YOUR WEEKLY CLUB TO RESTORE MENTAL HEALTH IN A TROUBLED WORLD . JUST BREATHE. MAKE A CUP OF TEA AND TUNE INTO THE MIDWEEK MANTRA EVERY WEDNESDAY TO RESTORE YOUR EQUILIBRIUM WITH TASKS, POSITIVITY OR JUST A SIMPLE MANTRA TO FOCUS ON TO GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.
Speak No Evil
I HAVE GROUPS OF GIRL MATES AND GROUPS OF BOY MATES. WHAT I NOTICE ABOUT THE BOYS THAT THEY DON’T GOSSIP ABOUT EACH OTHER IN THEIR ABSENCE. THIS IS DEFINITELY PREVALENT WHEN I AM SOCIALISING WITH GROUPS OF WOMEN. ALMOST IN ORDER TO MAKE THEMSELVES FEEL BETTER IT HAS TO BE AT THE EXPENSE OF TALKING DOWN ANOTHER FEMALE. THIS SEEMS TO BE REACHING PANDEMIC PROPORTIONS WITH THE CONTINUED RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND CELEBRITY CULTURE AND A TOXIC MIX OF ENVY AND INSECURITY CREATE THE PERFECT COCKTAIL TO BE MEAN.
WHEN WE SPEAK NASTILY ABOUT ANOTHER WOMAN IT IS USUALLY A REFLECTION OF OURSELVES. WHAT WE SEE BAD IN SOMEONE ELSE IT IS NORMALLY BECAUSE WE SEE THAT IN OURSELVES.
WE NEED TO BUILD ONCE MORE ON SISTERHOOD, NEVER HAVE WE NEEDED IT MORE. WITH THE RECENT SPATE OF ATTACKS ON WOMEN IN THE NEWS AND DOMESTIC ABUSE ON THE RISE AND THE #METOO CAMPAIGN WE NEED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
SO THIS WEEK I WANT YOU TO CHECK YOURSELF EVERY TIME YOU ARE NEGATIVE ABOUT ANOTHER WOMEN EITHER SOMEONE YOU KNOW , A WORK COLLEAGUE SOMEONE IN THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT OR EVEN ON TWITTER. IT IS TIME TO START BUILDING OTHER WOMEN UP.
OF COURSE I GET THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIKE EVERYONE, THEN AVOID THEM. OR IT MAYBE THAT THEY HAVE UPSET YOU , THEN DISCUSS WITH THEM , NOT AS A GROUP BEHIND THEIR BACK.
WE REALLY NEED TO CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOUR AS WOMEN TO WOMEN. FROM TODAY !
MWAH MWAH. XX
JOJO XXX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:IT IS EASY TO FALL INTO THE TRAP WHEN YOU ARE WITHIN A GROUP GOSSIPING ABOUT ANOTHER WHO IS NOT PRESENT. REFRAIN ,RISE ABOVE IT . BE A BETTER PERSON ……OR IT WILL COST YOU.
Firstly it was all about the brows now it is all about the lips ! So check out this guide for the perfect lips to insert into your regular beauty routine
EXFOLIATION
Yes your lips need exfoliating as well as your skin. Lips can become dry with dead skin. Exfoliating can also make lips plumper. Dont forget your lip lines too. Use a toothbrush , even brush your lips when you brush your teeth ! You can make your own exfoliator by combining some sugar and coconut oil. Remember treat your lips gently don’t overdo it. Weekly is fine.
MOISTERISE
Moisterise for lovely soft lips. No need to buy expensive lip creams which seem to have flooded the market recently. Nothing beats vaseline especially the ‘rosy lips” small hanbag tins or even a slick of coconut oil. But for ease of application an inexpensive lip balm stick will suffice. Apply regularly throughout the day.
SUNSCREEN
Important to apply sunscreen to lips when in the sunshine. I know this to my detriment as I now possess a lovely dark age spot on my lower lip. Most brans of reputable sunscreens now contain a lipscreen too. Additionally many lip balms include an SPF make sure yours does.
PLUMPING
The current trend is for plump Kardashian like lips. There are some tricks to making lips plumper. Many products on the market now are geared to giving the illusion of plumper lips they work on stimulating the blood vessels enabling a rush of blood to the lips leaving your lips tingly. Try using some at home remedies combining peppermint oil or cayenne pepper with coconut oil and rubbing onto the lips. I have also used a slice of fresh ginger rubbed over the lips it seems to wok quite nicely but all these are temporary solutions.
Make up tricks to try is a sparkly lip gloss or shadow in your central bottom lip and a white pencil highlighter in the cupids bow area. But generally glossy lips tend to look plumper than matte lips . If you cannot find the perfect colour in a lip gloss start with a clear one over your favourite lipstick.
As a last resort lips can be plumped with hyaluronic acid like Juvederm. But do your homework and work on friends recommendations only. Start with 0.5ml until you get your desired look. For lip lines this is the most effective treatment . I have tried everything for those of you who are regular followers of my blog you will know my pet hate are my lip lines !!! I am now very tempted to try the juvederm filler in them. I have tried every solution on the beauty shelves for lip lines …. nothing works. Would love to hear from any of you that have any other solution for lip lines.
COLOUR
Always start with a lip liner the same colour as your lips or a neutral shade but feather it in toward your lips. No harsh lines. By feathering inwards it stops the lipstick bleeding. Glosses tend to work better on this front too as they have less propensity to bleed.
Remember to choose your colour to suit your own colouring. Refer back to previous blogs on discovering your colour to establish yours. If you have warm, golden tones you will tend to suit more coral and scarlett shades. Cooler colouring and pale skin will suit crimsons and pinky hues. Spend a day lipstick shopping as your true colour can really take years off your look. Even though matte lipsticks tend to be longer lasting they also can be very drying on a more mature lip so choose a moisterising glossy lipstick but just keep applying.
So there you have it your guide to beautiful lips, so get cracking to prevent cracking !
SHOP THE BEST OF THE LIPSMACKINGTHIRSTQUENCHING PRODUCTS BELOW. Just click on the product to purchase ! if you have received this by email just click on the URL at the base of the email to view the images.
JOJOS STYLIST TIP: VERY IMPORTANT STYLISTAS, TO ALSO EXERCISE YOUR LIPS……..WITH PLENTY OF KISSING. NOW WHO IS NOT GOING TO WANT TO KISS THOSE LIPS WITH ALL THE LOVEAND CARE YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM !!!
YOUR WEEKLY CLUB TO UPLIFT YOUR SPIRITS AND MAINTAIN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH INSPIRATIONAL MANTRAS, TASKS OR JUST SIMPLE POSITIVITY SO YOU KNOW HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE IN THIS WORLD. HAPPINESS MATTERS ! YOU MATTER!
Or Get Him To Do Them For You !
DIRTY DISHES SITTING IN A SINK CAN BE REALLY ANNOYING. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LET THEM PILE UP. THEY CAN SIT THERE LOOKING AT YOU , MAKING YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE……..GETTING WORSE. THE LONGER YOU LEAVE THEM THE HARDER THEY ARE TO CLEAN. EVEN IN A DISHWASHER.
THE SAME IS TRUE WITH UNCOMFORTABLE ISSUES WE DON’T ADDRESS. UNKIND WORDS TO YOUR FRIENDS, A MOMENT OF INSENSITIVITY TO YOUR CHILD, A LIE TO YOUR PARTNER. WORDS ARE VERY POWERFUL THEY CAN STING OR SOOTHE, CREATE OR DESTROY. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS IDLE SPEECH.
TODAY , PONDER ON A SITUATION YOU HAVE LEFT TO FESTER. TODAY YOU WILL TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION JUST BY USING KIND WORDS AND ACTIONS. YOU MAY HAVE MORE THAN ONE ‘DIRTY’ SITUATION IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW BUT TODAY JUST CONCENTRATE ON ONE. WHEN YOU SEE WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES YOU WILL ENJOY CLEANING UP THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. A THOROUGH CLEAN IN TIME FOR THE SEASON OF GOODWILL.
AFTER ALL WE ALL LOVE AN EMPTY SINK AND A CUPBOARD FULL OF CLEAN DISHES.
MWAH MWAH XX
JOJO. XX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: I THINK SOMETIMES WE OVER COMPLICATE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS THAT SOMETIMES JUST REQUIRE A SIMPLE SOLUTION. I AM PRETTY SURE IT WILL BE WELCOMED.
Okay team if you have been on this journey with me over the last few years you should be feeling pretty chilled by now. Of course stress overload is a holistic management programme of diet, exercise, time management , meditation and handling techniques. But sometimes in the moment stress can raise cortisol levels and can be detrimental to ur health and our relationships if it is not handled in real time, there and then. Stress is not always bad and a life without stress means you are not pushing forward or getting enough out of life. So stress is NORMAL folks !
So let us look at 5 simple stress busters when you think it is just too much and it is impacting your time here on earth.
NATURE
Stop ! Get outside to a green area , a peaceful area. Lie in a field. Hug a tree. Smell a flower. Listen to the birds. Watch the clouds. Throw some pebbles into a pond and notice the ripples. Reconnecting with nature will destress you instantly.
HEGU
Hegu is a Chinese acupuncturist point located between the thumb and forefinger. The fleshy part. If you feel around this fleshy part until you hit a spot that is sensitive then press it firmly for a few minutes. This has a calming affect on the brain. So any time you feel heightened anxiety this is your go to pressure point but without the needles .
AND BREATHE…………
When you feel your stress levels starting to rise start to focus on the breath. Breathing in to a count of 4 and exhale to a count of 7. Filling the abdomen with air on the inhale and expelling the air out of the abdomen on the exhale . Most people in stressful situations adopt shallow breathing and breathe from the chest and not deeper into the abdomen. This causes you to hyper ventilate. It is important to recognise the change in your breathing patterns when you become stressed and mange it by taking the breathing back to diaphragmatic state rather than a thoracic state. Poor breathing can result in many illnesses and do untold damage to your body. So learn to breathe properly and recognise when you are not can be the biggest ally when it comes to your health and diffusing a stressful reaction.
FLOTATION
I have my local Flotation Spa on speed dial . Nirvanaspa.co.uk. have a “celestial flotation pool ‘ that you can book as a couple or an individual so you have total peace and quiet within a darkened saltwater pool gazing up at the stars on the ceiling. The weightlessness and serenity of the environment contribute massively into instantly taking you to another calm place. Discover your local flotation centre/spa and log the number into your phone today. Perfect for getting you away from the situation it is a fortnights holiday in 20 minutes……..without the hassle of passport control !!!!
MEDITATION
If you have not yet discovered the benefits of meditation , baby , where have you been !!! Not reading my blog thats for sure !! But when we are stressed it is especially difficult to empty the mind and be still. I have been there trust me but this is what I find useful:
Relax in a position you find comfortable ( for me it is lying down with lots of pillows)
Close your eyes and concentrate on the breath for a few minutes, as described earlier. Once you are in a rhythmic breathing pattern start to scan the body from the ankles up , over the knees continue up through the heart, shoulders, elbows, neck , head. Noticing how each of them feel.
Now concentrate on a place where you felt at your most relaxed. Focus on 5 things that you can see, 4 things that you can touch, 3 things you can hear , 2 things that you can smell, and 1 thing that you can taste.
You will find it is easier to transport yourself somewhere rather than emptying the mind.
Now concentrate on 3 things you are grateful for . Gratitude so important to relaxation.
Finally set your intention for the rest of the day. How do you want this day to unfold or end.
Lie still for as long as you need to . Then start to wriggle each part of your body as you bring yourself back to reality.
Open your eyes and Voila !! A NEW YOU !
I would advocate doing this meditation every morning for 20 minutes rather than waiting until you are fully stressed out . You will be a different calmer person. It sets your day up nicely .
I hope you find these stress busters useful, let me know if you adopt any of them or indeed if you have any of your own stress busting tips.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXXXXX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:Only you can be in charge of controlling stress and any damage to your body and mind, so find what works best for you and you lifestyle and practise them regularly to help achieve a healthy balance. Do not wait until it is too late.
Your weekly club to dose you up with a very strong vaccination against the stress and difficulties of the week . Every Wednesday we aim to make you feel on top of your game and get you through the rest of the week. Tune in every week and I promise you you wont need that booster jab.
This Bouquet Is For You ! You are Special x
YOU ARE SPECIAL !
Today i want you to remind yourself of how special you really are. Make a list of what makes you YOU. List all you positive attributes and characteristics. Your achievements and positive traits in your personality and your appearance. No , now don’t hold back you guys. Go for it! A good damn look at your specialities !
Isn’t it easy to list all our shortcomings and negative aspects of ourselves and our life. This then pushes us into a state of sadness, affects our motivation and holds us back in realising our dreams.
Imagine what you can achieve when you know how special you truly are !!!!!
Be bang on trend with a shacket this Autumn. An outerwear essential. .A cross between a shirt and a Jacket. A slightly thicker fabric than a normal shirt but be careful not to bulk up too much on the fabric. It is all about the layering. The most popular trend will be a checked pattern although their are many plain ones to choose from either go for Winter pastels or Autumnal shades of olive taupe and cream . depending on your colouring i.e cool or warm (please see my past blog on How to work out your Colouring).
The shacket is less structured than a jacket , stylishly casual but with collar and cuffs. Worn loose and open over a simple vest or a thin sweater. Should be oversized, so you maybe able to steal your mans shacket. !! Can be paired with jeans, loungewear, legging or even a dress. Fabulous over a knitted dress.
This staple in your wardrobe can become an all year round essential.
So no need to be scared of the shacket. it can seem like a styling nightmare but as you can see it is really simple. Experiment with items you have in your closet to get the best look for you and your new shacket(s).
So let us take a look at some of my favourite shackets on the market. There are pastels, checks , pastel checks together, plain, long, short and even a couple for your man to buy so of course you can then borrow them. (sneaky girls). A piece I absolutely love in this edit is the tasselled Shacket from Marks and Spencer. Two trends in one ! AND a great price too.
You can purchase direct from this site by clicking on the images ! If you received this blog by e mail direct to your in box then click on the URL at the base of the email to view the images .
Mwah Mwah xx
Big warm hugs
JOJO. xx
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: AN essential and versatile item to update your Autumn wardrobe and transform your outfits or just to lounge around in. Discover your perfect shacket today x
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