Guided Meditation for Stress and Anxiety by Radhi Devlukia

 I'm terrible at meditation without guidance. I either fall asleep or just can't get into it but I really love this meditation and it's helped me just take some time out when I've needed it so I thought you might like it too

Autumn Diffuser Blends

 

30 Day Tech Detox

I don't know about you but my phone use sky rocketed during 2020. I was averaging over 8 hours a day and feeling terrible. Not only that but my children were watching me be a slave to a screen. Over Christmas I had some much needed phone-free time and it was incredible. 

So I've designed a 30 Day Tech Detox which I've been doing for the whole of January, that aims to help everyone have a bit of a tech clean-up and encourage healthier habits. During a global pandemic tech has kept us connected to the loved ones we have been missing and for many of use, have kept businesses afloat. But with no basic tech hygiene in place the positives of connection and industry are getting outweighed by mental health issues, lack of sleep and the addictive qualities of social media. For those of use who suffer with depression and anxiety the last thing we need is to be comparing ourselves to other people for hours every day. 

This detox doesn't aim to make you phone-free, it just helps you reevaluate how you are using your tech and to claw back some of the reality in your real life. 

Christmas Gift Guide 2020 - Jewellery and Accessories

 

I think this year especially it's love to send something thoughtful in the post but it can be tricky choosing clothes for people. Jewellery and accessories can be a great option and the majority of people listed below I have bought from and offer fantastic customer services to help you track down the perfect gift. 

Blue Bowl Silk Clutch - these are beautiful, bright and unusual. I can't decide between yellow or turquoise and red. 

Marloe - I really love these zip bags. Good for keeping all your stuff in, for me pens, notebooks and glasses in a dark blue with pink writing. For kids to keep their lego or homework bits in. Makes a great present for a godchild or niece/nephew

Black and Beech knits - i particularly like the forest green and french rose scarf it's spectacular 

Hexagon earrings - I have and love these. Light and easy to wear they are enough dangle to be fun but not annoying and they go with everything. 

Chambers & Beau - I love this jewellry and have been eyeing up the glasses chain for ages 

Sharkie & Bear - beautiful, fun earrings made in the UK from cork. Lightweight and easy to wear these make great stocking fillers too. 

House of Evergreen - I'm always wearing something from Katie and these are chunky and usual. The canvas bag strap is also fantastic and easy to send in the post. 

Sofianni - stunning unique jewellery designed and made by Maria. She does beautiful commissions and I have my eye on her beautiful hoops with dangling discs. 

Yala Jewellery - beautifully designed African jewellery. Ethical and eco-friendly - I really love these bangles. 

Christmas Gift Guide 2020 - Stationery

Would it be complete with out a stationery option? Stationery is a great gift, it doesn't involve commitment, and is always useful. 

• 
  Atticus, Beetle & Bop - my own stationery shop, so I'm just getting going but I have some great stocking fillers ready to go. 
• Penfax and co - there's loads to choose from here and it's a great place to go for fountain pens. They also do these fantastic poker dice for the poker player in your life. 
• Craft scissors - these have been on my Christmas list for ages, yes you could do all your Christmas shopping on Blue Bowl but for stationery lovers, journallers and planner addicts these scissors are The One. 
• Portfolio - a forest green one of these will be a treat to myself when I hit a goal. I'm not sure what that goal is yet but one of these will be mine. 
• Cable tidy - I love the beetle one of these - great for those of use who are forever losing chargers and headphones. 
• Blue Bowl Notebooks - my favourite notebooks. Plain paper, beautiful design and my two favourite sizes.
• Paperweights - these are stunning and I spend a lot of time deciding which I want. I think Carnival Zebra is the winner but there is something for everyone and with lots of people now working in home offices this is a lovely cheering addition to any desk. 
  

30 Days of Notebook Prompts

So this year I would really like to proactivly get stuff done for me. I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions but in 2019 I made big steps in my business and well, without wanting to sound like a weirdo, my mind so I really want to do some of the things I always mean to do but instead I spend my time doing pointless shit for other people*.

So one of the things I used to do, before grown-up jobs, husbands, kids, anti-depressants etc is write in notebooks. I used to have one like a security blanket. One group of friends even hilariously used to call me Lyrics because that is often what I wrote. Well I want to get back to it. Back to the notebooks, back to creativity but I've become scared of fucking up so I've created 30 days of prompts to just get me in the habit of using notebooks again. So if you want to up your creativity, spend less time on your phone and just do something for yourself why don't you join in. I'll be sharing mine on Instagram using the hashtag #30daysofnotebooks

*I love doing stuff for other people but my god I need to learn to not fill ever single minute doing everything for everyone else and making myself ill. There. I said it.