Today, I wanted to talk about the baby photos to take before you leave the hospital. Now, my own daughter was born in December, so it’s on my mind at this time of the year. Although it’s not a huge month for births, obviously this is a podcast and it could be listened to at any time in the future and will still be relevant.

What I plan to do is share my 10 must-take photographs of your baby’s birth. I’m not talking about the actual birth process, just the part when your baby is snuggling in your arms, that end of the operation.

Photos You Can Take

There are photographers that offer birth photography (not me), but I’m thinking more practically for parents. I think when you’re in the throes of actually having the baby, taking a photograph probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. I don’t blame you.

Although this is ’10 ideas of photographs to take before you leave the hospital’, my aim is just for you to take at least take one. I think any more is a bonus, but it’s still a beautiful memory to have. So I hope this inspires you to at least get the smartphone out and take some photographs in the hospital, or at least brief your partner with some ideas.

1. I would go with first cuddles of mum with baby or dad with baby, or maybe you can find someone else to take a photograph and you can both be with baby.

I would keep it snugly and tight crop of head & shoulders. This is not a time for full body photography. We want to see your connection with your baby. So photographs of you nose to nose with this new, tiny newborn make beautiful memories.

2. Capture their measurements and their weight.

We had a midwife who very cleverly took a photograph of my husband, sat behind the baby weighing scales with our daughter on them. And it shows how much she weighed. And we’ve also got the tape measure that they used to measure her. They gave us a paper tape measure at that time. I believe it was the midwife’s idea to take this photograph. I absolutely love it. My husband obviously knew he needed to take a photograph, but I don’t think he would’ve thought of this setup personally. I was still in recovery, so it was nothing to do with me, but I really appreciate the fact that she went to this effort and it’s a photograph I look at a lot.

3. Capture their tiny toes and try and show some scale with that.

So if you can cup their little feet in your hands or something like that, and I wouldn’t worry about hiding the ID bracelets either. I think they’re a nice touch. It shows how new they are.

4. And then similarly their hands

If they will grab your little finger, or sometimes I’ve seen photographs where when the baby’s clenching their fist and mum or dad has put their fist next to it, like they’re doing a fist pump. That makes a beautiful photo as well.

5. Capture them in their first bed.

So I’m thinking hospital cot when I say this, and an overhead shot of the full cot structure to frame the picture with your new tiny baby in it is one I’d go for.

6. Capture them feeding, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.

7. If you’re in long enough, you might be able to capture their first bath as well.

I know when I was in the nursing staff actually did my daughter’s first bath, but that might be because I wasn’t in great shape so I certainly didn’t leap up and take a photograph. Hopefully, you’ll be to 🙂

With all of these ideas, take it with a pinch of salt. You’ve got to look after yourself first as well.

8. Baby meeting their siblings if they’ve got any.

And it could just be older brother or sister looking over the hospital cot at their new brother or sister. They’re probably not going to be holding them. It just depends on what the age difference is, but it’s just that look of awe when they first see their new brother or sister that is beautiful to capture.

9. Meeting grandparents.

Although that might not be possible in the hospital at the moment. But when I had my daughter, I remember my father coming up to the hospital and holding my daughter for the first time. A bomb could’ve gone off, but nothing was going to distract him. He was just so absorbed in looking at this new tiny baby and chatting away to her and it was a lovely photograph to capture. It was like the rest of the world disappeared. And he was just immediately in love with his new granddaughter.

10. Leaving the hospital.

So I’ve seen some great photos where it’s literally the parent’s legs and the new baby in the car seat, as they’re leaving the hospital. It’s almost become a silhouette because the light is all ahead of them.

Other Ideas

I’ve also seen some really cute setups on Pinterest with things like chalkboards displaying baby’s name or their measurements, which is very forward-thinking, and of the baby holding their scan photos as if to say ‘I’m here now’. But seriously, that was way more organised than I was and I was a photographer at the time.

It’s a case of taking a photograph when you remember. I think that’s probably the best you can ask for when you’re in the hospital. Another photo to consider is if you are in hospital in labour for a long time before the baby arrives, you can do a ‘waiting for baby’ photo. So, an impromptu bump photograph. If you are in your hospital gown cradling your bump and looking like you’re ready for the baby to be here, it’s part of the story, isn’t it?

I know everybody is in hospital for different lengths of time. So it may be that some of these photographs get taken at home. I would just really encourage you to try and take a photograph in those first 48 hours of your baby’s birth.

Your future self will thank you. And it’s even more important now that the bedside photographers can’t go into the hospitals at the moment because of the restrictions due to the pandemic. So we are even more reliant on what we can do ourselves.

https://suekennedy.co.uk/ep-022-baby-photos-to-take-before-you-leave-the-hospital/

Images © Sue Kennedy 2022

Colour analysis: the 18 seasons method and how to discover your colours

As a personal stylist, colour is one of the most important parts of my work with my clients. Colour can completely transform how our skin looks in dramatic ways, and I use my colour analysis service to do this for my clients. We work together to discover their seasons, and the colours that they can gravitate towards to help them feel their best whenever they next go shopping.

Now, when I talk about the “seasons” you may be thinking – well there are just 4, right? Well, there are 4 main seasons and then their underlying notes which in fact makes it 18!

Don’t worry – you don’t have to know all of them, for you, you just need to know which one is the best aligned to your skin tones and therefore the colours that match you best.

I wanted to share a few insights into the colour analysis method, and help you dip your toe into discovering the colours that best suit you, but of course, if you’d like to have the knowledge of the colours that help you feel most confident, I’d be delighted to help.

Let’s dive in!

The four main seasons in a colour analysis

Before we dive deeper into the palette that work best with you, we need to find out the general features that characterize every season, and that you can find in yourself, and your natural colours:

Spring

Springs have a warmer undertone, with bright and light features. They are actually just like spring – bright, varied, and with strong colours working well for them. However, they need to stay clear of muted, dark and colours with cool undertones, as these will take away from their features.

Best metals: yellow gold and rose gold

Summer

Summers have a cool undertone with soft, and once again light features. Think soft brown or blonde hair, your classic beachy boho tones with cooler features. Colours that work beautifully on summers are pastels, softer tones, and mother-of-pearl shades. Nothing too vivid, harsh, or strong in terms of colours should be worn by Summers as it can wash them out.

Best metals: silver (possible antique) and platinum/white gold

Autumn

Autumns have deep and warm undertones, and soft contrasts.Think of all the beautiful colours you see in Autumn and these are the tones that work best on this type. Whether it’s deep greens, oranges, or the reds you see as the leaves turn – these colours should be welcomed in your wardrobe, while brighter and cooler colours should be passed by.

Best metals: gold (possibly antique) and copper

Winter 

Winters have the cooler undertones with deep and bright tones. Winters do not just have lighter skin and bright eyes, they are often with olive skin and dark hair, but the contrasting features are the most obvious to spot when it comes to winters. Colours that work beautifully on winters are bright icy greens, blues, blacks and even many shades of pink, from fuchsia to sorbet pink. You can also step towards the wintery colours of deep purple and emerald green.

Best metals: silver and white gold 

The 16 subgroups of a colour analysis

Now we know the 4 main seasons we use for a colour analysis we can jump even deeper into the undertones we have.

Let’s be honest – we all have a range of skin tones, hair and eye colours, and therefore, putting us into just 4 options is restrictive. That’s why we have more options to help me discover the truly perfect matches for my clients.

The way I do this is through using the subgroups of each season:

• Spring: Light, Warm or True, Bright
• Summer: Light, Cool or True, Soft
• Autumn: Deep, Warm or True, Soft
• Winter: Deep, Cool or True, Bright

So while three different people may all belong to the same season, they might have different colourings, different level of contrasts and hue. Think of Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt and Kate Winslet, all summers but with different palettes. And this happens with all the 4 seasons, and these sub groups help us discover the specific palettes that will be the most appropriate for your skin tones, which is not just clothes, it includes accessories, make up, hair colour (should you wish to change it!), and jewellery.

Now this way we have 12 main groups of colours. Then why I say I work with 18 seasons? Now things get really complicated, I know. the thing is, while (based on my experience) the majority of people fit in one specific group/subgroup, others can have a mix of features (ie. Warm skin undertone but cool eyes and hair, or warm hair but cool eyes and skin undertone) or a predominance of one particular characteristic (i.e “warm”) that place them in between two seasons. These are so-called “neutrals”, and they can be:

Spring/Summer (or Summer/Spring)

Summer/Autumn (or Autumn/Summer)

Autumn/Winter (or Winter/Autumn)

Winter/Spring (or Spring/Winter)

Autumn/Spring (or Spring/Autumn)

Winter/Summer (or Summer/Winter)

Why is that? There can be varied reasons: some people can inherit a mix of features from parents/family members and have in them a balanced mix of those, which provide them with a wider range of opportunities in terms of which colours suit them; others can experience a transitional phase due to ageing, when hair naturally change, as well as the skin and the eye colours (getting softer), and this make them shift from a brighter season (for instance) to a softer one.

It truly is transformative – and while I would say that because I love my job – it is always so wonderful to hear from my clients when they see the transformations in front of them, saving themselves wasted money on shopping trips with clothes they just don’t suit, and make-up that they love to put on.

Colour can bring us joy, change our mood, and as you can see, transform how we shine! I hope this insight into what goes into a colour analysis and the depth we go to so you can discover your best colours was beneficial! If you’d like to know more or book your own colour clinic, I’d love to help.

What is the Gender Pension Gap?

The average woman has less retirement savings than the average man1. The difference between these two amounts is called the GENDER PENSION GAP. Wow! I have 3 children – 2 of them are girls. So my first thoughts on the gender pension gap is whether this means that my daughters are likely to end up with less money than their brother to see them through their retirement. And given that, statistically, women live longer than men,2 is this an even greater disadvantage to all of us females?

Will we basically have less money to see us through a longer retirement than men?

How big is the Gender Pension Gap?

There is a lot of research out there about this gap, and it looks very different depending on who and how it is measured. In 2021, Legal and General analysed their 4 million pension scheme holders and found that, by retirement, the Gender Pension Gap reaches 56% - that means the average size of a woman’s pension pot at retirement is 56% less than the average for a man

Why is there a Gender Pension Gap?

The first thing to understand is why there is this gap to start with. There is a Gender Pay Gap. Whilst a lot of work is being done to reduce this gap, if women are earning less than men, they will be contributing less to their pensions. Hence a big reason for this gap.

Women are also more likely to take career breaks to look after children and/or family members. There are also more female carers, so even those that do work are more likely to work fewer hours or progress through their careers due to their caring responsibilities. Lesser known reasons why there is this gaping hole between retirement pots of different genders include 

• Women tend to be less likely to live with parents vs young men 
• Women can spend a larger percentage of their salary on rent vs men, as well as the belief that a first home is likely to be a greater percentage of a woman’s salary than for men
• Average care costs for women are generally thought to be higher
• Costs of childcare tend to fall more on women’s shoulders and therefore reduces their ability to contribute into their pensions - Menopause struggles can lead to women giving up work, and I have met quite a few women that really relate to this point
• Divorce tends to have a greater impact on women’s pensions than men
• And women tend to take out less protection against themselves and their income, meaning that if something should happen to them and they are too sick to work, they could find it harder to contribute into their pensions than someone who has protected themselves (via income protection or critical illness cover)

Why is it so important to close this gap?

Having enough money to see you through retirement is really important. There is a tendency for us to prefer to reward ourselves immediately rather than save for our future, but as the costs of living rise and we are living longer, we need to make sure we do not run out of money in the later years.

We all work really hard to earn our money, and therefore making sure we get a well-deserved and well-rewarded rest when it comes time to retire is something that everyone needs to prepare for. In the 2021/2022 tax year, the full state pension pays out £9,339.20 per year. Ask yourself whether that would be enough to allow you to enjoy the standard of living you are hoping to achieve. In fact, when in comes to the state pension, not everyone will receive the full amount and many people will receive a significant amount less.

Another reason it is so important to close the gender pension gap is when it comes to later life care and medical bills. Men spend an average of 62.9 years in good health and 16.5 years in poor health, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics

2. By contrast, women spend an average of 63.3 years in good health and 19.8 in poor health.

This data was compiled for the period 2017-2019 and so pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic, so there is a chance we will see the differences increase once data comes out to include Covid. Since women have less pension funds to see them through retirement, the news that they are likely going to have greater medical bills than men gives greater reason for this gap to be closed. How can we close the gap?

But please do not despair!

Yes, there is a gap, and yes, it feels like there is a lot against us women to close the gap, but there are many ways we can work towards a more even balance. Here is my checklist to help you work towards closing the gap:

• Check your State Pension Entitlement via this link - https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension
• Keep track of your National Insurance Contributions
• Do you have a child under 12? If so, your national insurance credits may be able to be paid for you (whether or not you receive child benefit)
• Track down all your previous pensions – know what you have, how much it is worth, and whether it is invested appropriately for you
• Review your protection insurance and make sure it is suitable for you, your family and your future
• You can contribute into your pension, even if you are not earning (and you can still receive tax relief) – your partner or spouse can contribute into your own pension as well - Include pensions in divorce discussions
• Look after the next generation – start a children’s pension
• Know your number – how much do you have in retirement savings and what type of lifestyle do you want to lead in the future?
• Speak to a professional, like myself, to put together an achievable and understandable plan that makes sense for you

I am passionate about closing the gender pension gap, and with the work I do, I aim to help reduce the gaping hole even if it is one woman at a time.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

1 Legal & General Investment Management analysis of approximately 4 million pension scheme members, July 2021

2 Health state life expectancies, UK: 2017 to 2019, Office for National Statistics, 25 January 2021

www.naomihaynes.co.uk

Photocredit: Canva Feb 2022

This month at our WIBN meetings we've been talking about sustainability in our businesses.

It's a topic that many of us found difficult to talk about. Not because we didn't want to, but because we didn't know enough about it.

A Big Draw For Customers

In 2019, a YouGov study of over 9000 consumers found that they were 67% more likely to choose a product or service from a business that is taking action on climate change and the environment. Is this true for small businesses like ours? Many of us would like to do more but don't because we think it's too expensive.

What Can We Do?

There are the obvious things of buying recycled products such as ink cartridges and of course since Covid much has been automated so less paper is being used to print things out but what else can small businesses do?

Some of our members have signed up to companies that will plant trees. For £6.99 per month, you can plant 20 trees and become carbon neutral. It's a start but is it enough?

Little Things Add Up

We've spoken about the little things that we do. One member is trying to buy her clothes this year from charity shops, another recycles her boxes and puts a sticker on them to her customers saying 'sorry this packaging is not pretty but I'm recycling' and another takes back old jars of skin creams and refills them.

Things You Wouldn't Expect

We had a really interesting chat about eco-friendly funerals and coffins and pension investments with companies that are ethical and sustainable. Did you know that you can get a lower rate mortgage if your house has an Energy Performance Certificate in band A or B when you remortgage or purchase a new home?

It would be really interesting to hear what you do in your business and perhaps we can learn from each other?

Image credit Canva Feb 2022

For many of my clients, styling their outfits for date nights, events with close friends, or just to feel a little more sexy, can be tricky to create. Valentine’s day can be a great time of the year to be with a partner and feel “yourself” or to get dressed up and spend time with your closest friends for a special night out.

So, if you are feeling unsure on what to wear to help yourself feel a little more sexy with confidence, here are some outfit ideas!

Inspire your colour palette

The month of love is often inspired by a certain colour palette, and that is reds, pinks, and blacks! These can be great colours to help inspire your look for a special event. 

When you know the colours that make you feel your best, you can then include them into your outfits, and if reds, blacks, or pinks are within the colour wheel for you, then this is a great time to go all out.

You could have a full look inspired by the colours, for example a beautiful red dress, shoes, and lip. If you feel an all-red look is a little difficult to commit to, you can add flourishes of the colour to your look through the accessories. 

If you want to add pink rather than red, but still feel strong and powerful, you can look into investing in a deep pink suit, or tailored jumpsuit as the tailoring helps to create a stronger look.

However, if you love feeling more “cute” than strong, then baby pinks, softer pinks and sorbet pink are more approachable for this styling.

Black and red work really well together, so if you choose a Little Black Dress that you love and add the touch of sexy red for your date night, you will be sure to be feeling ready to take on the date! 

Feel romantic

Romantic looks are great for a night out with a loved one, and for boosting your energy. Romantic styles are floaty dresses and skirts, all the way to frills, floral patterns, and vintage-style collars. They’re perfect if you’re like me and prefer to feel feminine on a date night.

A maxi or midi length can be an easy to wear style that adds a touch of elegance to your look without feeling restricted on your evening out (which translates to enjoying your dinner without restriction!).

If you prefer to wear something a little less formal, or are going to a brunch date instead of an evening, this look can work beautifully with jeans and a blouse with puff sleeves or added texture. You could also make this feel sexy while romantic with a monochromatic formal look that has the silhouette of a romantic-style of puff sleeves and skirt together. 

Show off your favourite features

The best and easiest way to boost your feeling sexy is to feature your favourite asset – whether it’s your shoulders with an off the shoulder dress, your legs with a short skirt or Little Black Dress, or your booty with a pair of trousers that showcase your asset in the best way. 

When we put on garments that help us feel our best, that’s often when we feel our sexiest. We can then put together the rest of the outfit to match how we are feeling. So, I highly recommend discovering a few key pieces in your wardrobe that you feel your best in and save them for those days when you need added confidence. When you know the garments you feel your best in, you can then know where to invest in new items to create outfits you’ll love to wear (so they don’t have to be saved for special occasions!).

You can also encourage even more confidence with a few added extras:

• Heels can transform your confidence – even if it’s only an inch or two, you will notice the change of how you walk, move, and that added height can boost confidence.
• Add a touch of lipstick – that final swish of colour to your lips can work their magic to bringing a boost of confidence that sometimes is needed to feel your best!
• Bring textures into your outfit that make you feel sexy. Whether you love soft comforting textures, or strong tailored looks, add these textures to your outfit so you can feel confident in a flash.

I believe we should all feel our best whether we are going for a date, out to an event, or spending the day at home, and fashion should help us feel this way when we get it right.

If you are feeling more stressed by your outfit choices, and would love to change that – please get in touch to discover how I can help. 

*Image credit Canva February 2022