PHENOMENAL LIVING

Welcome to the June edition of Phenomenal Living. I hope you all enjoyed May's extra long travel edition (and April’s special Paris edition). I was so inspired by all the destinations, that I went ahead and booked my summer holiday immediately! And it's gonna be a hot one. I will report back on my adventures at the end of the summer.

Over the last few weeks, I have had to take some much needed relaxation due to poor health, so I decided to take care of that business and not just the lap top kind. We all know that our health is of course the mechanics of the machine, so taking care of the business of 'self' is absolutely key. If you want to be phenomenal in any other area of your life, then you need to ‘feed the machine’ first right. And feed it well! That’s the phenomenal way. So this month it seemed apt to do less and focus on some of life’s simple little luxuries that help us to relax, take stock and eventually get us back to our phenomenal selves. If you want a phenomenal summer, then taking care of you, inside and out, is the only way to go.

As always, I like to share things here that I think will enhance all our lives in some way, so if it is something that motivates, educates, decorates, inspires, enhances or indulges you in some way, then that it is totally phenomenal and will find a place in our Hot picks section on this page. After all, it's all about bringing things into our lives that lift us up and make us feel good right?. So whether you want a little luxury living or a spiritually enhanced existence, Phenomenal Living is here to offer you a ready made list of cool products, places and events that will do just that. We are all about ‘growing into our greater selves’ and therefore what we choose to do and who we choose to do it with, is of upmost importance. We live by this motto everyday. But remember, even when life forces you to take a step backwards, or restricts your flow from continuing in the direction you had hoped for, it is simply the universes way of helping you to take time for yourself. You may be forced take a back seat for a while and to sit in silence, but it is simply so that you can listen completely to the lesson you are being taught. For there is absolutely a lesson in there somewhere. The deepest learning in life comes in silence and when you are tuly listening. Let silence be your guide.

So why not take some time this month to kick back a little, indulge, relax, listen and just enjoy being a simpler version of you? It truly feels good to honour and respect yourself with this time. No excuses, just make it happen! I shall definitely be doing it, of course in my pretty silk PJ’s, in-between a good read, a glass of champagne of course and a much needed rejuvenating massage! You see there is also glamour in simplicity. I know Mademoiselle Chanel would agree with that, so that makes it twice as phenomenal. Enjoy your month ahead everyone and see you all in July.

This is not just a lovely luxury, but actually a necessity. Studies have shown that people who partake in regular massage have healthier nervous systems, functioning organs and great circulation (which of course is also great for the skin and that outer glow we all desire to have on a daily basis). A stimulating massage, be it swiss, aromatherapy, hot and cold stone or physio based, all enable the body to function at optimum levels and therefore be healthy enough to live out the lives we desire. You wouldn't run a car on empty would you, so why let stress attack you? why work on empty without stopping to fill up? So whether your system is letting you down or you just need an instant pick me up, go ahead, be kind to yourself and schedule in some time out for a well needed, rejuvenating massage. I'm off for one of my favourites this week with a hot & cold stone massage and a dose of reflexology. A phenomenally perfect way to boost the week ahead.

Take some time out yourself this week to truly listen to your body and deliver what it needs through healthy eating, meditation, exercise and of course, the luxury of a fabulous massage. Whatever type of massage you choose, be blessed and enjoy.