My ever popularLunch with Lizzi posts are a great way to share with you fabulous women, doing fabulous work.
Last Sunday I had the pleasure of shopping with Hayley Eleanor Smith, a Personal Stylist from Nottinghamshire – we had lots of fun in Milton Keynes Central, particularly trying on HUSH joggers in John Lewis! Over lunch we caught up, and here is what she had to say…
Hayley, tell my readers a little bit about yourself?
I am based in north Nottingham, near Sherwood Forest. I am a Personal Stylist helping women solve their outfit and wardrobe dilemmas.
What’s been your journey so far?
I originally worked as a Solicitor for 10 years before having my son in 2013, after reassessing my work situation, I decided to retrain to do something that I love. Having experienced a colour analysis as a teenager I knew I wanted to share this gift with other women to give them confidence and clarity with their clothing choices.
What is a typical week for you?
I work two days a week around my son. Each week varies, I regularly attend networking meetings, visit client’s homes for wardrobe consultations or go personal shopping with them. The last few weeks have been busy with meetings and presentations.
Tell us about the services your business offers?
Clients enlist me because they want the knowledge and assistance to create outfits that suit them, that they love and they can wear. I realised quite early on in my business that the magic for my clients happens in their wardrobe, when they can apply colour and shape advice to their existing pieces, finding out what works or does not and why.
I look to rework their existing clothes, identify and suggest new pieces which will complement and expand their current outfits, whether this is by me signposting brands and pieces for the client’s to explore themselves or by accompanying them on a personal shop where I do all the legwork!
What’s the best thing about your work?
The confidence that my clients have once they have discovered what suits them and why. Whilst I was in the changing room with one of the first client’s I ever shopped with, she exclaimed, ‘I am so happy, I never thought I would ever look like this!’ there may have even been a watery eye! That was the best feeling!
What’s the one task you wish you didn’t have to do?
Accounts! Probably the same for every self-employed person but it must be done!
What’s your favourite item in your wardrobe?
Ohh I have a few depending on the occasion! I recently bought some patterned relaxed summer trousers from Juicy Couture (I thought they only did velour tracksuits!) from Bicester Village for £30. I love the colours and patterns in them- in fact I loved them so much I didn’t check the washing instructions, they turn out to be 100% silk and dry clean only. I’m hoping they survive a cold machine wash!
What’s in your handbag?
Depends on where I’m going! Usually my purse, phone, Clinique chubby stick, tissues, baby wipes (for the boy!), a drink, business cards, mints.
What’s your favourite bit of jewellery and why?
I’m a bit sentimental, so engagement and wedding bands always make me smile. Costume jewellery wise, a bracelet with ‘S’ on from my son and a necklace from Wolf and Moon that goes with everything!
What book are you reading at the moment?
She Means Business by Carrie Green.
What’s the last film you watched?
I can’t actually remember! My mums just bought La la Land on DVD for us to watch together as we missed it at the cinema.
What family fun activities do you do at the weekend?
We often visit family, go to a country park, anything to keep the boy occupied!
How do you achieve work/life balance?
I’m not sure I’ve quite got it right yet, but I make sure I prioritise my son over work.
How do you relax?
I’m not very good at that and something I’m working on! But in the past I have loved to knit and need to get back on it!
Where’s your favourite place to shop?
I like to shop around and it really differs depending on the season, but always on the High Street. At the moment, Warehouse have got some nice summer stuff and I am coveting a dress from French Connection and a jumpsuit from White Stuff.
I also love discovering new brands, I recently found a new Spanish shoe company called Verbenas, so comfy!
What tips do you have for busy working mums?
There is so much to juggle, you can’t be all things to all people so just do the best you can!
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| On BBC Radio |
You recently went on the radio to talk about beachwear, tell us about this experience and what tips did you offer?
It was the second time I had been invited onto the show and it always goes really quick! I was asked to concentrate on advice for swimwear for different body shapes, so gave some general tips about balancing proportions and where I had found good affordable brands for different shapes. When I had finished, some of the editors had my suggestions up on their screen to shop!
What three things could you not live without?
- Under eye concealer
- Tweezers
- My furry throw
Now don’t take too long to think about these!
- Clutch or Tote? – Tote
- Heels or flats? – Flats
- Leather or faux fur? – Faux fur
- Book or Kindle? – iBook!
- Instagram or Facebook? – Facebook
- Paper notebook or digital tablet? – Paper notebook
- Diamonds or Pearls? – Pearls
- Tea or Coffee? – Tea
- Starter or Desert? – Starter
- Lipstick or Lip Gloss? – Lip Gloss
To find out more about Hayley Eleanor, check her out on her website, the photos she likes to take on instagram or her favourite Facebook.
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