Mindful Beauty: How to look and feel great in every season

We all need a bit of mindfulness in this hectic holiday season. Extra Christmas shopping, food prep panic and keeping friends and family happy all takes its toll. If you need a bit of calm then I recommend checking out Estelle Lefébure's new book, Mindful Beauty.

In this book, fifty-year-old model Estelle Lefébure divulges how they really maintain their fantastic natural looks. Her positive outlook inspires, and she offers a simple, enjoyable path to well-being and looking fabulous forever. Her holistic and mindful philosophy encompasses step-by-step fitness, wellness, nutrition, and natural beauty practices for every season.

And this book isn't just relevant for the December festive season. In the springtime, invigorate dry skin with a DIY body scrub while toning-up for outdoor activities. Go green once a week with a vegetable stock detox. When summer arrives, protect skin and hair with nourishing homemade masks. A glorious Indian summer is the perfect time to think about transformations; slow down and try out her massage techniques. Once autumn settles in, focus on breathing—sip Provence-inspired infusions of sunbaked thyme to open up your airways. Each chapter offers tips for beauty, nutrition, and fitness activities as well as natural remedies and gluten-free recipes from top French chefs to guide you throughout the year. I'm looking forward to trying out the water infusions, veggie curry and sweet snowballs!

Make sure you pop a copy of Mindful Beauty into your basket whilst you're doing the Christmas shopping!

Thanks to Flammarion for sending me a copy of Mindful Beauty to check out. 

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Women's Health Month: Take Control of Your Health

May is Women's Health Month, and the advocacy campaign raises awareness on taking control of your health. Going for a check-up, having a scan or just visiting the doctor is something that many of us put off or try to put at the back of our mind.

We all lead busy lives, and often it is hard to schedule an appointment at a time that works for you. I've been there, and I always feel much happier when I've made the effort and gone along to see the doctor.

It's important to keep on top of the little things. Need immunizations? Make an appointment to get them done. Blood test? Don't chicken out. Screening? Take the time.

The handy infographic from Oscar Insurance provides you with further details on what you should be thinking about at the different stages of your life. Similarly, follow the advice of your elders and eat healthily, exercise and take a break from what you're working on. These small changes can make a big difference in the long run! 

International Day of Happiness: What makes YOU happy?

Author's Own

Today is the International Day of Happiness and it's got me thinking- what makes me happy?

Life moves so fast that often you miss the moments to step back and appreciate what you have that is good. My day job is in a fast paced industry, and after a day on the computer, I come home to clock more hours in front of my screen. Whilst many people would consider this hell, I enjoy it. Without that, there wouldn't be this very blog!

Blogging makes me happy- it gives me a chance to write about what interests me and what I like, as well as hearing from readers across the globe. Many friendships have been formed from blogging and social media, and I have been fortunate to have access to many opportunities that otherwise would not have come my way.

Writing for The Huffington Post also makes me happy. I get a thrill every time I hit publish and my latest interview or article is on the web, there for all to see. Nothing beats seeing your name in print and the happy feeling never grows old.

My friends and family make and keep me happy. They keep me grounded and in check, share their love and advice and most important, their honesty. Friendships and relationships definitely make the world a richer place.

I've many reasons to be happy, and these outweigh the moments when I feel a little under the weather or when I doubt myself.

Look for the good- and happiness in the everyday moments. It's so important!

What makes you happy? Tell me in the comments!