I'm a city girl with a love for being in nature. Whether it's a few days or a few minutes in the outdoors, it always refreshes and recharges.
When was the last time you got outside and took some time out for yourself? Even if it's just 15 minutes, you'll feel a whole lot better.
#inguzloves these local walks
Teneriffe Boardwalk
http://www.mustdobrisbane.com/outdoors-walks-inner-city-neighbourhoods/teneriffe-walk-teneriffe
Mount Cootha Track
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/20171013-mt_coot-tha_track_map.pdf
Shorncliffe walk
http://www.mustdobrisbane.com/kids-outdoors-walks-outdoors-walks-bay/shorncliffe-walk-shorncliffe
Noosa Coastal Walk - https://findapark.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks#feat_name=Noosa National Park&filters=WALKIN|DIST-0-2|DIST-2-5|DIST-5-10|DIST-10-15|DIST-15PLUS|
Beautiful colours in Old Phuket Town, an often overloooked location but well worth a trip for a day to see it's colourful buildings, street art, studios and cute cafes and bars.
Let me know if you want to see more on this destination by DM on @flashbulb.moments or at deidre@flashbulbmoments.com
At a time when it's easy to get caught up in the rush and the latest fad or sale, I suggest slow shopping with a conscience. In creating this list for you I've been overwhelmed by the amount of talent we have here in Australia. Why on earth would you go to a shopping centre with mass produced items? Here you can wander through a studio or local store or shop online and buy something beautiful and unique in support of local artisans and producers who care about what they do and the impact it has on us and the world.
1. CERAMICS & POTTERY
(most have an online, studio presence or stockist details can be found on below websites)
a ceramics @a_ceramics
Pan Pottery http://panpottery.com/ @panpottery
It's a Public Holiday http://www.itsapublicholiday.com/ @itsapublicholiday
Birdy and Clementine http://birdyandclementine.com/ @birdyandclementine
Clay by Tina https://www.claybytina.com/ - @clay_by_tina
RaRa Studio http://rarastudio.com/ @hellorarastudio
Urban Cartel https://www.urbancartel.com.au/ @urbancartel
Hayden Youlley Design http://www.haydenyoulley.com/ @haydenyoulley
Angus & Celeste https://angusandceleste.com/ @angusandceleste
Bridget Bodenham http://www.bridgetbodenham.com/ @bridgetbodenham
Yiying Lee https://www.yiyinglee.com/ @byyiyinglee
Delain https://delain.com.au/ @delain_ceramics
Erin Lightfoot Ceramics Design Studio https://www.erinlightfoot.com/ @erinlightfoot_porcelain
Ghost Wares https://www.ghostwares.com.au/ @ghostwares
Stuff & Stuff Co. http://stuffandstuff.co/ @stuffandstuffdesign
Lavallier Emporium https://lavallier.com/ @lavallier
Daisy Cooper Ceramics http://www.daisycooperceramics.com/ @daisycooperceramics
Carla Dinnage Ceramics http://carladinnage.com.au/ @carladinnageceramics
Heath Ceramics http://www.heathceramics.com/ @heathceramics
2. AUSTRALIAN HONEY
Hive & Harvest http://www.hiveandharvest.com/ @hiveandharvest
Geoffrey's Honey https://geoffreyshoney.com.au/ @geoffreyshoney
Bee One Third https://www.beeonethird.com/ @beeonethird
The Urban Beehive https://theurbanbeehive.com.au/ @theurbanbeehive
Rooftop Honey https://www.rooftophoney.com.au/ @rooftopbees
To locate your nearest keeper or stockist of Australian honey go to http://www.beethecure.com.au/honey-map
3. ORGANIC & FAIRTRADE CHOCOLATE
Pana Chocolate http://panachocolate.com/ @pana_chocolate
Bahen & Co. http://www.bahenchocolate.com/ @bahenandco
Winnow Chocolates http://www.winnowchocolates.com/ @winnowchocolates
Organic Times https://organictimes.com.au/ @organictimes
Alter Eco http://www.alterecofoods.com/product-category/chocolate/ @alterecosf
Thanks so much for all of your support on my last post regarding 'Smog of the Sea'. As promised, here are some simple alternatives to single use plastic that we all use in our day-to-day activities. By moving to some of these alternatives, you not only are saving waste but also supporting businesses that are doing good for the world. Whilst these are just some examples of where you can find information on these products, I hope you find it useful.
1. Instead of using a plastic toothbrush, use a wooden toothbrush that is also able to be recycled once you're done with it.
www.environmentaltoothbrush.com.au
http://www.biome.com.au/66-natural-toothpaste-toothbrush
2. Instead of using cling wrap, use beeswax food wraps or make your own
https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/diy-reusable-beeswax-wraps/
3. Instead of freezer bags, use reusable produce bags
https://www.floraandfauna.com.au/?rf=kw&kw=Ever+Eco+Reusable+Produce+Bags+4+Pack
https://www.onyalife.com/product/reusable-produce-bag-8pack/
4. Instead of sandwich or plastic kitchen ziploc bags use stainless steel lunch boxes, glass storage with stainless lids, mason jars, lunchskins sandwich bags.
http://www.biome.com.au/274-lunch-boxes
https://www.hellogreen.com.au/search?q=lunchboxes&type=product
http://healthy.shopnaturally.com.au/search?w=lunchboxes
5. Instead of buying disposable plastic bottles of water, buy a reusable eco friendly, BPA free water bottle.
http://www.biome.com.au/module/ambjolisearch/jolisearch?search_query=water+bottles
https://www.buyorganicsonline.com.au/stainless-steel/
6. Instead of buying beauty products in plastic packaging, find some that are in recycled or glass packaging
7. Instead of buying any eco-friendly shopping bag, find one that gives back to a cause
8. Instead of taking bags with you to the shops, ask for a box or take a shopping jeep or basket with you.
https://www.discovered.us/shop/home-decor/baskets
http://www.ecobags.com/Our_Products/Woven_Bags
9. Instead of throwing out that take away coffee cup, buy an eco friendly, BPA free reusable coffee cup
http://www.rentonbishopric.com/pottery-for-the-planet.html
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/CarysMartinCeramics?ref=search_shop_redirect
10. Opt for recycled plastic iphone cases
11. Don't use plastic straws
http://au.keepcup.com/accessories-and-parts/reusable-straw.html
https://www.hellogreen.com.au/search?q=straws&type=product
https://www.floraandfauna.com.au/?rf=kw&kw=Green+%2B+Kind+Bamboo+Reusable+Straw+Single
12. Consider these options instead of bin liners
In fact, don't line your bin at all and rinse your bin instead if it's okay with your council OR wrap your rubbish or line your bin with newspaper before throwing it out OR compost OR if you need to, buy biodegradable bags
Living the life of a creative is not always easy but this fun and quirky guide by Adam J. Kurtz (with an introduction by Grace Bonney from my one of my favourites @designsponge) brings you snippets of sanity when you feel like you could be the only one out there having an off day.
Have you fallen into the comparison trap before? Got stuck on ideas? Felt like you were going mad working from home? In this pocket guide, Adam calls out (through fun notes displayed on a notepad), the things we all worry about but don't necessarily have a lot of opportunity or courage to discuss. As Adam says in the book, what is a creative anyway? I once heard Sting define creativity in an interview as being willing to take a risk - I agree with this. So much of what creatives do goes against the natural human inclination to concern ourselves with what others think or do, but it's doing what we do for the love of it and at our own speed that often produces the best outcomes.
So next time you're sitting at your computer, desk, easel or studio worrying about where your next idea will come from, remember that the person behind that brilliant drawing, painting, photo or idea that you're admiring has had that same thought, probably more than just once.
This is a fun reference with a cheery colour palette to keep on your desk or bedside table. It can be ordered via the link at @thingsarewhatyoumakeofthem.
Image taken at Hotel Gutkowski, a boutique hotel which can be found on the waterfront of Ortigia, Sicily.
http://www.guthotel.it/
Want to know more about our travels in Sicily - DM @flashbulb.moments or email me I'd love to hear from you!
Monocle magazine brings together information from various contributors from all over the world on current affairs, business, culture and design, normally with a humanitarian, innovation, community or environmental theme. Being a subscriber truly makes you feel like you're part of a club and that was the deliberate aim of the publishers.
This bringing together of information and people got me thinking more about how print and social media plays a role in forming new communities which otherwise would not exist. This is something which I'm coming to value so much since launching 'flashbulb moments'. At times there can be so much negativity about social platforms but there is definitely something good about enabling discussion and ideas about things that make the world a better place. The trick though I think is finding people with shared values - this is what makes you feel part of a community.
When next going through your feed or reading the latest magazine you've purchased, take a moment to think about that. Is this making the world a better place? Is this something I can contribute to or learn from? What impact does it have on my life or other lives? Do I want to be connected with this business or people? If I'm spending time or money to buy from or contribute and read comments, are they of value? Basic questions which can simplify your life and ensure that what you're investing time in is bringing good to the world and your day.
If you know people or businesses that are bringing good to the world, please contact me, or if it's you, please click on the 'share your story' tab, I look forward to hearing from you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This photo taken by me at Monocle Cafe in Chiltern Street, Marylebone which was a short stroll from the Airbnb we stayed at earlier this year. Not just another cafe, Monocle cafe is a place where you can bump into fellow Monocle readers and browse the latest edition over an Allpress coffee, Italian wine or Swedish pastry.
Happy to have the option of business cards made from recycled 100% cotton t-shirt offcuts - saving fashion and industry waste from landfill.
Get yours from https://www.moo.com/au/products/cotton-business-cards.html
Thanks to the talented Mish Stark for creation of my beautiful business card design and logos. See more of Mish's work at http://www.mishstark.com/
There's a lot of talk about balance in our lives and it's normally about work, family and personal time but seeing something with beautiful symmetry and balance in it's design always makes me feel good.
Who else has an obsession with symmetry? I am a huge Wes Anderson fan because his visual artistry and style plays to this. When visiting Palm Springs, I saw this beautiful yet simple home and was taken with the balance of the design. One of my dreams is to go to the Palm Springs Modernism week where there are open homes for you to explore the design and styling of these mid-century modern homes http://www.modernismweek.com/
Some may like to stay away from external stimulus to relax but I get so much enjoyment from it. For visually evoked balance, #inguz loves:
Wes Anderson films - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17290224-the-wes-anderson-collection
Beautiful design and architecture on Instagram
- @designboom - https://www.instagram.com/designboom/
- @yellowtrace - https://www.instagram.com/yellowtrace/
- @zahahadidarchitects - https://www.instagram.com/zahahadidarchitects/
Stuart Vokes & Peters - @stuart_vokesandpeters - https://www.instagram.com/stuart_vokesandpeters/
Daydreaming about travel - http://www.cntraveller.com/
Faraway places - @anindiansummer - https://www.instagram.com/anindiansummer/
It's a fact that colour has healing powers - it definitely has a positive influence on me! We hear about colour in the food we eat - "eat the rainbow" and it is something which is carefully considered by architects and designers in defining the feel and mood of a space.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of this rainbow silverbeet from Northey Street Organic City Farm Market. More than 1500 exotic and native fruit trees, bush food plants, shrubs and organic ground covers have been planted on the four hectare fram site since it was founded in 1994. Located along Breakfast Creek in Windsor, it has an amazing community spirit where you can grab a coffee from local roasters and something healthy to eat while doing your weekly shop every Sunday from 6am to noon. During the week the farm also runs volunteer programs and education sessions for all ages https://www.nscf.org.au/
Read more about the benefits of colour in life and design http://www.mbsfestival.com.au/healthy-living-hub/truth-colour-therapy/ or go to the next Mind, Body, Spirit Festival in Melbourne on the 17th to 19th of November, 2017.
It doesn't take a huge amount of time and money to create something beautiful to enjoy in your home. I love having a fresh, clean home and something pretty on a table or bench to admire over the weekend.
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need flowers styled glamorously from a florist for something to look good. After a few years of spending significant amounts of money because of my love of fresh flowers, I've now learnt to keep it simple.
In this picture fresh lemons, and a few buds which you could find from your garden or in a small bunch from a local store work perfectly together.
If you are after special but less expensive flowers for a gift, #inguzloves:
Just Cause Bunch - http://justcausebunch.com.au/
Poppy Rose - https://www.poppyrose.com.au/
Little Mr Bouqs - https://littlemrbouqs.com.au/
Little Flowers - https://littleflowers.com.au/
The Daily Bunch - http://www.thedailybunch.com.au/
Lvly - https://www.lvly.com.au/
Daily Blooms - https://dailyblooms.com.au/
The Little Posy Company - https://littleposy.com.au/
I started travelling quite late in life. Growing up in a family of six kids did not leave a lot of room in the budget for luxurious family holidays. We still had a lot of fun and my childhood is full of great memories at home, going on day trips, picnics and swimming at the local beach but once I took off on my first European holiday, the travel bug hit me hard and it has never left me since. It's a pleasure that not everyone gets to experience and I'm forever grateful whenever I am visiting somewhere new knowing this.
Some of my favourite destinations have been the island of Sicily, hiking in Spain, relaxing on the quiet beaches of Anguilla, Cocoa Island and Ko Yai Noi, driving the Pacific Highway and sightseeing bucket list destinations like Paris, New York, London, Munich, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg and Rome.
Friends of mine made a list of all the places they hoped to see and then soon came to realise that even if they travelled more than what they normally would, they would never get around to doing all of this in their lifetime (all going well).
Whilst it doesn't seem like a lot of fun to plan everything and life can get too busy to prioritise making travel happen, this made me quickly get my mind around what my wish list would be. This is my go to whenever I have the opportunity to consider making a trip somewhere when I have the time and money.
In the past, the "flashiness" of a hotel is what drew in the crowds, however, more recently, hotels and travel experts have become a lot more conscious of development and it's impact on the environment, our oceans and local wildlife. Of course, to have the least environmental impact, we wouldn't travel but when we do, what should we consider?
Travel and Leisure magazine has this great article on being more responsible when we travel here:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/eco-travel-guide
In addition, there are some stunning eco friendly accommodation options now on offer which mean that not only are you being more responsible, but you are normally getting closer to nature, seeing amazing design and having a more authentic travel experience, not to mention all that you are educated on simply by being there. Where are you and your loved ones going next?
Instagram and Pinterest are full of visual inspiration but my tried and true go to's are:
I've been a subscriber to Conde Nast Traveller for over a decade now. Whilst mostly about luxury travel, stories are often about secluded and special places.
@condenasttraveller or www.cntraveller.com
TripAdvisor The GreenLeaders Program https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/GreenLeaders
@austtraveller or https://www.australiantraveller.com/
@internationaltraveller or https://www.internationaltraveller.com/
@greatwalksofoz or http://www.greatwalksofaustralia.com.au/
@ohhcouture or https://ohhcouture.com/
https://www.epicurioustravel.com.au/journeys/?experience=iconic-walks
https://blog.hotelscombined.com/travelling-green-the-worlds-top-eco-friendly-hotels/
https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/5-eco-friendly-australian-getaways-dont-cost-earth/
https://www.momondo.com.au/inspiration/eco-friendly-hotels/
Raw treats have really taken off in the last year or so but as with anything that's new, it's easy to wonder if you are getting caught up in something that is just the latest fad or if in fact, these treats are really better for you than a previous choice you might have made.
There's so much information around about whether or not you should be reaching for a raw treat. Many posts and articles state that these treats are full of calories, are not healthy and simply should not be marketed as being "good for you". My view? Healthy is not calorie counting everything you consume and for me, having a balanced lifestyle is about having a treat every now and then. So yes, raw treats do have a higher amount of calories than say grabbing a piece of fruit but...if you are going to reach for a sweet treat full of refined sugars and ingredients you can't pronounce in a packet, I would choose a raw treat over this any day. What I do like about raw treats is that typically all ingredients are listed and visible at the store and if bought from the right person or made yourself, they include all natural ingredients with good fats and oils together with natural sources of protein and fibre. So yes, I do still look at the ingredients but if I'm going to have something, I prefer for it to be unprocessed!
For grabbing a treat on the run or making some for yourself or your loved ones at home, see below for where I find my raw goodness and inspiration:
To buy:
Evolve Organic Cafe - @evolveorganiccafe
Nutri Hitt - @nutri.hitt
Little Loco Cafe - @littlelococafe
Pineapple Express Cafe - @pineappleexpresscafe
Sun and Earth Organics - @sunandearthorganics
Blend Love - @blendlove
Raw Love Superfoods - @rawlovesuperfoods
Raw Galore - @rawgalore
Soul Press - @soul.press
Raw & Peace at Northey Street Markets
To make:
Elsa's Wholesome Life - recipe book at www.elsaswholesomelife.com or follow @elsas_wholesomelife
Teresa Cutter - @teresacutter_healthychef or https://www.thehealthychef.com/category/recipes/
Thrive Magazine - @thrivemags
Pana Chocolate - @pana_chocolate
Ela Vegan - @elavegan
https://www.becomingness.com.au/blog/15-best-raw-desserts
https://wholefoodsimply.com/category/all/quick-easy/raw/
Please share others that are your favourites to visit or follow on social media in the comments on @flashbulb.moments
I like to get local travel tips and finds from people who are creative and know about hidden gems in even the most tourist ridden cities.
Such was the case when we decided to visit San Francisco. The 'See San Francisco' guide by Victoria Smith @sfgirlbay got us so inspired to walk the pretty pastel streets of San Francisco that we saw many areas that I'm sure people normally wouldn't venture to. On one of our walks we came by Al's Attire @alsattire in Grant Street, a beautiful store which sells vintage bespoke men's and womenswear and these shoes which are made by hand in store. After all this time I still love them and remember the experience so fondly.
#inguzloves this San Francisco guide https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25513903-see-san-francisco
This ice cream cup was just waiting to have it's photo taken at the Specialty Coffee Festival run by Wolff Coffee Roasters. Coffee soft serve from a candy pink machine - who could resist?
For more images of my work at the Specialty Coffee Festival please visit my 'work folio' page.
To contact me regarding photography services, feel free to direct message me on @flashbulb.moments or email me at deidre@flashbulmoments.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Why wait for a special occasion, buy yourself some flowers! When was the last time you did this? One of my must do's when visiting any city is to look up the local flower market. Just because you are in a hotel room or Air BnB doesn't mean you don't want it to feel like home and a few buds can go a long way. It often means a very early start but it's always worth it. Where in the world is your favourite flower market?
These stunners from the Colombia Rd flower market (a market rich in history and now known internationally) which I visited when in London earlier this year.
For beautiful flower markets around the world #inguzloves:
London - Colombia Road Flower Market - http://www.columbiaroad.info/flowermarket
San Francisco - SF Flower Mart - http://www.sanfranciscoflowermart.com/
Brisbane - Brisbane Flower Market - http://brisbanemarkets.com.au/bfm/
Rome - Campo De Fiori - http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/campo-de%E2%80%99-fiori
Sydney - Flemington Flower Market - http://www.sydneymarkets.com.au/markets/flowers-market/flowers-market-overview.html
Where is that from? It's a question we ask each other all the time and to which we normally respond with a store name, but look beyond what you initially see and you'll make better choices. I've been guilty of impulse buying (yes, even at the supermarket) but some education now sees me thinking through my decisions as a consumer. Whilst not always possible, I love to talk to the people behind the produce or products that bring positivity and wellbeing to the lives of others. If you were to go through the items in your wardrobe or pantry, could you name where they are actually from? It's a small question that can have a big impact. It's also an amazing feeling to eat or wear something that you know is making a positive contribution to the makers, local producers as well as the health of you and your family.
The pineapple in this photo is from Jan Powers farmers markets, a food market that brings the community together in New Farm every Saturday morning http://www.janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au/
Striped 100% organic cotton and Australian made dress from Vege Threads 100% from Stitch Piece Loop at Noosa Junction https://www.vegethreads.com/
These are words I say most mornings. I know it's not necessarily the healthiest option but you know what, I love it and I do think life is too short BUT did you know that despite the number of people drinking coffee increasing, coffee farmers are not seeing much benefit. For most of us, there's more than one coffee shop around every corner, in fact, most of us now have a machine at home.
So what are the things to look out for? And why is just looking for 'fairtrade' on your coffee beans not enough? If we are part of the fortunate group that have a choice, why would we not look to understand and contribute more? Read more in this article https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/may/29/drinking-an-ethical-cup-of-coffee-how-easy-is-it
Another sore point for a lot of people who choose to be aware are coffee pods and their impact to the environment. In fact, John Sylvan, the man who invented the American Coffee pod has a lot of regrets about this. Read more in these articles https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/04/why-the-man-behind-keurigs-coffee-pods-wishes-hed-never-invented-them and http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-24/former-nespresso-boss-warns-coffee-pods-are-killing-environment/7781810
#inguzloves these coffee brands
Republica Coffee https://www.republicaorganic.com.au/
Jasper Coffee https://www.jaspercoffee.com/
Scarborough Fair http://www.scarboroughfairfoods.co.nz/
I constantly hear people saying that they need to go somewhere to get their creative juices flowing. For me, getting back to nature always works.
All of us are different when it comes to finding inspiration or headspace to do our best work and thinking. Being in a new environment and moving around not only generates blood flow, it provides stimulus for new ideas to which we otherwise would not have been exposed.
More recently, I've also been speaking to a lot of people who are finding inspiration through being amongst others from different walks of life and industries in shared workspaces.
For getting some headspace, #inguz loves:
Meditation Studio App for you and your family - https://www.meditationstudioapp.com/
Weekend Long Walks and Hikes - https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/
WOTSO Fortitude Valley - https://www.wotsoworkspace.com.au/brisbane/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoY2upL2u1wIVmTUrCh3KIQIcEAAYASAAEgJp7fD_BwE
Newstead Studios - http://newsteadstudios.com.au/
Spare Workspace Australia - https://spareworkspace.com.au/
Creative Block book - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18296071-creative-block
Captured in Salina, Sicily
When renovating our last home and now our apartment, one of the most difficult things is making it feel like your own when constantly surrounded by trends in colour, styles and design. The best advice I have is to keep objects to a minimum and only keep or buy things that have meaning to you and your loved ones. In a situation where many of us are so fortunate to have the choice regarding which companies and people we support, what do you want the decor in your home to represent?
The tiles in this photo were at Residence La Garcia in Trapani, Sicily - a small hotel we stayed at in the heart of town that had a focus on little touches like these locally made hand painted tiles to make their guests smile. It's amazing what a difference something like this can bring to your day.
Captured in Salina, Sicily
Going through the Peregian Springs Village for the first time in many years, I came across 'The Great State' @_thegreatstate, a locally made multi-purpose skin balm from the beautiful @the_romantic_ store. With local, all natural, toxin-free and ethically sourced ingredients, this balm worked wonders on my feet as well as my lips after a weekend of sunshine, sea and sand. I love that in buying this product, you are not only supporting local business but also the Love Mercy Foundation's "Cents for Seeds" program. This program loans seeds, a gardening tool and provides educational workshops to women to increase resilience and reduce poverty across entire communities. Who else wants to have this locally made skin balm in their beach bag this summer?
#inguz loves https://www.thegreatstate.com.au/
Don't you just love stumbling across brightly painted homes? I would be happy to come home to this street on a Friday afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter!). Where are the hidden colourful places you've found on your travels?
#inguzloves these colourful places which are firmly on the bucket list. Just put a hash tag in front of any of these destination names on instagram and you'll see why!
- Palm Springs
- Cinque Terre
- Barcelona
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Cape Town
- Morocco
- India
- Copenhagen
- Turkey
- Venice
I'm still surprised by the number of foods which, when asked, we don't know how they are grown. It's no surprise when we have predominantly grown up in urban areas with parents who were busy buying from supermarket chains.
So, do you know what this photo is? They are actually caper flowers growing on the island of Salina, Sicily. Every year the beautiful island of Salina hots a festival celebrating the caper - organic, hand harvested and most delicious when eaten on the site they are grown. Almost too pretty to eat, Salina definitely has the best capers I've ever tasted!
Whenever you buy or eat something, ask yourself, your partner or your children the simple question - how is this grown or made and you'll learn and change your habits so much.
I'm always on the look out for unique and handmade souvenirs or gifts to bring home as a reminder of the places I've been. Often it's perfume I find - I'm a huge fragrance lover (as long as they are made ethically from natural ingredients)!
Due to intellectual property rights, the ingredients from mass produced perfume houses are typically not disclosed. Over the past years, we've all become accustomed to reading the ingredients on the side of food packaging, but do we do this as a discipline for the other items we buy? Perfumes often contain a long list of toxic chemicals which can result in allergies and other health issues like asthma and migraines due to the fact that up to 60% of the product is absorbed through the skin. Given their composition, their manufacture can also have a negative impact on the environment.
I first came across Le Labo many years ago in New York as we wandered around the streets of Nolita. It's such a special store with with craftsman including candle pourer, metal worker, perfumer - the list goes on! Once you pick your scent, it is freshly hand blended for you with natural oils and ingredients then and there. While you wait, you can think about what you would like printed on your label alongside the name of the person who made it for you. Do you know what's in the fragrance you are wearing and how it was made and tested?
For perfumes made from natural essential oils and ingredients #inguzloves:
Le Labo - https://www.lelabofragrances.com/landing.html?path=/
One Seed Perfume - https://oneseedperfumes.com/
Hanako Therapies - https://www.hanakotherapies.com/collections/i-am
IME Natural Perfume - http://www.ime-natural-perfume.com.au/?v=6cc98ba2045f
Florescent Perfume - https://florescent.co/
It's easy to pop into a supermarket and get what we need. But what is the cost of convenience? The cost goes beyond price to health, environment, social and economic impacts. There is so much delicious fresh produce that we can buy from local farmers markets or green grocers in most major cities or towns. So why is buying local better?
Take the time to read this article by local harvest to find out why https://www.localharvest.org.au/why-is-local-important/
I've been enjoying CoYo for so long now but only recently took the time to learn the story behind the business. There are so many of these interesting and inspiring stories to read if we just take the time to take a look.
CoYo was started by a couple from the Sunshine Coast. Henry, who grew up in Fiji, was the brain behind the product. He was talking with his wife Sandra about whether they should really take the plunge and start their own business while walking along the beach. A coconut rolled up on shore in front of them and they took it as a sign - the rest is history as they say. Check out their beautiful photos and more on their story on the @coyo_is_coconuts website. Share the story behind your business by clicking on the 'share your story' button on my 'About' page.
#inguzloves the stories behind the products in this photo including:
The Raw Baller - http://therawballer.com/
BSKT Cafe - http://www.bskt.com.au/wholefoods/#mix
Co Yo - http://coyo.com/au/
