Stay Connected Video Magazine April/May 2021 - DORSET

I hope all of our readers enjoy this edition of Stay Connected Digital Magazine. Kerry, Lindsey and I have all worked hard to think a bit outside the box with this one. I kept thinking whilst writing this edition, “what do men want to read about?”. We asked our readers what they wanted to hear about so came up with some trending topics such as cryptocurrency, drones, websites as well as fashion, podcasts and the usual features. Get in touch to let us know what else you want to see in the future!

Chloe x

Kerry Phillips – Graphic Designer

Lindsey Legg – Managing Director

CHAMPAGNE AT MERE

A member of stay connected magazine had the prIvilege to be invited to a champagne tasting experience by duval-leroy at Monica Galletti’s restaurant ‘mere’ in the heart of London.

Located on Charlotte Street, London, Mere is a bar and restaurant owned by husband and wife, Monica and David Galetti.

Pre-lockdown, a member of our Stay Connected team travelled to London to enjoy an afternoon of fantastic food and Champagne being the main focus.

The 6 course Champagne tasting course started with Duval-Leroy’s Brut Reserve, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The notes are of dark Chocolate, Cinnamon and Figs.

Each glass we tried was exquisite and matched the fine dining courses perfectly. One of the most memorable bottles is the Cuvee described by Charles Duval-Leroy (below) giving insight into how his father designed the bottle.

The name of the restaurant Mere was inspired by the French word for mother, and is also Monica’s mothers name!

Perfect for a special occasion or just if you want a sophisticated evening, Mere is an elegant and contemporary restaurant. The bar is the ideal place to chill out before or after a meal, with hand crafted cocktails, or signature Champagne if you prefer.

The restaurant itself is accessible to all and flooded with natural light, making it the perfect hot spot for a meal or a drink any time of day. The restaurant has options for sitting downstairs, or upstairs if you prefer.

Lockdown has been tough on all of our social lives, making birthdays difficult and social gatherings non-existent. Mere offers private dining, available for 10 guests with a bespoke 6 course menu alongside the perfect drinks for each dish. This is ideal for catching up with friends and family.

The fine dining experience was incredible!

HOME SWEET HOME

Home is where the heart is. That has definitely been true this year, with all of us working from home. We all want to know what it would be like to experience the luxurious life. Sipping champagne, lounging by the pool and not being worried about money.

TOP 3 Most expensive places to live in the UK

Excluding London, Virginia Water, Surrey is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK. You can buy a house here for around £1,560,784 www.rightmove. co.uk. It is a popular commuter town, and has been described as still having village charm despite the influx of wealth. Virginia Water, Surrey, borders the beautiful countryside.

SANDBANKS, DORSET

Sandbanks is well known to be an extremely luxurious places to live. Not far from our Stay Connected office is Sandbanks, a small peninsula in Poole. Located in the south coast of the UK, Sandbanks is well known for its beauty and high property prices. The reason why prices are so high are obvious when you go there, but Sandbanks is located on one of Europe’s biggest natural harbours, hence space is limited. Exclusivity comes at a price of around £1,358,151on average (figures provided by right move https:// www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/ sandbanks.html)

HOME SWEET HOME continued...

London, being the bustling capital, is obviously a rather pricey area. Westminster in particular is where you want to be to experience the life of luxury. Grafton street is 30,788% more expensive than the national median of £224,000.

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The Invisible.AC system is a great investment for your future. For more information visit: www.thequantumgroup.uk.com or call 01708 528 240.

STRESS

This article highlights the consequences of ignoring mental health. many people have suffered during lockdown. Pressures have increased for many people - financial worries, not being allowed to meet with friends or having sport as a release can have a big impact.

My name is Chloe Halliday and I was sectioned at the age of 21. Before this, my only ever experience of psychiatric hospitals had been through the media, and specifically through films. From what I had seen depicted on screens I was terrified, and rightfully so. When you first think of a psychiatric hospital what do you think? Dark, murky corridors filled with patients closer to monsters than people?

Films that portray mental health institutions are often horror or thriller films, such as One flew over the cuckoos nest or Shutter island. This creates a preconceived notion that these places are somehow evil or awful, and these films can often spread misconceptions about mental illness in general.

One film that I had watched prior to getting sectioned was Shutter Island. It made me worried that the other patients would be scary and unpredictable. To be honest, this was one of the factors that turned out to be true in certain cases. Yes, some patients

can be violent, and shockingly I was too at some points. I am usually a very gentle and well-mannered person. I found it specifically difficult thinking back on the way I acted towards some of the staff members. It is hard to describe what it is like to not know what is going on around you, the paranoia and the feeling of not being able to trust anyone. At the beginning of my stay I felt scared of the other patients, but the more you get to know the people that are in the hospital, the more you realise that they are similar to you in many ways. During my almost months stay I met a variety of people, and as I started to level out with my medication, I became more comfortable talking to the other patients.

Reminiscing on my time in Longreach House, there were some rather funny moments too. I was in a mixed gender ward, and one of the women there had no family or friends visit her the entire duration I was sectioned for. I felt sorry for her as she definitely did not have the same support I was offered by my family and friends. However, I noticed during my stay in Longreach House in Redruth, Cornwall that this lady had been stealing my pants of all things! Thinking back now, it makes me feel a wave of amusement and sadness, as I remember her saying she just wanted some comfortable underwear to wear.

I also noticed that in films psychiatric wards and hospitals are often likened to prisons. Trust me, initially it did feel a bit like prison (not that I would know as

I have never been incarcerated!). It is difficult being restricted in a secure ward, but there were ways that the brilliant staff tried to keep us entertained. Classes were on a weekly schedule, with daily activities such as cooking, baking, singing, arts and crafts.

You can wear whatever you want, and unlike the films, no you are not given scrubs or a creepy looking uniform! Wear whatever feels comfortable and for me whilst I stayed at Longreach I mostly donned pjs. It is a good idea to pack lots of comfy cosy clothes that will remind you of home, along with plenty to do to keep you from getting bored. Films such as One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s nest don’t really portray the staff in a particularly good light, however in my case this was rather the opposite. The staff were very humane, well trained and as my stay progressed, I realised how lovely they were. At the beginning of my stay I was too unwell to realise that I needed to be in a psychiatric ward to protect myself, and hence took out my feelings on the staff.

What I did notice about the films portraying institutions was that they were mostly all horror films. This, in my opinion, creates an unconscious stereotype. I feel there needs to be more films portraying these places as the helpful lifesaving venues that they actually are.

WHEN COERCIVE CONTROL NEVER ENDS: POST-SEPARATION ABUSE

Domestic abuse doesn’t always stop when the victim and abuser split up.Post-separation abuse is experienced by far too many separated partners, both men and women. That’s why the inclusion of post-separation abuse in the new Domestic Abuse Bill is so important, says family lawyer Rita Gupta.

Post-separation abuse is about power through control. A coercive abuser will try and keep control over their ex-partner by any means possible; violence, threats, intimidation, stalking, emotional and financial abuse and manipulation. It can continue for years, affecting victims, their children, and their wider family.

CONTROL VIA THE CHILDREN

Once partners separate, their children may be the only remaining link between them. Post separation abuse can be when an ex-partner is deliberately obstructive on matters involving the children. Co-parenting disputes become worse, creating extreme anxiety and distress for parents and children alike. Children can also feel worried, confused, and trapped long after the abusive parent has left. Remote coercive control can continue to affect children emotionally, physically, and socially for years.

POST SEPARATION ABUSE NOW AN OFFENCE

Previously, post-separation abuse was only an offence when a couple lived under the same roof. Not any longer.

The new Domestic Abuse Bill will recognise post-separation abuse even if the ex-partners live miles apart. This will be a huge help for people trying to extract themselves from the grip of coercive control.

POST SEPARATION ECONOMIC ABUSE

Economic abuse is when the perpetrator of abuse uses financial manipulation to blight their victim’s life through:

• Denying access to joint funds or monies legitimately due

• Not paying the agreed Child Maintenance

• Demanding an unrealistic level of financial support

• Running up debt in their ex partner’s name (coerced debt)

financial settlementsCoerced debt and unrealistic support payments can prevent the abused partner from making a new life and becoming independent.Every monthly payment becomes a vivid reminder of their years of abuse and their abuser.

CONTROL AND CHILD COSTS

In my own family law practice, I have seen how one parent will try to cover the children’s activities, kit, tech and school uniform costs, while the other parent believes that child maintenance would cover the lot.The flip side is that an absent parent may think they must pay excessive financial support to “be a good parent”.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Whilst (sadly) it’s the more extreme post-separation violent abuse that hits the headlines, it’s the underlying coercive control and ongoing economic abuse that blights lives for years to come and is a common factor in many people’s lives.

If you are suffering from post separation abuse of any kind, the time to act is now. Get legal advice from an experienced family lawyer who understands this area, and discuss how to free yourself from any coercive control scenario.

Rita Gupta is offering StayConnected readers a 1-hour initial online consultation, including30 minutes free, to discuss your situation. (For qualifying clients,T&Cs apply).

STAY CONNECTED'S TOP TIPS FOR LOCKDOWN KINDNESS

Can you believe how long we were in lockdown for? In England, we faced a fair few restrictions and it’s safe to say that the general public were definitely feeling the strain.

Although lockdown rules are being lightened, the pandemic is still very much a big issue and the risk of further lockdowns isn’t out of the question just yet.

When in lockdown it can be easy to lose sight of the end, so Stay Connected has put together a top tips to spread kindness during the pandemic.

Paying it forward is an excellent way to spread kindness and happiness. April 28th is a day that worldwide is recognised where we should make extra effort to support your fellow man.

Pay it forward day is not associated with any other causes, and the aim is to transcend countries and bypass their differences to unite the world through good deeds. This year’s aim of is to create a ripple effect of kindness.

Another way to be kind is to offer going shopping for your neighbours that might be vulnerable or elderly. This doesn’t necessarily need to stop as lockdown rules are lifted, if anything it is a great way to meet your next door neighbours and giving back to the community. Be sure to ring them or get them to write you a list of the necessities they would normally buy.

You can also donate food to local food banks, as charity has been hit hard during the pandemic. This is also something you can try year-round. Any tins or long-life foods are ideal for those in need, The Salvation army is a local charity that helps out the homeless, the youth and children, the elderly and much more.

The Trussell Trust www. trusselltrust.org, the UK’s largest network of food banks, has anticipated an increase in people using food banks. If you are fit and healthy, you could even volunteer to help dish out the food to those in need.

Paying it forward is an excellent way to spread kindness and happiness. April 28th is a day that worldwide is recognised where we should make extra effort to support your fellow man.

Unemployment in the UK is likely to reach 2.6 million in the middle of 2021, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. That’s 7.5% of the working age population. Due to people inevitably losing their jobs, struggling financially ensues. Any little act of kindness could really brighten someone’s day who needed it.

There are plenty of ways to encourage kindness. Perhaps pay for an extra coffee and pass it on to the next person in the queue. Taking part in little random acts of kindness are guaranteed to give you a feeling of joy and make someone’s day at the same time.

Lockdown or not, it is so important to support small businesses at the same time. Check them out online, and order through their website. The pandemic has had such a negative impact on British high streets and local business’ have suffered a lot, with lesser budgets to try to adapt to being open during the pandemic.

Finally, it is evident that NHS key workers have been working tirelessly during the pandemic. To be kind to your local NHS key workers you can do something very simple. Stay socially distanced and adhere to the rules. Blood donations are predicted to fall also. To support the NHS you can also donate blood (if you haven’t got symptoms or haven’t been travelling recently).

There are plenty of ways to spread kindness in these uncertain times. It is essential that we take from the lockdowns the importance of treating others as you would want to be treated.

HYPNOTHERAPY? IT'S ALL MUMBO JUMBO, ISN'T IT?

I have recently been talking with people about what I do. It occurs to me that there are a lot of opinions about hypnotherapy. I started thinking about the kinds of questions I am asked. I want to share those questions with you.

What is hypnotherapy? Hypnotherapy is a talking therapy, similar to counselling. However, counselling mainly deals with conscious reactions to questions and suggestions. Hypnotherapy deals with the subconscious mind and its responses. The subconscious (sometimes called the Unconscious) mind is the part of you that functions without you realising it. It controls breathing, blinking, moving, and remembering. It helps you to remember how to drive, cook, write a letter - all those things you don't have to consciously think about.

Are you asleep?

Most people are not asleep and are very aware of everything throughout their session. Although it is theorised, 10% of the population are Somnambulists. In which case, you may not remember what happens in your hypnotherapy session, but you are still not asleep. How do I know? Because everyone opens their eyes when I tell them to.

Can you make me cluck like a chicken?

I guess the real question here is: Do you want to cluck like a chicken? I imagine at some point, you've seen or heard about a stage hypnotist. How people have got up on stage and eaten a raw onion as they've been hypnotised into believing it's an apple. Yes, in a way this does show the power of your subconscious mind making an onion taste like an apple. Here's the thing though - stage hypnotists will only choose you in you are 'Game for a Laugh', it's entertainment, pure and simple. So don't worry, I can't make you give me a million pounds or make you cluck like a chicken. But if you do want to give me a million pounds....

Does it work?

Yes, is the simple answer. I always spend time chatting with my clients. I ask the ‘WHAT’ questions. What do you want to change? What benefits will you get from this change? This is part of the Hypnotherapists job to identify the desire for change and what it means to you. I then use this information to help the client’s subconscious make the change during our session.

Why would I need it?

We all have bad habits, for example eating unhealthily, or drinking too much. The truth is all of our habits and fears are learned. We call it

learned behaviour. And though it may seem like you are stuck with these the truth is you can unlearn them. This is the core of hypnotherapy. We deal directly with your subconscious mind as this is where all your habits and phobias are stored.

Can anyone hypnotise me?

I’ve seen the video tutorials on YouTube, and I’m declaring it now. It is not as simple as watching a video and hypnotising your friend to help them. To become a hypnotherapist, I attended a fully accredited Diploma course. I undertook over 300 hours of practical study before I could qualify. A good hypnotherapist has a toolbox of techniques. I am trained to the level of Master Practitioner in Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Gestalt Therapy, Parts Therapy and many other techniques essential to providing a therapy centred around the client. In other words, I’m not using one method and making the client fit it. Hypnotherapy is NOT a one-size-fits-all therapy.

OH SO QUIET

The Morphée Sleep Aid

Want relaxation? The Morphée sleep aid will have you sleeping in no time. This device will be your passport to a brilliant nights sleep. There are three keys to create different sounds and with over 200 sessions to chose from, you’ll never get bored of sleeping alongside this amazing device. Don’t worry there are no wires or screens to prevent you from sleeping! Available for £79 from Evesleep

Little book of sleep

This little book of sleep will solidify the points above in more detail. Plus it is a lovely little book for the coffee table, or your bedside table. Perhaps even reading about sleep will induce it! Available from ASOS at a discounted price for just £5. www.asos.com

Snooze Happy

Sleep is essential to your wellbeing, both physical and mental. Did you know that we spend around 1/3 of our lives asleep? In our opinion that is too long to be not sleeping well. It can feel awful when you suffer with insomnia, and are just tossing and turning all night. Don’t fret though, there are many simple things that you can do to improve sleep. Here’s Stay Connected’s slumber guide.

Switch off to snooze

Most of our lives are spent staring at screens, for work, when we get home. Although it may seem impossible to escape, try turning off all laptops tablets and putting down phones before bed. The blue light in the screens make it harder to sleep in the evenings. It has been scientifically proven. The blue wavelength light from laptops, tablets and phones increases the release of cortisol, a chemical in the brain that makes us alert. They also prevent the production of melatonin, which we desperately need to fall asleep.

Atmosphere for a perfect sleep

Relaxing will help you fall asleep easier. Dim the lights at least an hour before going to sleep. You can also get essential oil diffusers, in which you can add lavender essential oil to. The scent is relaxing and it feels like an act of self-care. Light a candle (but be sure to blow it out before you fall asleep).

Read to read

It can be hard to switch off, especially after a hectic day at work or just family life tiring you out. Try reading a paperback book before bed, as if you are used to tablets or kindles. Here is our favourite book to read before bed, The little book of sleep.

Consistency is key

Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. It might sound impossible, but the consistency will help your body clock get into a routine. Sticking to a sleep schedule will be highly beneficial as this reinforces the body’s sleep-wake cycle. However, do not over do it. Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep.

WHICH PODCAST?

Our readers have sent us some recommendations for podcasts. let us know if you have any your want to share.

IF YOU'RE APPY AND YOU KNOW IT...

ANY.DO is a great app to use if you struggle with organising your life. Sometimes things can get a bit hectic, and with Any.do you can create lists and tasks to start making life simpler. To get started it is free but will require a fee after the first 30 days. With premium you can benefit from reoccurring reminders, Whatsapp reminders and an unlimited daily planner. Designed for Android but also available for iPhone, iPad, Mac, on the web, safari, chrome and much more.

COINBASE: Cryptocurrency is all the rage right now. If you aren’t aware, visit page… for more a brief introduction to the subject. This app provides a secure mobile bitcoin wallet. You can send and request bitcoin to friends or the certain shops that accept bitcoin. Securely access your wallets, vaults and transactions on the go. Buy and sell bitcoin directly from your app as you can connect your bank account. Available on iPhone and android for free, there is also a paid app that offers more features. Visit page 45 for a brief introduction to the subject.

THINKDIRTY is an app in which you can scan the barcode of products in the shop or in your house. It will make you more aware of what chemicals and nasties are in every day products. This will help you to shop more clean. Empowering you to be an ingredient conscious consumer, and to choose safer beauty, personal and household products. Available for Android and iPhone. It will make you more aware of what chemicals and nasties are in your everyday products. This will help you to shop more clean and empowering you to be an ingredient cautious consumer.

GOOD ON YOU app is a great ethical fashion app. It allows the user to help to support sustainable labels, as fast fashion is a hot topic right now. The Good On You app is available for Android and iPhone. You can use the app to browse over 3,000 brands that are assessed on their impact on the people, planet and animals.

MOODFIT encourages better mental health. It was even voted the best overall mental health app of 2020. Structure your day around better mental health: use the self-care and daily goals to give you the benefit of ticking off items on your lift. Moodfit can help you track all your healthy and not so healthy habits to help you highlight what you need to get on top of. Available on iPhone and Android.

MAP MY RUN is a great app to use to help to lose those extra lockdown pounds we’ve all inevitably acquired. It will allow you to track your run and will inform you of distance ran, calories, eleveation and more. This app is available on iPhone, android, apple watch, android wear and Samsung gear.

TASTY TAPAS

TERROIR is the set of all environmental factors that affect a crop’s phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop’s specific growth habitat. Located in Southbourne, Bournemouth, Terroir is a tapas bar with a twist. Their ethos of being kind to the planet is one that we should all be aiming to follow.

“It’s all about preserving & enhancing what we have on earth.” - Terrior tapas

They focus on reducing the waste they create, chemicals and unnecessary carbon trails, in aid of protecting the planet. Shockingly food waste is still costing the hospitality sector £357 million, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). This waste has usually got one destination: the landfill.

Terroir are working hard to ensure that they create zero waste. Even on the website Terroir are transparent with how many miles the food has travelled to get to your plate. They are eco-friendly even down to the final details: they grow their own herbs on site with hydroponic and aquaponic systems, and even the salt and spices are sourced from the UK when possible.

When it comes to design, Terroir has encapsulated sleek, minimalistic and environmentally

friendly in one. Not only is the atmosphere trendy and exciting, but the tables are also made out of compressed yoghurt pots. Ideal for the environmentally conscious.

They really have thought outside of the box, and they truly use every scrap ingredient in the making of the place. The bar is made out of reused coffee cup lids and plastic chopping boards. Rather than contributing to making more waste, Terroir uses washable napkins and hand towels as opposed to disposable.

The Stay Connected team enjoyed a lovely evening at Terroir, pre lockdown. Drinking sweetcorn martinis and soaking up the incredible atmosphere, we had a great time and would thoroughly recommend the tapas bar.

Fantastic and inspiring staff with presentation and taste experience to challenge any restaurant.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel and the end of lockdown is in sight now. Why not book in advance and eat out locally to support small businesses. It makes the world of difference when you chose a local business. www.terroirtapas.com

ZOOM COCKTAILS

Lockdown Nights How have you been spending your nights at home? Maybe Zoom quizzes, escape room Zoom or possibly and home cocktail parties...

Belushi’s at Home sent Stay Connected a cocktail making pack so what better way to spend an evening with friends than laughing over making cocktails. For only £14.99 you can get a box sent to your home with 2 cocktails packs inside. We had Porn Star Martini and Margherita Strawberry. They even come with the decoration and umbrella.

He always played escape room Zoom to top the night off which involved solving mysteries and codes to solve the murder mystery game.

If you want to give one a go - here is a link: www.murdermysterygames.co.uk/murder-red-room

RAISING THE BAR

Stay Connected had a socially distanced chat in the garden with Paul Rees, (ensuring to wear masks and wash hands before and after visiting). We asked him about his history at the club and his past that is intertwined with famous athletes.

Paul, Former President of Bournemouth Athletics Club, is a dedicated individual, having been involved in sports for his entire life. Originally from Aberdare in Wales, Paul has coached many lifters and athletes. He goes above and beyond to support them to be the best athlete they can be.

He has been a part of Bournemouth Barbells, a bench-pressing society based in Bournemouth on the South Coast, for the majority of his life.

Many people face problems with motivation, even without the issues that lockdown causes, especially when it comes to fitness. We asked Paul about lockdown and the effects of it on athletes at the club he is such a huge part of.

“People lose motivation anyway…but in lockdown the problem becomes non-contact with other people who are like minded.”

He explained about what he does to ensure his athletes that he trains in the right mindset.

“I give them absolute space. The sport is removed, and they are left with a number of variables that are affecting their life already. They then seek to come back to training because it’s a way to get some relief from the other variables.”

Paul has competed in shot putt, discus, hammer, occasionally long jump and occasionally Javelin.

In 1973, Paul was selected for Wales, competing against Holland in Shot Putt. He won the European international event.

Paul recalls many competitions with Geoff Capes, former Commonwealth Champion, European Champion and twice World’s Strongest Man. At 6ft5 inches he made a huge impression wherever we went.

Paul ended up driving to Wales for a competition with Geoff Capes and talks about when they were in a bar playing a ‘finger game’ where you linked a finger and tried not to let go. One particular time, Paul laughs “Geoff ended up dragging someone across the entire restaurant, table and chairs went flying but neither would let go!.”

It is during the darkest times in our life that we realise what is most important to us. Paul Rees is currently fighting terminal pancreatic cancer. The club and supporters took part in a bench press challenge in aid of raising money for children with cancer. They have currently raised £2,342 in total, but the club are still raising money.

The fact that Paul is going through chemotherapy and still trained for the event is worth donating in itself. Not to mention that charities worldwide have been facing difficult times during Covid19, the pandemic has made fundraising almost impossible. www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/bournemouthbarbell

WEAR MY LEGGINGS

Hi! My name is Mirna Yatim and I’m the owner of Wear MY Leggings Fitness Apparell. I’m also a Personal Trainer, Boxing/Kickboxing and Muay Thai coach based in Bournemouth.

Where do I start! Well.. after being in the fitness industry for 9 years, competed in boxing/kickboxing and tried different types of training including Karate and Body building, it is safe to say that I have owned so many different brands of athletic wear, specifically leggings! But with every purchase, I would find something I would have different, or even alter it to fit me the way I feel it’s more flattering on my body, and most importantly more comfortable and supportive to wear!

That then gave me the idea of creating my own brand of leggings! But ofcourse it wasn’t that easy to source good manufacturers! Two years later and probably around 15 different samples in, I had one pair that was it! The material was just right! The fit was body sculpting after I had asked for specific alterations, the waist was high and supportive, very stretchy for comfort but yet they kept their elasticity! I was over the moon but had to compose myself until I had fully tested them! I wore them for weight lifting, boxing, running, HIIT, you name it! I was really happy!! All that was left was to have the designs manufactured and ready to be sold! So I came up with a design I had had in my head for a while! I wanted to create designs that are unique and make you stand out from the crowd. Designs for all shapes, curves and sizes that turn heads for all the right reasons! I believe if you walk into a room oozing with confidence and comfortable in what you are wearing, then that’s what everyone would see! I want women to be brave in wearing figure hugging clothes, bold in trying out new patterns and designs, and simply feeling beautiful in everything they wear!

TIANA is named after my 9 year old daughter who also does Kickboxing and has a fearless personality but yet very soft, hence the Leopard and the Zebra.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I placed my first order in December 2019. My stock arrived on the 20th of March 2020! I could not believe my luck! Was it a blessing or was it a curse that we went into the 1st lockdown just 3 days later!!! Well... I was sold out of both TIANA and LINDSEY) within just 3 weeks!! That was purely through advertising via Facebook as I did not have a website yet, and recommendations from friends and clients! Everyone was and still is loving them. So much so that they buy their favourite pair twice!

Fast forward to a year later and I now have more than 15 designs of leggings, 5 shorts, 6 hoodies, 6 cropped tops, vests, face masks, bags, running tops and more to add!

I simply could not have done it without the love, support and trust I have gained from our lovely incredible community! I call you all the “MY” family and I sincerely mean it! Many women tell me about the different encounters they have with others they see walking in the park in Wear MY Leggings, or along the beach, and how they look at each other and just smile even without having met before, mostly leading to a friendly chat! It’s almost like a “I know who you support” type of look! It just makes me so happy knowing that I’m creating a very big family as I go along!

There is ofcourse as always, a lot more to do! I am still a new business climbing that ladder slowly and grafting! There is always something to improve on and so many new ideas that are just waiting to be revealed!

The idea of this article was to firstly introduce myself to you and give you a little background about the brand and how it started. It is also to help inspire someone to always work hard towards their Goals or plans! No dream is ever too big to achieve. It won’t be easy but you have to believe in yourself! I know I have a long way to go yet, but I also know that I am still here as a brand, standing on my feet, thriving and grafting, hoping and knowing that one day I will be a brand that every household talks about, because I truly believe in what I have!

As always. I appreciate your support in every single way, whether it’s reading this article, or recommending my brand if you have tried it before. You can visit our website at www.wearmyleggings.co.uk to see our current full range.

Yours truly. Mirna x

COSTLY

Lawrence Down Financial Planner | Lester Brunt Wealth Management Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Dickens House, 15 West Borough, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1LT t: 01202 695801 m: 07967 000275 l.down@sjpp.co.uk www.lesterbrunt.co.uk

Planning for retirement is just one area in which, with the benefit of hindsight, many people wish they had taken action earlier.

Research from Aegon found that 51% of workers wish they had started saving for a pension earlier, or regret having taken a break from saving; 14% of workers said their biggest regret was not making a financial plan for their pension.

The biggest regret of those retired was, for 38% of respondents, putting off making a savings decision; for 18% it was poor planning.

On the positive side, 42% of those surveyed said their best savings decision was joining their workplace pension or saving into a personal pension; 19% felt their best pensions decision was to save for retirement from an early age.

Indeed, an earlier study by Prudential found two in five pensioners regret retirement planning mistakes which have left them struggling financially. Nearly one in five said that they didn’t save enough for retirement, and 15% regret not starting to save earlier in their working lives.

Save for tomorrow

Understandably, many of us still have misgivings about locking our money away for decades – especially if we have more immediate calls on our income. Nevertheless, if we’re serious about planning for the future, we need to put away surplus income today, since doing so funds our lifestyles tomorrow.

Pension contributions attract tax relief on the way in and they accumulate capital gains free of tax once inside. When you access your pension savings, the first 25% is normally tax-free. While you cannot draw on the funds until your 55th birthday, this does protect your pot against the temptation to tap into it until then.

Getting off the mark

How much pension income you need in retirement will be determined by many factors, including your health, your living expenses and your desired lifestyle. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. However, as stated in August 2019 by the Office for National Statistics, the average (median) earnings in the UK are £29,588 per year; so a pension income of around £20,000 may be on average the minimum requirement.

Therefore, even if you qualify for the full single-tier State Pension of £9,110 a year, you would be looking to find at least £11,000 a year from your other pensions. Achieving this, however, can be very challenging for those on low incomes, or those with unpredictable earnings – but especially for those who delay saving.

Assuming that the fund would be used to purchase an annuity, someone in their mid-20s who starts saving into a defined contribution (money purchase) pension today would need to save around £297 a month to achieve an income of £12,000 by the time they reach State Pension age. Someone who delays until their mid-30s would need to put away £420 a month; and a 45-year-old who hasn’t started a pension would need to start saving around £714 a month.

These figures are only examples and are not guaranteed: they are not minimum or maximum amounts. The amount achieved would depend on how the investment grew and on the tax treatment of the investment. The amount achieved could be more or less than this.

Playing catch-up

The sooner we start, the more choices we have later. The power of compound returns, or gains on gains, means 10 or 20 years can make a big difference. However, you should never think that it’s too late to start saving, or that you can’t catch up. There are real opportunities to make up lost ground if you have the available means and allowances.

You can put as much as you want into your defined contribution pension, but you’ll only get tax relief on pension contributions up to £40,000 each year, or 100% of your earnings if lower. (High earners have a reduced, ‘tapered’, annual allowance.) Pension providers generally claim tax relief for you (called ‘relief at source’) at a rate of 20% and add it to your pension pot, which actually creates a 25% uplift in the sum; therefore £80 becomes £100.

Higher rate taxpayers can claim an extra 20% via their annual tax return; a £40,000 contribution could effectively cost a higher rate taxpayer just £24,000.

Moreover, you can make use of allowances from the three previous tax years if these haven’t been utilised.

In any case, the fact remains that the best way to secure a comfortable retirement is to save as much as possible as early as possible in your working life, and take financial advice. The longer you delay saving, the harder it will be to build the kind of fund that will see you through retirement.

Aegon study of 657 working adults over the age of 18 and 227 retired people, February 2018

Prudential, ‘Regrets? They’ve got a few – but pensioners are happy in retirement’, April 2016

Nutmeg, accessed 6 September 2019; with an annual return assumption of 5%

To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, contact Lawrence Down on 07967 000 275 or email l.down@sjp.co.uk.

ART V NATURE

Be inspired by Jan Sherwood’s passion for nature

Settled in rural Hampshire near the South Coast of England, artist Jan Sherwood is in close proximity to her number one inspiration: nature. The intake of surrounding wildlife is apparent in Jan’s artwork including transient shadows of natural forms, the ever moving coastline of mudflats, marshes and waterways. Landscape such as rocks, cliffs, moorlands and woodlands are also captured elements across Jan’s work.

With Jan’s passion for nature and eye for capturing tin artistic form, jan’s linocut print, “# Our World” was designed as a response to watching the David Attenborough, “Life on our Planet” which was made with WWF UK for Netflix. A donation of 20% for each print goes to WWF UK to raise funds for their ongoing wildlife conservation campaigns.

“We must all act - small changes can make a huge difference. Imagine if we all made some sort of small positive change in our daily lives, the impact throughout the world would be immense!”

Professional Background

Jan has been designing for the textile industry for over thirty years working on freelance basis for both furnishing and fashion. Her wealth of experience and versatility as a designer, artist and printmaker enables her to create all types of designs and artwork for all aspects of interior spaces.

Jan’s bespoke service is tailored to individual requirements and larger commercial projects ranging from recolouring current existing designs, to working with individual clients to create fabrics, wallpaper or artwork for specific locations.

Many of Jan’s designs have been used for many applications such as furnishing and upholstery fabrics, wallpapers, fashion print, ceramic tiles, tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, flooring, rugs, throws, carpets and shower curtains, cards and many more! www.jansherwoodstudio.co.uk

INCREASE SALES

Steve Mills gives free advice on how to become better at creating more leads and converting more of those leads into sales to help your business.

Improve your resultsRegister to find out out how to win new business in the next 30 days by following my ‘6 PRINCIPLES RESULTS SYSTEM’ without spending

anything extra on marketing. I will take show you the paint by numbers conversion methods - absolutely free!

Wooden Rustic Furniture createbespoke garden furniture such asrustic wooden garden benches andtraditional wooden garden tablesto transform your outdoor space.Providing you with a beautifuloutdoor retreat, you can relax andunwind in the summer. Rest assured,all furniture items are designed tolast for many years to come andare environmentally friendly foryour peace of mind.

WEBSITES THAT WORK

Stay Connected spoke to WebRunners to find out how to make your weBsite the best it can be.

Websites are essential to boost your company. Having a website means that 24/7 customers have the ability to learn about your company, even purchase items, whilst you are in relax mode at home. It also ensures that your products and services can be viewed by internet users worldwide, as opposed to just word of mouth. Websites are easier to keep fresh and up to date, you can combine your business website with a blog to keep customers informed.

• Use high quality videos and pictures that encapsulate your company’s ethos, to represent your brand, keep the users attention for longer and hopefully generate more business.

• Be sure to incorporate complimentary colour scheme and typography that is in keeping with your company brand.

• Seeing as in 2020 more than 5.19 billion people use mobiles to access the internet, ensure your website looks good via laptops, tablets and phones before it goes live. A responsive layout is best for this, as the website will adjust to different screens.

• 40% of customers will leave a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load, which could be losing you business. Optimizing images will make your website load quicker.

• When designing a website simplicity is often the best way to go, as this will increase the user friendly aspect to your website.

(https://www.websitehostingrating. com/internet-statistics-facts/)

Whether you are a start-up company or a well-established business, Webrunners can help turn your ideas into great looking websites. We provide everything web related for a start-up business to get going from helping you to register your Domain, subscribe to hosting owned by yourself and setting up professional email services through the Office365 platform.

For more information contact: www.webrunners.co.uk. Web Runners pride themselves with top design capabilities which are extremely flexible and can fit any customer requirement/imagination. From customers who simply need a web presence through to those that require something a little different.

DRONES

The world seems to have gone drone mad. It all seemed to happen so quickly, but when Amazon announced in 2013 that they were going to incorporate drones into their delivery method, it seemed to create a ripple effect worldwide.

They have a variety of uses and are becoming so popular that it is difficult to know what drone you might need to suit your needs. Often used by film makers, photographers and site assessors, drones are now becoming a hobby also.

Drones are well known for being quite costly, so here is a guide to buying your first drone.

Before buying a drone, it is important that you research what paperwork and drone licence you would need. Since the drone incident at Gatwick, December 2020, it is illegal to fly a drone without the proper paperwork across the UK and Europe. This includes some smaller drones that were previously ok to fly without a licence. In most cases, you will need to obtain an operator ID and a UK flyer ID.

When buying a drone, there are five factors to consider: flight time, range, camera quality, video quality and price. Depending on what you want to get out of your drone, you can prioritise some factors over the other. Flying time is something to bear in mind, and this will differ from drone to drone. This is important to take into account, so if you know you will be filming for a long time bring a supply of batteries. Averagely, beginner drones will have a flight time of 5-10 minutes where as some professional drones have a flight time of 20-30 minutes.

Range is the distance that your drone can fly. For example some professional drones can fly up to 2km. By law you should keep your drone in sight, and also for your piece of mind as they can be pricey bits of kit.

Camera quality will range dramatically depending on how much you want to pay. It is all depending on how you will use the drone. If you are just using it as a hobby, then this is an aspect of the drone you can afford to skimp on a bit.

Dinger has begun the journey to solo rowing the North Atlantic. After being diverted to Antigua on his flight to St Lucia due to an erupting volcano, Dinger is in St Lucia self-isolating. This is before he travels to New York to begin his 3118 mile solo row of the North Atlantic ocean to Falmouth,UK.

He has brought his drone that was very kindly donated from Tim Harris, from RUAS. The drone will be able to be flown from Dinger’s boat ‘Billy No Mates’. He will be able to gather aerial footage that will highlight how isolated and alone he will be, battling the elements and the North Atlantic ocean. Click the video above to view his footage from his recent row:

CRYPTOCURRENCY

Cryptocurrency has been trending worldwide. It can be hard to understand the articles without a base knowledge. We have compiled an article that highlights the most important key features of cryptocurrency.

What is cryptocurrency?

It is digital money where no physical coins or notes are involved. The digital currency can be exchanged online for goods and services. Cryptocurrencies aren’t tied to valuable assets. It can be considered that it is a risky investment as the market for cryptocurrency fluctuates erratically.

Unlike artwork or property, cryptocurrency is not known for being stable and keeping its value.

What can you buy with it ?

Most shops in the UK won’t accept bitcoin as legal tender. Gift cards on the other hand is another story. Most retailers accept gift cards and there is a way to convert your bitcoin into gift cards to use in your local shops. With Gift Off, you can chose from 470 top brands. This includes restaurants, gaming, entertainment and fashion.

You can also buy flight deals with airBaltic. They are basic tickets, and airBaltic pick the best flight deals which are featured exclusively on their website.

LUSH cosmetics is one of the few UK retailers that will allow for consumers to buy products with cryptocurrency online. LUSH are fresh handmade cosmetics company that are popular for their 100% vegetarian products such as bath bombs, shower gels and packaging free hair products.

What types of cryptocurrency are there?

There are more than 4,000 cryptocurrencies worldwide, as of January 2021. Here are some of the most popular.

Bitcoin is the most commonly known cryptocurrency. Created in 2009, Bitcoin is one of the original. The Bitcoins are stored in a digital wallet app. This can be accessed via computer or smartphone.

Litecoin was launched in 2011 as an alternative to Bitcoin. There are few differences between Litecoin and Bitcoin, however there are larger limits to the amount of cryptocurrency you can purchase with Bitcoin. Litecoin is considered to have faster transaction times.

Other examples of cryptocurrencies are:

• Bitcoin cash

• Ethereum classic

• Zcash

What to be wary of

Make sure you do your research before putting your whole life savings into cryptocurrency. It is a volatile market, the largest spikes in Bitcoin recorded so far were in December 2013, January 2015 and August 2017.

If you do decide to get into it, do not lose your wallet. It is near impossible to get it back. If you do purchase cryptocurrency, ensure you back up your wallet and keep information safe and secure.

Be alert as cryptojacking can occur. This is the unauthorised use of someone else’s computer to mine cryptocurrency, usually done by hackers that send malicious links to their victim.

Cryptocurrency is unregulated by governments and banks.

THE SEASONS MUST HAVES

JL Jewellery Shop

The perfect outfit is not complete without accessories. Jodie Lake created her company during lockdown. The handmade jewellery she makes is stunning.

Chloe was treated to a beautiful pair of cherry earrings and a matching necklace from JL Jewellery. The earrings are comfortable and sturdy, and the necklace tops the look off completely. Jodie designed her pieces to elegantly elevate any ensemble.

If you want quality plus amazing prices and dainty designs pay Jodie a visit at JL Jewellery.

Wearmyleggings

In lockdown some decided to embrace the #couchpotato life, others dusted off their workout gear and got busy. Embrace the motivation vibes with Mirna’s leggings.

Mirna set up a company selling amazing quality, figure-flattering gym wear. Wearmyleggings now have more than just leggings though! Their website features leggings but also shorts, face masks, t-shirts and hoodies.

There will be no more worrying about pulling up your leggings, or fretting that they may be transparent. With Mirna’s Wearmyleggings you can feel the best version of yourself.

Her designs are inspired byYOU, made for YOU! Mirna’s work out gear is designed to flatter all shapes and sizes, and they really do have something for everyone!!

Abbie Curtis bikinis

Abbie Curtis is well known for her dedication to fitness as a lifestyle.She also has a luxury swim wear brand, founded in London 2013.Abbie felt that there needed to be more on the market to complete your need for luxury, especially whilst on holiday.

Take one look at Abbie and realise how glamorous she is.Now you can get a taste of the luxury with her bathing suits that are saturated with glamour. These sophisticate and beautiful pieces are available to suit anyone’s shape. There are full length swimsuits and bikinis to suit any body type.

Abbie’s collections are meticulously designed to emphasise a woman’s elegance, grace and femininity. The ethos behind her work is to ensure that the woman wearing their designs look and feel fabulous on their holidays, whilst being able to maintain their femininity and elegant look both on and off the sand! Taking time to relax enjoying beautiful escapes with friends and family is what their devoted customers live for.

“May you always live the Glamorous life!” ~ Abbie Curtiswww.abbiecurtis.com

67% of small businesses have had to stop trading at some point in the last six months and research suggests that Covid-19 could cost small businesses £69 billion in total. Many small business owners are concerned at the possibility of future lockdowns and further financial hardship. Supporting local business is essential to having some variety in our highstreets, creating local jobs and supporting the local economy.

SWEET DREAMS

Easter was obviously very different this year. Many eggs were purchased online and plenty of socially distanced Easter egg hunts. However, this has not been the only obstacle to those who work in the chocolate industry this year.

Chocolate is actually the UK’s second largest food and beverage export. The chocolate makers of the UK are collectively upset as Brexit laws have had a harsh impact on the trade of chocolate.

The January 2021 HM Customs and Revenue study, the UK-EU Food and Drink Trade Snapshot, shows that chocolate exports fell 68%, from £41.4 million to just £13 million.

In these unbelievably difficult times for all, support your smaller businesses and shop British.

Sweetp Confectionery is a small family run business, in Bude, Cornwall. Sweet P Confectionary is run by Pam, who has 10 years of quality chocolate making under her belt. She ensures that pride, care and attention goes into every single product.

If you’re a chocolate lover, Pam has got chocolate for every occasion. If you’re looking for edible, interesting and quirky present ideas look no further! Her designs range from crunchy nut cornflake slabs to edible number plates. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Pam can even provide bespoke services for presents.

Now that lockdown rules are lifting, and many birthdays haven’t been as planned why not book a workshop with Pam. Make up for lockdown birthday blues or even treat you and your family to a day out.

Pam will walk you through the basics of chocolate making, and you get two chocolate gifts to take back home with you. Workshops are an hour but can run over, and are suitable for adults and older children.

Chocolate is always a well-received gift. Whether your work colleague is moving to a new job, you’ve annoyed your significant other or you need inspiration for a birthday present, Sweet P Confectionary has got the gift for any chocolate lover.

The weather often has an impact on our skin, and regardless of what time of year it is skin issues can always occur. Low humidity days during Winter for example can cause dry skin. In summer the dryer air can result in changes to your skin.

Serums are an excellent way to pamper yourself whilst looking after your skin in the long run. They are a more powerful and concentrated version of a face cream. It is never too late to start investing in your skin, and serums are a brilliant way to start.

The continued use of serums offers the skin protection, nourishment and hydration after cleansing and before your moisturiser. There are many different ingredients that can be beneficial for the skin, and you can chose the serum based off what ingredients will benefit you.

Face serums absorb quicker into your skin than moisturiser. Ideal for if you are on the go and need to chuck it on and go, as they don’t feel greasy or thick on the face.

Wrinkles and fine lines are reduced with the use of serums as many have the ingredient retinol.

There are many different types of serums, each doing different jobs.

• anti-aging serums

• skin-brightening serums

• hydrating serums

• free-radical fighting serums

• acne-prone and sensitive skin serums

• reparative/texture improvement serums

Anti-aging serums are great for brown spots, wrinkles and dullness in the skin.

It is difficult to know what serum is good for addressing what issues you feel are prevalent with your skin. There are so many serums out there and it can be difficult to know what one will be right for you.

FOR RED SKIN

Suffering with red skin can make you feel uncomfortable and insecure. Typology Paris Redness& Blemish Serum contains 12% Niacinamide, which is the active ingredient. It reduces the redness and marks by speeding up the healing process. It is vegan and fragrance free.

Apply 3 to 4 drops to clean, dry skin each morning and evening. Gently massage into face and neck in circular motions.

For optimal results, we recommend to use this serum consistently for at least four weeks.

FOR DRY SKIN

Caudalie Vinosource SOS ThirstQuenching Serum is £29.00 for30ml. This deeply hydrating serumcontinuously diffuses water deepwithin the epidermis. Consistingof organic grape water to soothethe skin, hyaluronic acid to plumpand packed with antioxidants.Reveal your skin looking radiant,dewy and supple.

Unlike many serums, Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst QuenchingSerum is quick drying without excessively oily finish. Although this serums is ideal for dryer skin types, but is suitable for any skin type.The non-comedogenic formula contains no parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, mineral oils or animal-derived ingredients.

FOR AGEING SKIN

Charlotte Tillbury’s Science powered serum & magic cream mini duo Skincare kit is the perfect way to try both products.The mini size of the serum and the cream are also ideal for travelling. The duo is available for £47.00, with the MagicSerum Crystal Elixir featuring ingredients such as vitamin C and Polyglutamic acid for hydration.

SKUNK ANANSIE

British rock band whose members include Skin, Cass, Ace and Mark Richardson. Skunk Anansie formed in 1994, disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009. The name “Skunk Anansie” is taken from Akan folk tales of Anansi the spider-man of Ghana, with ‘Skunk’ added to ‘make the name nastier’.

Old school British rock band, Skunk Anansie, are making the Stay Connected team long for the days that gigs are reopened. The name Skunk Anansie is taken from Akan folk tales of Anansi the spider-man of Ghana, with Skunk added to ‘make the name nastier’.

Formed in 1994, Skunk Anansie have been on such a journey with their music. Their sound is so distinctive, and they do not shy away from risqué topics in their songs. Religion, race, politics and gender are some of the many that are featured in their sound.

Disbanded in 2001 and then reformed in 2009, they seem to be on top form and better than ever.

Throw back to... when one of our Stay Connected team rocked out with Skunk Anansie. Passion and sweat was in full force that evening, with the whole O2 Academy packed out to capacity. The band, full of life, consists of the members Skin, Cass, Ace and Mark.

Ace is the guitarist of the band, and has been described as one of the best guitarists in the rock scene. He experiments with pedals and looping systems in order to push the boundaries of the rock genre.

Skin is the lead singer, who is very distinctive in her look and sound.

Having being described as a force of nature that evening, Skin the lead singer got the energy in the room to an almost tangible level.

If you want to experience the magic for yourself, Skunk Anansie’s 2021 tour has been inevitably postponed. However, if you can wait, their tour has been rescheduled to Spring 2022. Ticket holders from the original dates aren’t to worry though, as they are still valid for the 2022 tour.

Skin, the lead singer of the band has had a lot of projects on the side, as well as the band. She also has a podcast with Absolute Radio, called Skin Tings. Having been in the music industry for 30 years, she discusses hot topics with friends and legends from the music scene. Give it a listen for the ultimate 90’s nostalgia.

SUGAR HILL GANG

Stay Connected had the pleasure of meeting the members of Sugar Hill Gang before lockdown.

The story of the Sugarhill Gang is perhaps one of the most controversial among old school hip hop.

Sylvia Robinson, who was involved in the music industry, heard this new underground sound called rap and felt that there was a gap in the market. She began to put together a group to record a rap record.

At the same time, Henry Jackson was a bouncer in club and also a part time hip hop manager. Henry used to listen to mix tapes of various crews of the time and rap along with the lyrics. One night Sylvia overheard Henry repeating some rhymes of Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers. She invited Henry to joining a group.

Here’s where the controversy begins. Instead of revealing the true author of the rhymes, Henry agreed. He later went to visit Caz who agreed to let Henry use his rhymes. Caz figured if Henry got hooked up, he was later help Caz and Cold Crush do the same. Obviously, he never did.

Henry Jackson, now renamed Big Bank Hank, joined Wonder Mike, and Master Gee and formed the Sugarhill Gang. They went on to record “Rapper’s Delight.” The song eventually went on to sell over 2 million copies, hit #4 on the R&B chart, and became the highest selling 12 inch single ever.

When the true hip hop crews heard the song on the radio they were stunned. Grandmaster Flash recalls thinking, “Sugarhill who?” No one knew who this group was, but nevertheless, they broke the sound from the underground and blew it up worldwide.

The group did record several other singles, none of which approached the success of the original.

The group still tours fairly regularly and can be seen from time to time on various TV specials.

JUST FOR FUN

SEND US YOUR PRODUCT OR INVITE US TO COME FILM YOUR BUSINESS AND WE DO THE REST

For only £297 Stay Connected digital magazine will come to your place of work and film you talking about your service or doing the service you offer to help promote your company. We also offer Zoom interviews during lockdown and place them in the magazine as well as giving you a fantastic promo video you can use on social media.

Let us do the hard work for you so you can focus on your business. Email lindsey@spotgraphics.co.uk for more information.