What am I doing now?

A question we all ask ourselves frequently.

Well what can I say what a difference a year makes.

As I think I mentioned before after a rather distressing period of time, losing my job, wrangling on a daily basis with benefit people and housing associations, I started two businesses of my own My Arbonne and Hat Attic. I also came to the decision to take a sales job with a wonderful family company that I first worked for over twenty years ago.

Everything was all going along swimmingly until my bestest friend ever died in December.

My darling Dawn was taken very suddenly at the age of just 50 years old, I can’t actually put into words, right now, how I feel about this, it’s too raw. In time I hope to be able to write some pieces that can help others going through the same muddy quagmire that I am in at the moment.

I am trying hard to get on with my life, although it being a very different, altered life, going to work (my colleagues have been wonderful and it is a pleasure to spend time with them) and running my businesses. I am busy using the tools I have been given during all of my various therapies and have gone back to yoga. This was a trial in itself as yoga was something I used to do with Dawn so going by myself was a giant step, but I really love it and go to as many classes as I can fit in a week. Thank you More Yoga.

Please bear with me, normal service will be resumed eventually I just need some time and that is my new mantra ‘I just need some time’.

 

 

 

 

I wrote this, please read……

I now write fabulous and informative blogs regularly for my wonderful website http://www.hatattic.com please click on this link and read the latest one and also do a bit of shopping at the same time!!! Summer hats

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If like me you work full time, you have a home to run (washing, cooking, cleaning) maybe you have children too, you don’t really have time to charge up and down the high street to put the finishing touches to an outfit or buy the gift, to be disappointed by the fact that all the stores have the same stuff. Well I can help!

Hat Attic is my baby and is here to take the drama out of the gifting and put the pleasure into accessorising and treating yourself once in a while. It’s easy all you have to do is click, choose and pay and your goodies will be with you within a couple of days.

It is the same with pure, safe and botanical skincare and nutrition. As your Arbonne consultant I have tried and tested the products already and can assure you they all do what they say on the bottle!  So you just click, select and pay (decide if you want to be a client, preferred client 20% discount! or you want to be a consultant with me), I am always here for Q&A !

What are you still here reading for, just go shopping!x

The best musings of one inspired, week one.

Tock, tock, tick, tock, five days to go until my return to full time employment, read my thoughts and preparations from the last week.

Diamonds are a girls best friend – music and life.

Freedom of speech, not to preach – caution, have an opinion but give others an opt out!

The penny has dropped – finally understanding my lot.

Feel like a bit of old rope – this is about food not Christain Grey’s antics.

How to take off nineteen years – looking after yourself.

It’s good to be a lemon in the morning – the routine.

What do you mean you can see my scalp? – Female hair loss

Sugar, I’m having a hot flush – diet and hormones.

I am going to be very busy in coming weeks, getting used to my new routine of working full time, running Hat Attic and Arbonne and life in general but I am going to try to continue with my new found love of writing.

Please don’t miss out on any of my “wisdom” by subscribing to thehatlady1.wordpress.com

Seven tips to help use time wisely

Some stella advice from my friend Trenna Sue.

#28 Help I’ve lost a nail!

Help, I’ve lost a nail.
June 17, 2015 by Lecia Finch

A trip to the nail bar is definitely a treat, a chance to just sit and be pampered, or a part of a weekly grooming routine for some. Nail products are now the strongest growth area of the beauty industry.
You don’t notice it when you’ve been sitting there for a while but have you ever wondered what that aroma that hits you as you come in the door is doing to you? Let alone the poor people working in there!
Have you ever wondered what toxins are in those fabulous shiny colours, that is seeping into your nails?
It could be argued that occasional exposure to these ‘small’ doses of toxins are not harmful but when you combine them with the other fragrances, make up, body lotions and potions that you have already put in your system, you can not brush them off as insignificant. They are adhered to your nails after all!
Many of these ‘chemicals’ have shown adverse effects, even at low doses to in particular pregnant women and children (who are always putting their fingers in their mouths).

Let me tell you about the five main culprits in this chemical war.
Toulene
A solvent used to mix the ingredients, this is the sweet, sharp vapour that is in the air.
Effects to your health : dry or cracked skin, headaches, numbness, eye or throat irritation and in extreme cases (more likely your nail technician) kidney or liver damage.

Phthalates
Oily liquids that help polished nails from becoming dry & brittle. High levels (unlikely to be found in nail polish) can interfere with reproductive hormones and cause eye, skin, nose and mouth irritations.
The use of this is becoming less frequent and is now banned by the European Union.

Formaldehyde
This is used as a polish hardener and preservative, towards bacterial contamination.
It should be avoided if you have had an allergic or skin reaction after using other nail products.

Formaldehyde resin
Known to cause dermatitis.

Camphor
A scent which can cause nausea, dizziness and headaches.

These are just the five main ‘demons’ found in 5 out of 7 polishes in a recent study.

I am telling you about this because it is a lesson that I have learnt from personal experience.
I used to love having my gel manicures, they lasted for weeks without a chip or wear to be seen. But little did I know how I was creating brittle damaged nails and very dry skin and cuticles. The frequent acetone soaks (to get the polish off) can cause allergic reactions and dermatitis around the nail and that is nothing compared to the exposure of the ultraviolet light to harden the gel!!!!
Skin damage even the risk of skin cancer with frequent exposure.

I now only use skin care, body care and cosmetics from reputable five free (or more) companies.

Mint Polish is my nail care of choice, not only do they offer fabulous colours but they are also free from these nasties so everyone can use them without fear.

“We pride ourselves on being more than just a nail polish company – we are a lifestyle brand focused on spreading awareness on girls and women all over the world about potentially hazardous ingredients in cosmetics and more” Greta at Mint polish.

Don’t be silly be sensible, just like children our hands go in our mouths and in our food everyday. Don’t ingest these chemicals in your system via your mouth or your skin, you will regret it!
And as long as you do your Mint manicure properly it can last you for up to two weeks.

Step one : Apply a coat of the fantastic rubberised texture basecoat.
Step two : Colour and let your nails dry properly.
Step three : Apply two coats of the glossy top sealer.
I top up the sealer every other day!

#26 There’s no need to be nasty.

Another blog with a bit of a rant at people and their lack of social manners.

As you know already I have a small online business www.hatattic.com

Now as a small,start up business I do not have a mega advertising & marketing budget so my only choice is network and social media, digital marketing and constantly mentioning it!

So imagine my surprise when I get a rather spiteful tweet as a reaction to my direct marketing.

Now, we are surrounded every minute of our lives by advertising whether obvious or subliminal, it is there. As intelligent beings we can choose to engage or ignore, depending on our tastes. Sometimes you come across something that initially would not appeal to you but on closer inspection is not what you expected at all and you grow to love it. I have made many new friends, contacts and great discoveries by having the intelligence to investigate.

My advice to everyone is if you don’t like it, ignore it or delete it, don’t try to sabotage the little persons dream by being bitter and nasty, just because it’s ‘not your thing’. We are just trying to make an honest living in the world with no help and using the only means open to us. I actually do feel sorry for you if you feel that you have to be horrid to people and take your bitterness out on them for no reason. I really do wish them a happy and more peaceful life.

Us ‘little people’ are not out there is annoy or antagonize you, you never know if you look closely enough we might even be able to enhance your life.

#19 A new year another beginning.

Ok let’s get this ball really rolling.

I had a good feeling as the clock struck midnight, this is going to be a good year for those who work at it.

Stop, look and listen to what your heart is telling you.

Banish the excuses and the fear and get on with your life as you are supposed to be.

Everyday, feel the gratitude and speak those affirmations with real meaning, make it happen.

I for one am very thankful for my wonderful friends and family who stick by me through thick and thin. Their constant support and outpouring of love is overwhelming.

I am thankful for the opportunity to go it alone, so to speak, business wise and I will do it, I will make it work.

I am thankful for my health, (despite the odd foot, leg, knee, back twinge) I am a fit and healthy girl, capable of doing anything I want.

I am thankful for the amazing inspirations that I see and experience everyday.

I think we as a race have fallen into a malaise of just accepting our lot and now just plod on being down trodden humans who can’t see the point in trying.

Wake up! if we all go about with our heads down feeling sorry for ourselves nothing will ever change.We all need to wake up and look at the world with new eyes, be good to ourselves and each other.

I think 2015 is a good number it’s got a certain ring to it, let’s get on with it and make it happen.We all have a lot to live for and to give.I want to make it better for myself, my family and friends and more importantly for the future, I have three beautiful little nieces to think about.x

# 15 Fear

I think it is true to say that fear makes you more determined.

After weeks and months in the planning we edge nearer to the launch of my very own baby http://www.hatattic.com

Reality comes crashing in with each delivery and yesterday signing and sealing our storage depot has made it even more real.

Whilst I know you are going to love what I have in store for you there is still a feeling of anticipation, nerves, what ifs ?????

But seriously after all these years(18 to be exact) of buying and working for someone else, now is my time.After all the heartache and drama of the last few years I am ready, my life is just starting, this is what it has all been about, what all the training was for.

I am not going to lie, ten months ago I was terrified for my life.Fear was my buzz word.What was I going to do, no job, no money, at my lowest ebb.

Stupidly I didn’t have a plan B, I’m not qualified for anything but retail and buying, who was going to want me? Did I trust anyone enough to dedicate my working life to?

The answer is no.

I was going to have to do it for myself and I am more than qualified for that.

But with a mixture of therapy, soul searching, the best friends & family a girl could ask for, meditation, yoga, sheer determination and time,I’m ready.

Coming to a computer near you very soon :-

http://www.hatattic.com

You will not want to go anywhere else for your hats, fashion accessories and gifts and you won’t have to.The most beautiful, must have,exciting things will be at the end of your fingertips.x

 

#9 Colour

I know it will come as a surprise to most people but I love colour.

I would not be able to do my job if I didn’t.

All of my life I have been wrongly pigeon holed as a ‘Goth’ mainly for the fact that I have dark hair,very pale skin and wear mostly black.

I love the natural contast of my colouring and there are many reasons for wearing black,I am not alone with this.

A. I like it.

B. It suits me.

C. It looks chic for any occasion.

D.It makes you look thinner!

E. I have a confidence problem

In my mind, I can just blend into the background and get on with my life unhindered.

Despite all of this,I am obsessed with colour.

I love to watch the seasons colour change in the trees opposite my flat.

I have seen some amazing sunrises when I have woken early and looked across and out of the window.

Gorgeous pink,orange and yellow skies with the sun rising proudly,from my view right behind my Buddhas head.

I love white rooms,think of the beautiful house in John & Yokos Imagine video.

Think about the amazing use of colour in animal skins,Zebras,Tigers,Leopards I could watch them for hours (I also am a bit fussy about the skin actually being on the animal never anywhere else).

I think this is the key to me being able to thrive in my chosen career of buying.

I have always loved creating a mood with colours,holding my collections together with it.

I love clashing colour,something quite muted with a flash of fluoresent,pink with orange,blue with green,a pastel with a shot of hot.

So bearing this in mind expect from http://www.hatattic.com lots of colour.I would never expect anybody to go out wearing every colour of the rainbow in one go,I would very much dissuade it!But Fashion Accessories are perfect colour vehicles.What could be nicer than a beautiful juicy orange cashmere scarf (@travelwrap)with a black coat,or a fluoresent pink,orange and yellow feather hat?@piersatkinson.

I think this is one reason why Piers and I work so well together,he always puts together such beautiful colour ways,wait until you see our summer hat plans!

Carol Anne Scowcrofts Chimeeras have a stunning way with colour,that is what drew me to them.

Colour makes me happy,it has  strength and power.I am inspired by people who use it well.