Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
LET THE BLOGGING BEGIN….
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HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
Don’t waste a moment of lockdown ! Life is now ! While we are forced to spend more time indoors it does not have to be all negative. Think of it as an opportunity to improve your knowledge. There are so many virtual options and if you have found yourself looking for new employment think about your skill set and fill in the gaps or embark on a new qualification. You learn almost anything on line right now from Yoga to language to interior design to poker, whatever takes your fancy.
But today I want to concentrate on upgrading your cultural knowledge. How many of us could previously find the time to visit galleries and museums, theatres and the opera ? Well this article is not designed to replace those visits post lockdown but serves to stoke your interest and it may be that you start to schedule such pleasures into your life.
The benefits of starting your cultural journey on line are that it is more affordable , indeed you will have a front row seat to watch the theatre and the ballet. You have your own art guide to educate you about the paintings. Your own wine connoisseur that you can sample wines with your pre purchased selection. You can learn and watch in the comfort of your own home AND in the comfort of your ‘loungewear’. Go at your own pace and if you miss something or need to reinforce your learning can go over it as many times as you wish. If you live alone you do not need a date to attend any of these glorious cultural delights. Helping pollution and climate change by not jumping in the car to attend events. Exercising the grey matter by learning something new. Establishing more self confidence with your new skills. Enhancing conversation with your family and friends giving you new topics to chat about.
So with all these benefits what are you waiting for ? Cultural events and classes are plentiful on line right now because of the circumstances we find ourselves in so find one ….or several that interest you.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started :
ART
ARTFUND.ORG
Sign up to receive newsletters. On line virtual art tours with an expert at all major galleries. I can recommend ‘Beyond Caravaggio at The National Gallery’ as someone who has attended the Caravaggio Collection in person I learned much more on line ! Catch this currently on their website along with many other tours. FREE.
TATE.ORG.UK
Also have a full digital events programme.
BALLET AND OPERA
The ROYAL OPERA HOUSE is currently streaming all major operas and the ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET with a weekly programme of on line shows and masterclasses via facebook. Or much easier use #ourhousetoyourhouse on youtube for your front row seat. Even better the operas come with subtitles so you you can gain a full understanding of the storytelling.
WINE
LAITHWAITES.CO.UK
There are many virtual wine classes but I chose this one as there are a full spectrum of classes to choose from which were user friendly. But also you can purchase the wine and drink alongside them as most of us have a local Laithwaites (although they do deliver). But also Wine Stores have been able to stay open in Lockdown 2 as an essential store ! ( I will second that ).
THEATRE
THESHOWMUSTGOONLIVE.COM
Omg this is a gift ! Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber started this Youtube channel in the first lockdown after a summer haitus I am pleased to announce it returned in September and will continue until further notice. A weekly top West End Show is streamed each Friday goes ‘live” at 7pm and is available for 48 hours for FREE. The best seat in the house !! Grab the popcorn and the ice cream and sing like no one is watching !
PHOTOGRAPHY
EOSTRAININGACADEMY.CO.UK
I own a top of the range Canon camera that I have never bothered to fully understand. It is only in lockdown that I became aware of this totally free on line course with Canon. Several hours of comprehensive on line lessons to taking better photographs. I have gained so much knowledge and hence developed a new hobby I am passionate about.
JOJOS STYLIST TIP: All the above cultural experiences are FREE although many sites offer a donation option. Please donate as this industry has suffered monumentally during 2020 it will go along way to helping the industry survive so we can continue our new found passion in person and in full during 2021.
Mwah mwah
JOJO xxxxxxxxx
MIDWEEK MANTRA
VIEWS
TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULE TODAY TO ENJOY A VIEW. EITHER TAKE TIME TO GO AND ENJOY A VIEW YOU KNOW OR JUST STOP, AND TAKE IN THE VIEW AROUND YOU.
SPEND 10 MINUTES ABSORBING THE BEAUTIFUL CONTRAST IN COLOURS. NATURE OR THE ARCHITECTURE BEFORE YOU. CALM DOWN, TAKE SOME BREATHS AND PRACTISE SOME MINDFULNESS . APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD AROUND US . LIVING OR STATIC WE ALL EXIST IN THE SAME VIBRATIONS OF ONE BIG UNIVERSE.
JOJOS STYLE LIST TIP: DONT JUST EXIST APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY THAT IS ALL AROUND US…….WE JUST HAVE TO OPEN OUR EYES.
JOJO XXXXXXX
PRODUCT ALERT
To all my readers
I previously recommended the TRIA 4X LASER HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE as one of my favourite gadgets very expensive at £395.
I feel it is my duty to offer a product warning about the shelf life of this gadget as I had no idea it only had a shelf life of 3 years. As there is an abject failure to mention this in any of their advertising I ,like many other consumers expected that they were investing in a product that was long term . Especially when we know that Laser hair removal devices have to be used for life as they only slow the growth of hair if used on a regular basis but never permanently remove.
It is a lot of money for Consumers to spend on a gadget with such limited life, which is of course why they probably do not state this prior to purchase!!!
I have spoken to the Company who have confirmed the limited life of 3 years (as mine no longer works) and agreed they did not state this in their advertising. Although they pointed out one line in very small print in the User guidelines (after purchase) “expected service life 3 years minimum ” however 4 of my team found ti difficult to locate so had to ask the Company to pinpoint this for us.
I have forwarded this to some Beauty Journalists who I hope will look beyond the advertising revenue and freebies for more open and honest reporting in the world of beauty and lies.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXXXXX
FOOD : THE MIRACLE DRINK – GREEN JUICE
Those of you that follow me on my channel will know I only eat one meal a day between 1pm and 5pm. But I like to start my day with a green juice to ensure I get plenty of vitamins and the bulk of my 5 a day out of the way. Even though I sometimes make a berry smoothie generally it is healthier to stick to veggies as they produce less sugar on juicing. Happy juicing guys !
BENEFITS
The benefits are huge and I could go on for ever but I am sure you have other things to get on with !!! Let me summarise in simple bullet points:
- Bathes body in rich plant nutrients
- Boosts immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Increases Energy
- Chlorophyll detoxes the liver
- Antioxidants to promote healthy skin.
- Hydration
- Medicinal adding healing foods to counteract specific ailments (more on this later)
BASIC INGREDIENTS
I used to use spinach but there have been some warnings about unhealthy amounts of cadmium levels but I am investigating this and will get back to you with more informed advice.
- Kale (one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet)
- Cucumber (95% water great for hydration)
- Chia seeds (omega 3,fibre and quality protein)
- Ginger (anti inflammatory, energy boost)
- Pineapple (for sweetness, boosts immunity,high anti oxidants)
- Flaxseed oil (skin health, also a good internal cleanser, healthy hair, fats)
- Alkalising super green powder ( to reduce acid in the body important to maintain a good ph in the body)
- Plenty of ice ! ( just tastes better chilled )
Now you can add medicinal properties to your basic recipe e.g. turmeric for arthritis or any sort of inflammation, parsley for water retention, mint for bloating or headaches,cayenne to boost metabolism. Cinnamon for cholesterol. Fennel ( I use as I love the taste) but great for digestion. Garlic to lower blood pressure. Ashwaganda powder great for the menopause. reduces anxiety ,can boost testosterone, an ancient medicinal root.
Just pop it all into your Nutri Ninja which I assume you all have one by now and BLEND ! ENJOY …………
JOJOS STYLE LIST TIP : you need to do this daily to reap the benefits. leave out the avocado as can be too calorific for a daily basis juice. Save it for a treat
JOJO xxxxxxxxx
MIDWEEK MANTRA
FLIP IT !
WE VALUE LIFES TEACHING BY THE OPPOSITE LESSON….. JOY THROUGH SADNESS, PROSPERITY THROUGH HARDSHIP. LIGHT THROUGH DARKNESS.
FOCUS TODAY ON ONE OBSTACLE IN YOUR LIFE WHAT LESSON IS IT TRYING TO TEACH YOU (IT WILL BE THE OPPOSITE) IT WILL PASS AND YOU CAN APPRECIATE THE LESSON LEARNED.
JOJOS STYLE LIST TIP : TODAYS PROBLEMS ARE TOMORROWS OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME WISER
JOJO XXXXXXX
MENTAL HEALTH: BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With mental health problems continuing to soar in these anxious times and access to NHS services severely restricted it is not time to give up ! Do not disappear further down a deep dark hole if you feel there is no outside help, it is time to help yourself. Let us do this together.
Here are some helpful points to give yourself a therapy session. After all no one knows you better than you know yourself The worst thing you can do is nothing at all while you are on the waiting list for professional help and who knows by time you have practised this list you may decide you no longer need professional therapy.
The following methods have helped many of my clients with their mental health who have sought my help in my capacity of a professional Sound Healing Therapist and have certainly helped myself too. It is very important to examine your own mental health regularly as you would examine say your breasts for lumps.
So here are the 5 rules:
RULE ONE
What do you need when you find yourself in a difficult period ? Most people at this time will NOT feel like going out to clubs and socialising but you may feel like walking your dog in the countryside or curling up on the sofa with a great movie. So identify what YOU need to feel better and allow yourself the time to do WHATEVER COMFORTS YOU .
RULE TWO
Define the situation. Write it down. relationships, money, friends or general lethargy. Be brutally honest with yourself . Are you part of the problem? Self examination is a great tool. But if you are really finding this difficult or this does not fit with your personality type then enlist the help of a friend to talk it through with, but ask them to be honest and open too. The method of self examination works for many but it depends on the type of person you are.
There is a danger of thinking none of this is your fault otherwise then you cannot effect change.
RULE THREE
Analyse the situation. How it happened ? Why it happened ? When did you start feeling this way ? What prompted this feeling? Again write it down.
RULE FOUR
How can you make this better ? What do YOU want ? Step outside of yourself and look in as an outsider. De personalise for a moment.
What would you tell your Son/Daughter/best friend if they were in the same situation ?
Visualise how you would like to feel. Dream how you would like to be. Write down your goals to achieving this.
RULE FIVE
TALK. To someone. Anyone. This does not have to be a trained therapist. Do not bottle things up. Sometimes just releasing pent up feelings can see a marked improvement in mood.
It is time to take control before it gets out of control.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:If it is a situation that is causing poor mental health just remember what looks bleak one day to remember there are good times ahead you just never know what is around the corner . Anticipate the good times. Think of a relationship break up you think your world has ended and you will never meet someone like them but the next one is ALWAYS better than the last one. How many of us can relate to that ??
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXXXXX
LOCKDOWN LOVE
A QUICK MESSAGE TO MY FOLLOWERS AND READERS.
WITH ANOTHER LOCKDOWN UPON US, CERTAINLY FOR THE NEXT MONTH. I JUST WANTED TO REACH OUT AND LET YOU KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH ARTICLES ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. SOME OF THEM PURE ESCAPISM ON THE LATEST STYLES, TRAVEL AND AT HOME SPA DAYS ! WE WILL CONTINUE OUR MIDWEEK MANTRAS THAT CONCENTRATE SOLELY ON MENTAL HEALTH EVERY WEDNESDAY WHEN YOU MAY NEED A BIT OF A PICK ME UP !
SENDING LOVE AND COMFORT TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER AND LOOK FORWARD TO SOME GOOD TIMES AHEAD WITH A RENEWED APPRECIATION FOR THE FREEDOM TO LIVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
TUNE INTO STYLELIST50.COM WHENEVER YOU FEEL YOU NEED A GIANT HUG. WE ARE HERE.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO
XXXXXXX
MIDWEEK MANTRA
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF INSPIRATION, IDEAS AND THOUGHTS TO FILL YOUR POSITIVITY BUBBLE AND BRING JOY AND LIGHT TO YOUR WEEK.
CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE
DURING A RECENT LUNCH (THE RULE OF 6 STRICTLY APPLIED I PROMISE !) ONE OF MY FRIENDS SAID SOMETHING THAT RESONATED WITH ME. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU AS IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE AND HOPEFULLY WILL STRIKE A CHORD WITH YOU TOO.
“IT IS YOUR ATTITUDE NOT YOUR APTITUDE THAT DECIDES YOUR ALTITUDE “
I LOVE, LOVE THIS. WE CAN CHANGE ANYTHING BY JUST CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT OURSELVES. VERY OFTEN THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE PREVENTING US REACHING OUR GOALS AND DREAMS IS US AND OUR SELF LIMITING BELIEFS.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY POIGNANT RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVE TEENAGERS THAT ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR EXAM RESULTS THIS SUMMER AS IT CAN SEEM LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. LETS FACE IT SOME OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DID NOT NECESSARILY DO WELL AT EXAMS BUT THEY ALL DO POSSESS A CERTAIN ATTITUDE. SO THIS IS A GOOD MANTRA TO INSTILL INTO YOUR OFFSPRING.
NOW LETS TURN OUR ATTENTION TO YOU. ASSESS YOUR OWN FORGOTTEN GOALS THAT YOU HAVE PUT ON THE BACK BURNER AS YOU THINK THEY ARE BEYOND REACH. REDISCOVER YOUR PASSIONS AND CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. GO FOR IT. THINK OF ALL THE ACTORS,DESIGNERS,POLITICIANS,COMPANY DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO BUT THEY PORTRAYED THEMSELVES AS BEING GOOD UNTIL WE BELIEVED THEM. AIM FOR THE MOON, SO AT LEAST YOU MAY GET THE STARS.
CAN IT REALLY BE THIS SIMPLE ? THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: CHOOSE YOUR ALTITUDE LEVEL THAT YOU ARE HAPPY TO FLY AT…….AND SOAR !
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXXXXX
COVID CURES : 10 REASONS TO BE POSITIVE
This post is dedicated to my best friend Dinx who suggested this article. Thank you for bringing positivity into my life on a daily basis x
The curse of Covid continues to live amongst us and is undeniably having a growing effect on health and finances but let us try to look at the positive effects this has had on us as individuals and globally. You subscribe to this blog because you subscribe to positivity so it is my task to find joy and purpose in life on a daily basis.
So lets focus on some positive points as after all we are going to have to live with this virus on a permanent basis. The Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 is still with us today mutated into our regular Influenza.
10 COVID CURES
- Time to press the pause button. A period of reflection and thinking. Press the reset button. What a luxury rarely afforded to ourselves
- Decluttering the home in a mindful steady way. Bit by bit room by room . Developing a charity pile to take to donate to starved charities in this time. We also have learned to live without so much excess and from speaking to you all your needs have been differentiated from your wants.
- Discovering new ways of working. Ways that work for you. Creating lovely office spaces at home. It is great if you have now been given options to combine the two. Many new jobs have been created for homeworkers helping stay at home Mother/Fathers. People have found new outlets for untapped creativity e.g writing books, TikTok, fashion design, Pet youtube videos.
- Cooking healthy nutritious meals from scratch and more importantly eating them. No need for fast food now ! A skill that will stay with you when we return to a new normal. You will never return to junk food once you have been eating so healthily and realise it takes less time to put a healthy meal together than to order a takeaway.
- Catching up on movies you have been meaning to watch for years. Even live theatre streaming on YouTube channel The Show Must Go On a front row seat that you may not have had the time or money for pre lockdown.
- Nature appreciation. Long walks in the Countryside. Noticing colours, smells and the visual stimuli for the first time in many cases. A time to build up an exercise regime that you enjoy.
- Less pollution on the roads. A chance to reset globally. It took a surprisingly short period to improve air quality substantially globally proving a massive health benefit for many. The challenge is to use this time to maintain the low levels by reassessing working practices. I personally can notice a difference in the air quality in Central London even today compared to pre lockdown.
- Appreciate friends and family more. Spending more time together, talking , playing board games, eating together. I know this has exposed some weaknesses in relationships but this provides a chance to air grievances. Or indeed walk away, it is a true test of a relationship tif you enjoying staying in with someone as opposed to going out with them.
- Restaurants are much more enjoyable now with enforced social distancing. Less people less noise and no one sitting right next to us listening into(and sometimes joining in) conversations makes the whole experience infinitely more enjoyable. I am sure as Customers we will become increasingly demanding on this and not put up with being squashed into tight spaces. I have been campaigning for years to put more space between tables in restaurants as I don’t particularly want people I have not invited to join me for lunch. I consistently ask to be redirected to a table with more space and now I don’t have to ! Loving this point.
- Stimulating my mind with the huge growth of on line courses. Art,wine,photography, piano ,poker, just a few ways I have found to educate myself further.
- Helping the planet by buying less clothing . No more fast fashion fixes. After all there is nowhere to go ! It does reassess your values and you probably found pieces lurking at the back of the closet when you were doing all that cluttering !
You I am sure noticed that there are in fact 11 Covid Cures and not 10 , testament to my positivity. In fact I could think of several more. Why not try writing your own list.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: New routines take 21 days to become a habit and a consistent part of our new normal. We have had a good deal longer than 21 days so get going Stylistas !
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXXXXXXX
MIDWEEK MANTRA
MANTRAS OR ACTIONS TO BOOST YOUR WEEK FOR SELF IMPROVEMENT, STRENGTH AND HAPPINESS.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!
FACING YOUR FEARS
“THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF” – PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
“FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY” – ERICA JONG
THERE ARE MANY QUOTES AROUND BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE FEARS CAN BE CRIPPLING AND GIVE RISE TO HIGH ANXIETY. I AM SURE THAT THERE IS NOT A PERSON READING THIS THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY FEARS.
JUST BY FACING YOUR FEARS IT CAN GRADUALLY REDUCE ANXIETY THE MORE YOU REPEAT THE EXPOSURE. ALSO DEPRESSION CAN BE REDUCED AND CONFIDENCE INCREASED. IF YOUR FEAR IS A GENUINE PHOBIA IT MAY REQUIRE A LARGER ACTION PLAN OR EVEN PROFESSIONAL HELP.
SO THIS WEEK MAKE A LIST OF YOUR FEARS. JUST BY WRITING THEM DOWN CAN HELP. BUT NOW SELECT ONE TO FACE HEAD ON AND SEE IF YOU CAN TAKE A SMALL STEP IN CONQUERING IT. YOU WILL FEEL AN IMMENSE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND START TO CHIP AWAY AT THE MONSTER THAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK.
YOU MAY FEEL THIS IS A PUNISHMENT THIS WEEK BUT TAKE THAT FIRST SMALL STEP AND I PROMISE YOU IT WILL FEEL LIKE A REWARD.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IN THE WORDS OF ERICA JONG …….FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY !!!!
JOJO XXXXXXX