Make-up, supermodels and the cleansing of souls
Hello my lovely VIP
Happy Friday! It’s lovely to be back with you and isn’t it lovely seeing the sunshine this week? I hope you’re enjoying the lighter evenings, trying not to think about how it’s already May (I mean wasn’t it really just Christmas?) and your plants are blooming right on cue in the garden... (or rather, cue us heading to the local plant shop this weekend after we forgot to plant anything bloom-able).
(Cookie looking slightly scary, but excited as she knows our local plant shop gives her gravy bones.)
But speaking of blooming and sunshine - I’m so excited to welcome our first guest of Series 12 of The Next Chapter…
S12 Ep1: From Global Make-Up Artist to Own Brand - Ruby Hammer MBE
Ruby developed a love for make-up when, as a child, she’d watch her mum dress up for cocktail evenings and dinners where they lived in Nigeria. She later had pictures of models (not pop stars) on her wall – but back then she thought she’d be a doctor, just like her dad.
A chance encounter changed everything. Ruby went on to become a leading make-up artist working with supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford. She began her own groundbreaking make-up brand ‘Ruby & Millie’ with her friend and business partner, Millie - which was sold in Boots. Then, in 2007 Ruby received an MBE for services to the cosmetics industry.
You could say Ruby had done more than enough. But after some time out after the passing of her beloved mum – she knew, deep down, she had another Next Chapter - so she launched ‘Ruby Hammer Beauty.’ Ruby believes we should never have any regrets.
I remember watching Ruby on television when I was a teenager. The Clothes Show cheered Sunday afternoons and I always watched Ruby in awe. She was so cool, poised and oozed glamour. I couldn’t quite believe it when she agreed to come on my podcast – but this is who Ruby is – kind, generous, supportive and a big believer in the power of the Next Chapter. She is so full of energy, hope and a love of life, I hope you’ll find this conversation a tonic for the soul.
And speaking of souls…
I actually lost mine a few weeks ago - literally. While on a recent soggy walk with my family my ‘sole’ actually dropped off.
Now as a bit of a believer in signs, I had to wonder? Was this merely a sign I’d had the boots for too long, I asked my eye-rolling sons and husband as I hobbled back to the car, or was this the Universe trying to tell me something else?
So, this is exactly why I found myself in Bromsgrove (I’d never been to Bromsgrove) one Tuesday lunchtime with the very lovely Lynn Jinks who I’d interviewed on my podcast a few weeks ago. We’d discussed energy, souls and how we can all become a little ‘blocked.’ She’d invited me to go to see her, so I knew I was in trusted hands if indeed, there was a problem with my soul.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve found alternative therapies have helped me - even when I haven’t fully believed in them. Acupuncture cured my migraines, reflexology helped bring our boys into the world and don’t get me started on the benefits of journalling. But crystals and energies, even for me were a little ‘step’ further (if you pardon the pun). However, I trusted Lynn as I lay on the couch.
She said it would take a length of time, maybe an hour and anything could happen. I closed my eyes and wondered would I really be able to lie still for all this time? As the thoughts drifted in (what were we going to have for dinner and would we manage another episode of The Goldbergs later..?) I couldn’t deny, I felt odd. It was as though someone was leaning on me, yet Lynn I could hear was on the other side of the room. I felt then a sensation - I can only describe it as a tingling - all around my body. I lay there wondering what was happening and then Lynn chimed a lovely bell. We were done.
Is that it I thought? It had only been a minute. But then when I looked at the clock it had been over an hour. I’ve no idea what happened, I’m sure I hadn’t fallen asleep. But the time had passed and Lynn had a page of notes written down - messages she says, she’d received.
Before I’d gone along, I’d been feeling ‘held back’ in some way - I’d even drawn a little picture (I’ve been reading Richard Schwartz NoBads Part for the 2nd time.. more on this in another note).. and he encourages you to make little drawings.
I hadn’t told Lynn anything before, and definitely hadn’t mentioned the above picture (Picasso I’m not). But then Lynn leant back in exactly the same way as the picture. “Ellie,” she said “they’re telling you to stop it. Let it go, it’s like a heavy backpack pulling you back. Whatever it is, whatever you’re waiting for, it’s time to move on.”
She talked about there being lots of negative energy which goes around and around and can get stuck. It was time to open the window as it were, and let it out.
But as I drove back down the M5, I wondered how we do this? Did whoever sent this message not know about my to-do list? If, whoever you are, you could open it please? That would be very kind of you, thank you very much.
I was still pondering the next day as I sat down for one of my least favourite jobs. Handing in the Flowerpot Accounts. As someone ‘who is not good with numbers’ the panic and shame are already in full blast, long before the calculator’s out. No window could be open with this disaster, I thought as I pulled the receipts from the bottom of my bag.
But then, after adding and subtracting, and doing this again - I discovered something I couldn’t quite believe. I’d made a profit. An actual profit. Not a life-changing, dramatic profit, but it was a profit nonetheless.
And then I felt something, really strange. A shift of sorts, almost a breath of fresh air.
What I’m learning is, it seems, we all carry around some form of these backpacks. They’re made up of labels and thoughts, some we don’t even know we have. We become so attached to them, we have no idea we’re doing it. They are just ‘us’ and that’s that. But this, it appears, is not the case. I loved a recent episode on The Mel Robbins podcast with the neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart Bieber. She says it’s our thoughts which create that heaviness, but the best part is science is showing we can control our thoughts more than we’ve ever believed.
So, what was the shift? My trip to see lovely Lynn or the cleansing of my soul? I don’t know. But I’m guessing it was because I realised who had opened that window.
I’m guessing it was the relief - it was me.
Next Chapter Wisdom of the Week 1
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it - including you.
Anne Lamott
Next Chapter Wisdom of the Week 2
Ready is not a feeling. It’s a decision.
NY Therapist
So my lovely VIP, I really hope you enjoy the conversation with Ruby. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And I hope your weekend is full of sunshine, blooms and wonderful souls - just like you, my lovely VIP.
See you next week
E (& C)
xx
P.S If you enjoy Ruby’s conversation about making the most of life and the importance of us finding our own way, you may enjoy my latest book Do We Really Have to Do This?
“A brilliant easy read, loved the relationship between the characters, Iris, Peggy and Jack. It made me laugh and cry….Complete escapism and I can’t wait for the next!” - Amazon Review.