Month: December 2022

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LIFESTYLE: THE POWER OF LAUGHTER

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As my subscribers will know from over the years I NEVER make life limiting resolutions. Instead I choose a MANTRA word , a focussed meaning to keep me on track throughout the year ahead. Last year was PEACE the year before ADVENTURE. But my mantra word for 2023 is LAUGHTER. Many of us have forgotten how to laugh so this year I want to laugh more and i will choose to surround myself with people that make me laugh or at least smile.

close up photo of woman with red eyebrows and lipstick and open mouth
Find Your Inner Child

So live your own Sit Com try to see the funny side in every situation make it comical. See the world through a childs eyes. Remember how much you laughed as a child when you did not take life so seriously through many years of societal conditioning. Go to Disney World ride a rollercoaster. Make snow angels in the snow. Even spend more time in the company of children. Head to a Comedy Club. Watch funnier TV less politics and news !!! In short, just plan for more laughter in your life . How many of us, even do that ?

So why is laughter so important and even if it not your chosen MANTRA word for 2023 still build more laughter into your life. Just look at the following benefits :

  • Laughter lowers levels of adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is linked to weight gain, heart disease, alzheimers and cancers. Laughter doesn,t just cut the levels of the bad stuff but it also floods the body with the good stuff. Humour stimulates dopamine ut without the side effects that other dopamine inducers like alcohol and drugs. Laughter is the safe drug to be addicted. Reduce your anxiety levels and enhance your wellbeing with a good belly laugh.
  • A 1996 study found that hospital patients that watched more comedy need fewer prescription pain drugs than patients that had more serious viewing habits ! In fact more medical institutions are using laughter therapy in the treatment of chronic pain.
  • Laughter burns calories and can make you fitter and of course tone abdominal muscles. %) calories for every 10 minutes of guffawing.
  • Just by forcing a smile or making yourself laugh as in laughter yoga can change your whole mood and can demonstrate wonderful mental health benefits and reduces depression.
  • Having a good laugh with someone can improve friendships and relationships by increased bonding and enjoying their company more so you want more time with them.

So come on readers LEARN TO LAUGH MORE. LET THE SILLINESS BEGIN………………………..

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXXXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: You can train yourself to laugh on a regular basis until it becomes a habit. Its like switching a switch> Checkout my laughter yoga video and article on this site. Or checkout my youtube channel at SOULJUNK-E.COM

MIDWEEK MANTRAS

MIDWEEK MANTRA : HAPPY 2023 ! YOUR YEAR !

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on MIDWEEK MANTRA : HAPPY 2023 ! YOUR YEAR !

INSPIRATION, NOTES AND TASKS TO LIGHTEN YOUR MENTAL MOOD AND STRENGTHEN YOUR MIND TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

THIS IS THE YEAR WHEN YOU SET AMAZING GOALS TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE. LETS FACE IT AFTER 2021/2022 WE REALLY WANT THIS YEAR TO BE DIFFERENT. THE LAST TWO YEARS PROVIDED US WITH A PERIOD OF REFLECTION. A POSITIVE WE CAN ALL ACCEPT THAT WE KNOW OURSELVES MUCH BETTER IN A CRISIS.

reach for the and blue moon neon signages

DREAM BIG

TWO FISHERMAN ARE OUT FISHING ON THE RIVERBANK THEY THROW ALL THE SMALL FISH BACK INTO THE RIVER THEN ONE OF THEM LANDS A SUPER BIG FISH , HE MEASURES IT, THEN THROWS IT BACK. THE OTHER FISHERMAN ASTONISHED ASKS WHY HE THREW IT BACK. “ITS TOO BIG TO FIT INTO MY FRYING PAN, ANYTHING LARGER THAN MY FRYING PAN I THROW BACK BECAUSE I CAN’T COOK IT !”

THE UNIVERSE IS OFFERING ALL OF US ABUNDANCE AND UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES BUT IF YOUR PERSONAL VESSEL IS SMALL OR LIMITED YOU CANNOT FIT IT ALL IN. SO WE HAVE TO EXPAND OUR VESSEL AND OUR VISION.

SO ARE YOU DREAMING BIG ?

ARE YOU LIMITING POSSIBILITIES UNINTENTIONALLY ?

IS YOUR THINKING SMALL ?

ARE YOU RESTRICTING WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ?

SO TODAY THINK BIGGER HOW CAN YOU EXPAND YOUR DESIRES FOR A BETTER LIFE.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: AIM FOR THE MOON SO AT LEAST YOU WILL GET THE STARS.

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXX

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A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY AMAZING READERS.

gift box surrounded by grey baubles
Sparkle This Christmas

Thank you for being there over the last four years. Wow what a four years !

Please always know that if you got through the last two years then we can all get through anything. These times have shown just how resilient you can be and just what is important to YOU in YOUR life.

Don’t put your life onM hold for a hope of better times ahead live your life as best as you can today, everyday. Start to appreciate the small things, strip everything back to basics and start to rebuild pleasure and joy into your life. Find laughter in the face of adversity.

So please on the eve of Christmas , welcome it in enjoy it let your hair down and eat, drink and laugh with your favourite people.

REMEMBER for the rest of the year we always have each other ! Im looking forward to continuing my journey of discovery with all of you x

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXX

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LIFESTYLE : HOW TO BE ALONE AT CHRISTMAS

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IF YOU ARE ALONE AT CHRISTMAS BY PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES , I WANT TO SHOW YOU HOW CHRISTMAS CAN STILL BE EXTRA SPECIAL. HERE IS YOUR SURVIVAL GUIDE…….

christmas presents under a christmas tree

THROUGH MY OWN PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS FORCED INTO MANY A SOLITARY CHRISTMAS AS A SINGLE MUM. SPENDING EVERY OTHER YEAR WITH HIS DAD WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO DEAL WITH AND I DID NOT REALLY FEEL LIKE CELEBRATING SO I WOULD TAKE MYSELF OFF TO A LUXURY HOTEL AND HAVE ROOM SERVICE IN BED ALL DAY. THEN SPEND ALL BOXING DAY IN THE SPA. SO STILL MANAGED TO MAKE FOND MEMORIES.

MANY PEOPLE I KNOW WOULD REJOICE AT SPENDING CHRISTMAS ALONE SO LETS SEE IF WE CAN GIVE YOU SOME GOOD TIPS ON ENJOYING THE “BIG’ DAY AND MAKING IT SPECIAL

  • FIRSTLY YOU COULD DO WHAT I DID AND JUST TREAT YOURSELF TO A FEW NIGHTS IN A SUMPTUOUS HOTEL. LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THE COOKING !! MAKE SURE THE HOTEL HAS A SPA TO SPOIL YOU ROTTEN.
  • IF STAYING HOME ALONE. SET THE SCENE. MAKE SURE THE HOUSEWORK IS ALL DONE . YOUR HOME IS TIDY NO WASHING AND IRONING PILES. LOTS OF CANDLES. COSY BLANKETS. LOVELY XMAS TREE. MAKE AN EFFORT ….FOR YOU….YOU DESERVE IT.
cat lying on cloth
  • IF YOU DECIDE TO HAVE A DECADENT DAY IN YOUR PJS TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME GLAMOROUS ONES. SEE BELOW FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS. (IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE IMAGES CLICK ON THE URL LINK AT THE BASE OF THIS PAGE)
  • JOJOS PICKS :
  • TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME LOVELY FOOD AS YOU ARE ONLY SHOPPING FOR ONE YOU CAN GO ALL OUT. TRY M&S STUFFED TURKEY PAUPIETTES WRAPPED IN BACON. AS YOU WON’T WANT A WHOLE TURKEY. SMOKED SALMON. CAVIAR. YES THE MORE EXTRAVAGANT THE BETTER !
  • AND DON’T FORGET THE CHAMPAGNE. BUY MINI BOTTLES OF A GOOD LABEL AS YOU DO NOT WANT TO DRINK TOO MUCH WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. THE CHAMPAGNE COMPANY (thechampagnecompany.com)SELL MINI BOTTLES OF LAURENT PERRIER FOR £10 EACH .MY FRIDGE IS STOCKED FULL OF THESE FOR WHEN I WANT ONE AT BATHTIME ! SO GOODBYE TO DAY OLD FLAT CHAMPAGNE .
close up photo of wine glass
  • PUT ON THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN THE MORNING !! LIFT YOUR SPIRITS WITH A GOOD DANCE AROUND THE HOUSE. GOOD EXERCISE TOO !
cheerful elderly man listening to music in headphones
  • PLAN YOUR MOVIE AFTERNOON SCHEDULE. REMEMBER THERE IS ONLY YOU TO PLEASE. YOUR CHOICE ! SNUGGLE UNDER YOUR FUR BLANKET ON THE SOFA. PLUS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SHARE THAT CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE EITHER.
  • DO NOT FORGET THE PRESENTS. SO SELF GIFTING IS A MUST AND AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE. SELF GIFTING MEANS NO RE GIFTING !!! WRAP THEM BEAUTIFULLY PRIOR TO THE DAY .
  • GET OUT IN NATURE FOR A LONG WALK IN THE FRESH AIR. APPRECIATE THE COLOURS , THE BIRDSONG AND THE PEACE AND JOY OF THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS YOU ON THIS WONDROUS DAY.
  • PLAN A ZOOM PARTY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IF YOU CANNOT BE WITH THEM THIS CHRISTMAS. SCHEDULE A TIME IN ADVANCE.
  • IT CAN BE A DIFFICULT TIME AND IF DURING THE DAY YOU GET A TOUCH OF THE BLUES DO NOT FORGET THE TRIED AND TESTED “GRATITUDE LIST”. LIST 5 THINGS YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR AND FOCUS ON THOSE. THERE IS MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR. PLAN YOUR GOALS FOR 2021 IF YOU WANT TO MAKE CHANGES THIS CAN EXCITE YOU.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT YOUR PLAN FOR A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS ALONE. AS A SELF CONFESSED CHRISTMAS FANATIC I PROMISE YOU IT CAN STILL BE A MAGICAL TIME. NO ARGUMENTS, NO SLAVING AWAY IN THE KITCHEN, NO MISSING YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIES. THINK OF IT AS A POSITIVE TIME. IN FACT AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE I CAN SENSE THE HOLLY GREEN ENVY AS PEOPLE ABANDON THEIR CHRISTMAS PLANS GLOBALLY ! AS LONG AS IT IS NOT YOU SPORTING GRINCH GREEN!!

Don,t be a Grinch this Christmas !

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IF YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BE TOUGH FOR YOU THIS CHRISTMAS DESPITE ALL THE ABOVE EXCITEMENT PLEASE REMEMBER IT IS JUST ONE DAY IT TOO SHALL PASS. AT LEAST YOU WILL BE STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY . THE PARTICULAR XMAS THEME FOR 2020 .

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXX

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HEALTH: FAKING IT WITH CHRISTMAS MOCKTAILS

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Christmas is a time when we go into overdrive on our alcohol consumption. The run up to Christmas with an incredibly busy social scene right up until the day when we start on the Bucks Fizz at breakfast time …….then just continue.

If you are cutting out alcohol for any reason or if you just want to cut down do not let it spoil your Christmas. Especially if you are cooking the lunch !!! You can still join in and feel very naughty with three of my favourite non alcoholic Christmas cocktails. I don’t think anyone of us wants to feel inebriated on Christmas day ( well maybe there is a few of you !!) but even if you are having the mulled wine, the egg nog, the champagne and the wine it maybe a good idea to intersperse the alcohol for you and your guests with one of these. Also good for the children (well, it IS christmas )

Mulled ‘Cider’

  • 1 glass of apple juice
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • star anise
  • orange zest
  • teaspoon of agave syrup

METHOD

Simmer gently all ingredients. Strain. Serve with a cinnamon stick.

Mulled ‘Cider’

APPLE SPARKLE

  • 1 glass of cloudy apple juice
  • A tot of elderflower cordial
  • Mint
  • Sparkling water
  • Gold leaf for sprinkle and sparkle

METHOD

Half fill a glass with cloudy apple juice . Add a tot of elderflower cordial. Top up with sparkling water. Lots of crushed ice. Mix well with a mixing spoon. garnish with a sprig of mint and sprinkle with gold leaf.

Apple Sparkle

RASPBERRY ‘NOJITO’

  • Raspberries fresh or frozen
  • mint
  • coconut sugar
  • lime juice
  • sparkling water

METHOD

Muddle the raspberries, mint and sugar and lime juice. Top up with sparkling water.

Raspberry Nohito

As you can see all very simple and quicker to make then normal cocktails so time saving too. The raspberry mojito can be whizzed up and pureed in a blender and served in a martini glass as a fake cosmopolitan. It all depends what you normally drink so change the glass to suit your mood.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: THIS ADVICE IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS BUT FOR LIFE…..FOR EVERY ALCOHOLIC DRINK HAVE A NON ALCOHOLIC DRINK. MY ‘GO TO’ IS ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL AND SODA SERVED IN A CHAMPAGNE GLASS. SO YOU DONT APPEAR TO BE A PARTY POOPER AND PEOPLE DONT FORCE YOU TO EXCEED YOUR LIMITS. ADDED BONUS OF SAVING CALORIES TOO !!!

HAVE A MERRY (BUT NOT TOO MERRY) CHRISTMAS !

JOJO XXXXXXXX

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LIFESTYLE: REDISCOVER CHRISTMAS RITUALS

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I know many of you reading this, (if you even have time on this busy weekend before Christmas) are probably frantically busy and getting stressed. Many people have forgotten how to enjoy christmas. I adore Christmas but speaking to my friends they all now seem to dread the very idea of it. On a recent poll I read that 68% dread Christmas. So it made me ask myself why do I love it sooo much and I came to the conclusion it was about my firmly established Christmas rituals. I am literally Mother Christmas. So let me share with you some simple rituals for putting the Joy back into Christmas and making it more pleasurable than painful……

MY RITUALS

  • BAKING. NO! I AM NOT GOING TO ADD TO YOUR STRESS BY DEMANDING YOU MAKE YOUR OWN PUDDING AND CAKE BUT I LOVE TO DO SMALL TOUCHES AND CREATIONS EG MY OWN CRANBERRY AND PORT SAUCE, MINCE PIES (SHOP BOUGHT PASTRY) BUT CREATIVE FILLINGS WITH ADDED ORANGE ZEST AND CRANBERRIES TO MINCEMEAT. CHOOSE YOUR OWN SIMPLE ADDITIONS FOR ONE AFTERNOON IN YOUR CHRISTMAS KITCHEN WITH CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND A GLASS OF MULLED WINE.
  • WE HAVE A WHOLE DAY OF CHRISTMAS DECORATING AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. A LIFETIME RITUAL. THE ANDY WILLIAMS ALBUM GOES ON AN OLD TURNTABLE. A BIG ROAST DINNER. THE FAMILY GATHERS. MULLED WINE AND MINCE PIES WHILE WE ALL GET CREATIVE WITH THE TREES. SIGNIFIES THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTMAS. WHAT IS A CHORE FOR MANY IS A RESTFUL PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE FOR US.
  • THE EARLIER YOU START CHRISTMAS PRESENT BUYING I GUARANTEE YOU THAT YOU END UP SPENDING MORE. YOU JUST KEEP GOING. SO I CHOOSE ONE DAY A FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. ALONE. I MAKE THE DAY PLEASURABLE WITH A LUNCH BOOKED SOMEWHERE SUMPTUOUS IN ADVANCE WITH A NICE GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE. I PLAN THIS AROUND A SMALL SHOPPING AREA EG JERMYN STREET, OR PAVILION RD CHELSEA (SEE LAST WEEKS BLOG) SO NOT MUCH WALKING INVOLVED. I START EARLY !! I AM NOT A FAN OF THE COMMERCIALITY OF CHRISTMAS BUT PRESENT GIVING IS AN IMPORTANT CARING RITUAL IT IS NOT ABOUT THE EXPENSE BUT A PERSONAL GIFT THAT SHOWS YOU KNOW AND CARE ENOUGH IS IMPORTANT. I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE JUST GIVE MONEY, AND IF THEY DONT KNOW WHAT TO BUY YOU , THEN THEY DONT KNOW YOU. IF YOU CANT AFFORD MUCH AT LEAST AFFORD THE TIME ! EVEN A £5 GIFT CAN BE INCREDIBLY TOUCHING IF THE GIVER TOOK THE TIME TO SELECT IT. SO MAKE A LIST,CHECKING IT TWICE, SET YOUR BUDGET AND PLAN YOUR ROUTE.
  • I DONT SEND CARDS AND ASK PEOPLE NOT TO SEND THEM. IT SEEMS SO WASTEFUL AS I AM SO ANTI CLUTTER THESE BEAUTIFUL CARDS ARE ALL BINNED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. SO THE STRESS OF WRITING HUNDREDS OF CARDS AND FINDING ADDRESSES IS REMOVED. ALL THE PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT I AM IN TOUCH WITH ON A REGULAR BASIS ANYWAY NO NEED TO SEND ME A CARD !
  • DONT FORGET TO HAVE FUN !! CHRISTMAS FOR ME IS SPECIAL WHEN MEETING UP WITH FRIENDS FOR LUNCHES OR COCKTAILS. I TAKE ALL MY ELDERLY FRIENDS OUT FOR A SPECIAL LUNCH AND INCLUDING ANYONE WHO MAYBE LONELY. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PUNCTUATION MARK IN THE CALENDAR TO TELL PEOPLE HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE.
With Stephen Fry shopping on Jermyn Street
  • CHRISTMAS EVE WE ALWAYS GO TO CHURCH FOR A SERVICE TO REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS .
  • WE ATTEND TWO CHARITY CHRISTMAS CONCERTS EACH YEAR. ONE AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE AND ONE AT ST PAULS KNIGHTSBRIDGE. I LOVE CAROLS AND THESE ARE TRULY MAGICAL. THE CHARITIES BENEFIT ENORMOUSLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
  • IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE YOUR TIME TO CHARITY AT CHRISTMAS. WE WRAP AND DONATE TOYS FOR LOCAL CHILDRENS HOMES AND GIVE CHRISTMAS SANDWICHES TO ANYONE WHO WE SEE ON THE STREETS. LAST YEAR WE DONATED HATS AND GLOVES TO THE HOMELESS OF LONDON. CHOOSE YOUR OWN LOCAL CHARITY, THERE WILL BE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS YOU THIS CHRISTMAS.
  • THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH ON THE DAY ITSELF NEED NOT BE A STRESSFUL ENDURANCE RACE. THE SHOWPIECE IS THE TURKEY. NO NEED TO SPEND HOURS PEELING AND PREPARING THE VEG . NO ROAST POTATOES TASTE AS GOOD AS AUNT BESSIES GOOSE FAT OVEN READY POTATOES. THERE IS SOME AMAZING PREPARED VEG NOW TOO . BRUSSELS WITH PANCETTA AND CHESTNUTS. CARROTS WITH CRANBERRIES. JUST POP IN THEIR TRAYS IN THE OVEN CUTS THE TIME AND THE COST TOO WHEN YOU ADD ALL THE SPECIAL BITS TO YOUR VEG. BELIEVE ME YOUR GUESTS WONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE AND EVEN IF THEY DO THEY WONT MIND. DONT TORTURE YOURSELF COOKING THE MEAL AND PRESENT IT BEAUTIFULLY. THE TURKEY IS LOW MAINTENANCE ONCE IN THE OVEN SO GRAB A GLASS OF BUCKS FIXX AND JOIN IN THE FUN !

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF MY RITUALS. RITUALS MEAN YOU PRACTISE THEM EVERY YEAR SO THEY BECOME SECOND NATURE. THEY SHOULD ALL BE BEAUTIFUL AND FUN. SO BRING THE BEAUTY AND JOY BACK INTO YOUR CHRISTMAS ROUTINE. THESE RITUALS MAY COME TOO LATE FOR MANY OF YOU BUT THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR !!

Always Team Santa

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: FOR ANYONE WHO IS ON THEIR OWN THIS CHRISTMAS OR FEELING LONELY PLEASE KNOCK ON A NEIGHBOURS DOOR OR GET OUT AND ABOUT AND STRIKE UP CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE. TALK TO SOMEONE. ESTABLISH YOUR OWN PERSONAL RITUALS TO MAKE EVEN AN ALONE CHRISTMAS PARTICULARLY SPECIAL TO YOU. REMEBER IT IS ONE DAY.

MUCH LOVE AND WARM HUGS AND WARM MULLED WINE

MWAH MWAH JOJO XXXXXXX

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BEAUTY: THE PRE PARTY PAMPER COUNTDOWN

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ITS CHRISTMAAAAAAS ! Parties are back on the menu. I am sure all my readers have a big night out planned so its time to shake your beauty routine up and indulge with a celebratory pamper evening. Yes girls and boys its all about you and shaking off the lockdown look.

ethnic smiling woman wiping face with cotton pad

THE COUNTDOWN STARTS HERE ……….

So let us assume that you managed to get your nail bar appointments ( hey girlfriend where were you ?) So we don’t have to build in extra time for manicures and pedicures! No one does their own nails anymore do they ?? Otherwise allow an extra hour. Also pre select your outfit and accessories and lay them all out on the bed beforehand. No last minute rummaging or repairs to stress you out.

5.00PM

Pour a glass of bubbles and get some party music on. Put on a fluffy terry robe. Pull hair back. Cleanse face, with a firm facial massage to get the blood pumping and bring a glow to your skin. Now is not the time for micro needling or glyco peeling or using new products.

Scrutinize the eyebrows plucking any stray hairs and tidy them up.

5.30PM

Now time to depilate any excess hair. I suggest a gentle method for your pre party pamper. Apply some cream such as Immac or Veet and while that is working for 10 minutes use that time to body brush the rest of your body .

5.45PM

Jump in the shower to rinse the cream. Gently exfoliate with a handful of sugar and olive oil especially on your depilated areas to avoid ingrown hairs. Wash hair. Finish with a freezing cold burst of water on hair to flatten the cuticles and all over your body to energise you.

6.15PM

Now you are all clean. Draw a warm luxurious bubble bath. HIGHLY RECOMMEND L’OCCITANE LEMON VERBENA FOAM BATH £22. Remember this is about a celebratory pamper not wallowing in your own filth (and depilitary cream!). So to your damp hair apply a rehydrating super glossy hair mask and wrap in a hot towel or turban. My fave is BLEACH LONDON REINCARNATION MASK £7.50.

Apply a no nonsense hydrating sheet mask. An inexpensive but highly effective one I have recently tried is GARNIER MOISTURE BOMB £2.99.

Wallow for a good 15 minutes. Rinse hair mask.

cold people woman relaxation

6.45PM

Wrap yourself in a huge warm terry towel. Pat yourself dry. Rub in residue of face mask into skin.

Spritz yourself in a dry body oil to lock in the moisture and make your skin look glistening and healthy. Two fabulous ones are BOOTS NO7 BEAUTIFUL SKIN PAMPERING DRY BODY OIL £12 AND A FIRM FAVOURITE, HUILE PRODIGIEUSE DRY OIL choose the one with the gold sparkle in it. A good tip here run some through dry hair for glistening shine.

Rough dry hair. Put in large velcro rollers for smooth hair if required. Just don’t apply too much heat to hair by overdrawing and over processing. Remember we are going for a glossy just got out of lockdown look !!

7.15PM

Giant rollers in. Time to do your make up. Skin should be looking plumped and glowing. Apply a moisturiser and a base such as MAC STROBE CREAM £25 that now comes in 4 shades. This can make any skin look dewy. Apply your foundation/bb cream over the top. Some over tips for a glossy look use cream products where possible. NARS ILLUMINATOR in COPACABANA dabbed onto your cheekbones. LAURA MERCIER SECRET UNDER EYE BRIGHTENING POWDER £22.50 to light up under eyes. As you get older the less eye make up the better it looks more youthful. KEVIN AUCOIN DIAMOND EYE GLOSS a beautiful transparent eye close that glistens. I discovered a fabulous new mascara in lockdown for long glossy smudge proof lashes MARC JACOBS AT LASH’D MASCARA £25. Finish with an extra glossy nude/beige lip gloss , much more flattering on older lips than bright colours.

Set your make up with my perennial favourite BARRY M DEWY FIXING SPRAY £4.99 I NEVER leave the house without a spritz of this on my face for an all day fresh dewy look.

woman applying mascara

7.45PM

Rollers out. Run fingers through hair with some iconic KERASTASE HAIR ELIXIR £39 for radiant hair and an extra spritz of shine mist. The best I have tried is BRITISH HAIR PERFECTLY BRILLIANT SHINE SPRAY £9.95 it smells good too.

portrait photo of woman wearing black top

800PM

Heading for the finish line. Just before getting dressed give your body a good shake. Each leg, each arm , your head and shoulders , hands, feet . You will be surprised at this instant energiser. Slip into your clothes. A quick spritz of your favourite perfume. One last look in the mirror to check yourself out . Blow yourself a kiss, tell yourself “I love you” and head out of that door to re establish your social life. HELLO WORLD !

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP : SELF LOVE AND NURTURE IS SO IMPORTANT . MAKE PAMPER NIGHTS PART OF YOUR WEEKLY ROUTINE. ADD MORE OR STREAMLINE ACCORDING TO YOUR TIME CONSTRAINTS BUT MAKE IT REGULAR XX

woman in white shirt holding bottle pouring on glass cup
ENJOY YOUR RESOCIALISATION !

MIDWEEK MANTRAS

MIDWEEK MANTRA : DISCOVER YOUR INNER VOICE

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POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND MENTAL EXERCISES TO REFRESH THAT MIDWEEK SLUMP

IN THIS TIME OF GREAT DIVISION IN SOCIETY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN, BLACKS AND WHITES,POLITICAL DIVIDES AND EVEN MORE. LET US FOCUS ON OUR SIMILARITIES AND NOT ON OUR DIFFERENCES. THE FUTURE NOT THE PAST……………..

THIS WEEK I WOULD LIKE ALL MY FOLLOWERS TO SOUND THIS CHANT OUT LOUD EACH MORNING AS MANY TIMES AS YOUR OWN TIME ALLOWS. IT SHOULD BECOME YOUR MANTRA NOT ONLY FOR THIS WEEK BUT FOR LIFE.

I USE THIS CHANT AT THE BEGINNING OF ALL GROUP SOUND BATHS AND THE GROUP REPEAT EACH LINE BACK TO ME, I HAVE YET TO MEET A PERSON WHO IS NOT TOUCHED BY THE BEAUTY OF THIS UNIVERSAL GREETING.

I OFFER YOU PEACE

I OFFER YOU FRIENDSHIP

I OFFER YOU LOVE

I HEAR YOUR NEEDS

I SEE YOUR BEAUTY

I FEEL YOUR FEELINGS

ALL WISDOM FLOWS FROM THE HIGHEST SOURCE

I HONOUR THAT SOURCE IN YOU

LET US WORK TOGETHER

AS ‘WE’ CAN ACHIEVE MORE

——————————————————————-Don Conreaux

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: KEEP THIS UP AND VERY SOON YOU WILL BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER BEAUTY AND A SENSE OF CALM

JOJO XXXXXXXXXX

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FOOD: 5 HERBS THAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR DAILY DIET

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photo of potted plants on wooden table
Cultivate Herbs To Suit Your Own Symptoms

Herbs add flavour and enhance the blandest of meals but how many of you are aware that they have contain health and medicinal properties that can contribute a great deal to your daily wellness levels. Dried or fresh ! They are easy to add to EVERY meal whether in smoothies, salads, soups or sprinkled onto raw or cooked meals.

It is time to develop your own medicine cabinet in your own back yard with a highly nutritional herb garden to alleviate a wide range of symptoms.

So here are five herbs (out of a list of hundreds) but use this list as a basis to start or even start growing some in the garden. These ones I have selected are particularly easy to incorporate into your daily meals.

OREGANO

This herb is familiar to nearly everyone but actually has MORE flavour dried than fresh. So a great store cupboard essentials. Very easy to grow in a pot in your garden.

BENEFITS

Antibacterial defending the body against bacteria in the gut and the skin. A high content of manganese, calcium, vitamin k and fibre therefore an ideal herb to detoxify the body by assisting the liver function. Also excellent for bone health very useful in later life for protection against osteoporosis. A natural form of Omega 3 fatty acids can rebalance cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

DIET

Great with pasta particularly good with tomato based sauces in its dried form. Or incorporate into homemade burgers including vegan ones.

ASHWAGANDA

This ancient herb I take in the form of a powder EVERY morning in my smoothie. It has very powerful properties and is an important herb in Ayurvedic medIcine.

BENEFITS

There have been many studies that have proven that this herb substantially reduces anxiety and depression and is great for menopause symptoms. reduces cortisol levels if over stressed. Also reduces inflammation. I credit Ashwaganda to significantly alleviating my arthritis. Many studies also link this powerful herb with reducing cancerous tumours when taken regularly. Although I cannot personally lay claim to this it is worth adding this to your diet to see if it is of benefit to you.

DIET

I buy this in powder form and add to my smoothies and green juice every single day. Or add it to your soups.

MINT

This is so easy to grow even I can grow it . Right now I have an abundance of mint in my garden for my daily use.

BENEFITS

The benefits of mint are widely documented. It is uplifting and a fantastic aid to digestion and bloating. Can really help with IBS symptoms. Relieve congestion from colds and bronchitis. Mental clarity and of course mask bad breath.

DIET

Great with boiling water as a mint tea. Fresh leaves incorporated into salads both savoury or fruit salads. Try to introduce after meals. This leaf is more potent fresh and unbruised as opposed to dried but easily picked fresh straight from your herb garden you are now cultivating !

NUTMEG

Known as the sexy spice. Although considered a spice it actually is a seed from a herb the nutmeg tree that bears two fruit mace and nutmeg. Although a word of warning can be dangerous in large quantities as can be hallucinogenic and is actually banned in Saudi Arabia ! so we are just talking about a sprinkle here definitely no more than a teaspoonful. Great in a dried powder form and keeps for many months in the store cupboard.

BENEFITS

A nerve relaxant therefore excellent for inducing sleep and relaxation. Raises sexual libido and improves memory. swap the nightly glass of wine out for a sprinkle of nutmeg.

DIET

Perfect with spinach as an accompaniment to your evening meal. In a glass of hot milk before bed . Commonly used in the Ayurvedic ‘golden milk’. Sprinkle on coffee. Would tend to use this later in the day because of its relaxant properties.

PARSLEY

Native to the mediterranean light scented and fresh taste makes it very versatile and pretty much can be added to most dishes for maximum benefit raw or cooked. Also it is easy to grow in your own backyard. I have included it on this list for its ease of use and availability and its impressive nutritional value.

BENEFITS

Great source of vitamin A and C therefore making it high in anti oxidants so good for the blood and the skin. Helps protect the eyes and help prevent age related macular degeneration . Reduces water retention and neutralises bad breath.

DIET

Add to almost any food dried or fresh, raw or cooked. Add to green juice if suffering from puffiness or water retention or simmer with water then strain to make a tea. Or just chew on a fresh sprig for fresh breath and to neutralise odours such as garlic. This wonderful herb is often not given credit for its amazing nutritional value and is often overlook as just a piece of green garnish so do not push it to one side consume it.

WARNING: DUE TO THE HIGH POTENCY OF HERBS AND THEIR GENUINE EFFECTIVENESS DO NOT CONSUME IN LARGE QUANTITIES. LITTLE AND OFTEN IS THE KEY FOR MAXIMUM HEALTH BENEFITS.

MWAH MWAH XXXXXX

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLIST TIP: THERE ARE MANY MORE HERBS AND SPICES WITH INCREDIBLE HEALTH BENEFITS YOU HAVE TO SELECT WHAT YOUR BODY NEEDS RIGHT NOW. INSTEAD OF REACHING FOR THE MEDICINAL CABINET IN YOUR BATHROOM WHY NOT TRY THE ONE IN YOUR GARDEN AND SEE IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE !