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Issue 19 March - April 2020
Wedding SPECIAL
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RELATIONSHIPS 5 things couples argue about the most
FASHION
UTILITY TAKES ON RETRO
Beauty AGELESS
TRAUMA Would you recognise it?
One Windsor Court, Trent Valley Business Park, Lichfield, WS13 6EU T: 07506 768 543 / www.elsiemaybridal.co.uk Instagram: elsie.may.bridal Facebook: elsiemaybridal
welcome to
MAMA LIFE ISSUE 19
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” Maya Angelou Hello to all you lovelies. Spring 2020 is here, another season, another cycle of life and transformation. There is always new energy around spring, the season where everything blossoms and grows around us. Sometimes we do not realise the beauty of change as we are blinded by it’s routine or too focussed on the negatives of how or why that change came about. If we took a moment and looked at our own lives, we would see how much we have transformed and changed to be the person we need to be. Don’t fear change, as without change we do not grow. We have had a busy period preparing this edition. Our annual wedding issue is always so much fun, and does make you want to do it all again... more so, just to wear the dress! Our editorial shoot took place at Hoar Cross Hall. Thanking our models Gemma, Rebecca, Emma & Elizabeth for smiling through the cold and a massive thanks to our creative team and suppliers that worked with us on the day. Finally, we wanted to reflect on the recent death of Caroline Flack. There has been quite a revolt against gossip magazines of late due to the bullying and violation of an individual’s personal life. It has been very sad to see how the mainline British media streams can cause so much devastation without considering the impact on a person’s life. The greed to make money out of gossip needs to end. We refuse to line the pockets of bullies. As a publication, our ethos is keeping it real, informative and educational. We want you to feel inspired and motivated. We hope you enjoy the read. Keep smiling.
Meral Mehmet & Natasha Inan Editors-In-Chief
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3 / MAR 2020/ ISSUE 19
Content
08-09
10 - 11
14
RELATIONSHIPS
Beauty
LIFESTYLE
By Wendy Capewell
By Rachelle Grimes
By Susan Leigh
// 5 Things Couples Argue About Most
// Ageless Beauty
// How Real Are You?
Happy Mothers
day
Hello
Spring
SEVEN
Steps To A Better Night’s Sleep
16-17 By Emma @ Stylissimo
Mama Life Magazine is also online: www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk
19
22-23
LUKE BAKER’S KITCHEN
Trauma and its many guises, would you recognise it? By Sue Frend
24-25
26-27
Weddings
30 - 31
37
38 - 60
LIFESTYLE
ASTROLOGY
Wedding special
By Angela Foxx
By The Secret Clairvoyant
By Mel Mehmet
// Fabulous Finds
// March - April Forecast
// 2020 Wedding Special
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MAMA LIFE magazine
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GUEST contributors Susan Frend Sally Mansell
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next issue is out on the 12th MAy 2020
5
Things couples argue about most
Money
By WENDY CAPEWELL
www.yourrelationshipspecialist.co.uk
This can be around spending habits, contributions to the household or because one controls all the finances and questions their partner about their spending. Or it could be because there is secrecy and one has run up huge debts without the other’s knowledge. Arguments and resentments crop up because one earns more and contributes more.
does it. Many couples have differing views on what is clean and tidy. Deciding on a way to share chores is the best way forward, and it’s important that you keep your side of the bargain. Complaining they haven’t done their chores within your time frame is counter-productive and will probably lead to more arguments and you being left to do it all.
Even if you don’t have a head for figures it is so important you have an understanding of your finances. If the financial wizard gets sick you may need to take over. I am amazed when couples tell me they don’t have a budget worked out and have no idea where their money goes, and that their money doesn’t stretch each month. I have had a budget since I was 16, and know my monthly outgoings. If you don’t it’s time to sit down and decide on a workable agreement between you.
Rather than ‘I need help’ which leaves the other confused as what to do or replying ‘you should know!’ aren’t helpful. They aren’t specific enough, and they can’t read your mind (which is fortunate at times as I’m sure you would agree).
Household chores
If you are like me and dislike housework, it’s a pain, but unfortunately, we don’t all have a housework fairy who magically
8 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
Reminders can quickly turn into and be perceived as nagging, and complaints that it’s not been done ‘properly’ will lead to animosity leaving you to do it all. Show them or ignore it. Thank them – I know you don’t get thanked for everything you do, but you want help, support, and harmony – right? You are more likely to get the help you need by showing appreciation.
Kids and Parenting
Because you were likely to be parented differently from your partner, when you become a parent you are likely to have different views on parenting. So having a parenting agreement helps reduce friction. Otherwise, kids feel confused - and can play each parent against the other to get their way. This can be really damaging to the relationship with your partner. I have seen it so many times where mum says no, and they immediately go to dad, who says yes, without checking to see what their partner had said. It leaves a sense of being undermined which in turn leads to arguments and resentment. Teenagers can be especially challenging. It’s not entirely their fault, as their body is going through a lot of change. Their brain is undergoing major changes. If you want to learn more, Google ‘Neural Pruning’. Some of the brain connections undergo pruning that it doesn’t consider useful. A bit like having your house rewired and deciding which sockets you need. Also, the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s remote control which weighs outcomes, forms judgments, and controls impulses and emotions doesn’t fully develop until mid 20s. At this time they are likely to have outbursts of anger and be completely unreasonable. I’m not suggesting you ignore boundaries, but this knowledge may make sense to you – their suffering parents. It’s the reason their room appears that burglars have ransacked it or even why they fail to shower regularly and smell like the inside of a rubbish bin. It’s not a priority to them, even though you have told them many times. That’s where regular family meetings are helpful. Where each person can air their views and things like sharing of chores, curfews, family events can be discussed. I always suggest the parents talk together first, to agree a united front and avoid slammed doors and more arguments! Kids need to witness what a good healthy relationship looks like, and they learn that from you. Let me tell you about James and Louise (not their real names). James found out that their teenager had a piercing. He was really upset, as he hadn’t been consulted, and as their dad he felt it important. He felt excluded and hurt as a result he retreated into his man cave for several days, not talking to any of the family. Louise said there had been an atmosphere, which had affected the whole family with them all walking on eggshells until James came round. I asked James if he felt it fair to punish the whole family in that way. It wasn’t just a lightbulb moment, it was more like Blackpool Illuminations! It hadn’t occurred to him the impact he had on others, as he was so wrapped up in his own hurt feelings. I suggested he talk to the kids and explain this to them, so they had an understanding of the way he dealt with hurt and upset, and hopefully, in the future, he would be able to deal with his feelings in a better way. Youngsters can not only be affected by parents’ behaviour, but they may see this as normal and mimic it.
Extended Family
I am probably going to ruffle some feathers with my next statement, but it’s not going to stop me. Once you enter into a committed relationship with a partner, that relationship is the most important and comes before all other relationships. Whether it be your parents and other family members or friends. They need to take a back seat.
That also includes your children; you produced them together in love and you need to parent them together, modelling what a healthy relationship is for them. One day they will fly the nest and you will be left on your own with the remnants of a relationship if you have neglected it. I am not suggesting you don’t have a relationship with your family as of course they are important, but I see many situations where the umbilical cord hasn’t been cut between parents and their adult offspring. This leads to the incoming partner being controlled by them, causing resentments and ongoing arguments that can last for decades. Your loyalty is with your partner, you are a team and a partnership.
Physical intimacy and Sex
I wrote about different sex drives in the July 2019 issue, so I won’t go into that here. If you are experiencing problems, and drifting apart, take time out to talk about it. Listen to each other, and together work out a way forward. Outward signs of affection are really important a happy relationship. One of you may want physical contact more than the other. Caring about that special person in your life sometimes means thinking about their needs and putting aside yours so they feel loved. Being at odds in other areas of your life is likely to result with either one feeling defensive and less likely to want closeness with the other. So you can see the importance of ironing out the other areas of your life for intimacy to occur.
How to resolve arguments without falling out
Arrange a time to talk about the problem where you won’t be disturbed. It can help if it’s in a netral place. Maybe a café where you have to keep calm. Or even on a walk together. Bring ONE issue that you want to talk about, if you bring more it just gets complicated and nothing gets resolved. Speak calmly and don’t play the blame game as you will have lost the argument before starting. Let your partner know that you want their help to resolve the issue together, that you value them and their opinions Ask your partner to allow you to put forward your case without interruption and then listen to them without interrupting. Acknowledge their concerns rather than jumping in, and beware of the ‘YES BUT’ phrase. If you find yourself using that phrase, the chances are you are probably defending yourself or dismissing your partner’s point of view. Ask questions if you don’t understand. Look beneath what is being said, because underneath what seems like niggles could be something deeper. For example – ‘You don’t help around the house’ could mean ‘I feel taken for granted’. Be prepared to negotiate, rather than seek to get all your own way. Litte niggles could be something deeper. For example – ‘You don’t help around the house’ could mean ‘I feel taken for granted’. Be prepared to negotiate, rather than seek to get all your own way. Wendy Capewell is a Relationship Specialist, author and podcaster. Website - www.wendycapewell.co.uk Podcast - love-listen-talk-repeat.libsyn.com Email - info@wendycapewell.co.uk 9 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
Ageless
Beauty By Rachelle SHAKESPERE
www.rachellegrimesmakeup.com
Use gentle exfoliators Don’t exfoliate with harsh gritty exfoliators you will make your skin red and very sore. Try a gentle exfoliating toner to remove dead skin cells.
Remove your makeup Removing your makeup every night should be the normal thing to do. You don’t want blocked pores and spots appearing for being lazy. Simple kind to skin hydrating cleansing oil Superdrug.com £3.45 Top Tip – Don’t use wipes ladies. I know its easy but your pushing your makeup into your pores and dragging your delicate skin.
Hydrate your skin even if your oily
Whatever your skin type, your skin still needs a drink. Using a gel moisturiser can leave any skin type hydrated and light weight without feeling oily.
Clarins Gentle Exfoliator – brightening toner Clarins.com £26 Top Tip – Use before makeup to give you a smooth canvas
Protect your skin Your skin faces daily weather conditions, so remember to protect yourself against pollution, cold weather and sun damage. Oskia Citylife Facial Mist Spacenk.com £44
Top Tip – Be aware that SPF can alter the colour of your foundation.
Clinique moisture surge 72 hour gel Clinique.co.uk £35 Top Tip – If your skin is thirsty it will drink your foundation, so by applying a hydrating moisturiser first it will not only hydrate and give you a healthy complexion but also help your makeup stay on longer.
Use regular masks
Make sure your taking time out at least once a week to put a mask on. Use a mask to target your skin concerns. 111 Skin Rose gold brightening facial treatment mask Selfridges.com £20
Top Tip – Sheet masks are fab on the morning of a special event before your makeup, this is a great treat for your skin.
don’t forget your lips A very common problem I always have to tackle as a makeup artist is dry lips. Summer or winter I hear “it must be the weather” If you exfoliate them and hydrate them your lips will be perfectly kissable. Terry baume de rose lip scrub Byterry.com £26 Top Tip – Always carry a lip balm.
MAMA LIFE LOVES
1. Giorgio Armani – Fluid Sheer No 3 Selfridges.co.uk £42
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r i e r d a a m b g r n o i t ad t e G
◆To add warmth to your foundation. 2. Lancome – Hypnose Waterproof mascara Johnlewis.com £22.95
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◆Not just tear proof but smudge proof in the heat.
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3. Estee Laude – Double Wear foundation Esteelaude.co.uk £34
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◆This product will not move an inch. 4. Benefit primer – The Porefessional Boots.co.uk £29
5
4
◆Smooths pores so foundation appears flawless. 5. Chanel – Bronze Universal Chanel.com £40 ◆A cream texture bronzer leaving a none dry finish.
Bridal trends 2020
Sheer eyes Nars Velvet shadow stick (Goddess) Narscosmetics.co.uk £22
No eyeliner M&S Autograph lasting eye shadow quad (Mocha mix) Marksandspenser.com £10
Fluffy brows Maybeline brow drama sculpting mascara Boots.com £5.99
Flawless Base P. Louise base Plouise.co.uk £10
Highlight cheek bones Laura Mercier face illuminator (Addiction) Cultbeauty.com £34.50
Red lips Mac creamsheen lipstick (Brave red) Maccosmetics.co.uk £17.50
Content
H
How Real Are You?
ow many of us actually walk the walk? We may talk the talk, and some circumstances do require us to present ourselves in a particular way. In order to feel confident and step effectively into the role of boss/teacher/colleague we may adopt a specific persona which allows us to deliver what’s required and do it well. But what’s behind the public face, how real are you? When we take on a role, adopt a set of values or code of conduct the underlying question could well be, are we living what we advocate or is behind the scenes a very different story? Yes, many of us have several versions of ourselves that are revealed in the different areas of our lives. When we’re with colleagues, friends, lovers, family, children, pets we will slip into either a comfortable, familiar role or one that helps us cope best with the situation. Hopefully we’ll still retain our core, fundamental authenticity. We may present as tough in business, more fun and relaxed in domestic or social situations, but our true values and integrity hopefully stay central to us so that we’re genuine in those relationships and interactions. Let’s look at what being real entails Feeling that we need to say one thing whilst living another may be a factor in surviving in a fast-paced, acquisitive society. It’s perhaps tempting to be caught up in a spiral of wanting more, striving to live the dream, seeing success as having a lifestyle of fabulous cars, holidays and homes, but it’s stressful to maintain and often doesn’t deliver the satisfaction of the original promise. Plus, if something happens to change our health, finances, domestic situation -- the whole infrastructure can come toppling down. Maintaining a positive outlook is much feted and often portrayed as being a ‘want it, visualise it, get it’ approach that focuses on seeing beyond any setbacks, rather than being demotivated by them. However, being real also means acknowledging if things are tough or not working and keeping a realistic, balanced view of life. Sometimes we may need to adapt, revise or change our goals, perhaps even park them for a while. But the experience is still valid, valuable and can teach us a lot. Congratulate yourself for having had a go.
By SUSAN LEIGH
www.lifestyletherapy.net
celebrating each mini-success along the way. Pausing to reflect and be grateful for what we have can keep us real. Being alive, having food, a roof over our heads, access to education, friends and diverse options can help us feel balanced, self-contained and upbeat. Self-deprecation can be an attractive part of being real. Retaining a sense of humour, being prepared to laugh at yourself if warranted, can keep your feet on the ground and stop you taking yourself too seriously or being in danger of believing your own publicity! That way you’re more likely to be receptive to others, to their offers of help, prepared to acknowledge if you need to learn new skills or make some compromises and adjustments to your original plans. Sometimes adopting a mask or persona is called Imposter Syndrome, where we camouflage our real self in order to cover up how low or unsure we’re feeling, and are afraid of being ‘found out’. This may help us keep going and even aid recovery. But being real also means admitting that there are issues, stresses or even depression lurking underneath. Hoping that they’ll fade away, resolve themselves or that we’ll continue to keep going ‘for now’ isn’t always the answer and sometimes requires that we share our struggles and become receptive to help and support. Pretending everything’s fine indefinitely is often a recipe for illhealth, stress and burnout. How long can we maintain a facade before it becomes overwhelming? Often, when we admit that we’re struggling other people are willing to respond to our plight and are keen to help. Those closest to us have usually noticed our non-verbal signals of tension, irritability, stress, overwhelm. Being real is not about being weak, but allows us to be authentic, rather than pretend to be superman or woman. Being real includes facing issues and not hiding from bad news or problems. We need to have some awareness of the bigger picture and not bury our head in the sand. Yes, politics might be confusing, crime and abuse is regularly reported, setbacks happen. We may block them from our feed, but they’re still out there. Having greater awareness brings compassion, sensitivity and empathy into our lives, it allows us to remain real, grounded, with gratitude for what we do have, so keeping a balanced outlook on life.
Allow yourself exciting goals, but maybe pace them in order to enjoy the journey and have time for other areas of life, Susan Leigh, counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. She’s author of 3 books, ‘Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact’, ‘101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday’ and ‘Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain’, all on Amazon. To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles visit www.lifestyletherapy.net 14 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
fashion
HelloSpring By EMMA RUSSELL www.stylissimo.co.uk
George at Asda Trousers £16 Blouse £18, Belt £8
Utility takes on a retro feel for Spring 2020 with a hint of seventies safari. Look for warm earthy tones and gold detailing. Khaki, cream, stone and tan are your key colourways; don’t be afraid to match your tones head to toe as seen on the Chloe and Fendi runways. Luxe leathers in warm tan or khaki styled with animal print are a 2020 switch-up for the trend.
Fendi SS20
Debenhams Red Herring Jumpsuit £39
Mango Silk Shirt £69.99
George at Asda reflects this luxurious Fendi look from the SS20 runway almost identically but at a snip of the price.
George at Asda Throw Over £29
TAILORING
Tailored looks are a Spring staple and 2020 sees the return of the waistcoat. Wear it as a three piece suit or on its own with straight cut or wide leg trousers. Style it with this season’s must-have accessory the slouch clutch or oversized shoulder bag to balance out the structure of the look and keep it modern and fresh.
Style Tip
Avoid colour blocking with the utility trend by bringing in accents of colour through pattern such as tortoiseshsell, animal prints or gold chunky chains.
Mango Tortoiseshell Earrings £15.99
Dorothy Perkins £50
Hobbs Maddy Jacket £249 Dune Christy £85
16 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
New Look Jumpsuit £30
H&M Loafers £19.99
SHORTS
Shorts are the Spring/Summer season’s hottest item. For the brave and bold there are the short short hot pants showcased at Dior and Hermes which looked more like Bridget Jones’ knickers. But for the rest of us let’s stick to the realistic and more sophisticated lengths of the City Short or Bermuda. Offering coverage of those dreaded thigh areas, and frankly a more chic take on the trend, keep them tailored in linens, heavy cottons and white denim. Style with heels to elongate the leg and tailored blazers or waistcoats.
H&M Gold Collar Necklace £6.99
Zara Slouch Clutch Brown £95
Zara Bermuda shorts £49.99
Dune Monterey in Olive £85 Hobbs Linen Shorts £69 New Look Waistcoat £25.99
Tailored Leather (or ‘pleather’ depending on your budget) is continuing to have a presence on the high street; opt for black or khaki as these are great base colours to form a capsule wardrobe from. Overshirts and shirt dresses are versatile pieces you can wear throughout the spring. Both can be worn closed as a shirt/ dress or open with a t’shirt and jeans and styled as a jacket.
Head over Heels Esmey Trainer £48
LIFE MAMAVES LO
TAILORED LEATHER
A white tailored suit is oh so chic, and the hottest Spring trend. Opt for a wide leg trouser version, as this ticks another trend box. Wear the pieces together with a heeled mule and shirt for work, or the wide leg trouser on its own with smart trainers for a more casual look.
Mango Palazzo Trousers £49.99 Structured Blazer £69.99
Topshop Nirvana Mule £69 *Price not available at time of print
A colour or style consultation with a personal stylist can restore confidence in styling your clothing. Stylissimo offers a professional package which includes style advice demonstrating the correct shapes, styles and colour of clothing to best enhance your body shape and restore your confidence in your clothing choices. Starting from £125 receive a 10% Booking Discount when you quote Mama10, book your consultation today on 07712 048652 or visit www.stylissimo.co.uk for more information.
New Look Jacket £25.99 Whistles Phoebe Leather Shirt Dress £449 George at Asda Boots £22.50
COMING SOON TO THE LICHFIELD GARRICK
Silver 18ct gold and diamond pendant £256.00 www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
Happy Mothers Family Tree Heart Stud Earrings £30.00 www.uk.pandora.net
day
Dyson Supersonic Hair dryer £299.99 www.dyson.co.uk Elégencé Luxury Diamond Bottle £79.99 www.elegenceteethwhitening.com FOREO Picture Perfect set £169.00 www.selfridges.com
Gucci A Song for the Rose £240.00 www.selfridges.com
Fiorelli - Cream Florence Print ‘Sadie’ Flap Over Purse £36.00 www.debenhams.com
Revitalising Collection £36.00 www.clarins.co.uk
Mum and Baby Chick £46.00 www.odonatastudios.co.uk *Information correct at time of print.
Georg Jensen Bloom Botanica Vase £100.00 www.johnlewis.com
Academic & Musical excellence for boys & girls aged 21/2 to 18
Forest Tots Weekly forest adventures for under 5s whatever the weather!
Welcome Wednesdays
Open Mornings for Pre-School & Juniors 9am to 11am • 18 March • 6 May • 10 June
Call Admissions on 01543 306168 for information lichfieldcathedralschool.com Green Gables, Longdon WS15 4PT
Lichfield Cathedral Junior School, Longdon WS15 4PT
Booking for summer term now open 9.30am to 10.30am Thursdays during term time Forest play, woodland games, practical tasks and a camp fire Led by Forest School practitioner • Parents stay
Contact Amelia on 01543 306168 or a.grey@lichfieldcathedralschool.com
Why Reception is the most important year in your child’s life It is vital to choose the right school for your child from day one. Lichfield Cathedral Junior School offers small class sizes and a challenging curriculum, but most importantly, staff are selected for their ability to inspire children to develop a love of learning. Teachers who are highly motivated and truly passionate about learning help to drive creativity and curiosity in their pupils, sparking the desire to want to learn more. Children feel valued Joanna Churton, Head of Junior Years, explained: “The keys to success are a positive environment where the children feel valued and respected, and a teacher who can encourage children to be interested in school and be proud of their achievements. It’s not just about children being engaged in the moment, in one brilliant lesson, it’s about sustaining that interest over time and helping them to develop positive attitudes to school, to achieving their goals and to maintaining a growth mindset.” Good teacher has biggest impact Educational research consistently demonstrates that a good reception year teacher has the biggest impact on primary school education and beyond. One study by Durham University’s Curriculum, Evaluation and Management (CEM) Centre followed 70,000 children over 10 years and revealed that children who are taught well in their first year of school go on to achieve better GCSE results. Professor Peter Tymms, Director of Durham’s CEM Centre stated: “This work reinforces research which shows early years education is critical for children’s later cognitive development and that while attention should of course be given to every year of education, more value should be placed on the most
sensitive times, the first few years.” How do Cathedral School teachers achieve this? On a practical level, the teachers are happy and cheerful, upbeat and pleasant to be around and their classrooms are colourful, warm and creative environments. Pupils are rewarded for hard work and positive attitudes and lessons are delivered in a variety of different ways both within and outside of the classroom. For instance, Forest School lessons in the outdoor classroom involve maths, English, science, art, music and drama; and the pupils have regular field trips and visits to farms, museums, art galleries, zoos, theatres and activity centres to see how the lessons they learn in the classroom relate to real-life. A different way of seeing “It’s a particular kind of person who can be innovative and engaging, able to look at subjects through a different lens and design ways of teaching that continue to inspire children,” concluded Joanna Churton, “and I’m delighted to work with just such a fabulous team of teachers at the Cathedral School.” See for yourself Would you like to find out more? Call 01543 306168 to arrange a visit to Lichfield Cathedral School to see how the building blocks of the Reception year help children throughout their time at school and beyond.
Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow An idyllic rural location, gorgeous luxury glamping and beauty treatments for some perfect pampering… that’s Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow!
With a superb location in the heart of England, this peaceful working farm location includes six luxury en-suite glamping cabins, close to the historic village of Seckington, Tamworth. And, best of all, three of the cabins have a private woodfired hot tub, too! With a farm shop close by, a nice pub to visit and, best of all, six warm, snug, glamping cabins, Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow offers a truly relaxing experience. If you’re having a bridal shower, a hen party or are looking for a superb place to celebrate your special occasion, Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow provides everything you could possibly want and even includes the Beauty Barn, where well-deserved pampering sessions can be booked in time for your glamping stay.
Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadows has received a great write-up in both the local and regional press and due to its central location, is a fantastic place to arrange a glamping gathering to mark the start of a brand new and important life journey. Aspects that will help make your stay even more memorable include fabulous campfires, peaceful surroundings, a stunning indoor bbq hut if the weather doesn’t cooperate (subject to availability) and the chance to enjoy a glass of chilled fizz under starry skies. Yes, you can bring the pooch and the kids if you want … or it can be just the grown-ups if that’s what you had in mind. Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow has your enjoyment as their main concern and the team realise the importance of preparing for your wedding and would be honoured and delighted to be part of it. With everything you need for that special occasion, look no further than Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow, where great memories are made!
Wigwam-Holidays-Saxon-Meadow
T : 07773 893 738 E : saxonmeadow@wigwamholidays.com W : www.wigwamholidays.com/saxon-meadow Wigwam® Holidays Saxon Meadow, Rock Farm, Seckington, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 0FE
Sleep. We all do it, but many of us don’t do it well. A good night’s rest is essential to a healthy existence, protecting you physically and mentally as well as boosting your quality of life. Unfortunately, many of us struggle to fall asleep, have bad dreams, can’t wake up in the morning and then feel constantly tired! Sleep plays a significant role in healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels. It helps us maintain a healthy weight and a good balance of hormones, as well as controlling sugar levels. In terms of mental health, a great night’s sleep makes the brain work properly. It helps us to learn, remember, solve problems and make decisions, as well as safeguarding against stress, mood swings and depression. It’s rather worrying that the majority of people don’t sleep very well!
1) YOUR BEDROOM If you’re having trouble sleeping, one of the first things to consider is your bedroom. In order to get a restful night’s sleep you need the right setting, which means a clean, peaceful and welcoming room. Many of us are unknowingly sleeping in a bedroom that’s simply not fit for purpose, and that environment could be the key cause of a restless night. •When it’s time for bed, make your room completely dark. This can be achieved with a blackout blind or curtains, an additional window dressing, or even an eye mask. •Maintain an ambient temperature in your room. If you’re too hot or too cold, you won’t sleep soundly. It is recommended a cool temperature of around 16-18° C (6065° F) is the perfect temperature. •A tidy room makes for a tidy mind… and a restful night’s sleep! De-clutter your bedroom and create a space that’s clean, neat and simple. •Say no to technology in the bedroom! That means avoiding televisions and computers. Having access to these will urge you to switch on when you can’t drift off, which in turn can lead to even more disturbed sleep. •LED displays are particularly troublesome when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. When it’s time to snooze, switch off your mobile phone, tablet, and any alarm clocks with a digital display. •Avoid treating your bedroom like an extension of the rest of your house. That means you shouldn’t use it for work, watching TV, eating, and even talking on the phone. Save the bedroom for sleep and sex. •Add special touches to the space, which will help you feel more connected and peaceful. •Avoid using certain colours when decorating. Remember that bright reds, yellows and oranges are jarring, while browns and whites can be boring and drab. Instead, choose soft, muted tones that will make you feel calm. •Certain smells can affect your mood. Lavender and Geranium are naturally calming, so invest in some essential oils to help you drift off. Remember, these should not be used in pregnancy or children’s rooms.
with aches and pains, it’s probably time to change your mattress. Research shows that sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress can rob you of up to one hour’s sleep per night, which adds up to a full night’s sleep over the course of a week! You should consider changing your bed after seven years.
2) YOUR BED The foundation of a great night’s sleep is a comfortable bed. The right mattress can make a huge difference between a restful and restless night, saving you from fatigue and irritability for the rest of the day. An unsupportive mattress will encourage a poor sleeping posture, which prevents you from good sleep. If you regularly wake up
4) STRESS & WORRY Scientists have found a direct correlation between anxiety and rhythm of sleep. When a person is anxious, their heart rate increases, which causes the brain to ‘race’, too. An alert mind produces beta waves, making you far too stimulated to sleep. To make matters worse, an active brain triggers other worries, so it’s even harder to achieve sleep.
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3) YOUR LIFESTYLE The 21st century lifestyle is typically fast-paced, chaotic and jam-packed with technology. From the moment we wake up we switch on our brains with smart phones, and as our day progresses, we’re presented with even more triggers. The continuous content that’s fed from TV and radio, real time social feeds and our constant checking of emails all make for a non-stop stimulation… It’s no wonder that many of us can’t switch off or fall asleep, then struggle
SEVEN
Steps To A Better Night’s Sleep to wake up in the morning and spend a lot of time complaining “I can’t sleep!” •Reduce the intensity of artificial light in your home by using dimmer switches or low wattage bulbs. •Maintain a regular bedtime routine and sleep pattern. •Use a hot water bottle if you get cold. •Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed. •Switch off your tech a couple of hours before bedtime – that includes your phone! •Empty your bladder before bed, and try not to consume too many liquids before you sleep. •Don’t nap during the day.
Once this pattern sets in, bedtime can become a thing of anxiety. So how can you combat the stress of sleeping? There are several techniques to banish anxiety and calm your heart rate. Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of them, helping people to ‘unlearn’ thought processes through psychological treatment. You can also manage your heart rate by placing your hand on your heart and listen for the beating. Breathe in deeply for four seconds, and then breathe out slowly. Repeat this until you can feel your heart rate slowing, which in turn slows down your busy brain activity. Eliminate your anxious thoughts by practising the speaking technique. This means voicing the thoughts that would otherwise live in your head. Speaking aloud overrides thinking, which stops your negative thoughts in their tracks. Practise by thinking the alphabet in your head, and when you reach ‘J’, start speaking out loud. What happened to the alphabet? Well, you stopped thinking it in your head, because speaking overrode those thoughts. Use this technique when you start worrying in bed:. 5) YOUR DIET They say you are what you eat, and when it comes to getting a restful night’s sleep, the food and drink you consume has a drastic effect. The best foods for sleep include milk, cherries, chicken and rice, while fatty meat, curry and alcohol are some of the worst. Some people choose not to eat after 6pm, as late meals can make it difficult to sleep. •Avoid stimulants like caffeine and cigarettes. •Avoid sedatives, such as sleeping pills and alcohol, to help you sleep. They have short term benefits and long-term counter effects, such as dependency. •Changing your diet can help you sleep, but it takes time. Start a sleep diary to keep track of your progress, and don’t give up if you see no sudden improvement – sleeping soundly takes practice! 6) EXERCISE Sports and exercise can help you to enjoy a better quality of sleep. Working out effectively can tire your body out gently, promoting a better night’s sleep. Releasing pent up tension through exercise is also highly beneficial, helping to banish stress before bedtime. Exercising also lowers your body’s temperature, which induces better sleep. • Yoga is renowned for its relaxation and sleep benefits, while moderate-aerobic exercise like walking has been found to help people fall asleep more quickly.
7) RELAXATION & OTHER THERAPIES Many of us lead stressful lives. Demanding jobs, long hours and active families, all contribute to a hectic lifestyle, and that’s not helped by the intense media that surrounds us. These elements make it very difficult to wind down, but fortunately there are a few relaxation techniques that can help promote a deep, restful sleep. Relax Your Body This method is best done in bed, though it can also be practiced throughout the day if you’re in the right environment. By relaxing separate groups of muscles, you become more aware of your body and able to wind down mindfully. 1. Tense a muscle, for example your bicep, by contracting for 7-10 seconds. Flex it gently – do not strain. 2. At the same time, visualise the muscle being tensed, consciously feeling the build-up of tension. 3. Release the muscle abruptly and then relax, allowing the body to go limp. Take a few moments before moving on to the next muscle. 4. Remember to keep the rest of your body relaxed whilst working on a particular muscle. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) CBT is commonly prescribed for depression, but clinical trials have shown it is the most effective long-term solution for insomniacs. CBT helps you identify the negative attitudes and beliefs that hinder your sleep, then replaces them with positive thoughts, effectively ‘unlearning’ the negative beliefs. A typical exercise is to set aside 30 minutes per day, in which you do your day’s worth of worrying. During this worry period you keep a diary of your worries and anxious thoughts, writing them down in order to reduce the weight in your mind. Once this task is complete, you are banned from worrying at any other point in the day. Before you go to sleep, you can also write down the worries that you think may keep you awake. Once you are in bed with your eyes closed, you should imagine those thoughts floating away, leaving your mind free, peaceful, and ready to sleep. The Sleep Council Seven Steps To A Better Night’s Sleep Stimulus Control – The 20 Minute Rule We should all go to bed when we’re tired, but if you’re not asleep after twenty minutes, it’s recommended that you get up and find another activity to do. This should be quiet and peaceful, and not involve your phone or other digital displays. Listening to music, reading or doing yoga are all recommended as great 20 Minute Rule activities. When you feel sleepy again, you should return to bed. The idea of this method is to build a strong association between bed and sleeping, and eventually you’ll be able to fall asleep quickly. Sleep Restriction This technique involves only spending the amount of time in bed that equates to the average number of hours that you sleep. For example, you might only get five hours of sleep per night, even though you spend seven hours in bed. By using the Sleep Restriction method, you limit yourself to only five hours in bed per night. This technique might make you more tired at first, but it can help you fall asleep faster and wake up fewer times. However, it’s not suitable if you’re only getting a couple of hours sleep per night, and should be supervised by a qualified CBT Sleep Practitioner. Resource : www.sleepcouncil.org.uk
Trauma and its many guises, would you recognise it? By SUE FREND
www.susanfrend.com
Trauma, like many words means different things to different people. We have a tendency to see atrocities across the world and label these incidents as ‘real trauma’. Front line staff, from soldiers to emergency medics are immersed in traumatic environments. But so are many of us, in our own homes, living our day-to-day lives. How are we affected? We refer to ‘big T’ trauma as a BIG event, an accident, attack or similar situation that was forced upon us and we endured. However, ‘little t’ traumas refer to our ongoing challenges. Situations we find ourselves in and we feel powerless to do anything about them. Our bodies register them all and we live our lives from this personal stored history. ‘The body keeps the score’ is the title of a brilliant book, by Bessel van der Kolke a renowned psychotherapist, which explores this in greater detail. Let’s talk about our nervous system. Our fantastic bodies are hard at work, day and night trying to keep everything in balance. We sense our environment even before we have consciously recognised and ‘made sense’ of things. Our environment is not only our physical space, it also refers to our internal world, our thoughts, feelings and emotions. All this combined gives us what is known as our ‘felt sense’ this is interoception. Some of us are
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more aware of our internal world than others but we all are functioning from this place. What is our internal world signalling to us? We are back to that stored history we spoke of earlier; it all starts in our formative years. As babies and very young children we are 100% reliant on our caregivers for our survival. We are bathed in the nervous system signals from those around us which includes the verbal and non-verbal communication, through facial expressions, tone of voice and touch. As babies we do not yet have the thinking skills to reason anything, we are totally reliant on how we feel. Whether we are uncomfortable, wet, hungry, thirsty or scared we communicate by crying. How we are responded to soothes us or not, unmet needs are traumatic to an infant. Sometimes babies just give up crying, not because their needs have been met, but because their efforts have not been met with the required response to sooth them. I would argue that it is virtually impossible to meet our children’s needs 100% of the time. Parents are often overtired and emotionally drained, we are sharing with our babies and others how we feel all the time. Also, we can never really know what another person’s needs are, so it is all trial and error. You hopefully will be relieved to know that it is said 30% of getting it right helps to secure attachment with our children, phew!
This attachment or bonding refers to the connection, the relationship, and that is obviously not all under your control! A relationship is more than one person. It is not all about you and what you ‘do’ with your children or your intentions. They will each have their own perception of what your actions mean. This is why we can have several children from the same parents, brought up in the same environment physically and they each have a different view of their parents. Our experience is unique to us. Our experience is based on our internal environment, those thoughts feelings and emotions we talked of are responsible for the meanings we make. Our history is embodied but unconscious to us. We can feel uncomfortable as our body reminds us of past events, but not necessarily the full details will come flooding back. They may, or we may have more subtle clues to something feeling like a threat or off-kilter. We might not know why we feel this way, but our body is sharing with us the unresolved stories that we carry. It is trying to keep us safe.
We are a walking recorded history of our past When we are in conflict with another person, we are touching each other’s ‘wounds’. All our relationships are here as our teachers. My children have been and still are my teachers. Not always because of what they say and do, which can be profound, but because of how the communication makes me feel. How we feel and how we address that is what can move us a greater sense of wellbeing, one that impacts us mentally and emotionally. We can become better at responding rather than reacting. This is not to say that when people do and say bad things we have to accept them. It is to say that we can take control of how we react to those communications. What are the feelings trying to tell us?
Don’t shoot the messenger My own childhood was ‘normal’, whatever that means. I had no reason to go looking for any childhood challenges ‘traumas’. I stumbled upon my body’s hidden truth along the way. I now recognise that our unconscious history is the driver of our personality which includes beliefs and values. That is what our day-to-day life teaches us if we are watching and listening. I believe we don’t have to go digging for it. Life shows us what we need to deal with through our feelings.
So, what are we to do? First and foremost, bring compassion for yourself and others. No one has gone through childhood unscathed. You may witness how others are and judge, but you have no real idea of their internal world. Whilst this sounds simple it is not always easy. The more compassion you can connect to, the more you are healing wounds, both yours and others. We are all connected energetically, what you give out you also receive. If that is too ‘woo-woo’ then test it for yourself. Think of someone you love and care for, really remember the good times. How do you feel? You have just fired up all the chemicals that create love, joy, compassion... whatever it was for you. The opposite is also true. Think of someone who annoys you. You’re justified in your judgement because of the way you feel. Again, those chemicals are created and living within you. You get to choose which chemicals you want swimming around your body. When you fester in your hurt you are the one being continually damaged. When you choose compassion you acknowledge the hurt, you are not denying the pain, but compassion can dissolve it. It is not necessary or even recommended to connect with the people involved and drag things up again. Work on yourself because that is the only place you can create change. Whilst we can consciously choose to work on ourselves as ‘stuff’ comes up, what happens to that history in your body?
How can you work on your unconscious story? I would like to introduce you to an excellent way to readjust your nervous system and bring yourself back to balance whilst releasing trauma. TRE which stands for Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises. Created by the world-renowned Trauma and Conflict resolution specialist David Bercelli. He works in war torn countries with soldiers and survivors of ‘big T’ trauma. The process he created is easily learned and supports us to unpack the stored history from our body without the need to go looking for it. As mentioned in ‘The body keeps the score’, the ‘little t’ traumas are all under the conscious radar anyway. Check TRE out and find a provider near you through the website www.traumaprevention.com . As a certified provider I can be found working from The Bridge Natural Health Centre near Derby 01332 521270 or contact me directly on 07971 536872 Your body will thank you for it
Unresolved stress, tension and anxiety build over time. The foundations were set in our childhood, but our lives build upon these foundations. As our responsibilities grow, we move into the world of work and families and we are dragging our history with us. The load gets heavy over time. A word about abusive relationships and that level of trauma. Although we are learning through relationships all the time we are not meant to suffer! Being around abusive relationships is toxic and toxic environments do not support anyone. I have heard it said that we will not let others treat us any worse than we believe, on some level, we deserve. That says a lot about self-worth and again brings us back to whether we feel loved and valued for who we are. We are again back at being parented and what that meant to us. Sue Frend is a certified mBIT Trainer and Master Coach with over 30 years in the personal development field. Her mission is to help people understand their inner critics and give them tools to find balance and improve mental and emotional wellbeing. She believes this should be part of our education. Prevention is better than the cure. 25 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
LUKE BAKER’S
KITCHEN @lukebakerskitchen @lukerbakerfitness
Luke Baker
For any enquiries, email lukerbakersmethod@gmail.com
Homemade Breakfast Granola ½ tbsp ground cinnamon INGREDIENTS ½ tbsp maca powder 50g pumpkin seed (optional) 50g sunflower seed 30g coconut sugar 50g pecans, chopped 80g maple 45g almond flakes 1 tbsp vanilla extract 30g coconut flakes 3 tbsp orange juice 25g cacao nibs ½ tbsp orange zest 20g cacao powder / 100% cocoa METHOD •Simply using a large bowl fold everything together. •Pre-heat your oven / fan oven to 130 C. •Bake for 30 minutes.
Hey, Luke here, face behind Luke Bakers Kitchen here to bring you all a dose of inspiration and playfulness back into our kitchens with sexy healthy food. 2020 is well underway and here’s hoping you have a year of health, joy and success. The recipes I will be sharing will focus on clean, seasonal produce which are quick and simple to do yet deliver in visual stimulation and taste. My food and ethos with heathy living is not sacrificing the food we enjoy but more focussing on a lifestyle commitment all year round and understanding healthy eating as enjoyable and something we can incorporate all year round. Let’s start the year with a BANG and commit to a healthier, sexier, and more fulfilling YOU. I have focussed this issue on a variety of some of my favourite dishes that can do at home and also included a few of my gourmet raw plant-based dishes that I have put together whilst recently doing my raw plant-based chef course alongside some highly established alchemy chefs and wellbeing leaders. I hope you enjoy the recipes I have put together.
Mango Turmeric Chia Parfait INGREDIENTS ¾ cup coconut milk ¼ cup coconut yogurt 3 tbsp chia seeds 1-1.5 cups chopped mango 1 tbsp maple or agave Method •Make the chia seed mixture using your chia seeds, vanilla extract, maple and plant based milk – leave to set in the fridge. •Combine fresh mango chunks, ground turmeric and maple. I also like to use a little root ginger or ground ginger and whizz in a blender to form a anti-inflammatory boost of mango, ginger and turmeric. •Top with the compote and serve with some coconut sprinkles (desiccated).
Kaffir Lime Sorbet INGREDIENTS 12 kaffir lime leaves 3 ½ cups coconut water 3/4 – 1 cup agave nectar Juice & zest of a lime Star anise (for infusing)
For the chocolate leaf A couple of mint leaves or kaffir leaves Small portion of white chocolate melted (vegan or non-vegan)
METHOD •Blend all the ingredients together until smooth, strain it through a chinois, transfer it into a container and let it set in the freezer. •Every hour, take your sorbet out of the freezer and blend again using a hand blender •Repeat this process at least three times.
some tempered chocolate and a brush to paint your leaves. •Paint your leaves using a nice consistency. •Lay on parchment paper and place in the freezer to set •Once set, you should be able to gently peel off the leaves so the lovely imprint of the leaf is exposed. •Decorate on top of your sorbet & finish with some fresh mint of lime zest.
To make the leaf Take your leaves of choice,
Curried Cauliflower with Minted Raita INGREDIENTS FOR THE SAUCE 200ml coconut yoghurt 2 tbsp chopped coriander 2 tbsp thinly sliced spring onions 1 tbsp lime juice ½ tsp lime zest ¼ tsp sea salt
CURRIED CAULI 400g Cauliflower florets 1 ½ tsp melted coconut oil 400g chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 ½ tbsp curry powder Pinch of salt Pinch black pepper 1 tbsp lemon juice 100g cherry tomatoes, halved 1 large shallot, diced
Method •Combine all the yoghurt ingredients together for the sauce and place in the fridge. •Pre-heat your oven to 200 C. •Combine the cauliflower, shallot, chickpeas and tomatoes. •Drizzle the coconut oil over the top of the veggies and coat with the spices and mix. •Fold everything together and evenly coat. •Place in the foil baskets and cook for 7 minutes. •Serve with the coconut yoghurt raita.
Cannelloni Rolls with walnut stuffing Kale Chips INGREDIENTS 250g kale, de-stalk, wash and dry before using 1 tsp onion powder 1 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 tbsp olive oil
¾ cup water ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (ACV) ½ cup nutritional yeast 75g shallot (chopped fine) 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp onion powder -½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp salt
For you cheese & onion sauce ½ cup sun flower seeds METHOD •Start by blending the sunflower seeds with all the liquids until smooth. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth. •Mix kale with onion powder, nutritional yeast and olive oil and then add the sauce. •Drizzle over the kale lightly & transfer to baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes. •Lightly toss / stir the kale to ensure even baking. Bake for a further 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS 1 yellow courgette 1 green courgette Drizzle of olive oil Pinch of salt & pepper For the stuffing 200g walnuts 50g oyster mushrooms 40g parsnip 60g olives (pitted) 2 tbsp chopped shallot 2 tbsp parsley
30g nutritional yeast 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (wheat free option) Pinch of salt
METHOD •Thinly slice the courgettes lengthwise. Marinate with olive oil, salt and black pepper •Add the stuffing ingredients to a high-speed blender and mix well. •To make the cheesy sauce simply blend all the ingredients in the blender until smooth. •Lay down the courgette
slices on a piece of cling film, one slice overlaying another by about a third of the surface. •Place about a heaped tablespoon of stuffing on the courgette and roll slowly until you get a solid roll. Wrap with cling film and keep in the fridge. •Serve with a drizzle of the cheesy sauce & a side of greens (optional).
For the cheesy sauce (OPTIONAL) 1 cup pine nuts ½ cup water ½ cup nutritional yeast 1 tsp turmeric powder Pinch of salt
ISSUE 13 / MAR 2019 / 29
Mama Foxx's By ANGELA FOXx www.instagram.com/littlehouseoffoxx
Fabulous Finds Glam and Co
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Hop, skip and jump to collect all the hidden Easter eggs in style thanks to the Blade and Rose Collection. Your mini adventurers will look adorable in their bunny hoodie and leggings. A charming sweet characterfull bunny with floppy ears who wants to join in the Easter fun. The Blade and Rose Collection focuses on trendless styles, quality fabrics and the funkiest leggings ever!!!!! From bunnies, Stegosaurus to Aliens their bright and fun leggings are designed with active children in mind! Your little ones will be decorating their Easter eggs and stepping into Spring in style. www. bladeandrose.co.uk
Your little ones will be head chef in the kitchen thanks to the personalised baking set from Glam and Co. The set includes their own personalised apron, personalised drawstring bag for all their cooking utensils which include a spatula, rolling pin, wooden spoon, cutting board, and pastry brush. Everything your little chefs need to get their culinary skills into action. Keep little hands busy while having fun creating delicious and healthy snacks. Everything tastes better when you make it together. Made with love and the highest standard from cotton herringbone with adjustable velcro safety closure. Fairtrade certified. www.glamandco.co.uk
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Take the stress out of baby bath time with the new multi-award winning Cuddledry baby bath towel. Its clever apron design keeps you dry whilst giving you both hands free to safely bath, lift and wrap your baby no matter how wriggly they are. Made with supersoft bamboo and cotton, with two layers of towelling so your baby is snug and warm. It’s simple and safe and brings you and your baby even closer together. Just pop the hood over your baby’s head, and simply cuddle them dry. www.cuddledry.com
Arise Society T-shirts Spread love and light wherever you go in one of the empowering, mindful t-shirts and tanks from Arise Society. Their clothing collection is created with love to lift you higher. A lifestyle shop for the free spirit, yogi and cosmic dreamer. Made with ultra-soft, lightweight, breathable fabric giving a more vintage feel. These good vibe tops are perfect for the school run, yoga, or running after your little tigers.
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Harts of Stur – Cupcake Machine
Rainbow icing, Easter Bunny sprinkles or cookie monster kisses, you and your star baker can whip up and create your own tasty cupcakes with The Smart Retro Cupcake Maker. It’s quick and easy to use thanks to its twin heating elements, making eight light and delicious cupcakes in one go, and more importantly it is super easy to clean thanks to its non-stick finish. Ingredients, recipes and a pinch of imagination to make, bake and taste yummy cupcakes. The hardest thing you will have to do is decorate the finished cupcake and refrain from eating them all in one go! www.hartsofstur.com ISSUE 19 / MAR 2020 / 30
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Milton and King Wallpaper
Encourage their growing minds with educational and imaginative wallpaper designs. From alphabet wallpaper to whimsical fairy tales, you can plant the seeds of knowledge and creativity. Create a sense of safety with designs featuring sleeping animals or inspire wonder with wall murals that defy reality. Bring in the action with Tonka Trucks and cool robots. Or maybe show your teenager how hip you are with retro Boom Boxes and Skateboards. Your imagination can work overtime when you are designing a room for your kids. So whichever route you decide, worry not! Milton and King have the perfect children’s wallpaper for you. www.miltonandking.com
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Steiff
Laundry basket – Stackers
A Steiff teddy bear is a keepsake forever friend handcrafted from the finest materials. This gorgeous chick Pipsy is no exception, a perfect gift for Easter. His posture is supported by beanbags. His funny tuft and downy feathers are made of beautifully soft yellow plush fabric. Pipsy makes friends everywhere he goes and is part of the soft cuddly friends Collection. Stamped with the Steiff signature button on the ear as a trusted seal for Steiff Purity Law. Whether it is in plush, fur, mohair or organic cotton, a Steiff cuddly animal toy is one cherished by kids, collectors and young-at-heart adults alike. www.Steiff.com
Three new cheeky animals have joined Troy Triceratop, Mark Shark and Lola the Unicorn in the dual-purpose basket collection from Stackers. The perfect solution for both laundry and storage baskets, your mini helpers will get excited about putting their toys or laundry away in their chosen animal. Designed to complement any magical, ocean or dinosaur themed rooms. Created from flexible felt making it safe and easy for kids to join in. Kids are going crazy for these lovable characters. www.stackers.com
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Young and Learning
The curve board ignites imaginations!!! Young & Learning is an award-winning, child-led, eco-friendly toy company making sustainable open-ended toys using 100% natural materials. It is not only a balance board, Curvy is an openended toy that creates endless opportunities to learn and grow through play from yoga, sliding, balancing, exploring and relaxing. They are beautifully made, high quality and will last for generations. Their mission is to nurture young minds, protect our planet and make the world a better place. www.youngandlearning.co.uk
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Na! Na! Na! Surprise from Smyths Toys
The must have new collectible Na! Na! Na! Surprise™. With gorgeous, long and colourful hair the new doll is ready to be dressed in her scented shoes and mini outfit. Whether it’s the star Britney Sparkles or cute Sarah Snuggles there is a doll to suit every personality. The dolls’ tag reveals their birthday and biography. To open, children simply use the straw to blow up the deflated balloon packaging before popping it for a burst of confetti. Once popped, they reach inside to find a cute animal plush pom along with two more surprise packages to open. Unzipping the pom will reveal their fashion doll. Minna Moody, CJ Cuddles, Britney Sparkles, Sarah Snuggles, Aubrey Heart and Roxie Foxy. www.smythstoys.com *Information correct at time of print.
31 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
MamaLife-halfpage-kids_2474.qxp_MamaLife-194x134_2474 28/02/2020 15:16 Page 1
Presenting a season of children’s shows at the newly refurbished Tamworth Assembly Rooms Theatre – lovingly preserved and modernised for future generations to enjoy.
Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday
Mr Men & Little Miss Stage Show
I Spy With My Little Eye
Tuesday 24 March
Tuesday 14 April
Thursday 28 May
Box Office: 01827 709618 www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk Corporation Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire. B79 7DN
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01543 421 840
val@culleyliffordhall.co.uk
ON MARRIAGE YOU CAN TRANSFER ASSETS OR PAY CASH OF UP TO £325,000 FREE OF INHERITANCE TAX TO YOUR PARTNER OTHER MARRIAGE TAX TIPS: •Parents can gift £ 5000 inheritance tax free. •Grandparents can gift £ 2500 inheritance tax free. •Don’t forget your Will becomes null and void on marriage – make arrangements to do a new Will. •On the Second death inheritance tax is payable only when assets are above £650,000 (although this may change in the March 2020 budget). WE ALSO HELP YOUR BUSINESS TO BE THE BEST IT CAN BE ……. PRE YEAR END PLANNING TO REVIEW: •Financial performance. •Effect of changes in tax legislation actual and proposed on the business and individuals. •Income Tax/Corporation Tax payable calculated well in advance of payment. •Pension planning. •Investment for business growth – advancing expenditure to reduce corporation tax. •Review what assistance is needed to meet business and personal goals.
STARTING UP IN BUSINESS: •Handholding in first 6 months to make progress towards goals. •Assistance with compliance with VAT/PAYE/Pensions/CIS/ Corporation Tax/Income Tax and National insurance. •Fix Accountancy fees so there are no hidden surprises in the first 12 months. •Signpost to trusted advisers for insurance, marketing, legal agreements, pensions. •Payroll, software training and other services.
GIVE YOURSELF A HELPING HAND AND FIND OUT HOW CULLEY LIFFORD HALL CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS BY CALLNG 01543 421840 AND ARRANGING A FREE INITIAL MEETING. Contact our expert team Val, Helen, Kate, Sarah or Caroline. CULLEY LIFFORD HALL CATHEDRAL HOUSE, 5 BEACON STREET, LICHFIELD WS13 7AA
CULLEY
LIFFORD HALL
ASTROLOGY By THE SECRET CLAIRVOYANT
Aries
Hang tight and aim high during this coming March and April. The emotional side of Venus will certainly be felt and there may be trouble brewing or unfinished business. During March keep your wits about you and keep your raging emotions in check; you may not want to, but you may have to in order to keep the peace. Mars your ruler will give you scope for needed patience at this time because all is not what you think it is. April sets off a time for change so use your directness to be clear of just what and who you want.
Cancer
Travel and further education will be influencing you later this summer and there are some fantastic opportunities on the horizon….you just have to wait. In fact, preparation is key to your success for 2020 and it will not be a time to cut corners however tempting. For the next two months the detail of things is very important so use your time wisely, get prepared and be ready to strike when the time is right. Worrying about worrying won’t help, so try your best not to. Keep your mind open and get ready for the unexpected over the summer months.
Libra
March and April will bring together a clash of minds and it is important that you don’t lose your way or belief…The upmost challenges are going to be laid before you in the next couple of months so you will need to be prepared and clear, especially in your thinking. There will be a definite need for you to take firm decisions especially at the end of March and then in April. This will be hard, but the rewards are plenty, you just have to get through the other side of this time. Not many things are certain in life so use your time well.
Capricorn
Where do you begin…and where does it end? That is a question but not the…question. After everything you have been through these past few years it really feels like you can see the end of the tether. What you can’t see is just how much you have grown and evolved and you need to understand what you are achieving. Like the mountain goat, you have endured, weathered and taken the toughest of all terrain. But like the mountain goat you are nearly at the top so don’t give in and don’t let others alter the reality because they might be deluding themselves….you don’t need to.
Taurus
Pay special attention especially from early March until 16th April as forces at hand may well test you to the limits. You may feel you’re going through hell and high water, and those about you may be experiencing immense difficulty, but it is an illusion. Keeping a check on reality is a must and the time for action is coming, but not now. Wait until the end of April before committing yourself to anything long term. Now the trick is to wait and see.
Leo
Life has an uncanny way of sorting things out if we do the bits we need to and you might feel like you have been going over old ground but in fact you are paving the way for a brighter future especially on a professional level. Somehow you have managed to keep yourself in check when all around you are losing their way. It is always hard seeing those you love that go through the mill so listen now more than you have to what they are saying. There is a tremendous amount of progression that you have made even now at the beginning of this year so don’t forget it.
Scorpio
This is a time when you can call upon a deeper understanding of your inner you and use it to your advantage. Your sign I have always felt has been misunderstood but it is during April that others will finally get where you’re coming from. There will be a lot of confusion around others that you are going to see so use your abilities to offer advice and a bit of wisdom. What is happening is a great universal subconscious shift of progression. You understand the choices that are ahead, it is just getting others to acknowledge the same. Stay true and keep that inner light.
Aquarius
Wow and more wow…is coming! It might not feel like it, but it is and everything that has gone before you in 2019 has paved the way for you to re-discover yourself. There will be many unusual elements brought before you this year and all the background work you have been doing is going to be paying off when we get into the summer but leave nothing to chance at this time and cover everything you can think of. Life is just about to get dynamic and very interesting but don’t get caught up in the illusions that some people are portraying around you. Look for the 6th April as everyone will be seeing things… differently.
Gemini
Mercury the teenager has been going retrograde in Pisces from mid-February until March 9th so be very wary of manifestations of miscommunications. If you are out and about take extra care when travel is concerned and give everything an extra yard. During the latter part of March and into April you may be feeling the stress particularly of others that you care about and it is important not to get lost in detail at this time. If you feel you need a break then April is probably the time to do it
Virgo
Take a step back and…breathe. There is nothing you can do during March and April regarding certain events with loved ones and family that will be up to them. What you can do is keep optimistic and your eye on the future. This year 2020 is going to prove most unusual in many different ways and quite a few surprises are in store especially in the latter months. If you feel you are losing your life’s perspective do not be panicked as in the background things are firmly being put in place…you just can’t see it yet.
Sagittarius
Keep your wits about you while those about you appear to lose theirs….there is nothing to be gained in these next few months unless you do it yourself. Relentless it is but the way ahead will soon be clear so use that added wisdom you have gained over the last year to put things in perspective. You will always need that mental and physical challenge and you’re just about to find the one that is relevant to you. Patience and continuity are pivotal to your underlining success of 2020. Just aim true.
Pisces
Now is the time especially in later March to see things for what the are. It’s been a hell of a ride up to now but you are coming to the end of a very important cycle that has lasted for three years. Transformation is the aim and the rest will take care of itself. However, pay particular attention to things after the 12th March: not before…it’s not real. During April you will feel like you have awoken from some kind of dream and you have. Now you will be able to pinch yourself to see if the things you are feeling are really happening.
If you would like a personal tarot reading please contact me on 01584 873 447 // 07969 637 022 37 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
MAMA LIFE
magazine
Weddings “It’s not just another dress. It’s the dress that you’ll remember for forever”
Venue : Hoar Cross Hall / Photography - Emily Moya / Makeup - Rachelle Shakespere / Hair - Jamie Mitchell
Classic style Sheath wedding dress ÂŁ745.00 Sophie Lee Brides
Your wedding with Tentickle Stretch Tents Furniture, lights, sound, flooring, heating Sutton Coldfield
www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk wedding@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk 0121 740 1385 07826 84 30 99
@TentickleUK
@Tentickle_UK
TentickleUK
Romantic outdoor weddings Your wedding day is one of the most special occasions in your life and deserves to be celebrated in a way that reflects you and your partner. Conventional and generic are not usually words that couples use when deciding how to honor the wedding of their dreams. The team at Tentickle Stretch Tents are accustomed to helping couples put on an exceptional wedding with a fresh approach to style. Due to their unique design and fabric, the versatility of stretch tents means that modern and vintage style weddings can be fulfilled. The sleek, white sails of a stretch tent encapsulating the rustic wooden furniture and flowers within create a stunning juxtaposition. More and more couples are seeing the benefits of using stretch tents to celebrate their weddings. Why choose our Stretch Tents? CONFIGURATION – Stretch tents can be configured however you like so you can bring the outdoors in with sides wide open, or you can opt for a more intimate setting with the sides pulled down. COVER – Every wedding needs a cover of some sort, especially in the UK with the weather so unpredictable, our tents are storm proof, providing cover from the wind and rain and also can be great shade for the hot days too. BLANK CANVAS – We know that each wedding day is unique and you want yours to be as special and personal as possible. That’s why our white wedding tents are the perfect blank canvas for you to decorate and make your own, if you want stylish and simple we can throw some festoon lights up and let the venue speak for itself, however if you wish for all singing and dancing, bright coloured flooring, an LED bar, multi-coloured up lights and a huge dance floor. MULTI FUNCTIONAL – some couples want their ceremony outside, others want a huge banquet under our tents, or you might just want a stylish reception after party – we can provide cover for any of these or all of them, depending on how big and lavish you want your special day to be. To discuss how the team at Tentickle Stretch Tents can assist you, please contact us E : wedding@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk T: 01675 475965 T : 07826 843 099
Ivory and gold chiffon A line wedding dress. ÂŁ599.00 Sophie Lee Brides Hair Piece - Twighlight Designs ÂŁ64.99 Elsie May Bridal
Sweetheart by Justin Alexander £720.00 Veil - Twighlight Designs £74.99 Tiara - Heading Up £69.99 Elsie May Bridal
280x98_EventCrepe
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EXCITE
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We put a catering WOW into your special day with our home-made batter crepes. Perfect for indoor or outdoor Weddings and big life events. Our ‘Crepe Bar’ set up is self sufficent and can be themed for a fun, rustic or a formal vibe. From 60 to 400 guests. See our online gallery for wedding and party ‘Crepe Bar’ inspiration at
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Call Mark Lewis on 078 4321 6112 or email: mark@event-crepes.co.uk
Mother of the Bride 1
This season, blue is one of the biggest fashion colours, so I have chosen pretty pastels through to Midnight blue.
BY SALLY MANSELL
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I have chosen three different Midnight blue outfits, the floral blouson dress from Lipsy is very chic & great value, the jumpsuit from AQAQ is sassy but classy, both outfits could be worn again for other events. The fabulous dress from Pronovias is definitely a bigger investment, but so gorgeous, make sure you have a look at the website & find a local stockiest, I have accessorized with a wonderful headpiece by Gemma Holley & frivolous evening bag.
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Have fun browsing for your wedding outfit, make sure you feel confident & comfortable in your choice, buy fabulous accessories & support your local boutiques as they often have one off pieces that no one else will be wearing, Happy Shopping! Sally x www.shecanstyle.co.uk
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I have been lucky enough to work with both Milliners I have featured, Sally & Gemma are fabulous girls, full of inspiration & glamorous ideas to complete your outfit, visit their websites for more amazing styles. Vanilla shades are all over the High St, the trouser suit from Phase Eight is part of their new bridal collection, so on trend this season, I am seriously considering this suit for a wedding I am going to in April, I have added snake skin accessories from Ted Baker & Dune plus a wonderful hat from Sharper Millinery.
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If you haven’t tried on a dress by Goat, go online & find a local stockist, it’s a fantastic brand, very sophisticated styles, beautiful colours & prints, I have added sexy strappy heels from Reiss, contemporary earrings & a bag to die for by L’IALINGI from Selfridges.
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14 1. Sharpery Millinery 2. Goat 3. Selfridges 4. Skagen 5. Reiss 6. Sharper Millinery 7. Ted Baker 8. Dune 9. Phase Eight 10. Lipsy 11. AQAQ 12. Zalando 13. Gemma Holley Millinery 14. Pronovias
45 / MAR 2020 / ISSUE 19
WIN WIN WIN WIN WINThis WIN WIN Wedding Dress & Bouquet WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN worth over £500
One lucky bride-to-be can win this beautiful satin wedding dress retailing at over £500 together with the stunning artifiicial bouquet by Julie Anne’s Florist which retails at £75.
This stunning dress is a size 10-12, the model is 5ft 2 and wearing heels. For your chance to win, please email us with a your story of how you was proposed to. Good Luck! hello@mamalifemagazine.co.uk Closing date for entries 6/4/2020.
Bridal Lingerie available in plus sizes
Angels of Tamworth Sh o p On l i n e o r In - s to re
www.angelsoftamworth.co.uk Unit 9, Roman Park, Claymore, Tamworth, B77 5DQ 01827 265551
Sweetheart by Justin Alexander £747.00 Veil - Twighlight Designs £138.00 Elsie May Bridal
Head Piece - Twighlight Designs £64.99 Veil - Twighlight Designs £138.00 Elsie May Bridal
Ivory and Gold A line dress £645.00 Sophie Lee Brides
Ivory and blush A line dress £645.00 Sophie Lee Brides
Veil - Twighlight Designs £79.99 Elsie May Brides Bouquet - Julie Anne’s Florist
Tiara - Heading Upc£79.99 Elsie May Brides
Sweetheart by Justin Alexander £1197.00 Elsie May Brides
2020 WEDDING HAIR TRENDS Fresh off the fall runway, 2020 brings all types of hair trends from Pearl hairbands to all things texture, but here’s our favourites.
HAIR BOUQUETS & BEJEWELLED PEARL HAIRBANDS
TEXTURE & BRAIDED STYLES
Think literal hair bouquets, YES! Hair Bouquets. Carrying your blooms is sooo last year, well let’s face it an armful of fresh blooms will never go out of style. This season brings an alternative with wearing full bouquets amongst the crown you never take off. It’s hard not be charmed by this fresh fashion trend.
Braided ponytails, braids, beachy half up, half downs and romantic milkmaid-esque crown plaits are here to stay! A regular detail on all brides these looks are super effortless that never disappoint no matter your style. These suit all dress designs and are a big hit at Black Sheep Hair especially with Ellis.
Shine bright baby! Whether your wearing your hair up, down or somewhere in between. These super sparkly encrusted hairbands are all the rage not just up the aisle. Glamorous and bold these delicate accessories add personality and character to any hair.
TEAM BRIDE Michaela, Ellis and Liane are your go to girls at Black Sheep for all hair up occasions. We welcome new clients all year round so why not pop in for a coffee and chat.
Michaela - Owner - Stylist
Liane - Stylist
0121 354 1441
Ellis - Stylist
45-47 Birmingham Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1RH www.blacksheephair.co.uk
Nicole Spose £1285.00 Head Piece - Twighlight Designs £64.99 Veil - Twighlight Designs £138 Elsie May Bridal 18ct white gold iamond pendant £2790.00.Allen Brown Jewellery
Sweetheart by Justin Alexander £930.00 Head Piece - Twighlight Designs £64.99 Elsie May Bridal
Nicole Spose £1285.00 Elsie May Bridal
10% OFF Quote : Mama Life
Head Piece Twighlight Designs £49.99 Elsie May Bridal
Head Piece Heading Up £99.99 Ruffle Feather Wrap £105.00 Elsie May Bridal
Veil - Twighlight Designs £79.99 Elsie May Bridal
Pink silk satin dress £695.00 Sophie Lee Brides
Light beige, ivory A line wedding dress £745.00 Sophie Lee Brides Heart shaped 18ct white gold diamond and tanzanite pendant £4230.00 Allen Brown Jewellery
If you would like to advertise your business in our multiaward-winning publication please call 07816 861 248 or email advertising@mamalifemagazine.co.uk.
Exclusive use Wedding Barn venue BASED IN THE BEAUTIFUL LICHFIELD COUNTRYSIDE
Tel: 01543 432429 / 07402 712143 / Email: events@cotonhousefarm.com www.cotonhousefarm.com Coton House Farm, Vicarage Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 9LQ ISSUU 08 / SEPT 2016 / 59
Coton House Farm Wedding Venue
Specialists in designing and making, remodelling and refurbishing ALLEN BROWN JEWELLERY Heart of The Country Shopping Village Swinfen, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 9QR 01543 481948 www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
