Tag: confidence

Blogging, Cafes, Photography, Reigate, Surrey

Finding My Confidence With Laura Shaw Photography

by thejoyoffive2 Comments on Finding My Confidence With Laura Shaw Photography

This year was the year I had set goals to challenge myself, push boundaries and try new things.

Over the past few years so many people have asked why I don’t appear more on my blog and the simple answer to this was always that I was way to critical of myself.

I would take endless selfies and delete them all or get one of the children to try and get a picture that I would be remotely happy with and to be honest this very rarely happened.

I hated myself for how shallow this made me feel but due to a culmination of different insecurities I just couldn’t bring myself to be on screen.

A while ago now I won a competition to have a photo shoot with Laura from Laura Shaw Photography and I knew from the very first moment I met here she was going to be the lady to put my mind at ease when it came to getting in front of the camera.

The session was booked and cancelled endless times and finally a few weeks ago all the pieces fell into place and the session went ahead.

I probably didn’t pick the easiest of locations for my nerves as a high street packed with people would never be a place you could naturally relax, but Laura worked her magic and after shots that felt terribly uncomfortable I finally relaxed and started to being to thoroughly enjoy the whole experience.

It was actually a few crude words from Laura that set me off into fits of giggles and I will never look at her without thinking of these worlds again!

The hours flew by as we flitted around the town borrowing changing rooms and handbags from the lovely Nancy of Gerrards and stopping to use the beautiful surroundings off Willows florist.

I have have to say a big thank you to guys at Stone House Vinyl as we plotted up there on a few occasions during the day!

This really was an experience I never thought I would have the courage to do and I can’t thank Laura enough for finding my confidence, giving me an amazing afternoon of fun whilst capturing the most amazing images.

Children, Families, Family Life, Memories, Outdoor Play, Photography, Summer

Celebrating The Small Things:Week Nineteen

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Celebrating The Small Things:Week Nineteen

This week has been a pretty full one and also one that has seen some changes in my life that for a very long time I didn’t think were going to happen!

Sharing Passions – I have always tried to ensure my children follow their dreams, indulge their passions and to never be afraid to stand out from the crowd.
This is something I feel very strongly about even though it has backfired on me a few times when they have needed to conform and these sayings have been recited back to a teacher of two!
Out of all my children Izzy is certainly the one who puts her all into everything she’s tries and is eager to explore all kinds of new things.
At the weekend we got the chance to go along to a fabulous photography workshop and it was so heart warming to see she has a passion for it as strongly as I do and watch her inventive and very different ideas be put into practice.

Braving The Camera – Talking about photography from a different angle this time, with me getting in front of the camera for a change.
I am always told that I should appear more on my blog but due to a lack of confidence its something I’ve always shied away from.
This week however I bit the bullet and with the help of the wonderful Laura Shaw I managed to not only get in front of the camera but to thoroughly enjoy it too!

Hello Mr Sunshine – The weather has been pretty horrific up until the past few weeks where the sun has shown his face and I couldn’t be more excited about this!
Longer evenings, being able to eat outside and making the most of the garden are all small things I have been relishing in.

Beauty, Children, Family Life

No7 Lift And Luminate Launch

by thejoyoffive4 Comments on No7 Lift And Luminate Launch


At the beginning of the month I was lucky enough to be asked along by No7 to the unveiling of their new super serum, Lift and Luminate.

At the launch we were treated to a stunning performance by world class ballet dancer Alessandra Ferri who is at the forefront of their new campaign.

This inspirational woman took a career break to have children and build a family, which of course she loved but as with many of us her own identity got lost along the way and she has now gone back to performing to prove to herself that being the best you can be is always of great importance and always achievable if you believe in yourself.

Since the birth of my last child my confidence had been flagging and I have found it a struggle to feel like the woman I was a few years ago.

Blogging has really helped me to create a new identity again and slowly I am trying to get that spark back.

One issue is age and the fact that it is creeping up on me at a rapid rate. Nobody can stop the clock but we can all try to be the best person we can be.

With the motivation of the launch and some samples to try myself I gave the serum a few weeks trial to see if it made a difference.

Lift and Luminate is No7’s most effective treatment yet with clinically proven results claiming to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, make the skin firmer and skin tone more even.


I can honestly say that I agree with all of these claims and my skin has never looked or felt better.

My fine lines are much less visible and my skin appears to be a lot more radiant.

My husband and a close friends have both said to me over the last week that I look different and this has been my only change.

It’s given me a little boost to get me out of the door with a little bit of the self confidence that I didn’t think was possible to get back!

Thank you No7 X

Children, Families, Family Life, Fashion

Getting My Mojo Back

by thejoyoffive27 Comments on Getting My Mojo Back

I have always loved fashion and beauty.  I love trawling through the glossy magazines thinking how I could create that look for myself; but unfortunately with each baby has come a knock in my confidence and the young girl that would once wear whatever she fancied and would do anything to have whatever was on trend has slowly been lost into the trappings of motherhood.

Maybe it is more to do with age than motherhood, but I find myself questioning my style choice and its it really appropriate for me now.

Since I’ve started blogging it has opened up my eyes to some super stylish women that look fabulous in what they wear and above all else comfortable in their own skin.

It was a blog post I came across yesterday by Kate who writes for Pouting In Heels that struck a cord and has put me on the path to getting my mojo back.

No more slobbing about in my gym gear all day as it’s comfy and easy.  I deserve better and hey we only live once so from here on in I’m going to fill everyday with beautiful things that make me happy.

Today I pulled out the pair of dungarees that had been hidden in the wardrobe through fear of looking silly and slapped on some red lipstick; and do you know what it made me feel great!