I saw this instagram post today which touched me deeply and I wanted to share it with my followers and readers.
Boys get cheated on
Boys get used for sex
Boys get lead on
Boys get hurt
Boys get heartbroken
Boys are self conscious
Boys get bullied
Boys get called fat
Boys get called ugly
Boys get judged
Boys get hit/abused by girls
Boys feel alone
Boys suffer with depression
Boys cry themselves to sleep
Boys self harm
Boys get eating disorders
Boys get suicidal
Boys commit suicide
Boys feel pain.
So while we continue to discuss and empathise with how we are treated as women and the effect on womens mental health especially in the recent light of the tragedies of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa and not foRgetting #MeToo campaign. Let us not forget the men in our lives. Our sons. grandsons, brothers, lovers, fathers and our friends. ask them how they are feeling today……….and then ask them again…….How are you REALLY feeling today ?
Look at the list again I am pretty sure they will be feeling at least one of those statements today right now. You will never know until you ask!
So let us not overlook men in the fight against mental health ………they are more likely to be suffering in silence.
MWAH MWAH xxxxx
JOJO. x
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:TUNE IN WITH YOUR MALE CIRCLE TODAY. REMEMBER AS WOMEN WE ARE GREAT LISTENERS AND GREAT COUNSELLORS. SO AS A WOMAN YOUR INTERVENTION COULD BE INVALUABLE. MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO OPEN UP TO YOU RATHER THAN THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS..
YOUR WEEKLY CATCH UP OF INSPIRATION, GUIDANCE AND POSITIVE SOUND BITES TO LIFT YOU UP AND HOLD YOUR HAND TO GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK. LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU WITH YOUR OWN SUPPORT TOOLS YOU USE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SOUL.
Offer YOUR Help To Someone Today
OKAY SO I ALWAYS MAKE THIS WEEKLY GET TOGETHER ABOUT YOU AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU. BUT TODAY I WANT TO TAKE THAT SELF FOCUS TO THE WIDER WORLD. THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE WORLD AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH ONE OF THE TUMULTUOUS PERIODS DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS THAT I CAN REMEMBER. CERTAINLY BY BEING ISOLATED AND LOCKED DOWN DURING 2020 AND 2021 HAS CAUSED US TO BECOME MORE INSULAR. BUT SOMETHING MORE IS AT PLAY , THE WIDER UNIVERSE, REFUGEES DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES AND FAMILY. NEIGHBOURS FALLING ON HARD TIMES. BUSINESSES TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
SO TODAY FOCUS ON THE WIDER WORLD . FOCUS ON OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS. IDENTIFY A WAY TO HELP THEM WITH NO PAYBACK FOR YOURSELF. ALTHOUGH I PROMISE YOU YOU WILL FEEL BETTER MENTALLY WHEN YOU ABSORB YOURSELF IN ANOTHER’S NEEDS RATHER THAN ON YOUR OWN. THERE IS A SCHOOL OF BELIEF THAT DEPRESSION IS CAUSED BY A CONCENTRATION ON SELF INSTEAD OF OTHERS. WHO KNOWS. YOUR PROBLEMS MAY DIMINISH WHEN FACED WITH OTHER PEOPLES EVEN BIGGER PROBLEMS.
RE ALIGN YOUR FOCUS FOR ONE WEEK. YOU MAY FIND A REWARD HERE AND CONTINUE.
YOUR WEEKLY SUPPORT BLOG EVERY WEDNESDAY TO INSPIRE AND STRENGTHEN YOUR SOUL SO YOU CAN MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE WEEK AHEAD. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR AND SHARE YOUR COPING MECHANISMS ESPECIALLY THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
FLOW WITH THE UNIVERSE NOT AGAINST IT
EVEN I HAVE HAD RECENT TUMULTUOUS TIMES NORMALLY I AM VERY STRONG AND CAN COPE WITH THE HARDEST OF TIMES BUT WITH ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER I STARTED TO FEEL VERY BATTERED AND BRUISED.
SO AS I PRACTISED KABBALAH TEACHINGS THROUGH TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL SOME YEARS AGO I TURNED TO MY MENTOR, SHIMON FOR SOME WISE ADVICE. THE ADVICE WAS SO RESONATING I WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH ANYONE GOING THROUGH A RELENTLESS ONSLAUGHT OF STRESS RIGHT NOW AND HOPE IT HELPS.
“YOUR INCLINATION IS TO SWIM AGAINST THE TIDE WHEN THE WAVES GET STRONGER, THIS EXHAUSTS YOU AND IT DOES NOT MAKE THE WAVES ANY SMALLER. . SO INSTEAD GO WITH THE FLOW UNTIL THE WAVES DIE DOWN..”
ME: “BUT I WILL DROWN UNLESS I KEEP SWIMMING MADLY”
‘NO YOU WILL DROWN FROM EXHAUSTION. LEARN TO FLOAT AND GO WITH THE FLOW UNTIL THE WAVES DIE DOWN FOR THE WAVE WILL EVENTUALLY CARRY YOU BACK TO SHORE’
THE TRUTH IS MOST SITUATIONS DO WORK THEMSELVES OUT EVEN WITH NO INPUT FROM ONESELF. WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. THIS CERTAINLY WAS TRUE FOR ME ONCE I STARTED TO FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS AND STOPPED FUELLING THE FIRE WITH MY ANXIOUS ENERGY IT REALLY DID WORK.
SO IF YOU ARE FACED WITH A DIFFICULT SITUATION ASK YOURSELF DO I NEED TO LET THIS DESTROY MY MENTAL HEALTH WORRYING ABOUT THIS OR WILL IT EVENTUALLY DIFFUSE OR WORK ITSELF OUT. IF YOU CANT CHANGE THE SITUATION GO WITH THE FLOW UNTIL ITS IMPORTANCE DIMINISHES.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IF THERE IS BAD VIBRATIONAL ENERGY IN A SITUATION THIS CAN ONLY BE DIFFUSED BY ADDING POSITIVE VIBRATIONS TO THE SITUATION. SAVE YOUR ENERGY AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH !
As an experienced scientific stylist I look at 8 defining areas of style.
Colour
clothing personality
straight/curved lines
tone
scale
texture,print,colour
figure type
wardrobe
Now, I don’t want to tell you which colours to wear or drag you kicking and screaming away from black, our security colour. But choosing the right colour for your complexion, hair and eye colour can instantly make you pop. It will be flattering, you will glow and I promise you can take years off your age. So Colour comes first for any client that engages my service. I have challenged this myself by wearing black with friends who will tell me I look tired but when I change to a brown top (i’m an Autumn) ON THE SAME DAY with no freshening up of make up I get so many more compliments.
The best way of ascertaining your colour palette is to visit a fully trained stylist. But if you cannot afford to do this I will take you through some general rules for you to work out your own colour. Many women instinctively are drawn to their correct colour but MANY are not.
Colour becomes more important as you get older but your colour NEVER changes throughout your lifetime even if you dye your hair, get a tan etc.
LETS GET STARTED……………….
ARE YOU COOL OR WARM ?
I use a gold or silver swatch one will make your skin pop the other will make it disappear/dull if you own gold or silver clothing this could work .
Pink and rosy skin (cool)
Sallow and yellowish (warm)
Gold/silver jewellery one will ‘liven’ your complexion more.
Tans easily- warm
Veins in your wrist blue (cool) green(warm)
Gold and Silver Swatches
COOL TYPES
WINTER – Usually dark hair and eyes in contrast with skin. Dark hair on arms normally good indicator of a winter. Look fab in deep rich colours with a cool blue tone such as fuchsia pink, burgundy navy and the only people that look fantastic in black. BASE WARDROBE COLOUR – BLACK WINTER CELEBRITY – OPRAH WINFREY JEWELLERY – SILVER
Winter Colour Palette
SUMMER – Light hair and eyes. Really suit grey hair. Suit pale dusky colours and pastels such as dusty pinks, powder blue, pale yellow. BASE WARDROBE COLOUR – WHITE SUMMER CELEBRITY – GWYNETH PALTROW JEWELLERY – SILVER
Summer Colour Palette
WARM TONES
SPRING – Hair auburn,golden blonde, freckles but light eyes. Soft rich warm colours coral,copper , bright greens and turquoise. BASE WARDROBE – IVORY,CREAM,BEIGE SPRING CELEBRITY – CHARLOTTE CHURCH, BRAD PITT JEWELLERY – GOLD
Spring Colour Palette
AUTUMN – Hair red, rich deep auburn but dark eyes. Suit earth toned, forest and spicy colours such as olive green,chocolate brown,camel,spicy orange. BASE WARDROBE – DEEP BROWN,CAMEL AUTUMN CELEBRITY – CHERYL COLE, SARAH FERGUSON, PRINCE HARRY JEWELLERY – GOLD
Autumn Colour Palette
Okay Style Bunnies colour applies equally to men and women. also applies to cosmetics, but thats a whole new lesson. This is just a beginners category so you can use colour to your benefit. The spectrum can be further divided into muted, deep , clear and light but lets not over complicate . If you would prefer to see a video on the importance of colour – click on the youtube link below.
JOJO STYLE LIST TIP : GET YOUR COLOURS DONE PROFESSIONALLY YOU WILL RECEIVE A COLOUR WALLET TO TAKE SHOPPING IN ORDER TO HELP YOU CHOOSE CLOTHING IN THE RIGHT PALETTE. ALL COLOURS IN YOUR WARDROBE WILL CO-ORDINATE FOR A LIFETIME
THIS WEEK MY FRIENDS , EACH MORNING WRITE 3 THINGS YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR IN YOUR LIFE . KEEP A NOTEBOOK BY YOUR BED AND JOURNAL THEM AS YOU AWAKE. DO NOT OVERTHINK THIS,
YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU WILL BREEZE THROUGH THE DAY IN A POSITIVE SUNNY MANNER AND YOU WORLD WILL LOOK BEAUTIFUL.
JOJOS STYLE LIST TIP : DO THIS EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE DONT LIMIT IT TO THE WEEK . MAKE YOUR CHILDREN DO THIS TOO. THIS ONE ACTION PRACTISED REGULARLY WILL CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK AND YOUR LIFE !
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF INSPIRATION, TASKS AND POSITIVITY TO GET YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK. JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR A WEEKLY FOCUS TO MENTALLY UPLIFT YOU.
OKAY READERS……LETS BE HONEST……..REALLY HONEST HOW MANY OF YOU ARE STILL KEEPING TO THOSE RESOLUTIONS THAT YOU SET YOURSELF ON DEC 31ST ? IT IS AROUND THIS TIME WE DECIDE TO DUMP THOSE GOOD INTENTIONS AND CREEP BACK TO THEIR NAUGHTY HABITS. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. SO RATHER THAN SET YOURSELF RESTRICTIVE GOALS AND THEN FEEL LIKE A FAILURE AND BECOME DOWN ABOUT YOURSELF LET ME SHARE AN IDEA WITH YOU.
I PREFER TO SET MYSELF A MANTRA , ONE SENTENCE OF FOCUS TO IMPROVE MY LIFE AND MY SOUL. CHANT THIS MANTRA EVERY MORNING IN THE SHOWER. IT ALMOST BECOMES A MANIFESTATION WHEN YOU CONCENTRATE THE MIND.
SO TODAY PICK A MANTRA FOR 2022….MINE IS “PUSH THE ENVELOPE” AS I WANT TO PUSH MYSELF OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND EMBRACE THE DIFFERENT AND ADVENTUROUS. 2021 MANTRA WAS “BUILD MORE PLEASURE INTO EVERY DAY.” SO YOU GET THE IDEA.
MANTRA BUILD MORE POSITIVITY AND HAPPINESS WHEREAS RESOLUTIONS CONCENTRATE ON NEGATIVITY AND HARDSHIP.
WRITE YOUR PERSONAL MANTRA IN YOUR GRATITUDE JOURNAL TODAY . REMEMBER EVERYTHING IS MORE POWERFUL WRITTEN DOWN.
MWAH MWAH. XXX
JOJO. XXX
JJOJOS STYLELIST TIP:WHO WANTS TO BE ON THE WAGON WHEN YOU COULD BE DRIVING A FERRARI
January is the time for a thorough closet cleanse, I have already done mine. But as we are now all about sustainability all you need is a few key pieces that can update your whole winter wardrobe and bring you right up to 2022 !
BOOTS
These fantastic Mulberry boots that are flattering and modern. Basic black great under trousers, with jeans or with black opaque tights. Can also work in the Summer with a flirty floral short dress.
COATS AND JACKETS
Military style coats are still on trend for 2022 shorter or longer your preference. But stick to a neutral colour black, grey or navy. Will go perfectly with the aforementioned boots ! Be quick this KAREN M gorrrrrgeoussss coat is in the sale right now !! January the perfect time to buy a winter coat huge discounts everywhere, so buy a classic like this one or something that suits YOU and you will always be in style.
The RALPH LAUREN blazer I chose a bright colour to give your skin a pop and brighten up those dull days. Great for pub lunches paired with some jeans and a polo neck or dress up in the evenings thrown over a black or navy pencil skirt. Stunning.
KNITS
You will get plenty of wear out of a new knit during the winter months. So instead of selecting just another sweater I found a “piece” for you , ALEXANDER MCQUEEN ensures this sweater needs NO introduction. A stand alone piece just pair with your favourite jeans and you have a statement. An investment piece but gentle washing only !
SLEEPWEAR
Cosy PJS for all those cosy winter nights. To slip straight into when you come home. Stay looking stylish. HANRO excellent selection of cosy, chic undies and sleepwear.
So there you have it 5 key pieces to update your winter wardrobe. You get the idea a couple of neutrals and a few statement investment pieces that go with most things in your wardrobe. This is the year you rethink your fashion waste. No more bulk buying, no more cheap fast turnover fashion, more planning less browsing. Cleansing the closet regularly to rediscover the clothes you already have.
MWAH MWAH. XX
JOJO. XX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP :FACT- WE WEAR 20%OF OUR CLOTHES 80% OF THE TIME. KEEP YOUR CLOSET LEAN SO YOU KNOW WHAT IS LURKING IN THERE. BOOK A ONE OFF VISIT WITH A STYLELIST AND DO A CLOSET/SHOPPING EXERCISE SO EVERYTHING IN YOUR CLOSET CO ORDINATES TOGETHER
MIDWEEK INSPIRATION TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES. THOUGHTS AND EXERCISES TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK.
DISCOVER YOUR ‘SELF’
I ALWAYS SPEND NEW YEARS EVE ALONE AND USE IT AS A TIME FOR REFLECTION AND SELF. ASSESSING THE OLD YEAR AND WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD IN THE NEW. SO HERE IS A LITTLE EXERCISE FOR YOUR OWN SELF REFLECTION.
I AM CONSTANTLY SURPRISED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT TAKEN TIME TO GET TO KNOW THEMSELVES. IF I ASK THEM QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR INNERMOST THOUGHTS THEY DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS. MORE SURPRISINGLY EVEN IF I ASK QUITE BASIC QUESTIONS E.G THEIR FAVOURITE FILM OR CHILDHOOD MEMORY MANY HAVE NEVER GIVEN IT A THOUGHT !
SO TODAY THIS IS A TWO PART TASK.
PART ONE
SIT DOWN NAKED IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR AND STUDY YOUR FACE AND BODY (OBVIOUSLY AT HOME ALONE, NOT IN THE OFFICE !) . REALLY FOCUS ON ALL THE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR FACIAL FEATURES, YOUR EYES, LIPS EVEN THE LINES YOU HAVE HAD FUN IN EARNING. PARTS OF YOUR BODY YOU LOVE AND THE MIRACLES THAT OCCUR EVERY DAY WITHIN THAT BODY AND OUR LARGELY NEGLECTED FEET THAT SUPPORT US EVERYDAY. PLEASE KEEP THIS POSITIVE AND LEARN TO APPRECIATE……YOU. MANY PEOPLE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS EXERCISE BECAUSE OF LACK OF YOU TIME OR EMBARRASSMENT BUT LEARN TO BE COMFORTABLE ……WITH YOU !
PART TWO
GRAB A COFFEE OR A GLASS OF WINE AND I WANT YOU TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS THERE ARE HUNDREDS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BUT HERES A SELECTION TO GET YOU STARTED. ASK THEM TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE DONT KNOW THE ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS FOR THIS YEAR?
LIST YOUR BEST QUALITIES?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK/FILM?
LIST YOUR TOP FIVE PLACES TO EAT?
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY ?
WHAT GIVES YOU PLEASURE AND COMFORT?
WHAT COUNTRY WAS YOUR FAVOURITE VISIT?
HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER?
WHAT PERSON/PEOPLE MAKE YOU FEEL SPECIAL?
WHAT EXCITES YOU ?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG ?
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR LIFE IF YOU HAD THREE WISHES ?
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
WHAT BRINGS YOU PEACE?
THIS IS SUCH AN INTERESTING EXERCISE AND YOU ALMOST FEEL CLOSER TO YOURSELF. BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND. GETTING TO KNOW ‘YOU’ IS A GREAT TOOL FOR STRENGTHENING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH FORMING A DEEPER BOND WITH ONESELF.
JOJOS STYLIST TIP: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO YOU? SEE IF YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM. DO THIS WITH THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ANSWERS MAY SURPRISE YOU ? ADD YOUR OWN TO THE LIST?
WELL DONE GUYS. ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO KEEPING THE HAPPINESS POT TOPPED UP !!
Positive and uplifting lessons and messages to get you through the rest of the week and restore your mojo.
DISCOVER YOUR INNER CHILD
CAST YOUR MIND BACK TO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD. WHAT ADULTS CLASS AS ANXIETY CHILDREN WELCOME AS EXCITEMENT. IT IS JUST IN THE PERCEPTION.
SO THIS WEEK CHOOSE A DAY WHEN YOU CAN TURN YOUR TELEPHONE OFF AND REDISCOVER THE THINGS THAT MADE YOU HAPPY AS A CHILD. IT IS TIME TO LAUGH AGAIN AND LOOK AT THE WORLD IN AN INNOCENT WAY TO RE ESTABLISH SOME PERSPECTIVE IN YOUR LIFE.
HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS
HEAD TO THE SEASIDE. EAT CANDYFLOSS. WALK THE PIER. PLAY THE AMUSEMENT ARCADE.
RIDE A ROLLERCOASTER
GO TO THE CINEMA IN THE AFTERNOON AND ORDER POPCORN
COLOUR IN A COLOURING BOOK
JUMP WITH A SKIPPING ROPE
VISIT A ZOO. ENJOY AN ICE CREAM CONE
JUMP IN SOME PUDDLES
GO TO A PETTING FARM. STROKE SOME ANIMALS
WATCH A FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD FILM
MEET A FRIEND FOR KNICKERBOCKER GLORIES AND JUST GIGGLE.
CHALLENGE SOMEONE TO A GAME OF CONKERS
FLY A KITE
MAKE A MEAL YOU ENJOYED AS A CHILD EG FISHFINGER SANDWICHES, INSTANT WHIP
My Inner Child!!
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: RECONNECT WITH A CHILDHOOD FRIEND AND DO THIS TOGETHER
When you reach your fifties and beyond you start to realise most of the things you fretted about in your younger years really all work themselves out all by themselves. I thought it would be fun to ask all my friends for a contribution and between us we came up with this list.
LOVE
It is not the end of the world after a break up in 6 months you will wonder what you saw in him/her almost embarrassed you were actually together. leave with dignity.
The next boyfriend is ALWAYS better than the one before.
The first time someone shows you are…..believe it …..the first time ! people really do not change their essence . If you see something you don’t like heed the early warning signals it wont get better.
A certain amount of alone time is integral to your personal growth. Once you learn to enjoy your own Company and get to know yourself at a young age this will strengthen you for the rest of your life,
FRIENDSHIPS
Always show appreciation to those that are good to you. Genuine friends are hard to find. Hold onto them. Good manners count for a lot. Turn up on time. Respond immediately to invitations. Listen without judgement. Gifts of appreciation.
People are drains or radiators. Surround yourself with radiators those that radiate positivity. Friends that drain you or you are exhausted or sad after seeing them can really affect your own mental state see them less .
Envy is the scourge of mostly women friendships only cultivate friendships with those younger, prettier and richer than yourself to avoid those who want to bring you down.
Invest more time in your friendships than your boyfriends these friendships will support you throughout life. Don,t ditch your girlfriends when you meet a man you can have both.
BEAUTY
Avoid expensive face creams or beauty products they are basically telling you lies and getting you to buy into your securities. Find what works for you.
Wear clothes that suit your style and body shape not because a magazine tells you what you should be wearing.
Never over pluck your eyebrows they do not grow back.
Exercise does not make you smaller- eating less makes you smaller. The gym firms you up but yoga firms both body AND mind.
You were never as fat as you thought you were ! Love your body and appreciates what it does for you.
WORK
Start networking at a young age. Advancement has more to do with who you know and not what you know. The importance of building a good network cannot be underestimated. Exams are not everything.
Never work for the money if you are not loving the work. If you do something you love you will never work a day in your life. If it pays less adapt your lifestyle.
Always mentor those that report to you. Be inspirational.
Do not be intimidated in the workplace you are just as smart as they are.
Set life goals as well as work goals. Short, medium and long term …it worked for me. A map for your life journey is essential. Start it in your teens and update and adapt as you travel through life.
Finally…….BE AUTHENTIC ! BE YOU ! BE YOUR BEST SELF !
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST !! BUT HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOUR CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT WHAT WORKED OR WAS SO UNNECESSARY FOR YOU TO WORRY ABOUT.
