Dancing Round the Handbags could change your life.

No, we don’t mean putting on your lipstick and trotting down to the disco. Life coach Lynne Copp has written a book called Dancing Round the Handbags that aims to help hard-working women.

As I don’t know any women who don’t work hard, that must be all of us.

Lynne’s book compares life to a handbag and uses different aspects to see what’s holding you back and how you might reach your goals.

She said: “By reviewing your dances and de-cluttering your handbag, you will return to the dance floor of life, to dance to the tunes that you want to dance to.”

In the chapters of the book, she looks at all aspects of life, including health, work, the masks you put on in public, how others see you and what you really want to achieve.

Over the years Lynne held several high-powered positions before running her own business called The Worklife Company.

Alongside the book, Lynne runs workshops, retreats and special coaching for women.

She said:  “Women are always juggling. They are the ones that have to buy the birthday card, remember to feed the cat and do a million and one things.

“But nurturing themselves always comes at the bottom of the list. Yet when you ask women who is to blame when one of the plates drops they say they are. Women believe they should be seen to do it all.’’

Dancing Round The Handbags by Lynne Copp is published by Ecademy Press and is available from Amazon.co.uk.

VV Amore was out and about this week...

Who doesn’t love getting pressures for Christmas? It doesn’t matter how grown up you are, ripping wrapping paper from a mysterious package on Christmas morning reverts everyone to a delighted six year old.

So, imagine the scene, the turkey is in the oven and the kids kids are playing with whatever Santa brought them.

Your loving other half brings you your first glass of festive fizz and asks: “Do you want your present now, darling?”

So how does that make you feel? Does your heart sink as you mentally prepare your oh-how-lovely-you-shouldn’t-have face? Or do you know that your chap will have managed to find exactly what you want this year?

Ideally, our soul-mate, the person we share our lives with, knows instinctively what we want to receive – the size, shape and brand as well. But, unless you are one of the fortunately few, in order for this to happen, you’ll need to help him along.

There are now several versions of wishlists as smartphone apps, websites or attached to certain retailers. These are a great idea, but they would require a conversation along these lines.

“Have you seen the wishlist website, darling?”

“Um. No.”

“You know the site where people list what they want to get for Christmas.”

“No. Um. Right. Now where’s the remote?”

You can see the problem with that. It’s bound to be slightly more effective than the fabled “leave a magazine lying where he can see it” method, but probably not much.

I found that leaving magazines propped in front of Match of the Day didn’t really have the desired effect.

According to an unscientific poll of a few of my friends, the outcome is clear – just tell him. Men aren’t great at taking hints and they rarely notice subtle messages. The only thing for it is to tell him outright.

Be clear about what you want, where he can get it, the colour you prefer and anything else where a decision is required.

On the other hand, make it easier for both of you with a gift voucher. He gets points and you still get retail therapy – perfect.

The benefit of this is twofold. Firstly, when you reply to the Christmas Day question with a “yes dear, I’d love to open my presents” you can be confident you won’t need to fake your delight. And, secondly, that nerve-wracking moment when your other half sweatily worries if you’re going to like what he’s picked for you is gone. He knows he’s got the right thing and everyone can have a merry Christmas.

VV Amore has just introduced gift vouchers.