Month: July 2021

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LIFESTYLE: CREATE A HOME OFFICE

by jojobateman1 Comment on LIFESTYLE: CREATE A HOME OFFICE

As many of us have been forced to work from home over the last two years and we still do not know when the lockdowns will truly end, we may be looking for some inspiration for your workspace at home. This could be an alcove, a cupboard under the stairs, a corner of a room or some of you could be lucky enough to have a dedicated room already as a home office. Who knows ? Now lockdown is lifted it may become a more permanent and suitable arrangement for you to continue working from home so why not start planning a fabulously stylish office where you just LOVE to go to work everyday.

COLOUR SCHEME

Light or neutral colours make a space look larger. You certainly don’t want it too dark and cosy or you will fall asleep !! keep it clean and tonal. The simple Scandinavian look is very on trend right now. Walls, ceiling and shelves in the same colour works very well which allows you to add some of your personality and a pop of colour with accessories.

Light or neutral colours make a space look larger. You certainly don’t want it too dark and cosy or you will fall asleep !! keep it clean and tonal. The simple Scandinavian look is very on trend right now. Walls, ceiling and shelves in the same colour works very well which allows you to add some of your personality and a pop of colour with accessories.

GO MODERN.CO.UK

WINDOW TREATMENTS

As much light as possible is preferable to keep you alert but it is important to reduce any glare on your screen. Shutters make a good option or venetian blinds as they let enough light in whilst giving you the option to adjust to minimise glare. They also maintain the clean lines of your office scheme.

LIGHTING

Try to position your desk by a window to enable as much light as possible. Too bright lighting can cause headaches and difficulty concentrating. Softer lighting to minimise the blue light from computer screens is a better idea and a good desk lamp for when you are burning the midnight oil !

IF YOU RECEIVED THIS BY E MAIL TO DISPLAY SHOPPING IMAGES PLEASE CLICK ON THE URL LINK AT THE BASE OF THIS ARTICLE

SHOP HERE

STORAGE

Filing cabinets and storage boxes are where you can add some of your personality either go bright or just keep it tonal with the walls and floor depending on which look you are opting for. But check out some of my ideas below.

SHOP HERE

DESK AND CHAIR

You may opt to save your statement pieces for your desk and chair. A statement desk does not have to be about colour there are some super stylish natural wood or stone desks around that are real art pieces. Be sure that both are ergonomically suitable. When seated your feet should be flat on the floor with a 90-120 degree bend at the knee. The top of your screen should be eye level if not this is easily remedied by standing your screen on some books etc to raise it up higher. the desk height should enable your elbows to be close to your waist and body.

SHOP HERE

ART

Place some art on the walls that mean something to you and reflect you as a person. Art is very subjective so it has to be a piece that you LOVE to look at. That inspires YOU. Even memo boards or calendars can be artistic . How about purchasing some chalkboard paint and designing your own wall workboard. This can create an ultra modern image.

SHOP HERE FOR INSPIRATIONAL ART

ACCESSORIES

Add some bold and stylish accessories to make the space yours that accent your personality. Items that pull the look together. Find some ideas below.

SHOP HERE

JOJO ‘s STYLELIST TIP: NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE THE INFLUENCE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS ON YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND MOTIVATION. TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT YOUR WORKSPACE TODAY. THIS MAY BECOME YOUR FOREVER WAY OF WORKING.

MWAH MWAH XXXXX

JOJO

MIDWEEK MANTRAS

MIDWEEK MANTRA:DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT

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YOUR WEEKLY CLUB OF INSPIRATION, POSITIVITY AND TASKS TO UPLIFT YOU, STRENGTHEN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND JUST GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK !

back view of a woman walking on the seashore

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WE PROBABLY HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISCONNECTED FROM SOCIETY. BUT AS WE ARE ALL NOW LIVING LIFE PRETTY MUCH TO THE FULL AGAIN. BUT THERE ARE MANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNED BY BEING LOCKED DOWN FOR SUCH A LONG PERIOD AND DEALING WITH ALL THE ADVERSITY THAT LIFE THREW AT US DURING THIS PERIOD. SOME OF US FLOURISHED AND FOR OTHERS IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT. BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE WE ALL LEARNED A LOT ABOUT OURSELVES AND ALSO GAVE US A N OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE WITH LESS AND DE CLUTTER DEADWOOD FROM OUR LIVES AND HOMES.

SO BEFORE YOU RUSH HEADLONG BACK TO THE CHAOS OF NORMAL LIFE SPEND SOME TIME TODAY REFLECTING ON THE POSITIVES THAT CAME OUT OF BEING DETACHED FOR THIS PERIOD.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF ?

WHO WAS THERE FOR YOU DURING THIS PERIOD ? WHO WAS NOT?

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?

CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE IN YOUR LIFE?

REWORKING YOUR WORK/HOME LIFE BALANCE ?

APPRECIATION OF NATURE ?

APPRECIATION OF CULTURE THEATRE, ART GALLERIES, GREAT RESTAURANTS ?

MORE TIME FOR YOUR CHILDREN, FRIENDS,HUSBAND,LOVER ?

CONTINUE TO COOK HEALTHY MEALS AND KEEP UP THAT DAILY WALK ?

CHOOSE THE LIFE YOU NOW WANT TO LIVE. SOMEHOW IN THE WAKE OF THIS PANDEMIC LIFE SEEMS MORE COLOURFUL, FREEDOM IS SOMETHING TO TREASURE AND LIFE IS SOMETHING TO VALUE SO LIVE YOURS WITH INTENTION FROM TODAY !

MWAH MWAH XXXXXX

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: DO NOT WASTE THE LESSONS THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT YOU REFLECT, REINVENT AND LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A BETTER WAY THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. RECONNECT STRONGER THAN BEFORE.

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LIFESTYLE:HOLIDAY READING LIST

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woman reading book on white textile

Throughout lockdown I have had an array of books on my bedside table. I have rediscovered my love of reading. I generally love to read books that are going to improve me in some way so that I feel my time has been invested wisely.

So these are the last four books I have read that were simply so good that I wanted to share them with you.

Now we are all actively booking holidays what better time to get through that reading list. I was lucky enough to just return from a beautiful Villa in Kefalonia so I took a couple of these with me and I must say actually reading these book created a harmonious mindset and I have come back truly relaxed and enlightened. So much more refreshing than my usual fashion magazines.

THINK LIKE A MONK by Jay Shetty is everything I already do but reinforced in a different mindset. The read itself was an enjoyable journey of peace and tranquility. I was lucky enough to read this ensconced in a beautiful Villa by the ocean so the setting could not have been more perfect to put into practice of all Jays’ learning objectives contained within the book. A definite holiday read when you are fully relaxed enough to take it on board once you resume your busy lifestyle. An easy read reinforced by Jays experience adopting the Monks lifestyle for three years. I can honestly say my mind had never been more peaceful on any break and i think it was largely due to the content of this book flooding my brainwaves each day combined of course with the beautiful surroundings of FZEEN in KEFALONIA.

LET THE SOULS OF OUR CHILDREN SING by teacher and Journalist LEONORA LANGLEY is a must read for any parent, or teacher in an educational establishment. LANGLEY explores the increasing emphasis and value we place as a society on academic development at the detriment of creative exploration both in educational surroundings and at home. Could this be the link to the mental health epidemic in young people today ? How do we navigate our children’s development to ensure their needs are being listened to and their specialities are being discovered and nurtured. Are creative children happier children ? I would definitely recommend this book if you are responsible for children in any way. You can really make a difference to a child’s wellbeing , 140 pages long, set aside a weekend. A small book with a big message !!

BALANCE YOUR AGNI by CLAIRE PAPHITIS. As an ayurvedic indulger for many years now I understand the benefits in aligning our diet and behaviour with nature and the seasons. A large part of the the Ayurveda principle is really just listening to your body and ‘tuning up’ the senses. This is one of the best books if you are new to Ayurveda with a simple approach to adopting it into your everyday life. Once you have sorted out your Agni from your Doshas and Ojas you are good to go. Learn to use food as medicine and find balance and calm in your life you really can transform your life. A lovely short book packed with information you can get this read in one day on holiday. FZEEN the wonderful resort where I was staying even made some of the smoothies up for me .

Anyway enough already of the self improvement books (although I do think that is what makes holidays so transformative). Sometimes though you may just want pure escapism. As I live pre lockdown partly in LA I was eager to read DAVID NIVENS book on old school Hollywood, BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES. Cited as one of the most honest books about Hollywood , its focus is from the mid-thirties until1960. Not so much of an autobiography but centring more on his famous Hollywood friends such as Errol Flynn, Clark Gable and many more. A fantastic romp and many of us reflect back on the good old days certainly on the surface much has changed but scratch the surface and the insecurities and ruthless behaviour are pretty much the same. This book provides a follow up (part two) to Niven’s autobiography THE MOONS A BALLOON. This book kept me riveted and I became lost in a bygone era. Maybe a book you may not have thought about reading as was first published in 1975 and like most of us too busy to read these days, but perfect for a good long holiday read to transport you a legendary Hollywood era with the superstar legends that made it legendary. Hear it first hand from someone that was there, something that any new book on Hollywood cannot claim to do !

So there you have it folks my four books I have read so far this Summer , on holiday …….. and my subsequent self inflicted post holiday quarantine ! I sincerely hope you pick up one of these excellent literary donations to my mental health and enjoy them as much as I have.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE BOOKS OCCUPYING YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE RIGHT NOW….WHAT YOU HAVE. BEEN READING IN LOCKDOWN……….ANY GOOD HOLIDAY READS…………OR WHATS ON YOUR FUTURE READING LIST ?

SHARE IT HERE. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU !!

MIDWEEK MANTRAS

MIDWEEK MANTRA:THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

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YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF EXERCISES FOR THE MIND. YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL THINGS INSPIRATIONAL AND POSITIVITY TO UPLIFT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE WEEK AHEAD.

man tattooed praying

GRATITUDE

OKAY OKAY I KNOW I GO ON ABOUT BEING GRATEFUL BUT I CAN TOTALLY GUARANTEE YOU THAT THIS IS THE ONE THING WHEN PRACTISED ON A DAILY BASIS CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. I DO IT AND IT WORKS. MANY OF MY CLIENTS HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TOO.

IF GRATITUDE WAS A PILL WE WOULD BE PAYING A FORTUNE FOR IT. IF A DOCTOR TOLD YOU HE COULD IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN ONE WEEK AND IT IS GUARANTEED YOU WOULD BE RUSHING TO THE CHEMISTS.

THIS IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE ACTION FOR CONTENTMENT.

WE HAVE TALKED OVER MANY YEARS OF KEEPING A GRATITUDE JOURNAL WRITING 3 THINGS EVERY MORNING THAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL IN YOUR LIFE SO HOPEFULLY MANY OF YOU ARE TAKING THIS ON BOARD.

BUT TRY SPEAKING IT OUT LOUD. IF YOU ARE FEELING VERY LOW AND ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY THINKING OF THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HERE IS A PRAYER/MANTRA TO BE RECITED OUT LOUD EVERY MORNING THIS WEEK UPON WAKING. THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND SET AND STRENGTHEN YOUR NEURAL PATHWAYS AND INCREASE ENDORPHINS IN YOUR BRAIN. REALLY FEEL THE PRAYER AS YOU SAY IT OUT LOUD.

GRATITUDE PRAYER

THANK YOU FOR THE SUN RISING EVERY MORNING SO I CAN SEE THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE THAT LOVE ME AND FOR THE THE STRANGERS WHO REFLECT MY SMILE BACK AT ME AND THE WARMTH IT PROVIDES TO GROW THE SEEDS TO NOURISH MY BODY.

THANK YOU FOR THE SUN SETTING EVERY NIGHT ALLOWING ME TO REST AND NOURISH MY BODY AND MIND AND ALLOWING ME TO RECONNECT WITH MY SUBCONSCIOUSNESS,

THATS IT ! SOMETHING WE CAN ALL RELATE TO. TRY IT. EVERYDAY. OUT LOUD.

MWAH MWAH XXX

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: I HAVE KEPT A GRATITUDE JOURNAL FOR 7 YEARS AND IT DOES PUT EVERYTHING INTO PERSPECTIVE. IF THERE IS ONE THING TO CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK IN LIFE AND MAINTAIN POSITIVITY THIS IS IT. YOU ONLY KNOW IF YOU TRY IT AND SEE IF IT WORKS FOR YOU TOO !!!!

MIDWEEK MANTRAS

MIDWEEK MANTRA

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on MIDWEEK MANTRA

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF POSITIVITY, INSPIRATION AND TASKS TO GET YOU BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND UPLIFT YOU TO A BETTER PLACE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. JOIN US FOR YOUR WEEKLY INJECTION OF THE HAPPINESS VACCINE !!

photo of assorted colored gummy bears
REMOVE THE WEEDS TO MAKE WAY FOR THE MORE PLEASURABLE THINGS IN LIFE……

SEEDS AND WEEDS

AS WE APPROACH THE END OF LOCKDOWN AND THE DAWNING OF A NEW ERA IT IS TIME TO SHAKE UP OUR OWN IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT. TO ADOPT A FRESH APPROACH TO OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH.

WE NEED TO PLANT MORE SEEDS IN OUR LIFE. SEEDS GERMINATE HOPE, FLOURISH , SUPPORT US AND PRODUCE GROWTH. WEEDS, ON THE OTHER HAND ARE THINGS/PEOPLE PRESENT IN OUR OWN LIFE THAT HOLD US BACK, SLOWLY STRANGLE US AND INHIBIT US MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS. WEEDS CAN CAUSE US TO GET BOGGED DOWN AND BLOCK OUT THE LIGHT. WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY THE WEEDS THAT EXIST IN OUR OWN LIVES WE ALL HAVE THEM. WEEDS CAN BE TANGIBLE, PEOPLE OR JUST THOUGHTS THAT EXIST WITHIN OUR OWN MINDS.

THE TASK TODAY IS TO FIND A QUIET PLACE TO SIT DOWN WITH A PEN AND PAPER DIVIDED INTO TWO COLUMNS ‘WEEDS’ AND ‘SEEDS’. LIST IN YOUR LIFE THE PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS THAT ARE CAUSING NEGATIVITY IN YOUR LIFE UNDER ‘WEEDS’ AND THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE IN YOUR LIFE THAT BRING JOY UNDER ‘SEEDS’. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE WEED LIST AND JUST BY IDENTIFYING THEM MAY BE THE FIRST TIME YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY EXIST. CONCENTRATING ON THE SEED LIST CAN ENABLE GRATITUDE AND ALLOW YOU TO BUILD ON THE LIST YOU IDENTIFIED AS BEING PRODUCTIVE IN YOUR LIFE.

NOW, START TO SOW A NEW LIST TO ADD MORE SEEDS TO BE PLANTED READY TO FLOURISH. EACH MORNING ADD ONE THING TO YOUR LIST TO BRING JOY TO YOUR LIFE AND PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. THIS CAN BE A SMALL FAST FLOURISHING GROWTH OR A WHOLE FIELD THAT NEEDS CULTIVATING LONGER TERM. EG. SHORT TERM COULD BE TO PRACTICE MEDITATION AT A REGULAR TIME EACH DAY. SO TODAY I AM GOING TO DISCOVER ON LINE A DEEPAK CHOPRA MEDITATION COURSE TO FOLLOW. A MORE LONGER TERM PROPOSITION COULD BE TO RETRAIN FOR A CAREER THAT BRINGS JOY AND LIGHT INTO YOUR LIFE.

HAPPY SEED SOWING TEAM AND DON,T FORGET GET WEEDING !

MWAH MWAH. XXXXXX

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IT IS VERY USEFUL TO THINK IN TERMS OF BRINGING MORE LIGHT INTO YOUR LIFE BY CLEARING THE PATHWAY AND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS CAN TRULY NOURISH THE MIND. I REALLY HOPE YOU FIND PLEASURE IN THIS PRACTICE ON A DAILY BASIS. START TO THINK DIFFERENTLY TODAY.

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BEAUTY: MY 10 HERO PRODUCTS

by jojobateman2 Comments on BEAUTY: MY 10 HERO PRODUCTS

In my advancing years I have used and experimented with many products, have been lucky to work in the beauty business and offered many to try.

Do not always believe what you read in magazines as many beauty editors are forced to gush over beauty products in return for paid advertising space in the magazine. So I am going to espouse my favourite beauty products that I would like to share with you so you don’t have to waste tons of money (which we ALL do) every year on products that just do not work. These products have stood the test of time and in my mind are the best of the best. Try for yourself.

HERO SELF TAN PRODUCT

Nothing beats CLARINS SELF TANNING MILK . Always gives great coverage with no streaking or patches. which is down to the creamy moisturising formula. Beautiful colour unlike many of these modern ‘muddy’ tanning products. A beautiful natural golden glow. Equally good on the face too. No bad give away odour. I have tried many self tan products around the globe but nothing comes close.

Clarins.co.uk £21

HERO FOAM BATH

L’OCCITANE LEMON VERBENA FOAMING BATH. The suds last forever and are super moisterising. The scent stay throughout the bath time, and I spend a LONG time in the tub, beautiful grassy, citrus scents of lemon trees in Provence. I decant this into smaller bottles for when i am travelling and use it in the shower aswell as the bath.

uk.loccitane.com £26

HERO CLEANSER

I am a massive fan of ANTONIA BURRELL products . All completely plant based and paraben and preservative free , hence all packaged in black opaque bottles to keep the light out. The NATURAL GLOW CLEANSING OIL is the worlds first 100% pure plant 100% natural water soluble cleansing oil. The botanical oils makes it a truly holistic experience as you massage it into your face and rinse off with water. leaving you feeling radiant on the outside and radiant within. I must confess I sometimes just massage the oil in at night and leave it on for an overnight treatment. A little secret…..massage into the lashes it makes them grow more than any lash grow product i have ever used. Antoniaburrell.com

Antoniaburrell.com £46 (for 100ml)

HERO MOISTURISER

I discovered TEOXANE after receiving some products in a goodie bag 2 years ago . A swiss pharmaceutical brand that was developed in 2003 but not widely known as yet in the UK. Don’t miss out ladies of a certain age ADVANCED FILLER Moisturizer makes a real difference to your skin in an amazingly short time.

dermacaredirect.co.uk £66

HERO SKIN TREATMENT

MEDIK 8 RETINOL 6TR INTENSE use this before bed 3 or 4 times a week to win the battle over fine lines. I personally love this Company. they have a full list of different strengths so if you have not used retinol before start with a lower strength and slowly work up to a stronger solution to suit your skin. If you are reading this I assume you are one of my over fifties followers so you should all be using a retinol !!! Except of course if you are exposing yourself to a lot of sunshine – so not on holiday.

Medik8.com from£29

HERO HAIR PRODUCT

BLEACH LONDON RESTORATION MASK has had many mentions on this blog. It is by far and the best hair product that genuinely does what it says on the box. My hair looks like it has been freshly coloured whenever I use it. So has been a Godsend in lockdown. Truly a miracle product. Usually it is hair products that I am most disappointed in for failing to live up to the hype but this one delivers every time.

bleachlondon.co.uk £7.50

HERO MASCARA

In my lifetime I have tried literally 100s of mascaras but I defy anyone to find a better mascara than ESTEE LAUDERS SUMPTUOUS EXTREME MASCARA it is both volumising and lengthening and judging by girlfriends asking if I have false eyelashes on, this works !

esteelauder.co.uk £26

HERO PERFUME

For me personally TOM FORD WHITE SUEDE suits my body chemistry perfectly. But what I love about this perfume is how long it lasts and in such a subtle way. People actually stop me in the streets to enquire what I am wearing and writing it down……so it MUST be good. Also I love the minimalist classic packaging looks great in the bathroom.

tomford.co.uk £126

HERO BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Well these two are definitely my heros they really work and are each under £5 !!!!!!!! But no beauty editor will tell you about these and EVERY girl needs them both in her make up bag and hey get a couple and keep them in your car and handbag too !!! Are you ready ??? Big build up>>>>> BARRY M DEWY SETTING SPRAY £4.99 spray over make up to set and to add a beautiful dewy healthy sheen to skin. There are more expensive pretenders to the throne as the dewy look is big business but dont go there this is the cheapest AND the best. Makes perfect sense ladies. My second hero beauty product is VASELINE ROSY LIPS and perfect for cheek gleam too. Pop in your pocket to moisterize and glamourise lips and cheeks with just a dab of the finger. Your look is instantly refreshed and can take 10 years off your age.

Boots £5.99
Boots.com £1.95

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: THE PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALL TRIED AND TESTED AND MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION AND NOT SPONSORED OR INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY. SO TRY THEM WITH CONFIDENCE ….THEY WORK !!

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXX