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Can I get a Bodak Yellow shout, “CARDIIIIII!!!” And now, add an “KULTURE KIARRRIII!!!!”- as we welcome that bad bi@#! killing it in the rap game to Motherhood, and her baby girl into this world. Cardi B announced on July 11th she gave birth to her princess, Kulture Kiari Cephus, with her husband, Offset on July 10th 2018. Her announcement was anything but basic and we would expect nothing less from her. Nothing about Cardi is ordinary and that’s one reason we adore this Bronx queen so much. She celebrated Kultures arrival with us, with the world on Instagram by posting striking photos of herself fully pregnant and nude. They’re tasteful and risque’. The perfect combination. They well suit her voice, and who she is. They also foreshadow the vibrance for life she’s going to instill in her child’s. She’s still posing like a boss, looks phenomenal and ready, but what makes the photos pop off is her glowing body heavily surrounded by brightly colored flowers. The photos are nothing short of stunning. Do take notice that if you look closely at her big doe eyes, you can see a soft innocence and a gentle love that always comes; overtakes a true mothers heart while she grows her little one inside of her. They’re beautiful symbolizing Cardi B as herself, and a unity with her cub already as a mother to be. Currently the fans, and the media are all most roused up about the photos, and the chosen name for Cardi and, husband, Offset’s new addition. The name is super unique just as the announcement was but what is most fascinating, and rousing is how this confident 25-year-old from the bottoms of the Bronx, rose up out of the pits, claimed her dreams and has bossed the music industry around since her first step in. As quickly as she became all the hype, she became pregnant with Kulture. It did not take any hip out of Cardi B’s hop nor did it kill her stride in any way. She kept working and going even harder! Pregnancy is no joke, and for some it is rougher than others, and to accomplish what she has and more while carrying Kulture is amazing and to be applauded. While her lyrics hint parts of her story in bold fashion, her vocal cords blast a confidence that shakes the beat. She’s raw without shame and along with that and her fierceness, strength and driven mind-set prove she is going to be a damn good momma and may we root her on as her new adventure begins and she starts making her mommy moves.

I’m going to be honest before we even get into what I felt antenatal didn’t prepare me for. I only went to one NHS Antenatal class. This was for a variety of reasons but mostly because if I had not already done the Hypobirthing course or paid for a private antenatal class because my husband couldn’t attend the NHS ones because of the time) I would have been left scared about giving birth. The midwife delivering the sessions, although I am sure she was very lovely, did nothing to fill me full of confidence or positivity about birth. She really didn’t talk about the journey of birth at all, apart from how much it was going to hurt and what the pain relief options were. I also left feeling very much like the decisions I had made for my birth and postnatally were frowned upon (hypnobirthing and placenta encapsulation) but these were my decisions, it was after all my child’s birth. So I never went back. Perhaps I should have but leaving that first session filled me with dread and anxiety and I had to spend a lot of time re-focusing my thoughts on the birth back to being positive, which is exactly what the hynpnobirthing course had taught me. Throughout pregnancy and post-natally you have so many questions. What happens when? What if this happens? How do I do this? Is this right? And most of the information given I found was through leaflets, which is totally fine if you have the time to read them and if they are up to date but just handing a mum to be or new mum a pile of leaflets really isn’t going to help her tackle the never ending lists of questions she may have. My experiences of the support given at antenatal classes are obviously very personal but I know a great deal of mums who struggled with the fourth trimester who like me, if they had been given the right information may have found it a little easier. I was definitely not prepared for the overwhelming emotions post-birth, the post-birth bleeding, my post-birth body and the struggles I had to successfully breastfeed my daughter. One of the major things I feel let down on is recognising the signs of PND. At every appointment they ask are you feeling okay and I mostly said ‘yes’ and I probably was feeling okay on that day, but the previous week had probably been tough. But the questions never extended beyond are you feeling okay. There was also never any helpful information about how to recognise if how you are feeling aren't just the baby blues. I knew something was wrong from very early on after giving birth as I struggled to bond with my daughter but what I didn’t realise was that the way I was feeling was a massive indicator to PND. Being diagnosed with PND 5 months after giving birth and now being able to recognise that the warning signs of me being depressed were already present in my pregnancy really does make me feel let down by my experiences. I had had a tough pregnancy with constant sickness throughout but although I asked for support I was never given any. Following a build up of events and struggles post-natally and 5 months later I am finally on the road to recovery with help from my GP. From my own experiences and from speaking to other mums I think the biggest let down with some antenatal care and antenatal classes is they emphasise on birth and not enough on the emotional wellbeing of parents following birth and the importance of rest and recuperation in the fourth trimester. Maternal mental health has come to the forefront very recently and steps are being taken to help improve the services offered. But there does seem to be an emphasis socially on new mums being back up and out just hours after giving birth and returning to their pre-baby life. I don’t know about you but this put immense pressure on me and I never rested properly after giving birth. I was up cleaning the house at 7am just 24 hours after giving birth. For me there are a great deal of things that antennal didn’t prepare me for but equally I am not sure how you can ever truly prepare to become a parent. There is no manual, no rulebook and no baby is the same. You are basically winging it each step of the way. However, the major let down is emotional wellbeing support, but hopefully through maternal mental health being brought to the forefront and through mums talking about their experiences other mums will be better prepared for their experience of motherhood. For more from Emma Cottam: Website: www.IsabellaandUs.com Facebook: IsabellaandUs Instagram: Isabella_and_us Twitter: Isabella_and_us

As a mum of a one year old boy, I'll start by saying this - "wow" I never imagined that children could be such hard work. I mean I had heard the stories and read a few articles, but always felt that they may be slightly exaggerated, but needless to say l was very, very, wrong. Motherhood is actually the equivalent of 2.5 jobs! And I now appreciate a mother who is doing her best and still looks amazing! It’s so important to take care of mum in order to maintain wellness throughout our lives. I went into motherhood with full force. A year on, I'll say that my social life, friendships and even dating has changed. Yes dating! I am on my own on this journey and it's pretty scary, but nevertheless I remain positive, until I can pull a Ciara and find my dream guy! It's inevitable that dating will be different. What will men think while I tell them "sorry I've got to get back to my kids", not sure yet, as a year on I am only just getting my confidence back and coming out from the shadows of the dreaded "single mum" badge. Socially, only mums get it, and you see friends less. It’s me and my son now! My life journey has been frivolous regarding work life balance and getting the ‘right job’. My overall goal is to spend more time bringing up children, so needing something to fit around this would be ideal. As a parent I feel there are not many opportunities for part time, flexible jobs, but this is changing slowly. Mums want to be able to have a job and make time for their children, but long hours and days make it harder. Where is the compromise? Thinking, looking and feeling good is a lifestyle that can be hard to maintain as a mum because of daily challenges. I would like all the mums who feel like they wake up day to day and have no time to make themselves look and feel good, to stop and dedicate some time to feeling great about you. It’s vitally important that us as mums feel our best first for the benefit of our children. It’s all a simple mind set, just like everything else in life. So back to men and dating! It’s confusing for me because I still have to look for a partner, so I still have to look good for those honeymoon period moments etc. Despite this, I still think that if you have your family life together and a partner who doesn't care too much about what you wear or how you look, do it for yourself, you are a woman after all. Dedicate an evening or two to self care. Spa baths, hair maintenance, cleansing rituals, and order that new outfit your have seen! You will feel amazing for it, promise.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” -Pablo Picasso Rules are theories created to define our acts for them only to be judged. They are not laws. Simply, they are societies set of boundaries that have influenced our ways of living, acting, thinking and even dressing for decades. Some of these universally well-known rules come from traditions and formalities implemented at some point, but that does not make them anything we must abide by in the now. It’s time to let go of age old traditions and set ourselves apart from living according to other perspectives. Most people do not question rules, but most successful people do. Leaders do. For instance, take Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. They’re are both known to have been boundary pushers and rule breakers. Since they broke the rules not only did they achieve success, but they revolutionized our way of life. If they had stuck to following the rules, then we may not have the technological advances like we do and thrive on today. The most influential innovators, speakers and leaders; they all had to break rules to initiate change, make an impression and bring on multitudes of new ways to our being, and our lives. The world and all of us in it are always evolving and the rule breakers are the ones causing rules themselves to evolve. Be a rule breaker and start with these that I insist you break. Plus, if you never break the rules, you will miss out on all the fun. ​ 1. Only Speak When Spoken To If you are one gifted with great discernment, and intuition then breaking this rule at the most suitable times may come to you with ease. Yet some of us do not have those gifts as well as others, so for those who feel awkward to speak up or believe this rule is to be followed know this. Your voice defines you in the workplace and all around the table of life. It defines your character and willingness. Now, do be careful about being too outspoken as this is frowned upon highly. Know when the proper time arises for your voice to be heard whether you were spoken to or not. It sets you a stage radiating confidence and a foundation of who you are. Speaking up is always a rule to be broken when ambition and passion are driving. You do not want to blend in at the work place or in life if you have any desire to make a difference. “Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say” ​ 2. Do Not Wear White After Labour Day I am astonished that I still hear this nonsense floating around in the air among our society today. In fact, I have never followed this rule as I saw it as lame, and without logic that mattered. This rule never had an influence for when I wore or wear white. If you want to wear white after Labor Day or in the winter or the fall, then do so as you please. Challenge: Try to wear white during all seasons and wear it well. Make this rule breaking moment a striking one to sight so it is worth overhearing some voice out there still thinking this, when to wear white rule exists or is founded firmly so it is to be followed. This rule? Break it year-round! Also, when it comes to white, wear it to a wedding if you want. Black as well. Those old traditions guarding a too funeral of a look or the worry of stealing the brides thunder need complete abolishment by all of humanity. Call me a bit dramatic here but these rules are absurd. Plus, black and white are the last of the colors anyone should have made such heavy rules about. They are the most essential colors to all wardrobes and that perfect fit. Those rules are meant to not be followed and if followed I say there should be some hints of harmless shaming there. 3. Leopard Print Is Not a Neutral I beg to differ as do many fashion bloggers and columnists. If you can try to see it as a neutral it will become one to you in no time, giving your fits a more classic edge. Although with leopard print somehow the wildness it holds remains subtle enough to not look haughty or gaudy. Make it a neutral or at least give it a thought. It really does always seem to flow well and always keep your look on point without looking like there is too much going on. ​ 4. Do Not Feed The Ducks It is a gorgeous day, one perfect for the park and feeding the ducks. You grab your kids and some harmless bread and jump into the car for a day of fun and nature. As you pull up to the park you see a sign that reads, DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS. The words are going against the reason, the most anticipated event for this day of time with your children. Feeding the ducks anywhere is always a blast, and sometimes a complete riot. The madness in their quacks to the laughter amongst you and your children is priceless, and in knowing this it shows this written rule as a joy thief. So, what do you do? You feed those ducks and get them all riled up anyway. People miss signs all the time and joy. Miss the sign not the joy. Throw that bread, chase those ducks and have a damn enjoyable time running about with your littles. Quack it to the man! (This portion is not condoning the breaking of any actual laws. The point to be made above is not to break a law so definitely do not go around doing that and catching yourself tickets and so on) 5. You Can Not Have It All Yes, you can. Who says you can’t? Who said this was an actual formality to be followed by in our lives? There’s no one to firmly found it as something we are to believe and follow by accordingly so. With the right passion, drive and ambition all aligned right and worked out within reason, and if you keep your dreams attainable, and never give up then yes, you can achieve them all. One by one. Do not let this age old saying that was probably said by a person with no experience in life influence your mind. Set out to achieve your goals and make your dreams become your reality. “She knew she could, so she did.” 6. Pink and Red Clash. Do Not Wear Them Together Scuuuuurt! Let this troublemaker through and tell you to never follow this rule. Ever! Just as it is said about black and navy I also find this rule to be erroneous on all counts. Pink and red look fabulous together. It’s the fact that they do clash or more so are very contrasting that makes these two colors even better looking when worn together. A vibrant and innocent aura pops from these two colors as it is. This rule is meant to be broken and stay broken. 7. Question Nothing No, the rule should be, Question everything especially rules. That then would be the rule that breaks all the rules society has set as standards for us to all live by. Among the others listed there are far more rules to be broken and some simply because they’re outdated or ridiculous. Always question a rule, a theory, or opinion. I say even question facts. Question everything within moderation and open your mind to a brighter world moving at a steadier pace full of life, love and joy. Embrace freedom to the fullest as freedom is limitless but breaking some rules will be required. Risk is always required for living the true good life. Pay attention, and absolutely question it all. ​ ​ That’s a mixture of a few rules we have allowed to carry on for far too long and ones that should be known well enough that they can be broken in the right and most creative of ways. Breaking away from the standards society tells us will make you a happier and more confident person in who you are, and in the way you live and love your life. To conform is to imprison yourself to another’s perspective giving them a power they do not rightfully hold. Be you, break the rules, and take risks for yourself and your dreams. Anything is achievable and do not let society tell you otherwise any longer.

Motherhood is definitely one of the toughest, yet most beautiful experiences we will ever go through as women. The sudden change of lifestyle, commitments, hormones, and even relationship dynamics can be very hard for some of us to bear, and there are many who have the support of a loving partner, great family and friends who they can turn to for guidance, a shoulder to cry on and even childcare, and then there are many that are parenting solo 0 completely solo. Estranged family members, family that live abroad, no partner or spouse andmaybe even no friends. So here is some crucial advice for mothers who are parenting with very little or no support. 1. Find a Network That Works So usually grandparents are the go to fo some free childcare, but on some occassions that option isn't there. If you have nobody to lend a helping hand then start working on building a network ot trusted individuals who you can possibly exchange sitting duties with. This way you do not have the added pressure of sitter costs and you will also be able to build on your friendsips with the other parents at the same time. 2. Loosen Up At times our expectations of ourselves and others can take over and completely overwhealm us. When you're feeling frazzled try and take a step back, reflect and put things into perspective. When you take a minute to work out and perhaps look at things differently it reduces your chances of getting stressed. Your kids will do well and turn out “good enough” when you calm down and allow yourself to be “fine enough” as a parent. Motherhood is not easy so no way will it ever be perfect, so loosen up and live and let live. As long as you are trying your best is all that matters and you'll actually be able to parent better if you chill out a bit. 3. Dedicate a Day To The Kids When motherhood leaves you exhausted you can easily become detached from your minis and from mothering with intent. Learn to switch off from the negativity and stresses and fous on enjoying your children through play, discussions and outings. I propose switching off on a Saturday and making this a work, negativity, and stress free day. 4. Work Around The Mini If you're running a business or working from home and on top of that you are parenting alone then the pressure can be really high at times. If you're like me and work from your kitchen table with a 2 year old in tow - plan your day strategically around work and your child. Follow your childs peaks and dips during the day. When are their nap times? What time are they most settled? What shows do they love the most that will fully engage them while you have a 10 min Skype call? Work it all out. It will be crucial to maximising your day. 5. Parent YOUR Way The do's and don'ts of parenting are all subject to the individual in my opinion. If you want your child to be vegan, choose to not give medicine, let them watch what they want (within reason of course) then they are all decisions that you should make. As long as your child is not coming to harm a s a result of your actions, then parent your way. Advice is always good, but remember advice is usually administered based upon that persons personal experiences. 6. This Too Shall Pass Remember your mini's will not be mini's forever, so keep in mind that the sleepless nights, tantrums and all round fiasco will not last forever. There will eventually come a time when you look back and may miss these days, so do not get too worked up about the present, it will all pass.

Michael Tavon is a poet, and his words you will find yourself quoting. He grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and still resides there as an uprising writer and author that has already caught the attention of numerous womens eyes world round. His writing is subtle with powerful emotion. How can that exist? Michael makes it exist. His pieces show strength in being alone, and the flip side as well—desperation from past regrets; past pains. Mostly what you notice is Michael has a beautiful heart for himself and for women with a touch of jaded surrounding him, but that doesn’t stop him from exposing his experiences and his perspective without fear. His poetry leaps off the page and it chokes you but, lets you loose quickly without you needing to gasp for air. His heart is on his sleeve and his muse(s) have power, but mostly Michael has a talent. His first book, published when he was just twenty-three years old in 2013 titled, “The Garage Band” The Legend of Dookie Harris.” Per Michael his readers do not know this book even exists, but they do now. To follow we have, “God is a Woman, Nirvana and A Day without Sun.” All wonderful reads and extremely wonderful vibes. It is refreshing to read his writing but his answers to my very specific questions below are nothing short of stunning. Michael is a rare gem in general. Ladies he’s not settling down yet, but when he does that woman is blessed beyond measure. Be sure to check him out on Instagram and Twitter, @bymichaeltavon. Get your hands on his books before you can’t. This upcoming author and poet is going places and it was a pleasure to speak with him and now share him and his talent with you. BUY IT What/ Who is your muse for your pieces in, “A Day Without Sun”? The tone in this book is striking yet subtle in the way you lay it out. Your muse(s) seem powerful. Are they? M.T. - Honestly, one of my muses is the woman I loved for years, but the feeling was unrequited. She loved me, but not in the way I wanted her to. I was also inspired by my personal growth, and my deep dark thoughts. As a keen observer I too find it all in nature and learning new perspectives. What is it about loving a woman that grasps your soul? In fact. I’d like to know your perspective on love in general. M.T. - To love a woman is so powerful and infectious. It brings the best out of me, always. There are so many levels of love. In fact, this year has been an interesting one for me, with women. I’ve learned how to love different, for reasons, and how each woman has a specific purpose in my life. I’ve developed beautiful relationships (that turned romantic) with women that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Are you jaded, Michael? Jaded about women, love or anything else? If so, would you elaborate? M.T. – I’d say my every day life has me jaded in a sense. It has become too routine, and that is driving me insane. I wish I could re-route myself, just up and leave, but I can’t so that is that. (Insert sad face here) Many of your pieces suggest you playing the field, not settling down again. I noticed this especially in, “A Day without the Sun.” Correct me if I am wrong but if I am not I want to know what brought you to this mindset. Usually it’s a past hurt that sends men and women to this point. Is it fear that mostly drives this decision in my opinion, but I want to hear yours and in raw form, or do you not feel this way anymore? If not, why? M.T. - “Let me put this out there. I’m not opposed to settling down in the future, but due to my current situation settling down isn’t of the best timing. It’s not an ideal situation right now. I enjoy the company of different women. I love the energies they bring to my soul. It’s like being a butterfly. (He laughs) It is the best option for me as I continue to get my life in proper order. I am of high conviction it would not be a good move to make right now.” “My goal is to help as many people as possible. God drives me to write. Through God my soul bleeds on paper. The goal is ultimately to be happy and help others as they are healing.” What is it that lit a fire in you to write, God is a Woman? M.T. - “Many factors played a role while I was writing that book. Now, know I almost threw this book out. I thought it was terrible and I was not in a place where I felt I could handle more disappointment with my writing. I also assumed people were going to overlook it. I was working at a call center with three published books. The books were not selling. My love life was a mess and I was finding myself inside any woman who would have me. “God is a Woman came from all of this and its how I fought back to my thoughts of giving up. With this one I was going to prove I was a good writer.” What is your goal for writing? Is it a mere release for you, is it vengeance, pain or to touch the hearts of the masses? In other words, what is driving you to publish your inner most feelings and thoughts? M.T. - “My goal is to help as many people as possible. God drives me to write. Through God my soul bleeds on paper. The goal is ultimately to be happy and help others as they are healing.” It takes a lot of courage to put your heart out there and your voice. When your first book was published how did you feel? What was going on in your mind? M.T. - “I published my first book, which was a comedy, in 2013 as an unknown twenty-two-year-old. I was nervous, but so thrilled when my hands touched the first copy. I literally froze in disbelief just thinking, “My name is on a book.” It was all I could think at that time. Exhilarating. What is next on the radar for Michael Tavon? M.T. - “Hmmmm, without giving out any details I will say that I do have a few more books coming out, but there is not any time frame on them yet. The manuscripts are done, and ready to go though. I plan on starting screenwriting and acting as well after these are published.” And, there we have Michael Tavon. A deep soul with a heart on fire for the world to understand it. His books are just as phenomenal as his answers to my questions above. It is wild hearts like these that keep others broken ones alive.

Mom’s pour a lot of juice, and a lot of wine. Relaxing with a glass of wine at the end of a long day is scrumptious, but some days require more refreshment, herbs, and alcohol! These drink recipes highlight those elements and more while giving you a new and delightful spark to any afternoon. I mean, night. Any night. Enjoy momma’s! You know you deserve it! Mommy Juice Ingredients: Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum Mountain Dew Directions: Grab you a glass and fill it with ice. Pour about a shot and a half of Captain and fill the rest with Mountain Dew. Stir and you’re ready to go. It doesn’t sound too delicious, but it is. It has a calming taste to it, but it’s one to define on your own. It’s not too sweet, but just right. It is the perfect mixture especially if you do not like tasting alcohol in your drink. So, a forewarning to watch how many you have! These can catch up on you. A Bi-Polar Breeze Ingredients: Kool-aid – Flavors, Tropical Punch, Cherry, Orange, Pineapple, etc. (Choose a 2-3 different flavors that you like. ) Vodka Ice Tray Lemon-Lime Soda (Sprite) Sugar and a lime wedge Directions: Follow the instructs on the Kool-Aid Packet and make at least three assorted flavors. Pour the Kool-Aid into ice trays. Let them freeze. Once frozen fill the glass with a few of each kool-aid ice cube. Then add in your vodka, and lemon-lime soda. To start a vodka seven but it changes color and flavor the entire tine you’re drinking it. Enjoy! As you For an extra breezy taste/look: cut the lime wedge in the middle and rub it along the rim of your glass. Then dip the top of your glass onto a plate of sugar and softly move in circular motions a few tines on the sugar. This will line your glasses rim with sugar giving it a more exciting look and feel. Baby Firefly Sweet Tea Ingredients: Sweet Tea Vodka Water 3 Lemon Wedges (One slice in the middle close to the Rhine to rub along the rime fo the glass) Sugar Directions: Take the cut lemon wedge and rub it along the rim of your glass. Put glass on top of a plate of sugar and swirl it in circular motions 3 times. Carefully, pour ice in the glass. Pour in the sweet tea vodka. Depending on glass size will determine how much vodka you would like in there. pour in water and mix with a long spoon. Add lemon wedged on rim of glass for décor and squeeze one or two fresh lemon slices in the drink. And, wa la! You have one strong iced tea to kick it back with now. A La Mia Bella Vita Vodka Ingredients: Pineapple Juice Lemon-Lime Soda (Preferably Sprite) Vodka (Preferably Titos) Watermelon Chunks Directions: Fill a glass with ice. Pour in your amount of vodka you prefer. We suggest 1 ½ oz. Then pour in an ounce of Pineapple Juice and the rest fill with Sprite. Add chunks of watermelon for color, a hint of flavor and once you’re done you have liquor-soaked watermelon to snack on. A taste of the Caribbean is coming your way and you can only think it is a beautiful life the moment you take a sip. Cilantro Limeade Vodka Recipe Ingredients: 1 cup Limeade 2 ounces Vodka, or Gin 1 tablespoon Fresh Cilantro, finely minced Directions: Add a few ice cubes to a short cocktail glass, set aside. In a cocktail shaker add a few ice cubes, limeade, vodka and cilantro. Shake until the drink is cold and pour into the prepared glass. Taste first to make sure you have just right amount of cilantro with the limeade. They even each other out well and this drink is a striking one full of bliss.

I am spiritual! What does it mean when we actually say, ‘I am spiritual?’ Some class being a spiritual person as being loving and kind to the self, to others and caring about the planet’s inhabitants. Some see spirituality as a way of becoming at ‘one’ with the Universe and closer to the Divine. Whichever way we think about it; once we start to go through metanoia the changes we experience can be both breath-taking and a living hell. Everything is so much better when someone loves you but why rely on someone else to validate you? Shouldn’t you love yourself? We should indeed, yet this is one of the hardest things for some of us to do but quintessential on our quest for spirituality. After all, how can you be a loving being if you can’t love yourself? Kind of hypocritical isn’t it? Too often we talk about spirituality like it is some beautiful, amazing experience; like we’ve been enlightened and found peace when in reality it is anything but beautiful. It can be ugly, raw and painful for some as they face their ‘demons’ trying to make sense of what has happened to them in life, why they ended up like they are, where they are and who they are with. Spiritual awakenings often happen when we are at our most vulnerable; when our defenses are down and perhaps when the universe feels it is time for us to learn ‘an important lesson?’ Some experience depression and mental health issues whilst others seem to just ‘be’ at ease with themselves, no longer stressing over the small stuff which used to rile them. We all have lessons to learn in life and the biggest and often the hardest is learning to love yourself. I have had many an argument with those in the helping professions where they have told their clients that in order to overcome their past difficulties and be happier, have better, improved relationships, be more confident and at peace etc. that they need to just love themselves but some people just never do this. For some the most they might do is to accept themselves. ​ Scientists have discovered that emotions which have not been fully processed can manifest into physical symptoms. If we don’t release our emotions regularly they become stuck in the cells of our body and we become ill. Healing always begins with a combination of emotional, spiritual and physical exercise; mind, body and soul. We need to talk and then talk some more; get those hurtful emotions out of our body. Acknowledge what we want to say or should have said; justify them. We feel what we feel, and there is no shame in that. By talking we can often diffuse the negative energy that accompanies it so the intensity dissipates. Talking about a painful experience until we are ‘all talked out’ can be one of the most powerful aids to recovery as long as somewhere in all this talk we shift from victim to victor and take action. The only person you hurt when you don’t release and take that step forwards is yourself. Physical, emotional and spiritual wellness comes from honouring and respecting all parts of you, knowing you deserve to be happy and at peace. Everyone who experiences a spiritual awakening knows afterwards that there is much more to life than our everyday eye sees. And once you see you can not ‘un-see.’ The way you see the world around you will never be the same again. You’ll suddenly become more aware and ‘knowing’ of things. You might feel it more than be able to explain it. You might perhaps notice it through the foods and products you consume and put into your body and become more interested in saving and protecting your environment. You may even feel more sensitive to everything that happens around you and compassionate about your fellow non-human beings, becoming vegetarian or vegan. Spiritual awakening is different for each individual and a very personal journey but at the centre of its existence is the desire to love, love of self and all the planet’s inhabitants. ​ ​ An ugly truth about your path to spiritual awakening is that you will inevitably lose friends and maybe even family as your awareness and vibration grow and you start to honour yourself more but the upside is that you will make new friends along the way. And don’t they say, ‘Friends are the family we choose for ourselves!’ As you start to create your new clan and align with your spiritual vibration you might notice that you want to be of service to others. We all have a light to share, our magic to sprinkle and our mark to leave on the planet. When we help others in doing so we inevitably help ourselves. I have long thought that the best jobs are the ones in which we serve each other. Anything else seems meaningless because we are ‘one’ and all the same and at the same time uniquely different. Are you sharing your magic? We help ourselves when we help others you know! ​ ​ So how do you begin to become more spiritual? That is entirely up to you. You create your own spiritual path. I have for many years been an advocate of the power of crystals. Not only are they beautiful to look at but they have healing energies; each crystal having a different use and representation in our wellbeing. Invest in some crystals and discover the positive effects for yourself. I never worry about which crystals mean what, I simply go into the shop and allow myself to ‘feel’ what I am attracted to. Your body always seems to gravitate towards what you need and so choosing the right crystal(s) should be easy for you. Did you know your body is a loving vessel which tries to communicate with you and let you know what you need. The trick is to silence the chatter of the mind and listen to your body. Another thing you can do is take up exercise (I can’t empathise enough the positive effects and essential need for exercise in your life. Not only does it keep your body mobile and flexible it also releases stress, improves your concentration and boosts your mood. It doesn’t need to be strenuous. Try some yoga, pilates or even some mindfulness activities. Pay attention to what you eat. Healthy food is your body’s medicine. Let me say that again just so you take it in, healthy food is your body’s medicine and when you realise the impact of this you will start to be more conscious of what you consume and ingest. Subsequently you will start to feel better about yourself. Keeping a diary or emotions journal is a good therapy for self-healing on your journey for enlightenment and spirituality. It is a cathartic practice of getting thoughts and negative feelings out of your body as it can be very healing to write things which perhaps you can’t say. Let the healing begin. Sometimes you can put another person’s happiness and wellbeing before your own because you love them so deeply. Sometimes you forget about your own happiness to the point you become unwell and feel depleted. It is crazy to do this but it is exactly what some of us do. We put our partners first and when they sadly put themselves first too we have no chance! Believe me, letting go of something or someone may seem hard, but holding on is sometimes even harder, crazy in fact! What lesson do we have to learn here? Does it have something to do with us becoming what we can overcome? And if we are to become who we are afraid to be, because underneath this fear, lies our true identity we need to realise that we are a beautiful being of the infinite universe capable of anything we put our mind to and the greatest realisation is that infinity will always be enough. The only things which stand in our way of this amazing life we desire are the pathetic, self-doubting excuses we tell ourselves as to why we can’t achieve something. The sky is not the limit. There is no limit. Our lack of self-belief and spiritual awareness is. So, let go and just trust the Universe. Let go of the fear you feel and just trust that all will be taken care of. Go forth on your own unique, spiritual journey and be open to what the Universe offers to teach you and what you may discover about yourself and the world. You are an amazing being on your spiritual journey and whatever the paradoxical, ugly pain and pleasure of finding yourself entails, you can and will handle it! So go ahead and sprinkle your sparkle everywhere you go! Suze Somerville is a Wellbeing Advisor and Mentor. She is the Author of ‘Crazy Love, Crazy Life’ available on Amazon and Lulu.com and Life Coach helping people globally through her Facebook pages and forums on Spirituality and Self-Development.

So starting a business seems to be the go to thing for all stay at home mums. And quiet frankly seems the right thing to do considering the vast amount of spare time we have, right? If I only I knew how much time this would actually take, I would have thought about this twice. Especially starting a divorce and buying a house 4 months after I started my online store and of course I never pictured my marriage failling so soon after starting my business. So I had no idea on how to start a business let alone how to run it. But all I knew was that I wanted to achieve 3 main goals, which were: ​​ To work from home and spend more time with the kids. To be my own boss. To have a source of income. ​​​ And now let me tell you what in reality happened during the first year: (To work from home and spend more time with the kids) I didn’t have time to spend with my kids because I needed all the awake time that I had to invest in my business. (To be my own boss) Yeah I was my own boss, that’s right, nobody told me what to do, in fact nobody told me anything, because I was on my own. The whole time. Literally (To have a source of income) About tha, well unless you have an amazing product and are amazing at promoting your business then you’re fucked because apparently you don’t make much money if any in the first year. So far I think this was the only point I was good at. Ok, so we have established that I had no clue of how to start a business, and very little more on how to run it and so I began to worry that I was going to have to quit. And I did’t want to. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. After all everyone else was doing it and they all looked so busy and so successful. What was I doing wrong? Perhaps I wasn't advertising enough. ​ So I started a social media management course to learn how to promote my own business the very same day I moved into my new house. Literally the same day (because I didn’t have enough on my plate). By the time I finished the course 6 months later it turned out that I sucked so much at running a business that I decided to stick with the social media. Was it scary quitting the online shop? Was it embarrassing? No fricking way! We put so much pressure on ourselves that we don’t allow room for improvement, or defeat for that matter. I was defeated, I sucked at running my online shop. I didn’t know how to or have the dedication to run it and so what? Did that make me a horrible person? A looser? No way, I took it as a stepping stone that has brought me to the job I’m doing today. That gives me freedom to work around my children and now I can tick all the boxes. ​ I work from home, I am my own boss, I have a source of income. At the moment it is still a learning curve and not every moment is fun and glamorous, but every little achievement fillls me with joy and that you cannot put a price on. That I have achieved something, without the need and support of a partner and that I don’t need to rely on anyone. So the moral of the story… Don’t just keep going because it’s what everyone says you have to do, do what is right for you and don’t be afraid of failing. Successful people are not those who do not fail, they are those who do fail more than once and simply refuse to accept it as the conclusion. Cristina Suarez is a Social Media Manager and the founder of Digital Mother Hustles, an ingenious company depicted by bright and bold colours. She is based in Kent where she lives with her two children. ​

There are times in life when we feel stuck. There's no budging and nothing seems to get us out of the slump. Now, this isn't a depressive slump, it is more of 'what now?' kind of feel. What am I doing? Where am I going? What is my purpose? Now these questions often arrive when we are stagnant and are not pursuing growth. You see, growth is so fundamental in life. It ensures that our self esteem is in check and that we feel valued and confident, so without it, it is no suprise that many of us can feel a little meh from time to time. So, we've given you our seven top tips for ensuring you are constantly working on your personal growth. 1. Focus On Love Learn to seperate from your emotions and focus your thoughts and energy on love. When you become focused on the good you'll lift not only your spirits, but those around you. 2. Learn From Others As humans many of us go through the same issues and have the same hurts and worries. It's all too easy to think that we are the only ones faced with adversity, so when we find an individual who has felt the same feelings - it's like music to our ears. Their experience and the methods they took to overcome can lead to a better insight and will give the motivation necessary to keep fighting. 3. Work On Your Daily Habits You can tell alot about a person from their daily habits. What they do with their free time to the time they get up in the morning. Success ca be found in our daily habits and tailoring what we do to improve our situations. Let's say you wake up at 10am on the weekend; why not wake at 8am, giving yourself the extra time to excercise or work on that new business idea? You'll adjust as time goes by and will start to see improvements that you'll so be thankfull for. 4. Break The Mold How many of us are living in our parents or families shadows? Not reaching our full potential through fear of what others may think. Break the mold and start living life on your terms and your terms only. 5. Trust Your Instincts Alot of the time many of us procrastinate as we are unsure and weary. With this, uncertainty can easily lead to shut down. Learn to trust that inner gut feeling and ride with your instincts. Deep down we all know what is right and wrong for us. 6. Practice Self Love Loving ourselves is one of the most important things, but strangely one of the toughest. Society has lead us to believe that we are imperfect and has taught us to focus on our flaws. Practice loving yourself and working on #selflove by treating yourself every once in a while, learning and enhancing your skills or simply by helping others. 7. Heal Yourself A lack of personal growth can come from harboured ill feelings that have been festering inside. Negativity not only has an affect on our heatth but also our minds. learn to let go of past hurts to become a better you.

When we talk about Girl Power or Womens Empowerment many of us picture hmm, lets say the Spice Girls or a civilly lead meeting run by women. The Gulabi Gang has shaken up those depictions with an extraordinary women’s movement like no other. Doned in bright pink saris and wielding bamboo sticks - The Gang - yes gang was formed in 2006 by Sampat Pal Devi in the Banda District of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. With this region being one of the poorest parts of India and with domestic violence, patriarchal culture, female illiteracy, child marriages and child labour rigidly affecting women and girls Sampat felt a very strong need for a change. “We are not a gang in the usual sense of the term, we are a gang for justice.” Sampat Pal Devi Initally the gang began when Devi witnessed a male neighbour abusing his wife and tried to stop him and protect the woman, unfortunately her attempts lead to her herself being abused. From that day Devi believed intensley that something had to be done to protect women who were being abused by men. She formulated the group, which included many survivors of domestic abuse, and they would go out and confront fathers, husbands, uncles or brothers and seek justice. "Yes, we fight rapists with lathis [sticks]. If we find the culprit, we thrash him black and blue so he dare not attempt to do wrong to any girl or a woman again," boasts Sampat Devi Pal, the group’s founder and head. "When a woman seeks the membership of Gulabi Gang, it is because she has suffered injustice, has been oppressed and does not see any other recourse," says Suman Singh, the group's deputy commander, from Mahoba district. "All our women can stand up to the men and if need be seek retribution through lathis," she adds. ​In a country where women are highly oppressed and dominated by men it is time that justice is rightly served and perpetrators are called out and punished for their actions. Women all over the world are suffering daily from domestic violence with up to 7 deaths every month occuring in the UK only. We are so here for the amazing movement of the Gulabi Gang - but quite frankly more needs to be done worldwide to hep victims and to support survivors. If you or anybody you know may be suffering from domestic abuse, safely get in touch with National Domestice Violence Team. 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline 0808 2000 247

As a society we spend a lot of time investing in, thinking about, and buying things for baby. But a baby really doesn’t need much - clothes, milk, nappies, a bed and love will cover the basics. But a mum to be and a new mum require quite a lot more. They need care, support and understanding. They need people to focus on her rather than just her unborn or newborn baby. She needs to know that there are people who have got her back, who will come when she’s had the toughest day in the world and will hold her baby whilst she takes a 5 minute nap. A mum needs to be invested in. Whether that is through relaxation, through her body, through her mind. She needs time for her. After you have given birth people often call round ‘to see baby’, they ask how baby is and they may bring gifts. But how often to people come to see the new mum, ask how she is or bring gifts for her? How many visitors offer to do things around the house when they call? Like make themselves a drink or bring a home cooked meal? How many people just ignore the major life event that that woman has been through? We spend so much time preparing for our baby, for the birth of our baby that we often forget about the period afterwards where we are left with a small human to look at after. Often feeling confused as to what their needs may be when they are crying. During pregnancy I found myself investing a great deal in my unborn baby, from clothes to toys to furniture, bedding, the list can go on. The focus is then majorly on baby, how is baby doing, how long have you got left, how big do they expect baby to be, etc etc. What people often fail to ask is ‘how are you doing’ ‘how are you finding it growing a human’. Throughout my pregnancy I found that I came secondary to most now that I was pregnant. My unborn child now came first and my needs where often ignored despite the very fact that during this time I should have been making the most of being ‘child’ free. When baby arrives everyone flocks to see them and I don’t know about you but again it was all focused on the new arrival. Not how I was doing as a new mum. Obviously my baby was now the most important thing in the world but I was equally just as important and my needs were too. After all how could I care for my child in the way that I wanted if I didn’t feel okay cause I hadn’t washed in a few days. What I often found then was that the baby classes we attended where all about my baby. No one asked how we as mums were doing, if we were okay. The expectation at this point seems to be that everything is solely focused on your new arrival and by even thinking about yourself you aren’t being a good mum. But as a mum, and to be able to be a mum to the best of your ability you are entitled to a break, you are entitled to still be you, to still enjoy and go and do the things you did pre-baby! We need to spend more time investing in ourselves and society recognising this is okay and if I want a break that’s okay. Pre-birth I did invest in myself through weekly Pregnancy Relaxation, a Pregnancy Massage and having my hair done. These things felt important. I needed to be the best version of me to be able to look after my child. Post-birth I have also invested in myself but not quite as much as I should have, a post-natal massage, cinema trips with my husband and baby free time with friends. I believe this is so important! How can I be the best mum to be daughter if I don’t have a break? If I don’t feel like me? She may now be the centre of my world but everything I need and my husband needs is still as valid. We need to remember this, we aren’t just a mum, we are still whoever we are or want to be! We may be a more tired version of ourselves but we are still us! You can see more of Emma Cottam at: Website: www.IsabellaandUs.com Facebook: IsabellaandUs Instagram: Isabella_and_us Twitter: Isabella_and_us