Emotional Wellbeing

 

 

19944365_1668030483267679_7793535559359431321_o

Let’s talk about emotional health. There are so many of us trying to pour from empty cups and pushing our feelings under the carpet (this is a very widely used coping strategy in Ireland where I am from). Or wine, oh the wine.

As you know I am so passionate about essential oils and the impact they can have on our health and wellbeing but I was blown away at how much impact these oils can have on our emotional wellbeing.

it so important to recognise the link between our emotional and physical health. Have you ever been so stressed that it made you physically sick? Or so full of anxiety that you developed a pounding headache? I think we have all at some point experienced the link but we often fail to address the emotions and we deal with the physical aspect first.

My doTERRA emotional aromatherapy oils have been getting a pretty decent workout because well life happens and can be a rollercoaster at times, especially with kids. It has also help me address things from my past that were hiding under the carpet and the time was right to start the healing process.The Emotions book has been traveling from the office to the kitchen and to my bedside locker as I learn more about the benefits of oils and how they can help our emotional health and wellbeing.

I choose to wear these oils on my lava necklace and bracelet and on my perfume points. I keep these handy rollers in my bag everywhere I go and whip them out for myself and kids at different times.

 

So what blends are in the emotional aromatherapy range?

Motivate (Encouraging Blend): When setbacks, disappointments, or a lack of inspiration weigh you down, it is often necessary to regroup in order to restore your confidence, allowing you to find purpose once again. Whether you are trying to muster the motivation to organise your cluttered desk, finish a term paper, or overcome your frustration at work, doTERRA Motivate helps plant positivity within you while melting away cynicism and doubt.

Cheer (Uplifting Blend): Avoiding discouragement and negative emotions can often feel impossible—even with a can-do attitude or optimistic outlook. Like a ray of sunshine, doTERRA Cheer Uplifting Blend can help dispel heavy emotions by providing a positivity boost using a fresh, bright aroma that promotes feelings of optimism and cheerfulness.

Passion (Inspiring Blend): When life starts to feel stale and predictable, we often lose our vigour, purpose, and passion for living. Whether you are looking to revive enthusiasm for your current circumstances, or reach beyond your comfort zone, doTERRA Passion Inspiring Blend can help give you the extra spark necessary to rekindle the flame of excitement in your life.

 

Forgive (Renewing Blend): It can be difficult to live a life of contentment when feelings of anger, betrayal, guilt, and negativity hang like a dark cloud over your head. These emotions often lead to excess stress and can dampen any effort to achieve feelings of peace or forgiveness. When embarking on the path to forgiveness, doTERRA Forgive Renewing Blend is an encouraging companion that will help you remember to let go and keep moving forward.

Console (Comforting Blend): Hidden sorrows and overwhelming grief can wear on the soul, often leaving us feeling hopeless and melancholy. Sadness can become all-consuming and will affect well-being if we let it. doTERRA Console Comforting Blend works to engender feelings of comfort by wrapping the user in an essential oil “hug” of floral and tree scents.

Peace (Reassuring Blend): When feelings of fear and anxiousness creep into our minds, we seek for peace and reassurance from many sources. Though it can be difficult to remain calm and composed in our hectic, unpredictable world, doTERRA Peace Reassuring Blend provides an escape from discontent and worry.

 

If you would like any help or advice on how essential oils can help your emotional health please do get in contact with me.

Louise x

http://www.mydoterra.com/louiseashley

21055996_1732792583458135_4887690263755713232_o

My Oily Journey

imgres-1

So I started using essential oils exactly 2 years ago when another mum contacted me on my Irish Mammy group. Winter had been at the hospital at least twice a month and so she messaged me asking for me to try essential oils. As a mum desperate for anything (including what I thought to be voodoo oils) I gave them a go.

Proof is in the pudding! Winter stopped getting random viruses and so for the past 2 years I have been adding more oils to my collection and now make most of my own beauty products and cleaning products. I am on a mission to help everybody do what I do and start reading labels more. Last month I took the plunge and became a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA so stay tuned for loads of fun posts and recipes to show you how you can use these oils in your life!

http://www.mydoterra.com/louiseashley

Fill Your Cup

  
Because you can’t really sleep when the baby sleeps ( stupidist saying ever anyway ) when you have your second baby and your toddler drops the nap it becomes even more important to sneak a bit of time for self care in to your life. 

One day back in April I had the very lovely Ruth Brophy from Intimo come to visit me at home with her magical selection of lingerie and wardrobe staples. More important she came with her measuring tape although with a look up and down she could tell my size, probably more than I could as I was in denial about my post baby size at the time! 

So what has this got to do with self care? Well let me tell you that the thoughts of heading in to a department store to get fitted for a bra with a new baby and a toddler is not self care that’s going to equal a bottle of wine having to be drunk after that experience. Having somebody come to your home and make you feel a million dollars is more of a step in the right direction. 

As a breastfeeding mama I get so sick of wearing nursing bras without the oomph and miss feeling good in some good lingerie.I had reached a point that I did not need to have breast pads in my bra so why not get a bit of underwire on the go, you know for special occasions like going to Kmart! Let me tell you hubby was quick to notice the new bra even on under a jumper. Everything was a bit more together and lifted like it should be.  Somebody asked in my mothers group what happens to your boobs after breastfeeding and somebody replied saying it’s like folding stretched out play doh into a bra. Probably the best description I had heard. 

I have always stressed the importance of wearing a good fitting bra but honestly I hate going to be measured especially since having kids so having Ruth come to my house was wonderful. Ruth can also zoom which is similar to Skype and FaceTime after sending you a measuring tape and do a consult this way. The benefit of not having to try on undies in a department store is being at home in your own home with better lighting and you can also try clothes  over your chosen selection. 

Intimo was quite new to me and I was quite sceptical about trying it for some crazy reason ( I think I was worried about being pressured in to buying loads which I wasn’t ) but what I do know is when I wear my Intimo I feel a million times better than in my crop tops I had been living in. I had forgotten about myself and my needs to feel good. Us Mammy’s tend to do that but ladies fill your cup in every sense so you can then pour what you need because you can’t look after anybody else if you are not looking after yourself. Look good and feel better.

Lou x 

You can contact Ruth at ruth.brophy@intimo.com.au

http://www.intimo.com.au

  

Here Come The Girls

   
 Do you remember not long ago I was raving about The Ladybird Market? Well exciting news! The Ladybird Market is launching a pop up store opening tomorrow! 
So what is all the fuss? Lisa Hurley the woman behind the concept is out in full force supporting and promoting local women with handmade business in Western Australia. I am so passionate about women empowering women in our world that can sometimes be so cruel that the idea of us as women out supporting each other always gets my support! Another is supporting local business it is so important! 

The Ladybird Market is opening at The Mezz in Mount Hawthorn, Perth. Opening Tues-Sat 9.30am – 5pm and Sun 11am – 2pm 

Please support The Ladybird Market and everything it stands for! 

   
    
   

Cupcakes And Crafting

10733739_10152787325644190_7647242067738089025_o

I attended a free workshop in Perth, yes that is right I said FREE workshop at Enex100 and hosted by the very stylish and charming radio presenter and creator of http://www.diynamicstyle.com Simone Heng.

The task at hand was to recreate the famous tassel earrings that Natalie Portman was seen wearing. While the glue dried we got to eat the most delicious cupcakes by Charles&Violet. These were the best cupcakes I had tasted since Magnolia Cupcakes  in Dubai.

On my visit to Ngala recently to restore sleep in the house we spoke about the importance of self-care when we become mothers and taking time out for ourselves. Normally I am in Enex100 because they actually have one of the best Parents Rooms so it was nice to be minus the baby and having some me time! This was actually the second workshop of its kind I have been lucky enough to attend this year and hope to share all the details about the other one with you soon!

Do keep a lookout on http://www.enex100.com/whats-on/ because they have lots of great events running and also don’t forget to visit www.diynamicstyle.com where you can have a look at all the tutorial videos and find loads of inspiration. Louise xphoto (6) photo (5) photo (3)

Identity Crisis

Oh my goodness I am going to be 35 in January  and I look ridiculous in 90% of my wardrobe. Nobody warned me about this? I thought it was all about looking fabulous over 40? What about mid thirties? What do we do? I hope tomorrow Topshop has the answers and somewhere amongst all the trends are some staple pieces for me, who am I again?

How has this big change happened what I feel like is just overnight? How do I go with confidence and audit clients wardrobes when mine is such a shambles! I need to hire myself quick! Once upon a time I was all boob tube, tiara and glitter. I have over 100 going out dresses when the last time I was out at night I didn’t even know how to turn the lights on in the car because I just do not go out at night anymore!

I feel like I have lost my own personal style as who I still think I am in my head is not who I really am anymore or reflect the lifestyle I lead. All my favourite pieces in my wardrobe are bad fitting and either too short or too “Hello Boys” and not what you want to wear to mothers group. We will not mention the shoes for now.I blame Carrie Bradshaw for wearing a tutu in her 30’s in Sex And The City. False advertising, we can’t all get away with a tutu anymore, sadly.

I have decided on a tough love wardrobe audit and to start a capsule wardrobe for myself, the time has come that this must be done. Can we still be trendy and still be age appropriate? Yes we can.

This mutton does not want to look like a lamb anymore. I might have to however digest this reality with a glass of red.

mutton-dressed-as-lamb-doobleblob-clipart

Brow Down To Renee Zellweger

renee-zellweger-before-and-after-botox

Today I woke up and my Facebook homepage is full of criticism of Renee Zellweger. People genuinely shocked that she looked so different. Really? You think in Hollywood they have the fountain of youth? I think yes there has been a bit of work but I also think that she in fact has possibly dare I say just aged? I think the main problem is her brows, Renee go and treat yourself to a HD Brow! Let’s not forget that Renee is a complete fitness freak and this can actually be quite ageing when taken to extremes.

I am sure Renee Zellweger hates a bad photo just as much as the rest of us! Let’s move on and continue to worry about all dying from Ebola:-)

brow

Not Your Average IPhone Case

I came across Louise Androlia on Facebook and fell in love with this IPhone case, actually I love all the cases. I want Weirdo Forever for my next one! This case reminds me everyday to not try and control every aspect of my life and live in the moment. After suffering with anxiety for the past year and extreme sleep deprivation after my baby this case is just what I needed.

Louise’s vision is quite magical please go and check her out
http://www.louiseandrolia.com

IMG_0738.JPG

Milk No Sugar

20140806-132339-48219845.jpg

20140806-132340-48220273.jpg

Jasmine Rocca is 23 years old with 2 children and the owner of Breastmilk Jewellery. Jasmine explains that the jewellery has really appealed to the natural parenting community and the mums who really value the gift of breastfeeding.
“A huge supporter of breastfeeding. It is such an amazing gift and we are so lucky in Australia how much support and information we have on breastfeeding. I do think there is still a way to go though especially with bringing awareness to extended breastfeeding(past 1yr) and all its benefits.
We also offer jewellery made from placenta and ashes. Just the other day I had a lady ask me to make a pendant with her babies ashes. It really is such an honour!
It all started because I had expired breastmilk in the freezer, I was going to chuck it out when I thought, I should try to make something out of this!”

Having spent 12 months breastfeeding my daughter I can fully understand how these items of jewellery could appeal to breastfeeding mothers to recognise the gift in being able to feed our babies.

So happy Australian Breastfeeding Week to you all and please do check out the jewellery on http://www.breastmilkjewellery.com.

A big congratulations to Jasmine and Breastmilk Jewellery for her nomination for an AusMumpreneur Award. You have. Lula Land’s vote x