Stress Free Style

What Is Sustainable Fashion?

Pictured: Green silk long sleeve pyjamas, IDentity Lingerie
There is nothing more that I like to do then snuggle on the weekend, fresh coffee in hand, with the windows open for some fresh air. My new weekend snuggles have also gone to the next level with my newfound love of silk long sleeve pyjamas. I don’t know if it’s a case of me getting older or getting wiser to the fact that sleeping in silk is quite heavenly. – Cyntra

What is sustainable fashion?

I love style, who doesn’t! that feeling of newness, when you step out the house in the brand-new top/dress/shoe or jacket. Whats not to love?

Well… quite a few things really. Over the last year, with the knowledge that our precious planet is almost on its knees from the acts of human’s, I have been trying to find ways that ‘little ol me’ can do to help reduce my carbon footprint and play a small part in a big change.

It can be quite overwhelming, wondering what you can do personally to reverse the adverse effects we as humans have caused on the planet, but there are small steps we can do in our everyday lives to make it just a little bit better. You hear about ‘do this, do that, stop this and stop that’ but when it comes to the personal day to day – one can feel quite useless in trying to understand what part we can play in helping.

However, through doing some research, there was a discovery about one thing we can all do, aside from our trusty keep-cups, and that is to start looking at our habits… particularly our spending habits.

If being fashionable is in your jeans (pun intended) how about starting to look at what makes up the fabric of your favourite garments and start with a little savviness in your style choices.

So… I mentioned sustainable fashion… what does this mean?

Sustainable fashion is a movement and process of fostering change to fashion products and the fashion system towards greater ecological integrity and social justice. Sustainable fashion concerns more than just addressing fashion textiles or products.

We live in a world where coffee costs more than clothes. This is the world of fast fashion and cheap clothing is becoming a major problem.

Merriam Webster defines fast fashion as “an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers.”

We are now living in a world where clothing is so ‘throw away’, ‘hand-me-downs’ are a thing of the past and the constant need for new-ness has overshadowed the meaning of owning a nice piece of clothing.

You may be wondering… what is wrong with new clothes? What does fast fashion have to do with the environment?

Here are some of the top reasons:

Carbon Footprint

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the world’s carbon footprint.That’s a huge proportion when we think of all the other industries out there which contribute to carbon emissions. It’s not often associated with our wardrobes and the purchases we make in stores.

Chemicals in fashion production

From insecticides in farming cotton, chemicals in dyeing process and other heavy metals are all used in the mass-production of new clothes. These chemicals are often toxic to the environment and people making the clothes and often are not cleaned up or disposed of properly in fast fashion.

Water pollution

The chemicals used for dying and production most often than not end up in run-off to rivers and the ocean dispelling over 20,000 cubic litres of toxic waste. Fashion is considered the second biggest polluter of clean water. When we look at the pollution in Ocean, 85% of the human-made materials found on shorelines microfibers, which are frequently used in clothing.

Textile waste

And the list goes on….

What can I do be more fashionably sustainable?

There are a few simple things that you can do immediately which will have a big impact. I am going to pledge to do as much as possible to change my habits to make a small difference,

Op Shops/ Thrift Shops/ Second hand

Turn your eye to going on the hunt and you will find some beauties. There are high-end, old school and all kinds out there. Hit up new areas and you never know what you will find. Even online with apps which allow you to purchase second hand. There are endless opportunities.

Clothes swaps

Organise clothes swaps with friends and friends of friends. If you need a dress for an occasion – create groups of friends where you can lend to each other. Fancy dress – reach out to your inner circles. You can’t keep buying a new dress for every wedding, christening and birthday which comes around.

Sustainable Fashion

Find brands and stores which support sustainable fashion. Look online to find out which brand are supporting the creation of new styles with sustainability on the top agenda. Even by googling you will find well-known brands which are highly rated for their ethics and sustainability. There are great resources like this website which will help you find brands which align to being more sustainable.

Stop buying new clothes

A hard task but if you must buy new make sure it’s built to last. Sounds odd but seriously there are so many wonderful ways to get your hands on something that feels new without the fast fashion. This one will be tricky; I love that feeling of stepping out in something fresh but do-able. Applying the above points can help put a shoe in the right place in making small changes to our day to day impact to carbon footprint.

Local brands

If you do need to buy something new; find brands which are local, ethical and sustainable. Look to see what designers are in your area, local creators or even just localised to your country. There are so many good brands out there who are doing the hard work to source sustainably making our purchase decisions that tiny bit easier. For example, the silky soft pyjamas, I am wearing are from IDentity Lingerie, a brand who make quality lingerie and nightwear, who’s ethos is stapled around sustainability, local products and ethical practices. They have such a cute range of hand-made and beautiful products all produced with a green heart. By making wiser choices, and choices from good quality brands, we can all get that 1% better.

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Stress Free Style

5 Fun Ways to Add a Personal Touch to Your Wardrobe | Style

Mixing things up in your wardrobe with pieces that show off your unique personality is a great confidence booster. Even with a few simple additions such as custom jewellery or handcrafted accessories, you can make a statement. Look for eye-catching second-hand or vintage pieces that represent your character. The more original your style, the more on-trend you’ll be this year, as in 2021, pretty much anything goes. Have fun mixing up your look for different occasions, and you’ll always be able to show your own style.

Here are five ways to add a personal touch to your wardrobe:

Custom jewellery

If you love collecting jewellery, layer pieces, such as necklaces or bracelets. Play around with textures and mix and match. Choose accessories you can easily customise yourself such as trollbeads. Each bead you add to your bracelet can represent something that’s important to you. You could also look out for fun accessories while you’re travelling so that each one your wear tells a story, and makes a great conversation piece.

Handmade accessories

Another way to add a unique touch to your look is with handcrafted bags and accessories. Research local and international designers and find one whose values align with yours. You can find artisans that only use sustainable materials to create one-off pieces, and they’re much more affordable than you might think. Handmade accessories are much more beautiful than ordinary high street options.

Vintage classics

Vintage classics will always be in style and you can find some really original pieces. There are plenty of vintage shops to browse online, so you don’t even need to leave your house. Here are some of the best online vintage clothing stores to give you an idea. Vintage clothing isn’t as expensive and inaccessible as it used to be. There’s a wide range available online and you can spend time looking for something that reflects your personality.

Upcycling

If you want to put your creative talents and flair to good use you could even refashion and upcycle your clothes. Alternatively, look for second-hand pieces in charity shops to re-purpose. If you’ve got the knack for throwing an outfit together, you can have a lot of fun up-cycling old clothes into a new look. You could even check out swap shops, or host a clothes swapping party for your friends. There’s no need to spend money to add a unique touch to your wardrobe.

Layering

Layering is about mixing and matching different styles and pieces. You can do this with your clothes and accessories. Throw a blazer over a brightly coloured top for a casual job interview style, or combine a floaty dress with boots and a leather jacket. Layer your jewellery by wearing bracelets of different weight and colours. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, just have fun creating your own look. The colder weather offers even more opportunities for you to layer up. With a few creative changes to your wardrobe, you can reflect your character and style.

Stress Free Style

The Perfect Job Interview Style To Make A Good Impression | Style

Over the past few months, lots of you have sadly lost your jobs and gone looking for new ones. Thankfully, your luck has changed, and you have a few interviews lined up. Whether these are virtual or in-person, you have one burning question: how do you dress for a job interview?

It’s all about making a good impression, showing your personality and making the best first memory possible.

Here are a few style tips that can give you an extra boost and help you make an excellent first impression:

Keep it neutral

Do your research – find out what the company culture is like. Use their socials: Instagram/ Facebook/ LinkedIn to get an understanding of what the company culture and dress code is like. Last thing you want to do is turn up in a suit when the interviewee is in a t-shirt and jeans.

Instead, keep things very neutral and use your personality, not your look, to make that first impression.

Be careful with your accessories

Accessories can make or break your job interview outfit. If you wear loads of jewellery and have lots of accessories, it doesn’t look too great. They can be too much of a distraction, causing the interviewer to have a negative view of you. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear any accessories at all!

A pair of simple earrings can look very classy and elegant, making you look like a boss. If you look at www.eyegl asses.com, you’ll find loads of glasses that can perfect your look! Glasses give off an aura of intelligence, instantly making you seem more professional. Even if you don’t need them to see, you can get some without prescription lenses to complete your look. I also think that a nice watch will create a fantastic impression and solidify yourself as someone that means business.

Wear comfortable shoes

If you’ve got a virtual interview, you can ignore this tip. It’s only relevant if your lower body is on show! A lot of women will wear high heels to interviews as a way of commanding a dominant presence. There’s no denying that you look and feel like a badass when you’re in heels. It makes you seem more impressive, particularly as you look a bit taller. However, my counterpoint is that heels are very uncomfortable and hard to walk in. If you haven’t mastered the art of walking in heels, it could lead to some embarrassing moments. You don’t want to hobble around or walk really slowly while you’re in the interview building. The people might think you look a bit strange and overly nervous. As such, they dismiss you as someone that can’t handle pressure, so won’t be fit for the job.

Opt for trousers over a dress/skirt

Dresses and skirts can be smart and professional when worn correctly. However, there’s something about trousers that just gives off professional vibes. So, when a you rock up in a suit, people will take notice.

It’s a power move that shows them you are a professional woman that’s here to be taken seriously. These days, you can get some gorgeous fitted trousers and blazers that will hug your figure while still being appropriate for an interview. Don’t feel you have to look frumpy or be ill-fitted – there is something so chic about introducing this look into your style.

Wear a smile

Ok, this isn’t a piece of fashion advice, but it is worth paying attention to! Wearing a smile on your face is one of the easiest ways to make people like you. Smiling makes other people smile, which instantly triggers responses in their brain. It’s almost like you’re tricking someone into feeling happy. When they feel happy, they’ll obviously think of you in a positive manner.

Smiling also shows that you are excited about the opportunity and feel really relaxed. Everyone gets nervous during a job interview, but the trick is to mask these nerves and make it seem like you’re happy to be there. It will impress the interviewer as they’re expecting you to be stressed and anxious, but you don’t seem phased. It shows that you can handle tough situations – which they like!

Feel free to use all of these tips when dressing for your big job interviews. Don’t bother buying loads of different outfits for each interview; you can attend them all in the same one. Find an outfit that you feel comfortable in, and it will help you create an unforgettable first impression.

Stress Free Style

The Perfect Winter Watch | Style

Ohh it is getting chilly outside! Who knew – cold in Australia!

When the seasons change, I love to embrace that freshness that gets breathed into your life as you adapt to the change in temperature. It gives you an opportunity to spring clean your wardrobe, mentality and current situation and adapt to a new look, view and future.

Winter Style

As the Northern hemisphere opens their doors to Summer, in the Southern Hemisphere Winter is here. I love Winter for the colours, the coolness and the warm snuggly feeling you get as you wrap your body in layers.

I love to pair warm colours with natural fibres; embracing the season for its natural shift in colours. A creature of habit, I often will stick to the same accessories, however, my new JORD (pronounced YOAD) has snuck into my style sheet for this fall.

JORD Watches

The Maple FIELDCREST watch is made of all natural wood. The blonde hue really brings back reminiscence of warmer sunnier days as a constant reminder through Winter that the sun will be back.

JORD create beautiful pieces for both men and women, using natural materials in varying styles to suit most looks. The watches come beautifully packaged with a little oil to keep the wood in good condition.

Wooden Wrist Watch

~ Most watch backplates can be engraved! All Cedar humidor presentation boxes are engravable as well!

~ The watches may be sized for the recipient

~Most watches have additional options for customization–mixing and matching faces and woods!

~ Every watch comes with a one year warranty and options for return & exchange

~ Free worldwide standard shipping!

This little time piece (yes pun definitely intended) and other equally beautiful wooden creations can be found on JORD website.

This post was in collaboration with JORD – but all of the opinions and choices are my own x

Stress Free Style

How To Get Thick And Luscious Hair

Ever feel like your hair is brittle, snapping or just a little bit tired? We put our locks through so much. From straightening, pollution, styling and brushing, it is no wonder that sometimes our hair starts to feel limp and lifeless.

Thick And Luscious Hair

I have been lucky in the gene pool where I have a lot of hair. That is not to say it is thick. However, recently my hair has done a 360 and I am now seeing it grow faster, longer and THICKER!

I am not one for keeping secrets… so lean in and I’ll tell you what I have been doing.

Tom Oliver Nutrition

I have started taking supplements.

Alongside looking after your locks from the outside you also need to look after them from the inside.

My trusted hairdresser Ricky Walters, from Salon 64 London, introduced me a month ago to a supplement which has started to transformed my hair.

Omega 3 Herring Caviar by Tom Oliver Nutrition

Omega 3 Herring Caviar, ethically produced from herring caviar, is rich in vitamin A, an essential ingredient for improving the elasticity and quality of healthy hair follicles. A recent study showed that Omega 3 Herring Caviar is 3 x better absorbed than normal fish oil, making it the ideal supplement choice to encourage a rapid improvement in hair strength and thickness.

When I started using it, I knew it would take a while to work as supplementation is not an instant fix. However, I started to notice my nails becoming stronger and my hair became shinier. This was after 4 weeks.

How To Get Thick And Luscious Hair

Six weeks later, I have started to get comments from my friends that my hair has grown longer.

I only recommend products when I notice a difference and these supplements are on my list.

One of the best things I can also say about them, unlike other Omega 3s, they do not leave you with that repeating flavour that other fish oils can give.

If you want to try them yourself, you can find them online here: Tom Oliver Nutrition or in Soho at Salon 64

For More Stress-Free Style Tips Click Here: Style

Explore/ Stress Free Style

Stress-Free Guide Colorado | What to Wear In Colorado In Winter

Stress-Free Guide of what to wear in Colorado:

Colorado is one of those beautiful areas in the World to visit. Surrounded by 54 snowy peaks, the Rocky mountains, are a haven for skiers, hikers and those who love the great outdoors.

The weather in Colorado is mixed, which can often make it difficult to know what to pack if you haven’t been before. With this in mind, I thought I would pull together a small list of things to bring when visiting Colorado.

Layers

Colorado is cold but the sun does shine. You can be met with below freezing temperatures at nights, icy winds but also glorious sunshine. With this in mind – take layers. It gives you the flexibility to add and subtract as necessary to fit the temperatures throughout the day.

I found these incredible Thermal Set from Amazon which kept the body temperature balanced and simple and stylish enough to go with most outfits.

Accessories

Hats, Scarves, Shades and Gloves. You can save space in your suitcase by varying up your accessories to transform your outfit without having to over pack.

As it is a cold area, your suitcase will fill up quickly with coats, sweaters and ski-wear – so mix up your outfits by changing the accessories to breathe life into each new outfit.

Shades are a must with the bright sun reflecting off the snow. It may be freezing but you will still need protection.

Sweaters

Day + night – sweaters are the way forward. Bring a couple of smart and casual ones to suit.

The restaurant and bars are smart casual therefore dressing suitably for après ski is advisable.

I filled my suitcase with this white thick knits from Miss Pap and Topshop.

Pair it with jeans, leggings or chinos depending on the occasion and you’re good to go.

Evening Wear

In Europe, you will quite often meet people on an evening out still in their ski wear. This is a no-no in Colorado.

With beautiful restaurants and bars – people dress for dinner. Casual sweaters, nice jeans, ankle boots or heels are the appropriate attire when heading to the towns for supper and drinks. If there is not too much snow you can even wear heeled boots if you really want to dress up.

Footwear

Hiking boots: Surrounded by such beautiful trails – you will want to get out for a hike. Make sure you bring appropriate walking boots – preferably those that are waterproof in order that if you are walking through the snow you don’t get wet feet.

Heels: When heading out to the restaurants or bars you may want to wear heels with your outfit. I took a pair of heeled ankle boots. The ground is not icy or snowy, therefore, you are not at risk of slipping over.

Boots: A simple pair of boots its ideal to take for any occasion. I took this pair from HM which go with any outfit.

Socks: You can never have enough socks here. Warm toastie socks for back at your chalet spares in case yours get wet, and then the usual you will need for the above footwear.

I hope this guide helps packing stress free and easy when planning your trip to the Rocky’s!

Live and travel without the burden of worry

Balance/ Stress Free Style

Salon 64 | London

SALON64

We have all been there – rolled out of bed early, hit the alarm clock, ran out the door and as we sit having our morning coffee realize that we only put on one eye of mascara?

The out comes the phone or the awkward hand held mirror as we try to piece together a relatively normal face of make up for the day?

Well let me introduce to you SALON64!

is a brand new concept hidden in the streets of Soho. Just off Dean Street there lies a social hub for the 21st century trendsetter – a space where you can meet your friends, grab a coffee, do your make up and host a meeting… oh and did I mention have a blow dry from one of the most sought after hair styling team in London?

The Style Bar Soho

As you enter Salon 64 you are met by the beautiful artsy design of the salon and the Style Bar space situated at the front window where you can plug in your iPhone, relax and have a coffee and prepare for your morning meetings after your commute!

Their coffee is exquisite with their very own coffee beans roasted by Vagabond to give you that morning buzz! Also, if you are feeling a little bit like you need a sweet hit – their pure chocolate based hot chocolate is not to be missed!

The Bar

Next to the The Style Bar, The Bar serves a varying menu of drinks and snacks, it is the ideal place to meet friends or have a meeting.

It is designed to allow you to work on a laptop or tablet while having a creative space to chat and get your #girlboss on.

Blow Dry

If you’re running from work to meet your friends or heading out on an impromptu date – run on in and the team are there have got you sorted with a pampering nail treatment or quick blow dry.

Beachy, big or whatever style you need the team there are so welcoming and really helpful in giving you a few tips to keep your mane in good check.

Their gorgeous products are all organic and made in Italy. Naturally nourishing for your locks – which is definitely what we need among all the city pollution.

Art of the Conversation

Toward the back of Salon 64 is the fire pit area. This is where the concept really comes alive. The fire pits offer a space for you to work, host meetings, have your hair done and even catch up with friends while you get ready for the weekend.

It is so dynamic. You will see people nibbling a croissant in the morning preparing for the day ahead. People having their hair done and catching up over the days office goss before heading out into the Big Smoke. People just sitting back and enjoying London’s latest offering.

The area can be a table, a mirror, a dressing table and somewhere to have your hair blown. I can’t quite articulate it myself – you just have to go in!

Result

I am always looking for simple hacks to save me time and energy – and this is definitely one.

I love it for these three reasons:

They serve GREAT artisan coffee

2. Ricky and the team are truly welcoming and really get you involved in the conversation! Their passion is tangible!

3. ANYONE who can give me big curls when I ask for big curls gets my seal of approval!

Prices

Ricky Walters, owner of Salon 64, employs his expertise in the science of hair and beauty to direct a team of cosmetologists, ordering a number of highly specialized hair styling and colouring options as well as beauty & pampering treatments:

Creative Director/ Owner – upon consultation only (booking required)

Styling Services:

Cut & blowdry from £77.00

Blowdry from £55.00

Hair up from £70.00

Gents cut from £50.00

Colour Services:

Full head of Highlights from£185.00

Half head of Highlights from £145.00

Tint from £90.00

Nail Spa Treatments

Essential Manicure from £45.00

Essential Pedicure from £55.00

Stress Free Style

Summer In The City: White Hot!

Anyone else feeling the heat!

This Summer has blessed us with perfect weather. Radiant sunshine, fresh green parks and the calling of BBQ’s in the evenings easing us out of working days.

Style choices start to become easier as simple cotton dresses and breathable shirts start to make up the basis of every outfit.

Whether at work or play – finding your style for Summer in the City is always made easier when you have a wardrobe staple to take you from work to play.

White Hot

Nothing brings a breath of fresh coolness to any look than a clean white jumpsuit and I have found the perfect one at Topshop. This Embroidered Bardot Jumpsuit has become my go to. Gliding me from work to play with the simple change of an accessory.

No-one wants to be carrying around anything more than their handbag in this weather, which is why I have chosen to share my simple tips to style for any occasion. Take the stress out of your day and make it easy from work to play.

Here are my simple hacks to take your from work to play:

Style For Work:

Pair this Bardot broderie jumpsuit with a heeled sandal, breathable shirt and colour-pop clutch.

A pair of oversize glasses will add a hint of glam.

Style For Play:

Dress down with a trainer: any colour can work as you have the purity of the white. With a clean fresh tee and the right shades, this will be the perfect pairing. If it gets chilly bring your favourite vintage denim jacket to pull over your shoulders.

Style For Evening:

A heeled wedge or a spicy stiletto and a leather jacket will take this jumpsuit from day to date.

A flash of red lipstick and a small flick of eyeliner and you can stroll into the evening oozing with chic and style.

Style For Festival:

Look chic and fresh – even in the mud!

Nothing says chic like a beautiful Bardot paired with your muddy wellies. A floral headdress and the classic festival shades – marry together that summery festival vibe.

Be it Wilderness, Tomorrowland, Obanjan or Bestival – you always have to be prepared for the #BritishSummer

This Bardot Playsuit makes the perfect addition to a capsule wardrobe as it is so versatile to suit every need your Summer throws at you!

Stress Free Style

Spring Summer Classics

Freshen up your wardrobe this Spring/ Summer 2017

It is always daunting stepping out from under the layers and into the Sunshine. Opening up your wardrobe and discovering all the garms that have been hibernating through the cooler months.

The sun has finally crept out from the clouds it has been hiding behind and now we can start to explore and play with styles made for sunshine.

Classics

Nothing feels more fresh than a collection of Classics to intertwine in to your daily mix.

A classic tee – such as this Tommy Hilfiger one – can breathe life into any outfit. It can be mixed with a pair of short shorts, a pleated skirt, a a-line skirt or simply paired with a pair of well fitting jeans.

When looking for a pair of jeans – choose well – because when you find the perfect pair you know. When you and your butt look great the rest just kind of works itself out! These 721 Vintage High Waist Skinnys from Levi’s definitely put a spring in my summery step.

We are spoiled with the amount of fresh sneaks on the market. Regular drops of the freshest styles in all different colours. Whether you are wearing a dress, skirt, jeans or suit – style with a clean and fresh pair of sneaks to breathe whimsy and lightness into your outfit. From work to play – life is always easier on the run in a fresh pair of kicks. These Adidas Ultra Boosts from Footlocker are the newest addition to my sneaker shelf and I cannot wait to break them in!

This post was in collaboration with Footlocker EU – but all of the opinions and choices are my own x

Stress Free Style

The Handbag Essential

A simple handbag essential to keep me feeling on top till I drop

The HandBag

I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like I become the ‘bag lady’ when I choose to add anything to my schedule other than just work. You know that person who tries to squeeze on the tube loaded with bags crashing into the other poor commuters who just wanted a easy and quiet journey.

I plan my outfit to look sharp and savvy and pick out the perfect handbag and then all of sudden I realise I want to hit the gym and bring my lunch to work and all of a sudden I start looking like a donkey (an ass!) loaded with bags killing the #girlboss vibe I was after.

Until now… Enter the Gymtote… the Handbag that everyone is talking about.

The perfectly designed number has a slot for your sneakers, your gym clothes and your daily essentials.

You can slide your lunch into one compartment keeping it away from your clothes. The delegate compartments mean you can keep work and play separate and not end up pulling out your sports bra in a meeting instead of your note pad!

You can mix this up for an overnight bag when staying with the mister or a change of clothes if you’re heading out after work.

I personally love the slick designs and it sits nicely between my other handbags without giving it away.

My favourite is the Eva: what’s yours?

Check out the story behind the bag at Gymtote.

There you have it – my top hand bag essential to keep me in #onpoint and on top!

Balance/ Stress Free Style

How to Enjoy Summer in Style

Every Summer has its own Story

And has’t that been true for our hot hot hot Summer. When we started it out from the muddy puddles of Glastonbury… We thought the tale has been told for the future of a very wet Summer… until one fine day the Sun finally came out.

The parks are filling up with bodies soaking up the sun, our wardrobes become a plethora of colours and textures to brighten up those days, BBQ becomes the go to for dinner and there is always time for a fruity cider.

The sun enables us to produce valuable vitamin D which in turn prevents us from getting seasonal affective disorders and other ailments. This means the time is now to get outside and enjoy this Summer in Style… here are my top little hacks…

1) Hang up the boring Work clothes and embrace the day with Style

Smart Casual in hot weather is tough. With heavy fabrics and tight tailoring it can lead to people getting hot and agitated. Let go of the rules and bring out those natural cottons, flowing dresses, cami tops and crops.

We are a nation who embraces every minute of sunlight like it might be our last… so you will be forgiven for breaking the office dress code on these days. Live a little!

2) Kick out the heels and jump into those Kicks

The sun is out and it is time to get moving. The tube is a near death experience, traffic jams and being stuffy in the car! No way – get out and move. Four miles may sound a long way to work but put on your favourite kicks and get moving. You will get those early morning rays and keep your beach bod in check with the exercise.

I am drooling over my new kicks Footlocker is smashing it with styles this summer. These beautiful adidas quilted ZX Flux are stylish enough to be worn with a co-ord or summer dress meaning you can head straight from the office to the Park – BBQ – Sun Adventure without having to carry lots of bags with a change of clothes in.

3) Bring Nature in…

Flowers in every room. Brighten up your day. Go to the market after work and treat yourself to a new plant. Boost that smile every morning with the beautiful colours of nature.

From Columbia Road to your local Florist. Pop in – find out whats local. Get the scents in and embrace the colours. If you want to order beautiful British Flowers online – check out Arena Flowers for special offers that are beautifully local to bring any room to life. or you can use wynne66708 for 25% off 😉

Enjoy every moment…

Summer always ends with good memories

Balance/ Stress Free Style

Do you check your Ingredients?

Do you check your Ingredients? Answer majority is usually Yes

However

Do you check your ingredients in your Beauty Products? This often leads to a few less in agreement.

Green for All Seasons is hosting a series of events to investigate, educate and discuss the importance of Clean and Organic living through in the products that we use on a daily basis.

First in the series was to discuss Organica and Clean Beauty. In attendance were a panel of experts to discuss Wellness and How your beauty regime is a key player when talking about holistic Wellness.

Victoria- Anne founder of Green for All Seasons opened the session by calling out some harrowing facts.

“11% of the 10,500 products approved by the FDA have actually been tested for safety”

“2000 new chemicals are registered daily in the US to be used in beauty products”

“An average woman uses 12 personal care items a day…exposing yourself to 168 chemicals daily”

We often spend time making sure the food we put inside us if of the top standard but may forget to check the finer print when it comes to our beauty regime. We went on to discuss the importance of skin and how we can make small and simple changes to thrive and seek wellness holistically in our day to day routines.

Looking after your wellness and well-being is a holistic action. It is all about living without extremes and operating in a balanced way. We often hear the remark that you can’t live a healthy life if you smash hours in the gym but fill your fridge full of processed food. We check labels, search for organic food, are on a quest to reduce sugar and fighting against the big companies to be honest with us yet we seem to be missing out on some crucial items that we put on our skin everyday.

Victoria-anne opened up her questioning to the expert panel – Here is what the experts had to say

The panel started with Tanya Hawkes from Therapi. Tanya was a bee keeper and found her passion for skincare and bee-keeping and combined these to create her product line.

“Honey is Nature’s liquid gold, a precious elixir containing the nutritious nectar and therapeutic essences of a thousand flowers in just a single drop. Our certified organic products combine honey with active botanical extracts in exceptionally pure and gentle formulations, using cold-pressed organic oils and nourishing plant butters to keep your skin looking beautifully radiant and healthy day after day”

She expressed Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food as she handed around a shot glass filled with Therapi toner which we proceeded to sip. One should not put anything on their face which one would not put in their mouth.

Tanya’s top skin tips: Radiate with Wellbeing: Balance Work, Love, Exercise. Secondly use Japanese Konjac Sponge and Honey Gel Cleanser to clean the face leaving your skin soft and hydrated.

Next to discuss Clean Beauty was creator and founder of Twelve Beauty: Pedro Catalá

Pedro started as a pharmacist and through his passion created Twelve beauty. Pedro used his extensive research and knowledge of plant extracts to develop and create TWELVE BEAUTY, his revolutionary range of nine skin care products which are highly suitable for various concerns, especially stressed, sensitive and reactive (allergy-prone) skin.

His values revolved around: Simplicity.

He expressed how you should keep it simple with only a few products that your skin likes. There is no need to own a whole range of products. Find something that works and keep to the basics.

TWELVE Beauty range is a divine and has a simple yet sophisticated branding. Using powerful anti-oxidants and beautiful elixirs – his products are recommended by experts. You can find him online or at Content Beauty in Marylebone.

Pedro’s top skin tips: Don’t be stressed. Relax – and be happy and your skin will Glow

Next on the panel Natalie and Marie from Aevi

They are the ladies behind a beautiful Wellness Box (see above). Filled with gorgeous products which are natural and good for your skin.

Marie was very passionate about Wellness. She and Natalie created the boxes having both suffered from skin problems caused by high street products.

Look after your heart, mind and skin
You have to be the healthiest version of you

This echoed the feeling of the day where it was not about forcing you to take on certain products but find something kind and natural for your skin in order to flourish.

Aevi’s top skin tips: Stay Hydrated, Eat foods high in Vitamin E (nuts, avocados) Exfoliate – all over

Finally we moved to our last panelist Sjaniel Turrell from Chemistry of Wellness

A nutritional therapist and holistic make up artist she spoke of the importance of making sure your products are a reflection of health and not chemicals.

She gave us a live demonstration on Chessie King and showed us products that will make you glow without putting harmful chemicals on your skin.

If you are un-sure where to go with making your make-up more natural and kind to your skin you can book consultations with Sjaniel Turrell here

The day was rounded off with some light refreshments and divine teas provided by Pukka Tea and Charlotte Pukka discussed with us their new Turmeric range and the power of healing herbs such as Matcha and Turmeric. Their new Turmeric range is in store now.

Join the turmeric revolution.

Caring about your skin from the outside in can really make a change to your overall well-being. From a mental health point of view: when you feel and look tired it can often bring you down. You may eat all the right foods and hit the gym but if you expose your skin to the wrong and harmful products you can lose your radiant glow and be left feeling dreary and washed out.

Don’t feel you have to go to your cupboards and throw everything out, this should be a transition. Start by reading the labels, asking the questions and sourcing the right products.

The Soil Association has a list of products which have been certified clean and organic to start your education here.

Check out some of the Chemicals to look out for and where you will find them!

Love the skin you’re in

If you have any questions surrounding clean beauty or any other questions raised in this article please feel free to comment below and I will get back to you or put you in contact with the right people

Balance/ Stress Free Style

Create Beautiful Hair in Minutes for a Stress Free Morning

It’s been a long day and you hit the gym to de-stress.

You get home wash your hair and blow dry it silky smooth.

You hop into bed to get your beauty sleep.

Only to wake up looking like you’ve been play fighting in a rose bush while pumped with static!

Welcome to my world!

This was my life until I discovered a simple and easy life hack which means you can wake up with loose rolling waves allowing you to get work ready in half the time.

This little hack is so simple yet so effective it will completely revolutionise your morning routine leaving you less stressed and giving you more time to spend on other things such as a morning meditation, cooking a nutritious breakfast or even taking an extra shut eye.

The bed-time top knot.

This cute hairstyle is most effective on freshly washed hair which is slightly damp.

You can still do it with dry hair but adding a spritz of hairspray will give extra hold.

Follow these simple steps to rolling curls

Start by washing your hair with a good quality Organic Shampoo and Conditioner such as Tabitha James Kraan Hair Cleanser and 4-in-1 Conditioner. Organic Haircare is important for your hair especially when working in polluted cities. Many high street brands strip your hair of its natural oils and then drown it in thick silicone which weighs it down leaving it lifeless. For rolling curls you need light and nourished hair.

Once washed comb through using a Tangle Teezer. Tangle teezers are gentle on your hair. When your hair is wet it is more flexible but vulnerable to breakage when using normal hairbrushes. Tangle teasers are gentle on your hair preventing breakages leaving your locks luscious and full. This gorgeous Gold one can be snuck into your gym bag so you can wash at home or away.

Next apply your pre-styling products. My current favs are: Bumble& Bumble Invisible Oil Primer and Kerastase Resistance Volumifique.
Protecting your hair against heat and other UV damage is key to keeping your hair in good condition. A good mousse gives your hair that extra lift but also a little bit of tackiness for styling the next day.

Blow dry your hair to 90% dry.

Finally grab your hair band. The bain of my life (if you follow me on snapchat you will see) is hair tyes snapping. The first world problems of big hair. For this reason my friend at Feelunique.com introduced to me Invisibobble and I am a convert. Stretchy, painless and kind to your hair these are the perfect alternative.

Grab your hair and twist into a top knot that sits on your head. You want it as high on your head as possible so it does not interfere with your sleep but you also get the all over curl.

Come the morning when the alarm goes off…

Your hair will have transformed into rolling waves. Before you let your hair down lightly spritz it with Bumble & Bumble Dryspun Finish or TRESemme Extra or Freeze Hold and leave it while you finish your make-up. Once completed let your hair down and let waves roll. You may want to tame around your face or back brush the back for more lift.

Bed ready to work ready in just 20mins!

Recipes/ Stress Free Style

Eat Pizza and still look like a Victoria Secret Model?

One of those days when only a big slice of cheesy pizza will let go the pressure of the RatRace?
Then you remembered that this weeks goal was to lose half your body weight and look like a Victoria Secret Model?

Well check out this little recipe to hit both goals in a tasty delicious slice.

Gluten Free Pizza

Pizza – one of the best exports from Italy. Comforting, tasty and the ultimate indulgence – there is never a dull moment with Pizza involved. Unfortunately I am allergic to wheat which kind of puts a dent in my pizza escapades until I discovered this tasty recipe. Its perfect if you’re making it for flatmates or boyfriends who may be a little bit adverse to the healthy way of life. All round belly pleaser.

Simple and easy to make after a long day in the office. You can let go of the stresses of the day while tucking into some comfort food. Bring the flavours of Italia right to your home.

Ingredients

Base:

2 1/2 cups cauliflower, grated (about 1/2 a large head)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups shredded light mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Toppings:

1/4 cup tomato sauce/ paste
Mozzarella cheese
Fresh Basil
Chilli flakes
Spinach
Olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 220c

Find a pizza slate or a baking tray and line with parchment paper

Grate the cauliflower using a box grater until you have two cups of cauliflower crumbles. Place in a large bowl and microwave for seven to eight minutes, or until soft.

Remove from the microwave and let cool.

Strain through a dish cloth by putting all the mixture inside a clean cloth and squeezing out the excess water

Mix in the egg, one cup mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper.

Using your hands roll into the amount you need for base and then put the ball in the middle and push out mixture until you make a circle

Bake for 12-15mins or until golden

Remove from oven and add your toppings – this is where you can freelance from vegetarian to meat pizzas

Cook for a further 10 mins or until the cheese has that perfect glow and brown shade

And there you go – low carb – delicious treat for you when you fancy a little naughtiness.

You can package it up for work the next day and serve with a side salad or save it for about 2-3 days in an air tight container in the fridge.

As it contains no nasties and all fresh ingredients its best not to leave it too long.

Stress Free Style

Minty Mondays: Matching Heels and Sneaks

Spring is finally here and what better way to celebrate then freshening up your wardrobe with some pastel mint vibes.

Going to work 5 days a week you can get stuck in the same rotation of grey and black making you feel like winter is still in your wardrobe. Time to shake it up and bring some fresh colour into you repertoire. Adidas stan smiths have brought out a fresh new range of pastel sneakers ranging from frozen green to pastel pink. Intricate details and a cool finish these are an excellent addition to put a spring in your step and spring into your wardrobe.

Changing from sneakers to heels is made easy when you stick to the same colours as you know it will match.

My ASOS mint heels add a simple yet effective insert of colour into my black suit. If you are like me and your wardrobe is a mix of monochrome then brightening up for the seasons can be simply left to your accessories.

Matching your sneaks to your heels means you can dash about town to all your meetings, commute without damaging your knees, get in the car easily while placing your heels in your bag and transition from boardroom coffees to girls and cocktails without having to dash home to change.

Its all about using your precious time effectively and not feeling a pack horse every time you know you’re meeting friends after work.

We are busy ladies these days. Managing your time effectively so you can be the best #GIRLBOSS while also balancing out that time for social and relaxation.

Keep it fresh this spring and treat yourself to some matching heels and sneaks! Go on… you deserve it!

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