My Sunday Signature, A bit about Me & My Business behind the Blog

Thought this picture sums me up as the quirky, crazy, passionate, enthusiastic  mumpreneur behind this blog I keep writing.

I know I blog about beauty a lot but it’s actually my business and a massive passion of mine.  I understand so many behind the scenes elements of the business behind beauty, through the brands I’ve worked with and running my own beauty room. Through intensive beauty training Im also knowledgeable on the products, how to use them, the ingredients and the benefits. I share this knowledge with my clients all the time when advising them on products, routines and treatments, I promise I’ll try and remember to explain my reasonings & choices more in my blogs because it’s normally on a knowledge basis and it’s good to know!

So what do I know & how do I use my knowledge other than blogging…
💋I worked for Estee Lauder & Christian Dior, I got some of the best make up training from the worldwide make up artists I got to work alongside, this was such a fun time in my career.
💋I have an ITEC Beauty Specialist qualification that’s recognised in over 33 countries  worldwide.
💋I have been on training courses with Fake Bake and am a recognised tan expert
💋I’m a Qualified OPI Gelcolor Technician
💋I run a beauty room located within Athena Fitness Gravesend thats open Tues-Sat
💋I have had several features writing the beauty section of Kent Women In Business Magazine
💋I guest speak (ramble-often) at networking events talking about different aspects of my business
💋I support school career projects. By giving my time doing talks and sharing my experiences
💋 I host princess parties (I’m trained in face painting) and I get to spend the whole time making little girls sparkle and we all get to wear tiaras!! I also host mummy & princess days with the support of some fab local businesses!
💋I host events where I support and work alongside as many local traders as I can squeeze in to offer guests indulgent Pamper & Shopping evenings that have the most amazing friendly, fun atmosphere, luxury treatments and tons to buy buy buy! Plus goody bags and we always support a different charity through our raffle!
💋I am about to launch workshops to share my knowledge and enhance women’s confidence in beauty and make up, I’m so excited about this.

I do all this around and with the love and support of my gorgeous other half, beautiful sons and a mum who is amazing & always on hand for nanny duties. But it doesn’t always come easy sometimes jugglers have to stop and take time out, and sometimes I just have to focus. I’ll be sharing with you more this week on the time I’ve had out to reflect whilst off on maternity this year, the people who have helped me and what is coming for the very near future …plus finally a new website!
xoxo

Random Roadtrip with My Boys

So this morning as we all squished in bed me and my 3 boys (the man and the kiddiewinks) my other half asked me what I wanted to do today and my answer was to be by the sea, didn’t care where just wanted to get away. So we did, after a morning of little jobs completed and me popping in to the shopping and pamper day minus the boys off we went!

We made sandwiches and brought biscuits on the way & off we went, shell picking, stone finding, crabbing and have lots if giggles on a very sunny but super windy afternoon!

There is nothing I enjoy more than some time out with my boys just thought I’d share with you all now I’ve tucked the kids into bed and am working on my blogs for the week ahead!
What have you really enjoyed this weekend? And how are you planning to bring your A Game this week? I have the Pamper & Shop event plus a booked up week in the beauty room, it’s gonna be busy 🙂

xoxo

Day One of September ShoutOuts my official photographer Carla Guest Photography

Ahhh it makes me excited that Carla Guest Photography is the first business I’m sharing with you guys! We go way back, her darling sister Natasha took me under her wing on the first day of primary school and we have all sure come a long way since then and I still love both girls dearly over 20 years later!

Carla is the official photographer at all of my events, including the Sweet Cheeks Birthday Relaunch in June.

As well as having had the joy of snapping my crazy family

and me half naked in one kinda amazeballs sexy kickass boudoir shoot (yeah I’m big headed the way she made me look and feel I got every right to be haha!!)

That’s one of the best bits about her, her calming nature, her friendliness and her total understanding of the job in hand. Thats without ignoring the fact no matter what the job she puts all her passion and knowledge into captivating it in the best possible way.

Thats all before the finished results, her photos give me goosebumps, the way she captures a moment is mesmerising, totally natural and enlightening. I really do adore them and I would love for you to check out some more of Carlas work, so here are all her details.

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Instagram

CARLA WILL BE THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE UPCOMING
PAMPER & SHOP INDULGENCE EVENING CLICK ON PIC BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS

Passion Never Fails, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be Tough Times

I just wanted to share this with you guys quickly. Totally random and not my usual type of blog, but after talking to various people this week it’s something I felt compelled to share.

I have been in the beauty industry eleven years and so far it’s been a rollercoaster.  I’ve have worked for high end counters, at some amazing London events, alongside internationally recognised make up artists, worked in Europe, worked with all ages from little princesses, beautiful brides, models, a total mixture of clients. I have opened my own beauty room, attended events, hosted events, been recognised for my work, written for Kent Women In Business Magazine (last 3 issues!!), and so much more!!! There is so much to love about it both what I have achieved so far and what I’m building upon right now!!!

It doesn’t mean this has been easy I share the fab stuff because it makes me happy but without telling a story and getting all down there are times its been so hard.  It has been so challenging, stuff I haven’t known, techy shit I had to learn, marketing that didn’t work, times I’ve seen competition doing something better than me or that I want to do, snow when I was opening doors to an event, times I’ve cried, times my boys have needed me more than work, times my eldest makes me so guilty for doing work, times I feel like I have no life, bad stuff that happens out of your control, those mornings I can’t get out of bed and oh so many times I was just going to quit and say F it all..But I never did and probably never will it’s my passion, my industry, my profession, my joy, my job!

SO YOU READING THIS my purpose of this is to help. To help anyone starting out, or anyone been trying to crack it for what seems like forever please whatever it is if it’s your passion don’t give up because when you see the true extent of what you can achieve its pretty amazing!! Bookmark this and when your day isn’t going to plan remember your passion will keep you going and if you know someone struggling share it with them.
xoxo

That got a bit heavy didn’t it! I just felt really strongly that I could of done with hearing that when I doubted where I was heading, this week’s been amazing. I know I’ve been quiet with the blog but I have been in meetings with some omg awesome people, enjoying lunches and manicures (yeah check me getting pampered) and also planning some pretty amazeballs events I’m working on the blogs about those right now. Hope you enjoyed my ramblings and they can help someone xoxo

Wednesday Face Of The Day FOTD

Ok it’s late today, the little one in the middle of the main pic distracted me lots and I had a water fight with my eldest and 10 kids in the street… I lost, we also went to a fun day where we saw creepy crawlies and he took part in lots of activities.

Any who if you saw my instagram this morning, I was rocking this look…

Haha attractive don’t you think LOL

Once transformed with a bit of kit, I looked like this

Products Used
Bronzer Arbonne before foundation applied thicker to blend definition
Foundation Dior Forever 200
Blusher So Susan Universal Blush
Eyeshadows Dior old two colour palette with touch of Bronzer blended above eyelid fold
Mascara Rimmel London The Max volume flash mascara
Lipgloss Estee Lauder Pure Colour Garnet Desire Shimmer Gloss this isn’t what I expected the colours a lot softer I like it, q nice light non sticky daytime gloss.

Liked these eyes and the make up lasted all day even through the water fight!
xoxo

Looking After Hair After Pregnancy & Birth

Ok so my second son is approaching 6 months old and already the hair is falling out thick and fast, last night what I pulled from the plughole resembled a small rat! I don’t know if this is normal for all mums but I know a few who have suffered with it. None the less it is much better than the first time round 6 years ago I remember sobbing thinking I was going bald.

I think it’s better this time thanks to how I am caring for my hair, whilst I’m always randomly trying new testers and samples sent to me, the two key products I can’t live without are my
shampoo and my hair oil. Both from the Revlon Uniq One brand. What these products promise (10 real benefits with each) I have noted personally, they hand down deliver. I’m not sponsored or endorsed I pay trade price for this product but that’s because of being a beauty professional so I do just rate and recommend it!

The shampoo (stolen daily by the men in my life) is lovely, it’s foams up and leaves hair feeling truly cleansed after just one shampoo, with a texture completely different to conventional shampoos. Does not affect the scalps natural layer of protection because it respects the pH of the skin.
Here are the benefits
1. Washes thoroughly and gently
Agreed hair feels deeply cleansed after
2. Protects & Moisturises Scalp
Has stopped my scalp from flaking and itching
3. Maximum Silkness & Smoothness
My hair is really soft especially when combined with oil weekly
4. Does not weigh hair down
My hair is fine and light but my style isn’t dropping out as quickly
5. Boosts shine
My colour and highlights seem brighter especially in the summer sun
6. Frizz Control
Don’t really suffer but am noticing smaller hairs not as fly away
7. Hair easy to manage & control
Agreed but in fairness it is always like this it’s fine and poker straight
8. Strengthens Hair
My hair isn’t falling out as quickly as the first time round
9. Reduces hair breakage
As above number 8
10. Prevents split ends
A lot less split ends in between trims at Jaxx (you can buy this from them)

Not gonna lie I originally only brought this second product cos I’m a sucker for anything coconut, like really bad, I think it’s the smell of sunshine and summer and it makes me happy (an extra benefit not counted on the packaging)
The benefits of this include:
1. Repair for dry & damaged hair ☑
2. Shine & frizz control ☑
3. Heat protection ☑
4. Silkiness & smoothness ☑
5. Hair color protection / with uva & uvb filters ☑ with an added woopwoop
6. Easier brushing & ironing ☑
7. Incredible detangling ☑
8. Long-lasting hairstyle ☑
9. Split ends prevention ☑
10. Adds body ☑  it’s also easier to define and create awesomeness with the added body

So have you tried it what do you think? Would you recommend or perhaps like to try? Please as always like and comment below always fab to know your out there
xoxo

Monday Motivation on Tuesday. Why I’m inspired by this extreme 6 year old!

Morning so I missed Monday motivation yesterday my 8 week old got chicken pox and kind of needed me a little bit more, his ok and like his older brother just a few weeks ago has so far remained happy and smiling through the spots.
Finley (my 6 year old) is on school hols at mo, I’m going to share with you why he is my Monday motivation story.

My little boy Finley is adorable, polite, funny and extremely energetic. He doesn’t excel in curricular activities but he has a passion for trying and he will try his hardest and that’s where I have so much admiration for him, he also has a passion for extreme sports.

His grown up around motocross, bmx, skateboards and freestyle. He was in DirtBikeRider Magazine at just a couple of months old. He watches extreme sports channel as much as he does kids tv. He thinks Chris Birch, one of the top uk freestyle motocross riders is his friend because he talks to him every time he sees him at local demonstrations. He asked for a wheelchair after talking to wheelz and watching him backflip at the Nitro Circus Show in London. He done a school assembly on Travis Pastrana as a person he admires. I think you kinda get his love and passion. His currently telling everyone and riding high on the fact that Twitch retweeted a picture of him out the woods, yesterday. He watches twitch loads on YouTube and wants to be just like him, he thinks his twitch etnies make him daring and extra cool doing jumps!

He currently doesn’t have a mx bike because he bent it going to fast over jumps (despite being told not too!) so his been concentrating on bmx. He spent the last two days out the woods with his gorgeous dad digging and building jumps, riding them too. His really pushing himself, yesterday he came back with a groin injury from handlebars, a shin injury from pedals and a busted lip where the one tooth he has got went through it! But the motivation he had didn’t deter him, don’t get me wrong the bottom lip dropped, but he couldn’t wait to tell me the ways he had succeeded and the jumps he had ridden.

He also asked his dad to take his friend out there, that’s one amazing thing extreme sports have taught him the importance of a team, a crew, a family. His already said his crew will include all extreme sports not just bikes, he wants to include all his friends, his currently working on his first video!

So I have waffled on and on, and on some more but in just 2 days I realised so much my 6 year old does inspires me:
• A Passion for trying
• A Passion to succeed (whilst loving his hugely competitive!!)
• A belief that no one is too big or too celebrity to be his friend, he sees everyone as a person and a friend no limits.
• Motivation, Determination and Belief make him get up after every fall.
• Sharing all that excites him and that he loves with others makes him even happier.
• his advice to anyone starting is “practise, get a crew, stay healthy” …. Even a 6 year old knows u have to look after no.1 to inspire, motivate and support others

So go enjoy your week like a 6 year old, be passionate in your beliefs, have fun, smile, share it with people who matter, reach out to someone you admire, and most importantly get back up with a smile from each little trip or hiccup!

Motivational Mondays Leading the Way

Okay so this Monday I’m focusing on how we inspire others, I spent last week housebound because my 6 year old had chicken pox. I did suffer a bit of cabin fever but overall enjoyed the time I got to spend with my boys and I noticed how much what I do inspires my eldest, Finley.

I have been planning how I will return to work and some new ventures I will be taking part in, its meant some time while the baby was snoozing working away in the sunshine at the table in the conservatory and it made me smile how much my son wanted to be sat colouring in or working away next to me. You see Finley doesn’t like writing or colouring much and his fine motor skills are below what’s expected in school, but what I love is when you spark a passion or interest in Finley he will try his hardest to draw or write about it.

We don’t just influence the young around us, this last week I have noticed how my business and what I do inspires others including people older than me, this makes me feel fabulous its great to spark off someone else’s passion. So this week thinks about your actions and how you may be inspiring those around you without even knowing it or intending to. Try and keep your thoughts and actions positive and have a fabulous week.
xoxo

Monday Morning Mumpreneur Motivation!

Mmmmmm … What a mouthful I have given you this morning but there is a great explanation for it. You see my motivation and the sudden whirlwind I am creating in my home and business have all gone from the normal 80mph to full steam ahead because last Thursday I was the runner up in the Mumpreneur category of the Kent Women In Business Awards.

This was such a big deal for me and if I’m honest something I really needed. You see it can be hard being self employed. A lot of the time working for yourself by yourself and it can get frustrating, lonely and there are times you think you may be driving yourself mad, when arguing between the benefits and disadvantages of any idea! Then there are moments like Thursday night, where I was a runner up amongst over 40 entries of extremly talented and inspiring business women.

We all need moments like Thursday night whether they come in the way of an award or just a friendly confident boost of encouraging words and so I made you this ….

You are AWESOME now go dream big, share positivity & love and have a kickass awesome week!

xoxo

P.S I know the title says MORNING motivation but even us Mumpreneurs have our challenges;

Monday Motivation it’s been a while …

I have good reason for having not blogged for a while, and it’s definitely been a motivation and inspiration for me, I welcomed to the word our second beautiful boy, Freddie.

Being a mum all over again and watching my eldest son become a big brother has been simply beautiful. We have been watching videos by a truly inspirational, funny and happy kid called Kid President, and I think the best and most appropriate motivation I can share with you today is his video Kid Presidents’s letter to a person on their first day here being emotional & a new mummy it had me smiling & crying at the same time!

Now on maternity leave, when the baby is sleeping & my eldest is at school I plan to get in some time for writing I miss sharing Monday Motivation and beauty stuff with you guys. I’m looking forward for what’s to come & sharing it with you all. Have a fab week

xoxo