Delilah Magazine - Issue One

INSPIRE

100 Things … what’s on your list?

She Moves campaign gets women fit

Dawn O’Porter talks Friendship and her debut novel 1

FREE!

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Dear Reader, Well, here it is … a dream that has become a reality.

Delilah welcomes you to a world of inspiring stories, people, places and pretty things.

Covering everything from beauty and music to travel and advice, the magazine includes lots of different voices and shares lots of different tales.

Many talented illustrators and writers have helped out for Issue One and you, the readers, are invited to join the journey—share your stories, photos, opinions and ideas.

Issue One celebrates all things INSPIRING. Every single person has a story to tell and in every story lies the ability to inspire others. You might not realise it, but the little things you take for granted, might be the very things that fascinate others about you.

Through sharing some of these stories, from ‘real’ people, like you and me, I hope that you’ll be inspired too.

You might take some meaning from the battles and experiences of Jeanette (Autism Mumma), decide to renovate your home like Heather, get fit from scratch like Avril or travel the world ticking off your ambitions like Sebastian.

All of these inspiring people are featured in Issue One, to remind us that we all have our battles, we all have our problems, but nothing should stop us from doing what makes us happy. So if you take anything from this issue, I hope it is something that motivates you to go do something you’ve always wanted to. If not, just put your feet up, grab a cuppa and enjoy the read.

The launch issue is free of charge, but all I ask is that you share it with as many people as you possibly can. The hope is to get Issue Two to print!

Rach x 3

Cover Star Laura Hickman—Her Story 33 year old Artist/Illustrator Laura is from Cardiff and now lives in a small village in the South Wales Valleys. She has overcome personal adversity to set up her own successful business and here she tells her story...

“A teacher entered one of my paintings into Cadbury's National Exhibition of Children's Art when I was 8, so I think it's fair to say I started young with the artistic side. I've always been creative but I didn't make much time for art after I left college, it was at least 10 years before I started drawing again.

I have a rare brain condition called Chiari Malformation and had to give up my job as a Visual Merchandiser in 2009, due to my symptoms. A Chiari Malformation (sometimes called an Arnold Chiari) means that the lower parts of your brain have been pushed downwards towards your spinal cord, so they are below the entrance to your skull.

I began painting as a hobby and learnt drawing techniques on You Tube before setting up my online store on Etsy.

In 2010, I completed the Prince's Trust Business Enterprise Trust and registered as a self-employed artist.

It's hard work but being self-employed gives me the flexibility to work around my symptoms and manage my condition better.

I’m inspired by lots of things. I use Pinterest daily to search for ideas and create a board for every project I work on. I also have plenty of magazines and reference books to turn to for inspiration. I love reading about the backgrounds of other creatives … how they learnt their crafts and got to where they are today.

So many people achieve great success despite facing difficulties or not having the best start in life, they prove you really can achieve anything if you work hard enough at it.

I have a cosy home studio set up in my spare room, full of things that inspire me – drawings by other artists, little trinkets from my boyfriend and an ever-growing collection of 80's toys!

I love being able to draw late at night when it's quiet with nothing going on to distract you. It is quite often 3am before I drag myself away from my desk and as long as I've got a fresh cup of tea I'd be happy to stay there all night.

My style is still evolving and varies for different kinds of work. I trained as a make-up artist and I think this is where my love of drawing faces stems from. I've always been interested in fashion. I work mostly in graphite, applying patterns and colour later in Photoshop.

I am colour blind because of my condition so I'm not too adventurous when it comes to colours but I enjoy experimenting with different mediums. Having a brain condition throws a few extra obstacles into my life but I am happy with my art and my business and thankful. “

Check out more work by the super talented Laura at: www.laurahickman.co.uk @laurahickman 4

ISSUE ONE HIGHLIGHTS An interview with Dawn O’Porter about her debut novel Paper Aeroplanes (p.21) Primal Move—the new fitness craze sweeping the nation (p.29) The Film Debate—Grease v Grease 2? (p.32) Special preview ahead of the 2013 Festival Season (p.36) Ever wanted to be part of a tribe on an island? What’s stopping you? (p.39)

Editor Rachel Argyle Writers Annika Howells, Katie Hopkins, Sharon Stiles, Mhairi Gordon-Preston, Lucy Haughey, Lisa Bramley Illustrators Laura Hickman, Avril Kelly, Lisa Bliss, Michael Barnes, Libby Arnold, Claire Kearns, Freddy Thomas, Joanne Hawker Branding Becky Howard A huge thank you to the contributors of Issue One of Delilah, who gave up their time and work for free.

If you would like to be a part of Issue Two, email delilahmag@outlook.com with details.

delilahmag@outlook.com

www.delilahmagazine.com

www.facebook.com/delilahmagazine @delilah_zine

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Inspiring People

Illustration by Michael Barnes

Most of us have some things we’d like to accomplish in our lives … meet our idol, visit a certain place or do an extreme sporting activity. For some, they will always be a dream, for others, they form a plan.

In 2009, aged 27, Sebastian Terry found a moment of clarity after the tragic death of a close friend.

He realised he had not achieved any of the items on his long-forgotten list and he was about to take a step that would change his life forever.

Sebastian put pen to paper to write a list of goals he wanted to set about ticking off. And so, 100 Things was born.

In the years that follow, Sebastian has travelled the entire world, meeting amazing people, raising money for Camp Quality in his home country of Australia and making his way through his list. He is on a quest for true fulfilment, that has seen him go from marrying a stranger in Vegas to saying yes to everything for a week! Never a dull moment on his journey, Sebastian is now encouraging others to get involved and do the same!

If you’ve always been scared to go after your dreams but have been inspired by Seb’s tale, here’s how to become a Campaigner for 100 Things and see your personal journey begin! 

Think up the things you’ve always wanted to do or places you’ve always wanted to go.

Big or small, you don’t have to write 100 and they don’t have to involve you giving up your day job. The task is simple goal setting—less talking, and more action!

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Visit 100Things.com.au, register and upload your list as a Campaigner

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And go! Share your goals, ask for advice or help and start ticking off your ambitions 6

Delilah Magazine chatted with the founder of 100 Things, Sebastian Terry who has achieved great things in just a few years and is enjoying what life throws at him.

He describes his 100 Things journey so far in five words … organic, unplanned, amazing, crucial and circular.

Sebastian has come a long way since he first thought up the idea.

He said: “My friends and family support me now but there was doubt and much raised eyebrows when I announced that I wanted to drop everything in my life to pursue a list of 100 Things!”

Before his experience he made excuses as to why something was not achievable and ended up never trying anything new. He said: “I never took the time to think about who I was as a person. My whole trip is now based on giving myself freedom to think and act.

Excuses do not exist now for me.”

So what about the legacy he hopes to leave behind? “I want to have people understand that what we achieve in life is up to us as individuals firstly, but secondly that by connection through community, anything is possible.

Happiness should not be an afterthought in life but a primary goal in everyday living. Taking the time to identify your own goals is one of the most important processes in our lives and I'd like to leave behind a way in which all of this is easily addressed and conquered.

Sebastian is certainly practising what he preaches.

He is in training for an Iron Man event, to tick off number 84 on his list.

And his favourite item crossed off the list? “I can’t chose, it's like comparing children! From crashing the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival and delivering a stranger's baby, to visiting an inmate on Death Row and helping a bevvy of complete strangers, they all affect me in different ways.

Sebastian counts himself lucky that his journey has allowed him to meet “heaps of inspiring people from all places in life” but he recalls two that have really stuck in his mind.

He explained: “One man, now a friend, was told he had six months left to live and so he went out and spent all of his money on clothes (a passion of his).

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He lives to this day, some 30 years on from his diagnosis and is happier than ever. I also helped a young girl with a terrible digestive disorder meet her idol, Taylor Swift. The same girl is now recovering at a great rate and has made an entire list of goals of which she is achieving everyday. One of her mantras in life now is to help others.”

Helping others is the main lesson Sebastian takes from his trips around the world. The 100 Things website has evolved into a community of people all sharing their lists and helping each other cross them off. Sebastian travels far and wide giving talks about his adventures, raising money for Camp Quality and even writing a book.

He added: “Life can be whatever you want it to be but many of us don't actually know what it is we want. The risk is we lose the opportunity. I also think that one of the best things we can do as people is to reach out and help someone out. This is now the main focus of 100 Things.” So, where does Sebastian see himself in 50 years? “Striving to achieve something that means a lot to me!”

The Invisible Disability Jeanette is a loving wife, a proud Mum of three and owner of two cat sisters Itsey and Bitsey and three guinea pigs. She has a way with words. Two of her children are on opposite ends of the autism spectrum. She uses her blog as a way of channelling her feelings. Autism Mumma is a personal campaign to raise awareness of a disability which you can’t see, smell or touch – autism – or as its otherwise known, the invisible disability…

At four and a half years old, Jeanette’s daughter ‘D’ was diagnosed with autism. ‘D’ will be nine years old in May and for the past year her mum has taken to the Internet to honestly paint a picture of her life –the highs and the lows.

‘D’ not only has autism, with its three major traits of OCD, lack of social skills and impaired speech, but she also has very high sensory awareness. A sudden noise will startle her or she will pick up on noises that others wouldn’t notice. She suffers from severe anxiety around strangers, unfamiliar situations and unfamiliar places. Going out and about causes a lot of issues for Jeanette, who explains: “Someone walking behind or alongside her will alarm her and may cause her to bolt. She might run away very fast with no thought for her own safety. She once ran into the path of a bus (which was fortunately slowing down). She will also have a meltdown when overwhelmed by either a sensory element or a situation that she cannot understand. This can be sudden, noisy and occasionally violent. For her own safety, we use a buggy when we take her out.”

It hasn’t been the easiest of rides for the Cripps family, but they remain positive.

Jeanette is often faced with hostility from people in the outside world. She explains: “Autism cannot be seen, so you rely on people to be empathetic and this doesn’t always happen. I can understand how people see an older child having what looks to be a tantrum in a public place and the initial reaction is to blame bad parenting. When ‘D’ is out in her buggy, people’s reaction is to stare, point and whisper. I have had people saying “she should be walking, she shouldn’t be in that” and once some children called her a “big baby”. I’m not going to lie and say it doesn’t hurt but you do learn to develop a thick skin. My priority has to be my children, after all.” It is rare that people ask why ‘D’ is in a buggy, but her mum is happy to explain about autism and anxiety.

While times can be tough, the family also have some incredible highs.

Jeanette recalls: “When D was diagnosed, I was given no expectations for academic milestones. The first time she wrote her name by herself was a tear-inducing moment, I was so proud of her. As for reading, ‘D’ wouldn’t learn to read phonetically, but rather by memory. This took a while longer but now she happily reads books, and reads aloud to me – even if the understanding of what she is reading isn’t always there.

Autism and Asperger syndrome are both part of a range of related developmental disorders known as Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). They begin in childhood and last through adulthood. 

Symptoms include: problems with social interaction, impaired language and communications skills and unusual patterns of thought and behaviour

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Diagnosis: Screenings and Assessment

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Treatment: There is currently no cure for ASD. However, a wide range of treatments, including specialist education and behavioural programmes (interventions), can help improve symptoms.

Learn more by consulting your GP or visiting The National Autistic Society website http://www.autism.org.uk/ 8

‘D’ loves drawing, it’s one of her ways of expressing herself. She sees herself as a butterfly. She’s always saying that I’m her best friend and that’s nice. We might not do the traditional motherdaughter shopping trips and girlie fun, but I’m grateful for the cuddles.”

The family are now starting the diagnostic process for their ten year old son, known as ‘T’ on the blog. Jeanette explains: “We have suspected for a while that he is also on the spectrum but at the higher-functioning end. This means that he has the autistic traits of needing the routine, of having sensory issues with his food, of social skills but he is working two years above his level at school and on the whole, has developed coping mechanisms.”

Jeanette has a refreshing outlook on their family life. She said: “I’m often asked “why” and the simple answer for me is genetics. My husband and I made these beautiful children who just happen to have autism. The genetic balls got thrown in the air and they came down as more severe for ‘D’ than ‘T’. I know that both my children had traits from birth. I don’t blame vaccines, diet or environment.

There is no point in me looking for someone or something to blame, it wouldn’t help anybody.”

And her hopes? “As ‘D’ matures, I really hope that she will learn ways to deal with her anxieties and to manage them, but will she be cured? No. But she will learn to “cope”. My daughter inspires me to keep going, to keep raising not only awareness but acceptance. I don’t want to think too much about the future. I can’t imagine her leaving home and being able to live by herself, but I may be wrong. I want her to be able to live in a compassionate, accepting society.”

Jeanette was blissfully ignorant of autism or its traits until D’s nursery referred them to a speech and language therapist, just after she turned 4. She said: “It’s a very strange feeling being told that your child has a life-long disability, you almost grieve for the child you won’t have and then accept and become determined to help the child you do have.”

Jeanette took to the Internet to learn more about autism and to share her story. She is based in Berkshire but has readers worldwide. She blogs for her brown-haired, blue-eyed girl. She has good days and bad days, but she writes about them all and hopes for a society with no disability hate crime against those with physical or mental disabilities.

To read more, visit

http://www.autismmumma.com/

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Over four months in and those New Year’s Resolutions are but a distant memory. Here’s a helping hand to get you back on track. If you want to make a change to your lifestyle there are several things that will make it easier for you to maintain.

1. Identify what you don’t like about your current behaviour.

Maybe it’s the health risks of smoking or drinking, the tightness of your clothes, the boredom of your current job or getting out of breath when you run for the bus.

2. Identify the benefits you get from your current behaviour.

Do you use smoking, food or alcohol as ways to reduce stress or cheer you up? Are you stuck in a rut because it feels more comfortable than getting a new job? Is it easier to sit and watch TV than study or get some exercise?

It’s really important to satisfy what your old behaviour gave you, but in a different way. Otherwise you will feel deprived and this is usually the reason people go back to their old ways. So, you might need to research ways to make tasty healthy foods or look into new stress reduction or confidence building techniques.

3. Follow the same process for the change you want to make.

List the benefits of your new behaviour and the things you think will be difficult. Think about ways to overcome practical difficulties, such as planning meals ahead or making sure you won’t be disturbed at certain times.

4. Visualise you new lifestyle very strongly so you know you want it.

Remember all those benefits that you listed earlier and focus on those. Make it feel real. The more you have planned it in your head the easier it will be to live it.

5. Keep going!

If things don’t go as planned then don't worry. Learn from what didn't work and make any adjustments that will keep your new lifestyle attainable. Then pick up and carry on.

Sharon Stiles is fascinated by the power of the mind and the effect it has. Some people have expectations of themselves that are too high and others have ones that are too low and both those mind -sets prevent people achieving what they are capable of. Sharon uses a variety of mental techniques such as hypnosis to help people improve their mind-set and make positive changes in their lives.

ISSUE TWO—SNEAK PREVIEW Issue Two will focus on … and Delilah needs your help!

Britain is a nation of pet lovers.

In each edition of Delilah, there will be a dedicated section to celebrate ‘Our Pets.’

So send in your stories and photos of your animals to delilahmag@outlook.com.

The star email will receive a special gift!

the

word

‘CREATE’

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Have you got a story to tell or a photo to share?

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Perhaps you have started your own business?

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Are you an inventor with a creation to show off?

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Have you created a better relationship, and how?

Whatever it is, based on the theme, please send your ideas and photos to delilahmag@outlook.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Delilah Magazine values your feedback … so if you have an opinion about the launch issue or you want to get involved with future issues, send an email or follow the social media sites and keep in touch!

(Illustration by Lisa Bliss) 10

ARK Skincare encourages you to pick your skincare treatments based on your age, skin type and environmental factors. ARK Antioxidant Skin Response Serum is a silky smooth formula to protect your face from the elements of the great outdoors. Just a few drops a day makes a huge difference. www.akrskincare.com. £39.

Highly recommended!

Delilah loves these quirky handmade, eco-friendly brooches from Hexagon Inc. They are the perfect accessory to jazz up any outfit and come in a range of shapes and colours. A bargain price range of between £6-8 and quick delivery. hexagoninc.etsy.com

Spoil yourself with a luxury buy from Stone Bridge Accessories.

The headband (left) is a beautiful and comfy French handmade design with shiny finish, available in a range of colours. The website and hair consultants can even match your hair type to the ideal accessory to suit you personally. Cost £39.95. www.stone-bridge.co.uk

Jingle Jewellery provides children’s jewellery parties and retail, handmade jewellery, like this vibrant wrap bracelet with green glass and crystal glass beads and heart charms (£5.00 plus £1.20 postage). www.jinglejewellery.com

Personalised Gifts Boutique is a family company specialising in a range of unique gifts. Delilah loves the Pink Union Jack Heart Poster with personalised section (retailing at £25).

From stationery items to beauty set gifts, all with a personal touch, there’s plenty of choice and something for everyone. www.personalisedgiftsboutique.com 11

MESMERISING FASHION

By Katie Hopkins (theorytwentyone.blogspot.co.uk) Fashion is an ever-expanding industry, where designing is becoming more and more of an art form and there is a necessity for creativity, not only in the work, but how it is displayed.

running now under the direction of Sarah Burton (who designed the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress).

It has become a trend in itself among designers to create the most talked about collection or show.

Countless designers are now having their life works displayed in some of the most reputable art galleries in the world. The best showcase of designer’s artistic talent is becoming the bi-annual catwalk shows put on during fashion week. They give the designer a chance to truly expose their creativity, new designers have the chance to reel in new fans, and the established fashion houses have an opportunity to maintain their reign at the top.

One of the most respected of these must be Karl Lagerfeld, the lead designer at Chanel. Despite his countless collections for them, he always manages to channel some of the original features which define the brand, whilst adding a modern edge. Unlike McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld doesn’t use theatrics. He creates an awe-inspiring backdrop or theme and allows the clothes to speak for themselves. He has had numerous shows of note including a carousel ornamented with iconic motifs of the brand like draping pearls, giant chain bags and ballet pumps made into cars. The models circled the area around the carousel before taking their place on it, and the carousel began to spin. Right at the end Lagerfeld himself appeared from the middle of it to bow to his audience. More recently Lagerfeld has used a runway lined with wind turbines to reflect the eco-conscious agenda of fashion, but one of his most spectacular shows was for the Autumn/ Winter 2010 collection where Lagerfeld imported a 265 tonne iceberg into the Grand Palais in Paris. A huge team spent nearly a week carving various caves and crevices into it. The models, in faux fur boots and huge knits, splashed their way down the catwalk as the ice began to melt and create a shallow pool of water.

With the influx of fresh new design talent, there has been increasing pressure to create something that strays from ‘normal’ and is unforgettable.

Alexander McQueen will always have his place at the top of any list of truly mesmerising shows. Throughout his career, spanning from his graduation from Central St. Martins in 1992 to his tragic death in 2010, McQueen produced a plethora of fashion statements and artistic ingenuity. His work commonly verged on the violent and lurid, including his graduating show named ‘Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims’. Perhaps the most prolific of his shows was VOSS, his Spring/ Summer 2001 collection. It featured some of the world’s finest supermodels all encased in a huge glass box with a mysterious opaque box in the centre. Kate Moss was the first out pressing right up to the glass and looking out to the audience, debuting the collection dominated by ruffles, roses, grass and extraordinary headpiece. As the show goes on you see the models behaving bizarrely; waving away imaginary flies, looking suspiciously through the mirrored glass directly at the audience and pulling bits from the garments themselves.

Although not a household name like McQueen and Lagerfeld, British designer Hussein Chalayan pushed the boundaries of clothes, art and mechanics in his Spring/Summer 2007 show where his clothes literally morphed and transformed before the audience. The dresses evolved through the styles of different eras to become something completely new. A model came out wearing a Victorian style high neck, full length gown and stood at the top of the catwalk, her dress then, of its own accord, began to unfurl and comes apart to reveal a different style underneath. The skirts then separated and rose, completely changing the hemline.

Similar things happened to a model in a beautiful layered satin gown, a futuristic style panelled dress which changes colour, and a multitude of soft, feminine dresses which had ruffles or beads appear.

For the finale a model comes in wearing a huge hat and a sheer white dress which proceeds to disappear up under her headwear.

At the end of the show the lights go down and there is a loud beeping countdown, as if a movie-style bomb were about to go off.

Suddenly a light appears in the centre of the opaque box and reveals the flickering shadows of butterflies. As the lights go back up, the box unravels and shatters, the beep flatlines and reveals the naked gas-mask clad body of British writer Michelle Olley, lying on a chaise longue surrounded by butterflies. The effect is an incredible reinterpretation of the image ‘Sanitorium’ by Joel Peter Witkin, which inspired McQueen in the first place. Theatrics featured in so many of McQueen’s shows and are still 12

It is through creative minds like these that the fashion shows we know of are becoming much more of a performance and completely unforgettable.

Illustration by Avril Kelly

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Meet our Beauty Columnist Lisa Bramley With over ten years experience as a qualified beauty and holistic therapist, having worked as a make-up artist, freelance beauty writer, lecturer and being a self confessed product junkie, the fabulous team at Delilah have asked me to be their beauty columnist! I am delighted by the opportunity to share some of my trade secrets with you, and spread the message that true beauty comes from within...

I've had the pleasure of working with some of the most expensive and sought after products the industry has to offer, and would have thought nothing of spending at least half my salary on cosmetics (pre-babies). I am now the very proud mummy to two beautiful children and my priorities have changed somewhat. The transformation from IT girl to yummy mummy has been a sharp learning curve. I now love nothing more than finding affordable high street cosmetic brands that rival (and sometimes even out-perform) high end competitors.

I've got some real little gems lined up to share with you all! So do not miss an issue of Delilah. I’ll be sure to spread the beauty love with you all and include a giveaway of some truly luxurious products every now and then.

Love and light, Lisa x

My all time favourite beauty buys

Liz Earle superskin concentrate £40.50

Bobbi brown cheek sheer £18 How often have you woken up in the morning and grimaced at a less than appealing reflection, staring back at you in the mirror? No matter what you do, the glow once found naturally in your cheeks will not return. Bobbi Brown to the rescue! For best results, dab onto the apple of the cheeks and pat to blend, build the colour gradually rather that going for a full on application in one go.

SensatioNail starter kit £69.99 from boots the chemist.

Whilst initially a considered purchase, this is one that any slave to the manicure will not regret.

SensatioNail can proudly boast 14 days of chip proof, glossy nail colour, with a fantastic palette of 65 shades to choose from. Helping to keep your nails strong, protected and prevent breaks, with only a 20 minute application time and enough product to perform ten gel manicures in the starter pack, you simply cannot go wrong.

Garnier bb miracle skin perfecter under eye roll on £9.99 From new mums to party animals alike, Garnier bb miracle under eye roll on is your new best friend. Giving the impression of a fully rested eight hours sleep, with high performance eye cream and concealer in one, this multi purpose marvel brightens and lifts the once puffy panda eyes, for a fresh and youthful look.

Lush Ultrabland £7.95

cleanser

The balm cleanser has risen to fame over the past decade, leaving its rival the lotion, trailing far behind. Ultrabland is the original and in my eyes the best! It's rich and creamy texture makes thorough cleansing an absolute pleasure. Suitable for any skin type, able to remove even waterproof mascara and leaving your skin feeling plump not tight, it's my staple cleanser for a radiant complexion.

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I discovered this miracle oil during pregnancy, when my skin was doing anything but behave as it should! Crammed full of skin boosting essential oils such as lavender, neroli and chamomile in a base of anti ageing carrier oils rosehip and aargan, well known for their antioxidant boosting properties.

Brightening, clearing, soothing and moisturising all in just one application, the beautiful aroma makes use a real journey for the senses.

Retired college professor Marjorie Bull says the beach is her favourite place “because no matter what the weather is, no matter what your troubles may be, the beach shows you how small your problems really are and heals the soul.” The above photo is of Pensacola Beach, Florida on a foggy winter afternoon.

(Top right) Andrew Shakespeare chose a shot of Demesne Falls. He said: “Its a beautiful spot in the grounds of Birr castle where I briefly worked. I used to bring my fiancé, who became my wife, to this place, and I now bring my three children. Its a special place to me.”

The Menai Straits, connecting the Isle of Anglesey with the mainland is Fiona Owen’s favourite place of choice (below)

Jennie Rainsford sent in this gorgeous (natural) photo take from the historic 18th century Halfpenny Bridge, Lechlade of the Thames sunset.

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Illustration by Avril Kelly 16

Little Miss Happy

It's a pleasure to meet you. When given the honour of writing a column in the first edition of Delilah, I spent a lot of time drinking peppermint tea pondering what to share first. I say first as I actually have a smorgasbord of delights to share; plentiful platters of tasty treats just waiting to be nibbled on, or gobbled up, if you're one of those. (It's quite alright, I am one of those). But what I have to share is much better, and far more important than petit fours or finger sandwiches, it is a column like no other. I - Little Miss Happy­ am a Positive Psychology specialist, here to talk about life, in particular, the things that make life good and make people happier. Think of me as a modern-day twist on the quintessential "Agony Aunt", less of the agony/distress/problems; more of the positive/ happiness/what's going right. So often we get bogged down in what's wrong, we forget there's a lot of positive in and around us, too. It is important not to lose sight of this along the way, to keep a healthy balance. I want to share and unpack the good stuff with you, piece by piece, one issue at a time, and I must say I can't wait to let you in on the secrets I have uncovered thus far, and hear your thoughts, too.

So where to begin? Well, in keeping with the theme of food, I shall begin by sharing a story of my own, when I had what I now fondly term my "muffin moment". This was no ordinary muffin and there was lots that went before the moment to make it so worthwhile‌

I desperately wanted a change, I was in that post-university rutt lull; my bank account was well and truly empty, I had a degree in psychology yet I was temping in the finance sector, I was living at home, I hadn't passed my driving test, and I felt like life could be better than it was in many ways. Did I mention I was living at home? As much as I enjoyed having no responsibilities (or laundry), it couldn't last forever. If something was to change, like all things worth having, I was going to have to get out there and grab it myself - instead of getting comfortably miserable in my lull, eating kit-kats and waiting for "life" to hand me a better job, a car and a healthier bank account. Mr. Perfect was clearly running late too. Looking out of a rainy window in March, I decided I needed an adventure and a change of scenery. By June I had landed in Australia.

The plan was, there was no plan, and that worked out rather well for me. I was open to opportunity and ready for any challenge or adventure that came my way. I made lots of new friends, travelled, wrote poetry, I even worked for the circus! I embraced the lifestyle change and lived like a local. I got enough money together to buy a car (even though it exploded one week later), then found a job, then got a great house-share.

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One {sunny} day I went for a coffee, and happened to buy a muffin. Sat there, by myself, I unexpectedly had my glorious "muffin moment". That moment where I truly realized just how far I was from home and what I had done, spent, given-up, worked for, lost, found and embraced to be right there. It was a moment of reflection where I felt incredibly proud of myself. Without any kind of role model or training, I had thrown myself in to something, in fact, propelled myself most of the way around the world, on a whim, and I was making it work out really well. I felt myself growing as a person and becoming a more independent and resilient as a result, it felt great to have finally found my wings and understand I had just learned to fly.

As we are only just becoming acquainted, I don't know much about you yet... but I want us to become great friends over time. I'd like to start the friendship by asking you to take a moment and join in. I want you to think about something you have done, or plan to do, to push yourself, scare yourself, excite yourself, or strive towards. When was it or is it? How did you feel? I'd love to hear about your unique "muffin moment" and what made it so special for you. Tell me all about when you learned to fly or what steps you're taking to get there now.

Resilience and growth are important at any age and you can never have too much positive change. The particular moment of change I have shared here happened when I was 22, far away from home, as I drank coffee and ate cake alone. Sure, there have been other moments like this along the way, but this one really stands out for me. For you, it may have been an altogether different scenario, when you realized you had been through something that changed and challenged you, and you found yourself growing in to a better person as a result. Maybe you are on that journey now, learning to grow and finding your way? It is a worthwhile challenge and research tells us being able to bounce back from challenge or adversity is good for our overall well being, and can help those around us, too.

Next issue I will be looking at character strengths and how to develop yours in work and play. This is an easy-peasy important skill to apply and will make life lots more fun, promise.

I would love to hear from you in the meantime!

Drop me a line at: littlemisshappy@outlook.com, and let's share what makes us so darn great.

Until next time,

Little Miss Happy xxx

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If you have never heard of a Vision Board or haven’t got messy with glue since school, prepare to get in touch with your creative side!

A Vision Board is a collage of images and words of things that relate to you and your future … what you want to become, where you want to live, places you’d like to travel to, inspirations and life changes you desire.

The process of thinking up what things to stick to your Vision Board, the fun in making one and having a reminder of your feelings and visions for the future hanging on your wall is a great activity.

What You’ll Need * Poster board * Glue * Scissors * Pens *Magazines Preparation Once you have all of your supplies and a good space to work, the first thing to do is have some scrap paper and some space to think (perhaps with some background music, a cup of tea and a cupcake!)

Jot down your ambitions, who or what you aspire to be, your dreams, plans and likes. When you’ve got some words down, have a think about some images and colours you’d like to search for.

The Task Search through the magazines and cut out images and words that suit your theme or needs.

Perhaps you are starting a new business or are planning to travel the world and want to make a vision board on one particular theme, or you’d prefer a collection of all your visions.

Stick the images onto the board (neat or messy, it’s up to you) and add any words or phrases you like with a marker pen.

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to a Vision Board, as every one is unique and individual so enjoy the activity and hang it on a wall as a constant reminder of your next steps!

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Advertisements Want to advertise in the next issue of Delilah Magazine? We offer very reasonable advertising packages, both in the publication and online. For further information, email delilahmag@outlook.com * Please note * Advertisement content should be in line with the general themes of the magazine

Don’t miss Issue Two

Lots more inspiring people, places and things in every edition! www.delilahmagazine.com

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On Friendship …

On Twitter …

On her first novel …

Delilah Magazine’s Rachel Argyle speaks to the loveable presenter and author ...

Delilah: In 5 words, what does friendship mean to you?

Dawn: Trust, loyalty and total non-judgement.

Delilah: Our magazine is all about inspiration ... in what ways do your friends inspire you?

Dawn: They are completely independent and on their own missions in life. They are not sheep. I love that.

Delilah: We love a good diary. Your read over your school diaries as research for your book Paper Aeroplanes, are there any bits you wish you hadn't refreshed your memory on?

Dawn: How tragic I was with boys, and how needy I was with girls. I was like a puppy just wondering around trying to be loved. It sounds sweet but I would like to shake the teenage me to man up. As an adult you realise being loved by everybody isn't so important.

Delilah: And which bits made you laugh out loud?

Dawn: How I went on and on and on about how much I loved Wotsits. I mean, I must have stunk of cheese!

Delilah: If you could choose to be any age, what would it be and why?

Dawn: Hmmm, I think 18 was really fun. Old enough to drink, drive and be given freedom by my parents. I remember feeling so excited about the prospect of breaking free from the life I knew. I couldn't wait to get cracking.

Delilah: How did you get the idea for this book and when? Have you always wanted to be an author?

Dawn: Always. TV happened by accident but writing was always my first love. And I have always wanted to write a book that made friendships as important as lovers, because they are.

Delilah: What was the biggest challenge when writing the book?

Dawn: Staying off Twitter. It's my crutch. But I don't want to say its a bad thing because I think Twitter is amazing.

But trying to focus on writing is impossible when you need to tell all your followers how much you are struggling with your writing. I literally tweet everything. I need to chill out a bit I think. But then, do I? Hmmm...I will tweet it and see what my followers think...

Delilah: We loved the book for its honesty, the characters and the mix of sad and funny. So, what's next for you as an author? Dawn: The second book in this series Goose is Renée and Flo a year later. I am so glad I have another one to write because I am no where near done with those girls yet.

Paper Aeroplanes is out May 2nd and available for pre-order now!

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Transform your ideas into actions

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MONEY MATTERS

Lucy Haughey is “Woman aloud” : Each edition, Lucy, a financial social entrepreneur and mother of three will honestly discuss and pragmatically resolve common financial, domestic and relationship issues our readers need a bit of support with.

“I am really struggling to juggle all the balls in the air at the moment. My partner does his best but with us both working full time and 2 children under 5, we are finding the many different roles and responsibilities just a bit too much. Our priority is very much to make sure both children and work are satisfied with our efforts but I have to admit to feeling a bit financially lost. We are not having time and space to stop, breathe and manage the more time-consuming matters like our financial paperwork and household budget. The last time I looked through our accounts & box of bills was about 4 months ago. My partner and I have started to bicker a bit about whose “job” this activity is and between this arguing no one is actually doing it! How can we settle things down, prioritise and get the wheels back on track for the runaway train that has become our finances?”

LUCY SAYS: This evening, after dinner, sit down, open a bottle of wine and some peanuts and have a good chat with your partner. Plonk the kids in front of the telly and get all the most current household paperwork out. Put the kids in bed and open bottle of wine number 2 ( because by now you have drunk bottle of wine number 1, had a chat about personal things and told each other you love each other).

Now order the paperwork and bills into “urgent- must be paid in the next week” and “sort of urgent- must be paid within the next 2 weeks.” One of you can read out the bills and note down what you are paying and when.

The other one of you can use your current account’s online banking service (that I also recommend everyone takes advantage of) and view what money you have (wages, tax credits, benefits) coming in that you can allocate to the bills.

Doing this together means you are sharing the load, sharing the worry and sharing the satisfaction that it is done.

You both also know exactly what your monetary position is. You must talk about money in your home and talk about it honestly. If you have concerns about income, bills or even debts, discuss it! If you have an idea for a savings plan or investment, again discuss this. Couples who talk about money are closer but they are also fiscally more secure and less likely to fall into debt & have “secret” financial issues the other does not know about.

Wherever possible set up monthly direct debits for costs like your TV licence, council tax and fuel bills as often it’s these “little” annoying bills that send us bonkers when we forget them and are pushed into our overdraft.

I suggest that you do this activity together every month on or around the 18 th. This gives you around a week to sort out payments ready for the dreaded last week of the month when we all have to pay those direct debits, bills, rent/mortgage payments that we get so stressed about.

If one of you does the mortgage payment then the other should do the childcare fees: split the responsibility for bills and payments equally as far as you can. If we have these things in order in good time, we start a new month afresh and more resilient of debt or financial mistakes. If you do find you have debts older than 1 month or perhaps you are paying only the interest on some credit rather than the lend itself, it’s important you seek professional, regulated advice from a specialist.

Tomorrow, you will go back to juggling again (a little hungover) but the most important, worrying part of your domesticity has at least been put on the road to conclusion.

Do you have a problem and need advice? Money worries, family issues or a business query? Send an email to Lucy via delilahmag@outlook.com and we’ll pick some to answer in each edition of Delilah.

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Illustration by Claire Kearns

Grow your own veggie patch WHY? Getting out in the garden can be a fun hobby. Growing your own veg is a great way to beat the recession, eat healthy food and know exactly what’s in the food you’re eating.

PREP It is possible to grow vegetables from as small a space as a window box, but a 4ft square raised bed is the perfect size. Check the soil you want to use with a cheap hometesting kit (it needs to be slightly acidic, with a pH reading of 6.5).

Tip water onto the soil to check for good drainage and choose an area that the sun reaches. Tend to the plot by removing all weeds and adding an organic fertiliser. Get the basic equipment (invest in as good quality as you can).

Now for the fun part … choose from young plants (easiest) or seeds (trickier), get your hands dirty, keep the patch weed-free and watered and (hopefully) watch the fruits (or veg) of your labours grow!

Recipe Corner

Got a tried and tested recipe to share with readers? Email delilahmag@outlook.com

Yummy and healthy …

Naughty but nice …

Salmon Burgers

Leftover Easter Treat Cakes

2 salmon fillets (boneless and skinless) 2tbsp red Thai curry paste 1tsp soy sauce Coriander & lemon (to taste)

225g/8oz plain chocolate 2tbsp golden syrup; 50g/2oz butter 75g/3oz Cornflakes Mini chocolate eggs

Put the salmon, paste, soy, chopped coriander and lemon juice into a food processor and mix until minced. Shape into 2 burgers and fry in Extra Virgin Olive Oil for approx. 5 minutes on each side (until cooked through and crisp). Serve with lemon , salad leaves, kidney beans, chick peas and balsamic dressing

Melt the chocolate, butter and syrup in a bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir until smooth. Remove from the heat, gently stir in the cornflakes and dish out into 12 cases. Add mini eggs to each and cool in the refrigerator until set.

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www.ayorkshirehome.com Blogger and Creative Communications Director, Heather, 25, explains, in her own words, her experiences of renovating a home in Yorkshire and telling cyber space all about it ‌ The blog started in December 2012, so it's quite new on the scene. My boyfriend, Paul and I wanted to document our progress in renovating our 18th Century cottage in Yorkshire both for ourselves, so that we had a permanent record of the process, and for other people who are renovating properties.

We aim to provide advice and suggestions on what to do, and what not to do! We found that this information just wasn't widely available on the Internet, so decided to do it ourselves.

We're also both employed fulltime in very demanding jobs in digital marketing and wanted to prove that you can juggle a day job and do a hefty renovation project!

We're lucky in that we've had a lot of attention around the blog already and it's piqued the interest of the local community where we live and are renovating

the property, as well as the wider homebuilding and renovating world. Our blog is very different to most blogs that exist on the internet, which I think helps make it stand out. We're lucky in that our story is very unique and there's not a lot of information about home renovation that is accessible online, and certainly, there are hardly any stories documented by those who have completed renovations themselves.

Paul and I started dating in the summer of 2010 and quickly moved in together. Instead of choosing to live in a city-centre flat in Leeds or the suburbs, we decided to rent a property in the countryside, with a pretty hefty commute to Leeds city centre, simply because we loved the house and its location.

We both love period properties and some close friends of ours had gone through the process of part-building, part-renovating their own home and we basically wanted to do the same. We loved the idea of creating our own home and had watched one too many episodes of Grand Designs ‌ so decided to go for it.

Left: Paul and Heather

Right: Heather ready for action on the house!

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Our search took us over a year and involved failed purchases, structurally-unsound building and weekends driving around the countryside searching for abandoned properties which we tried to buy and failed.

We were so close to completing on a Barn which was falling down, had hundreds of conservation issues and would have crippled both our finances and probably our relationship, given that we would have had to live in a caravan for a minimum of 5 years in order to complete the project.

Finding the right house to renovate, or rebuild, was very challenging, and it seemed like everyone in Yorkshire was competing for the same properties that we were.

We finally found our dream property in November 2012 and completed the sale in December it's an 18th century cottage which is a total uninhabitable mess, and we love it!

So far, we're very much in the initial stages of our project, we have our architectural plans, we've employed a builder, we've had steel calculations produced to support walls and we've spent countless hours removing plaster from walls.

The two chimney stacks are about to be removed and the floor is being taken out in the next month, and we can't wait.

Money is the most prohibitive factor in a renovation project. Buying the wreck of a house used all of our life savings, so we've had to start saving again. Because the project is going to cost a significant figure, which seemingly grows by the day, we need to make more money to facilitate that. As a wise friend once told me - you can always make more money. So we're on with that at the moment.

The biggest challenge for us was buying the project in the first place, now that we have it, we have to make sacrifices to get into it, so we moved to a tiny one-bedroom flat to save more money to get into it sooner. We're now taking that to a further extreme and moving back in with my parents....! I'm not known for my proficiency in patience, so learning to be patient is something I'm having to figure out.

Heather’s advice to would-be bloggers ...

Be passionate, don't just blog for the sake of blogging. You'll hear that fantastic bloggers are showered with gifts by brands, and that can absolutely be true, if you're able to build a blog with a genuine readership and produce fantastic content. Blogging has to start with you thinking about where you could add value to what's already out there. There are lots of fashion and beauty blogs, so if that's your thing, you need to be different, unique or better than the crowd.

Getting started in blogging can be daunting - Twitter is your friend! Twitter is heavily used by bloggers as a way to connect to their readership and to other bloggers. Join blogging communities and networks like Best British Bloggers to become a part of a collective of people writing great content and sharing fantastic experiences.

Heather’s advice to would-be renovators Be prepared for the slog. We've only just started but we know what we're getting ourselves into - our project is likely to take us well into three years to finish and we won't be living there until two of those years have passed. I think you're either the kind of person who'd relish renovating a house, or you're not it's a bit of a Marmite thing. If you're up for the challenge, be prepared for it to be expensive, heart-wrenching at times, hard work but ultimately you can look forward to the most fantastic reward at the end of it all. That's what keeps me going!

You can find Heather on Twitter on @heatherhealy and @ayorkshirehome 26

Campaign to get women moving In January, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) launched She Moves - a national campaign to get the UK’s women moving, after new research showed that just 1 in 3 women consider exercise to be a regular priority.

The initiative, in the wake of the 2012 Olympics, follows the progress of a group of real women as they seek to improve their fitness in 2013. Mother of two, Avril Hammond has been the first woman to share her experiences on the website and encouraging women to join her as she improves her fitness and achieves her goals.

She Moves has already become a movement of women coming together to support each other to achieve their fitness goals, and inspiring each other to get more active, more often.

Commenting on the campaign, Chief Executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, Sue Tibballs said: “We know that women have busy lives and often lack the time or motivation to invest in getting fit and making themselves feel good. Women are finding it harder than ever to prioritise exercise while they are facing the pressures of work, childcare and running homes. She Moves is all about providing support and inspiration for women and girls to help them to fit exercise into their busy lifestyles.

The She Moves Manifesto: We need YOU. 

To come together, to move together, and to change the lives of all women for the better.



To make a difference to your own life - and to your family and to everyone else who matters to you.



Being active makes us feel good. We know that.

But, currently just one in ten of us is active enough to be healthy, fulfilled or happy.

It isn’t because we don’t want to be fit.

We just have so many other things in our lives, too many reasons not to exercise, too many excuses we can make.

But together we can do something about that. Women working together to encourage, support and cheer on one another as we get fit and enjoy life. We know it’s not easy. But it doesn’t have to be that hard.

Join us.

Because if we move, She Moves.

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We’re not here to tell women what they already know – our research shows that women want to do more exercise, and they know it’s good for them – we just want to offer a bit of support and motivation to make exercise a regular part of their lives. As a mother myself, I know that big life events like having a child or starting a new job can create real barriers to staying active, and we want to bring women together to motivate each other to stay fit and healthy. 2012 was such an inspiring year for women’s sport – we want to build on that in 2013 and get all women active. It’s not about being the next Jessica Ennis!

Sport and fitness should be for everyone.” Follow @shemovesuk and visit www.shemoves.org.uk

By Libby Arnold

#KeepAvrilMoving Delilah Magazine spoke to Avril a couple of months into her new, healthier lifestyle as part of the She Moves Campaign.

How are you finding the new fitness regime?

I’ve yet to get into a proper routine. I’m new to absolutely everything so just working out where to go, what to do, what gear you do (and don’t!) need, takes time. But I’ve decided not to push myself too hard and to keep my expectations realistic. I’ve set myself up for failure and given up on things far too quickly in the past. I’ve started running from scratch. I’ve also started swimming and I’m having proper swimming lessons for the first time in my life. In the training pool with floats and noodles, just like the kids. I’ve been pretty inactive for 46 years and I’m taking the time to find out what I enjoy, what fits into my life and what I’m likely to keep up with. In the end, I hope I’ll have a routine that involves exercise of some kind on most days. One day I hope it will just be a habit I hardly have to think about.

What were your main obstacles experienced in getting fit and leading a healthier lifestyle?

Firstly, terrible experiences at school. I was hopeless at PE and was always picked last for every team. I couldn’t run, swim, throw, catch, or do anything involving a bat and ball. That was pretty much it for me and exercise and I developed a proper sneering attitude towards anything to do with it. And, for many women, it’s about time and confidence. It’s very hard to find the time when you have young children and all women feel guilty about taking time for themselves, don’t they? If you’re not working, taking the time to exercise feels like a self indulgence and, if you are, you feel guilty about using up the time you could be spending with your family. But the truth is if you don’t look after yourself, you really can’t look after anyone else.

What tips can you pass on to others who may be in the same position as yourself?

The sport I would recommend is whatever you enjoy. Don’t expect to find it straight away, try everything and approach it with an open mind. If you find you hate it or it doesn’t fit in with your life, stop, move on and don’t beat yourself up about it. But give it a fair chance first. If there are things you would like to do but don’t have the skills, it really isn’t too late to learn. But my absolute top tip would be to exercise with friends. Make a pact to do it together and be supportive of each other whatever happens.

What feedback has the campaign received?

Very positive. Twitter seems to have really taken off and is incredibly supportive. It seems to be a mix of women like me who are just starting out and women who love exercise and really want to share what they’ve learned. I’ve started running with a friend and am very slowly working my way through a couch to 5k programme. I would love to complete it but I’ve hurt a tendon in my ankle. I posted on Twitter that I was a bit fed up about it and a lovely lady who’s an osteopath sent me an email full of helpful advice. She said, “Let’s work to keep you moving”, her kindness made me feel so much more positive. One step at a time.

More generally, what are the main challenges to getting girls and women to do more physical activity?

It needs to start in school. I got the idea that I wasn’t any good at PE and that’s just the way it was, so I never learned the basic skills. If my child was struggling with reading or maths, I’d expect them to get the help they needed; it should be the same with PE. If you leave school unable to throw a ball, when will you ever learn? And, when we’re older, we need to not be so hard on ourselves and think it’s all about how we look. For instance, women will put off doing exercise until they’ve lost weight (often weight they don’t really need to lose). We simply need to start, start small, and set ourselves achievable, realistic, goals. You don’t need to run a marathon, you need to find something fun to do for half an hour five times a week, that’s it!

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Primal Move—A New Force for Fitness

The pain and boredom many of us associate with ‘getting fit’ could be a thing of the past as a new exercise regime, rooted in playful movement, takes off in the UK.

Fun, playful fitness The principles of Primal Move are based on an integrated movement system, the goal to create better movement, based on the primal and primitive patterns that we learn and master in childhood. The ultimate aim of Primal Move is to make changes to posture and fitness through playful, fluid and mindful movements.

Background Primal Move has already taken the fitness world by storm in Eastern Europe and the US. “The concept of Primal Move was first developed two years ago, just me and a few good ideas really,” explains Peter Lakatos, Founder and Director of Primal Move. Developed initially in Lakatos’s native Hungary, the Primal Move concept was soon being shared with colleagues internationally, so, armed with creative input, Lakatos set about putting his thoughts on paper.

What to expect from a Primal Move class Primal Move is structured but not based on any set plan. Training can therefore take on new forms and directions. All Primal Move exercises follow a logical sequence, adding games for fun and playfulness, but also several levels of progression, so as well as being enjoyable, Primal Move can prove physically challenging and can deliver a genuine full body workout. You’ll be glad to know that the old saying ‘no pain, no gain’ doesn’t apply.

“There’s ten elements to our practice, but our clients are never aware of them,” explains Lakatos. “Our goal is not to sell the end user a training method, but to make them move better and become fit in a fun and playful way, without thoughts of difficulty or the movement being a means to an end.”

How can I find out more?

Visit www.primalmove.com and www.kettlebellfever.com/primal-move-uk

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illness and long recovery, and the difficult birth of a grandchild left me little alternative but to put one foot in front of the other, until the pain started to interfere seriously with my normal functioning.

Pilates Kelly Du Buisson is a high profile Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor who also writes for local and national press. Kelly trains Models, TV Presenters, actresses and business executives and recently created the online workout ‘The City Workout’ to help busy stressed city workers lose fat and create the body of their dreams. This is now the official workout for MOT Model agency and has been featured in Zest, Grazia and RED Magazine. She recommends Pilates to lengthen and tone muscles, improve posture and prevent injury. She can be found at www.bodyrescue.net. Here her client Marian Shea tells of her Pilates experience...

I was chatting to our plumber one day who told me how his back problems were helped by a Pilates instructor. He gave me her number and I have been working with Kelly for two years.

After a few months, I regained almost normal mobility. Pilates has not only improved my physical functioning, it has given me a very acute awareness of my body and its strengths and weaknesses, how it should work, and what I need to do to maximise and maintain my physical capabilities.

Pilates has strengthened my core muscles, enabling me to relieve the pain by supporting my spine correctly. Of course I don’t do the exercises as I should, every day; I’m human and life overwhelms.

Late one evening, in September 2010, I was struggling to keep up with my husband as we crossed the empty concourse of Kuala Lumpur Airport on our way to visit friends who had emigrated to Australia 30 years before. I was dragging myself along, hardly able to move for the pain in my hip. Michael was struggling to manage the luggage trolley and help me at the same time. In the middle of the vast glass and concrete desert, Michael slumped wearily over the cases and said “we’ll have to get a wheelchair.” We couldn’t, because there was nobody to ask, but his eminently practical suggestion echoed round my head like a death-sentence. At the age of 66 I was looking not at an active, longed-for retirement, but at the life of an invalid.

I continue to have pain, but am now able to counteract it by adjusting the posture which has slumped through tiredness or carrying the rather large, bouncing babies our children are producing at a remarkable rate! Pilates has been my salvation and will remain so.

I had been suffering increasing pain and disability for a few years because of what a scan in 2008 had shown to be “Osteopaenia” or severe degeneration of the lumbar spine. That was it. Take this calcium compound and this leaflet about exercises for back pain. My own health had been the least of my worries for years. My husband’s life- threatening MARIAN’S PLAN Marian was given eight exercises to do each morning. Here are just a few to try. Repeat each exercise 5 times.

Roll down. Stand against a wall with shoulders, head and bottom against the wall. Stand so feet are about a heels distance away. Tuck in the chin, the shoulders and gradually roll through the spine feeling every single vertebrae as you roll and making sure you stay in contact with the wall. When you reach as low as you can start to roll up tucking in the pelvis and only lifting the chin at the last minute.

Abs prep. Remain in neutral spine on the mat (lying flat) and gently breathe out to lift head neck and shoulders without tilting the pelvis. Imagine the ribs are sliding over the abdominals and finger tips are reaching to feet. Breathe in then gently lower.

Leg lifts. When you feel comfortable with the above gently breathe in and lift one leg keeping the knee bent until knee is in line with hip over body. Breathe in and draw the other leg up to join it. One leg at a time place both feet back to floor and repeat, leading with the other leg. If it hurts your back very gently push down on the waist band of the trousers. To advance lift the head up as you lift the legs.

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DESIRE TO INSPIRE—EDITORIAL When you think of inspirational people, you think of positive leaders, of those who motivate you and bring out the best in you. You think of someone with the ‘wow’ factor, who has stopped dreaming and started achieving.

At the end of last year, the world watched the 43 year old Austrian Felix Baumgartner become the first skydiver to go faster than the speed of sound, jumping out of a balloon at 128,100ft (24 miles; 39km) above New Mexico and smashing the record for the highest ever freefall. Watching him fulfil an ambition and break a record, was extreme and death-defying and most certainly inspiring.

And though it might not have inspired you to break a World Record or, even skydive, watching him could easily inspire somebody to be just a little bit braver and to step outside of their comfort zone.

2012 also saw the Olympics hit London and the UK with the motto ‘Inspire a Generation.’ You may never be the future Jessica Ennis or Mo Farrah, but watching their determination, their focus and their motivation, might inspire you to become a little bit fitter or a little bit faster.

There’s inspirational figures all around us, not just the record breakers.

The Mum of three who juggles motherhood with setting up her own business The teenager who has been diagnosed with an illness and decides to raise thousands of pounds for charity and awareness The woman who gets off the sofa and decides to train for a marathon Inspiring people come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. The people you choose as friends often inspire you. They lift you up instead of drag you down.

Share your daily achievements with others and let them share theirs with you, and you never know who you might inspire next or who might tell you something that changes your life.

“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions.

Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”

Mark Twain

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Both set at Rydell High, both with the Pink Ladies and T-Birds … but which is best Grease or Grease 2? Let’s see...

The Script

The Leads

Grease 2 has lots of similarities to the storyline of Grease. Breaking out in tune and lots of arguments about ‘territory’ - the only real difference is that the lead in the first is female and the lead in the second is male … and they replace a car for a motorbike and a school dance for Hawaiian Luau. Quirky characters and great songs in both, but lines from the first are more memorable and the second, a little cheesy.

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta v Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield. In Grease, Sandy (Newton-John) is the good-goody character, whereas Grease 2 sees Michael (Caulfield) take the lead role. Apart from Travolta, the acting all-round is a little questionable, but every little girl wanted to wear a pair of those shiny black leggings, right? And as for Stephanie (Pfeiffer), most could only dream of being that ‘cool’ at school.

The Music

The Verdict

The Grease Megamix played at children’s birthdays and wedding parties across the country are all songs taken from Grease. Very few people will have escaped the likes of ‘Summer Nights,’’ ’You’re The One That I Want’ and ‘Greased Lightnin’.’ But Grease 2 has some great tunes, playing on comedy a little more than the first film, and both films will have you singing and dancing along.

According to Delilah’s Twitter feed … the winner is Grease—the original and the best. Some argue that the first was so unique and popular, that there was no need for a sequel, but others can’t get enough of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds and were happy for more Grease action, albeit a weaker set of actors and an entertaining but cheesy script. Grease 1 takes the crown as the winner out of these two.

Got a suggestion for a Film Debate? Email delilahmag@outlook.com 32

How to bring real love into your daily life Say the word ‘love’ and many people think of romantic love. The great news is that romance is one of five or more types of love! As well as being in-love, we also feel love for our friends, our family, our community (or causes we care about), and ourselves. Here’s 10 ways to feel the love in everyday life.

Being Loving to Yourself This is the most crucial area and the most neglected. If you don’t treat yourself well, your ‘love reserves’ are low, meaning it’s hard to show love to others.

1/ What do you love to do? Make sure you do one or more of them every day, or at least each week.

2/ When you make a mistake, forgive yourself. Remember you are only human.

Romantic Love 3/ If you’re looking for a partner, dump the “tall, dark & handsome” tick-list.

Instead, think about the great personal qualities you bring to a relationship; and what brings you contentment in life. Find a partner with similar qualities and life goals.

4/ If you’re in a partnership, think of things you can do on a daily basis to show love:

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write notes in your partner’s packed lunch,

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say “I love you”,

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buy flowers,

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give a back-rub,

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express your appreciation when they wash the dishes,

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send a flirty text message,

Loving friendships

Illustration—Freddy Thomas

5/ When you phone a friend or meet-up, ask them about their life, rather than instantly talking about yours.

6/ Be a cheerleader. When friends share a life dream, find a way to be supportive even if you think it’s “unrealistic”, and make a big deal of their successes.

Loving families 7/ You can show love in very basic ways: counting to 10 rather than shouting back; or allowing someone to have their room as messy as they like it.

8/ If family relationships are difficult/non-existent, mentally send love or forgiveness to those concerned. This is for your benefit – it’s not about condoning anything that’s gone wrong – it’ll free you from emotional chains.

Love for community or cause 9/ Don’t waste time or energy in complaining – take action. Even something “small” shows love and makes the world a better place.

10/ Whatever you care about, brainstorm ways to connect with those who feel the same. Together, people have transformed everything. Plus you’ll be with like-minded folks while you do so.

Mhairi Gordon-Preston helps people just like you transform their lives. Whether you want to find love, be more confident, get work that doesn't feel like work, or enjoy more free-time, Mhairi can help… using inspiring metaphors and “A-ha moments” from the sea. In other words, she’s a Life Coach with a twist! To transform your life now, visit YourSeaChangeLife.com 33

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Photographs by David Parry Interview with Director Emily Cooper Words by Rachel Argyle

Founded by Annie Lennox, The Circle helps vulnerable women around the world.

Emily Coopers was invited to join The Circle by Oxfam after Anorak PR raffled off a PR campaign to raise money for the Pakistan Flood Appeal. After hearing about the inspiring work of The Circle, Emily (along with co-director Laura Martin), decided to go a step further and set up the Music Circle, inviting key women from the music industry to help raise awareness … and lots of cash!

The mission is well on its way to being accomplished, having raised over £31,000 to date, which included another Rumble in the Jungle event (famous faces selling off funky goods for charity in London).

Emily explained: “We've brought together some amazing women from the industry to work together to really make a difference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They all bring different ideas to the table and keep each other motivated.”

Years of conflict in the DRC have fed cycles of violence, with civilians caught in the crossfire by military attempts to disarm rebel groups. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives due to the conflict. People live in total fear every day of what might happen to them and their loved ones. Women in particular are subjected to abuse of their rights and are not empowered to protect themselves. With the support of The Music Circle, Oxfam has been helping women in 28 villages by improving access to protection and freedom from abuse.

Emily told us how: “You'll already know about Rumble in the Jungle 2 and the online raffle, which was a massive success. Some of us also walked across London overnight and then did a full day in the office on no sleep, to highlight the conditions some women have to endure. We've hosted cake sales, thrown parties, and Anorak PR did a sponsored silence, which is doubly hard when your job is to gab-off about things!

Later in the year, we're planning to host a series of workshops. I can't say much more about it right now but suffice to say, they'll be very special, so watch this space!

And the goal? To raise £50,000, for starters and in the long term, to awareness of the plight of women across the world and most of all - empowering them. Find the Music Circle on www.twitter.com/themusic_circle and www.facebook.com/ themusiccircle 35

Festival Season Dig out your tent Buy some funky wellies Load up your Ipod Festie season is nearly upon us Creamfields in back for 2013—bigger and better! The world’s greatest electronic festival descends on Daresbury, Cheshire this August Bank Holiday Weekend to celebrate its th 15 Anniversary with three days of pure and unrivalled electronic music. Highlights include Prodigy, Annie Mac (left) and Eric Prydz A series of live music and comedy festivals return to the spectacular setting of the Eden Project, Cornwall this June and July for The Eden Sessions. Performers include Jessie J, The XX, Kaiser Chiefs and Eddie Izzard If you can cope with 5 nights of festival fun, then look no further than Henley Festival. The event, from July 10th—14th is a glamorous affair. Enjoy music from The Beach Boys, Madness and Paloma Faith, in the knowledge that all net profits go to charity!

Mind blowing wakeboarding and top class entertainment is heading to Abersoch in North Wales for Wakestock 2013 (July 12th, 13th, 14th). Acts Lucy Spraggan and Wiley have been added to an already great line-up including Example and Rudimental Recently named the Best Family Festival, Latitude returns to Henham Park, Suffolk on July 18th—21st. As well as acts including Bloc Party, the Maccabees, Kraftwerk and Foals, the festival offers much more than music and celebrates all that the arts has to offer The first major festival of the year (June 13th— 16th), Isle of Wight Festival is one of the most stylish and free-spirited around. This years headline acts include The Killers, Bon Jovi and UK Festival exclusive Stone Roses. Music lovers, old and new, will love what the I.O.W offers 36

Illustration by Claire Kearns 37

Festival Survival

By Rachel Argyle My first festival experience was back in 2004, working for my ticket by pulling pints at Reading Festival with a group of university friends.

Judging by what I packed, I really was clueless. Somebody obviously forgot to tell my friend and I Rule No.1 of festival packing … wellies!

The rain came down thick and fast, as it tends to at most Brit festivals, and we were totally unprepared for what the next few days would throw at us. Fresh faced and looking completely out of place among the many revellers dressed in black, we ruined our clean and inappropriate footwear by dragging ourselves through the mud, for what felt like days … carrying our body weight in luggage. Silence. Bad moods. This wasn’t what I had in mind!

cherry saw me go from a Greenday mosh pit to rubbing shoulders with Russell Brand in the VIP bar (which we managed to end up in by asking somebody who turned out to be pretty high up in the world of festival organising where the nearest loo was!)

and husband and made lots of new friends along the way. We’ve battled the elements, from scorching sunshine in Perth, Australia and a sweaty tent at Isle of Wight Festival to being rained off and sent home early from Wakestock 2007.

So, having conquered Reading and returning home smelly and tired, working the bar at Glastonbury the following year would be a doddle right? Wrong!

I’ve worked for my ticket at some and paid hundreds for others. I have eaten more junk food than I care to remember and had a miracle cure back massage in Glastonbury Healing Fields. I’ve experienced the panic of losing my friend and having no phone signal or memory of where the tent lived and I’ve slept so close to a Dance Field that I’ve felt like I was raving on the actual stage at 4am rather than attempting to sleep in my little pink tent.

But there’s something about a festival that really brings out your primal instincts. Your muscles are stronger than you ever realised, your stomach is made of steel to face the toilets of hell and by the last day, you can haggle a ten pound dress down to just pennies!

You’re all in this together … the sleepless nights, the tent issues, the fall-down drunks … you become a festival family and depart having had the time of your life.

Glasto 2005 was the one with rain.

The one where tents decided to swim down rivers of muddy water.

As staff, we were lucky enough to be on safe ground (and have a free Full English breakfast each morning), but the tent didn’t let us off too lightly and decided to let the rain in to fall on our heads as we slept. You deal with it, laugh it off and move on, which for us meant seeing the sun come out as The Beach Boys performed their set and dancing like lunatics to Basement Jaxx.

If it’s your first festival, that moment it all clicks into place takes a little longer than expected.

But once it does, you won't be disappointed. Popping my festival

Festivals have been a big part of my life and make up a lot of my (hazy) Summer memories. I’ve shared them with my best friends 38

Even the journeys there and back are an adventure. One time I fell asleep on a platform with crowds of hungover festival-goers, only to wake up to find an empty platform and the train pulling away without me.

I’m glad that nobody gave me a checklist of what to take with me.

The fun is in the trial and error. So the ONLY piece of advice I am passing on to you is … wellies!

The Tribe Wanted journey began back in 2006 when Ben Keene received an email that changed his life.

The email was from a guy called Mark who wanted to know if you could combine an online and offline community at a travel destination somewhere in the world.

For Tui Mali, chief of Vorovoro island in Fiji, he and his family were looking for 'the world' to come to their island.

When Ben arrived with talk of an online community funding their tourism vision, the partnership began.

Vorovoro was the perfect castaway island, surrounded by reefs and beaches and shrouded in jungle Ben and 13 others (called First Footers), ranging from 17-59 years old, from all walks of life, travelled to the Fijian island for an initial two week period. The plan on Vorovoro was to create a discreet complex of traditional-style huts that blended in under the palms and relied, as much as possible, on friendly energy sources, such as solar power.

Ben said: “We haven't moved dramatically from the beginning of the story seven years ago. We're living in our third sustainable community and our goal, through a co-operative membership model, is to build a global network of these eco havens that we can all learn from and enjoy.

So for the past few years, on an island in Fiji, a beach in Sierra Leone and now in the Umbrian hills of Italy, Tribe Wanted have been working in partnership with villages and over 1,500 regular people from across the world who have visited them for a holiday with a difference – as a tribe member. They have already developed two communities from scratch. Generating $1.5m in revenues, re-invested into the local villages and creating over 50 jobs.

The idea has revolutionized tourism

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When the first idea was publicised back when Ben was 26 years old, it caught fire … within a few weeks 1000 people from 21 countries had joined ‘the tribe’ and paid an average of $250 each for the privilege. The team faced major obstacles including a political coup, a large island fire and a cyclone that very nearly undid all of their work. But they survived these challenges and in 2011 handed the community over to the landowners.

In July 2010, they arrived on Sierra Leone’s John Obey Beach, 20 miles south of the capital, Freetown, and began to build a new community alongside the local fishing village.

Ben added: “We've now just opened at Monestevole in Umbria - a traditional 15th century 'borgho' (hamlet) where we've partnered with the local community to re-build this amazing property into the best of Umbrian cultural and farming heritage (olive groves, vineyards, pigs, chickens, horses, sheep and peacocks) with a slice of clean technology and green innovations - solar power, living water systems and earth building.”

Tribe Wanted is so much more than a holiday for tribe members, it is an experience that lasts a lifetime.

Ben said: From what I've observed personally it's been about the impact that the cultural community experience has had on visitors. By immersing ourselves in a different culture to our own, even for a few days, people usually gain a lot of interesting insights that kick start thoughts around lifestyle, consumption and careers. We try and facilitate this by encouraging people to get involved with local activities and way of life as much as possible. It's the very simple difference from being a tourist that 'looks on' at another culture, to being a visitor who becomes part of the local way of life.

The projects have had a lot of positive feedback over the years. Tribe members have raved about their experience and how it's inspired or motivated them to think and act differently around consumption habits.

Ben added: “For the local communities we've worked with it's been about creating better education, better healthcare and good livelihood opportunities.” For everyone else following the story online, it has told a tale of a social experiment that may yet turn into something much, much bigger.

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At Tribe Wanted, the team focus on two areas that influence behaviour change: The head and the heart.

The Head: Data, facts, progress, development – these show them how far they have come and where they are going. They measure success by looking at building blocks such as financial sustainability, water, energy, food, waste, carbon footprint, health, employment, education and well-being.

The Heart: Belonging, purpose, well-being, creativity, love – these values inspire the Tribe Wanted team to see the world differently. They spend their time creating communities that make a way of living out of these values.

Together ‘The Head’ + ‘The Heart’ equal action and change at the individual, community and global level. THAT is what Tribe Wanted is all about.

To learn more or get involved, visit http://www.tribewanted.com/

Backpacking Highlights

Travel with Child Luxury and Little Ones (www.luxuryandlittleones) is a new concept in luxury child friendly travel.

Kathryn Wright, who set up Luxury and Little Ones, knows that you don’t have to give up stylish holidays and weekend hotel breaks when you have children. You just need to do your research before you go and choose carefully. Luxury and Little Ones does the research for you. This exclusive, hand-picked collection, of hotels offers fantastic children’s services and facilities from city chic to country boutique accommodation.

The website allows parents to search for hotels which offer, amongst others services, crèche facilities, children’s spa facilities, kids toys and games, mini bathrobes and slippers, a dedicated kids’ concierge or turndown service.

If you’re thinking of packing up some belongings and travelling the world, here are some top destinations to visit: THAILAND—Cheap, beautiful, easy to get around and unique MOROCCO—Culture, tradition and plenty to see and do INDONESIA—Find yourself on the beaches of Bali PERU– Set out on the Inca Trail, full of adventure and mystery

Or simply search the ‘best for babies’, ‘best for toddlers’, ‘best for older children’ options and let Luxury and Little Ones help you to find the perfect place for your family.

NEW ZEALAND—The only real dilemma is whether to choose the North or South Island

There is also information on what baby equipment the hotels can provide, what dining options there are for families and any activities on site and nearby to keep the kids and family amused.

COLOMBIA—No longer the ‘no go’ zone it once was, Colombia offers cheap attractions and remote beaches

The idea is to take the stress and hassle out of holiday planning with the family and make it the enjoyable experience is should be.

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Illustration by Lisa Bliss

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COMPETITIONS Dreaming of your ideal life? Make it real in 2013 with our exclusive competition!

Whether you want more confidence, to find love, to start your dream business and beyond, you can win professional support to make it happen.

People transform their lives with life coaching help from Your Sea Change Life and Life Coach Mhairi Gordon-Preston (yourseachangelife.com).

To enter the competition, just complete these two simple steps: 1.

State what you want to achieve in 2013 in 70-100 words;

2.

Email your answer to delilahmag@outlook.com with the heading ‘Sea Competition’

You could be the lucky first prize winner, receiving four sessions, making use of Mhairi’s unique support method to transform your life or one of our four runners-up, who each win one session. ************************************************************************************** The lovely team at Personalised Gifts are offering a lucky Delilah reader the chance to win a set of pink Union Jack personalised correspondence cards. To be in with a chance of winning, simply visit our Twitter account @Delilah_zine, click ‘follow’ and tweet us with the words ‘Gift Comp.’ All entries will be placed and picked from a hat. Check out the great prize here: http:// www.personalisedgiftsboutique.com/pink-union-jackcorrespondence-cards.html ************************************************************************************** Founded in early 2012, Jingle Jewellery Ltd is a small, family run business based in Rotherham providing jewellery parties around South Yorkshire and selling beautiful gifts. Jingle Jewellery have kindly teamed up with Delilah Magazine to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a voucher for £20 to spend on goods at Jingle Jewellery (https://www.facebook.com/ JingleJewellery). To enter, simply visit the Delilah Facebook page at www.facebook.com/delilahmagazine—click like and share. Every person who shares the page, will be entered into a draw and one winner picked at random.

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