LIFESTYLE: REDISCOVER CHRISTMAS RITUALS

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

MIDWEEK MANTRA :ENJOY THE VIEW

YOUR WEEKLY CATCH UP ON ALL THINGS POSITIVE TO UPLIFT YOU AND RESTORE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH MANTRAS, TASKS AND INSPIRATION

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

MIDWEEK MANTRA : RIP QUEEN ELIZABETH II

THOUGHTS, INSPIRATION OR TASKS TO REJUVENATE AND LIFT YOUR SPIRITS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK.

adult alone anxious black and white

WALLOW IN SORROW

AFTER THE LAST TWO WEEKS WITH THE PASSING OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II MANY OF YOU MAY STILL FEEL GRIEF STRICKEN AND LOST. YOU MAY FEEL AS THOUGH YOU LOST YOUR ANCHOR IN LIFE OR FEEL YOU CANNOT ACCEPT CHANGE.

WELL IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT YOU HEAR THIS FROM ME, OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. OUR MIDWEEK MANTRA IS FOCUSSED ON STAYING POSITIVE AND FIGHTING ANY NEGATIVE NOTIONS IN YOUR MIND. BUT I FEEL THAT INCREASINGLY WE ARE SURROUNDED BY MEDIA AND “EXPERTS” THAT ARE CONTINUALLY TELLING US ITS BAD TO FEEL DOWN AND WE ARE BEING FED AN IDEALISED WORLD WHERE WE ARE ONLY WORTHY IF WE ARE SMILEY AND POSITIVE.

BUT LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER (THANKS RONAN FOR THAT ONE !!) A SERIES OF UPS AND YES DOWNS AND WE CAN ONLY RECOGNISE THE UPS BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE DOWNS TOO.

SO THIS WEEK I WANT YOU TO EMBRACE THE IDEA THAT FEELING LOW OR SAD ON ANY GIVEN DAY IS OKAY AND IS IN FACT TOTALLY NORMAL. IT WOULD BE ABNORMAL TO NEVER FEEL DOWN.

THE NEXT DAY YOU FEEL LOW TOTALLY EMBRACE IT . ACKNOWLEDGE HOW YOU FEEL . DO NOTHING BUT …..WALLOW. DONT FIGHT IT , FEEL IT !

JOJO STYLELIST TIP: SADNESS IS NORMAL BUT IF YOU ARE FEELING SAD FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD AND FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE REASON. THEN SEEK HELP AND TALK TO SOMEONE.

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXX

MIDWEEK MANTRA : FORGIVENESS

Your weekly club to help strengthen your mental health and develop positivity in your outlook for the rest of the week. Call in each week to this post to lift your spirits and help you to be your own therapist through tasks , mantras, ideas or just chat.

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I think we probably all have someone in our life that have been bad to us or let us down. We probably feel deep anger and disappointment in these people we trusted and let into our lives. Why didn’t they treat us the way with the courtesy and kindness we showed them. The feelings get deep routed into our psyche more than we know and it impacts our other relationships and existing and future friendships.

Today I want you to practice letting go of regret, guilt, or resentment and to start making space for forgiveness, happiness , it is time to set yourself free.

Remember this exercise is about you not the other person . The other person has the problem not you. Forgiving them does not necessitate you talking to them this is about the relationship with yourself.

However if you feel the need to make yourself heard in order to heal. Then arrange to have a conversation with this person.

If you miss the person and want to repair the relationship then write a letter / e mail to this person and SEND it giving them time to digest your feelings without interruption or argument. After reflection you may find you contributed to the situation that arose. So, explore this.

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXX

JOJO’s STYLELIST TIP:Both forgiveness of others or self forgiveness is extremely cathartic it is all about controlling ones own mind and feelings in order to heal oneself in order to move forward and find freedom.

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MIDWEEK MANTRA: THOUGHT OF THE DAY

YOUR WEEKLY CATCH UP ON ALL THINGS POSITIVE. TASKS, MANTRAS OR JUST A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND TOP YOU UP TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK .

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SOMEONE ELSE IS GOING THROUGH. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK………

MWAH MWAH XXX

JOJO XX

JOJO STYLELIST TIP: BEING KIND DOES NOT MAKE THE OTHER PEOPLE FEEL BETTER RESEARCH HAS SHOWN IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER TOO !

MIDWEEK MANTRA : SILENCE IS GOLDEN

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF POSITIVITY AND WELL BEING . INSPIRATION, TASKS AND MANTRAS TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE MIND AND GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK.

woman showing her back
EMBRACE THE SILENCE

AS YOU ALL KNOW BY NOW I AM A BIG ADVOCATE OF MEDITATION IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO FIND 2 X 20 MINUTE SLOTS IN YOUR DAY TO REALLY START TO REAP THE BENEFITS AND TRULY UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF THE MIND IN OVERCOMING ADVERSITY.

BUT SO MANY OF US ARE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SITTING IN SILENCE. WE LIVE WITH CONSTANT NOISE, TRAFFIC, NEIGHBOURS, TV, CONTINUAL PINGING OF PHONES AND LAPTOPS THE CHATTERING OF PEOPLE. THIS CAN ACT AS A DIVERSION TO FACING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND DEALING WITH WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND LISTENING TO YOUR OWN MIND AND BODY. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT LIKE TO FILL EMPTY SPACES IN THE DAY WITH NOISE. OR UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCES BETWEEN FRIENDS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED WITH CHATTER. ARE YO GUILTY OF THIS.

WHO HAS TIME TO MEDITATE TWICE A DAY ?? I HEAR YOU CRY. WELL WE ALL DO . MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

SO THIS WEEK I WANT YOU TO FIND AN HOUR EACH DAY JUST TO EMBRACE THE SILENCE . THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PRACTISED MEDITATION. JUST TURN OFF THE TV AND SOCIAL MEDIA. LIE IN A FIELD. BOOK A FLOTATION TANK. USE THE HEADSPACE APP. OR JUST BREATHE…………. BUT LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF THROUGH SILENCE.

THE EFFECT THIS WILL HAVE ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS STAGGERING.

KETS SLOW THE WORLD DOWN AND PAUSE TO TAKE A BREATH.

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: MEDITATION CAN BE AS GOOD AS ANTI DEPRESSANTS, CAN LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE HELP YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT AND MAKE YOU LOOK 10 YEARS YOUNGER. WHATS NOT TO LOVE ?

MIDWEEK MANTRA: A POWERFUL THOUGHT

A WEEKLY CATCH UP TO SEE HOW YOU ARE FEELING ? NEED AN EXTRA DOSE OF INSPIRATION, POSITIVITY AND IDEAS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK. CHECK IN HERE EVERY WEDNESDAY TO THE MIDWEEK MANTRA CLINIC.

group of men wearing red and yellow shirt

OKAY THIS WEEK I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU A WEEK OFF FROM TASKS AND EXERCISES.

BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU A POWERFUL THOUGHT:

IT IS BETTER TO BE A FLAWED PERSON WHO KNOWS THEY ARE FLAWED. THEN A RIGHTEOUS PERSON WHO KNOWS THEY ARE RIGHTEOUS. THE FORMER AT LEAST HAS ROOM AND POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH THE LATTER DOES NOT.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS ALLOW ROOM FOR A LITTLE GROWTH….AND A LITTLE HUMILITY !

MWAH MWAH. XXXXX

JOJO. X

BEAUTY: DO CELLULITE CREAMS WORK ?

This is the shortest post ever…….. NO !

Let me expand

I have never believed that rubbing chemically laden product into toxic cells really worked. More toxins on toxins ? If anything, can further compound the issue and force the cells to have to work harder to expunge more chemical waste.

I am very careful about using chemical products on my body where I rarely see the benefits. I can recommend daily body brushing before your shower to boost the circulation and cold water on the area for the same reason. Any benefit from applying product is normally from the consistent massage but instead of splurging on expensive product selling you hopes and dreams the same benefit can be gained from organic ,virgin cold pressed sesame or coconut oil.

One of my rituals each morning is to massage organic sesame oil into my body paying particular attention to thighs, elbows and knees.Really squeezing the toxins out you can actually hear any fluid in the cells popping. On hair washing days I also massage into my hair. Leaving it to sink in as I do my morning meditation and gratitude prayer. After rinsing in the shower you are left with silky glowing skin . Not only does this aid smooth skin but also it is a beautiful ritual to thank your body for all it does for you. It is very easy to do for yourself. Although I use organic coconut oil for everything ( even cleaning my house!!) I prefer to use the sesame oil so I don’t smell like a coconut all day. Both are far cheaper than the chemically laden expensive cellulite creams that really don’t work and can actually exacerbate the condition. The power is in circulation and massage.

I am in my fifties and I really don’t have a problem with cellulite (although we all have a bit) after following this regular regime combined with daily yoga……oh and of course a good diet and cutting down on processed food. Back to those chemicals again that don’t belong in the body !

So Ladies I hope this helps build your army in the battle against cellulite.

Jojo xx

50+ Thighs !
Selling the Cellulite Program

MIDWEEK MANTRA : THINK DIFFERENTLY

STILL HERE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS HOLDING YOUR HAND THROUGH THE WEEK. POSITIVE INSPIRATION,TASKS AND BABY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR WORLD A LITTLE EASIER AND STRENGTHEN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

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Its One Thing You Really Own So Use It !

THESE ARE DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL TIMES FOR MANY AND IT IS EASY TO DROWN OUR MINDS WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. SOMETIMES WE CAN GET SO LOW THAT WE STOP SEEING THE LIGHT, IT BECOMES HARDER AND HARDER TO ESCAPE THE DARKNESS.

YOU ARE WHEREVER YOUR THOUGHTS ARE. EVEN IF YOUR HEART IS HEAVY AND YOUR MIND IS CONSTRICTED, YOU STILL HAVE THE POWER TO LIFT YOURSELF UP BY CHANGING YOUR THOUGHTS.

TODAY COME UP WITH A THOUGHT THAT CHANGES YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER. AND STICK WITH THAT THOUGHT ALL DAY. THEN TOMORROW COME UP WITH ANOTHER THOUGHT THAT IMPROVES YOUR DAY AGAIN.

IT WON,T MIRACULOUSLY MAKE YOUR PROBLEMS DISAPPEAR BUT IT WILL MAKE THE WORLD SEEM A BETTER PLACE AND STRENGTHEN YOUR ABILITY TO COPE WITH LIVES DAILY MISSILES AND VIEW THEM FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

TRY IT TODAY AND SEE IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO YOU.

MWAH MWAH XXXX

JOJO X

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: THE POWER OF THE MIND IS ONE THING YOU HAVE TOTOAL CONTROL OF, SO USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE ! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ??

MIDWEEK MANTRA : BRIGHTEN SOMEONES LIFE TODAY

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF INSPIRATION, TASKS AND HOPE TO GET YOU THROUGH YOUR WEEK ON A POSITIVE STRONGER MINDSET. TOO OFTEN WE DWELL ON NEGATIVE ASPECTS IN THE WORLD . THIS WEEKLY SLOT IS HERE TO UPLIFT, A SMALL OASIS OF CALM IN A HECTIC WORLD.

DURING MY GUIDED MORNING MEDITATION TODAY THE FOCUS WAS “SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON SOMEONE ELSE” WHAT A GREAT MESSAGE THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH MY FOLLOWERS TODAY.

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The Knock On Effect

TODAYS MENTALITY IS QUITE INSULAR WITH SO MUCH FOCUS ON ONES OWN MENTAL HEALTH . WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO THINK ABOUT OURSELVES AND CONCENTRATE INWARDLY. BUT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH IS TO THINK MORE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM THE REWARDS ARE GREAT AND THIS REALLY WORKS. IMAGINE BRINGING SOME SUNSHINE AND HAPPINESS INTO SOMEONES LIFE JUST BY YOUR OWN ACTIONS AND WORDS. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AN ELABORATE GESTURE IT MAYBE JUST SOME KIND WORDS OR A HANDWRITTEN CARD.

SO, TODAY I WANT YOU TO THINK HOW YOU CAN BRIGHTEN SOMEONES DAY. THIS COULD JUST BE A STRANGER OR A PERSON IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING FOR GRANTED OR MAYBE A FRIEND YOU HAVE NOT BEEN IN CONTACT FOR A WHILE.

SUGGESTIONS ……..CHOOSE TO SMILE AT EVERYONE YOU PASS ON THE STREET TODAY. MAKE A PHONE CALL TO SOMEONE THAT MAY BE LONELY OR VULNERABLE. COOK A SPECIAL MEAL FROM SCRATCH. AS IT IS SPRING BUY SOMEONE A BLOOM IN A POT FOR THEM TO SEE EVERYDAY.

HAVE FUN WITH THIS ONE BE INVENTIVE , MAKE IT SPECIAL. ENJOY THE KNOCK ON EFFECT.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU BRIGHTEN SOMEONES DAY YOU GET TO BATHE IN THE REFLECTIVE LIGHT.

MWAH MWAH. xx

JOJO. XXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:TAP INTO YOUR OWN PERSONAL POWER TO CHANGE OTHERS LIVES AND THIS IN TURN WILL CHANGE YOURS TOO. MAKE THIS YOUR MANTRA IT REALLY WORKS.