The little things.

cruelty-free beauty, books, adventures with my backpack and my greyhound. More of my adventures on instagram- **In September 2015 I made the leap to go CF and also to reduce my waste and to try live a more minimal and enviomentally friendly existence. This a transition,a journey, I'm not going to get it right all the time, and sometimes may wish to chronicle to trials, errors and successes. Any none CF items mentioned will have been purchased before the decision to go CF and are being used up**

[daisybell88]

Committing again to my low-waste life.

So the past few months I’ve been incredibly pre-occupied with lots of things not particularly related to a low-waste lifestyle. Work has been very busy, I’m starting professional development course with work, I’m in the process of moving in with my partner, I’ve been having some mental health difficulties again, I’m trying to loose weight, I’m super busy planning the Guide trip to Switzerland, and trying to relax/read/sleep as well!

So, unfortunately, beyond carrying a water bottle, a keep cup and using reusable menstrual products I’ve been a bit slack on the low-waste life recently. 

I’ve bought food in packaging, not been as careful about where I grocery shop (Ocado has been great for my mental health and exhaustion, not so much on reducing my plastic..), shopped online (again, mental health), having major declutter (which has resulted in more “black bin” in spite of my trying to recycle as much as possible).

Oh, and last night our boiler flooded. All over the carefully boxed up donation boxes, so now some things I’d sorted for donating now also have to go in the “black bin”.

I’m trying not to beat myself up. But I'm also so conscious of how DIRE our current environmental and climate situation is.

So, I’m drawing a line and trying better again. 

I’m one of those people who gets fired up easily, but also incredibly overwhelmed easily. 

These are things I am currently doing, and am able to sustain-

-carrying a reusable coffee cup

-carrying a reusable water bottle

-carrying a spork

-using my menstrual cup and reusable pads

-not driving, and getting the bus or train to work

-My holidays this year are not planned to involve flying! I’m travelling by train to London and Switzerland this year. We may go to the Lake District with the car though.

Things I need to restart and/or work on-

-buying less generally. The amount of waste I'm still producing is evidence that I need to shop less and purchase smarter.

-less meat and dairy. However, I'm close to Target at Slimming World and don't want to make too many further dietary changes before hitting target. But it’s something to plan and work on.

-bringing less into my life in the first place. I have a constant anxiety battle. I kinda hoard because anxiety, but then I feel so overwhelmed because ANXIETY. It’s a vicious circle (to coin a phrase).

-I want to move onto a 4 day working week in the near future. Somewhere in between post- debt and pre-children. Basically, when I've paid off my credit card debt I want to cut my hours.

-remembering to carry a tupperware as well as my other reusables when I plan to have take out lunch instead of bringing it in. 

-slightly unrelated, but CHARGING my bluetooth headphones! more for public anxiety/ sensory overload than environmental issues. 

-reading more/ listening to podcasts about climate change. I’m not naturally good at sciences, so I want to learn more about the specifics of this important issue. 

-I’m planning a special trip to the States next year, and I’m researching into how to carbon offset my flight. I enjoy travelling and I think its important, so whilst I want to keep my flights infrequent (hence going to Switzerland on the train), I’d like to look at offsetting somehow. 

-Making more of an effort to shop 2nd hand. I find it a ball-ache though, and I'm so particular when I’m looking for *an* item.

Anyway, this is where I am at.

D-B x x

[daisybell88]

Low-buy JULY

I’ve decided to do a “no-buy” month in July (starting June 28th- Payday).

Even though I’m trying to live more minimally/essentially and environmentally conscious, I still have a bit of a problem with impulse purchases. Books and clothes and snacks are my worst areas.

I’m calling it “low-buy” as I still need to buy groceries, things for my dog, travel card, and pay my bills and so on, but I really want to limit my “extras”, and focus on using what I **HAVE** rather than what I do not have. 

I’m also going for a hen weekend in London the 3rd weekend in July, so I'm sure I will have to pay for some “extra” things that weekend. 

I want to be very “adult” and put more money into paying down debt and my savings this month, rather than just the minimum amounts. I also want to go to America next year, and put some money away for that. 

Ive been really inspired by Immy at SustainablyVegan/ lowimpactmovement, and also Erin from MyGreenCloset on YouTube

Wish me luck and strength :)

D_B88

[daisybell88]

What’s in my backpack?

I might be nearly 31, but I still love “What’s in my backpack” posts and videos. Maybe it’s because I’m really nosey? Theres something really interesting on a sociological basis about seeing what “essentials” people feel the compulsion to carry with them day to day. 

I usually carry a backpack. I carried a Kanken for 5 years for work, but as Ive started carrying breakfast, lunch, a flask and a reusable bottle and cutlery, I now tend to use my Tom Bihn Synapse 19 for work, and keep my Kanken for weekend things.

(A Tom Bihn Synapse 19 review is forthcoming!)

I’m not a handbag girl. I have a couple small messenger bags, a leather (Cambridge) satchel and a small cross body “smart” bag in my wardrobe that I use when I don't use a backpack.

I commute to work on public transport, usually the train but sometimes the bus. 

I tend to have-

SYNAPSE 19 backpack (cloud/island) 

-My breakfast and my lunch

- the case for my tao-tronics wireless headphones (work essential)

-a reusable coffee cup or flask

-my Chillys or Klean Kanteen water bottle

-a book (usually a paperback for ease; but at the moment its “Becoming” by Michelle Obama in hardback)

-wallet

-card holder

-travel card

-small make up pouch with hand cream, lip balm, lip stick, comb, hair ties, and so on

-fold up shopping bag

-my small date book/diary

-pen pouch

-bullet journal

-snacks (Slimming world hifi bar, fibre one bar)

-mini super concentrate squash (cordial)

-Turtle doves fingerless gloves (all year round- I get quite cold hands at work and type for a living!) I have like 4 pairs of these babies and they are the BEST fingerless gloves, especially if you have circulatory problems like me.

-Tom Bihn snake charmer with power cords, earphone splitter, power bank, spare earbuds,  a tin with hair grips, my medication, bamboo cutlery... if it needs a home and is loose, it usually gets corralled into there!

SEASONAL/ occasional 

- a packable raincoat in a Tom Bihn No2 stuff sack (for spring/summer showers)

-hat or buff (buses get cold!)

-Cath Kinston Travel umbrella

-plastic tub for Minnie’s water (if we are out walking), Minnie snacks, poo bags

[daisybell88]

My mixed relationship with branding- some thoughts.

"When I see branding I see insecurity and I see people buying security and buying protection of badge"-Kanye West

First of all, I never thought I’d quote Kanye West, but there’s a first time for everything.

-I both hate and love branding. I like to dress relatively “unbranded” as I find it tasteless to have brands splashed across my breasts like a shopping bag. However, I do own clothing with branding on.

-Are brands just symbols of insecurity? or can they be more that that?

-Brands help people to cement their “image”- they speak to society on our behalf about what “type” of person we are. 

-However, we also trust “brand names”. People are loyal to those brands of whose products they have had good experiences with, and will continue to go back to them.

-Ironically, some of the most coveted, affluent brand names are also some of the lowest quality products. 

I- love being outdoors and going hiking. Therefore I am reliant on certain good quality products, and by extension, I have brand loyalty to some brands more than others. But I wouldn’t buy a brand of hiking boots just because that brand looked good or “cool”- I’d want the guarantee of performance, not just looks. 

-However, I’m also wary of wearing “brand names” for the sake of it (e.g. sports branding).

-There are also clothes brands who have “trademarks” that aren’t written “branding”. I love and enjoy Seasalt Cornwall clothing products. They're “brand” is sailor stripes, and coastal inspired prints. But the sailor stripes are in a lot of ways as recognisable as a nike flash on a pair of trainers.

-I understand and somewhat agree with Kanye’s comments about branding being related to insecurity. But I don’t agree that buying “protection” is necessarily a bad thing- when I buy hiking boots I buy from a brand I TRUST because I need the protection and guarantee of performance. 

-I’m also not adverse to buying from brands I trust 2nd hand. For instance, I know the Lowe Alpine ND packs fit me really well, and I get great performance from them. Therefore, I bought a large pack 2nd hand. It’s a bit retro looking, but I trust that brand and that performance.

Maybe I’ll have more specific thought on this in the future, rather then just slightly disjointed snippets and rambles!

[daisybell88]

Thoughts from a backpack enthusiast #1

I have amassed a fair few bags in my life (backpacks, not handbags!). Ive become a bit of a Carryology and EDC backpack nerd, and am planning to write up some reviews/ musings about the backpacks I currently use most days, or for hiking.

Come back for future posts xx

[daisybell88]

Money muddles #4

Had a bit of a cry about this months financial tighteness.

Whixh made me realise, is it worth this much anxiety and worry?

If I can make changes, surely it would be healthier to do that than stressing about stretching money.

A lot to reflect on in readiness for next month.

Daisybell

[daisybell88]

Being more frugal (money muddles #3)

I’m always trying to live more frugally, with fewer needs and wants.

Does anyone else feel as though the minute they try and save money, it evaporates out their bank account.

This month has already been expensive. And there’s been a mess up on Minnie’s pet insurance collection which means not only has the monthly cost £15 more than last year; I’m paying 2 instalments this month.

I’ve just been to Glasgow for a weekend. My mum had Celtic connections tickets which she could no longer use. Even though I tried to spend as little as possible including a self catering hostel, I’ve still spent more money than I’d have liked.

TBH I’m panicking Abi’s about the rest of the month.

I’ve got a birthday present to buy, and my boyfriend and I are going away on holiday for a few days over his 1/2 term holiday from school. Which happens to be the week before payday.

I hate admitting how much I’m struggling to balance it all this month, and I feel like a crap adult, again.

I’m just going to need to be really really strict about not spending anything that isn’t nescessary.

I’m going to try a no-spend week for the rest of this week at work.

The only thing I need to get is my monthly train and bus pass, which is already budgeted for.

Fingers crossed I can stretch things out... at least February is a short month 😐

[daisybell88]

Low- waste life update

Quick update post on the “zero” waste journey. 

- I’m doing a lot more recycling. At the moment, as I’m becoming more second-nature aware of what can be recycled and what can’t, I’m trying to buy more things in packaging which can be composted or recycled if I can’t get it packaging free (something which is pretty difficult where I live. 

- I love my reusable period options! AND I’m not embarrassed to talk about it!. I love my menstrual cup and I like having cloth pads as an alternative. I feel cleaner, I have less pain, I have reduced soreness and general period nasties that I used to get with disposables. I got caught short the other week and had to use a disposable sanitary pad, and it was SCENTED which I’m sure upset my PH and made me feel so “ick”. Reusables FTW. 

-Keep Cup! I have a glass and cork Keep Cup with a fully recyclable plastic lid and its now complete habit to take it with me in my backpack. I love barista coffee, so a Keep Cup in lieu of paper takeaway cups is a must for me. 

-CHILLY 500ml water bottle! I have a gorgeous purple chilly bottle. My work has a water filter tap so I haven’t had to buy bottled water since I got my bottle as it’s always in my backpack. 

-I’d like to shout out to the Bagel Nash in the train station who don’t bat an eyelid about letting my use my own sandwich wrap or lunchbox for my bagel and my keep cup for my coffee. I even get compliments on my attempts to reduce my waste when out and about, at the expense of my personal “convenience” .

- I bought my boyfriend a chilly bottle for a back to school present (he’s a teacher) and he loves it both for the reduction in environmental impact and the bonus that it makes him drink more water throughout his teaching day. I asked him if I got him a Keep Cup (star wars one!) for Christmas, if he’d use it when we got take out coffee, and he said yes he would :) 

That’s it for just now, still enjoying the low-waste life journey! 

D_B x x x

[daisybell88]

I’m so in love with my new simplified make up/getting ready station. Mirror was my great, great aunts; given to me by my grandfather. My makeup now fits completely into the drawers in it! The table I made with the help of my boyfriend. The top is a piece of barkless, waney-edge wood-slice. I sanded and varnished it a darker colour. The hairpin legs are handmade by a local company and I repurposed them from my previous dressing table.

[daisybell88]

Minnie's 5th Birthday (23/07/17) We had a train ride, visited Daddy, and she had extra sardines, aka birthday fishes

[daisybell88]

Overwhelmed with options.

Today I unceremoniously and unsentimentally decluttered my makeup "collection" Yes, about 4 years ago I got hooked and quickly amassed a "collection" of makeup. This was quite fashionable 4-5 years ago. Why? Now I'm not sure. A lot of it was a) probably expired and b) certainly neglected. I realised I was reaching for the same old favourites everyday. What was the point in having 6 eyeliners when there was only 2 I really used repeatedly? I realised I've hardly used my makeup for about 4 months, and that was because every time I opened my makeup drawer I felt completely overwhelmed with options; rather than it being a set uniform with limited choices. I had become so overwhelmed I was going without rather than deal with the stress of having to make so many micro-decisions when I was in a rush on a morning. I still own more makeup than I would like. Some of what I've kept in simply keeping to use up, then I probably won't repurchase. I still enjoy and am interested in makeup and skincare, but am looking towards more natural and long lasting options such as mineral makeup and organic ingredients to fill my "need" for these items. I've also started buying things like eyeshadow that are "in the pan" rather than full palettes, then I don't have the waste of excess packaging and colours that I don't gravitate towards.

[daisybell88]

Money Muddles #2

So, whilst I am in the swing of "taking the bull by the horns", so to speak, I made an appointment with my local branch of my bank, to see about transferring my credit card balance to one with a lower APR%. At the moment; because it was my 1st Credit Card; I am paying nearly 26% interest on my balance every.single.month. (Now I admit; I got myself into it knowing the APR; but I hadn't anticipated how hard it would be to pay off the balance with that amount of interest going on every month).

*For the record; I regularly make payments well above the minimum payment. My payments are never late, and I try to chip off a bit extra mid-month too.

Part of what has been putting me off taking professional advice in managing my money, and paying off my not-insurmountable amount (I keep reassuring myself!) of credit card debt has been a mixture of fear and embarrassment. So, I went into my branch, heart pounding with embarrassment and anxiety about having to admit about my money problems to another adult. But I took a deep breath and went to the make an appointment with the very nice "help and advice" lady. I explained that in the past I had been "a bit crap" I had a little over £xxxx on a credit card, and was making payments above my minimum on time etc, but the current interest was getting me down because I felt like I was doing really well making payments; but every month the interest left me deflated and a bit "what's the point" about it all. I also explained I'd been putting off coming in because I was embarrassed, and was afraid of some big scary Victorian-banker type being judgmental and telling me I was crap with money. She was very kind, reassuring and helpful, assured me that everyone was in the same boat these days, but the bank was here to help if they could, and duly made an appointment for me to speak to someone about transferring my balance.

I haven't had my appointment yet, but am feeling hopeful and certainly less nervous about the taboo of Talking About Money.

This post is to really share my experiences so far of speaking with my branch and to encourage you to do the same, if you think it would be helpful with your money situation- it's not as scary as it seems!

[daisybell88]

Confession Time. (Or, money muddles #1).

I am horrendous with managing my money. There, I said it. I hate admitting it- I’m an intelligent, relatively together 29-year old modern woman, yet I’m ashamed to admit how shockingly shit I am at looking after my money.

Some months I save well, sometimes I blow it. It’s embarrassing to admit that I’m probably worse with money now than when I was a student.

This is why I’m writing a blog about it, to acknowledge my weaknesses and triggers with regard to money, and to document some sort of tangible accountability with regard to my finances.

I think it’s fairly safe to say a large part of my financial ineffectiveness stems from my mental health struggles over the past 7/8 years. That doesn’t mean I am without responsibility, but I know that my mental illness has informed a lot of my relationship with money. In short- when my mental health is bad, my money management suffers. Then, conversely, the worse my money management is, the more guilt/embarrassment/shame/worry I feel, which in turn negatively impacts my mental health.

I hate owning up to this, but at 29, if I don’t acknowledge it and deal with it head on, it’s never going to get any better.

But by trying to regain control over my financial health, and move forward, I hope that I will gain confidence in myself and my abilities, something which I haven’t had in a long time thanks to mental illness robbing me of my self-assuredness.

D-B xx

[elegant-rooms]

Having a mini library in your room