TRAVEL: A LONG WEEKEND IN PARIS

I have just returned from an amazing weekend in Paris which has restored my love affair with the City after many years of absence from my heart.

THURSDAY

Always fly on a Thursday never a Friday to beat the crowds, although it is beautifully quiet right now. We flew as I live close to Terminal 5 , so maximising time on a quick trip is essential . Plus i love starting my trip with the luxury retail and brunches at this fabulous terminal.

Forget the large fancy £1000 per night hotels and opt for a chic boutique hotel, many do not have restaurants but you won’t want to be eating in the hotel when there is so much exploring to do. You will spend little time in the hotel. We opted for the very french ADELE and JULES Hotel in the 9th Arrondissement centrally located between Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower. Located in a wonderful non touristy area with great bars and cafes. The Hotel was situated in a very quiet gated courtyard a major plus in a very noisy city.

Adele and Jules Hotel in a Quiet Cul de Sac

Dumped the bags and headed off to explore on foot. The best way to immerse yourself in a City. Stopped for “cafe and a patisserie” on route.

By the time you get to your fifties most people have seen the sites of Paris so we opted not to queue with the tourists for the Eiffel Tower or to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa at The Louvre. Instead we came across a Parisien in a golf cart that promised us a whistle stop tour of iconic Paris in an hour. (50 euros)This totally delivered although pretty scary going up the Champs Elysse and around the very busy Arc de Triomphe in a golf cart . We felt like the Flintstones. This was definitely worth it especially along the pretty french boulevards and a great way of discovering great places to eat and drink. Finished the evening off on the Pont Alexandre lll my favourite bridge in the world.

The Golf Cart Experience

FRIDAY

Well today was my birthday so the morning was spent opening presents , (a Bottega Veneta bag if you are interested) and drinking champagne in bed.

BIRTHDAY LUNCH at THE ROYAL MONCEAU RAFFLES Hotel a menu of asian inspired fusion food. Magnifique, excellente, parfait and any other french superlative I can think of. A fabulous place for a special occasion. The footballer Lionel Messi also was at my birthday lunch, oh ok well he was on the next table !

After lunch we hotfooted it to the RAPHAEL Hotel opposite where we had heard they had a superb roof terrace, and it really was ! A bottle of Chablis with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Elegant staff in elegant surroundings. Formidable (okay , no more french superlatives i promise !)

Headed back to the hotel with a small detour to a bar by the hotel that by the end of our trip the mad frenchman Giles of La Comete had become a family member. Great Bar, tapas , food etc and heaps of ambiance.

Wanting to get maximum extraction of enjoyment for my birthday after a quick freshen up back at the hotel we decided on a riverboat trip down the River Seine and grabbed an Uber it to the Bateaux Mouches.

SATURDAY

Our final day so we head up to the Montmartre and the Place Des artistes and its bohemian vibe. We stopped by the SACRE COEUR and took in a morning service. Before deciding on a lovely lunch in the myriad of fabulous places to eat. Moules and frites seem to be the staple diet here.

You have to get your portrait done by one of the many artists 50 euros is the standard rate. We both got our portraits done. Mine was with a lovely artist called Marina who declared her undying love for Nigel Farage ! We met so many interesting characters here certainly the place to sit with a Lillet or Pastis and people watch.

On the return journey we got caught up in the Liberte demonstrations so exited the Uber and joined in the march. What fun !

We were sad to return home the following day so popped back into the Comete to have some drinks and dinner at La Comete with our mad friend Gilles.

SUNDAY MORNING

Sad to leave this City now my love for it had been restored and the fondness for my new Parisian friends we made at our regular haunts around the hotel. Parisiens tend to get a bad press but once you crack through their tough exterior you can feel the love they have for the English after all …………..

BON VOYAGE !!

MWAH MWAH xxxxx

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IT IS TIME TO DO PARIS THE JOJO WAY. APPROACH IT FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE AND THINK LIKE A PARISIEN X

MIDWEEK MANTRA : REFLECTIONS

FEELING DOWN AND LETHARGIC ? WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND ITS TRUE BEAUTY. TUNE INTO OUR WEEKLY CLUB OF INSPIRATION, FOCUS AND POSITIVITY TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS AND GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK.

oval brown framed mirror
What Do You REALLY See ?

In Jay Shettys Think Like A Monk (Thorsens £14.99 ) he lists four common regrets that people have as they approach the end of their life.

Imagine your last moment on earth which can be seen as your greatest reflection point on everything that is leading up to it.

The most common regrets people express are:

I wish I had expressed my love to the people I care about

I wish I had not worked so much.

I wish I had taken more pleasure in life.

I wish I had done more for other people.

So TODAY reflect on these questions and do not wait until your dying day make the changes now. Lead a more purposeful, service based and meaningful life. Next time you look in the mirror you hopefully will see the person you want to be right here right now.

MWAH MWAH XXX

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE . NO REGRETS.

FOOD : 3 JUICES YOU NEED RIGHT NOW !

THE HEALTHY COCKTAIL

If like me you like to go light on the alcohol, and particularly as you get older you require less as it seems to affect you more (or is it just me) than this one is for you. I love a good night out or a long lunch but I don’t always want to consume lots of alcohol but none of the non alcoholic alternatives excite. I hate gassy drinks so mixers are out and I hate syrupy sugary cocktails loaded with calories. This ‘Mocktail’ is healthy , cooling and absolutely delicious. Most barmen have a blender and these 3 ingredients behind the bar and how cool is it you can create your own AND stay sober AND keep your good looks.

Cucumber > mint>lime>lots of ice and a smidge of honey to sweeten.

Blend

Cucumber Cooler

THE WATER RETENTION ELIMINATOR

This your ‘go to’ juice when you have a big event coming up or just experiencing bloating. Twice a day for 3 days maximum.

Celery.> parsley >lemon juice>cold green tea> ice

Blend

Get Rid of Puffiness and Bloating

THE MENOPAUSE MIX

The two juices above are as and when you require the solution but the Menopause Mix I genuinely mix up every morning and I would thoroughly recommend for the 50+ every ingredient serves its purpose.

Greek 0% yogurt- calcium for healthy bones and teeth

Blueberries-

Collagen powder- I use marine collagen (by Vital Proteins))> Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Better bone health and skin.

Flax Oil- contains phytoestrogens which can help reduce hot flushes and keep the joints lubricated.

Chia Seeds- High in Omega 3 healthy fats and protein and can also reduce appetite by keeping you feeling full.

Ashwagandha Powder -this herb can control hormone fluctuations as it works on the endocrine system and can help with mod swings and metabolism.

Pineapple- add for sweetness as is also a hormone regulator . Rich in polyphenols and vitamin c and is a powerful anti oxidant and detoxifier.

Menopause Mix Add More Ingredients Depending On your Symptoms……cheers !

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: TO BLEND YOUR DAILY JUICES AND CLEANSES I USE THE NUTRI NINJA PROFESSIONAL, 900 WATTS DOES THE JOB PERFECTLY £49.99 SharkNinja

MWAH MWAH XXXX

JOJO X

MIDWEEK MANTRA: TODAY YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

THOUGHTS, POSITIVITY AND INSPIRATION IN OUR WEEKLY CATCH UP TO GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK. JOIN OUR CLUB TODAY. SUBSCRIBE BELOW AND GET THE WEEKLY MANTRA DELIVERED TO YOUR IN BOX EVERY WEDNESDAY.

ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY TO CHANGE SOMEONES MENTAL HEALTH

woman hugging her dog

ENCOURAGING WORDS CAN BE A LIFELINE FOR SOMEONE DROWNING IN SELF ABUSE. WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE WHEN WE FEEL THE WORLD IS GUNNING FOR US AND WE ARE SUFFERING ,SO WE ALL KNOW THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

SO , TODAY, TELL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WHAT THEY MEAN TO YOU, HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE WHO THEY ARE…….AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING RIGHT.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: WE TEND TO SWITCH OUR FOCUS FROM THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING IT RIGHT IN OUR LIVES TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTING US FOR THE WRONG REASONS. SO SWITCH YOUR FOCUS BACK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTING YOU CONSISTENTLY AND QUIETLY, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU THANKED THEM ?

MWAH MWAH. XXXX

JOJO X

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT DIETS

Are you off on holiday this August ? ready to shed those lockdown track bottoms (that you never worked out in !), more importantly ready to shed those pounds of lockdown lard……..read on………

Start Here….Today

The truth is diets DO NOT WORK. Of course we all know by now that it is all about what you put in minus what you expend so we can all do the arithmetic. But you will only lose weight if you adapt your lifestyle permanently. I am not a Doctor although I have studied nutrition extensively, but what I can tell you is that in my fifties I am two stone lighter than in my forties and I maintain a healthy size 8-10 clothing size. So I am proof of the method. The PC brigade will say that your size doesn’t matter and as long as you are happy and I do agree with this, if you are in your twenties. In your fifties and beyond it is important to be an appropriate weight for your build for health reasons and mobility reasons. Also we need less calories as our metabolism gets slower. So let me share with you some of my secrets that work for me that can be inserted very neatly into your everyday life painlessly and watch the pounds drop off !!

Not Bad For An Old Girl
  • BLACK COFFEE. Not only does this boost your metabolism it is also an amazing appetite surpressant. Obviously I don’t want your anxiety levels soaring so limit your intake. I only have decaffeinated after midday and when I feel hungry I just have a tiny espresso cup size. ZERO CALORIES. Ditch the milk (oh, and the caramel syrups )
Black Coffee
  • EATING WINDOW. I only eat between the hours of 12-5pm. This gives your internal organs a chance to rest and reduces any inflammation. Don’t break(the)fast until midday to give your body a chance to burn stored fat. The other end of the day don’t eat food just before sleep not only will it keep you awake as your body is still working hard but you won’t burn the calories. you pretty much can eat normally between these hours as the hours are limited you will eat FAR FEWER calories ! Common sense.
  • MORNING JUICE not before midday. I use my green juice to pack nutrients in. NOT fruit as too calorific. but you choose what works for you but TWO ingredients you must have for fat burning CHIA SEEDS and ASHWAGANDA POWDER. CHIA SEEDS are not only full of protein and Omegas for brain and bone health but they plump up in your body and make you feel full when taken in liquid. ASHWAGANDA ROOT is an ancient medicinal herb and brilliant if you are menopausal . It boosts physical and mental health boosts energy levels and reduces anxiety. It is proven to increase testosterone levels in men but women have testosterone too and can be the difference in weight loss in older women as our testosterone rapidly depletes with age. I personally believe that ASHWAGANDA has made a powerful difference to me.
Green Juice but leave the Apples Out
  • LOVE HUNGER. Learn to love being hungry . When I get that hunger feeling thats when I know the calorie reserve starts being burned. Allow yourself to feel hungry it is a natural state rather than feeling satiated all the time. I have learned to love being hungry.
  • EXCISE THE EXERCISE MYTH. Losing weight is about what you eat not about exercise. if you don’t alter your eating plan you WILL NOT lose weight . To burn off one Mars Bar an 11 stone women would have to walk on a treadmill for nearly two hours JUST DONT EAT THE MARS BAR !! Before you eat anything check out the calorie content then equate it to how much more exercise you have to do to burn it off. I swear the gym made me put on weight as every time I went I would reward myself. I don’t care how hard you work in the gym a cake and a latte afterwards will put you into surplus poundage. Of course I would advocate an active daily lifestyle, but certainly not the punish and reward system of the gym. You will find you bur more calories just adapting your lifestyle to make it active.
  • DRINK LOADS OF WATER. Okay this is old advice but it works. Often when you feel hungry it is pure thirst. drink a glass and see you won’t feel hungry or indeed will eat less. Secondly a hydrated body metabolises food far more effectively.
  • WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY DAY. Now this goes against the expert advice but I honestly would say if you do nothing else on the list do this one. THIS WORKS. It allows you to adjust your eating on a daily basis. If I have eaten out or over indulged and put on pounds it is far easier to adjust your eating plan the following day and lose a few pounds then to be faced with losing a stone or two if you don’t weigh yourself often. This method has genuinely keep my weight stable for 10 years !!!!!!! MONITOR and ACTION CONSISTENTLY KEEPS YOU IN CONTROL.
Step On ! Minimise The Shock
  • GO TO’ LOW CALORIE DISHES . When you need to balance out your week. Have a calorie light but filling day. Soups are a very good example. My fave but simple recipe is Broad Bean soup with shredded chicken. Frozen broad beans, onion, chicken/veg stock boiled and blended. A small packet of roast chicken shredded and stirred through. OMG the best and so satisfying. Or the ayurvedic dish Kitchari with yellow mung beans, brown basmati rice boiled with ground cumin,fennel seeds and coriander seeds. Add your favourite root vegetables parsnip, carrot,celeriac add fresh coriander and toasted whole seeds in ghee for serving. so filling one bowl will keep you full all day.
  • BULK OUT MEALS WITH VEG. Fill half your plate with veg. Occasionally to lose weight quickly I buy M&S Count on us BRAISED BEEF with Swede or any meal UNDER 250 calories but add so much Kale/chard/spinach to it thats all I have for the day !
When You Are Short of Time……it Works !!

Okay now for some surprising secrets………………..

  • DRINK TEQUILA! When I lived in LA Tequila is the drink of choice all the big Hollywood stars drink tequila. Not only is it considered a clean drink but it is known in LA as the metaboliser it burns more calories than the drink actually contains . Taken before a meal can make you feel fuller and thus eat less. High quality 100% agave tequila. But don’t overdo it ! I never knew this before I lived in LA but over there it is common knowledge.
  • USE GHEE TO COOK WITH. Research shows that ghee helps in mobilising fat cells to increase energy burning therefore reducing fat mass and increasing lean body mass. Ghee also contains essential amino acids that can shrink fat cells. This clarified fat tends to be overlooked in Western Culture but the Indian population use it on a daily basis. Tastes good too !!!
  • CBD OIL I know from talking to many of you that many are now taking CBD oil on a regular basis. Its good for many things such as inflammation in the joints, anxiety,insomnia. But many say it burns fat by turning it into brown fat which is easily burned and expelled by the body and reduces appetite. I do use this intermittently and it gives a great nights sleep which I personally think a lot of fat is burned in the sleep mores when we are in a deep sleep that CBD oil results in. But I would recommend this is used sparingly as CBD oil use is still in its early stages and I would advise not to solely depend on this for weight loss but in conjunction with other method outlined above.

I think you will agree none of these are hard to implement into your daily schedule it just is about incorporating modern methods and knowledge. These points are what personally works for me. See what works for you and you could be pounds lighter and looking good for Valentines day !!

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP : LIKE EVERYONE I OVERINDULGED AT CHRISTMAS AND THESE GUIDELINES ABANDONED I GAINED 5IBS BUT BY RETURNING TO MY REGIME I HAVE ALREADY LOST THEM IN 3 DAYS !!

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXX

MIDWEEK MANTRA

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF INSPIRATION, POSITIVITY AND MENTAL EXERCISE TO GIVE YOUR MIND PAUSE FOR THOUGHT AND GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

GOING FOR GOLD

healthy sky man art

IF YOU HAVE BEEN AS ADDICTED TO THE OLYMPICS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AS I HAVE, YOU WILL KNOW IT IS THE FINISH THAT COUNTS. GETTING OVER THAT LINE. IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE WINNING THOUGH IT IS A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT JUST TO FINISH. BE STRONG AND FOCUSSED ENOUGH TO COMPLETE WHAT YOU START.

TODAY TAKE A LOOK AT THE TASKS AND PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE LEFT UNCOMPLETED AND CHOOSE ONE TO COMPLETE TODAY !

JUST COMPLETING THE JOB NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL CAN REALLY LIFT YOUR SPIRITS AND IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. A REAL SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT IN FINALLY COMPLETING OUTSTANDING TASKS IS GETTING OVER THAT FINISH LINE IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL RACE.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:MAKE LISTS AND GET IT DONE ! BE A WINNER !

MWAH MWAH. XX

JOJO XXXX