Empties and Eco Alternatives

Hiya Guys!

I recently put a poll on my Instagram as to whether anyone would be interested in seeing products that I have recently used up and hearing my thoughts about how I felt about these products as well if I could find a more eco friendly alternative. I received quite a lot of interest in this idea, especially from people wanting to see the eco friendly alternatives - so here we are!

Wipes 

Wipes are something I have always had in our house and I have always used for as long as I can remember, baby wipes especially as I just found that they were more sensitive and calming to my skin. 

I used wipes for so many different things and when I think of these reasons now, I know it was just super lazy. I would use these after my micellar water to ensure all my make up was removed, I would use them to clean product off my hands after doing my make up or just to wipe my face if I wanted to feel a bit more refreshed when wearing make up! However I am so aware of how awful wipes are for the environment therefore we are removing wipes from our household completely and once we have used up the last packet we will no longer be re-purchasing them.

Eco Alternative 

The eco alternative of wipes is very simple for me - if I need to get any product off my hands after doing my make up, I need to stop relying on the convenience of wipes and wash them with soap and water! 

As well as using them to wipe my face of remove make up, it's quite simple - use face cleansing products and water. Lush do many different naked skincare products, one being the 7-3 Cleansing Wipe which is essentially a packaging free wipe that is activated with water and can be used multiple times to remove make up! 

Shower Gel and Shower Cream 

For as long as I can remember both myself and Alex have religiously used Lush Shower Gel and Cream. Lush is an incredible company that I have been a fan of for many years and I will always choose their products when it comes to skincare, bathing and hair care. 

This is due to their ethos' and values, whether this is in relation to recycling, being cruelty free and so many more amazing causes that Lush support. Therefore this isn't something I will never use again. At one point we did have one too many Shower Gels and Creams as I became quite obsessive and collective with Lush however we are slowly working through these are reducing our collection.

There are a couple of scents by Lush that we absolutely love such as Calacas which isn't part of their permanent range and doesn't have a solid/naked version at the moment, so we have a couple of bottles of this stocked up as it's our favourite and will probably buy this again should it be re-released! However as these bottles can be fully recycled I am happy to continue to purchase this item.

Eco Alternative 

Although I will be keeping a couple of my Shower Gels such as Calacas as mentioned above, I will not be purchasing multiple bottles at once like I have done in the past. We will be moving on to using soap - Lush have such a great range of packaging free soap. In store you can choose how big of a chunk you'd like and they will cut it to size for you. 

This alternative is another one which is going back to basics, it seems super simple but if you think about the amount of plastic waste which is created from shower gel alone - it is absolutely insane! 

Bloo Foam Aroma 

In all honesty this product was the most useless thing I've ever bought, I have to admit that I got sucked into the cleaning hype like quite a lot of other people and bought everything and anything that Mrs Hinch recommended even though I didn't need it. I still enjoy watching Mrs Hinch's stories and keeping up with her on Instagram however I can't come to terms with the stock piling of products and chemicals - most of which are tested on animals. 

Eco Alternative

I have seen quite a few different recipes to make your own fizzing toilet blocks or powders which I will be trialing and testing soon. Anything I can make at home is a big win for me! As soon as I have made these and tested them out I will put the recipe and what I thought about it on my Instagram. 

Body Scrub

I have quite a few different Body Scrubs on the go at the moment including Lush, The Body Shop and Happy Place Cosmetics. These two Body Scrubs are from The Body Shop - one of which I received as part of a gift set for my birthday and another I bought in the Christmas sale. 

The Body Shop are another company that have really good morals and values and are completely cruelty free. They have also recently released their recycling programme, where they will take back all your empty pots and ensure that they are recycled correctly. Therefore this product isn't something I would never re-purchase again in the future - however I would ensure that it is from a company such as Lush or The Body Shop.

Eco Alternative 

When it comes to cosmetics you will notice that Lush is a company I mention a lot throughout this post and this is due to my personal experience with their products throughout the years - there may well be many more companies that sell naked products and if you know of any that you love, please let me know!

Packaging free Body Scrubs are something that I have been using for a while from Lush, my favourite being Scrubee. Scrubee is a packaging free Solid Body Butter from Lush and is filled with ground coconut shells and ground almonds therefore it doubles as a scrub and body butter in one and leaves you feeling super soft and moisturised after use! Another naked scrub I have recently purchased from Lush is Aurora Borealis which I am really looking forward to trying out!

Concentrated Disinfectant

As previously mentioned I was very quickly sucked into this whole 'cleaning' hype, as we moved into our first home in October 2018 and this was when I discovered Mrs Hinch. At this point I was introduced to Zoflora and it's many uses, now this is something I do continue to use however I no longer buy lots of different scents when I see them and just have a few bottles left. This is also the same case for Fabulosa.

I do really enjoy using these products to clean and they are cruelty free which is a massive factor for me. I use them diluted in a spray bottle as an all purpose cleaner to clean the kitchen surfaces and other non-wood surfaces throughout the house. I also use them to clean the bathroom - I fill the bath/sink up with hot water and add a splash of the concentrate disinfectant to clean the bath/sink all the surfaces around and the taps etc.

Eco Alternative

In comparison to the multiple different products I previously used to clean the kitchen and bathroom, I do believe that by only having one bottle of Zoflora which I use diluted is creating a lot less waste than before. 

The product is cruelty free and the bottle is easily recyclable therefore the only downside would be if you are looking to go plastic free. Going forward I would like to try make my own cleaners and disinfectants, therefore if you have any recipes, please do let me know! However at the moment I will continue to use up my concentrate disinfectants, by diluting them and using them for many different purposes.

Micellar Water 

I absolutely love using Micellar Water to remove my make up, it's so quick and easy and is really convenient to use. Realistically I will continue to buy this, although it does come in a plastic bottle, simply because I have yet to find a Micellar Water/Make Up Remover in glass packaging.

Eco Alternative

A way I've started to reduce how much I use is by using the 7-3 Wipes by Lush which I have previously mentioned to remove the majority of my make up as well as other products from their naked skincare range, then if I need to use the Micellar Water just to ensure my face is completely clear of make up and dirt - I will only use a small amount of my reusable cotton pads. I have cut the single use cotton pads out of my life completely therefore by using reusable cotton pads this reduces a lot of the waste that was produced from me removing my make up.

By only using the Micellar Water to ensure the make up is completely removed, rather than it being used to remove all my make up, the product will last a lot longer meaning I don't have to purchase as many bottles of this product.

I hope you guys enjoyed the read and if so please let me know and I will do another in the future! It's really good to collect your empties throughout the month and then have a look through and realistically think whether you would use it again and whether it's worth re-purchasing. Or if you can find a more eco friendly/plastic free alternative!

Amber xxx

Eco Living

Hiya Guys!

One of mine and Alex's New Year Resolutions this year was to become more Eco Friendly. If you follow me on Instagram you may know that unlike most resolutions this is one that we have really stuck to and are trying to do more and more as time goes by.

I wanted to share my experience with Eco Living and tell you what we currently do to make a difference and what we are planning on doing going forward. 

I saw a great quote the other day that I think is so incredibly important - 'We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.' 

A small change is better than no change at all, whether this is as simple as using metal or bamboo reusable straws and buying bamboo toothbrushes rather than plastic. People should not be shamed for only making a few small changes rather than living 100% zero waste. They should be congratulated on the small changes they have made and encouraged to make any further changes that they can. 

I am going to share a few changes that we have in our House on our journey towards a more Eco Friendly lifestyle. 

Metal Straws and Chopsticks 

It starts with the simple things, these metal straws and chopsticks were the first things that we purchased. There is a big push in the media at the moment to get rid of plastic straws, which is really good to see a big audience getting on board with! There are many more things we can all be doing to make a difference, however this is a great place to start and are super inexpensive to pick up on eBay. 

Bamboo Toothbrushes

Another simple place to start is with a Bamboo Toothbrush. I recently read that Plastic Toothbrushes take over 400 years to decompose, we switched to Bamboo over 6 weeks ago and I can't believe we didn't do it sooner. It is so incredibly simple, again very inexpensive and doesn't feel any different to using a Plastic Toothbrush - so there is no reason not to make the change! 

Recycled Candles 

Recycling Candles and Wax is something that we have been doing for around 2 months now, as an avid user of both Candles and Wax Melts I couldn't help but notice how much waste it created. I've noticed with multiple candle brands that when the candle has finished burning and the wick will no longer light, there is still so much wax left over that would simply be wasted. This is the same with wax melts, once the scent has finished you're left with wax that is simply put in the waste. 

Which is why we have started melting this left over wax down and making our own candles and tea lights. We have been re-using glass jars and empty tea light cases that we have kept over the weeks and pouring the melted wax into these - the wicks are cheap enough to buy online. I will be filming a YouTube video on this process soon, so you can follow along and make your own! 

Reusable Cotton Pads

Reusable Cotton Pads are quite a new change for me, I picked these up from a shop on Etsy called Leave No Trace. You use them as you would regular cotton pads with your micellar water or toner and then simply pop them into your cute little bag that is included and put them in the washing machine and they can be used over and over! 

Eco Egg 

I wish I would have known about this product sooner, the Eco Egg is an eco friendly alternative to laundry detergent and fabric conditioner. Simply stick it in the drum with your washing and let it work it's magic! This little egg lasts up to 1 year and when required, you just replace the pellets - the egg will last a lifetime. It is amazing to think how many plastic bottles we can avoid using by switching to the Eco Egg. 

Lush Naked Products 

If you know me you will know how much I love Lush and how long I've been using their products. More recently they have been creating more and more naked products (packaging free) - from Solid Lip Scrubs and Body Scrubs to Naked Face Wipes and Facial Cleansers. I would really recommend checking out what naked products Lush sell and seeing if they would work in your routine. Even the smallest change from using Shower Gel and Liquid Hand Wash to Soap makes a difference!

Cotton Produce Bags

Something we've always done is not use the awful single use plastic bags in supermarkets. Why they are still in shops is beyond me, you don't need to put your bananas in a plastic bag which is going to go straight in the bin when you get home. Cotton Produce Bags and so cheap to pick up and do the exact same thing if not better! I bought these from Poundland for £1 and Poundstretcher for 50p. 

Teal Trunk

Finally we have the Teal Trunk which I was kindly gifted by the lovely owner Tara, I was looking for an eco alternative to washing up sponges and came across this unique product, I'd never seen anything on the market like this before! It's a silicone scrubber which can be re-used over and over and due to the material it is made from doesn't hold on to any bacteria. I have seen so many people on my Instagram use this for so many things, from cleaning make up brushes, scrubbing their veg, cleaning the sink and so much more. I haven't tried this yet as I still have a couple of sponges left from the last multi pack we bought, but as soon as I do I will post my thoughts on my Instagram. 

Following on from that is something I want to mention when it comes to Eco Living, finding an eco alternative is amazing however it shouldn't mean that you throw away your none eco product which still has plenty of life in it. Use your sponges and one use cotton pads up that you may already have, then once they're used you can go on to your new exciting product. Do not create waste for the sake of something new.

I am always interested in new ways to become more Eco Friendly, should anyone have any suggestions of things they currently do please let me know! We have today found a Zero Waste shop in our local town that allows you to refill your dry foods such as pasta and rice etc as well as cleaning products and things such as Shampoo and Conditioner. This is such an amazing thing to come to our small town and we can't wait to start using it!

I hope you enjoyed the read and can take something from this blog, the more people that make any changes the bigger difference we can all make to looking after our planet. 

Amber xxx

Self Care Sunday

Who knew dedicating a day to self care could literally change your life?

Self care can mean so many different things for so many different people, but is something that everyone should practise. Now I know this is easier said than done, for those girl bosses who are busy running a successful business, for Mums looking after their little ones or those trying to manage a work and social life - self care seems to be the least of your priorities.

However allowing yourself the time to practice self care can truly change your life.

Whether this is taking a long bubble bath and popping on a face mask or meditating whilst melting wax - however you feel most relaxed and good about yourself, take that time. 

So many women do not prioritise themselves and their bodies until they end up burning the candle at both ends and running themselves into the ground!

Self care doesn't have to be about bath bombs and face masks, it could be anything from ensuring that you are eating three meals a day to spring cleaning! Any small steps to making yourself feel better are steps in the right direction. 

Amber xxx

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2019

Hiya Guys!

With Mother's Day just around the corner I thought I would put together a Gift Guide of some ideas that I think would make lovely gifts for that important woman in your life.

Lush Products

Lush products are always a lovely gift idea, whether this is for Easter, Christmas or Mother's Day - they always have different collections out for different seasons and occasions throughout the year.

I am all about promoting self care and a huge part of my self care routine is taking to time to look after myself and making myself feel good by having a long bubble with a face mask. 

Most Mum's are super busy and spend their time looking after their family, whilst not taking any time for themselves. So Lush products give them a reason to treat themselves and have a little pamper! Whether it's a Bath Bomb, Bubble Bar or Face Mask.

Lush

Yankee Candles 

You can never go wrong with a Yankee Candle! There isn't a Mum/Grandma/Nan I know that doesn't love a Yankee Candle. With lots of new scents just released for Mother's Day and Spring, you are bound to find a scent which they will love! 

My favourite scent from the new release is Belgian Waffles, which smells just as you'd imagine - like warm fluffy waffles, that you buy on the sea front! Absolutely mouthwatering..

{Gifted}

Yankee Candle

Flowers 

This one doesn't require much explanation, flowers! My Mum absolutely loves being bought fresh flowers, they can brighten up a room and really put a smile on someone's face.

This year however my Mum has asked for a new House Plant, which in my opinion is a great gift idea! I love House Plants, I have them in every room in our house (so much so Alex has actually put me on a ban, because we don't have room for anymore). 

Wax Melts

Wax Melts are a personal favourite for both my Mum and Grandma. I have used Wax Melts for so many years now and as Mum's do they when they see you using something new, they want to know what it is and if they can have some!

So since trying out some of my wax my Mum always has wax burning in her home. Scent is another important part of my self care routine, I think having an amazing smelling house or room can really effect your mood. 

Miss Scented are a Home Fragrance brand that I have been using for quite a few months now and I am obsessed with their Wax Crumbles,  some of my favourite scents are Miss Unicorn (which is a Snow Fairy scent), Hubba Bubba Bitch (Bubblegum scent) and Girl Gang (which is pink champagne and rhubarb). The brand promote female empowerment, positive vibes and sisterhood, which is another reason I rave about this brand so much!

{Gifted}

Miss Scented

Film and Music 

Now this a particular idea is quite personal to my Mum as she is the biggest Queen fan. So Bohemian Rhapsody on DVD is the perfect gift for my Mum, so she can watch it on repeat whilst singing her heart out!

I love the idea as using music and film for a gift, whether this is buying them a DVD they want or a new album they can listen to. Or tickets to a gig or musical they would love to see - this is a great idea to do together because ultimately Mother's Day is about spending quality time with that important lady.

I hope this Gift Guide gave you a couple of ideas and some inspiration of what you can buy this Mother's Day and I hope you all have a great day, no matter how you spend it.

Thank you for reading.

Speak soon!

Amber xxx

Scent Circus Blogger Box Review

Hiya Guys!

A couple of months ago I was contacted by Scent Circus who are a Wax Melt Brand that create unique Eco and Vegan Friendly Soy Wax Melts. I have followed and purchased from Scent Circus for well over a year now, so I was super excited when they asked if I would like to be sent a 'Blogger Box' full of their products to review. 

If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I am a big fan of Wax Melts and regularly post Wax Melt related videos and pictures so this is a really exciting Blog Post for me to write. As you can see from the below picture I received a variation of Melts which have a bit of a Disney theme which I love because I am a HUGE Disney fan - so this was already an advantage. 

Home Before Midnight 

As you can see Home Before Midnight has a Cinderella Carriage look to it and is scented as Sweet and Salty Popcorn, which is one of my favourite treat foods at the moment so I absolutely love this scent. It also has a hint of Salted Caramel, the main scent notes being Popcorn, Sweet Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Caramel and a hint of Seasoning Salt - it has a real Autumnal feel to it.

Home Before Midnight 

Dare To Dream

Following on from the Disney theme is Dare To Dream which is the classic Princess Castle, the detail which goes into these Wax Melts is unbelievable - they look too beautiful to melt! Dare To Dream is described as Cocoa Butter, Cotton Candy with hints of Sugared Strawberries.

Dare To Dream

Happily Ever After

Happily Ever After is a Cookies and Cream Wax Melt and smells SO delicious, just like Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with a Creamy Frosting centre. Which is another melt that would be perfect for Autumn/Winter, melting this on a cosey night in whilst drinking Hot Chocolate sounds ideal to me and I am so excited to try it out!

Happily Ever After

Pixie Dust

How cute is this Tinkerbell looking Wax Melt? I honestly feel as though I don't want to melt these as they are all so beautiful - the most attention to detail I have ever seen when it comes it Wax Melts and trust me I have tried a lot of different brands. This is a Laundry type scent which is soft, clean and super strong! I will be burning this in the Kitchen - there is nothing better than fresh scents in the Kitchen.

Pixie Dust

Hubba Hubba

The name Hubba Hubba is perfect for this Wax Melt - Sticky and Sweet Bubblegum! A classic scent, it reminds me exactly of the Bubblegum you'd get as a child that was bright pink - such a nostalgic scent. You can also buy Wax Brittle in the same scent.

Hubba Hubba

Unicorn For Life

Unicorn For Life is a big Wax Slab which can be used multiple times due to it's size, just snap a piece off and pop in into your burner and your House/Room will smell just like a Sweet Shop! Unicorn For Life is described as a mouth watering fragrance reminiscing of the sweeties 'Love Hearts'.

Unicorn For Life

With ever order placed on Scent Circus you will receive a Free Wax Melt which is a lovely little extra. I would highly recommend Scent Circus to any Wax Lovers or anyone who is looking to try Wax Melts for the first time. 

They also hold a competition each month where if you post a picture on your Instagram and use the hashtag #ScentCircus you can be in with the chance of winning a box of goodies!

Speak soon.

Amber xxx