Well its been a while but I have kindly been sent the images of a job that I did back in 2007 so I wanted to share it. At the time JosyFlo didn't exhist and it was just me making belts and skirts from leather on commission and to sell at fairs and festivals.

A friend had seen my designs online and called me to say that the restuarant that she was working in was looking for someone to produce some pouches for the waiting staff. The restaurant was Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in Cornwall. With their reputations for helping young people they wanted to support an independent designer rather than have something mass produced.

I worked with the team to design some simple, hand made leather and suede pouches featuring a pink butterfly for the girls belts and the fifteen logo for the guys.

It was a fantastic project to be involved in, especially as I was a keen supporter of what Jamie had been doing to provide young people with the opportunity to make something of their lives. At the time his food for schools project had not begun but he had shown dedication and passion in his quest to help other people and I really admired his enthusiasm and hard work.

It was an honour to be given the opportunity and it really inspired me to want to start my own business. I wasn't able to move forward with it at that stage but 2 years later, I was in a position to design a range to have produced and JosyFlo was born!

Without this initial confidence in my abilities I don't know if I would have had the drive to get started. My brand has been inspired, not just by making money but by providing beautiful accessories which help make women feel more confident, and the knowledge that if I make a success of my business I am able to ensure sustainable and fair employment for the producers of my belts.

Jamie has been successful in his career, not just for his ability to make delicious food but because he has had the confidence to make a difference without compromising his morals. I admire his dedication to helping people and hope that I am able to be as successful by being true to myself.

For images of the Fifteen Belts see here

Loving this site:

MoreEco is an Eco Shopping Cash Back website.

They  list over 100 organic, green and ethical online retailers and have negotiated with them a Cash Back % which is passed on to you.

Once you have chosen your shop, click through, start shopping and in 30 days you will receive % of what you spent in your MoreEco account. It's simple!

Check out their trend area too. The JosyFlo Hip Shaker was featured this January.

www.moreeco.co.uk

Hot off the catwalks for this spring are the elegant and useful belt purses!

As seen on the runway for top designers such as Pucci, Jaeger, Hermes and Dianne Von Furstenberg the ultimate accessory for this season is one that is not only designed to flatter the figure but provide a handy little pocket for your every day essentials.

After a fantastic first season JosyFlo’s second collection is designed in response to her customers feedback.Each of these stunning new releases features a pocket or pouch for your valuables.

Designed in response to a place in the market for affordable, stylish fashion incorporating the safe and practical needs of modern women.

The Pursephone Waist belt comes in beautifully soft suede or ornately embroidered canvas.

It features a hidden mobile phone pocket and 2 credit card sized pockets

(RRP £40)

Style tip: Cinch in your favourite maxi or min dress for a show stoping evening look. Also looks fab with a crisp shirt for the office or to jazz up a cosy winter cardigan

The Pursephone Hip belt comes in beautifully soft suede or ornately embroidered canvas.

It features a mobile phone pocket and 2 credit card sized pockets

(RRP £40)

Style Tip: Wear with low slung skinny fit jeans or jeggings and an asymetrical top or draped cardigan. Complete the look with biker or victoriana boots

Bringing a new lease of life to the tired old bum bag, the unique Athena Clutch Belt is anything but boring. A stunning shell inspired belt, which can also be worn as a handbag. Made from soft suede and embroidered silk it features one large satin lined pocket. Available in gold sequins and peacock blue sparkle.

RRP (£50)

Style tip: This looks fab with jeans and a sparkly top for the evening or team with denim and a leather jacket to add a girly twist to this seasons biker chick look.

Another stunning twist on the bum bag theme means you’re sure to look like a Greek goddess in the Aphrodite Hip Pouch. Made from soft embroidered suede with co-ordinated line. This style can be worn on the hips or as a small handbag.

RRP (£50)

Style tip: Stunning when worn with a little cocktail dress for the evening or add a touch of sparkle to a cute little playsuit or flares for the day.

Last season’s favorite The Hip Hugger is reworked with a touch of sparkle, hand embroidered zari in a circular design.

A classic wide hip belt design featuring 1 hidden credit card sized pocket.

RRP (£40)

Style tip: This style is designed to sit mid waist so accentuate your curves and team it with a jersey dress or long line fitted sweater. Also fantastic with jeans and a fitted top.

All styles available to buy now!

WWW.JOSYFLO.COM

“Girls just wanna have fun”

But stay safe too!

New ethical belt range aims to improve women’s safety, in a stylish and innovative way

Designer Josy Spooner (30) explains what inspired her to create the JosyFlo range:

My friends and I spent our late teens and early 20’s as real party animals. We would spend every weekend out at clubs, bars and parties, generally having a great time but often one or all of us would end up having one too many to drink and would have to be carried home.

We always tried to stay aware of where each other were, never letting a friend go home with a strange man that they had just met. The rule was to get their phone number and if you still felt good about him the next day then you could arrange to meet up with him. If you didn’t remember much about him, well… it was a good thing that you hadn’t woken up in his bed!

There were a few occasions where one or other of us had their drink spiked. It happened to me once, but I wasn’t aware of what had happened until hours later when I came to at a friend’s house.  Confused and blurry headed I panicked about where we were. A friend of mine explained that I had been speaking to a guy in a bar and that all of a sudden I had become far more intoxicated than usual. Apparently the man had been trying to persuade me to come to his house for a swim in his hot tub and tried to convince my friend that this is what we had arranged to do. Thankfully she saw straight through him and told him where to go!

We were lucky that these incidents were few and far between, and didn’t mar the fun that we had together. However there was one problem that we encountered time and time again. Looking after our personal possessions!

Dancing round your handbags is all well and good….until everyone decides to wander off at the same time. Leaving your bags and coats on chairs round the table works well…. Until you all get up to greet friends and leave everything unattended!

We all know a story about having a bag stolen from club or bar. It’s all too easy to forget about your personal possessions until its too late. But the reality is that it leaves you very vulnerable when your out late and suddenly find yourself high and dry with no money for a cab or no phone to call home! One incident springs to mind, which made me change how I behaved when I went out:

“ I had been out at a gig with my friend Laura. She had a habit of loosing her phone and ATM card so we had put all of her valuables into my handbag. We had a great night, dancing, meeting new people and enjoying the bands. At about 1am I started to feel really dizzy and decided to sit down. I put my bag and drink on the floor beside me and slumped against the wall. Laura started to get concerned about me and went off to the bar to get a glass of water. Whilst she was gone I started to feel worse and closing my eyes put my head between my knees. By the time she got back my handbag had disappeared. It had only taken a minute or two but now we were stuck: No money, no phone, and no house keys. By this time the gig was over and the queue for the coats snaked back across the club. Because the cloakroom tickets were in the bag we had to wait right until the end before claiming our possessions. By this time there were few people around and we were starting to feel rather vulnerable.

Without our phones we were unable to call anyone to collect us. The only number that I knew off by heart was my fathers and he was away on business. Laura’s mum had moved home recently and Laura hadn’t memorized the new number yet. Foolishly we wandered out of the club and down the street still unsure of what we would do. We decided that we would hail a black cab to Laura’s parents house, wake her mum and ask her to pay for the cab. Unfortunately for us there were very few taxis around and in the next hour every cab that passed us was occupied. We had been wandering down the street hoping that we would be able to flag one down but found we had headed out of town and the area was looking more and more suburban by the minute By the time the Ford escort pulled up we were cold, fed up and starting to fee a bit scared.

The driver of the car wound down the window and asked us if we needed a cab. His car was old and dilapidated and it didn’t look like a real taxi. But he was the only person around and against my better judgment we decided to fix a price with him and get in the car.

As we drove home my heart was beating like a hammer in my chest, feeling like a complete fool for taking this guy up on a lift. Who was he??? How did we know we would get home safe?? I tried to memorize his face and the details of the car in case I needed to identify him. Thoughts whirled round and round in my head of horror stories about girls getting raped, robbed…or worse. Laura seemed to be having second thoughts too and was engaging the driver in loud conversation about her father being a policeman, assumedly in an attempt stop him from attacking us.

Very luckily our fears were unfounded. The driver duly drove us to Laura’s house where a very worried mum paid the driver and thanked him for looking after us.

Although in the end we suffered no more than having to replace our valuables the experience showed us just how easy it is to be suddenly left in a very vulnerable position. We were lucky that the driver was just looking for some quick cash. Drunk women out alone at night make a very easy target for thieves, rapists or others looking to do harm. Once we have had a few to drink we start to feel invincible and this can lead us to make some very rash decisions.

I feel very happy that Laura and I were together as I wouldn’t want to have done that on my own. I have since heard all manner of stories about women drunkenly putting themselves in compromising positions after loosing their bags, wallets, phones etc. One terrifying story details a man raping a girl after using her driving license to find out her address and then letting himself in with her keys! When your guard is down and your all alone you may end up in a situation where you have to trust someone that you shouldn’t. Don’t let that happen to you! Prepare yourself before you go out and follow the tips below for safe partying. If you look after yourself then you can let your hair down without falling victim to crime.

I designed the JosyFlo range to help prevent incidents like the one detailed above. Loosing a handbag is tiresome, but the situation that it leaves you in is more worrying. Phones, cards and make up can all be replaced so getting home safely is the most important thing that you can do.

Each high quality JosyFlo belt is designed in a way to make it fashionable and stylish yet useful and functional. Each belt contains a hidden pocket or 2 where the wearer can put their valuables, phone, money, ATM card, house key or whatever they want.

All our belts are made at a Fair Trade registered production in Bhopal, India. We endeavor to provide sustainable, fair employment for the
producers of JosyFlo belts. We hope to promote awareness of ethical trade and utilize ethical, sustainable methods wherever possible.

Wearing a pocket belt allows you the freedom of taking a bag or not.

For those of you who prefer to travel light this will be a godsend as you can literally ditch the handbag and go totally hands free!

If you still love to take a bag, as many of us do, make sure that you use your belt to its full potential! Team it with your favourite outfit but make sure you always ensure that you have an ATM card, your house key and some money  in one of your pockets so that if the worst happens you can at least get home.

Check out the tips below for some ideas about keeping safe and having a great night worry free:

o      Before you leave the house make sure you have cash or a card hidden away in your JosyFlo belt for emergencies.

o      Memorize a loved one’s number who can be contacted in an emergency. Alternatively write it on a piece of paper and put it in your JosyFlo belt

o      Don’t rely on other people to look after you and your possessions. Take responsibility for your own safety as anything could happen and you need to be prepared.

o      Keep your drink in your hand and watch them if you put them down to prevent the chance of them being spiked.

o      Be wary of taking cigarettes from people. These too can be spiked with date rape drugs

o      If you do have coats and bags with you don’t just abandon them to go off and dance/get a drink. For added safety put them in the cloakroom if available or ensure one person stays with the valuables at all times.

o      If you have your bag/valuables stolen report it to the venue staff or police immediately

o      In a large club or venue its easy to loose your friends so arrange a meeting place for if you get separated

o      Don’t leave the venue alone. Ask the staff to call you a licensed taxi and make sure it’s the right one before you get into it

o      Never take unlicensed taxis. There are no guarantees and the driver may be uninsured, without a license or worse.

o      If you have to walk alone at night, stick to well lit streets where possible. Walk with your head held high and with a purpose. Don’t loose your sense of hearing by listening to loud music. You need to be alert and aware. If you do encounter someone or feel that someone is following you stop and allow them to pass. Looking them full in the face with a strong and determined expression should deter any potential attackers. They are looking to prey on scared and vulnerable victims so will be put off by the fact that you are aware of them and that you could identify them if need be.

o      If somebody contacts you saying that they have found your bag be very wary about inviting them to your home or collecting it from a private business or address. If you do arrange to meet them do so in a busy, public place and ideally take a male friend along with you. Alternatively the most sensible option would be to ask them to hand it into their local police station.

So what are you waiting for girls?

Grab the essentials, pop them in your belt and have some fun!

For more information about JosyFlo belts see www.josyflo.com

For more information about staying safe when you’re out and about see http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/law/staysafe/safetyforwomen

http://www.suzylamplugh.org/personal-safety/personal-safety-tips/

Its time to start thinking about those exciting holiday plans. Whether your off to a festival, embarking on the adventure of  a lifetime or taking a few weeks out to chill on the beach being burdened down with too much luggage can be a nightmare. Who's ended up taking far too much and left no space for the inevitable purchases aquired on your trip? I know I have, and if your carting around all that excess baggage does get tiresome after 6 months on the road!

Sticking to the basics doesnt have to be a compromise. Check out designer Josy Spooners essential items for light and luxurious travel. These ethical travel finds are a must have, for smart female travellers on adventures big and small:

Kikoy

Is it a towel, is a a sarong? Its both! These beautiful kikoy towels from www.aspiga.co.uk are an essential item for the smart travellers holdall. Not only do these colourful sarongs look fabulous worn as a dress or skirt they are backed with soft toweling which means they double up as a beach towel and something to wrap around you when your cold. Use the hidden pockets to stash your valuables on the beach when you head for a dip in the sea. Much less likely to be stolen than a handbag, this clever addition is big enough for your passport, cash and even and ipod or phone.  This simple,versatile accessory really is one of the most useful things I have taken on my travels. It has found use as a blanket, a pillow, even as a beach bag when tied end to end. Don't leave on that jet plane without one!

Pashmina

Warm, soft, comforting, cosy.....not the sort of thing you associate with an 11 hour flight to Bali or on a bumpy bus ride across the Andes. OK so its essentially just a scarf but I can wholeheartedly say that a pashmina really is a wonderful thing to splash out on before your trip away. Im not talking about the ones you buy on Oxford street for a fiver. Quality is the key, for this sumptuous and versatile accessory. Wrapping yourself up in cashmere really is the ultimate in luxuary and it can make all the difference at those times when you feel tired, cold and fed up. An instant cover up when your feeling vulnerable, a soft pillow case for a not so clean hotel pillow or a glamourous wrap for impromptu smart nights out. Trust me girls, once you have found a good one you will never leave it behind. Check out http://www.purecollection.com for a range of beautiful cashmere pashminas in a range of stunning colours.

http://www.thenaturalstore.co.uk/product/travel-and-leisure/travel-camping-and-picnic-accessories/portable-chargers/powermonkey-solar-monkey-portable-solar-charger/25637

A long silk or cotton skirt

http://www.women-on-the-road.com/travel-skirt.html

http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/thumbs-up/thumbs-up-wind-up-mobile-phone-and-ipod-charger/

This wind-up phone charger and torch from Thumbs Up is one of the best mini emergency phone charging gadgets around. A few twists of the wrist means you’ll always be able to charge your mobile in an emergency and there’s a handy light whenever you need it too!

It’s compact enough to keep in a bag, or even a jacket pocket if you’re out hiking or camping and it means that you’ll never be caught in a sticky situation with a flat mobile phone battery. Adaptors for virtually all modern mobile phones are included (see below), and it can even charge most iPods too.

This eco-friendly charger is as touch as it is small and its solid ergonomic design and powerful internal dynamo make this is an essential green gadget for anyone travelling, camping or heading to festivals.

http://www.hike-lite.co.uk/Other/Stow+Sacks/Ultra+Lite+Stuff+Sack.html

Don't forget to check out our tips on staying safe abroad ( See the About Us page)

Happy travels!

The producers of JosyFlo accessories are based in Bhopal, an industrial city in Central India. An ancient city surrounded by beautiful lakes, Bhopal made history in the 19th and 20th Centuary with a hundred years of rule by a lineage of queens or begums.  The succession of the ‘Begums’ gave the city such innovations as waterworks, railways and a postal system

This large thriving city was devestated in the 80's by  one of the great horrors of our time.

The Bhopal disaster was an industrial catastrophe that took place at a pesticide plant owned and operated by Union Carbide (UCIL) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Around midnight on the intervening night of December 2–3, 1984, the plant released methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other toxins, resulting in the exposure of over 500,000 people. Estimates vary on the death toll. The official immediate death toll was 2,259 and the government of Madhya Pradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas release. Other government agencies estimate 15,000 deaths. Others estimate that 8,000 died within the first weeks and that another 8,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.

Some 25 years after the gas leak, 390 tonnes of toxic chemicals abandoned at the UCIL plant continue to leak and pollute the groundwater in the region and affect thousands of Bhopal residents who depend on it, though there is some dispute as to whether the chemicals still stored at the site pose any continuing health hazard. There are currently civil and criminal cases related to the disaster ongoing in the United States District Court, Manhattan and the District Court of Bhopal, India against Union Carbide, now owned by Dow Chemical Company, with an Indian arrest warrant pending against Warren Anderson, CEO of Union Carbide at the time of the disaster. No one has yet been prosecuted.

Below are some videos detailing the effects of this devastating incident. Some content may be upsetting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0csW97x8d24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmtN8NkMcmowatch?v=rmtN8NkMcmo

BHOPAL REHABILITATION (BR) was established in 1985 with the aim of assisting and rehabilitating the victims of this tragedy, especially those who had lost their family members. The basic objectives of BR were to help families in economic rehabilitation by  providing them -
1. Skills in production techniques;
2. Opportunities of self employment;
3. Help in marketing to ensure a steady flow of demand and  supply.

This small independent not for profit organisation provides much needed sustainable employment in a city where abject poverty is rife. Situated within 1 mile of the Union Carbide factory, an area where fresh water is only dispensed for 1 hour every 2 days, the factory provides a beacon of hope for an area devestated by the effects of the chemical fallout.

BR employs approximately 30 full time staff who benefit from a year round competative salary. All of their children attend the local school. Other graduates of the training scheme are employed  at busy times and are given the tools to set up their own small businesses. All of the workers have received free training, healthcare and have access to money through a co-opperative bank account.

Clothing and accessories have taken on a 90's twist and the bum bag is back and bang on trend for the spring summer fashion season. Festivals are coming, and what better way to complement you festival outfit thank with a JosyFlo money belt. Each belt features a pocket or pouch for your coins, credit cards and other valuables. Forget the big handbag at this years music festivals and events and opt for a pocket belt for a stylish alternative. Keep your hand free for busting out some fresh dance moves and forget dancing round the handbags girls. Those days are gone. Our beautifully hand made wide hip and waist belts give you the freedom to really let your hair down and enjoy yourselves. As recommended by Vogue.com, JosyFlo belts are one of the ethical fashion accessories brands to look out for.

For students this is an exciting time of year. As exam time approaches, when your not studying you may be thinking about your summer holiday or gap year travels.

Maybe this is your first time travelling or backpacking. Perhaps you are about to embark on the adventure of a life time with a gap year trip?

Whether you are going on short break with friends or backpacking round the world, a JosyFlo money belt is exactly what you need to make sure your valuables are kept safe. Especially designed for independent women, each belt contains a hidden pocket or 2 to keep your valuables safe and easily accessible to you.

For gap year adventurers and backpackers we recommend the Hip Shaker money belt for everyday wear. Its hidden passport sized pocket and large pouch means that you can keep all your essential and valuable items close at hand. Especially useful when sleeping on trains or busses. Far classier than a bum bag and more versatile that the underclothes travel wallet or money belt.

When your settled in your location why not pack a few bits and pieces into your buckle bag money belt and head out for a day trip? With space for your phone, camera, money and cards, this belt is ideal when you don't want to take a bag. With 3 detatchable compartments which cleverly attatch to the embroidered belt shaft this really is the most versatile womens travel belt.

Keep your travel money and valuables safe in style!

Remember...Women in the know go with the JosyFlo!

Have a safe trip and enjoy yourselves!

Gap year

Backpackers

TRAVELLING

TRAVEL

TRAVEL MONEY

Bum bag

Money belt

Travel wallet

Womens travel

Fair trade products

Looking for a gift and want it sent direct?

No problem. All belts purchased from the JosyFlo website come beautifully wrapped in recycled tissue paper and tied in ribbon. Please state at the check out that this is a gift and we will remove all pricing from the item and forward the invoice to you seperately. At no extra charge. Let us know if you want a personalized gift card too. We will hand write one with your message.

As an additional treat for your loved one we will include a 10% discount voucher off their next purchase from the JosyFlo website.

Worried that you might choose the wrong size? If the belt doesn't fit we will happily exchange it for the correct size, or something else from the JosyFlo range (extra cost may be incurred if a higher priced item is chosen).

Check out www.stylegur.org for up to date fashion news and trends.

Thanks so much for including this information in your blog!