26 Kent women you NEED in your life
Girl power! 26 key contacts every Kent woman should have – to help support your physical, mental or emotional health – here’s your ultimate Little Black Book.
1. HOME ORGANISER
Getting organised around the house – or having a home edit – is about a lot more than just putting some pretty boxes on shelves. It’s about decluttering the mind, helping you cope with the pressures of juggling work, life and family in a practical, solution-driven way. Step forward KATE EDMONDSON founder of Home Edited. She’s a bona fide Home Accountability Coach and Professional Organiser – which basically means she can save your sanity and will travel across the county to help you get your home in order.
☎️ Tel: 0790397388 • Email: kate.homeedited@gmail.com • Instagram: @home.edited
2. STAYCATION IN STYLE
Whether you want a romantic break à deux or a weekend away with the girls, you’ll love this selection of hand-picked self-catering properties, all right here in Kent. A family-run business, founded by CAMILLA SHIPTON, Keepers Cottages is so much more than a holiday letting company. Camilla manages the entire process from the moment that guests book to the cleaning, laundry, out-of-hours service. She’ll always offer a bespoke service and is happy to answer any of your questions – whether you’re looking to book or someone with a property to rent out.
☎️ Tel: 01304 382044 • Email: camilla@keeperscottages.co.uk • Instagram: @keeperscottages
3. FAMILY LAWYER
Family issues can be painful and challenging to deal with. You need an expert in your corner you can trust to put your interests, and those of your children, first. KIRSTIE LAW (yes, that really is her name) is an experienced, friendly and approachable family lawyer at Tunbridge Wells based Thomson Snell & Passmore. She is a trained mediator and can also help with a wide range of family law issues including divorce, cohabitation, financial and child arrangements and pre and post nuptial agreements.
☎️ Tel: 01892510000 • Email: info@ts-p.co.uk
4. PROPERTY FINDER
Sixteen years ago FIONA PENNY founded Fiona Penny Bespoke Home Finders, a property finding service that can help you find your dream property in Kent and East Sussex. The housing market is fierce right now and if you’re considering using a property finder we can vouch that Fiona knows both the property industry and this area of the country inside out.
☎️ Tel: 01580 713825 • Email: fiona@fionapenny.com • Instagram: @fionapennyhomefinders
5. BEST VET FOR YOUR PET
We love this family-run, independent veterinary practice in Tenterden, where the service is all about providing excellent care to each individual pet – however big or small. Owned and run by head vet, DR VICTORIA VIDAL, who – alongside her dedicated team – wants to maintain the traditional values found these days at only the very best vets practises.
☎️ Tel: 01580 763303 • Email: info@herondenvets.co.uk • Instagram: @herondenvets
6. YOGA FOR MENTAL HEALTH
LORRAINE COLLINS is the founder of Samsara, a spectacular rural yoga retreat, located deep in the Kentish countryside. Lori has built a brand that is not just about physical exercise but also about a lifestyle built on kindness, compassion and non-judgement. Visit Lori and her team to take a moment away from your daily life, immerse yourself in yoga sessions, home-cooked food and everything designed with your relaxation in mind.
☎️ Tel: 07989 596902 • Email: info@samsararetreatyoga.co.uk • Instagram: @samsararetreat
7. SPOT ON STYLING
On a mission to give women back their style, confidence and – most importantly – time, VICTORIA GENEVIEVE offers luxury personal shopping, personal styling and wardrobe detox services. Providing practical solutions, once she’s taken you shopping – within your budget – she’ll then show you how to wear it all in a quick reference style file. She can even run a Style Party for you and the girls.
☎️ Tel: 07894 468490 • Email: victoriagenevieve@hotmail.com • Instagram: @victoriagenevievestyling
8. HAPPY HORMONES
Registered Nutritional Therapist VIRGINIA HILLS is on a mission to support women to feel their best and boost energy levels – particularly in mid-life – whilst balancing stress and hormones. She focuses on optimising your gut health to achieve this and is so approachable with absolutely any health question you might throw her way. Book a free 30min call with her now to find out exactly how she can help you.
☎️ Tel: 07955 498833 • Email: hello@virginiahillsnutrition.com • Instagram @virginiahillsnutrition
9. FLOWER POWER
We love this Florist and Antiques Shop on St John’s Rd, Tunbridge Wells, The Bloom Foundry is an eclectic mix of all things floral with a twist of antique and interior treasures thrown in, all curated by the talented LUCIE MERKL. Lucie is one of our go-to girls when we want to gift our friends flowers.
☎️ Tel: 01892 525695 • Email: hello@thebloomfoundry.co.uk • Instagram @thebloomfoundry
10. PARTY PLANNER
From Entertainer to Character and Princess Parties, Hen Dos to kids’ Pamper Parties…when it comes to hosting your next special celebration, the options are endless with JOANNA MASON. Founder of Kent’s Perfect Parties and Events (KPPE) – with a background in Dance and Choreography and years of experience running the Performing Arts department at a secondary school – Jo and her team could not be better qualified.
☎️ Tel: 07813 434432 • Email kentsperfectparties@outlook.com • Instagram @kents_perfect_parties
11. INTERIOR DESIGN
JUSTINE HODGSON-BARKER is the bees knees when it comes to creating cool spaces that are every bit as unique as you are, founder of Barkerdesign. Based in Tunbridge Wells but she covers all of Kent and is happy to travel to ensure your Interiors harmonise, inspire and improve the way you live and work. From a Full Bespoke Interior Design Service that specifies everything, to aspects of the design, to finishing touches, to Styling Service, or even a Mini Consultation where you can brain-storm design dilemmas in small spaces, without busting the budget – she can help.
☎️ Tel: 07788 581928 • Email justine@barker-design.com • Instagram @barker_design
12. LIFE COACH
CAROLINE HART, Kent Life Coach, has 17 years experience as a Qualified Life Coach and helps clients (adults or teens) work through emotional shifts and build the life they want. From Life Coaching (exploring what you want in life and how you can achieve it) to NLP (understanding our behaviours and breaking negative patterns) – and even Laughter workshops – everything about Caroline is positive and light-hearted, even when dealing with very emotive and tough feelings.
☎️ Tel: 07832 236647 • Email: caroline@kentlifecoach.co.uk • Instagram: @kentlifecoach
13. IMMUNE BOOSTING MASSAGE
After a confidence boost (of the non-invasive nature!) or a bit of self indulgence? That’s exactly why STEPHANIE GORMAN created Sculpt & Shape. She loves to help people feel confident about themselves. And she’s offering Muddy readers her brand new mood boosting Manual Lymphatic Drainage with an exclusive 15% OFF – just use code MUDDYK15 when booking. The gentle massage is relaxing and promotes the elimination of toxins, reducing fatigue, fluid retention, improving the appearance of skin and boosting immunity.
☎️ Tel: 07702 853512 • Email: hello@sculptandshape.uk • Instagram @sculpt_and_shape
14. GARDEN GURU
Let us introduce you to the super creative CATRIONA STILES. Having our own private outdoor space is an amazing privilege but it can be daunting to know how to make the most of it. With a background in engineering, Catriona combines this with her knowledge and passion for design, plants, and nature – resulting in dream gardens with wow factor.
☎️ Tel: 07375 870672 • Email: catriona@catrionastiles.co.uk • Instagram: @catriona_stiles
15. FRIENDLY PHOTOGRAPHER
Run your own business? Need a photographer for a special event? The super smiley and hugely talented MOLLIE MANNING of Mollie Manning Creative is the ideal person to take your photos – and help you stay relaxed throughout the process. Mollie can work with you to capture your story, who you are what you do and why you do it.
☎️ Tel: 07702 513788 • Email: molliermanning@gmail.com • Instagram: @molliemanningcreative
16. MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS
LUCY PARKER, co-founder of FLOW Yoga in Tunbridge Wells is not only a yoga guru but also a brilliant meditation teacher. Learn how to silence your monkey mind and boost your mental health – personally tried and tested!
☎️ Tel: 07976 439122 • Email: lucy@flowtunbridgewells.com • Instagram: @flowtwells
17. FEEL GOOD FASHION
GEMMA HOLMES is the owner of ODYL fashion boutique, in Cranbrook, (and the online store). We love Gemma because she offers free style consultations either in store or on a Zoom call and is ace at boosting your confidence through clothing – whatever your shape or size. (We have it on good authority that she dresses some well-known TV celebs).
☎️ Tel: 07973 391548 • Email: info@odyldesign.com • Instagram: @odylshop
18. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
MILENA MOORE is a consulting medical herbalist based in Apotheca – the centre for natural health which offers expert treatments, over the counter advice, natural remedies and beauty products, in the heart of Faversham. We have benefitted first-hand from Milena’s expertise which (alongside traditional medicine and advice) helped alleviate our allergies.
☎️ Tel: 01795 227 423 • Email: info@apothecaclinic.co.uk • Instagram: @apotheca_faversham
19. COOKING COURSES
Stuck in a cooking rut? Fed up with churning out the same old recipes and family meals? Look no further than PIP PORTER and her Sevenoaks based cookery school, The Cooking Apple where she runs regular group courses. She’s also available for Private Classes – for adults or kids (after school or in the holidays). The pre-university private classes can ensure your teen is sent off ready to cater in a small kitchen and on a budget.
☎️ Tel: 07908 620510 • Email: pip@thecookingapple.co.uk • Instagram: @thecookingapple
20. WINE EXPERIENCES
As brand manager of The Wine Garden of England, there’s not much JO SMITH doesn’t know about our wonderful Kent vineyards. But with each and every one of them offering a unique and special experience – how do you choose? You don’t have to! The Wine Garden of England can take you on a hand-picked selection of all the best local vineyards – offering individual experiences along the way.
☎️ Tel: 07971 213695 • Email: jo@winegardenofengland.co.uk • Instagram: @winegardenofengland
21. TEENAGE SUPPORT
ALICIA DRUMMOND is an author, therapist, parent coach, speaker and founder of Teen Tips. Whether it’s a downloadable talk on a really current topic – or individual advice for a very specific concern – you can get all the support and advice you need for parenting this age group. (We’ve read the book and listen to her podcasts!)
☎️ Tel: 01273 093940 • Email: info@teentips.co.uk
22. HAIR GEM
We regularly recommend LINSEY BLACKMORE, founder of Camden Villa Hair – a little pocket rocket of a hair salon tucked away in Sissinghurst, in a beautifully converted barn in her back garden. It’s a well kept secret (not any more!) and ex-London stylist, Linsey, has created a delightfully quirky space where you receive a truly bespoke service. And because she doesn’t have the expensive overheads of a busy high street salon Linsey’s prices are really amazing value – but the surroundings and her skills are first rate.
☎️ Tel: 07852 413112 • Instagram: @camdenvillahair
23. MIDLIFE SKIN SOLUTIONS
CAROLINE BREEN is on a mission to help women make the most of their magnificent midlife – and that means giving them glowing skin to match. She and her co-founder created Living M – a brilliant range of affordable and effective skincare – packed with all the best ingredients to keep us looking and feeling our best right through from peri, to post, menopause. Plus she’s extremely knowledgeable on this subject – so feel free to contact her with questions.
☎️ Tel: 07917 230 055 • Email: caroline@wearelivingm.com • Instagram: @wearelivingm
24. FAST FITNESS
Fitness trainer, SARAH BEST, founder of FindurFit has created online workouts aimed at busy women that want to stay strong through their midlife. You can follow her free instagram Live sessions or sign up to her Bitesize classes – all under 15 minutes. These are really effective short, pre-recorded workouts, that you can easily fit around your weekly schedule – and the results are real. We’ve tried this one out ourselves and have really felt the benefits.
☎️ Tel: 07887 531266 • Email: sarah@findurfit.com • Instagram: @findurfituk
25. BEAUTY SOLUTIONS
CARLY WOPLING is an experienced aesthetician , who works at No.6 Clinic in Tunbridge Wells and has been doing her job for over 25 years. Whether it’s a skin breakout, fixing pigmentation or varicose veins – Carly will work her magic. She loves to help people feel confident about themselves and their skin and this makes Carly excellent at what she does.
☎️ Tel: 01892 240120 • Email: carlywop@icloud.com • Instagram: @no.6clinic
26. HASSLE-FREE HOSTING
For the ultimate hassle free hosting offering, you can’t beat SET founders SARAH BATTY & ALEX ELLVER‘s creative tablescaping – choose from their tabletop style collection, let them lay the table and then their catering partners, Three Sisters, can take care of the menu.
☎️ Tel: Sarah: 07855 830440 or Alex: 07810 836746 • Email: hello@set-table.co.uk • Instagram @set_hosting