CULTIVATING SELF-AWARENESS | HH DEUX

PART ONE: HackingHappiness Summit 2015

So....Last night after the event I scurried back to my place to have a peaceful hair wash and snuggled into bed after finding myself very relaxed and at a strange sort of ease after the event.

Starting from the beginning, I was greeted by the rather friendly hotel staff at the  Hoxton, Holborn and made my way to the event space called The Apartment with it's own bar and lounge and two large, homely board rooms. On arrival, the bar staff handed myself and few other early birds our signature house pressed Hubbard and Bell juice before networking and mingling. 

With this type of event, other peoples motivations for attending really fascinates me as it doesn't necessary scream out major networking opportunity nor does it offer any sort of freebie (or one that many people would consider a freebie). A colleague of mine (who may I point out declined my offer to attend) felt it sounded slightly 'preachy' and along the same waves of therapy, which is totally fair. Tapping into people’s emotions especially communicated through a talk format can be quite personal and many would much rather go for a meal, to a bar or just simply have a chilled night in after a days work.

Meditation allows you to get to know yourself better. There is no hiding on the meditation cushion, your anger, boredom and your anxiety is present in that moment and allows you to embrace and overcome that emotion.Butttttt not for me! For myself and the 13 others that attended the talk, it was insightful and educating and actually very enjoyable and applicable to everyone’s very digital lives. The speakers Sebastian Nienaber (founder) and Palma Michel, a mindful leadership advisor did a great job to incorporate interesting facts, examples, interactive activities and key take-always to practice and be aware of in your daily life.

I think that if you are one to practice yoga and meditate, self- awareness may be something that resonates quite well as the two are heavily linked. Many of the attendees were that type of person, however It is unfortunate as a talk of this sort can be so helpful to people who don't realise it.

Self-awareness is about training your attention. Much like you would train your body at the gym using resistance methods to help build muscle, but in this case its training your mind and resisting the attention you give to passing thoughts.

By doing this, you give yourself more to the present moment, allowing you to be open to emotions in that moment keeping your body more relaxed. It will help you to optimise yourself to be your best self at that time. Going to the mental gym is the practise of meditation.

Amongst my own knowledge that that presented by Sebastian and Palma, I am making it my mission to do some sort of mind training every day, which when commuting can be quite easy. It helps break up the day with a moment of calmness before starting your professional day at work. 

Ok, so it all sounds quite deep and spiritual but it was a unique Tuesday and building up to my summer Yoga retreat and new dynamic training program it was the perfect session to keep me motivated and keep my mind on the prize...a life time of happy thoughts!

SKL

HACKING HAPPINESS | THE HOXTON

It's back! and I am glad to say that this year I managed to keep on top of my events, so the I could get involved. Hacking Happiness is a summit that has been developed to target the the growing number of people who are ever more intrigued by the 'self' and how the body functions. The topics include mindfulness, neuroscience, meditation, nutrition and basically all things that affect our day to day bodily functions.

This year Hacking Happiness is working alongside the Hoxton Hotel to bring us a number of talks that delve deeper into the idea of happiness and how to achieve it in today's ever digitalising, over productive world.

I am here currently writing at the newly developed Hoxton Hotel in Holborn, a sister to its original in Hoxton, where the atmosphere is liver than ever for a Tuesday. I am awkwardly sat on a iMac with the screen closer than should ever be and at I height I feel is making me feel overly short. The ergonomics are all wrong, but the interiors are mostly definitely on point!

See below the talks that are happening this year. It's is of a much smaller scale but I am hoping the content and quality will remain the same.

Check in right after the talk, peace!

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Cultivate Self-Awareness

Knowing yourself is at the heart of emotional intelligence and the first step in managing your inner landscape. Session two shows you how to create a life with self-awareness and, invites you to find out "who" instead of "what" you want to be. Together we will explore and introduce techniques how to increase awareness and unlock your true potential.

Boost Your Productivity

Our modern work life environment is dominated by information overload, 24/7 connectivity, multitasking and back-to-back meetings - the ability and space to focus has become increasingly rare. Session three introduces next practices to increase your productivity, de-clutter your life and improve your focus.

Increase Your Creativity

Creativity is a dance between what we know and what we don´t know, and it is through this dance that we make meaning of the world around us, making the unknown knowable, the unconscious conscious and the invisible visible. Session four provides inspiration on how to awaken particular states and qualities of mind that boost your creativity.

You Are What You Eat

Come down to The Hoxton, Holborn and join Hacking Happiness for a mindful breakfast. In the last workshop in our series on Mindfulness at The Hoxton, we will be discussing Mindful Eating…that's the kind of eating which doesn't involve automatically reaching for the biscuit tin, something we're all guilty of.

The session will enable you to walk away with the tools to be more aware of what you're eating, both quantity and quality. It's not a diet, it's about focusing on the diversity of ingredients, their texture and taste, to connect to the food that's nourishing our body, mind and heart. So that when you allow yourself a treat from the biscuit packet that treat stops at one biscuit and NOT the whole packet. Imagine that…

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FANCY IT?

SKL

PASS ME THE GLASSES

photo: HV and creator of TOTW London

I am proud to say I love reading, mostly on the tube, often in cafe's, at home and almost always on long journeys slash holidays. Now I can't say I get my head stuck into the ultimate must reads, or the ones highest on any sort of book list and they are far from challenging from the mind, but for me its about down time at home or while having a tea away from any sort of humanly drama, which is pretty much all the time. I spend a Monday morning reading Marketing Week and Campaign magazine and now they can take its toll slightly.

I tend to consume a whole lot of content through industry magazines and emails and fashion updates from blogs and magazines. My ultimate go to publication has got to be my open obsession to The Sunday Time Style (thanks to my dear father) that I have been reading from my early teenage years, even if the content was hardly relevant (Mrs Mills as a fucked up agony aunt I just didn't understand). I now collect copy after copy finding it a step harder to dispose of my hoarded collection despite my mommy giving me that not so gentle nudge every weekend. More recently, I have a major girl crush on two world wide obsessions Cara Delevingne and Kendal Jenner, don't ask why because the world has spoken and in my eyes they are just perfect little things, so I have only gone and bought all their most recent covers inc. Love and Dazed and Confused.

My weekly reading regime (and yes it has to be done, because we only have a certain amount of time a day when we are not on our phones scrolling through apps or out at work, drinks or catch ups, gymming or just sleeping. So that just leaves erm... on the train on the way to work and back). Monday's start with my current book Bossy pants by Tina Fey Tuesday's are half for my book and half for flicking through Time Out for the latest pop-up bars and restaurant, exhibitions and just snippets of info. Wednesday is obviously Stylist day (a HUGE deal in my office with 3 girls getting up earlier to get each other a copy in case the other missed out - like I said a big deal!). This usually takes the full journey back with the way there for my current book and just my nerdy excitement to whether I get my copy that week, which has even sometimes resulted in actually picking up a copy from the floor - grime I know. Thursdays are for ES mag and Fridays, well on the way back, they are pretty much a write off after a few drinks.

Keep an eye out for my personal book list for the year, that I will be posting soon.

What are your reading habits?

PART TWO: THUG GYM LIFE

Part two of my gym life adventures continues. I completely agree that this all sounds pretty darn ridiculous and slightly over the top, but it's is all done in true humour, as I do believe the extent to which some people go to to achieve this bodybuilding Barbie body is too much. Saying this, when you watch your own progress and you see yourself do what you thought was impossible, it can be really rewarding. But as they say... everything in moderation. 

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5 Utterly ridiculous problems of a gym girl.

1. Hit rock bottom because you haven't been to the gym in just two days. Ridiculous

2. Get grumpy at my PT for not being able to lift the weight I lifted last week.

3. Having a good week (of eating and training) and going weak in the knees at a collogues birthday cake.

4. My mother worrying about where I am: drunk on the floor, kidnapped by a loony, fallen asleep on the train? NO just training at the gym!

5. Drinking a soya vanilla latte and realising I forgot to ask for a sugar free syrup. Damn that's like an extra 80 calories!

6. Boycotting work drinks to go to the gym - party pooper

I cannot lie and say I am not guilty of the above, as ridiculous as it sounds but when you do train the amount I try to do and attempt a clean way of living, why go weak for a glass of white when 1. It's going to taste shit, because lets be honest we aren't going to splash out on the best for AWDs (after-work drinks) 2. It's only going to be one glass so we won't get to the point where we think 'this one's going to be a mad one' 3. We get a headache; sadly it's only after one glass.

Are you guilty of any of this? 

FEBRUARY AGENDA

K A T H E R I N E H E P B U R N

BFI Southbank announces Katharine Hepburn season, showcasing a range of her well-known films to be shown from February through till March.

FIND OUT MORE

H E I S T O N L I N E

Heist is an art collective based in a residential property in Notting Hill. The collective features photography and performance art with works by Melvin Sokolsky, Liu Ren, Aes+f etc, who are all growing, innovative photographers.

Every eight weeks the space is transformed completely into a new installation providing visitors with an immersive experience The current exhibition is called A road to Elysium; on the post apocalyptic journey. The exhibition delves into some deeper social and Political issues. 

'TO CREATE AN UNFORGETTABLE, EXPERIENTIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ART'

U N I O N S T R E E T C A F E

Next found venture from Gordon Ramsey with a slight edge based in SEI. The focus is on Mediterranean cuisine with a hint of Italian artisan. The food look divine although the potion sizes are slightly smaller than my liking! 

EAT THIS

C O S Y N I G H T O U T

The Pillow Cinema is the new night out that has been extended into the new year. Based in Shoreditch underground station, guests are welcomed into a pretty raw space filled with oversized pillows to share whilst in sight of the screen. It could be the perfect solution to a night out but not an actual night out, with a twist on the usual cinema date, which has become just plain boring and well over priced. If you're going to spend the money, spend it in style and make it worth it!

LOVE PILLOWS ?

T A N Y A' S C A F E

Trawling through the internet as I do, I came across this bad boy! Tanya's cafe seem like the solution to the overcrowded and slightly cramped Good Life Eatery. Granted, the food is amazing, but it seems like a bit of a spot for lovers of Millie Mack and fashion fiends to lurk around.

It has all the words you're looking for: raw, green, clean lean a super everything, so it's got to be worth a try. 

GO HERE

T H E T H E O R Y O F E V E R Y T H I N G

Ok, so you may have seen the film, loved it, recommended it and like me cried until the lights came on, but I still felt like there were some unanswered questions and elements of his life that left me ever more intrigued.

Its great to watch a film like this and to only literally just watch it, but sometimes it stresses the need of a discussion. The BFI have tapped onto this and put together a panel to discuss the amazing Eddie Redmayne's take on Steven and the science behind the film.

Kill some time, fill up some time or just take a bit of time away from your phone to watch this!

WATCH HERE

A D U L T B A L L P I T

Get in touch with your inner child hood or just if you are me, then let it light up at the thought of an adult ball pit. I've done it once before at the Haywood Gallery and the balloon room and I loved it! but I seemed to walk out of there with pretty much an afro form all the static - not cool!

This time round they are actually all balls! No idea what it is for but it's trending and people are loving it. Head over to Hammersmith to the wonderful world of Pearl Fisher, an amazing advertising agency to find out more.

JUMP ON IT

OMNISCIENCE

G L Y C E M I C I N D E X

In short, GI levels are a measurement of carbohydrate foods and their impact on blood sugar levels. It is known that a LOW-GI diet has a positive effect on the overall health of our body, decreasing the risk of cardio-vascular diseases and a number of cancers. Taking advantage of these benefits can be as simple as sticking to natural foods that are low in their GI levels.

One warning is honey Vs. sugar, they are both simple sugars that have a very high GI score (between 55 - 69) giving your sugar levels a quick spike and a sudden drop. It is best to stick to honey that has a low GI, meaning a low level of fructose. 

Often honey is partnered with oats ( Low GI) in the morning, due to its protein content, which is slowly converted into glucose, making you fuller for longer and stabilising your blood sugar levels. When mixed with white sugar or honey it can increase the overall GI level counteracting the benefits of eating porridge.

Agave Nectar, is a source of sweetener that I have been using for the past year is predominantly composed of fructose, that makes it lower on the glycemic index and isn't likely to raise blood sugar levels, buttt remember if you are thinking of switching, be sure to manage your fruit levels.

I am proud to say I have been clean of cane sugar for 9 months and I feel greeeaatt!

SKL

13 TIPS | THE FACIALIST YOU DIDN'T KNOW

The question of achieving clean, clear and radiant skin is something that I have been asking for a hell of of a long time. For me, achieving these three things and making is last is the bane of my life.

Living in London and travelling on the underground with a full face of make up, training at the gym 5 times a week and going through the monthly stress of being a woman can seriously take its toll.

I managed to find the perfect article that combines fact, with my tested knowledge and the opinions of a range of nutritional therapists and facialists to give you 12 tips to live by.

1 |  Begin your day with big mug of hot lemon water.

2 | Make a weekly routine out of a clay mask.

3 | Replace eye cream with Jojoba Oil to place on the orbital bone.

4 | Don't exfoliate daily!

5 | Use light but but potent night creams.

6 | Surprise surprise, potatoes are friends with the skin.

7 | Don't touch your face.

8 | Invest in a good rosehip face oil.

9 | Have daily greens: Kale, spinach, broccoli and Avocado.

10 | Take a spirulina supplement.

11 | Increase omega-3-rich foods.

12 | Incorporate almonds in your diet.

13  | Microdermabrasion therapy

via. Stella - Sharon McGlinchey

COS X Nendo

Ok, so I may have been slightly off the mark (or just simply lazy) getting this post up well in advance, but this collaboration between COS & Japanese studio Nendo has got to be one of my favourites of 2014 so far! I just wish the collection was bigger and more apparel-heavy. Nevertheless the collection at its full with a mixture of home ware and jewellery, is complete with innovation, style, minimalism and comfort, giving viewers that " ! " moment Nendo intends on wowing its consumers with. Oki Sato was the founder of Nendo in Tokyo, 2002. Since then, it has become one of the most well-known and desired design studios, globally. The name Nendo is Japanese for modelling clay, which is protrayed in the studio’s playful, yet rational approach to design.

SHOP COS HERE

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Giving people a small ” ! ” moment.

There are so many small ” ! ” moments hidden in our everyday.

MAIN MAN PAUL SMITH

1|Hall of arm and Paul Smith inspirations 

2| Collection of editorials and show press passes

3| First showroom in paris

4| Outside the Design Museum in London

5| Recreation of the Paul Smith studio

 As you know. I am a sucker for those heavily promoted exhibitions, focused around fashion and mainly directed at a particular influencer that has somewhat altered the industry. Last weekend I managed to take a trip down to the design museum over at London Bridge to visit 'HELLO MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH' by Paul Smith. Not going to lie, but I can't say I'm the biggest fan of his collections, but as a person he is always one to watch in terms of drive and passion, but also the way in which Paul Smith (the brand) is branded.  It's an interesting story really, and the exhibition truly exposed the in's and out's of the brand, from recreating his first showroom in Paris, to a literal pick-up & drop of his current studio. It was educational and inspiring, which is all you can really ask from an exhibition ...plus the before and after wandering, and independent eateries, which would not make these days the same!

THE GRADUATE

So I may have not shared my voice with you all in the past, but that is all about to change! I am officially a first class honours graduate in Fashion Marketing and Branding from Nottingham Trent University and I have now moved back home in London to kick start my career in Fashion. I will have plenty of things to share with you all about my style, new internships and the weird and wonderful places I visit in and around London.

To give a bit of background on myself, I have just finished my final year project where I focused on the the conceptualisation of my own brand, The Blank Canvas, which was developed as a sub brand for London's very own Tate Modern.  The Blank Canvas is essentially a living exhibition made up of four rooms: The Zone, The Playroom, The Cocoon and The Wonder Bar. More simply, an exhibition space, relaxation room, cafe and bar. Full Images of my final piece will be in my portfolio (above).

I apologise in advance for my lack of activeness as I have just started my new internship at FACTORY311 as the Marketing and PR Manager, exciting times!

For those of you who aren't aware of 311, they are a creative agency focusing on image production based in Soho with clients such as  Harpers, Nike, GQ, Vogue Russia, Arsenal and many other well known names. Check them out HERE.

SKL