Culture Street

By Sophia Whitfield

I received a delightful book for Christmas that has sat on my bedside table and been read most nights over the break. The title alone is enough to entice a reader to pick it up and be inspired.

If I could tell you just one thing ... features names you might have heard. Each chapter is dedicated to one remarkable person giving valuable advice. Dame Judi Dench, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, James Corden, and the list goes on.

The chapter I was particularly inspired by was The Essence of Jo Malone. It was packed to the brim with insightful tips but these words were particularly poignant:

"I learnt early that when bad things happen you can either let them beat you or you can stand and fight. And if you do, you can always turn things around,"

These words lead me to her book, My Story. Jo Malone is a British perfumer. She founded the companies Jo Malone London and Jo Loves. Her candles and body creme are particular favourites.

Malone's book details her incredible rise to success, From nothing she created a successful company through sheer grit and hard work. Jo Malone London, famous for its perfumes and candles went on to be sold to Estee Lauder. After a five year lock out period Malone then founded Jo Loves.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer in her thirties when her son was two was, she says, the ultimate test to how she approached life. "Looking back, everything was relevant. Nothing in life is wasted. You can make something positive from anything."

This delightful read is the perfect first book for 2019. It might just give you a positive focus that enables you to look at the new year with new eyes and big dreams.

You can buy My Story by Jo Malone here in Australia and here in the UK.