THE SUNSHINE SESSIONS

Hi there everyone, I hope you’re all having a lovely week! I just wanted to pop on the blog tonight with an announcement that is very close to my heart. This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for years but couldn’t quite figure out what avenue to go down - I think I’ve finally got it. Ok, calm down Joanne, I’ll start at the start…

I have always wanted to do something for parents of very sick children (I can’t use the T word) or children with ongoing special care needs. My sister died of a congenital heart defect when she was two years of age, I was 12. She went for surgery and never came back. It was devastating for our family and it was the first time I remember seeing my Daddy cry. Now that I have children myself, I honestly don’t know how my parents got out of bed in the morning. Over the years I always had a feeling that I should be doing something, anything, for people in a similar situation but I just felt like I didn’t have an appropriate skill set, hair always seemed so trivial. Like, who cares about hair and makeup when you have a seriously ill child? So I kept going around in circles.

Then one day months ago I was standing in the shower. I looked around at all this free shampoo, treatments, makeup etc., that I’ve been kindly sent and I just said to myself ok, that’s it.. my skill set is hair and my power is my connection with lots of amazing and kind people in the beauty industry and while it’s not going to cure anyone or make them forget whatever nightmare they’re going through, it just might give them a few hours of pampering to help revive and recharge them for their difficult road ahead.

So while standing in that shower, I planned the whole day in my head. A day called The Sunshine Sessions, to bring a little sunshine into the lives of some Mammys that have been dealt a difficult hand. I’m working with the girls in The Space for the first one and we are going to completely pamper some lovely ladies.

Some of my favourite brands are so kindly getting involved, Bobbi Brown is sponsoring the event with deluxe goody bags for everyone. Plus the fabulous people at Kevin Murphy are also onboard providing goody bags. Dusty Boy Designs are generously giving a print to everyone. The one and only Jennifer Rock aka The Skin Nerd will have prizes of her groundbreaking new products. I mean, I really have the best of the best people with more to come. I have gotten a lump in my throat every time that someone has gotten back to me with a yes.

So basically now I am looking for 6 lovely ladies to undergo a 5 star day of pampering on August 11th. The phenomenal, award winning stylists in The Space, Drumcondra will be transforming your locks, these guys are incredible. Irelands top makeup artists will be there to offer you some makeup advice and to paint your lovely faces! We will have bubbles, food and hopefully it will be a therapeutic day for all involved - connecting with other women that are in a similar position.

So if you want to join us or you know someone that you think fits the bill then please email me at the address below. All we need is your name and your child’s name. You don’t need to write why you deserve it. You ALL deserve it. Names will be picked at random, so don’t feel like you have to tell us why, a sick child is excruciatingly painful no matter what the circumstance. So if you know someone that you think deserves a treat and a chance to escape for a few hours of self care then please email me to the address below.

The event will take place on Sunday August 11th in The Space, Drumcondra and winners will be picked on Sunday July 28th.

I’m really hoping that this is just the start of The Sunshine Sessions. A practice run for what I’m hoping will snowball effect and eventually lots of people in this amazing industry will start hosting their own events.

Thank you so much for reading this.

Love,

Joanne x

thesunshinesession@gmail.com