Films for January – my pick – Stan & Ollie, and Colette

07/01/2019 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

Friday January the 11th sees the launch of two wonderful movies here in the UK – Stan & Ollie, and Colette. Both quite different films yet definitely worth a trip to the flicks for this weekend coming.

Let’s start with Stan & Ollie – the story of Laurel and Hardy that you just didn’t KNOW!

The leads, Steve Coogan (Stan), and John C Reilly (Olly), have really big boots to fill as Laurel and Hardy — the world’s greatest comedy team — However they do them proud, mastering the nuances of the character’s personalities and routines beautifully and the film built into a thoughtful and moving production.

The pair face an uncertain future during 1953, as their golden era of Hollywood films remain long behind them. Diminished by age, the duo set out to reconnect with their adoring fans by touring variety halls in Britain. The shows don’t become an instant hit, it takes time, Stan and Ollie can’t quite shake the past as long-buried tension and Hardy’s failing health start to threaten their precious partnership.

With excellent supporting roles from Rufus Jones playing Bernard Delfont, and Shirley Henderson and Nina Ariana as wives Lucille Hardy and Ida Laurel giving us “two double acts for the price of one” – it’s a gentle and delightful insight into the little-known final chapter in the lives of comedy legends Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and their sweet and enduring friendship.

Colette

Colette, another wonderfully elegant ‘biopic’ for January – just beautiful. Keira Knightley delights as country loving COLETTE marrying a successful Parisian writer known commonly as “Willy” (Dominic West), Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Where the rakish Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him.

Colette was a truly modern, complex woman: a libertine and bisexual, an avant-garde French novelist she also made her fortune from her wits and pushed back against the patriarchy. Brought to life by Kiera Knightley, in one of her best roles yet as Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who lived from 1873 to 1954 and became identified with such issues as creative copyright ownership and women’s emancipation.

The costumes add another dimension for me, I was intrigued and enchanted by every outfit. Costume designer Andrea Flesch brought together more than 50 period outfits – Many of the garments worn in the film were many decades old, and had to be painstakingly restored at the Museum of Applied Arts in Hungary. More than 100 original pieces were bought from around the world. The character Willy, for example, needed 38 costume changes. You can read more about this here.

Eco Period Box

14/12/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

Guest Post: Ella writes:

We asked Postal worker and campaigner Ella Daish to tell us about taking Eco Period Action this December.

“My name is Ella and I’m the postal worker who started the campaign to ‘Make all Menstrual Products Plastic Free’ in February this year, which has received an overwhelming response with over 106,000 signatures to date.”

Since I started the petition in February and began campaigning for change, I have become aware of just how many problems there are surrounding menstruation, through the fantastic work and campaigning that inspiring individuals and groups are doing in this field. These issues range from the taboo in talking about periods, the environmental impacts of plastic in our period care and period poverty.

Period poverty wrongly affects so many

In fact according to Plan UK 1 in 10 girls between the ages of 14-21 cannot afford menstrual products and a shocking 137,000 have missed school because of this. And it does not only impact those at school, it also affects those that are homeless, refugees and simply those that cannot afford them. No one should ever be held back or have to miss out on their education or be put in an uncomfortable position because they cannot afford period care. The thought of the thousands of women and girls out there who do not have access to these essentials saddens me, period poverty really does not have a place in our society and should not exist in 2018, which is the reason I decided to address this by creating Eco Period Box

After seeing reverse advent calendars last year in the aid of food banks, I felt compelled to do this but instead for period poverty! That is why this year, rather than giving gifts to family and friends for Christmas, I’m putting an eco-friendly item each day throughout December into my Eco Period Box, which will then be donated to a period poverty charity at the start of the New Year! By donating eco-friendly period products that myself and many others around me use, it is giving more options to people in need whilst leaving a minimal environmental impact; that really benefits all. I also believe that everyone deserves a choice in what they use, which is why I am also including some reusables.

The Eco Period Box started on December 1st and ends on December 31st, it is a fantastic opportunity to help support the incredible work that so many period poverty charities like the Red Box Project, Bloody Good Period, Freedom 4 Girls and food banks like the Trussell Trust are doing every single day! You can get eco-period products from local health food shops, supermarkets and if your time is limited then there are multiple online stores that you can buy from and get your order sent directly to your chosen charity by using their address in the delivery details! You can join in with Eco Period Action anytime throughout December by donating an item, sharing the video, setting up a box at work or at home, encouraging others to get involved and by sharing what you are doing on social media using the hashtag #ecoperiodbox!

I would be delighted if you would join me in taking Eco Period Action for Good, so that we can make a positive difference and give back this December to help those in need! Let’s get donating and make this a festive period to benefit all.

For more information check out Ella’s blog post: www.ecoelle.co.uk/blog/eco-period-box and follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for regular updates!

The link to the campaign is: www.change.org/plasticfreeperiods and Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is: @ecoelleuk.
Campaigning to #endperiodplastic and spreading the word about the negative environmental impact of plastic pollution #gogreenonyourflow #ecoperiodbox

Read more about Environmenstrual and protecting the rivers and beaches here

Walkers Crisps Recycling Scheme

10/12/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

Walkers Crisp packets can be recycled

Delighted to see that Walkers Crisps have hatched a recycling scheme for their crisp packets (in fact, any brand) – why not set up a scheme at school to collect yours? (wash them out first) and take them to your local collection centre.

Find your local collection point – New Malden Fire Station is the closest public ‘drop-off’ point for us… here: http://bit.ly/2E9nqi2

Once collected, the crisp packets are separated by plastic type, cleaned, and extruded into plastic pellets to make new recycled products. Click here to learn more about the recycling process.

More information here: https://www.terracycle.co.uk/en-GB/brigades/crisppacket

How to Combat Over-consumption at Christmas

06/12/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

How to Combat Over-consumption at Christmas

Christmas can be one of the happiest times of the year – family time, beautiful decorations, and the general spirit of giving. However, there is a downside to the excessive shopping and consumption from this season – if you are feeling this cognitive dissonance, there ARE solutions.

WIN one of these organic cotton and tencel fabric bundles over on @incredibusy instagram

Whether you’re a conscious shopper looking for ways to combat the negative social and environmental impacts of “too much stuff”, or a brand looking for ways to support the season responsibly, we hope that you have been inspired to make your Christmas more sustainable, while still embracing the spirit of giving, and treating your loved ones!

As the debate around sustainability is growing every day, Charlie Ross, founder of Offset Warehouse invited myself, Ali Clifford; Sirena Bergman and Jen Gale to discuss the impact that Christmas consumption can have on the environment, and to look at some ways to encourage people to work around this, while still embracing the spirit of giving during the festive season.

1.) Consumer behaviour – how can we normalise slower shopping habits? What should brands be doing to encourage responsible shopping?

With all of my clients, we have been working with the message to shop consciously and mindfully this Christmas.
My client Po-Zu Shoes went with a ‘Green Friday’ – championing an alternative to Black Friday – encouraging behaviour change, talking about the materials used to make sustainable and ethical fashion, and supporting change by spreading the word.

For us this was a worthwhile marketing cost, as we felt that we were reaching a new audience via our FB advertising, who would in turn be spreading the word about ethical fashion.

Earth Conscious are taking part in a twitter campaign to #ShopEthicalInstead – encouraging thoughtful consumption, and with more people now aware that plastic can take 450 years to biodegrade, and, with millions of people using roll-ons everyday, a cardboard tube alternative, full of lovely natural ingredients, is a pleasant stocking filler right?

Brands need to collaborate, to support other brands, this sort of altruistic approach can benefit both parties – such as Francesca at Stamptastic who has launched a reusable logo stamp project, brands apply for their free branding stamp, and in return the brands share content for both to use on their social media and blogs.

Also, writing a Christmas gift guide blog posts or a social media post – featuring like-minded brands – great content creation, and fab for SEO as well as highlighting brands that your own customers may not know about.

Holly Tucker, founder of NOTHS is promoting ‘shop local’ #campaignshopindependent #shopsmall, and highlights the importance of Small independent businesses supporting other small businesses – through projects like this and #smallbizsaturday.

But ultimately – the question when you are planning your gifting should be – Do you need it? Do they need it?

2.) The social aspects of the Christmas Spirit – the cultural acceptability of not giving presents? How much of Christmas is about sharing your time?

Having teenagers makes it pretty hard to NOT give gifts at Christmas.

So we have a ‘want, need, wear, read’ policy – the four gift rule guideline for gift-giving/receiving.

We try to give our kids things that they ‘NEED’ as Christmas gifts – rather than just during the year as their needs arise – it’s tricky but they have got used to it now!

For example, suddenly in November, our sixteen year old reached 6ft tall and his old bicycle from year 6 didn’t fit him so well – so we found him a decent second hand bike on eBay and this is officially his ‘Christmas present’. This perhaps seems ‘unfair’ to the onlooker, however, these things are expensive, and they are mature enough to get it…

Amazingly, although they do ask for the odd computer game (generally their ‘WANT‘ part of the four gift rule), gifts like Bonsai Trees, or Air Drying Clay, and incense holders are actually really popular with teenage boys!

WEAR – Supporting brands like BlackandBeech who design and make brilliant ethically sourced merchandise, with a large percentage of sales going to thought-provoking charities – (and stylish enough to be suitable for Dads who are inevitably impossible to buy for). And Howies undies always gets a look in too, boxers made in Portugal.

READ – It’s long been a tradition, that the Christmas stocking has to contain something to read, I think probably harking back to the days when kids get up at about 5am with the excitement of Christmas, and it would keep them occupied for at least an extra half an hour, so that habit has stuck – even if it’s just a rolled-up-comic – it’s good to have something that’s not screenbased right?

Interesting fact, Icelanders have a beautiful tradition of giving books to each other on Christmas Eve and then spending the night reading. This custom is so deeply ingrained in the culture that it is the reason for the Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood,” when the majority of books in Iceland are sold between September and December in preparation for Christmas giving.

Of course it was easier when they were smaller, we asked for wooden toys and gifts from lankakade and cute plastic free stuff here plasticfreepartybags

But even teenagers like little things – Add fun items like fairtrade chocolate coins, bathbombs, and funsnap bangers, and bicycle horns are great in the stockings too. Don’t forget to add the walnut and the orange!

3.) Solutions and creative ways to target over-consumption during this period – some alternative ideas!

A pop-up shop selling presents for people truly in need could be a solution to your Christmas shopping

Photograph: Alex Green/HelpRefugees.org

How about visiting a pop-up shop selling presents for people truly in need? This could be a solution to your Christmas shopping:

Every single purchase you make goes towards a similar item for a refugee, delivered via one of the 80+ projects Help Refugees support across the world. The items on sale will include emergency blankets, children’s shoes, warm gloves, mobile phone credit and more. Costs will range from £4.99 to £499: an option to ‘buy the store’.

CHOOSE LOVE LONDON:
Opening: 23 November 2018 Closing: January 2019
Address: 30-32 Fouberts Place, Carnaby, London, W1F 7PS
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 – 6 pm, Sunday 12 – 6 pm (or buy online)

Buy what you need
Support small and local business

Choose ethical and sustainable options

How green is your christmas tree?

Sometimes having a conscience can turn the smallest decisions into a minefield. There are times when the most eco-friendly option is obvious. But Christmas Trees? Not so straightforward. Get a fake one, and you’re going plastic. But do you really want to cut down a tree that you’ll only use for a few weeks? I cringe every time someone asks me about my Christmas Tree – I acquired a fake tree when I worked at House of Fraser about 15 years ago – and it’s been appearing out of the loft every year since – I figure that it’s avoiding joining the annual discarding of around six million real trees every Christmas. Planting, maintaining, felling, transporting and recycling that many trees takes a lot of resource.

Seems crazy to chop down a tree, only for the Council to shred it a few weeks later. In terms of the direct environmental impact, this isn’t a terrible environmental choice – but it’s not great, either. How about renting a tree instead? Love this idea – or indeed having your own little tree in a pot in the garden.

Aniela asked: Brands treat their social media presence very seriously, but these days almost everyone has a personal feed. How
could we curate our content as individuals to influence our friends and family without being preachy?

My social media content has I think always subtly highlighted things I believe in. I don’t do many paid ‘ads’ – and when I have, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been given free rein creatively to incorporate my own lifestyle into any sponsored work so I’ve not lost too many followers who may be disappointed by a perceived ‘sell out’ on my instagram feed.

Be yourself as much as you can, and if you want to mention a brand you support, do it. Don’t be afraid to champion small businesses, particularly if they are sustainable brands – or are championing workers’ rights – generally curated content needs a good mix of humour and style and if you can do that whilst highlighting/influencing readers, friends and family all the better.

Sharing Sustainable Christmas ideas on your feeds may inspire others to do similar, how about gifting an “I O U” of a weekend away on a retreat?

Or have a go at making home-made soaps, and Christmas wreaths from foraged foliage, or jars of jam with all of those windfall apples in your freezer?

We love the Japanese art of Furoshiki, wrapping with scarves or fabric offcuts – so it doesn’t have to ‘preachy’ if you can shoe-horn sustainable nods into your posts at the same time as being creative?

Aniela asks: Sharing moments on social media is one of the ways how we connect with each-other but when it comes to Christmas… is it the moment to turn all devices off?

You may have downloaded the moment app – I’m too scared to, however, chatting to other small business users, acknowledgement of on average spending 5-7 hours a day on their phones has been quite alarming.

Have some rules, we do already have a ‘no phones at the dinner table rule’ – which of course applies to Christmas too, cut yourself some slack and have some time off – be in the present – no pun intended, tempting though it may be to share a photograph on instagram stories of that Cashew nut roast vegan Christmas Dinner.

Don’t apologise to your followers for your seasonal absence – 24 hours online should not be the default – take a break! If you are a small business, maybe schedule an instagram post to say that you are closed for the holidays, and try not to look at your phone! If you’ve shared your holiday opening hours on your website, or your instagram feed, people will not expect a reply on Boxing Day. BE PRESENT with your family and friends x

Panelists:

Ali Clifford is a London based marketing consultant, who in a previous life ran the design studio for a well-known British department store group, and went on to be creative director for one of the UK’s founding organic and fairtrade childrenswear brands. Now with her own business, incredibusy.com; Ali works with predominantly ethical and sustainable brands, establishing and maintaining a strong, engaging online presence for them. In her spare time she love writing, getting crafty with her two boys, upcycling old reclaimed furniture, baking (and eating) and curating the Instagram project #sgiew {so good in every way}.

Sirena Bergman is a London-based freelance journalist who has worked in-house as a commissioning editor at The Guardian, Mental Floss, The Independent and Metro.co.uk, as well as having written for publications including Vice, Refinery29, Huffington Post and more. Her writing focuses primarily on social justice issues and current affairs, as well as the intersection of technology, business and internet culture. She’s written about mental health, startups, YouTubers, politics, podcasts and pumpkin spiced lattes. Sirena also runs a newsletter called Sartorially Happy, where she chronicles her journey towards a more ethical, sustainable lifestyle – one wardrobe item at a time.

Jen Gale is head honcho of sustainable(ish). Jen spent a year buying nothing new with her young family, something that was a real wake up call. Jen’s whole ethos is “sustainable(ish)” – which means working out what works for YOU and your family. It means small tweaks and changes that create change and make a difference – empowering you to think about the changes that you can change, rather than berating for all the things you can’t. Jen has written an “Essential Guide to a Crap-Free Christmas” that we’re eager for her to get stuck in to during the panel, plus a free downloadable “101 easy doable sustainable(ish) changes”.

This event was live-streamed to members of the ethical designers’ platform, The Members’ Club. Register your interest to find out more in becoming a member here.

Moderator

The panel was moderated by Aniela Fidler, MA Fashion Futures student & The Kering Award for Sustainable Fashion finalist.

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A post shared by Ali Clifford {Incredibusy™} (@incredibusy) on Nov 29, 2018 at 1:40pm PST

Fforest glow in November

25/11/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

Fforest glow in November

If you are looking for a really relaxing weekend away, a bit of ‘slow living’ amongst like-minded creative women, look no further.

I first visisted fforest camp with my family in 2016 – we stayed for the week, and have been visiting every year since – and I’ve sneaked off a couple of times a year without the kids to the ‘GLOW’ retreat – search for #fforestglow on instagram, I’m just back from a long weekend in Cardigan, at the latest #fforestglow. The accomodation, food, and company are wonderful.

Ah, look at my happy little face! So proud am I to have made that soap dish.

So, as well as painting, sauna-ing, gin-tasting, making pots and wreaths, I made new friends too (tagged) – thank you Sian @coldatnight for pulling us all together at @fforest
{🌲book now for March 2019🌲} – and lovely Emily @emily__bd__ for the photos 🙂

Thanks too to the makers and shakers:
♥ I had a gong bath with @thetablehay (don’t ask – but it was amazing!)
♥ Pots with @judithrees4 (sorry @amandabanhamceramics, we still love you too)
♥ I made a natural wreath with @holly_bath and #strudlenoodlesanddumplings with inspiring cook @anjadunk (Ronnie and I are coming to see you in the New Year Anja!)
♥ Had a go at weaving with @nestandburrowuk – woolly magic, pictured below with me, in Mwnt, photo credit Polly at dynamicpictures.co.uk x
♥ Got my painting mojo back with @debbiegeorgeartist (I did!)

And yes, I did literally wore those dungarees all weekend (and um this week too… new favourite thing – and Laurie, the maker @awoodlandgathering, reminded me that today is the last day for you to order to have something made in time for Christmas – she even has a sweet discount code for you ♥ GREENFRIDAY18 ♥ ).

#fforestglow #fforest #westwales #cymru #wales #visitwales #discoverwales #makeportraits #wilderness #littlestoriesofmylife #sgiew #sgiew_snug #slowfashion #createexplore #sustainablefashion #fashrev #inspiredbynature #slowlivingforlife #togetherempowergrow #aseasonalshift #makeyousmilestyle #flashesofdelight #hurrayforplay #seasonspoetry #embracingtheseasons #gatheredstyle #gatherandcurate #creativityfound

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A post shared by Sian from fforest (@coldatnight) on Nov 18, 2018 at 8:00am PST

Instagrammers to check out:

@coldatnight @fforest @anjadunk
@awoodlandgathering
@thetablehay
@judithrees4 @amandabanhamceramics,
@nestandburrowuk
@debbiegeorgeartist
@holly_bath
@emily__bd__
@debbiegeorgeartist
@nestandburrowuk
@anjadunk
@coldatnight @fforest
@daisy_inspirecreatedo
@bob_sy
@retroritas
on the decks @noseyparkyn @lizzieeverard
fellow ravers @lemonandblackpepper
@pollysphotoblog @jollyallotment

Date for your diary – Spring Glow 2019, the 14^th-17^th March www.coldatnight.co.uk

What is Plogging?

08/11/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

What is Plogging?

We keep hearing about ‘plogging’ in the press, so we want to know – what is plogging?

We’ve all been inspired by the Two Minute Beach Clean efforts on the sea shores of the UK – but what can we do ‘inland’ as it were?

We asked Dermot from Plogolution to tell us about his plans to clean up the riversides and walkways of England via the art of PLOGGING.

Ali asks:

Dermot – what drove you to set up Plogolution?

Dermot:

“The environment has always been at the forefront of my mind and for the last four years so has fitness. It never really occurred to me to link the two until one day I came across Plogging.

Plogging is a Swedish craze which involves walking/running whilst picking up rubbish. It derives from the Swedish word “plocka” which means picking up and of course jogging. I discussed it with a friend of mine, Michelle, and we could see it was clear that there were no big Plogging groups in the U.K.

We decided to test the water and run our own plog which we planned for the towpaths along the river Thames between Putney and Hammersmith. To our surprise 16 people turned up and it was a huge success. The amount of rubbish we collected was frightening but the reaction we received from the public was inspiring.

We decided to give ourselves a name, The Plogolution, and really start to take this seriously and we haven’t looked back since.We are now planning our seventh plog, with the previous six being a huge success.

Our mission statement at Plogolution goes further than just picking up rubbish. We are determined to build fit and happy communities that are dedicated to creating an environment that we can be proud to hand down to future generations. The community aspect of this is very important to us which is why we put emphasis on making friends and always have a bonding session at the end of each plog. These have included picnics, free acro yoga classes and a hearty pub meal.

Plogging as well as cleaning up the environment, can also have a very positive effect on mental health with ploggers telling us that going to our events has stopped them feeling lonely. We are constantly hearing about the damage we are doing to the planet in the press, which can leave people feeling helpless, so Plogging is a great way to give people a sense of purpose as well as making friends and getting fit.

We encourage young and old and all fitness levels which is why we always have a walking group as part of the event. We’ve had ploggers as young as one and as old as 80, and all ages in between.

School Plogging Clubs

We believe that education is key too, which is why we are now setting up school Plogging clubs throughout London. We have set up a database for the schools to feedback their finds so that we can collate that information.

It’s been an incredible first three months for us at Plogolution and we believe the sky is the limit.

The energy we’ve seen from both ploggers and passers by has been overwhelming and drives us even more to want to be the change.

Please join us for our next plog on November 17th in Hackney and look on Plogolution.com for all the latest information.

Get fit, make friends and together we can do our bit to save this beautiful planet of ours.

Contact details:

If you are a school interested in setting up a kid’s plogging club, or an indivual looking for likeminded ploggers, you can find out more here:

www.Plogolution.com

Follow them on social media instagram.com/plogolution

And Dermot’s personal training contacts are at dfit.fit

And DO LISTEN to David Sedaris: Litter picker American author David Sedaris takes Clare Balding on a litter-picking walk in West Sussex.

Photo composite with images from John Cameron and Clique Images on Unsplash

Enviromenstrual – protecting rivers, seas and beaches

24/10/2018 By Ali Clifford 6 Comments

Enviromenstrual

What can we do to protect rivers, seas and beaches? Girls, Women, Sisters, Friends – Let’s talk about alternatives to plastic-laden period products. Regular tampons, pads and panty liners are loaded with hidden plastic which makes its way into rivers and oceans. This has a devastating impact on marine life and coastlines. It’s time to put a stop to it!

The Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) recently hosted an event at London City Hall, Environmenstrual, to raise awareness about the damaging effects of plastic in single use menstrual products, and to promote eco-friendly alternatives, such as reusables and organic disposable period products. It was a fun event whilst encouraging conversations around menstruation.

I was invited along by a friend, Doctor Linda Thomas, an Eco fashion designer – we’ve worked together previously as she has styled with my client Po-Zu’s shoes on the catwalk, and in photo shoots – and was doing so again at London City Hall.

I joined the WEN and 40 activists, social enterprises and menstrual-prenuers for the finale of Environmenstrual Week of Action.

Ruby Raut kicked off the panel discussion – I had been out to dinner with girlfriends the night before, discussing ‘Period Pants’ and teenagers – so this was incredibly timely – I’d urge you to check out WUKA (wake up, kick ass) the UK’s first period underwear brand. For leak free, ultra-hygienic and comfortable periods.

I was also delighted that Natalie Fee was on the panel – previously inspired by her City to Sea campaign to Switch the Stick in 2016. (scroll down to the foot of this article to listen to Natalie talking about Plastic-Free Periods on BBC Radio4 Woman’s Hour).

And also Susie Hewson, Natracare founder talking about how a woman uses 17,000 pads in her lifetime – All of their menstrual, incontinence and baby care products use only organic and natural materials – asking people to think about the impact of period waste on the planet.
Everyday the UK flushes:
700,000 panty liners
2.5 million tampons
1.4 million sanitary towels

The panel also talked about period poverty – Gabby Edlin, Founder of Bloody Good Period – who give menstrual supplies to asylum seekers, refugees & those who can’t afford them; , reminding us that Asylum Seekers receive a paltry £37.75 per week to live on.

FACTS

Here’s some more facts and stats gleaned for your delectation – and hopefully will help you to make the right choices for your period products:

Are you a flusher or binner?

Up to 2 billion menstrual items are flushed down Britain’s loos each year and these can often end up on our beaches. Alway #binit

200,000 tonnes of waste is generated a year in the UK from tampons, pads and applicators! Let’s get Environmenstrual!

Microplastic particles

51 TRILLION microplastic particles 500 times more than the stars in our galaxy litter our oceans and seas. Those plastic pads, tampons and applicators are adding to this aquatic galaxy. Another reason to take #PeriodAction.

Make the switch

Did you know that by switching from #toxic, #plastic #period products to reusables you can save up to 94% of what you would have spent over your lifetime! Here’s to solutions that are good for your body, your wallet & the ocean 💃 ⠀

Alternatives

It’s easy to think that that the only period product options are single use pads & tampons – the shelves of supermarkets are crammed with pink plastic packets, promising that ‘fresh feeling’!

But there are some great EASY “Environmenstrual” alternatives to switch to:

– period pants (I’d been introduced to WUKA just the evening prior)
– organic plastic free pads and tampons such as Natracare.
– washable pads
– menstrual cups

All good for cutting out the plastic, nasty added-synethetic fragrance and saving money.

For more info and for some INTRODUCTORY OFFER codes click this link: https://www.wen.org.uk/periodswithoutplastic⠀⠀

Flushed, but not forgotten!

FOUR pads, panty liners and backing strips and ONE used tampon and applicator can be found per 100 metre stretch of beach!

And now to THAT DRESS

As the finale to Enviromenstrual Week, the campaign dedicated to educating about the link between People, Planet and Periods, Dr Linda Thomas hosted the Seeing Red fashion show.

Ten different organisations presented their take on Period Positive, headlining with the ‘Pantyliner Dress’ by Linda Thomas Eco Design.

This dress highlights how panty liners, menstrual pads and wet wipes contain plastic that becomes part of the problem of ocean plastic troubling our Planet. In January this year Toni Dowrick, with a handful of volunteers, hauled more than a tonne of a tangled mass of material from a Cornish Beach.

It had been spotted out at sea for at least FOUR years, and the year before Toni had spotted it during one of her many beachcleans.

She was too ill at the time in her recovery from breast cancer to retrieve it, so when it reappeared in 2018 she was determined. It is believed to be from a cargo spill of the top sheet material used in panty liners.

Linda and Toni met through the 2 minute beachclean community, and the BBC went on to film the process of Linda turning the tangled intestinal mass from litter to a dress. The fact that we know that this very thin material (probably cotton coated in polyolefin plastic) lasted intact for so many years at sea is a stark warning re how unflushable these finished products really are.

Linda says “This dress alone is the only reminder we need to never flush wet wipes or menstrual products down the toilet. So much mud, sand and seaweed had stuck to the fine material and yet it was mostly still entirely intact after years at sea, the thin coating of plastic being more than enough to make it melt under an iron and yet unable to break down in the water.”

I asked Linda to talk us through the making of the Environmenstrual Dress – and have saved this to my @incredibusy IGTV if you’d like to share it – watch it here:

Credits:

Model Jess Sargent

Make-up by the eco MUA Khandiz

Shoes Po-Zu.com

The Women’s Environmental Network are the only UK charity focusing on issues that link women, health & environment. Follow their campaign @environmenstrual 🌺#periodswithoutplastic to find out more about period plastic, period taboos, period poverty; Join us 👇🏼www.wen.org.uk

Listen to Natalie Fee talking about Plastic-Free Periods on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour:

Watch Linda Thomas on the BBC talking about the creation of the dress:

Brexit, the People’s Vote and why we marched

22/10/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

Brexit, the People’s Vote and why we marched

So Saturday was a special day. As you may or may not have heard Saturday was the day of the People’s Vote March here in London.

The People’s Vote movement is dedicated to providing a final say on any Brexit deal the government comes back from Brussels with. In the current media climate it’s all too easy to feel lost and lonely when the topic of Brexit is raised.

Angry voices dominate the newspapers and airwaves, reasonable discussion seems to belong to the past. This was not so on Saturday.

Why we march for a People’s Vote

We set off mid morning in bright sunshine, as the train journeyed towards the centre of town more and more joined us. Strangers struck up conversations sharing stickers and leaflets. People from all walks of life: There were many children and young people who know the impact Brexit will have on future study and employment prospects.

Many in this group did not get a say in the referendum of 2016 and feel it only fair they do now. Business owners like me were out in force, we know it is likely any Brexit deal will impact trading at home and abroad. Hard won environmental standards and ethical practice could easily be dropped if we are taken out of the Common Market.

Older voters came along too, their banners told of their concern for their grandchildren’s future and also long memories recalling a time before European membership when times were hard. As we marched through the famous streets, from Hyde Park, down Pall Mall and onto Whitehall, the atmosphere was good natured. Songs specially written for the occasion were struck up by ukulele groups and spontaneous chants started by the children. There was a carnival atmosphere but it came with a sense of purpose.

Strength in numbers

Cautious estimates state there were 500,000 of us, however, given the route had to be changed on the day because so many turned up, the organisers’ figure of 700,000 seems more realistic. A wide cross section of voters came together to appeal for reason, it was quite a special day we hope cannot be ignored or forgotten.

What we can do next

For more information on practical steps we can all make visit: www.writethiswrong.co.uk

What makes these Dungarees ‘ethical’?

17/10/2018 By Ali Clifford 2 Comments

What makes these Dungarees ‘ethical’?

I really wanted to get to the bottom of the ethical dungaree phenomena so I met with Laurie from A Woodland Gathering, an independent designer based near Edinburgh, and chatted with her about her AW18 collection. And in light of the recent Stacey Dooley documentary aired recently on the BBC regarding the impact of fast fashion on the environment, I wanted to talk more about cotton – vs – linen.

Oh, and before we go on – Laurie has given us an introductory offer code for our followers INCREDIBUSY (click) gives 15% off until the end of the October 2018.

“I feel like we understand what plastic does to the earth but I had no idea what cotton was capable of.” Stacey Dooley

Ali: Let’s talk about dungarees Laurie, they are popping up everywhere right now. Why is this?

Laurie: Well, they are super comfortable, the ultimate garment that provides you with the feeling of wearing loungewear whilst looking super stylish at the same time.

Ali: Is it a comfort thing? or just that they are ‘on trend’?

People are looking for comfort in their clothes and dungarees provide the comfort of an oversized look whilst not looking like your wearing clothing that is FIVE sizes too big. Dungarees are also providing a statement look, to stand out from the crowd and be seen, and doing it in comfort.

They are pretty retro, we all like a little nostalgia and dungarees do it. They take you back, possibly to your childhood days, maybe back to the 90s MC Hammer days? Anyone can wear them, absolutely anyone! Any shape or size, any gender, any age.

At Woodland Gathering we can work with specific measurements, we know sizes vary vastly. Maybe you have a long torso? Short legs? Wide calves? Whatever your shape or size we can make them to fit. This is the beauty of custom-made as opposed to ready made, the garment is made FOR you and only you.

The HOY dungarees from A Woodland Gathering have been thoughtfully designed for the modern woman, maintaining the classic look with a feminine touch. They are made using 100% Oeko-tex certified European linen.

Why Linen?

We love natural textiles, linen is comfortable, functional, durable and sustainable.

Linen vs Cotton. … The production of linen requires less water and fares better in terms of water toxicity. As a result, the environmental impact of the linen (flax) dungarees is considered to be lower than that of the cotton dungarees you may have seen flooding the market.

Linen: the world’s oldest fabric is now at its freshest, its greenest and its most progressive.

Flax, as we call the blue-flowered plant and the fibre it produces, is locally-grown and sustainable. 80% of the world’s flax is harvested from fields in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It needs only rainfall to grow and all parts of the plant can be used, meaning there is zero waste – plus it’s a crop free of GMOs.*

Linen is its name once it has been spun into yarn; woven or knitted into fabric; or made into a product. And through its transformation, from fibre into a pair of A Woodland Gathering DUNGAREES, it is traceable and ethically sound. While linen represents less than 1% of the world’s textile fibres, its potential through our dungarees, dresses and shirts, to become the ‘go-to’ fabric for the next generation.

Offering temperature regulating properties linen is lightweight and dries quickly making it your perfect travelling partner. Linen has a beautiful natural way of crumpling, so no need to worry about ironing. Linen clothing is unfussy, elegant and give a classic timeless look. You want clothing that you can wear anywhere, any time regardless of seasons or events, take a walk in the woods, a meeting at work or out for dinner with friends.

A Woodland Gathering is a slow-fashion, slow-growing brand, committed to taking time with decisions, considering design, environmental impact, longevity and versatility of garments.

So, what sets A Woodland Gathering apart from other dunger brands?

Well – apart from the obvious environmental benefits of linen …

It’s all in the details, the HOY dungarees look almost as good on the inside as the outside, there are lots of special finishing touches adding to their charm and elegance such as french seam finishing, linen binding featuring a beautiful picot edge, contrasting pockets to name a few. This means you can have ‘turn-ups’ without looking scruffy – no messy seams!

Although you can buy them off the shelf, they are made especially and specifically for YOU to fit YOU. We are a small brand, not looking to make maximum profits to pay for some CEO’s third holiday home. (although the occasional break for a cup of tea would be nice). We just want to bring you the best possible garment available whilst we live a happy life doing so. As a brand – A Woodland Gathering is committed to having a low environmental impact and we use durable paper bags for mailing your garment (they are very pretty).

All of our garments are hand-made in Scotland, at home, by people who love the process of creating especially for you.

So, if you love ethical dungarees and fashion that is honest, transparent and about YOU then visit the store www.awoodlandgathering.com today. We are happy to answer any questions you have about our garments, we are very proud of them. Lots of love, Laurie. x

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A post shared by 🍃A woodland Gathering 🍃 (@awoodlandgathering) on Oct 15, 2018 at 10:14pm PDT

*source and further reading: https://ilovelinen.uk/

read more about Oeko-tex and organic standards here https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/ot_press/

shop A woodland gathering – Laurie has given us an introductory offer code for our followers INCREDIBUSY (click) gives 15% off anything on her website, including her ethical dungarees until the end of the October 2018.

shop Po-Zu.com linen collection

watch Stacey Dooley BBC1 Fashion’s Dirty Secrets

Family Meal Planning

28/09/2018 By Ali Clifford Leave a Comment

Family Meal Planning

So – earlier this week, I had a ‘supper crisis’ – ridiculous – baked beans on toast, and only one kid would eat it – time for Family Meal Planning.

I had completely run out of Family Meal Planning ideas and inspiration – and I turned to instagram to vent and ask if anyone does ‘family meal planning’ – and you were all so brilliant, this is just a post to say THANK YOU and to pull together some of the amazing suggestions – and wow, I feel better now – glad to know that I’m not alone – beige food is ‘ok’ – we aren’t all living the dream of foraged organic food.

Hah – look at this photo though – Maggy and I went to see our friend Mrs Bell today who lives in the ‘burbs and this is all from her garden! – and now I’m asking you for CHARD recipes – and have got to peel all of those blummin apples!)

We rocked up with some flowers wrapped in newspaper – and went home with chard, parsley and the most delicious home grown tomatoes! Thanks Mrs Bell.

Once I’ve finished writing this up – I’m going to have a good look at some of these links and ideas and MAKE A LIST – let’s call it a ‘meal plan’ and also, I’ve added some links to our MEAL PLANTASTIC pinterest board too HERE.

Instagram suggestions for good cook books:

ataylor478 Get the green roasting tin cookbook..its saving my sanity..shove everything in one tin and into the oven..and a wholesome meal done..and minimal washing up too..win win.. (photo @missminifer) BOOK – available here

thishouseourhome Ps: I’ve been using the ‘feeding a family’ cookbook recently and it’s helped get me out of a cooking funk… BOOK – available here

Instagram suggestions for family meal planning:

ceramicmagpie 🧡💚 Pasta with a tomato based sauce is your go-to dinner. (I think you are veggie otherwise you could add tuna for more protein).

thinlyspread 1. Teenage boys will eat when they need to. Much like toddlers. Don’t fret. Pizza and veggie burgers got me out of many a hole.

sewlovecraft Also, on the meal plan front, sit and do a meal plan on a Friday for the following week, so you can take into account of after school clubs/nights out. Choose one meal in a week each children will like, that way you know your efforts are appreciated by at least one person at the table. Also put the meal plan on view, so what for tea is not a surprise for anyone.

michelletwinmum We keep it easy with food, tonight was sausages, mash, 3 veggies & gravy. Tomorrow is spag bol, yesterday was jacket potatoes & various fillings. I can’t cope if I don’t menu plan

gailyfromupnorth @incredibusy fl buy that book immediately, write a list and do a ‘big shop ‘, including emergency beans and spaghetti and breathe – it’s all going to be ok …… PS soup is an easy go to X

capturebykaye Pasta, pancakes or omelette!! I know those raised teenager eyebrows well too

niki.at.the.cottage Keep beanburgers in the freezer, with a roll, top with an egg and salad…pretty much a stand by…or when the girls were young…french toast was my go to…must include just about every food group…egg, bread, milk.. (bacon) topped with strawberries, greek yoghurt…every time you make a fish, make enough for two nights so you get a night off…

two_mad_girlsNo ones on a diet in our house but the only thing that everyone will eat is weight watchers bean chilli!

muminthemadhouseVeggie stir fry always goes down well here and I make with wholewheat noodles to fill up the boys and it o it takes 8 minutes. Other winners are curry and soup

linda_eco_design Super easy meal. Split red lentils cook for 15 mins, add herbs, add a chopped veg of any kind eg carrots, potatoes and serve with lashings of lemon juice. Literally so yummy and now think I may have it myself tonight. !!! 😉

wearetwoteaspoons It’s super dull but I have created a 4 week menu for dinner time which I can order and cook from each week. It takes some planning time but is so easy and helpful once you start using it. Especially with work/kids/clubs/work/dog etc etc etc Takes all the effort out as I can just look at the list and check what I’m doing. We have 2 veggie, 1 fish and 2 meat meals most week… An excel sheet has it all taken care of. 👍 (thank you Becky for messaging me with your spreadsheet!)

So – once I’ve made my meal plan in my new notepad for next week, I promise to come back and edit this post! (thank you for my lovely book Jinder, Jin B – love Etsy)

And thanks again for the insta support, and private messages – you lot are brilliant – if you’re not following me on instagram, I’d love you to pop over to say hello, I’m @incredibusy and @sogoodineveryway x

Colette

Guest Post: Ella writes:

Period poverty wrongly affects so many

Walkers Crisp packets can be recycled

How to Combat Over-consumption at Christmas

Christmas can be one of the happiest times of the year – family time, beautiful decorations, and the general spirit of giving. However, there is a downside to the excessive shopping and consumption from this season – if you are feeling this cognitive dissonance, there ARE solutions.

How green is your christmas tree?

Fforest glow in November

What is Plogging?

Ali asks:

Dermot:

School Plogging Clubs

Contact details:

Enviromenstrual

FACTS

Are you a flusher or binner?

Microplastic particles

Make the switch

Alternatives

Flushed, but not forgotten!

And now to THAT DRESS

Brexit, the People’s Vote and why we marched

Why we march for a People’s Vote

Strength in numbers

What we can do next

What makes these Dungarees ‘ethical’?

Ali: Let’s talk about dungarees Laurie, they are popping up everywhere right now. Why is this?

Ali: Is it a comfort thing? or just that they are ‘on trend’?

Why Linen?

So, what sets A Woodland Gathering apart from other dunger brands?

Family Meal Planning

Instagram suggestions for good cook books:

Instagram suggestions for family meal planning:

On Instagram