this in early June – the world will begin to return to some kind of normality. Requires no water, uses saponaria to cleanse, peach for fragrance and almond oil to moisturise, leaving skin feeling soft to the touch, £24, 45ml.

2. Sheer luxury for lips...

Mac is our go-to lip colour thanks to its creamy rich formula which provides a no-shine finish and a wide palette of colours. Shown here is Natural Born Leader, one of 20 different shades. Works best in conjunction with one of the brand’s lip brushes, £17.50/3g.

Crema Nera is the new nourishing face cream from Armani designed, the PR blurb states, to reduce the signs of ageing and refine skin texture. Utilises plant extracts and minerals, £340/50ml.

3. Enjoy restful sleep...

Cowshed presents its aromatherapy solution for those warm summer nights when you’re struggling to drift off to sleep. St John’s Wort, lemon myrtle and other extracts ensure a restful night sleep with just a quick spritz onto your pillow! £32/250ml.

4. So Nera, so far... 6. Essential summer skincare from Lancôme

Lancôme has grouped together these summer skincare essentials, with Génifique serum for post-toner use, Light Pearl Eye Cream, and Day Cream. Includes Hypnôse mascara and night cream too, £83.50.

n All our beauty products are available from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary.

It’s OK to not be OK

As you negotiate the menopause, the physical and emotional symptoms can sometimes seem overwhelming, but with help and support from Ali Hutchinson, you’ll gain practical tips and advice... not least the reassurance that sometimes, it’s OK not to be OK!

Words: Ali Hutchinson. Image: Dorte Kjaerulff Photography.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS that Davina McCalls’s appearance on Channel 4, talking about menopause, has had is to open up a dialogue to enable women to talk about what’s ‘normal.’ One of the most common questions I hear when working with perimenopause and menopausal clients is ‘am I going mad?’ It’s safe to say... you’re not!

As we go through perimenopause and into menopause we may all experience profound changes and often find it hard to cope, yet putting on a brave face is what we’ve been conditioned to do. Sometimes we have to admit we’re not OK, and that’s when the healing starts.

The last 18 months have been tough. You’ve seen less of the people you love and can’t do a lot of the things that make you happy. Throw menopausal symptoms into the mix and things can easily spiral downwards leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Low mood and mood swings are common symptoms of menopause.

Don’t mask the feelings... So often we mask our feelings with busyness but tapping into how you feel and paying attention to this is sometimes the first step on the road to feeling better. Don’t let low mood, stress and anxiety creep up on you until it shows up as a full on crisis.

Once your bucket is full of stress the tiniest pebble thrown in will have the flood gates opening and a full-on crash ensuing. Take moments of check in with yourself every day and acknowledge what it is that you’re feeling. You may find it useful to create a chart that helps you assess where you are and also plot how your mood ebbs and flows with your monthly cycle. I find most women still follow a monthly cycle – emotionally if not physically – and understanding this can really shed a light on low moods, headaches and other symptoms of menopause. The Warning Signs It’s important to recognise the ‘warning signs’ of this. Everyone reacts differently to feeling down, stressed or worried. Figure out what is normal for you. For instance, do you usually feel tired, emotional and tearful? Do you stop doing the things you enjoy? Does your concentration slip or do you experience brain fog? Might you feel restless or agitated? Do you find it hard to manage every-day tasks or depend on alcohol to unwind at night a little more? Some of these will be familiar but if you are experiencing them more than usual it’s worth noting them and seeking help if you need it. I’m always here to talk or join one of my menopause drop in clinics where you will meet other women experiencing similar symptoms. Ways to help yourself Firstly, give your body the best chance to feel better by boosting some key aspects of menopausal health. If you show signs and symptoms of being perimenopausal or menopausal speak to a GP about getting your hormone levels checked. Next is nutrition. As tempting as it is to comfort eat when you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or stressed, a more balanced diet will serve you better. There’s a close relationship between what’s happening in your gut and how your brain functions. A diet rich in vegetables, that’s low in sugar, salt, fast or processed foods, but rich in calcium, vitamin D and pre- and probiotics will help your gut and general health, as well as boost your energy levels and mood. Talk to me if you need help or advice, I work with individual clients to create meal plans that work for them and their family and have a variety of recipes on my blog. Finally, sleep is essential, so try and get 7-8 hours a night; a consistent bedtime routine can really help you sleep and therefore feel better. If disturbed sleep or night sweats are a problem, I have some simple tools you can try. Daily things to help Connect with people – even if it’s just over the phone; a chat with good friends or family can lift the spirits, make you laugh and help you feel a little less alone. It’s important, too, to talk about your feelings – open up with a trusted friend or family member and let the ‘I’m fine’ mask slip... you’ll often find a much brighter perspective as a result. Set a routine too. Having a plan for your day can help you feel grounded when everything feels uncertain. Stick to set times to eat, sleep and exercise, and use these as anchors throughout your day. Make time for things you enjoy or add meditation or mindful exercises that focus on your breathing or relaxing your muscles into your daily routine. Check out my online meditations via my blog or join one of my free classes or cacao ceremonies online or in person.

And above all else, remember that you are not alone – reach out to a friend or professional if you need help. n

Find Out More: If you’re struggling with perimenopause or menopause, experiencing gut issues, or need support with energy levels, weight loss or weight management I’m here to help. Book a free call via my blog www.ali-hutchinson.co.uk or email hello@ali-hutchinson.co.uk or call to find out how I could help you on the path to a brighter future: 07973 843020.