Hello beautiful friends

Have you noticed the change in the air?  The mornings are feeling cooler as the kids head out the door for school.  The evenings are drawing in a little sooner.  The Autumn equinox (when the sun crosses the equator making day and night equal in length) is on Wednesday, marking the end of Summer and start of Autumn.

Slowing down

Autumn is a time of slowing down, letting go and resting ahead of Winter.  I'm sure for most of us it doesn't feel like that on the back of Summer.  It can feel like there's so much catching up to do.  I'm definitely noticing as I get older though that the more I rush the less effective I am.  I feel I'm in a new season with working for myself and that requires more balance and self-protection than ever before.  I'll be looking to nature for reminders about when to take action and when to pause

Women supporting women 

I had a really tender moment this week connecting the threads of two friends lives through Whatsapp.  I have a friend S who is caring for her husband who has been newly diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.  They are reeling from the news and frightened about what lies ahead.  When she reached out for support I was painfully aware that sharing tips about what I have seen helps someone going through treatment is nowhere near as reassuring as hearing from someone who is living through treatment.  I knew my other friend A would be willing to share some words of wisdom (and she did so from her hospital bed).  They’re too good not to share - if you are supporting someone I hope this helps.

I am back in hospital today.  Have started chemo.

Curl up with a book - Natural wellness every day

You're much more likely to find me with my nose in a book in Autumn or Winter than in Summer.  I expect I'm not alone in that.  I love my ''Natural Wellness Everyday: The Weleda Way'' book for dipping in and out for seasonal advice, tips and recipes.  The book is divided into 4 sections - Nature care, Health Care, Skincare and Self Care.  It's a wonderful gift to yourself or someone else for making small changes that have a big impact.  Available to buy through me - for the next month I'm offering it with 20% off so £16 instead of £20 I believe in it's love and care so much.

£5 favourites for sharing the wellbeing love

Several people have asked me about Christmas gifts this week to  spread the cost of gifting and to buy presents that really help people to feel better.  When I visited Weleda last weekend I saw some of the sets available but will wait until they are live in my webshop on 1st October to share them.  In the meantime Weleda have a problem to solve with where they are going to put all the new sets when they arrive!  Weleda launched £5 favourites at the weekend and these products will be on offer at the price of £5 until tonight (21st September).  If you would like any I need to order them through my Advocate account so while the system closes at midnight I will not be up then to help you.  Please message me by 9pm if you would like to order anything.  This picture is a selection of some of the items available.  This is the complete list with links to read more about them:

Shower washes - large 400ml bottles usually £13.50 - Vitality (Seabuckthorn), Refresh (Citrus), Inspire (Pomegranate), Energy (lemon and ginger, our favourite).  200ml tubes of Love (Rose) and Amber Divine. 

Haircare - Rosemary revitalising shampoo and Rosemary conditioner for thinning hair

Mens range - 5 in 1 multiaction serum, 2 in 1 face wash, 3 in 1 shower wash, Aftershave balm and Shaving cream

Healthcare - Prunus spinosa drops, Low mood and stress relief tablets, stress relief spray, digestive relief spray, muscular pain relief spray

Mum and baby range - Calendula nappy cream, Calendula skin protection balm, Goodnight baby bath

Face and body care - Skin Food hand wash, Skin food lotion, Blue Gentian contouring serum, Pomegranate and maca peptides eye cream

Maggies cheer station at Cheltenham half marathon

I volunteered at Run Cheltenham yesterday, cheering on over 7,000 runners taking part in the 10km route or the 13 mile half marathon route.  A dozen Maggies volunteers gathered with cow bells, whistles and enthusiastic hand claps to cheer everyone on.  Maggies had 25 runners raising funds for them, including their Fundraising Manager Matt and I saw several people running in memory of loved ones cared for at Sue Ryder.  There was a joyful carnival feel to the day (for the cheerers at least) and lots of people smiled and waved as they came past us.  We hope it gave them a lift on the final stretch of their run. We saw 3 Scooby Doos, Wonder Woman, Batman, a donkey and a some chickens and I am in awe of every single person who took part.  

I'm visiting Matt at Maggies this week to talk about the collaboration with Weleda and I'm excited to think about ways we can work together to support people going through cancer.

This week's heart smile ...

I feel such joy and peace when I listen to the new Spell Songs album 'In Thin Air''.  George and I saw the album performed live at the Bristol Beacon on 3rd September and these 7 musicians were simply mesmerising.  I have loved the first spell songs album since it was released during lockdown and if you've been for a massage with me you're likely to have heard it too!  The new album is based on ''The Book of Birds - beginning to take wing'' which is illustrated by Jackie Morris and written by Robert McFarlane (their book 'The Lost words' formed the basis of the first spell songs album).  One of the most special elements of seeing the Spell Songs band perform live is having Jackie Morris on stage painting at the same time.  They closed the show with the Spell Songs blessing being played while Jackie painted a black Raven using a raven feather.  So captivating and inspiring.  Message me if you'd like to see the video - it takes up too much space to upload here. 

I've really been loving putting the CD on (very old skool!) while cooking or having a bath.  Music has powers to change our mood and it's nice to still be able to do that without having to use a phone.  I hope you can find some small moments to play your favourite song or take a chance on the Spell Songs playlist.

Sending you lots of love for the week ahead x