Style & Image Updates - Newsletter
Fiona writes regular newsletters for her clients and those wishing to receive updated style and image information. These newsletters are punchy and to the point! If you would like to subscribe, simply submit your details below.
Your Image Solutions: Sample Newsletter
The horror I felt when I discovered what else my handbag carried!!
One of the great things about my job is the wealth of information I pick up from my wonderful clients. They make me laugh, cry, take note, change the way I do things, challenge my thoughts and sometimes they even horrify me, as you will now read.
Like most women, my handbag is never far away from me and other than functionality, it’s not something I think about much, or change often. When I find one that’s comfortable, goes with most of my outfits, holds my gear and looks nice, I tend to stick with it for as long as possible, because I am too lazy/busy (not sure which) to change it over.
Until recently, when I jumped in the car I would sling my bag on the passenger seat, and if that was taken, on the floor. At a restaurant, I would put it on the floor between my feet. I may even have been guilty of putting it on the floor in a public loo. NOT any more!
A woman in the USA considered this sort of behaviour and decided to check out the bacteria count on handbags. It turns out that they are so surprisingly dirty, even the microbiologists were totally shocked. Nearly all the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high is VERY harmful bacteria. They found salmonella and e-coli which make people very sick, pseudonymous which causes eye infections, staphyloncus aurous which can cause skin infection and much more. In a batch of 5 bags tested, 4 had faecal contamination and salmonella.
The study found that leather and vinyl bags tend to be cleaner than cloth bags. Women with kids tend to have dirtier bags than those without. Ladies who frequent night clubs have the worst bacteria counts, due to vomit and whatever, that I will leave to your imagination, found on floors. I think that you’ve got the picture!
Now think about what you do when you get home with the shopping. How often have you put your bag on the kitchen bench or food preparation area? So what can we do about this?
- When you get home, hang your bag on a door handle, hook or stair banister.
- At restaurants, get one of those bag hooks (which are coming back in), and hang it off your table.
- If your car is full of people, put your bag in a green shopping bag on the floor.
- In a public loo, always use the hook on the back of the door. (Apparently theft of bags under loo doors is rife anyway!)
- Wipe your bag with an antiseptic cloth or spray with anti-bacterial hand wash regularly.
- Be highly aware that your bag may have been to the same places as your shoe soles, so act accordingly.
If you think that you bag may be a little sus, your friends bags probably are too, so forward this email on to them.
On a lighter note, what shape of bag do you have, what size handbag are you using and what’s in it?
If you are wondering why I am asking, it’s because I never cease to be amazed by the huge “carry all bags” that many participants bring to my workshops. Recently, I read a very funny article in an old Women’s Weekly (no doubt at a doctor’s surgery) talking about aging with grace and style. Near the top of the list was the advice to lose the “carry all” bag. The description of what it makes women look like, was not complementary!
I can hear the wails, “But I need a big bag to hold all my stuff!” Do you really?
From my observation, women with big bags are the ones most likely to lose their car keys on a regular basis, which causes anxiety and does not make you look stylish or competent, especially around superiors and male work colleagues.
So what are the handbag essentials: your wallet, mobile phone, glasses, sunnies, small bottle of scent, a SMALL makeup purse with stuff to touch up your lips, cheeks, nose and eyes, a small brush or comb, a small notebook/pen/diary (or a separate one outside your bag), a pack of tissues or hankie, a fold-out shopping bag and your car keys - NO more! Ideally your car keys should have a clip on them which can be attached to the handles of your bag so that you can find them in an instant. (If you are worried about theft, they hang inside the bag with the zip or fastener closed.) Other stuff should not be needed on a regular basis, so should be carried in a separate basket or bag, as required.
The silhouette of your bag should complement the shape of your body. The size of your bag should be in proportion with your height/volume. I teach all of this and lots more in the Step Into Style workshop. Follow this link for the current schedule for Terms 3 & 4 workshops 2010. http://www.yourimage.com.au/workshops.
So sorry girls if I have shocked you too, but as keepers of health, we need to know the above and pass on to other women. The last thing we want to do is unwittingly pass on sickness to our family, and who knows, we may have been responsible for the last bout of gastro that hit our family!For further information contact me on 03 9857 6275 – Telephone enquiries from 8:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday.
