Getting my yogini on...

I didn’t know the term yogi or yogini before I met Hannah. I thought Yogi was a bear who lived in Jellystone Park! And yogini. That just sounds like bikini. Which given this weather makes me think of the beach...

Anyway, I first got in touch with Hannah when I noticed new temporary signage going up in town announcing an exciting new studio space opening soon. There was an email address posted in the window. And that’s how I met Hannah, because I got in touch to find out more. Hannah is a brilliant, confident, enthusiastic and caring studio owner. She is open to ideas about the development of her studio, and also has a very clear sense of vision about the direction of her new venture. And what a lovely new business to have in town. So very different from everything else on the high street. 

Not long after emailing in, on a sunny Saturday, A Fine Balance  launch day was upon us and there was an exciting buzz in the town centre. A modern and inviting studio flinging open its doors so that we could start our own yogini adventures.

A Fine Balance offers a broad range of classes, class times and memberships. I took up the special introductory offer of £15 for two weeks’ unlimited classes. A great way to road test the studio and to see how you get on with the classes and teachers. With such a great choice of times and sessions, there is sure to be something to please even the most discerning of yoginis. And for me, who has enjoyed many a yoga summer school with my mum from a young age, the flexibility and quality of lessons allows me to slot the studio into my timetable with complete ease.

I regularly attend barre (thanks Kate and Marcos for giving me back my ballet legs), and yoga flow is a lovely way to go through sequences with a more relaxed and calm feeling towards the end of the week. I used to make excuses or find myself pulling out of other exercise classes last-minute, or early in the evening the day before. This just doesn’t happen with yoga at the studio. Somehow, the sense of well-being that I know will come both during and at the end of a session overrides this.

On a personal note, I am in recovery for a bipolar episode that knocked me for six last summer. The road to recovery is long and challenging. With the support of family and friends, medical teams, and my healthy lifestyle support from A Fine Balance, I am dealing with medication changes and adjustments with a smile on my face and a positive outlook that makes me feel happy and content. Life can be tricky. For everyone. Yoga calms my mind, brushes away the daily rubbish that I do not need, and allows me to focus on myself. Yoga is not just about the physical. It’s about the mind too. 

So thank you to Hannah and A Fine Balance for the healing both inside and out. May the studio live long and prosper. Because we all could do with getting our yogini on. Namaste.

There ain’t no Mumma like a St Joe’s Mumma...

Have you ever dreamt of starting your own business and working for yourself? I know I have, but have never been brave enough, nor felt that anyone would be interested in my goods/services.

This post highlights three St Joseph’s mums that have not only had the guts to set up on their own, but also then managed to make a success of themselves. I have had the pleasure of getting to know these ladies, all kind-hearted, decent and bright people that have found their niche in their respective markets, while also doing a fine job of raising well-behaved children and looking after their families. So huge props to them - ladies - I couldn’t do it myself!

Hot Plates

Claire Pope shows her artistic flair in her customised crockery. Whether it be a personalised Santa plate complete with a spot for mince pies and a cheeky shot glass, named egg cups or (rumour has it) personalised Santa sacks (yes please Claire!!!) pop on over to Hot Plates to see what’s on offer. Mrs Pope’s talent is such that you can request a theme or character, and she can design something tailored to suit you.

Happy Hire Company

Anita Headley brings back the happiness of a good old-fashioned seaside holiday to my heart. This lady has not one, not two, but three beautiful beach huts in the wonderfully unspoilt Walton-on-the-Naze. I can personally vouch for Anita’s great taste in interior design having spent a lovely day in Forget-Me-Not. Her attention to detail is incredible and the care and love put into designing, decorating and styling the huts is really to be admired. Why not book your beach hut day to remember and take advantage of this fabulous sunshine?

The Little Dressing Room 

Nichola Brickell is a girl with style. And she wants the little ladies to have pretty things to wear too. Upminster and Hornchurch are screaming out for more quality and unique clothing for young girls so I was delighted to hear of Nichola’s venture. As a happy client myself, you can tell that Nichola has an eye for quality in her selection of this season’s key pieces. I now need her to stock in adult sizes too!

So why not check out these sites and partake in some of what’s available from great Essex enterprises. Come rain or shine, these business will have something to make you smile. Guaranteed.

Ideal Home Snow 2018

A snowy start to the show! A quick check online to confirm that TFL were able to cope with a light dusting, and I was out the door.  Mother-in-law (MIL) (aka shopping partner-in-crime, aka companion-in-credit-card-bashing) and I set out from Upminster to the now established venue of Olympia. The journey has become marginally annoying, now that we need to change at Earl’s Court and wait for an Olympia-specific train, rather than merely alighting at the former venue. But that’s progress for you (or so they say), and no doubt a property developer is doing rather well out of the move.

As free ticket holders (thank you press office), we were directed to enter through entrance three, which was not only the furthest entrance from the tube exit, the least attractive entrance point (compared to the main entrance complete with faux grass sign and piper) and also happened to be the glass doors that served as a staff and exhibitor entry gate. The queue which led right out beyond the foyer into the cold, windy and sleety street was crowded with people who seemed to delight in incessant moaning about the weather, while other guests were more jovial in spirit, joking as to the black market into staff passes so we could also queue jump and be let in early.

The first stall that caught my attention was Vallente of London. The open and friendly attitude of Andy Goss, with none of the hard sell so typical of those in the luxury goods market meant that we could spend time getting to know the products before making a relaxed and happy decision. As it was, MIL and I both purchased a great giftset that included a choice of two main products (we both chose a candle (RRP £20) and a hand and body lotion (RRP £18) with a bonus pot of hand cream. The bundle price was good value at £25.

I was initially interested in the products as I was looking for a rich cream to rehydrate my daughter’s skin. She is about to turn two and suffered from a rather nasty bout of chicken pox. I applied the moisturiser after her bath and the skin was immediately supple, soft and smooth. The effects lasted overnight and well into the morning, as I can now happily attest.

A shiny stall that caught my eye was funky big metal london led by designer James McGrath, who first started out in the true meaning of a start up cottage industry in his mother’s garden shed. Happily (for James’ mother) production now takes place in Elephant & Castle. James still plays a key role in design and overseeing production and is also committed to social responsibility and environmental protection, which now increasingly can play a key role in a customer’s decision to make a purchase. 

After scanning the stall with a beady eye, I happened across these cactus earrings, a complete steal at £10.

Being British-born Chinese, I have a soft spot for jade, used to commemorate and celebrate key milestones. I had always intended to buy “birth jade” for my two daughters and returned to Helen Fung’s Happy Dragon to purchase pink and purple matching pendants (£38 each) having first met Helen at the show some four years ago. Obviously a happy repeat customer, albeit with a sizeable interval in between!

The feel of the IHS has changed a great deal. Smaller home grown businesses have been pushed out in favour of large nationwide corporations that dominate the mass expanse of the main exhibition floor. A few token stands are left around the edges of the ground floor for oddly placed scented candle stalls, as though they have been left out in the cold. Whether this is for better or worse is neither here nor there. If you are after a fun day out with lots to see without a specific large-scale purchase in mind, then you’re in the right place. All in all, the IHS is still worth coming to, it’s just that you often come home with a miscellany of items you had no idea you needed, but with a smile on your face, which is a sure sign of a great day out. IHS, ‘til the next time...