How to Fix Moth Holes with Scotch Darning (Firework Repair Style)
How to Fix Moth Holes in Cashmere with Scotch Darning (Firework Repair Style) with a workshop in London for Earth Day
sustainability
The Zero-Waste Pantry: Swaps That Actually Cut Kitchen Packaging
Have you ever emptied your kitchen rubbish bin at the end of the week and actually LOOKED at what was in it? Nine times out of ten it’s not food. It’s wrappers. Sachets. Plastic film. Foil pouches. Little tubs that contained maybe two spoons worth of something. The food is gone. The packaging lingers on. …
How to Keep Your House Cool in a Heatwave: 7 Simple Tips That Really Work
Mad hot We hit 35°C here in Wimbledon today, and if you’re wondering how to keep your house cool in a heatwave, I’ve got one tip that’s made a huge difference. Shut your curtains Seriously. And if you don’t have curtains? Hang a blanket over the window instead. It might sound odd, but wool is …
Organic Farming, Seasonal Eating and the Joy of Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
There is something deeply satisfying about cooking with vegetables that have been grown just a few miles from your kitchen, especially this Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Organic Leeks, Garlic and Feta. Supporting local organic farming means fresher food, fewer food miles, healthier soil and a stronger connection to the seasons. Farms like Sutton Community Farm …
How to Freeze Knitwear to Kill Moths (and Protect Your Favourite Jumpers)
There’s a very particular kind of disappointment that comes with spotting a tiny hole in a favourite jumper. (secretly I’m always quite pleased to see a small hole, as I love repairing knitwear!) Not dramatic. Not catastrophic. Just… quietly devastating. More often than not, it isn’t actually moths themselves doing the damage, it’s their larvae, …
The Integra Baby Carrier Harris Tweed Edition: Handmade in Somerset, UK
Ali Clifford writes: When my boys were little, I carried them everywhere with me, we didn’t much use a buggy – they were held close enough to kiss – and feed, and it gave me two free hands to get on with other stuff. As a working mum (Paul was the main stay at home …
About Ali Clifford
Ali Clifford is a mentor to small businesses with a focus on purpose-led brands, craftspeople, artists, and charitable organisations. Read mentoring testimonials here. Ali is also a film maker and story teller, for clients such as the National Gallery (as part of their 200 Creators programme), Woolwich Works, Harriet Riddell, Madeline Meckiffe, goJauntly walking app, …
World Refill Day
World Refill Day returns on June 16th – a Global Day of Action to spotlight reuse, refill, and return as real alternatives to single-use. I’m taking part in the #5DayChallenge from June 16th-20th: five days of simple swaps that show how reuse can fit into everyday life. Here’s how I am joining in: 🧴 Choose …
Jean Genie, reworked denim dungaree overalls
This month’s ‘meet the creative’ is Rebecca McNicol – Becky’s brand is The Jean Genie, reworked denim jeans, into super cute dungaree overalls. Becky writes: “I never set out to start a business.” Honestly? I just wanted to make my son something comfy to crawl, climb, and roll around in. Something that looked cute but …
Meet Brothers We Stand – Designed to please, Ethical production and Made to last
“In recent years, it’s been positive to see pre-loved given greater value. But I’m sorry to say that the consumption of new clothes in the UK is still rising. “ I met Brothers We Stand many years ago at a fashion pop-up that I worked on in London (doing the PR and marketing – it …
