Mini madness

I’m not sure which Philofaxy blog or comment triggered my latest Filofax acquiring session (possibly Wallet pockets http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/wallet-pockets.html) or Lime Tree’s guest blog (http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/a-mini-solution-guest-post-lime-tree.html) but I’ve been on a bit of a spending spree!

With the upcoming Spring season here in the Northern Hemisphere, I like to change handbags to something smaller and/or lighter.  Whilst I love my Baroque, where size matters, it’s rather chunky.  Also, most of my handbags have dark interiors.  I use a black purse and a black handbag organiser and I was losing the black Baroque.  I want to open my handbag and my mini Filofax is immediately visible.

A quick look on AdSpot on Philofaxy and I found a gorgeous vintage pink Malden.  A beautiful spring colour and lovely and soft with lots of pockets.  I’ve not taken any photos as there are plenty of mini Malden photos on the web.

However, I was also prowling Ebay and not one but two possible mini’s finished at similar times – and I won both. 

Allow me to introduce my two gorgeous purchases (along with my other mini’s).

As you can see, the Scarlett Piccadilly has no wallet/note pocket but this means it is the slimmest.  The deep red vintage Windsor oozes class and refinement but is a little stiff.  So which of those four has won my heart and a coveted place in my handbag . . .

The Scarlett Piccadilly has temporarily won however, now it is easy to swap and change my Filofax along with the weather, season, occasion or handbag. 

Which is your favourite mini?

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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Quick disclaimer; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Complementary therapies and Parkinson’s Disease

April is Parkinson’s Disease awareness month with UK Parkinson’s Awareness Week 15-21 April this year and this debilitating condition is a neurological disorder that my Dad suffers from.

My Dad has always been fit and well.  He’s never smoked or drank and kept himself fit as a self-employed plumber.  Approximately 20 years ago (yes, he was diagnosed young) his little finger started to tremor and after months of tests he was finally diagnosed with Parkinsons.  Luckily my father has always been a strong willed, determined person and I’m sure this mental toughness has aided his battle against this condition.

For an explanation of Parkinson’s Disease and further information, may I suggest you visit the Parkinson’s UK website www.parkinsons.org.uk

My father didn’t believe Reiki would help and this is just our personal experiences.  However, he was willing to give something different a try.  We find during a Reiki session that Dad’s tremor become less pronounced, his breathing becomes regular, pain relief increases and it helps alleviate any stress he may be feeling. 

Massage has also helped with his muscular tension and stiffness.  Relaxing oils such as Lavender, Chamomile, Neroli and Frankincense also seem to help. 

Here are some links to some of the websites I have found who provide information relating to Parkinson’s Disease:-

http://www.baseformula.com/blog/2012/08/qa-aromatherapy-advice-for-parkinsons-disease/

http://pdpatient.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/april-is-parkinsons-disease-awareness-month/

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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Quick note; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Just in case . . .

This is another ‘bare my soul’ style blogs where I talk honestly about habits or actions I take that may appear a little bizarre to some people.  This week’s post could also be name ‘Be Prepared’.

I admit I am a Guide/Scout through to the core.  I loved being a Guide (many years ago) and I’m delighted that both boys are active in our local Scout movement.  I frequently use some of the skills I learnt at Guides and along with organisational issues, I also like to be prepared.  Sadly this means I tend to carry around with me lots of items; ‘just in case’.  I remember my Mum showing me her Guide Uniform along with belt, whistle, penknife and compass and I realise they are all relevant (in some way or another) in today’s society.

Several months ago via Twitter @RoriRants introduced me to a You Tube video entitled Female OCD/EDC Bag which sparked my imagination.  Not only did I think this video was amazing but I started investigating EDC (Every Day Carry).  I became interested in what other people carry in their handbags and on their belts/pockets.  This brought me along to the amazing TheUrbanPrepper and his Urban Altoids Survival tin. 

Needless to say, I’ve now purchased an Altoids tin and here’s a list of the current contents:-

Emergency money

Emergency phone numbers

Needle & thread

Duct tape

Variety of medicines (ibuprofen, zantac, immodium, strepsil, allergy tablet, cold & flu tablet)

2 x plasters

Alcohol wipe

Piece of pen and pen refill

Piece of gum

Victorinox card

Calpol 6+ sachet

Nail file / match striker

Mini post in notes

Tampon

Safety pin

Paper clip

Rubber band

Matches

Along with the mini pen knife (Victorinox Classic for those who are interested) some of the contents have already come in extremely useful.  Sewing clothes at work, sticking a broken toy together at Beavers, ibuprofen for pain relief, plasters/wipes & calpol – I am a Mum of two boys after all and the scissors for a variety of uses. Oh & I carry the above penknife and a mini torch on my keys. 

I’ve also read you should have a Grab bag ready in case of emergencies.  Most local councils have an Emergency Plan which you can print and personalise along with a suggested list of items for your Grab bag

How many of you have a Grab bag and emergency plan?  What’s in your handbag or what’s in your EDC?  Please let me know in the comments below.  Do I have an OCD issue?  Have I given you something to think about?

As always, thank you for reading this blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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Friday ramblings

Just a short and obscure blog this week.

Initially I thought about discussing aesthetics; specifically those relating to human beauty.  You see, sometimes I am guilty of not noticing when someone has a new hair style or has lost a few pounds.  I don’t believe I’m being ignorant but I notice people as a whole – not just their body and image but their soul.

For example, as a child I had a crush on a high school teacher.  This teacher certainly didn’t fill the category of what most teenagers called attractive but his personality shone through.  I saw the teacher holistically. 

In TV programmes, I tend to admire, respect and am attracted to those characters who appear wise, kind, humorous and caring.  My home-made pin-up calendar at work (don’t ask why!!) raised a few eyebrows.  Not because of their body or good looks, entirely the opposite. 

Perhaps this is why I enjoy holistic therapies.  I look at the person as a whole; not just the physical but the spiritual and emotional.

Any guilty crushes you’d like to admit?

As always, thank you for reading this blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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Valentines Self Love

It is coming up towards the time of year where people partner off and it seems like the whole world evolves around couples.  However before a successful relationship can start or for an existing relationship to survive, there needs to be a certain level of self esteem.

So this brief blog post is to encourage you to celebrate you, in all your wonderful glory.

Ideas to help you celebrate you:-

• Take a leisurely rose quartz bath with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil
• Go out for a stroll/walk/run in nature
• Cook yourself a wonderful nurturing meal and eat slowing, savouring every mouthful
• Start a daily affirmation in front of the mirror and tell yourself you are a beautiful, loving, gorgeous person who deserves only the very best
• Put yourself and your needs first.  Whether this means booking yourself in for a facial every month or treating yourself to those new shoes.  You only have this one life, go out and enjoy it.

If you find any of this difficult, why not involve outside help.  Whether this be in the form of counselling, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Reiki or similar forms of spiritual empowerment. 

As always, thank you for reading this blog and have an amazing Valentines Day.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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I have a confession to make . . .

I'm incredibly nosy. I love looking in other people's front windows. Hubby thinks I'm mad and my sister is jealous I don't fall off payment whilst my head is turning 90 degrees to the direction I'm walking!

Getting to the point; I'm sure several of you are nosy (in the nicest possible way) too. Well here is a nosy round our treatment room. Enjoy!

I'm also excited because it is the first video I have uploaded to You Tube and I've managed to insert into this blog.  

As always, thank you for reading this blog and watching the video.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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"Client Testimonial"

Something slightly different this week.  I was delighted to receive an amazing testimonial from one of my clients and would like to share it with you.  I hope this gives you a personal insight into the therapies I offer, with the aim of helping you feel great. 

"I have known Heather initially as a work colleague and then as a friend since 1998.  She is an unassuming, upbeat person who always has a smile on her face.  Whilst she works in I.T., Heather is in tune with her spiritual side and always displays a positive outlook on life and it was probably this, her strength of mind and determination that helped her beat breast cancer 9 years ago.  She fully researched a healthy lifestyle which included Reiki amongst other things and it was at this stage that she found her niche in life and now helps other cancer patients through Coping with Cancer. 

My first treatment with Heather was a Reiki session and whilst I wouldn’t say I’m a sceptic, I was unaware what to expect and what the health benefits were.  I can only say that the session changed everything for me.  It gives me a chance to escape from the stresses and strains of every day life and I’m often known to fall asleep during the treatment!  I have also experienced some unique sensations which I won’t detail as they can be different from person to person (and not always experienced) but are nonetheless quite amazing.

Having been bitten by the bug I then booked in for an Indian head massage. I had had these before at beauty parlours and felt as if I’d just been slapped around the head. But Heather’s treatment is so much more and includes face and neck massage but for me, the best bit is the relieving of knots in my back and shoulder muscles – bliss!  

As Heather is always looking to continually expand her knowledge, she has also added organic facials and full body massage to her many talents (all self funded).  What can I say on both counts?  Superb!  I hate it when the facial comes to an end and whilst I cannot usually stand having my feet touched, this wasn’t a problem at all during the full body massage - I loved it as Heather was gentle but not to the point where my feet felt tickled.

Heather always greets you with a warm welcome and is very thorough at the beginning of all sessions to assess your current health and any problems since previous treatments.  I cannot decide which is my favourite treatment as they are all fab and choose them depending on how I feel – if I am particularly stressed, I will have Reiki; if I have a big night out coming up I will opt for the organic facial.  Treatment usually ends with a glass of water and I always leave with a feeling of euphoria and looking forward to next time.  I can highly recommend Heather and any of her treatments – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain."