Blog

If you've been looking for sustainable options for your wardrobe that will also keep you cool this summer, then let me introduce you to some luxurious linens made in the UK by Freya Lillie. I have worked with Michelle, the founder, on another shoot that will be launched during the autumn time but with the heat we've had and the opening up of the England I thought now was a great opportunity to share with you this shoot full of amazing pieces.   This stunning collection is made to order just for you, what can be more special than that? This way Michelle and her head designer Liv, also seen...


Continue Reading »

It's always an exciting day when I receive a gift in the post from SUQQU as I know that parcel is going to be jam packed with amazing products. I love the Japanese colour theory with make-up so it would be an understatment to say SUQQU are my cup of tea. From experience now I know I can rely on them for beautiful pigments that always perform which are also perfect for my style and vibe of make-up where I draw a lot of influence from japanese techniques. Their latest collection of colour makeup for AW21 really delivers on the hues beyond my expectations. The products launching August 21st are inspired...


Continue Reading »

Now that I am in my 50's skincare is a whole new challenge. It's not something we all first think of when we say menopause to one and other, but once you're in it you soon realise its a very challenging aspect of it you never expected before. Between all the night sweats and aching bones I've been finding myself more and more sleep deprived and lethargic and that's just the tip of the iceberg of it! One of the symptoms that's been quite noticably for me as it's what my job's all about, is 'Menopause face' aka hormone faace, hot faace, sleep-deprived faace, why am I getting spots again faace. For me specifically...


Continue Reading »

The smallest wedding in the world... Okay I might be exaggerating but when Covid restrictions were still hitting weddings hard not so long ago, illustrators Francis and Nick decided to tie the knot just them and two friends! A four person ceremony, what a lovely intimate way to really make the moment special.     Just because it was a little ceremony doesn't mean Francis couldn't go big on somethings! Her bouquet by Willow and Bear Floral Design was an explosion of colour and texture with such a playful variety of gorgeous blooms it really did make for a lovely piece for our little...


Continue Reading »

If you have known me long enough or followed my work at all you will know two things, my love of Steamcream and Japanese beauty products. Maybe a third thing being my love of tea but that had its moment two weeks a go on the blog! This week I'm focusing on talking about Steamcream, after all it has been one of the most constant parts of my kit for 8 years now. As years go by other moisturising products come and go but nothing has beaten it yet, it is really one of my absolute must have products!     That's why you can imagine my utter delight when a package arrived in the post...


Continue Reading »

Take a deep breath and watch this little clip to transport yourself a sunny beach day get away with your other half, adorned with the finest jewellery in dazzling bright colours, what a dream! If you hadn't guessed already, it's another behind the scenes blog to show a day in the life of Jo on location, longside some of the stunning released images too. This time I'm with Ruby and Oscar for their latest summer collection - Colour Pop!     I always look forward to it when the opportunity comes up to work with Ruby and Oscar, I've been lucky enough to have done a couple campaigns...


Continue Reading »

Cups of tea. The ritual of making a cup of tea, the moments sitting down to relax for 5 minutes or so, it's one of the simplest but most rewarding aspects of life.     Every emotion I have in life, a cup of tea always saves the day for me. If I'm happy, we can celebrate with one, if I'm sad it can cheer me right up. To have that warm little brew in a cup means a lot to me, so much I even have a fear of badly made cups of tea, Tepidophobia! Fears aside I am exceptionally fussy on how the tea is made. After all this is something I take great pride and joy from, so I like it to be done...


Continue Reading »

A couple of weeks back I was lucky enough to receive a lovely package from the Peep Club that has really changed the game for me in terms of eye care. They weren't a brand or product I was particularly familiar with before trying them out, so I wanted to make sure I spread the message far and wide so everyone knows about these little life savers. After all our eye area is one of the most delicate parts of our face, and if we want to keep them looking good with or without make-up we need to keep them hydrated! In my package were three exciting new goodies to try. As they say themselves at Peep...


Continue Reading »

The sun might be gracing us with plenty of its presence lately, but it certainly wasn't for this Gold Boutique summer shoot back in the end of April! Out on location in the hip area of Newcastle, luckily for us the Ouseburn boasts some super cool graffiti filled arches and walkways that perfectly reflect the intended vibe for the final images. They offered an amazing backdrop and some refuge from the heavens opening before heading to the studio for some close-ups. When I was considering the make-up I looked over the moodboards I was sent and really felt instantly inspired by the street style...


Continue Reading »

One of the many amazing aspects of my business it that I get to meet some really interesting people. It's such a wonderful opportunity to sit one to one with talented and brilliant humans to have a chit chat with them whilst I create their make-up looks ready for the day ahead. I've lost count of the admirable women I have been fortunate enough to work with, but working with Hilary to create new headshots was certainly up there as one of the most inspiring women in business! I met Hilary Dunne many years ago and of course we clicked straight away, both of us being strong willed business women...


Continue Reading »