**gifted** When it comes to sustainable clothing and slow fashion, it’s often difficult to find brands who genuinely care about the environment. Don’t get me wrong, there are brands who do care, but finding them can be a little tricky. Over the last few years, we have become increasingly aware of the environmental impact the fast fashion industry is having on our planet; clothes being made quickly, cheaply, low quality, the eye-watering use of resources, and let’s not forget there are some brands that have been linked to unethical practices when it comes to how textile workers are treated.&nbs ..read more

With so many of us leading busy daily lives, it’s often easy to push that yearning for fresh air, lush green meadow, and the calming whisper of nature to one side. Many of us are aware that spending time in nature’s beauty is good for our health and well-being, but sadly, we sometimes just don’t get the chance to enjoy it. Throughout the year, there are a number of environmental days where we can celebrate and help to protect our natural environment; Earth Day, International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, No Mow May, World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, and World Soil Day to ..read more

When it comes to writing the perfect message or the right words to wish your Mum a very Happy Mother’s Day doesn’t come easily to a lot of us. Just when you need your brain to work, it decides to do the opposite.  For me, my Mum isn’t only my Mum, to me, she’s my best friend. We have a fabulous relationship, we talk on the phone every other day. Sometimes it’s only a five minute call. Mother’s Day is a special day that is celebrated around the world. In the UK, it’s also known as Mothering Sunday.  History of Mother’s Day During the Middle Ages, a tradition started emerging in the UK ..read more

As we spend so much of our hard-earned money on clothes, we want them them to continue looking their best for years to come. An important aspect of sustainable fashion, that I don’t see enough about, is how to look after your clothes long-term.  I was having a conversation with a friend a while back and we somehow got onto the conversation of a jumper she bought. Sadly, it had shrunk in the wash. Understandably, she was quite frustrated that her jumper was ruined. She mentioned about her lack of understanding of some care labels; she wanted to know what these wash care labels meant. Which ..read more

I enjoy being pottering around in the garden but something I’m not a huge fan of is weeding. Weed management can be challenging because once it’s out of hand, it’s really hard to regain control of it. Plus, I really don’t like using chemicals where I can avoid it, once I found out what they do to insects, especially bees, I’ve avoided it.  A while back, I went to visit my Mum. I was sitting in the living room, eating her food and she was into the garden. I wasn’t paying much attention until I looked over to see what she was doing. She had a bottle of bleach in her hand and ..read more

In an effort to be healthier, I’ve started having salads for lunch.  When I was growing up, the only green thing I ate was grapes. I hated eating anything too healthy and I certainly stayed away from salad greens of any kind. Most of the salads I’ve tried in the past included lettuce; Romaine lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, and I think this was a large part of the problem. The taste of leafy greens was something I just didn’t enjoy. I have no problem with potato salad, but that was it.  A few friends suggested trying it out with different dressings; I’ve tried a creamy dressing, ranch dres ..read more

During half term, I was talking to my daughter about the school dinners I had when I was at primary school (back in the 80s) and I always looked forward to my school dinner pudding. Talking to her about it was a lovely little trip down memory lane. I’m probably biased but it was the best school dinner cake ever. A delicious vanilla sponge cake with thick white icing sugar topped off with lots and lots of sprinkles, it was always rainbow sprinkles.  It turns out, she doesn’t eat this when she has school dinners. As she is a huge fan of baking, we thought we would make one and she would ge ..read more

*Collaborative Post* Most couples want their wedding to leave a lasting impact in the hearts and memories of their guests. But unfortunately, many weddings also have a negative impact on the environment. If you’re an eco-conscious couple, hosting a sustainable event is bound to be high on your priority list. But with so many elements and moving parts to bring together for the big day, how can you ensure each aspect of your wedding echoes your sustainable values? Today, we will explain how to seamlessly plan a beautifully sustainable wedding with minimal stress. Keep it simple A dream ..read more

***Gifted sessions*** As business owners, there will always be times where we feel stuck, and finding a safe and effective space where we can talk about how to overcome any  challenges we’re facing can be tricky.  When I first started my own business, back in 2016, I underestimated how different the change from being an employee to a business owner would be. Not just the practical side of business but the mindset shifts that would be necessary to build a business I loved and thrived in. I had been an employee since I started working at the age of eighteen and, in order to change that ..read more

Since moving to Leicestershire, we’ve noticed the county has a wide range of fantastic green spaces, many of which have picked up a Green Flag Award.  Having access to a local park and green spaces is key to mental health. A study carried out in 2019 revealed that individuals who devoted a minimum of two hours per week to nature experienced consistently elevated levels of health and well-being in comparison to those who spent less time in natural surroundings. Not only are public parks a great spot for peace, they have many other functions and are vital to local commun ..read more