10 things you might not know about me
Hi there,
I’m Charlene Elita and I created The Elita La Vie Approach after I went from coasting through life to living the life I longed for.
But who am I?
1. I’m a shortie, coming in at only 5ft 1 - I’m ok with this height, it’s been the height I’ve known for over half my life now. It's other people who are fascinated by how short I am. I only really notice it when I need to climb the shelves in supermarkets for items out of my reach.
2. I have naturally dark brown curly hair - by accident, I started embracing my curls in my early 20s. The story starts like many around that time in my life, I’d been out drinking on a ‘school’ night and woke up late. I didn’t have time to straighten my hair without being late for work so I left with wet hair and worse, I left it down (ahhhhh). As my hair dried, the natural wave I had been trying so hard to hide, started to make itself known. To my surprise my colleagues couldn’t stop complimenting my hair. After that I wore my hair naturally more often, however, it wasn’t until November 2021 that I decided to retire the hair straighteners and be curly full time - my goodness it is high maintenance, but we’re on our own journey!!
3. I own 7 pairs of Dr. Martens and counting - I love clothes, not so much fashion, but individual items of clothing or a pair of shoes (especially Dr. Martens). My life long love affair started when I put my first pair on. They were blue boots which were bought for me as school shoes and I loved them. I loved the design and I loved how they made me feel.
4. I do not like tea or coffee - this one is a bit controversial to admit on the internet, especially as a Brit. I love the smell of coffee, it is a shame it doesn’t taste as good as it smells. Tea though…tea, I do not understand. It doesn’t smell good and it tastes just as bad (in my opinion - don’t go hating on me all you tea lovers).
5. Crisps are my favourite snack food - closely followed by biscuits. One of the perks to being a grown up is making your own food choices. We get to pick when and how many of our favourite foods to enjoy! My favourite way to eat crisps is sharing a bowlful with friends while you natter away the day.
6. I’m a channel swimmer - I first learnt about channel swimming when I was a child and it was something I had always wanted to achieve. In July 2021 this dream became a reality and I got to tick something off my bucket list (as part of a relay team).
7. I love swimming - this is probably obvious considering the previous fact about me. I have always loved swimming and I can be pretty grumpy if I don’t swim regularly. During lockdown I learnt how much more than physical exercise swimming is for me; it is the main thing I do for my mental health. Stick me in some water for 10 minutes and I’ll come up a joyful, positive, happy person.
8. I’d be ok never eating kale or aubergine again - another potentially controversial thing to admit, but I think the hype of kale was massively overrated and I am very pleased to see, at least in England, this trend is fading. I don’t dislike kale, but people were eating it like it tasted as good as buttery potatoes. Not a trend for me. And aubergine is simply disgusting, unless you manipulate it into being something so far from its original self it becomes tolerable - in my opinion!
9. As a child I wanted to be an interior designer - I think my child-self knew me better than I gave her credit for because I love my home. My husband and I have worked hard creating a home we’re proud of. We’re about to sell up and move into a van while we complete the next one. You can follow that journey on instagram @gibberdvanandhome.
10. I have an amazing support network - I am very lucky to have found my people. I was raised by inspiring parents who encouraged my independence. I won the lottery with my in-laws who are really supportive of my husband and I. I bagged myself a talented husband who turns my ideas into reality and I have a wonderful bunch of friends who I’d be completely lost without.
And a bonus one
11. I believe everyone should live the life they long for - I spent too many years coasting along, not appreciating what I had, believing everything I wanted was going to land in my lap without me needing to lift a finger. I share my approach to life; The Elita La Vie Approach so you don’t have to lose any more precious time. We’re only here once, you deserve to live your most aspirational life for as long as possible.
Sleep well,
Charlene Elita x