Reading Preparations 1 A divine cup of tea, coffee or any beverage of your choice - Wine would do
to :)
3 2
A journal or a notebook
4 Your Sacred Space
6 Set your intentions
5
Wear something comfortable
During reading this magazine, allow yourself to be fully present
Light your favourite Scented candle, my favourite is from Landon Tyler
Get cosy in your sacred space Set aside Distractions; emails, phone, social media etc.
a bouquet of your favourite flowers, I love Prestige Flowers’ Haute Florist Collection
After each article, if possible - take out about 5-10 minutes to journal about the experience, reflect on what you have been thinking / writing down. On a scale from1-10; how good, confident and determined do you feel right now? (*1 feeling low / same and 10 feeling great and inspired.) If you for some reason can’t take out any time to reflect right now, make sure you schedule some reflection time before you start the next lesson.
I t’s here! The most wonderful time of the year. And wit my special Christmas issue, I am hoping to make it even more so with inspiring articles on ‘Gratitude’, ‘How to plan your ideal Christmas’, the importance of ‘Finding time for you in the Festive Chaos’ and more - and I have added a few gifts for you - just keep reading! That being said, it’s less than 4 weeks for Christmas! Luckily i am done with my Christmas Shopping - it’s just the two of us! However; If you spend the holiday season rushing about like a panicked lemming, it's time to apply some time management strategies. For many, the holiday season is the season of stress. There are just so many things to do, and a limited time to do them in. Working people may feel especially harassed, trying to cram Christmas activities into their already limited "leisure" time. If you're one of those people feeling more frazzled than festive, taking the time to use a few time management strategies can make a big difference; you'll feel as if you're in control, rather than feeling like you're being driven like one of Santa's reindeer.
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+ | SoundCloud
Cover page by www.tenvinilo.com
The Magic of Winter by Joan Adams Burchell Winter and snow is a child's delight - things dreamed of in July; Sleds and hills, squeals and spills, waving, as the world rushes by. There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow everywhere. Angels they make in the blanket of white, and tomorrow will remember how Snowflakes felt on their tiny tongues - like magic to them now. There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow everywhere. Snow-people are made and all decked out with colours and a happy smile; Forts are built with utmost care so they will last awhile. There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow everywhere. Snowballs rolled and piled with glee; tots laughing merrily; Adults watch, remembering - secrets bubbling free. There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow everywhere. Skiers fly the well-packed slopes, independence lighting their eyes; Blending with snow as they descend like magic from the skies. There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow everywhere. The ice is cleared so skaters glide and maybe spin a dream Of triple loops and a sharp edge and costumes of gold and cream There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow everywhere. At the end of the day all tucked away, they dream of flakes of white Floating from heaven, in a musical dance - an innocent child's insight. There is snow on the ground, snow in the air, snow, snow, EVERYWHERE!
As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to think about everything in my life that I’m grateful for. In some ways I feel a little bit guilty, because at times I have a tendency to be more negative than I should and to count the things that are going wrong in my life. In reality I have a LOT I should be grateful for. I’m sure if you take time to think about your life, you have a lot to be grateful for too. No matter where you are in the world or what is going on in your life right now, I can promise you that showing gratitude for your blessings will make you happier, more successful, and will put you one step closer to achieving the abundant life you desire. As we begin yet another week, I’d like to highlight 10 things that everyone should be grateful for each day. Enjoy!
#1: Not everyone has a mother, a father, or even siblings, but all of us are blessed with family in one way or another. Remember, someone doesn’t have to be a blood relative to be family. Make sure you tell your family (blood related or not), that you are grateful for them.
allow us to reason, to think creatively, and to make decisions that will impact our future. It’s important to show gratitude for your mind, even if it has its limitations. #3:
Whether you’ve had a formal education or not, all of us have the #2: opportunity to learn something new everyday. Isn’t it a blessing to be I’ve suffered from anxiety and knowlvarious mental disorders for most of able to explore all the my life, but at the end of the day I edge this world has to offer? Make sure to be grateful for the chance still thank the heavens everyday to learn. that I have my mind. Our minds
#4: Each sunrise is a sign that you have another day to make an impact on the world. Even when you are experiencing challenges in your life, you can always find hope in a new sunrise. #5: Our trials and challenges provide us with a unique opportunity to grow, mature and become better people. I’ve had my fair share of trials so I know it doesn’t feel great in the moment, but just keep reminding yourself that even trials will pass. Once they are over, you’ll be grateful you experienced them. #6: No matter where home is for you,
there is something special about having a place that is comfortable — that allows you an escape from the rest of the world. If you want your home to be a safe haven for you, make sure to express gratitude for it as often as you can. #7: Love is what binds all of us together, and at the end of the day, it’s love that gets us through all the challenges we face in life. If you feel like you don’t have enough love in your life right now, I encourage you to seek after it. Love can change lives for the better. If you have an abundance of love, be grateful for it each and every day.
Duftkerze Home Edition
Christmas can be a stressful time, from the build-up and preparations to overstretched financial commitments and family fall outs, but don’t let the pressure of the festive period get to you. Remember to keep calm, it’s only Christmas! Christmas is a time for merry making and family get-togethers, but it can have its pressures too. The family is stuck in the house, the kids are overexcited, there’s the tree to decorate, presents to buy and wrap, and food to cook. Guess who is doing most of the work? That’s right – mum! Make sure this Christmas doesn’t become a day to remember for all the wrong reasons; here are a few ideas to help you make it through the festive period in one piece. Mums, we are all a little guilty of not delegating enough! The reasons why we don’t delegate more range from being too proud to ask for help to not trusting another person’s ability to perform the task in hand to our standards – but does it really matter if the tree isn’t decorated symmetrically or the carrots are cut into the wrong shape?
turned into a game, children are sure to jump on board. With so much going on it is easy for children to become overexcited on the big day and being cooped up in the house can lead to frustration and arguments between both adults and children.
Plan a long walk for a change of scenery and a breath of fresh air. A Christmas should be about long walk can help to tire children spending time with loved ones and after a day full of excitement. having fun, not about conforming to traditions and expectations. If there have been any family fall Children love to get involved, outs during the year, resolve them especially at Christmas whether it’s before you spend Christmas helping with food preparation, together. Arrange to meet up writing cards or decorating the before the big day to talk about tree; they will enjoy being involved the issues you had and resolve and have a sense of pride that them. Allowing frustrations and rethey contributed. If your children sentment to build up could lead to are reluctant to help, never fireworks around the Christmas taunderestimate the power of ble. gamification – if a task can be
At Christmas time, I try to put all my great techniques and tips into action: being as organised as possible, using my time effectively and enjoying quality time with my loved ones. I simply cannot achieve all this without the help of my Christmas Checklist and this year I’d like to share it with you!
List all the jobs you need to get done and all the things that must be bought for the big day. Not only will it free up some room for non-Christmas thoughts, it will give you a quick reference guide to refer to. Try to prioritise your list so you tackle the most important jobs first. It can also help to allocate a deadline and associated cost beside each task so you can keep track of your time and money.
sleepy, over-fed and uncomfortable guests! The same goes for presents; keep in mind how much you are spending so you don’t break the bank!
Christmas should not be a competition. You should only plan for a Christmas that you and your family will enjoy: you should not try to replicate the attempts of others at the cost of your bank balance! Stick to your own budget no matter If your list is longer than Santa’s, allow yourself a little help. Delegate how many x-boxes are delivered to the smaller jobs to your partner and your next-door neighbour! children so you can concentrate on the larger, more important tasks. Christmas is all about having fun and sharing family traditions. Be If necessary rope your friends in empowered to ignore what too: together you could have a good giggle wrapping up presents, everyone else is doing and enjoy this special time with your family. making the Christmas cake and putting up decorations. Throughout your preparations, try to maintain a sense of proportion and normality! Ensure you cater appropriately for your party: too much food and drink can lead to
This is one of the hardest things for a woman to do on Christmas Day. However, with careful preparation you should be able to put your feet up and enjoy your favourite festive tipple with the rest of your family!
The preparations for Christmas coupled with additional social events and late nights can leave you feeling worn out. Early planning can help reduce the stress levels during the festive period, but mums also need to be sure they make time for themselves and their wellbeing to avoid feeling run down over Christmas. Remembering to take care of yourself in the colder months – and especially through the festive period when Christmas preparations and socialising take priority – is of vital importance. Failing to take good care of yourself could result in feeling exhausted, run down and you could even become ill.
Planning ahead for the festive season prevents last minute panics, minimises New Year financial woes and saves time. Make a list of all the things you need to do for Christmas. Starting your preparations early will give you more time for yourself later. They say prevention is better than cure and following a healthy diet and lifestyle will stand you in good stead for fighting festive fatigue and winter bugs. Try not to let your fitness fall by the wayside in the build up to Christmas. If you don’t have time to go to the gym, try going for a short walk, which will leave you feeling revitalised and full of energy. With the invitations flooding in, it can be easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to every festive event. Be realistic about your social
commitments and consider which ones you can go to and which you can’t. Learning to say no will prevent you from overstretching yourself and leaving you vulnerable to fatigue and sickness. It can be hard refusing an invitation, but the reality is most people will understand why. If you feel guilty for turning down an invitation try to arrange a post Christmas catch up instead. Never underestimate the importance of making time for you. As a mum, it can be hard to remember that you too are a person with needs and wants. Take the time to indulge yourself from time to time; to keep your batteries charged and your wellbeing and sanity intact. Whether it’s a nice long soak in the tub, an early night or a trip to the hairdressers or spa, make time and enjoy it.
It’s All About YOU!
This course helps you answer the question ‘How good am I to myself’, your values and how to prioritise to create more time and energy. There are no right or wrong answers, so just answer however appropriate for you right now – and see what you learn about yourself!
ENROL HERE!
The combination of cold winter weather, rushing around preparing for the Christmas festivities and fulfilling the needs of those around you can affect your health and wellbeing. Here are some great ideas that will help you to wind down so you can thoroughly enjoy the Christmas holidays. responsibility doesn’t fall on you. Find some quiet time, perhaps when the children are in bed, to simply wind down and relax. Dim the lights, light some candles, play some soothing music and chill out for a while. Empty your mind of your to-do list and worries, and just take some time out to recharge your batteries. If you find relaxing difficult, enjoying a nice warm bath with a good book will help you to escape your thoughts.
Ensure you stay healthy by enjoying some physical activity at least three times a week. A walk with a friend, a visit to the gym or a swim with the kids are all things you can still enjoy at this time of year.
Don’t over commit this Christmas. If you are getting pulled in all directions, stop taking on more tasks. It’s likely everyone – your immediate and extended family, friends, work and the school PTA – With the rising cost of fuel, travelling all want your help in some way. from house to house visiting Prioritise the things you want to do relatives is becoming less and say no to the rest. economically practicable. If you can avoid it, stay at home so you can remove some of your stress caused by this additional planning. Stop trying to make this the best If you and your loved ones have Christmas ever’! What will make it the technology, Skype each other special, especially for your children, so you can pass on messages of is if you and your partner are love and goodwill. Of course if you relaxed. Remember ‘perfection’ is can’t avoid travelling at this time of an idealised concept that cannot year, involve everyone in the be achieved. Stop trying and start packing process so the total enjoying!
I asked 4 lovely ladies in their #BlissfulForties what their top 5 tips are for practicing Self-Love & Self-Care during the festive season - and here they are: Danelle Harvey 1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
Remember to breathe consciously and deeply Remember that you've made it this far. Celebrate this important fact Make time for yourself - buy yourself a gift - treat yourself as you would treat your best friend or loved ones and show yourself gratitude. Replenish and nourish by having some alone time to meditate, exercise, walk, go to a spa, book a hotel for a night, or buy a body scrub, do a manicure & pedicure, drink water, moisturise your skin lavishly, drink wine, indulge in a treat, or read, play your favourite music, dance and sing, sit in silence, or stop and stare out the window - whatever works - it needn't take long. Schedule non negotiable time in your diary and stick to it. Fill up your cup so you can do what you do well Plan something to look forward to - even if its the festive season and spending time with those you love, it could also be a break for afterwards or an aspirational goal Have a clearing session (environment, home, office, wardrobe, car, etc.) - remember to let go and make room for new things
www.femalemusicpreneur.com
Olivia Djouadi 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Listen to music Walk for half hour Watch film Talk to family Have spa day
www.therapywitholivia.org.uk
Just a Girl 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Making time for yourself every day - I use this to write my blogs Shop for scented candles and things that will lift your mood Face and hair masks will help you to unwind and pamper yourself Making sure that you cook from scratch and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Take plenty of Vitamin D....the sunshine vitamin. To make up for all of the cold dark days ahead
Justagirl.emyspot.com
Geraldine Joaquim 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Get others involved: it's not your job to make everyone happy Get some sleep: it's the most abused on our pillars of health but essential Plan in some down time: going out for a walk, time out from seeing people Cuddle up: stop the world for a minute and sit down with kids/ partner Be present: good mental health is about being in the here and now, not worrying about what might happen
www.questhypnotherapy.co.uk / www.mind-yourbusiness.co.uk
The Desire Map – Workshop Level 1 You deserve: eye contact , smiles in the morning, food made with pure intention, clean drinking water, fresh air, Hello, Please, Thank-you, time to think about it, a chance to show them what you’re made of, a second chance, an education, health care — including dental, multiple orgasms, weekends off , eight hours of sleep, play before work, to change your mind, to say no, to say yes, to have your deepest needs met, to be seen , to be loved for who you really are.
You deserve all of this — and more — just because you showed up to life. The Desire Map is a two-day in-person workshop for discovering what you want most out of your life. Based on the best-selling book The Desire Map, we get straight to the heart of the matter: How you want to feel? At the end of this workshop, you will walk away with your Core Desired Feelings and use those to guide your life decisions in your career, your body, your creativity, your relationships, and your spirit. Something magical happens when you focus on creating your core desired feelings:
You remember your light, your true nature, your source — the life source that connects us all. You use your preferred feelings as a guidance system for making choices and for being more present and alive. You are able to access comfort and clarity during painful times. You accentuate the positive aspects of your life, while still honoring, and not invalidating, the negative parts that you want to change.
“Get clear on what you most want out of life and plan to make it happen.”
With the festive countdown well underway and the strategic planning of the Christmas day dinner in hand, we need to take a little time out for ourselves and prioritise our Christmas Glow! There is nothing to say that the Christmas Turkey should be the only star attraction of the day, furthermore you should be the star attraction at the Office Christmas Party too. Why leave it to just Christmas Day eh? That’s why we at Brysocréma have pulled some of our favourite radiant beauty products to help achieve your festive look and if you need help to decide, have a look at our ‘Press’ page to see what the industry thinks.
HD Powder Précis Lumière - Available in 4 tones Cool - *£24.50
The HD Powder Précis can be applied over foundation to finish your look or worn alone for a sheer coverage. The powder helps soften the appearance of all imperfections, leaving your face with a completely flawless finish for those on and off camera moments.
Strobe Radiance The Strobe Radiance will illuminate all your best features with its light reflecting formula and primer qualities. Preparing and evening the tones it brightens the skin with bronzing accents and light reflecting elements. Easy to use it glides on effortlessly and can be used as a base, mixed in with your foundation or as a finishing product on top of your make up. Bronze - *£23.50
Illuminate + Define –
Available in 3
tones Our 'Illuminate + Define' compact seamlessly defines your best facial features and gives a naturally radiant glow. The compact features a 3 in 1 light reflecting highlighter, concealer and easily blendable contour shade to create the long-lasting, perfect contouring blend for your chosen tone. Copious Copper -*£21.50
Iridescent Eyeshadows –
Available in 12 colours The Iridescent Eyeshadow has a longlasting striking effect that is highly pigmented and blends effortlessly. The delicate smooth texture is soft and lightweight and adds a touch of style with a lustrous finish. This high impact product can be added to our Make up Elixir that dries Golden Amber - *£9.50 quickly and lasts all day, apply a little on your fingertip or to a brush until the required drama is fulfilled.
All available on www.brysocrema.co.uk
Before your entire family and friends descend on you for festivities and fun, here are some great ways you can prepare your home in advance. A little careful planning during the run up to Christmas will help you to relax and enjoy this festive time. ambience. You could create a The best place to start your theme for your table by preparations is by de-cluttering incorporating different colours, your home and cleaning each such as red and gold, and using co room. Don’t use this time as your -ordinating candles, napkins, place annual de-clutter but put things settings and table runners. Khushi away in their respective homes. If eagerly helps with the look of our toys are a problem, put them away Christmas dining table by adding in a pretty basket in the living her special sparkly touches! room or in storage boxes in your child’s bedroom. Replace your usual candles and oils with Christmas-themed scents, such Dust or wipe surfaces and hoover as pine, frankincense or spice. or mop floors so everywhere Place these in the hallway or sparkles before the glittery lounge to fill your home with rich decorations are brought down seasonal scents. from the attic! One of the best ways to welcome Christmas is by decorating your home. Dress and trim your Christmas tree with twinkling lights and shiny baubles. Brighten your front door with a festive wreath and place seasonal ornaments around your home.
Help your children to bake Christmas cookies or gingerbread. You could start a family tradition by making your favourite yule-time treats. It’s always nice to add a mug of hot chocolate with cream, marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles to wash down the festive treats!
Having a beautifully presented table creates a very festive
Don’t forget an advent calendar
to help younger children countdown to the big day! This is always a fun treat at Christmas time. If you don’t want your children to have chocolate advent calendars, they could have a small toy or baked treat instead. There are lots of ideas online to help you make a unique advent calendar for your family.
Preparing your home for Christmas really helps to get you in a festive mood. As one of the most beautiful times of the year for families, this is a time to make a special effort to ensure you all get a good helping of festive cheer! Creative, fun ideas that fill your home will help create traditions and memories for years to come.
Christmas Gift Guide
Royal Ballet Covent Garden by Cocorose London - £95
Fur Trim Cardigan by JD Williams - £45
Wool Mix Cardigabn by JD Williams - £25
Heavenly Soles Ankle Boots by JD Williams - £35
Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum by Derma Care Direct - £35
Organic Hand wash & Hand Oil by Pairfum £15
Natural Anti-Ageing Lip Treatment Balm 15ml by Nakin - £10
Organic & Organic Body lotion by Pairfum £15
Organic Bathing Gel & Bath Oil by Pairfum £15
Get Gorgeous Highlighter – 24CT Gold by Technic
Get Gorgeous Highlighter – Peach Candy by Technic
Get Gorgeous Highlighter – Bronze by Technic
Lip Kit – Scarlet Fever by Technic
Cheek Pops by Technic
Mega Blush by Technic
Colour Fix 2-in-1 Pressed Powder & Cream Foundation by Technic
Milano Chesterfield sofa in Red Linen by Portabello Interiors - £1365
Floral Fantasy Towel by Amara - £28
Fantasy Blue Mug Large by Amara - £10
Rewined Soy Wax Candle Gift Wrapped Poinsettia by Blossoming Gifts - ‘Merlot’ by Beyond from £20.99 Living £28
Join the #BlissfulForties Lounge
Amid all the Christmas chaos and fun festivities, I hope you managed to take some time to truly reflect on all you have achieved during 2017 and celebrate your success. When life becomes one big juggling act, it can be difficult to pause and consider all you achieve on a daily basis. The celebrations at the end of the year give you chance to do just that so grasp the opportunity with open arms!
Setting goals and working towards objectives are the steps we take to improve our lives, helping us to live in accordance with our own set of distinct values and aspirations. If you have challenges you wish to overcome, lifelong aspirations yet to be fulfilled and an imbalanced lifestyle, goals are a great way to recalibrate your life. Throughout all the work to identify, establish and achieve your goals, the most powerful way you can succeed is by acknowledging and rewarding your efforts.
Setting goals and working towards objectives are the steps we take to improve our lives, helping us to live in accordance with our own set of distinct values and aspirations. If you have challenges you wish to overcome, lifelong aspirations yet to be fulfilled and an imbalanced lifestyle, goals are a great way to recalibrate your life. Throughout all the work to identify, establish and achieve your goals, the most powerful way you can succeed is by acknowledging and rewarding your efforts.
Taking time out to reflect on your actions is a worthwhile skill. It provides the mental space and time to consider what you have done and value your accomplishments. It also gives you time to consider future goals and whether your life is moving in the right direction in accordance with your ambitions and values.
Taking time out to reflect on your actions is a worthwhile skill. It provides the mental space and time to consider what you have done and value your accomplishments. It also gives you time to consider future goals and whether your life is moving in the right direction in accordance with your ambitions and values.
Find time to relax and reflect on everything you have done in 2017. Only then can you acknowledge and reward all you do as a fantastic mum who is committed to living life her way!
Rose Hill Designs by Heather Stillufsen
Wow! How do you feel post festivities? I hope you enjoyed a truly magical Christmas Day with your loved ones but what we really want to know is whether you enjoyed some time out to relax and enjoy quality time with your family! It is more than likely you have spent the last few weeks, or even months, rushing around preparing for this special time of year. Generally, life can be extremely hectic but Christmas time causes an increase in activity and stress! What better time than a bank holiday to relax, unwind and reflect on how much you have achieved this year? I hope this Christmas time has been filled with laughter, joy and happiness. However, if you feel uneasy, jittery or a general lethargy about the whole event, you may have burnt yourself out and become exhausted. If this rings any alarm bells, ensure you take it easy for the rest of the holidays and take time to recharge and re-energise yourself; you certainly deserve it!
invigorate you so you can look forward to the year ahead with positive anticipation: you will be taking control of your own future.
If you feel you could do with some support to improve your fulfilment with life, its balance, well-being and happiness, please do not hesitate to contact Design the Lifestyle YOU Desire. I offer a free initial Clarity Session during which you can ask questions to clarify how a Over the next few weeks, as the tailored coaching programme will New Year approaches, it is likely you will be reflecting on the things help you achieve lifelong satisfaction, a better relationship you would most like to achieve in life. This is a great time to consider with your partner and children, what it is you want accomplish with improved time management and your life in 2018 and beyond. Why greater self-confidence and not take some time out and reflect self-worth. You have nothing to lose on what really matters to you. This, but everything to gain! along with a good rest, will
If you have been reflecting on all the wonderful achievements and successes you’ve experienced this year, just imagine what 2018 could hold for you and your family! Have you thought about or set the goals you would like to achieve? Do you have a particular challenge in mind? Creating goals along with a plan of action could ensure 2018 is your most exciting year yet! Take a moment to really visualise your goals: think about what you want to achieve and why. Think about how success will make you feel and consider what accomplishing this goal would mean to you. Write down your thoughts so you can refer back to them when you need some motivation. Adding your goal into your planning schedule is a great idea,
as it enables you to focus on the task in hand. At the very least you should set yourself a series of deadlines, helping you to create stepping-stones with mini goals that you can celebrate along the way. Creating a plan of action really will help to keep you on the right track. If you’d like to learn more about goal setting so you can hit the ground running in January 2018,