This week we had the opportunity to catch up with Zoe, known to the worldwide web as Aloha and Coffee. Zoe started her lifestyle, travel and yoga blog (https://www.alohaandcoffee.com/ ) in 2016 after leaving the corporate world behind to make a fresh start with an aim to focus on time, balance and well-being. A decision that the Scentered team very much support!

Between running her blog, offering weekly live yoga classes throughout the Midlands, producing interactive online yoga videos, instructing private one to one yoga classes and international wellbeing and lifestyle retreats, Zoe is also a mother of four children. Being a mother in the run up to Christmas can be stressful, but also very rewarding, hence why we thought Zoe was the perfect person to fill us in on her top tips for preparing and making time for yourself in the run up to Christmas. 

What is your favourite part of Christmas?

The love and unity. It’s the one time of the year where everyone and everything stops. For a couple of days it’s like the world around me and my family stops and we are all that matters. Between us we run 3 businesses, have 4 children and 2 dogs. At Christmas all that matters is the love we share, everything else pales into insignificance.

What are your top tips for juggling being a mother and coping with the fast pace of life that surrounds the festive period?

• Online shopping! It’s a godsend! I always start my Christmas shopping on Black Friday and don’t look back. I think I buy around 99% of my presents online and have them delivered to my door. I don’t like shopping and don’t like the crowds!  My laptop, a Scentered candle and a cuppa and I’m set for shopping!
• Book a beauty appointment/treatment for the week before Christmas, whether it’s a hair appointment or a nail appointment or a facial. Book it early December and it’s sorted and something to look forward to.
• Get the kids involved. We bake cookies, mince pies and peppermint candy to gift aunties and teachers. The kids love being involved and prevents boredom.

What are your favourite ways to relax and unwind in the run up to the Christmas period?

A bath, a candle and a good book is my favourite escape. Add a glass of mulled wine and it is super indulgent. I also love a brisk walk on a crisp morning. I get my exercise in early so there are no excuses and it’s a fab way to wake up and warm up!

We know that yoga is your real passion and that you spend your days as a yoga instructor. How do you use your Scentered products when practising yoga?

I love lighting my candles for the scents when practising yoga. I light candles at either ends of my mat and the scents help me to relax and breathe. If I’m practising a yin or slow relaxing flow I also use my escape therapy balm. It’s my absolute favourite smell and allows me to zone out of everyday life and connect with my breath during my practice

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions that you have planned for 2018?

I try not to make New Year resolutions as I believe making a resolution and then breaking it can be counterproductive.  I prefer to set goals and break them down into bite size chunks to work towards something throughout the year. That said, in 2018 I plan to travel more and deepen my yoga teacher training.

Finally, do you have any words of wisdom to share with us all?

A wise man (my husband!) once said to me find something you love, and do it every day and you’ll never work a day in your life.  It’s completely true and you can turn anything into a job with a little focus and a lot of belief.