A Wonderful World

CHANGES TO FASHION, CHANGES TO THE ENVIRONMENT Do you think about where you buy your clothes from and the process of how they get to you? 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  products. It addresses the whole system of how clothing is produced, who produced it how long the life span of a product is before it reaches landfill. This means dealing with interdependent social, cultural, ecological, and financial systems. Put simply, it's   an approach towards sourcing, manufacturing and designing clothes which maximizes the benefits to the fashion industry and society at large, while at the same time minimizing its impact on the environment. Sustainable fashion is the recommended and preferred alternative to fast fashion as it has less negative implications and...

                                                                         THE BEST BROWNIE'S ON THE BLOCK. We all love a brownie. Who doesn't? Especially a homemade one. Even better if it also has our favourite chocolate in the mix.  During the first lockdown it became a common occurrence within households to experiment with baking, particularly banana bread. Conversation grew across social media platforms as many shared their banana bread adventures and documented the finished product before enjoying and tucking into their creation. As a nation, baking has also grown in popularity with shows such as 'The Great British Bake Off' airing, it's helped inspire aspirational bakers to pursue their journey, tempt those who may not have baked much before, and tickle the taste buds of all viewers... ...

                                                          HUGE HIT FOR FREELANCERS AND SELF EMPLOYED It’s no secret that the current pandemic has initiated dramatic and sudden shifts to all lives, despite the differences we may face when it comes down to personal circumstances. Throughout both the pandemic as a whole and amidst our third lockdown, our work lives have had to be considered and thousands have been majorly affected. Some businesses may have thrived, lots have struggled. Many employees have been furloughed under the ‘Furlough Scheme’ and others have shifted to ‘working from home’. One particular circle of occupations that have taken a huge hit are those who come under the definition of either ‘Self Employed’ or a ‘Freelancer.’ Those who run their own business, carry out multiple jobs for various organisations, and perhaps aren’t con...

  'I'm about to show you my boobs', said Lizzie. Before proceeding to display her cute crochet creations. Who doesn't love a good boob? Especially when it's a crochet one. Even more so when purchasing one helps to raise money for charity.  In the current climate, lockdown has left many of us with some time to delve into trying new things, time to experiment and freedom to explore creativity, perhaps even set up a new business. 'Lou's Boobs' is a small business set up during lockdown by the young woman Lizzie Back. Purchased via Instagram, handmade crochet boob key rings for just £7 including postage, and with every purchase 10% goes to Cancer Research UK. With a range of colours, the boob can be accustomed to fit your fancy and as a key ring,  attach to whatever you wish. Along with the boob key ring comes the backing card, on which reads a range of quotes from 'The world has gone tits up' to 'It's a bit nippy'. Amusing as well as bea...

'A little Greek restaurant, a lot of love to give.' 'Tsiakkos & Charcoal' is a Greek Restaurant situated in the heart Maida Vale. With a small exterior and curtains hanging at the front, it's like a secret to those outside what's actually behind. It's a family run restaurant that's been around for forty years and has established quite a name for itself. With it's fresh, beautiful food and caring, passionate staff, it's a stand out location. With traditional, authentic, Greek Cypriot food cooked to perfection and an intimate, cosy atmosphere, it's one to get to know if you don't know and to hold onto if you do. All the food is homemade and cooked at the front of the restaurant as you enter, and chargrilled dishes are cooked on live charcoals, dishes that have been passed through generations. It's a place of celebration, joy and warmth, a buzzing atmosphere of love and sharing conversations and connections as well as food. As it...

       'A Valentines from home can still remain a Valentines of love' Valentines Day, celebrated annually on the 14th February, is a day of expressing affection and celebrating love. It may not be the same this year whilst locked down and unable to have events or surprises booked, but it can still be a day of acknowledging and appreciating those you love. Whether you are in a relationship, single or happen to be spending this Valentines day alone, it can still be celebrated within your four walls. It doesn't just have to be a day of romantic love, but friendship and family love to. Particularly during this ongoing pandemic, a day like Valentines is a useful reminder to tell those you love that you do, to check in on those you care about and to take time to appreciate those that also care about you. A day to spread a little joy.  FOR THOSE IN A RELATIONSHIP: If you're spending this Valentines with a Valentine and you're able to see each other, there are still thi...

'It's important to hold onto our passions throughout this challenging time.' As we continue through our third lockdown, we're faced with our own hurdles. Whilst it's important to stay updated, safe and follow government guidelines, it's also acceptable to have time away from the constant hold of Coronavirus and tune into what makes you feel good within the premises of what you can take part in from home. Aspects of the situation we're in can become overwhelming, so it's vital to find your own coping mechanisms that aren't a detriment to your wellbeing. Your own release, way to relax, feel good, shift emotions and tune out of the unnecessary noise for a while.  Although the circumstances at home will be different for everyone, we're all able to ensure we take some time for ourselves to unwind and take part in what we enjoy. It may be learning something new, it may not, there is no pressure attached, just freedom and enjoyment. Explore, experiment ...

So far my 'Love In Lockdown' series has been made up of others stories and experiences, selfless acts carried out by other people to help support those in need. This week I'm sharing my own story. After researching, learning about so many charities and hearing the inspiring stories of others and how they're offering support, I wanted to get involved and help those in need in any way I can. Even more so after learning that there are so many simple ways to offer support, every little goes a long way, and due to Covid19 this is a particularly challenging time for everyone.  Today, the 13th of December, I took part in a 10K walk to raise money for the charity 'Shelter'. Shelter is a charity that helps to combat homelessness with advice, support and legal services. For every £1 you donate, 79p is spent directly on helping people through advice, campaigning and support, and 21p is spent on fundraising. If you are concerned about someone you have seen sleeping rough, y...

  'There are simple yet effective ways to help others throughout lockdown and onwards' With my 'Love in Lockdown' series focusing on stories surrounding good will and selflessness throughout lockdown, I've been passionate about sharing tales of happiness, comfort and support to bring us together through this challenging time, put smiles on faces and most of all, encourage others to do the same. Encouraging caring for ourselves and others in ways that we can, and learning about the work of charities and how to help out is an effective way of doing that. A friend of mine has kindly been working for two charities throughout Lockdown, whilst continuing to work in order to fend for herself, she has been selfless and giving in using some of her time around her own work to support these two charities. One of which is 'City Harvest' , a London surplus food redistribution charity, and the second is a drug and alcohol recovery service. It's hearing from individu...

Since the first lockdown in March, 'home workouts' have become extremely popular.   With the pandemic leading to lockdown, gyms suddenly closing and those working in the fitness industry taking a hit, working out from home has not only become an alternative to the gym, but a new way of continuing business. Proving that you don't need a gym to move your body, or to look after your body and mind. During Lockdown, as well as working to continue online personal training and zoom sessions, many established fitness influencers have used the Social Media app 'Instagram' to share 'Live Workouts' where followers can watch and follow along with their workout live from home. A lot of influencers have used these 'Live Workouts' via Instagram to support themselves with a form of income, sharing information about a monthly or weekly cost for the workouts and then allowing access to an account where the lives then take place. However, others are sharing them for fr...