Living your best life Archives - Page 2 of 2

Autumn Love

So a lot of you guys all know I absolutely ❤ Christmas , and I really really do, (Does anyone else think they may actually be an elf?? 😂) , however my favourite season of the year is actually Autumn!. For me it just feels so magical, as the leaves begin to change , yet you still get those September and October days with warm sunshine,then the sun starts to set early and you can get the house all cozy with candles, and snuggley blankets. You’ve got mail is one of my all time favourite movies and it always feels like a film to watch in Autumn , so every year at the end of September, I block out an afternoon, grab my cosiest blankets, get myself some chocolate buttons and a huge cup of peppermint tea, and settle down to watch it.

Then before you know it Halloween is right around the corner , – and then Christmas 24 movie channel starts. and thus the whole build up to Christmas begins !!!!!! Eeeee am so excited just thinking about it 😂.

However for some – the end of summer makes them really sad. It can also be an incredibly busy time of year for people , as you get the kids settled back into school, work is often crazy after the lull of summer and then we are rushing around getting ready for the festive season.

Autumn is the season that shows us it’s ok to let things go, and make way for the new, so this Autumn-take the time to slow down a little, take a walk through the falling leaves, take time for you , to do the things you love to do, the things that make your Soul happy. Spend time with the people who lift your spirits and make you smile. Do the things that you love , but often get pushed aside as we do all the things we feel we must do. But make the time to curl with a book, or watch a movie uninterrupted – Put that phone down!! , or pick up a colouring book and colour – it really does have a calming effect. Or get outside in the crisp air – I’m a huge believer that exercise, fresh air, sleep and lots of laughter are some of the best medicines.

I know it can be hard sometimes to drag yourself out of the house when it’s dark to come to class, but you will feel better for it – honestly!

having been working a lot the past couple months , I really was feeling absolutely exhausted, so the past couple days, I took time to just relax and I honestly feel so much better for it and my creativity is coming back and I just feel my batteries are recharged and I’m ready to hit the ground running once more!.

Orange LA Lily’s adding a touch of Autumn to my kitchen!

My Aeriel Yoga Adventure!

Every now and then, its good to step outside your comfort zone, no matter how scary it might be. I’ve often found its actually where all the best things happen.

As an instructor, I get new people along to classes on a regular basis, so it is good to every so often try something new yourself, so you are reminded what its like to be a beginner and experience something for the first time.

I’ve been wanting to try Aeriel Yoga for ages, it just looked so much fun. I came across Tempest Dance studio in Durham City – http://tempestdancestudio.com/2016/ who offered classes. I followed them on Instagram @tempeststudio and the classes . Aeriel Yoga is Yoga moves performed using silk hammocks suspended from the ceiling.

Looking at the class schedule, I could see it clashed a lot with my own timetable of classes and so I opted to book a 1 -1 session instead. I arrived at the studio on a rainy Wednesday morning and met my instructor Rachel, who was so lovely and put me right at ease.

She strung the Silks from the ceiling and we were ready to rock and roll. We started off with a warm up and Rachel advised me just to let go and trust in the silks ability to support me. One of the first moves was straddling the Silk and then getting my far leg back out, – hmmm I had forgot to warn poor Rachel, I can be a terrible klutz and so as I stepped out , there was a cartoon comedy moment of me doing some crazy foot jumping as I tried to regain balance and an almost collision with a mirror but thankfully crisis was averted and I managed to steady myself just in time – phew!.

Rachel took me through a series of Yoga moves – most of which were familiar to me on the floor , however adding in the Silks, created a whole new aspect and made my body work even harder. Up dog with the silks , really stretched the lower back and took a lot of upper body strength to hold on to the silks!. my favourite part came when I was fully warmed up and we started on the inversions!. Yoga inversions are any moves that bring your hips over your heart, and your heart above your head – basically you are pretty much upside down!. This actually helps give your heart a little rest, as you reverse the blood flow in the body and encourages venous return – the return of blood back to the heart. As a result your heart does not have to work quite so hard. Being upside down also takes some bravery and a lot of faith. Rachel was there every step and when she could see I was hovering on the edge of can I really do this??? ,she walked me through it step by step. I could feel myself hanging on to the silks for dear life at first , but she encouraged me to just let go and before I knew it, I felt like I was flying!. Its a great metaphor for life – Sometimes we hang on to what we feel is safe and comfortable , but often taking that step beyond the comfort zone is usually where the magic happens!, so next time you find yourself hovering , feeling a little scared at taking the leap – close your eyes, breathe in and as you breathe out, take that leap of faith!.

We ended the class in Savasana pose, actually getting fully inside the silk – ok so my friend Emma did point out afterward it did look a lot like I had been kidnapped and held hostage, but honestly it was sooooooo comfortable and relaxing. It was raining outside and the sound of the rain on the window combined with the relaxing music , Rachel had playing plus feeling all snug in my silk cocoon suspended from the ceiling , I could feel myself just drifting off into a relaxed state – it just felt so peaceful.

I would definitely recommend giving it a whirl. Next on the list , My friend Joanne and I are already planning a Pole dancing lesson.

Have you guys tried anything new lately?.

February Self Love ❤️ – Day 28 – Self Care Tuesday

Thank you so much for taking this journey to Self Love and care alongside me, this Month. I really hope you have enjoyed the mini tasks and take some of them away with you to continue. I love this quote , and it seems a perfect note on which to wrap our month of Self Love – no matter how busy life gets, always aim for a little balance – make your own Rules – this is your very own Journey , live it, love it every single day.

Image -Pinterest

The day I got to be a pin up model!

So a couple weeks ago, I got to tick off an item from my bucket list – I got to be a Pin up girl!!! . And I LOVED it!!!!!!.

I can literally while away hours watching make up videos on You Tube, a few years ago I came across Cherry Dollface. Cherry is actually a Bona Fide pin up girl, and does Vintage style hair and make up tutorials. She came to the UK on tour last year, but I had my friend’s hen do around the same time and the nearest city was Leeds. However this year, Cherry announced a second UK tour, and this time – Newcastle was listed!!!. Hurrah – it was actually at Frankie and Gerry’s Retro pin up studio in Sunderland and Gerry Roxby owner of the studio , herself was our photographer. Gerry is also the designer behind Glamour Bunny clothing line and even Dita Von Teese herself has been seen rocking one of Gerry’s designs!. You know I love my fellow girl bosses and Gerry is a truly inspiring Fellow girl boss.

I packed my little suitcase with a few of my Vintage/vintage inspired outfits , and off I went. I managed to get to Stadium of light fine – well I Have seen Bon Jovi there, plus I’ve done the Sunderland 10K a couple times. But from there I had to find the studio – being directionally challenged , of course I got a little lost. I swear the people at the Enterprise car rental place , thought me and my Cow print suitcase were casing the joint 😂. A call to Gerry, though and she directed me to the studio – just look for the Throne in the window , she instructed – now this sounds my kind of place haha. I arrived and met fellow pin up girl , Lou. Lou was lovely and we got chatting right away. I have to admit when I first saw Cherry, I was a little star struck! And she is like a little doll in real life so super teeny tiny, ! . She was so lovely aswell, very personable and just chatted away with us . Helen was the next girl to arrive , followed by Dawn. We had all travelled from various parts of the North East , and we all bonded over our love of Vintage clothing and accessories . One by one, Cherry performed her hair and make up magic on each of us. I’m sure for her bless , it must have been a little odd as we all knew about her life from watching her videos, so for us it was like meeting a friend, but to her we must have seemed star struck strangers haha, but it didn’t take long for me to feel amongst friends with all the girls, they all had such positive and welcoming vibes.

As Cherry made us each over, we each got to then have our own individual shoots, cheered on by the other girls. Gerry was brilliant, none of us really had any modelling experience, but she somehow magically managed to turn us into Pin up models for the day. You did feel a bit daft at first, but after a bit you start to get into the spirit and pout like the pin up girls we were trying to be. Have to say though new found respect for models – it really is hard work – So many photos just to get a perfect shot! .

It was an incredible experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat and I made 5 lovely new chums – Cherry, Gerry (yeah that didn’t get confusing on the day 😂) , Lou, Helen and Dawn thank you for making the day such a blast! 😘.

Right now do we think I can possibly squeeze in being a pin up model along side Little Mis-Fit and my travel job I wonder ……….. ??????

Joanne xoxo 💋

Check out The Cherry dollface channel on You Tube!

Frankie and Gerrys retro pin up Studio is based in Sunderland -http://frankieandgerrys.com

my outfits on the day were from my lovely friends at Like Sadie did – http://likesadiedid.co.uk

Dawn I met on the day also does Vintage Hair pin ups – you can check her out on Facebook and Instagram – lips hairdressing

read Lou’s blog of the day here – http://www.thevintage-vixen.com/a-cherry-good-day-🍒/

Its a Girlboss Life

So there I was plodding away ,quietly building the Mis-Fit empire, when my friend Michelle Rose who runs Custard and Bear Marketing asked would I be interested in doing her marketing for Mummies course . I was like Michelle that sounds great but I’m not a mammy, she assured me though I didn’t have to be, I just had to be a girl with a Dream and a penchant for cake 🙂 . Michelle is so so lovely and always makes you feel like you can take on the world and makes anything seem possible , any Girl bosses out there running their own business, I highly recommend Michelle’s marketing for Mummies course, it really pushes you outside your comfort zone, but that is where all the Magic happens! . She has the best catchphrase – it doesn’t always have to be perfect just get S$it done in otherwords, don’t just think about doing it, just bloody go do it! . I signed up and it was like this little door opened and I found myself in a community full of inspiring Girlboss’ and it felt so amazing. All these women, a lot of whom were mothers tired of working inflexible hours had taken their passion and talents and created a small business that they could fit around their family life and find a work/life balance that worked for them.

Here are just some of the friends I’ve made along the way – though there truly are countless more .

Lulu Charles Jewellery

My Girlboss Bestie Jayne , fate and our mutual friend Daneka brought Jayne to classes. Jayne runs Lulu Charles alongside her Husband Ashley and her dad and they make the most amazing bespoke pieces. I had gold jewellery, I had from my 18th and 21st birthdays. It held sentimental value for me, so I never wanted to sell it, but at the same time it was just sitting in a drawer. They took that gold and made it into a Joanne necklace. I love it and wear it loads . Jayne kept me in the loop from the early design to the finished piece. They also made me a a gorgeous stacker ring recently .

We had both done Michelle’s marketing for mummies , though in seperate groups and as we became friends, we decided to join forces and help each other on our respective paths . we have regular meet ups and just share the victories and the struggles and Jayne has become a true Diamond friend.

Like Sadie Did

I knew sisters Laura and Sara from my classes. Laura had been running when she spotted my bootcamp, she searched in google and got it in touch and came along to classes about 3 or 4 years ago. She started bringing her sister Sara. now their mam Judy and auntie Lesley come too! – The universe really does seem to have a knack of bringing people together. when Laura and Sara set up a Vintage clothes business – Like Sadie did with their cousin Maggie, I was so excited. I love Vintage style , (as you can probably tell if you follow me on Instagram) . .A lot of my outfits are from Like Sadie did. They are doing lots of pop up events so keep your eyes peeled! – The clothes are gorgeous and I always get loads of compliments when I wear one of their dresses or skirts.

Vitality Pilates

Marie and Jill from Vitality Pilates, our paths crossed at the Academy , and it was Marie I met first and she was just such a positive, genuinely lovely person. I then met her business partner Jill who was also really lovely and and though we have our own individual fitness business’, we’re also working together too on a few things . Just because we’re all instructors doesn’t mean we’re in competition , we learn a lot from each other and its a brilliant example of women in business supporting each other instead of competing against each other.

Pet Lamb Patisserie

Katie and Kay from Pet Lamb Patisserie , seriously if you are in Newcastle and fancy a sweet treat – these girls make the most amazing cakes – their salted Caramel Brownies are divine! I first came across Pet Lamb a few years back when I still worked in town, they had a little shop in the green market with Fairy Lights – you know I LOVE fairy lights and they just drew me in . They were both so friendly and even though now I don’t get in very often , when ever I find myself in Newcastle, I always head there for a sweet treat and they always have a friendly word and they remember what I like . They have done so amazing they had to move to a bigger shop still in the green Market and still with those all important fairy lights , so def pop in if you are nearby.

Whilst on the marketing for mummies course I was recommended a book called 12 Lessons by Kate Spencer – it was amazing!!!. All about how what you put out in the universe, is what you get back, and how the universe will send you little signs to guide you on your path, if only you just stop, look around and listen once in a while. if you’re putting positivity, kindness and well wishes out in the universe, that is what the universe will bring back for you. if you’re all negative and why me , that is what you get back – its the law of attraction! .

I am a bit of a bookworm , and after reading 12 lessons , Amazon then suggested a book called #Girlboss by Sophie Amoruso which was so inspiring, all about Sophie’s journey from hopping from job to job and even a brief flirtation with being a fregan, to now founder and CEO of Nasty Gal – a muliti million dollar vintage clothing business in the States, a business she started from her little apartment. After #Girlboss I also read Girlcode by master Life coach Cara Alwill Leyba creator of the Champagne diet. Cara used to work at MTV and had a very stressful life , she was complaining one day about having tried so many diets, when a colleague said have you ever tried eating healthy and working out? , Cara said actually no but i also like a drink now and then. Her colleague suggested drinking champagne as it had less calories . Cara realised , that small act of holding a champagne glass made her feel special , and she deserved to feel like that all the time, and thus The Champagne diet was born. Its not so much about the nutrition side , its more the symbolic meaning of Champagne – its a very Glamorous drink and we associate it with celebrating. Its not even about being girl with her own business , its just about being a Girlboss of YOUR own Life!!!! . Havimg a job – employed or self employed that makes you want to get out of bed on a morning and not just wait anxiously for Friday and or pay day to come round. Life is far too short to live for just the weekends. Create a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks amazing on your social Media sites . Surrounding yourself with the people who make you feel happy, loved and supported , Positive people who lift your spirits . Its about making the space around you, a haven , I have lots of Fairy Lights in lanterns dotted around our house , it makes the house look so enchanted and cosy on winter nights – I’m just trying to convince Martin we also need some in the garden …… 🙂 .I adore Bombay Duck and Mirabella Gift company for the little home touches ( my lanterns are Bombay Duck) / – https://www.bombayduck.com/ and http://www.mirabellegifts.bigcartel.com/ – Both companies are ran by fellow Girl bosses too . Find what you love though, my mam’s house always smells gorgeous as she loves candles – it’s just creating your own little Haven with things you love. Like Cara says in the Champagne Diet Just a few small little actions , that inject a little glamour to everyday life. drink your water out of a wine glass or a cup of tea out of a cup or saucer rather than a mug. Wear Clothes that make you feel a million dollars as feeling happy and content and fabulous on the inside , will reflect out on the outside too . Throw out or donate anything that does not make you feel anything less than fabulous . Execise – find a work out you love – a healthy body leads to a happier mental and emotional state of mind, that in turn makes it seem anything is possible – if you can dream it, you can live it!!! .

– Cheers to all the Girlboss’ out there, creating and living their own fabulous lives, leaving their sparkle on the world and those of you not quite living it yet , go create your very own Girlboss life. -. I would love to hear your girlboss stories – maybe you’ve treated yourself to a fabulously expensive bag or shoes, you’ve paid for yourself, or maybe it’s just as simple as getting your nails done that makes you feel glamorous and ready to take on the world girlboss style – whatever it is let me know you can find me on Instagram @llittlemisfitjojo using the #itsagirlbosslife Or tweet me @mis_fit1 using the same #. 💋 Xxxxx

girlboss

Building a Community!

For years I contemplated getting my fitness qualification, and teaching Fitness classes. However courses can be expensive and way back in the dark ages before the phenomenon we now have called the Internet , not so easily accessible . Back in 2009 In a moment of Serendipity though , I had joined a new gym –

so there I was in Body Pump with a fantastic instructor Stephen Smith who every week would regale us with his hilarious weekly exploits . His classes were so popular, you worked hard, but they were fun too , I’m still not sure if it was the class or all the laughing we did that left you with sore muscles the next day. I came to learn that Stephen also ran a training facility, where you could get your fitness instructor qualification. I decided to take the plunge and sign up. When I started the course, I think I just assumed I would wind up working in a gym or leisure center, but as the course went on, I started to think hang on why can I not just set up classes in a local hall and bring classes out into the community ? . You know when you walk into Gyms and there are some people all Reality TV esque – tanned, full face of make up , perfect hair even after their workout???? – then there was me – hardly any if no make up, hair as unruly as ever, sweat dripping , and I thought there must be people who would feel intimidated and hate going into gyms as a result or maybe like me , they preferred classes to the actual gym and wanted to feel part of something. Stephen’s classes were always such fun and everyone was welcome, I wanted to create the same kind of atmosphere in my own classes. How lovely would it be to create a little community of classes, where everyone felt welcome, it didn’t matter what fitness level you were, it would just be a place where the focus was on making fitness classes fun and accessible and you would have the added bonus of making new friends :-).

I found the number for the local church and rang and asked about hiring the hall out one night a week on a Monday for a fitness class. I started with Aerobics as my base qualification is in Exercise to music. I rounded up family and friends and asked them all along to this first class. I was so nervous , what if no one came, what if people came and hated it! , what if no one came back again ….

So many What If’s , but hey far better to try and fail then always wonder right ,. I decided to opt for an 80’s theme – it was the decade that brought us aerobics after all plus 80’s music is so infectious and just makes you want to dance – seriously who didn’t want to be a kid from Fame!. That first class we were in a little room and I had about 12 people show up, whats more quite a few of those were back the next week, and 6 years on some of those same people are still coming to my classes now!. 4 months after that first class , I decided to add another class – this time I found a Village Hall at Delves Lane in Consett and I added a Thursday class . A handful came along and again a couple of those ladies are still with me today and I’m still teaching in the same two venues. Since those early days, I’ve gained a few more qualifications , you never ever stop learning as a fitness instructor. little by little and lots and lots of hard work later , Word of mouth spread and today my classes are busier than ever and those two classes have now grown into 14 classes a week!!!. Apart from some cover work in the early days , I never did go work in a gym or leisure center, I fell in love with teaching community classes from that first class and I just knew that was the road for me. I’ve watched the classes build and seen friendships formed , – some people come and they go, life, circumstances etc but the majority stay- they are there week in, week out . As new people come , the feedback I recieve the most is how welcoming the classes are , how the class members go out of their way to make newbies feel welcome and included and welcomed into the tribe. I”ve had the privilage to share in special milestones – I’ve seen some of the girls get married and become mammies. I’ve watched them grow stronger and fitter and do things they never thought they would ever achieve – including people who have never ran before , run half marathons!!!, i’ve seen us team up and crawl through tunnels of mud for “fun” and raise money for the British Heart Foundation . in March of this year , we took part in a 3 hour Boxercise class to raise money for Ovarian cancer.

I truly believe “your Vibe attracts your tribe”, what you put out to the universe, you get back – as I look out at my tribe of Mis-Fits and I see so much Positivity, cheerfullness , friendship , kindness and love radiating , I feel I must be putting those same vibes out into the Universe to be lucky enough to have them come back to me in such abundance.

As Cindrella says “A Dream is a wish your heart makes” and I’m living mine – the Dream I had of creating a community of fun fitness classes and bringing people together is now my reality thanks to my community o Mis-Fits. xxxxxxxx