IS IT TIME FOR THE SHAVASNA...?

I am officially having withdrawal symptoms...

It has been just over a week since being back in London from my much anticipated trip to Ibiza for my yearly ritual of a yoga retreat at the Lotus Pad with the amazing Wendy Buttery, followed by a couple of days roaming around the island hitting up incredible beaches, small towns and mayybee just a few clubs, which ultimately leads to going out every day.

 It’s funny and getting pretty irritating when anyone questions me going to Ibiza for a yoga retreat. Their response is almost questioning my choice of place, which granted does go against the norm. Well the norm in their eyes, but I see Ibiza as the perfect place to go on a yoga retreat. I mean, do you know the other side of the island?? Obviously not.

The low-down in short is…the southern and western side of the island are known for mad cubbing with highs off drugs and alcohol, but to everyone’s surprise the rest of the island is actually very tranquil, inviting romantic breaks for couples, relaxing family vakays and yoga and spa retreats for the singltons. For me it has got to be the pared down hippie style paired with a healthy green (sometimes all veg) organic, superfoody diet that makes Ibiza the spot to hit every summer.

So anyway, back to my actual trip, another year of the most amazing hatha/vinyasa yoga and meditation in the outdoors, faced with scorching heat in the morning and evening helping to warm up and stretch out my very tight muscles. After all the training I did to look and feel my best for this holiday, it was much needed. I mean if going to the gym twice a day following a very strict high protein, low carb, vegetarian diet 3 to 5 times a day with very little or no sleep can’t do it, then what will? I am not going to complain because I actually loved it and surprisingly waking up at 5:30am naturally and sleeping at 12:30am gave me more energy than ever!! I was (and I say cockily) in my ideal shape! But 1 week later and 4 extra days on the other side of the island and I am now back to normal and at the gym twice a day. I will not complain.

I now sit everyday at my desk obviously appreciating the incredible life and adventures I have living in London, but secretly looking at flights to one day make that one way trip with no return mwah ha ha.

Spending my days doing yoga, reading, talking, listening to music, swimming, eating, eating and eating sounds prettty perfect while you are soaking up the sun (which I have to admit I do run away from a lot of the time), especially when I had no worries and care for what was going on back at home. I go on and on about how I love a routine. But really for at like 4 weeks a year I think breaking the mould and going against that routine can do wonders for our digitally hectic, socially over active and professionally strained minds and body.

THE ART OF ENGAGEMENT | FIGARO DIGITAL

I can’t believe it has been around two years since I graduated from Nottingham Trent University. I still feel just as small, just as excitable and ever more eager to learn about the new happenings in the industry.

I have since made trips up to Nottingham and to the university to do small talks to current and prospective students, which I absolutely love doing.  Somehow there’s something not quite the same as listening and taking in all the information being thrown at me by lectures and all the gossip of the night before by my fellow x students, now very successful graduates I must add. I also don’t know why I keep referring back to myself as a graduate, now two years and two jobs later..? When does that term grow old or expire? Either way I am pretty sure it is due to my final major project I refer to as ‘my baby’ in casual terms and ‘The Blank Canvas’ on a prof level.

I was actually asked to bring the baby in to show my manager and some of my directors, who were keen to see what I spent a year doing. Not only was I very protective of the hard copy (erm costing like £300) but also the dreaded critism #nohating I am not so good at taking. My trick: smile and nod!

It seems my  idea is of much relevance now more than ever as ‘The Art of Engagement’ article in my monthly read Figaro Digital proves just how the digitalisation of our society is of significant importance to art galleries and museums, which are heavily visual and active in the present moment.

The article focused on how the Tate Modern has made way for digital communications to grow their audience in a very much authentic, authoritative and creative content driving way.  (It is the perfect piece that I could add as an extension of my project in that awful appendix)

Key Points from the article by Jon Fortgang
Museums and art galleries have a head start when it comes to content marketing as a curation and community are any brand key focus when it comes to marketing in 2015.

The Tate has picked up over 2 million social media subscribers in three years

The virtual version of the gallery is just as important as the physical presence

“An online visit is just as valuable to us as a physical visit to the gallery

If they can engage with us physically, we want them to be able to do that online – just as any other experience of shopping, dining etc…

Final word…

Content is grounded in stories, community, interactivity and giving audiences  reason to explore further. Gallery and strategy are inseparably entwined, which means every digital element plays a [art in the bigger picture.

IKEA | BREAKFAST IN BED CAFE

50% of Brits have never had breakfast in bed, 30% of the population would love an afternoon nap, IKEA launch concept eatery to stimulate more breakfasts in bed

I am so so so lucky to be working in the heart of London where all things weird and wonderful take place - that's Shoreditch for you! I came across this amazing concept by IKEA taking place for a few days only that is pretty much something people only dream of doing.

Thumbs up to team of IKEA and Hope and Glory PR for yet another cool concept to break the boundaries of experiential marketing. Who doesn't like a session of playing house in IKEA? Even more so, who doesn't wish they could live in one of the seamlessly designed and perfected rooms just for one night? Not to make you jealous or anything, but I made the most of my hour slot in bed.

As you walk into the pop-up just round the corner of Old Street station, you are welcomed by the staff in what is a very peaceful and minimalist setting. Each guest is asked to choose a pillow type (hilarious), soft goose feather, firm, or memory foam that you can take with you to a bedroom setting of your choice. You are encouraged to hang up your coat and replace it with a the choices of nightgowns to really get comfortable. There were different bed styles, throws, lighting and  side tables all side by side one another along the walls of the space. I obviously wanted the cosiest setting so chose a double bed with a neutral colour pallet.

The staff then ask you to choose a tea and pastry of your choice. At this point I was sold! I wanted it all and didn’t ever want to go  back to work. I could get used to going to a place like this. Forget Starbucks or the Hoxton to chill; IKEA Breakfast in bed could be the new hangout spot.

After stuffing my face with pastries and hot errbal tea, I cosied up with my colleague (just weird, but we felt that this broke any boundaries left in our work friendship) and literally did nothing! After reading the Power Of Now last year by Echartt Toll, I am all for embracing the present moment and not getting thoughts of the past or future clog up my brain so I can live happily I the present moment. Remember, I read this at a verrryyy relaxing time on my yoga retreat last year, but if you are ever in a moment of a over active and heated mind, I would take the time to read a few chapters of the book , to hone you back in.

 There is so much out there in the media at the moment about achieving a  better sleeping, so this pop-up event was well-timed. Here’s a little check list and a few facts that you can share and ensure you are making the most of your much needed sleep:

1

_____

Your pillow should dictate how you sleep. If you are a back sleeper, a memory foam pillow will mould to your body shape. If you are a front sleeper, keep a pillow under your stomach to ease the pain off your back. Finally if you are a side sleeper like me, then ensure you pillow sits seamlessly under your ear and shoulder. For all others, you have no hope!

2
_____

Whenever you say you are struggling with insomnia, the first thing everyone says is get lavender oil! Why? Because the essential oils in lavender slowdown your heart rate and blood pressure that help your body relax.

3

_____

People may say to read a book before bed to help you relax, but read wisely. It is said that sticking to fiction will help you relax more than reading any sort of self-help books as this only aggravate the mind and causes you to think and worry more.

4

_____

Getting more sleep is the single most powerful performance enhancing things you can do. It consolidates memory, enhances creativity and manages our moods. The health benefits include controlling our appitite, balancing our hormones and encourages cardiovascular health.

Going to bed later reported to increase negative thinking,  neuroses and pessimism.

5
_____

Your routine 90mins before bed is crucial to your quality sleep. So that means, avoiding Netflix, that ‘one more drink’ you convince yourself you need, the late night snack or just scrolling through Instagram on the Daily Mail.