My Zero Waste Period

I don't like to use the phrase zero waste too often. It feels too overwhelming of an idea and I can't help but think I'm not the only person who has been put off living more sustainably by it the magnitude of the concept.

However, we all have to make small sustainable changes if we want to improve the environment. One of the easiest for me was switching from disposable sanitary supplies to a menstrual cup.

Warning!! from now on I'm going to be talking fairly graphically about periods and my body. If you don't think you can handle that, please stop reading.

Prior to using my menstrual cup, I had primarily used Pads as I was always intimidated by the idea of inserting anything into my vagina. Using tampons only a handful of times.

Using a menstrual cup is far easier than most imagine. It folds down to a narrow shape, and because it's a smooth silicone it slides in and out pretty easily, (No more pain from removing that last tampon). It cleans easily by boiling it in water. You can reuse it for several years so despite the higher initial layout it is definitely the most cost-efficient option.

For me, the biggest difference has been how much easier my periods have been to manage. As someone with a heavy flow, I was used to spending 7 days feeling uncomfortable with a heavy dragging feeling in my uterus. But genuinely towards the end of my period, I have actually forgotten I'm on; I've had to set phone reminders to remove the cup. Can you actually imagine being able to forget you on your period?

That's not to say its all been plain sailing. Whilst I have never had any issues putting in or taking out the cup I certainly have had a few leaks over the years. I do have a heavy flow and previously would go to bed with 2 pads to stay dry.

You do have to be willing to be quite intimate with yourself to use one. But it's worth it, not only is it the environmentally friendly option it's actually improved my quality of life.

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl

I've spoken before about my love of spirulina, the weird green algae that seems to provide me with limitless amounts of pep.  Honestly I don't know what I did before I discovered it, but since I have it goes into pretty much every breakfast option I have: chia seed, oats, smoothies, juices the works. Recently I've been loving it in this smoothie bowl which is my current favourite weekend breakfast (its not quite as quick to make as my oats or standard smoothies). Its super thick, creamy and delicious. If your a fan of banana soft serve think of this as a more nutrient packed version!

Ingredients (makes one greedy serving)

1 Medium very ripe banana Banana
120g Strawberries
2 tbs Greek Yoghurt (I use Total 0%)
1-2 tsp Spirulina
1 cup of Water

Recipe  

I like to keep frozen bananas and strawberries on hand for emergency smoothie purposes but alternatively just pop in a few ice cubes to keep things chilled. Pop it all into the blender and whizz till smooth

Toppings 

My favourites are cocoa nibs, chia seeds, hemp, and fresh strawberries, but blueberries, coconut and bee pollen are all delicious - who I'm I to judge but whatever you like on it, and enjoy!!

Risky Business

I love wearing ankle boots, regardless of the weather I always think they give a mod vibe to any outfit. My most recent addition to my collection are the Asos Risky Business Ankle Boots, in Ice Blue. I've wanted a pair of lighter/whiter boots for ages but they always seem to be at least £100 which I just couldn't commit to, these are much more affordable. They seem to be pretty good quality too. Although I always feel that Asos quality is a bit hit and miss but hopefully they will last well. They're pretty comfy and so easy to wear with dresses, jeans and skirts. The subtle blue shade goes with practically everything and helps to stop my usually monochromatic outfits feeling too drab.

Nars Dragon Girl

Is it sad to admit that I bought a lipstick largely because Taylor Swift said she wears it? Probably. Do I regret it? Not at all.

This was my first trying of any of the Nars lip products (I was already a big fan of their base offerings). I must say I'm pretty damn impressed, but when T-Swift says it's good what do you expect. Just in case your not up on your Taylor Swift trivia I'm actually talking about the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl.

I suppose this fits into the 'reds' category, although its got a pinker undertone than most reds, almost fuchsia which I love. I feel as though for my skin tone its much more wearable than a more standard true red. The pencil shape means its really easy to apply and lets you cheat your lip line a little. Although I'm currently trying to back away from this as much as possible (I was starting to look a little too Kylie Jenner). The staying powers also pretty great as well. I wore this for my birthday meal and it didn't budge despite copious amounts of pizza and vodka.

If you into matte lipsticks its defiantly worth checking it out, if you can get hold of it.

Crazy for Concealers

I'm a concealer girl, foundation I can forgo, mascara I can skip, and its rare I can be bothered with lipstick. But being and acne ridden twenty something means that concealer is the one thing I can never skip. As a result I've developed a collection of concealers all of which feel completely essential in my routine.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

It took me so long to actually by this, but thank God I did. Its has a lightweight formula that blends really seamlessly in to the skin, with pretty high coverage. I apply it straight on to the skin and blend it in either with my beauty blender or with a my fingers. I usually apply it areas larger areas of my face under my eyes, around my nose even in the centre of my forehead and under my chin, since its so light diffusing. Its also my go to choice for a 'skip the foundation concealer option'.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

People seem to really hate this one, which I can understand. Its really dry texture means that one first swatch you can literally imagine the flakey skin appearing around the blemish. But thats not actually the case. Its perfect for some Lisa Eldridge style pinpoint concealing. I use an eyeliner brush apply it directly over the blemish tap it in with my finger a little and I know that its covered all day. Honestly its a hero.

Clinque All About Eyes

This might be my longest running concealer love, in fact its probably time I ditched this tube and replaced it. All though the texture can feel a little heavy its SO heavily pigmented that you need just the smallest dot to do a whole face. In fact I usually end up having too much on the back of my hand. This is the one I bust out when theres a serious eye bag situation going on, I pop it on doing the old Kim Kardashian style triangle and I know they'll be gone.

Autumn Daze and Pumpkin Pies

I love autumn. There I said it. Does this make me super basic now? Is that even a bad thing? I don't know. But I do know I love autumn. In an effort to annoy strangers everywhere I've been basking in my 'basic-ness' (is that a word, it is now anyway) and enjoying everything autumnul.

Little Lush Pumpkin Purchase 

I ended up spending far more than I could justify at the grocers on pumpkins and sqaush to decorate the house with. I still had to be forcable restrained from buying more. I managed to create a bit of a fall decor, and decorated some pumpkins for by the door. Am I increadibly sad yet? probably so.

For the first time ever I attempted to make Pumpkin Pie. Since my trip to New York I've been obbessed with american food, which has so far invloved me walking up and down the american section of Tesco's waiting for them to bring out candy corn. On a side note, why don't we have candy corn in the UK? Is there a petition to sign ? First on my list of American foods to try at home has been Pumpkin Pie.

 I've got to admit having never actually eaten a pumpkin prior to this I was a little nervous about the whole thing but apprently it was unwarrented. For the pastry I used the standard sweet shortcrust pastry I always use which is from Paul Hollywood blind baked it to avoid the infamous 'soggy bottom'. I used the filling recpie from here since it was the only one I could find where all the ingredients where already found in my cupoards.

The Green Smoothie Recipie

A few months ago in an effort to make mornings more productive, and nutrious I ditched the cherios in favour of green smoothies. After a few months of experimentation I've feel as though I've finally found a recipie that is tasty, nutrious and doesn't leave me starving by 10 am.

Since I started to drink this for breakfast I've seen my energy levels soar (which I'm pretty sure is thanks to the spirulina more than anything), the clarity of my skin improve, and really just felt like a heathlier person. This recpie isn't super exact since nobody's got time for weights and measures first thing in the morning. But nevertheless heres roughly what I do. 

The Green Monster Smothie - makes around two large glasses 

1 Large handful of spinach or other leafy green 

1 stick of celery 

1/4 cup of cucumber 

2 tsp of Spriulina Powder

2 tsp of Maca powder

1 tsp of Ground flaxseed

1 to 2 dates 

1/2 cup of coconut water 

hanful of ice cubes and enough normal water to reach the desired texture. 

Pop it all into the blender on high and enjoy.