5 Ways to Live More Sustainably
Thrift your clothes
Have you heard of the phrase reduce, reuse and recycle? This phrase is as important today as when it was first communicated. Every clothing item we purchase has an environmental footprint, from the materials
used to the manufacturing and packaging, which generally ends up in landfills. Thrifting your clothes will not only allow you to individualise your style, but it reduces the environmental footprint through evasion of pollution emitted during the production of a new product.
Go plastic free
I have a whole blog post on the dangers of plastic and I will link it here if you are interested in finding out more. Plastic never goes away, and around 40% of it ends up in the world’s oceans, killing sea turtles,
seals and other marine mammals. You can very simply cut down your plastic consumption through using reusable bottles and straws and taking reusable bags when you go for your grocery shop.
Be water wise
Try skipping the bottled water! These businesses try and make out that bottled water is better than the water that comes out of your tap at home, yet this is not the case. Tests have proved that tap water excels in quality and taste and the promotion and purchasing of tap water enables an increase in the consumption of plastic. Purchase yourself a reusable bottle and drink the water that comes out of your tap. Not only are you going to save money, but you are saving the oceans and animals! As well as purchasing water, it is important to conserve water and you can do this through having shorter showers, turning of the tap when you are brushing your teeth, and choosing low-water/low-flow appliances.
Drive less
Switching up your driving habits can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. Try to walk more, ride a bike or use public transportation whenever possible. See if you can share a lift with your work colleagues and combine your errands to make fewer trips throughout the day. Cars emit a ton of harmful gasses into the air and contribute widely to pollution. If you are in need of a car, try to purchase an electric car or one
with a low emission engine. The smallest change and make the biggest difference when combined.
Green your home
This can be expensive and I admit, not everyone will want to spend money to green their homes. There are small and inexpensive things you can do however, including switching your light bulbs to energy saving ones or using a programmable thermostat for more efficient heating and cooling around the home. If you want to further green your home, invest in solar panels and energy saving windows, not only saving you money in the long-run, but helping to minimise your carbon footprint.
3 BEST PLACES TO SHOP FOR AUTUMN/WINTER PIECES
& OTHER STORIES
SHOP FOR: Premium knitwear and cosy accessories
& Other Stories is a brand that has been around for a while, yet the price tags have been quite off-putting for my small budget. Although I have passed many stores throughout the years, it was only on a recent trip to London that I decided to pop into the lovely store in Covent Garden. I absolutely loved the quality of the knitwear and actually, the price tag was quite reasonable. My highlights include the alpaca blend turtle neck sweaterand the soft cashmere knit beanie which comes in a range of colours – the dark blue has to be my favourite and feels amazingly warm! For coats, the houndstooth wool blend long coat is perfect for both smart and casual looks and is the best of the selection they have!
SÉZANE
SHOP FOR: Cosy knitwear, midi dresses and classic coats
I have ordered a few things from Sezane over the years, mostly dresses for my time in Paris but the Autumn collection caught my eye on Instagram. I would say that the website is not the cleanest and can be quite difficult to navigate through, therefore I have downloaded the app and tend to use that for ease. My favourite pieces include the paulin jumper, which is beautiful in white and features an openwork knit design, perfect for fancy Christmas and New Year parties. I love the classic look of the bobby coat. It comes in black and has a cute little pleat in the back which adds a certain femininity to the piece. For the upcoming holiday season, the adele dress is an elegant midi dress with ruffles around the neckline. The Autumnal print is just divine and would look complete with the Bobby coat.
MANGO
SHOP FOR: Affordable coats, knitwear and accessories
Mango is a slightly understated brand and pieces are not only affordable, but the quality is worth speaking about too. I am keen of the nude and rusty colours this season, with my favourite pieces including this wool blend scarf. I am not always good with scarves, yet with this winter I am in need of one to keep me warm and accessorise my coat. The quality is amazing and I have not experienced any shedding or fraying of the wool itself. A star buy! For coats, I spotted the lapels wool coat which comes in grey and green (Both are lovely). I have this coat in green, more so as a statement piece when my outfit is kept simple. It definitely dresses up any outfit and looks expensive. If you have heard of Mango but have not branched out, this store is worth your time!
These are my top 3 places to shop for Autumn/Winter pieces. If you have any recommendations of stores or key pieces, leave them in the comments below.
The dangers of plastic and reducing your plastic consumption
I am sure you have heard the word plastic more than ever recently, and there are many people advocating for single use plastic and reducing consumption. I am in no way an activist, but being responsible is something we can all do to help ourselves and our planet. My passion for caring for the planet is mostly derived from my love of animals and hearing about extinction due to human actions. So whilst we have been using plastic all our lives, why is it so important to reduce our usage now, and what are the long-term dangers?
Plastic does not go away
Plastic is a material that is made to last forever and yet 33% of all plastic - water bottles, bags and straws are used just once and thrown away. This means that it stays in the environment for up to 2000 years or longer, ending up in the oceans and in the greenery. Therefore, recycling is extremely important, as well as using reusable bottles and straws.
Plastic threatens wildlife
Wildlife become entangled in plastic, they eat it or mistake it for food and feed it to their young. This can result in impaired movement, injuries and even death. I’m sure you have seen many news articles featuring animals that have died from consuming or getting entangled in plastic. These problems have been increasing rapidly and will continue to do so.
Plastic piles up in the environment
30 million tons of plastic gets discarded every year, and only 8 percent is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills and is burned or becomes litter. The release of harmful chemicals in the air contributes towards global warming, and thus making the earth hotter and inhabitable.
What can you do to reduce your plastic consumption?
Carry a reusable bottle - Carrying a reusable bottle is a great way to cut your plastic usage and save money. There is even an app to tell you where you can refill your bottle for free
Say no to plastic straws - Plastic straws are bad for our oceans, next time you need a straw use a paper one
Avoid excessive food packaging - I know that this is not always possible, but try to buy loose fruit and veg and bring your own packaging to put it in
Avoid microbreads - The UK government have announced a ban on mircobeads, however if you still have products purchased previously, ensure that these products and disposed of responsibly
Carry a shopping bag - Since the plastic bag charge was introduced in England, there has been a massive 85% drop in their use. If you still find it hard to remember to carry a reusable bag around with you, try a foldaway one that you can carry in your normal day bag
Making these small changes can have a big impact on the amount of plastic we use on a day-to-day basis.
How to save money this summer and still live your life
Saving money can be stressful AF but it does not have to be, and there are many things you can do to save money and still have fun!
Prioritise when to save and when to spend
Sometimes, buying that new dress feels like the right thing to do in that situation, that and you want the dress. However, learn to prioritise what is important. If you are going for dinner in the week, cut back on non-essential shopping. Travelling may be your ultimate goal and therefore cutting back on city breaks will help you get there! Learn to identify what you really need and what you want.
The summer fun fund
After summer has passed, you may be thinking about other events, like Christmas. Setting up a summer fund will allow you to be able to do the things that you want to do, without spending your current money in one go. Set aside a targeted amount every month and do not spend it until the summer!
A side hustle
You may have a hobby or a smart way of making money, but you just do not know how to get started. Put some effort into turning your hobby into money, by selling items you make on Etsy or eBay. Writing may be your passion; start a blog and sell space for advertising! The possibilities are endless.
Socialising
As much as summer is all about going out and socialising with friends, it can become expensive. Prioritise which events you need to go to or opt for some free events. Saving does not have to be boring.
Travel wisely
If you have the money to start off your travelling journey, do it wisely. Swap expensive hotels for an apartment or buy a van and revamp it! Do your research beforehand and figure out a long-term plan.
The Paris Travel Guide
I have always wanted to go to Paris, cliché I know, but it has been on my list of places to visit for many years and this April I finally got to see it. My boyfriend and I could not decide on a place to visit for his birthday and after some convincing, I suggested Paris and he agreed! I found myself to fall head over heels in love with the city, the metro was cooler than I thought it would be. I was lucky that my boyfriend could navigate us around – successfully. The landmarks always seem overrated when you’re looking at photos or listening to other people’s experiences, but I was in awe of them. The Eiffel Tower is so beautiful when lit up at night, and the Sacre Coeur is perfect for getting in a cardio workout – there are so many steps! Seeing as I gained a new found love for Paris, I thought I would share my own little abridged guidebook of the hotel we stayed in, shops, bars and restaurants so you have everything for when you want to visit.
The Hotel - Hotel Eugene en Ville
The hotel that we stayed in was a cute little boutique hotel in the centre of Paris, and right next to the metro station, perfect for getting to places. We were welcomed by the loveliest reception staff and they informed us of how to get to the famous landmarks of Paris. The room itself was spacious enough for two, and we even had a terrace; making the most of eating our breakfast before the down pour. I would definitely recommend this hotel if you are looking to stay in the centre of Paris and have a medium budget.
Places – Landmarks
The Eiffel Tower
If you are looking for somewhere romantic to go in the evening, the Eiffel Tower is perfect when lit up in the evening. It lights up around 9pm and then again every hour until daylight.
The Scare Coeur
The Scare Coeur is a beautiful Cathedral but you will need some comfy shoes to get there. Be prepared for quite a few steps, but it will be worth it once you reach the top. The interior is intrinsic and there was even a live service!
The Louvre
Seeing the Louvre is a must! The building is architecturally exquisite and perfect for that photo opportunity. The museum itself is on the large scale, and it will take you a few hours to work your way around. A tip – do not spend hours in the pots section; I blame my boyfriend for that.
Musee d’Orsay
After being annoyed that I only really got to see pots at the Louvre, I booked a last minute ticket to the Musee d’Orsay and it was worth it! This museum features famous paintings, statues and exhibitions. I even bought a sketch book to kick start my artistic flare.
Food and Shopping
Brasserie Auteuil
This restaurant/rooftop bar is absolutely beautiful, and features a botanical vibe. The food is amazing and there are many options, from traditional French food to Italian. I had a delicious pasta and a tasty cocktail. I would highly recommend this place.
Champs Elysees
As much as I love looking at designer clothing, affordability is also useful and the Champ Elysees is an area with all your recognisable high street shops. If you need a little hot chocolate break, Laduree is the ideal sweet cafe!
Where is your ‘go to’ in Paris?
Embrace a Positive Mindset With These 3 Strategies
I think we all have stages during life where we get stuck in a rut and negative thinking creeps in. So how do you go about changing your mindset from a negative to positive one?
Adopt a morning gratitude practice
The most effective way to shift a negative mindset is by starting out in the morning. Before you get out of bed, think of three things that you are grateful for. Now if you find this hard to start with, it is easiest to start with something that is very surface level. For example: Being grateful that you managed to wash up, or do the laundry yesterday. Gratitude does not have to be deep, it is the start of tricking your mind in a positive direction. As you become more accustomed to thinking positively every morning, gratitude will occur naturally.
Audit your time - and who you spend it with
I am sure that you have been around people who have been continuously moaning, and maybe you leave that situation feeling drained and negative. It is true, emotions are contagious and therefore it is important to surround yourself with people that lift you up and inspire you. If you are spending too much time with people who have a negative mindset themselves, you will end up adopting that mindset and shifting to a positive outlook will become more difficult. If you want to have more of a positive mindset, think about how and where you spend your time, and what can be changed to bring positivity into your life.
Remember to be kind to yourself
Shifting from a negative to positive mindset starts with understanding where you are right now. If you feel sad or angry, let yourself feel it but try to work out the cause and work on that. What can you do to actually make yourself feel better? Maybe you need to chat to a close friend or take a brisk walk to connect with the outdoors. It is important to comprehend why you feel a certain way, and being proactive about doing something to change the way you feel. Shifting your mindset starts with being kinder to yourself, acceptance and taking steps to change.
What do you do when you are stuck in a negative rut?
Boost Your Productivity With These 5 Tips
1. Goal setting – Yes I know; everyone says it is important to set goals but that is because it is isn’t it? I know that when my productivity is lacking, I set goals for that day and I end up getting so much more done, but why are goals so important? Well goals give you a sense of direction and they also highlight all the tasks you need to get done for that day, making you essentially more productive right? If goal setting is your thing, I am going to write a post on how to set SMART goals and ensure that you achieve them, so stay tuned.
2. Planning – Once you have set your goals, you can plan on how you will achieve them. Planning can be as vague or as detailed as you want to make it, but I suggest that the more detailed your plan, the easier it is to stay productive as you have a clear vision of your goals. I like to use massive paper or a whiteboard to construct my plans on and I always make them look good. Once you have completed your plan, get on with it!
3. Accountability buddy – The best way to keep your motivated and productive is to get yourself an accountability buddy. This can be anyone that is in the same position as you and ideally doing similar tasks to you. It is great to chat to someone with similar interests about your goals and plans and how to best achieve your goals. Exploring new ideas together can encourage motivation, productivity and achievement.
4. Learning – When you have learnt something new in the past, has it made you feel motivated to want to learn and do more? Learning something new is a great way to boost your motivation and productivity. This does not have to be expensive either, learning does not have to involve expensive courses, you could read a new book or listen to a podcast. The more you learn, the more you will want to do.
5. Balance – Don’t forget that being productive requires you to keep your life balanced. When you are planning your goals, add a few activities to do during the day or week to keep yourself active, motivated and productive. When I first started FBC, I was working all day every day and this really had a massive impact on my productivity. I noticed that I could work for a whole day and then feel demotivated the next. When I started to balance my days, I became so much happier and more motivated. I was spending time with my friends and family, but would look forward to the time spent on making my business a success, therefore balancing is key!
My Evening Skincare Routine
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love reading and watching these skincare routine posts and videos. Therefore, I have decided to share my skincare routine and all of the products I use in the evening, here goes…
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser – This cleanser has honestly changed my life! My skin is so dry and sometimes oily and I have struggled to find a cleanser that seriously helps to combat both. This cleanser has done the impossible and if you have sensitive spot prone skin, this product is for you! My skin always feels moisturised, but never irritated or greasy.
Alpha H Liquid Gold – This product is not my everyday toner, but I use this a few times a week and love it! I have lots of pigmentation on my face, mostly from spots and ageing and this product has changed my skin for the better. My pigmentation has dramatically reduced since using liquid gold and most importantly, my sensitive skin can handle this product too, a massive bonus!
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil – As the sun has not really made an appearance here in the UK, I have been using an oil to combat any winter dryness. This oil is a bright orange/reddish colour and smells amazing! I was looking for an oil that would not make me break out, but would help to add moisture back into my skin and I tried this oil on a whim one day. I have never looked back! My skin always feels moisturised in the morning and looks healthy, a perfect canvas for my make-up.
Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream – I really like a lightweight eye-cream in the evening and this Avene one is a treat! I have had some Eczema around my eye and this cream has really helped to keep that under control. If you have sensitive skin, again this eye cream would be perfect for you, it is non-scented, lightweight and moisturises the under-eye area amazingly.
So these are the main products I use in my skincare routine, however I do switch up these products depending on what my skin is doing/feeling like.
Do you have a favourite skincare product?