A Wonderful World

                                                     'A POWERFUL TALE OF A MOTHER'S SURVIVAL' Netflix have returned with another hit series ‘ Maid ’, which follows young mother Alex as she fights to care for her daughter Maddie while experiencing abuse, lack of support and income. Although it’s extremely hard hitting, covers some sensitive topics and has some very raw moments, it’s a beautiful and very honest portrayal of the reality of the circumstances for many and provides light and hope for those who may have been affected by similar situations.   It’s inspired by Stephanie Land’s 2019 Memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive , in which she shares about working as a maid while raising her daughter. It’s ‘inspired’ by rather than ‘based’ on, as many of the characters, happenings and storylines have been created for t...

                                                 'CLASSIC AND CREATIVE COCKTAILS' Despite the lack of sun recently, the summer holidays and summer months have meant family and friends have been reuniting and coming together as restrictions have eased. Sun or not, hopefully you can get some garden gatherings and parties can get booked in the diary. Over the course of the pandemic we have had the time to explore and get resourceful in our kitchens, one of the popular experimentations being cocktails. Whether you’re trying to save a bit of money at home rather than spend away in the pub, you’re looking to host the next garden party or want an activity to delve into with family or friends, I thought I’d share some easy and tasty cocktails to try creating at home. 1)     BANANA COLADA (Serves 2) - 100ml Rum of choice - 250ml Pineapple Juice - 2...

MORE OF MY FAVOURITE PODCASTS ON THE BLOCK. I’m back with another 5 of my favourite podcasts, their hosts, what they cover and why I’d recommend them to others. 1)   1)  BOBO AND FLEX: This is a vital listen, important and educational but also equally fun and inspirational. Hosted by friends Bobo Matjila and Lillian Ahenkan (Flex Mami) they bring us a psychology and lifestyle podcast. It’s particularly fascinating as it’s cross-continental, Bobo was born in South Africa and raised in New York and Flex is Ghanaian-Australian. They’re passionate about bringing conversations surrounding identity, intersectionality and mental health to podcast platforms and every episode challenges your beliefs, perspective and what you know. They’re constantly teaching me something new and encouraging listeners to question the way we function, behave and think in the world we live in today. They facilitate discussions on taboo subjects, sexual liberation, dating and critical thinking, huge top...

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...

       '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...

                                                Amidst our third lockdown, television can provide a necessary comfort and distraction from the ongoing pandemic. Since Coronavirus initially hit and we entered our first lockdown, television viewing has increased. Of course, when caring for both our physical and mental health during lockdown it's important to consider how much time we're spending in front of our screens to avoid too much of a sedentary lifestyle and unnecessary health detriments, but dedicating some of our day to such a pastime isn't wholly a negative thing when it has also shown positive benefits. Spending a little time watching the newest series or our favourite classics can help us through this challenging time, a support tool in relaxing us, reassuring us during what can be an isolating and overwhelming time, and distracting us for a while from the ne...