SIMPLYTOGETHER Dec 2020/Jan 2021 Issue 1
The Creative Classroom An interview with Hayley Mullins about all things homeschooling!
At Home With @littlepaperswan Get to know Cathryn as we talk about content creating , home decor and Christmas!
A Global Pandemic Birth Story
Having a baby can be overwhelming at the best of times, let alone during thepeak of a global pandemi!
The 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge Five to ten minutes of written gratitude is all you need to feel the effects of the subsequent prompts that we have given you to try in 2021.
MOTHERHOOD • SLOW LIVING • SUSTAINABILITY
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Creators Notes The Month of... A Sustainable Guide to Hygge The Creative Classroom Switching to Cloth Nappies A Pandemic Birth Story
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Hypnobirthing - does it work? At Home With... Have yourself a Merry Eco Christmas DIY Festive Garland Festive Printouts What Christmas Means to me...
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A Bookish Review Top Mince pies of 2020 Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread Good Tidings Whats in Season 52 weeks of Gratitude Flatlay FOMO
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Veganuary 2021 At One With Nature Essential Oils for Winter 9 Ways to Start Slow Living Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe 5 ways to Encourage Outdoor Play in Winter Dates For Your Diary
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CONTENT CREATOR
CHARLOTTE MILLAR WWW.SIMPLYLOTTIE.COM
ABOUT CHARLOTTE MILLAR @SIMPLY.TOGETHER
Hello! Welcome to the very first issue of Simply Together. I am Charlotte, Mother to two beautiful girls, Molly & Evelyn. Together with my boyfriend Liam, we are homeschooling, plant based family who love to explore and one day, hope to be completely self sufficient. I still can’t quite believe that a 3am, sleep deprived idea has turned into a reality! This was originally going to be a newsletter, but the newsletter wasn't large enough to showcase everything I wanted to share. I’m incredibly lucky & thankful that Becqui liked my crazy idea and agreed to join me on this venture. We share so many passions in life and have a mutual desire to share these passions with the world.
I hoping that this will turn into something amazing. A place to share stories from around the globe, about parenting, sustainability, slow living and everything inbetween. Everyones journeys are unique and different and I really want to showcase that. I want to share craft ideas and how to's, recipes, play ideas and so much more. 2020 hasn't been easy for many of us, but I want to try and spread a little love and positivity as we head into 2021. I hope you join us on this journey. If you would like to be a part of the next issue or you have any questions on anything you read, then please contact me: Simplytogetherblog@gmail.com
HONEST MOTHERHOOD, CREATIVE LIVING
BECQUI JEAN WWW.BECQUIJEAN.COM
ABOUT BECQUI JEAN @BECQUIJ
Hello! As soon as Charlotte contacted me to say she was thinking of putting together a magazine, I was onboard before I even knew what she was planning. We’ve become friends over our shared love of beautiful photography, sustainability and slow living – but above all else finding simple ways to make these fit our busy lives as parents.
I hope we can build a community, and the mag becomes your hub, where you can find recipes, craft ideas, articles that make you love yourself and interviews with incredible women that spark a bit of inspiration when you need it most. 2020 has been an odd old year, but I am so excited to be ending it with this project. Here's to a very happy 2021!
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PHASES OF THE MOON 3RD QUARTER – 8TH DECEMBER 00:37 NEW MOON – 14TH DECEMBER 16:17 1ST QUARTER – 21ST DECEMBER 23:41 FULL MOON – 30TH DECEMBER 03:28
- BIRTH STONE BLOODSTONE December is a month that has numerous birthstones attached to it, so here's a recommendation for a stone that traditionally represents December, but is also a great crystal for grounding. It’s a stone that stabilises, and brings courage and vigour, something oft needed throughout the colder months
SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN A stone to help balance the light and dark, crucial at this time of year, particularly if you struggle with the long winter nights. It is also a stone that aids in reflection, and bringing clarity to the issues you need to address in your own life before moving forwards.
THE MONTH OF DECEMBER Naming the full moons was originally done by Native Americans, living in what is now the United States. It was a way of keeping track of the seasons by naming the recurring full moons. European settlers adopted the names and today we take an interest in them as they remind us of the seasonal changes. Winter Solstice Whether you pay attention to the cycles of the moon or not, this is one point of the year that is welcomed by many. It marks the point of the longest night, and from then on the dark nights grow progressively shorter and the days slowly lengthen. Full Moon Name December's Full Moon is known as The Full Cold Moon or the Long Nights Moon. This is because it heralds in the coldest season, and because it rises during the longest nights of the year. This December's Full Moon falls after the Winter Solstice, so is also named 'The Moon After Yule'.
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Phases of The Moon 3rd Quarter – 6th January 09:38 New Moon – 13th January 05:02 1st Quarter – 20th January 21:03 Full Moon – 28th January 19:18
- Birth STONE garnet Garnet has long been worn as a talisman, as it is believed to bring health and success. It's also a stone that is associated with life, appropriate given it is a marker of the start of the year.
chalcopyrite Chalcopyrite (peacock ore) is a stone that helps strengthen and clarify your inner vision. It’s a stone that will help you release the past, and gather your thoughts as to future plans – in particular energising creative processes.
THE MONTH OF JANUARY Full moon name January's full moon is known as 'The Wolf Moon', which reminds us of the origins of these names. It's named so for the wolves howling due to the lack of food in the winter months. Wassailing A tradition to greet the new year! Anglo-Saxon tradition was such that at the beginning of the year the lord of the manor would greet tenants and guests with the toast 'was hael'. The meaning of which is 'be well /be in good health'. The traditional response was 'drink hael' meaning drink well – thus the year would begin with a toast, or several. Different areas of the country served differing traditional drinks, but they were often spiced ale, wine or cider. This would be served in one large cup and passed from person to person with the 'wassail' toast. Celebrated on the Twelfth Night, 5th January – this is contested by some who stick to the even older date of the 17th January.
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A SUSTAINABLE guide to hygge When the Christmas decorations have come down, the last needles from the tree finally hoovered up, and all the presents put away January can look a bit bleak and foreboding. Its dark, its cold, let's face it – it's usually wet, and who knows if we’ll even be back in our offices with the promise of a good catch up over a brew to wile away the first days back to work. In those early days of the year, before the fresh shoots of spring and sunlight begin to emerge, it’s the perfect time of year to fully embrace the Danish concept of Hygge. Hygge (pronounced – Hue-Guh) is the concept of everything cosy, surrounding yourself and others around you with a warming atmosphere, where the simple things bring pleasure. In fact, the Danish celebration of cosiness that is one of the things that contributes to the reasons why Danish people are at the top of the list for the worlds happiest country. And if they attain this with incredibly long and dark winters, then there must be something in Hygge. So here’s our guide to all things hygge, with a sustainable twist…
Candles
The soft flickering glow of candles instantly evokes the perfect cosy atmosphere. An easy way to bring hygge to any room is to add a few candles. However many candles are made with paraffin wax, a crude oil by-product, and the burning of this contributes to indoor pollution. Equally, candles that are synthetically fragranced release phalates when they burn, which are can aggravate both asthma and allergic responses. Opt for sustainable choices such as candles made from soy, or beeswax and fragranced with natural essential oils – and create that hygge atmosphere with no lingering nasties.
Read a Book
Hygge is a chance to slow down, to appreciate small moments, and to take time to relax in your surroundings. One way in which to encourage daily hygge is by switching off from your electronic devices. Maybe set aside some time each day in which you turn your phone off, or leave it in a different room so you aren’t distracted by notifications. And then enjoy a book!
Add A Hot Beverage
Nothing says cosy like a hot drink, especially if you get to enjoy it in absolute peace! But did you know that many of our everyday tea bags contain polypropelene which is used to seal them and ensure they retain their ‘tea bag’ like shape. This means that when decomposing they release toxic chemicals into the ground. Whilst you could opt for loose leaf tea, there are also some fantastic brands who are committed to making your warming brew as sustainable as possible. One of our favourites is Brew Tea Co, {ADD LINK] a Manchester based company who use whole rolled leaves to create a ‘smoother, deeper, richer. Taste. All of their packaging is plastic free and inside each box there is information on how best to recycle the boxes component parts. Lovely! And if tea’s not your thing, how about a hot chocolate? Bring a bit of decadence to your cosy days with Divine Drinking Chocolate. Suitable for vegans it is also Fair Trade Certified, and Palm Oil Free.
A Cosy Throw
When I imagine getting cosied up, there is always some kind of soft knit involved. Even if you aren’t snuggling under a warm blanket, just having the textures of knits and soft layers within your living spaces creates the hygge atmosphere. When buying a new blanket or throw, look for materials such as organic cotton, TENCEL, hemp, linen, and pure wool. All of these are biodegradable fibres which won’t release micro-plastics when washed, and will biodegrade at the end of their life cycle. As with all things interiors, an easy way to make your choices more environmentally friendly is to purchase pieces that you can see yourself loving for a long time, that will last in your home, and can be used in numerous ways.
A few simple ways to introduce Hygge into your life in a sustainable way – here's to a cosy 2021!
Did you know that play dough has many and pride ourselves on using only natural benefits for early learning education while ingredients and colourants which make our keeping it fun? dough non-toxic. We then package them in a PET airtight pot which can be reused in Play dough is a great tool for developing multiple ways, firstly to store your dough fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination but also to store liquids, snacks for on the but it is also a calming tool, providing a go, paint, little pieces etc. And of course means for relaxation and concentration all our beautifully designed labels that finish while promoting playtime. We like to think off the dough pot and make for gorgeous that it's your play room staple as it can be gifts. mixed with loads of other toys, nature and household items for different play each We also sell a number of sets and activity day, think "rocks" for diggers, "cupcakes" boxes which are great for gifting, as well for tea time and "boats" for your little safari as wooden and silicone dough tools for animals. The imagination can run wild. creative play. At Dough Animal we design, create and package up beautiful play dough creations
Instagram @doughanimal Website: https://doughanimal.com
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THE CREATIVE CLASSROOM. AN INTERVIEW WITH HAYLEY MULLINS BY CHARLOTTE MILLAR
Homeschooling is something that I have been interested in since before having the girls but have become more and more convinced that it is a path we are going to explore. In the first of a series of homeschooling interviews I'm talking to
Hayley
Mullins (@my_beautiful_ordinary) about her family and homeschooling.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.. My name is Hayley, and I live in Surrey with my husband Warren and our two children. Roxy, 8 and Xavier, 4. My husband is quite a tech lover and works as a technical services manager. I’m a self employed photographer.
What made you choose homeschooling?
I discovered homeschooling when Roxy was only 3 years old. I came across an inspiring Ted Talk by a 13 year old boy named Logan LaPlante. The Video is called "Hackschooling Makes Me Happy” I followed with another Ted Talk by Sir Ken Robinson titled “Do Schools kill creativity". I was curious to know if homeschool even existed in the
UK, so I typed in “homeschool UK” on Facebook and I was so surprised to see many groups pop up. I requested to be in the groups and just fell in love with the posts written by so many homeschooling families. I really wanted to homeschool Roxy. But, when it came to her becoming of CSA (compulsory school age) I started to doubt my abilities to teach her myself. I shared with my husband the many wonderful success stories and he agreed that it all sounded a wonderful way of life for a child, but he questioned if it was the right path to choose for our family as at the time, Xavier was a baby. Soon the date came and on the last day of school admissions we reluctantly put her name down for the best infant school in the area. I secretly hoped she wouldn’t get the place. I was always searching for an “excuse” to homeschool instead of being confident with making a decision. We only put one choice down, and she got it. To cut a long story short, my mummy instinct was right. She didn’t really suit the school way of life.
In reception, they had a system in place where the pupils had to put their name on the activity they wanted to do next, depending on the activity, there would be limited spaces. Roxy always seemed to lag behind, she found it challenging to follow instructions and organise herself for what activity she wanted to do next and with whom. I feel like this system made it hard for her to build friendships. In Year One she found it very difficult to keep up with learning to read and write. She was always so good at going into school. She never got upset, it was after school and at bedtime she would start to dread the “too much writing that hurts her hand” that would be waiting for her the next day. Into Year Two and she had made a friend, although she still didn’t seem to be enjoying her school experience. Her Year Two teacher was amazing though and it gave me great comfort that she was listening to my concerns about Roxy. I had always had a feeling she wasn’t a typical child and upon my own research it seemed that she was displaying many, if not all, the signs of dyspraxia. Even with the best teacher I could have wished for, Roxy seemed to be still struggling with reading and writing. Homeschooling kept creeping into the back of mind, Christmas was approaching and I just kept asking Roxy how would she feel if she started “a new school” then a week before the last day of term she said something I’ll never forget. “Can I tell you something mummy? My head is telling me I should stay but my tummy is telling me that something needs to change” With tears in my eyes I said, “I think that’s what people call your gut instinct”. That night, I wrote the de-registration letter..
What do you like best about homeschooling? The best bit for me, is the freedom to work around our great British weather. When it’s a dry day, we can make the most of being outside. I believe that as humans we are drawn to nature and it just feels such a privilege for them to be able to enjoy the
day outside whenever possible, enjoying all the best bits of the seasons. During the summer, we do lots of water activities, meet with other homeschool families, museums, national parks and trips to beaches. In winter, we can go outside when the sun comes out, homeschool trips when the weather is dry and return home for activities when the weather isn’t as favorable ... That’s not to say we don’t dance in the rain too!
Is there a particular curriculum/ method that you follow? I generally continued to follow the national curriculum, taking pieces of work that are covered in Years One and Two (Roxy would be in Year Three if at school right now). Through
the
homeschool
groups
I
discovered that Twinkl (which I’m sure many lockdown parents are now familiar with!) was available to everyone and the resources are made by teachers and used by teachers all over the world. It was my comfort blanket knowing that I had all of it right there in front of me ready to download, print and receive guidance from. But, I think being the sole educator of your children takes you on a journey. Besides the national curriculum I wanted her to go back to doing more learning through play and most of our little projects tend to be child led. There are tonnes of different avenues you can follow to guide you but every family is so unique and of course every child is unique too. I’ve had to adapt to my child’s way of learning to suit her needs and right now in this moment of time, it works for us. Roxy is happy and enjoying learning.
"There are tonnes of different avenues you can follow to guide you but every family is so unique and of course every child is unique too."
How much time do you spend preparing every night for the next day? Quite honestly, I don’t feel the need to prepare every night before. The beauty of homeschooling is there tends to be more learning through experiences than sitting down with written learning. Being able to spend more time with Roxy, we’ve discovered she may be dyslexic. Right now I am treating her like she does have dyslexia until a diagnosis. This is where adapting our own take on the curriculum steps in, and researching into the best methods to teach Roxy specifically. I was recommended the Nessy online program by a homeschool mum. It’s designed to help students of all abilities learn to read, write, spell and type, especially those who learn differently, including: Mainstream. EAL. Homeschool and students with dyslexia. Both the resources at my fingertips and the children’s naturally inquisitive nature, tend to make preparations a very quick and easy task.
Do you have a daily schedule or rhythm?
on a method of teaching that can change at every turn, or rather has opportunity to learn/teach at every turn. I have to point out also, that this year has been quite tough to have rhythm to it. But slowly we gaining back what we used to do. Every Monday we now meet with homeschool children in a hall we’ve booked where Roxy gets time with her best friend she’s made since homeschooling! Every week has a theme and topic and each parent provides some resources at each table. On Wednesdays we have Spanish lessons with a wonderful Spanish tutor giving lessons to small groups of home schooled children. Thursday’s we often schedule a day out with homeschool friends such as the zoo or a nature walk with clipboards at the ready. Followed by Roxy’s zoom call piano lesson. Pre COVID we used to attend a large sports hall on Fridays with a PE teacher provided by the leisure centre and another group alternating between the two every other week. And this is why the question of socialisation with homeschooling gets blown out of the water! So many groups you just are spoilt for choice.
One of the early common misconceptions about home schooling is that you need to be putting the
What are your Children’s favourite subjects?
same amount of hours into teaching as a school does. Even if you have more than one child, your child gains one-on-one attention from you more often than what they receive at school. This dramatically cuts down the time you need to schedule for teaching, plus so many opportunities arise that you can't plan for. For example, today
Roxy tends to gravitate towards space (pun intended), science and recently she loves making animations with characters she’s made from clay, puppets, her toys or any object she can find! I’ve been involving her in my work and it’s lovely that we get to share this subject together. She’s a real little creative STEM girl. Xavier loves physical exercise or anything messy!
Roxy asked for tomato soup for lunch. Instead of going out and buying a tin, we had some beef tomatoes that needed using up in the fridge. Roxy asked if she could help me make it and in creeps the opportunity. Looking up ingredients, measuring, tasting, cause and effect, ratios, textures. I remember helping out at her school plenty of times and once we made pizzas with the class. What would take a whole afternoon in a class, takes around twenty minutes at home. So I have to remind myself that’s it’s not the quantity of time, it’s the quality of time I’m putting in to her education. So, I’ve found it’s hard to put a schedule
You are also a wedding photographer and animator! How does this work into your days? As I mentioned, Roxy has recently taken a keen interest into what goes into making animations. So she gets plenty of opportunities to be my assistant. Other times I get to do pieces of work while they are playing nicely (fingers crossed) together or while they are having downtime watching a movie and of course when they have gone to bed. My parents and my husband also help out with childcare when I need it but I’m lucky I am able to be quite flexible.
What books did you find were great to get you started or would help others decide if it is what they want to do? I haven’t been able to read as much as I would have liked to. But I was recommended The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart which I really enjoyed. Other books I can recommend are The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment. Free to Learn by Peter Gray. Weapons of Mass Instruction and Dumbing Us Down both by Taylor Gatto. Right now I’m reading a book on dyslexia called Defeat Dyslexia by Holly Swinton and Nicola Martin which is excellent if you find your child is having a hard time with literacy.
What advice would you give others thinking about homeschooling? Join lots of lovely groups online and in person. You will be amazed at how many families are out there homeschooling in the UK. For me, it was such an enlightening experience meeting with likeminded parents. I felt alone with my views on the school system until I met with them, it was quite emotional! Find inspiration and the courage through other peoples experiences. I always looked out for the teachers in the groups that homeschool their own children and the success stories of older children that led a homeschooled life all the way through to university. Trust yourself. You are your child’s biggest cheerleader. You always have been and always will be the person with their best interests at heart. You’ve been their parent from day dot and have done a wonderful job. Who’s to say you can’t continue that into their education? I also prefer the term “Home Education” over “Home Schooling”. Many families that start home educating their children need to de-school. Deschooling is the adjustment a child (and parent often too!) goes through when leaving schooling and beginning home education. You have to decompress and disconnect from “school” being the default and “school ways” being the standard expectation.
How have you found Lockdown? Lockdown homeschool is very very different to normal homeschool. It’s been very lonely at times and I’ve just felt really restricted. My thoughts have been with the parents that have been thrown into homeschooling wether they wanted to do it or not. We are fortunate to live around a lot of green space so have just been on countless numbers of walks. Roxy learned to ride her bike without stabilisers in the summer too so we made the most of bike rides together along the empty roads of lockdown. We really liked that part!
Do you think there will be more people willing to embrace homeschooling after this year? When I heard the whole country would be thrown into homeschooling I was excited because I suspected many families would continue to homeschool after lockdown. I just hope it hasn’t had the adverse effect, because as I mentioned above, it’s been so different to the very sociable homeschool that we are used to. You find strength in your community and to enjoy homeschooling it’s nice to have other families to experience it with. When lockdown happened, the floodgates of panicked parents were opened into the homeschool Facebook groups. It was upsetting to see so many mothers doubting their abilities to homeschool during lockdown. Many needed a lot of reassurance which I’m happy to say was given to them by the homeschooling community. To me, children will always want to move forwards, never backwards.
So even if they didn’t get to complete work set out by the school during lockdown, they still would have moved forwards being with their families during a time family was needed most.
Do you have anything special planned for Christmas this year? Lots of food and downtime of just being together! We will be switching off our phones and indulging in the many craft projects we’ve asked Father Christmas for. Playing on the Nintendo Switch together as a family and I’ve also bought our first monopoly board game to play together, wish us luck on that one!
Have you any goals for 2021? I want to become a minimalist mum! It’s been a long journey but I’m nearly at the place I visualised myself to be. So far it’s been such a freeing experience and I’ve loved learning about it on You Tube, Netflix, Ted Talks and in Podcasts. We are also planning on having a dog join our family in 2021 too!
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TIPS FOR MAKING TO SWITCH TO CLOTH!
TRENDS
By The Nappy Gurus!
The Nappy Gurus was originally founded in 2010, the brain child of Laura Davies, who recognised a need to make reusable nappies more accessible. A team of reusable nappy experts was assembled, offering support and advice to parents all over the country. Relaunched in 2019, The Nappy Gurus are reaching more people than ever, and with a firm ethos of "support not sales" their impact in the cloth community is significant! In our homes and our lifestyles, the “Attenborough Effect” is playing a significant role in our changing attitudes to waste, and single use products. In more recent times, lockdown measures have also led many families to opt for reusable household items, eliminating the fear of being impacted by panic buying behaviour. Nappies are one area where a marked shift is being noted, with an increasing number of parents choosing to ditch the disposables in favour of eco-friendly, reusable options. Here are 5 tips from The Nappy Gurus to help make the transition to cloth nappies a breeze:
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. 1
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To be sure that you use the right system to suit you, it is a great idea to try a few different brands before investing in a full stash. See if there is a Nappy Library in your area, or pick up a Starter Pack https://www.thenappygurus.com/nappystarter-packs.html
DON’T JUST DITCH THE NAPPIES.. ..ditch the wipes too. Washable wipes are a no-brainer – they are chemical free, more effective and will save you a small fortune.
DON’T GET OVERWHELMED 3
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With so many options it can be difficult not to feel overwhelmed. Get a free personalised recommendation from a Nappy Guru. https://www.thenappygurus.com/nappyadvi ce.html
ASK THE COUNCIL See if your local council offers an incentive. Some will provide cash vouchers, or free starter kits to encourage people to make the swap https://www.thenappygurus.com/councilnap pyschemes.html
GIVE IT A GO! Just give it a go! The best way to start understanding the nappies is to start using them. Get stuck in and it will all slot into place.
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A PANDEMIC BIRTH STORY.
By Charlotte Millar
Having a baby at any point in your life is overwhelming at the best of times. Let alone during a global pandemic. Here I share my birth story, what it was like to go through the induction process, and give birth to a baby during the first peak and national lockdown.
Friday 3rd April… I experienced reduced movements from Evelyn. However, I didn’t want to go into hospital unnecessarily during a pandemic to be told everything was fine and be sent home again. Over the weekend her movements picked up but then dropped again come Monday. I reluctantly went to get checked out. After being told off by the midwives for not going in sooner, I was told everything was fine and sent home. With the instruction to call if they reduced again. Tuesday 7th April, I had little to no movement. I rang the pregnancy advice line and was advised to get checked out. I head to my local hospital where I was greeted by Rachel. A midwife I’d come in to contact with many times – a true gem! She was dressed in her PPE ( plastic apron, gloves and face mask ) and as she popped me on the monitor, she took a full set of observations. Asking if I’d any symptoms of Covid-19 – which I hadn’t. I was observed for 20 minutes and baby was perfectly fine, but had hardly moved. As I was 37 weeks, and had been contracting for 10 weeks, she offered to examine me and see where we were at. Turns out I was 1cm, and she offered a sweep. I had the sweep and was told to
really pay attention to baby's movements. If they hadn’t increased by dinner time, I was to call the advice line again. I went home and bounced on my birthing ball, hoping to either have baby kick up a storm, or to go into labour. Neither happened. 5pm and I ring the advice line again, explaining what had been going on. I was sent to delivery triage to get checked over again. Due to hospital regulations, Liam was not allowed with me. I had to go in alone.
A Surreal Experience… When I arrived, all midwives were in full PPE and scrubs. It was weird and overwhelming. I was incredibly anxious and not having Liam there made it worse. However I had a lovely midwife who eased my anxiety straight away. We were checked over, and baby was fine. The Dr on shift had a look at my pregnancy history, and considering the reduced movement episodes advised an induction. But a natural as possible induction without hormones. This is because I was already contracting (like I’d been for weeks) and they didn’t want to risk making them uncontrollable. So it was decided that I was to have a Foley catheter inserted. Its a small balloon that’s inserted and inflated with air or water to naturally encourage the cervix to open. I had this inserted at around 9/10pm and then I was then left to try and get some sleep.
When I arrived, they got me settled. I unpacked my candles and got my oil roller out, the midwives set up the candles for me and shut all the blinds to make it dark. It instantly became a calm, relaxing space. They told me I could ring Liam and he could come join me. This made me extremely happy as they said things could progress quickly if waters were broken. Boy were they right! My waters were broken at 5.30pm My contractions started pretty much straight away. Evelyn’s heart rate dropped so I had to be checked to ensure the cord hadn’t prolapsed. It hadn’t , but I had to lay on my side. Liam arrived not long after and I face timed my mum to give her an update.
At 6pm things got super intense very quickly. I was 3cm. My contractions were now back to back. I was using gas and air and trying my hardest to implement Hypnobirthing breathing The next morning I was moved down to the techniques. Gas and air makes me high as a antenatal ward. Liam dropped off a bag of kite, I was more talkative during this labour drinks and snacks for me, I had to meet him by compared to Molly’s though. My mum was still on face time through all of this. Her and Liam the lifts as he wasn’t allowed on the ward. The were talking and even the midwives catheter fell out around 9am. I was checked and was dilated just over 1cm. They decided to insert a tablet to help get things going, this was left in for 6 hours. The plan was that once that 6 hours had passed, if nothing had progressed, I would be taken to delivery and have my waters broken. I spent the day on my own. The small room I was in had three other empty beds. So I was quite bored. I ate snacks, watched Disney+ and face-timed my mum and Liam continuously as well as having the odd nap. To some that my sound perfect, but I hated being alone. I paced round the room to try and get things going but nothing was working.
It All Happened Quickly.
4.30pm came and I was checked. I was told I hadn’t progressed an awful lot, and was taken to delivery to see if they could break my waters.
were joining in the conversation, including my mum with everything. I was checked at around 7.15 and was told I was 4cm dilated, they also put a clip on baby’s head so they could take off the Doppler from around my stomach - as I was on my side, they weren’t getting a clear reading.
30 Minutes Later… I don’t know if it’s just me that did this during labour, but with Molly, I reached a point where I asked for an epidural. This was when I was 10cm and about to push. Well, the same thing happened this time. At around 7.45 I asked, no begged, for an epidural. The midwife said she needed to examine me to see how far gone I was. As I went to turn from my side to my back, my body started to push, uncontrollably ( if you know, you know! ) and suddenly they could see Evelyn’s head crowning. The midwife pressed the emergency bell to ask for help as nobody was expecting her to be coming quite so quickly, considering I was 4cm 30 minutes earlier. Suddenly the room was full of midwives, Evelyn’s heart rate dropped so I was quickly rolled onto my right side, with a midwife holding my leg. Then 10 minutes and three pushes later, Miss Evelyn Elizabeth entered the world at 7.56pm. She was placed onto my chest, and Liam cut her cord. Guess what? My mum got to witness the whole thing via face time – completely unintentional, but I am so glad that she did. I then delivered the placenta. I had a small bleed, but nothing compared to my first birth with Molly. However, I will say this though, after pains are a horrendous! I do not remember having these with Molly and apparently they get worse with every child you have. I also needed stitches as I had a small internal second degree tear. Once clean and dressed it was around 11pm and I was moved to the postnatal ward. Liam wasn’t allowed up to the ward, so he wet home. Evelyn and I had our first night together. No sleep, lots of boob and lots of skin to skin cuddles…It was perfect. The midwives on shift that night were so lovely, bringing me copious amounts of tea and the odd cheeky biscuit!
Meeting Her Big Sister...
The Next Day… The following morning was spent with Evelyn having all her checks and tests. She had to have a glucose test done, but it came back fine. I had my checks done and all was also good. Just like last time, I struggled to get a good latch, and had the most amazing support from a lactation specialist midwife. I was hand expressing colostrum between feeds and saving it in 1ml syringes to try and encourage my milk to come in and also having lots of skin to skin with Evelyn. I used cloth nappies in the hospital, and had so many questions and compliments from the midwives. They were happy to see someone using cloth and couldn’t believe how easy it was! I drank more tea and got myself ready to go home whilst watching This Morning. There was a lot of waiting around if I’m honest. Because of the virus, the hospital were short staffed. But, at around 2pm we were finally allowed home! A lovely midwife helped me down to the main doors to meet Liam as he wasn’t allowed in to meet me. We then set off home. I was gutted that nobody could come to the hospital, that Molly couldn’t have the normal sibling experience of going to the hospital to meet baby sister. If I am honest, It broke my heart a little.
When we arrived home we placed Evelyn in the Moses basket. I gave Molly a huge cuddle, and we introduced her to her little sister. We managed to record the moment they met. Molly was besotted from the get go. Stroking Evelyn’s head, and saying “baby is cute” as well as asking to "hold baby". It was honestly one of the most magical moments I have experienced. Molly has been the best big sister ever since. She has helped with feeding, changing nappies and just been. incredibly loving I couldn’t have wished for anything better.
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Hypnobirthing - does it work?
LAURA STOCKS @BIRTHMOTHERME
Hypnobirthing, it’s an awful name, conjuring up images of hippies birthing in a field. If you don’t want to birth like that, then why should you look into it? Right?
I hope in this article I can describe to you the benefits of a hypnobirthing course and how it can help you to achieve the birth that you want whatever that looks like!
Through learning and practising breathing techniques you are able to be in control of your own emotional, physical and mental relaxation and this is why hypnobirthing techniques are described as tools for life. They help you to We know from research, that what makes focus, to feel in control in the face of overwhelm a positive birth story is one where the birthing and to quieten your mind to allow your body to mother feels in control of the process and part do exactly what it was made to do. of the decision making process. That might seem obvious to you! But mothers who haven’t The hypnobirthing practice creates a done any preparation for their birth can very stronger connection with your mind and body quickly reach a feeling of overwhelm and just allowing you to actually listen to the needs of fall into a state of submission to the healthcare your body. From birth planning to listening to professionals. And these women tell their what you want and what feels right for you, friends and families the stories about their births right through to how to breathe and how to and how they felt during labour and move during labour. You get to be the one somewhere along the line, the narrative of birth calling the shots, allowing your body and baby has changed and it has become something to to lead the way. fear. It doesn’t have to be this way. It’s really important to acknowledge that a We are women, we yearn for control in all hypnobirthing practice doesn’t focus on a environments - let me show you how you can particular outcome for your birth. There is no still be in control of bringing your baby judgement or pressure to birth a certain way. It earthside. doesn’t make promises of quick or ‘pain free’ births and honestly, anyone that claims such A hypnobirthing course firstly educates you on things are just lying. It’s a practice that takes the physiology of birth. By being able to commitment to listening to your relaxation understand what is happening, when, and why tracks, to connect your mind and body, to work you are feeling what you’re feeling, so much of on what feels right for you. And as long as the overwhelm that comes from the threat of the you’ve followed that path - that everything unknown is totally negated. You will also learn along your birthing journey has felt right for you your choices and the options available to you at - then I know that you’ll be looking back at your every step along your pregnancy and birth birth story with joy and pride and that’s how journey. every mother deserves to start their postpartum period. So if something happens during your labour that brings a twist that you weren’t expecting, And that’s also something I cover in my you’ve heard about this twist before, you know hypnobirthing and antenatal classes with the repercussions, the knock on effects, the couples/mothers - the expectations for those benefits or the limitations to said twist. You first hours, weeks and months. Because we know it already and are coming from a place know that if we are aware of what’s coming, of knowledge and thus, power. then we can adjust our expectations and make plans for it to be the best it can be.
And I’m not talking about what is shared on social media - that’s all just snapshots of what people want you to see. I’m talking about the honest reality, to help you to feel confident, ready and empowered to welcome your baby. If you take anything away from this, I want you to know that everything you need to birth your baby is within you. You are your own birth force. I’d really recommend a hypnobirthing course to enable you to strip back all the negative connotations of birth, to be able to give your mind and body the tools to connect and breathe into the sensations of labour. If you can find your rhythm and focus your mind, you will absolutely have the ability to own your birth experience and find the joy.
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AT HOME WITH LITTLE PAPER SWAN Welcome to our first 'At Home With' a feature where we discuss interiors, inspiration, and all things Instagram. Cathryn Wood from Little Paper Swan is the first to face our questions – one of our favourite content creators due to her seemingly endless creativity. One of the things we love about Cathryn is the community she has built on Instagram through her magical hashtag challenges. Cathryn is a digital content creator and creative, who blogs as well as taking incredible creative photographs. Most recently she has launched a range of pre-sets for your own photos, and tutorials inspiring others in their photography journey.
How did Little Paper Swan start? Back in 2012. At the time I was at uni (before dropping out) I loved fashion blogs so I created my own. If you scroll back far enough on my blog you can see all the posts. I then started an Instagram account a few months later. However it wasn't until 2018 that I took my Instagram seriously.
What’s it like raising two girls? Amazingly beautiful chaos. There's plenty of love, plenty of bickering and constant high energy. I wouldn't change it for the world!
What do you like most about your family lifestyle? I love the fact my job fits around us. Although that quite often means I don't get as much time as I would like, it means I can be there for every school run!
What do you like most about your job? Getting creative. I love nothing more than being giving a brief and being asked to make magic. For me visuals are everything.
You have the most beautiful Instagram feed! Where do you get your inspiration from? Everywhere. From walks out, in those rare peaceful moments, from Instagram to Pinterest. Inspiration is literally everywhere.
What’s the story behind your home? Our house is rented. One day we will buy. But we're in no rush. We moved here in 2017, while I was 28 weeks pregnant with our youngest. It's not immaculate but it's full of love!
What’s your philosophy when it comes to decorating White walls, brighter accessories. I have to have light. It's the biggest thing for me. I couldn't imagine living in a house that wasn't full of light!!
Where do you shop for decor items? Some high street stores, like H&M. Bargain stores too and I LOVE a good charity shop find too!
Which room in your house is your favourite? Edie's room. I would move in haha. It's so pretty even though it's the smallest room in the house!!!
What’s your favourite piece of art/furniture you own? Oooh, it has to be my Oyoy Rainbow Wall Rug. We did have it downstairs until we got our naughty kitten. Now it's safely up in Norah's room!
What are your thoughts on children’s stuff taking over? Is it in every room? Or do you keep it all to one space? It's everywhere hahah! But we have toyboxes that conceal things so at the end of the day it's mostly put away. To be honest I want our house to look like kids live there too. It's home for them. And toys are part and parcel of having kids!
How would you describe your personal style? Eeeekk! Erm, eclectic? I kind of just like what I like!
Are you excited for Christmas this year? What plans have you got? I am. We're going to have a magical December. Full of advent activities and fun. As for actual Christmas who knows, it's looking like we can have our small get together as normal so fingers crossed that's what happens!
How would you summarise 2020? Unexpected, eventful but together. It's the most time we've spent together and although things got tough sometimes, we were together and healthy!
What have you learnt from this year? That you can't plan everything. That sometimes you need to put things aside and come back to them! It wasn't the year I expected at all. But we've survived it. Just!
What are your aims for 2021? Write a book! It's been my goal forever and I will do it!! And potentially expand my business into teaching and coaching...Who knows!
You can find Cath over at @littlepapreswan on Instagram or on her website http://www.littlepaperswans.com/
Five things we are loving right now CHARLOTTE
1
All the stationery. January will see a new routine for us as a family. I need to get back into the swing of things in regards to having a daily rhythm to follow because at the moment we don’t and it’s driving me crazy! I have my Fox Weekly planner that I adore and plan to utilise more in 2021.
2
Children’s Subscription Boxes. We have monthly boxes from Flo & Fawn, Mud & Bloom and Avocado Kids - we love them all!! The first two are nature based activity boxes. They are extremely well thought out and are full to the brim of seasonal things to do. Avocado Kids is a children's cooking subscription. You “visit” a different country each month and makes dishes from that country -so much fun!
3
Everything spiritual. Things like crystals, incense, meditation, yoga that help me feel more mindful and “in the moment”. I'm trying to change habits, especially with when it comes to balancing work and home life.
4
Reading. I have been loving Buddhism for parents by Sarah Naphtali and I love it. She talks about everything from parenting mindfully, finding calm, dealing with anger and so much more. The other book I have been loving recently is The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies. I have been putting both books into practice and have truly seen such a difference. Highly recommend both books!
5
All things festive! This year has been different, as it has for so many of us. We may not be able to see friends or family, but for Liam and I, as parents we want to make this the most magical one yet - so far so good!
SMALL BIZ LOVE
BECQUI
No Drama Llama Quilt £59.99 Ickle Pickle Co
Woodland Gnome Doll £26 BOKUNOshop
1
Choosing a few beautifully made ‘special’ items for baby. I’m expecting a baby girl in the spring, and a combination of her being the second child, numerous friends donating their baby items, and an eBay addiction means that I feel like I can treat her to a few lovely items. I’ve bought a doll from @bokounoshop and I’m eyeing up a beautiful quilt from @icklepickleco.
2
Writing cards and letters. Not just Christmas cards, but throughout 2020 I got into the habit of sending post – and its definitely something I want to keep up through 2021 and beyond.
3
Mid-year diaries. No pressure to start a new blank page on January the 1st!
4
Hypnobirthing. I was so excited to see that @birthmotherme was contributing her hypnobirthing 101 introduction to this issue as I keep meaning to get my butt in gear and book onto a course.
5
I need to say it don’t I? Mince pies! I can’t stop myself. Even if you are reading this on Jan 31st right before our next issue comes out, I will put good money on the fact that I’ll still be eating mince pies.
SEE PAGE 19
Cards by Jade Fisher various prices Papier
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HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY ECO-CHRISTMAS By Becqui Jean Christmas is a time that is characterised by kindness, by generosity, through celebrating and gathering with family and friends. This year is one that has seen families separated, unable to see one another, and with the year drawing to a close in the midst of more uncertainty – for many of us, we’ll be looking to make this Christmas extra special. Whilst I wholeheartedly endorse going above and beyond to make the day special, it's also a chance to really look at what makes Christmas so memorable and exciting. Whilst yes, piles of presents are always greeted by shrieks of glee, my favourite memories are about the times spent together. Of tree decorating, stirring the five pence into the Christmas pudding, sipping hot coffee at a ridiculous time on Christmas morning with my sister and mum waiting for the rest of the house to wake up. If being more sustainable is something that’s important to your family, why don’t you start a new tradition this year and incorporate some of our ideas below into your festive celebrations.. We’d love to hear from you if you try any of these tips, or if you share on social media use the hashtag #simplytogethermag
Wrapping paper Approximately 108 million rolls of wrapping paper will end up in the bin, in Britain alone, this Christmas. Whilst we all love the fun of opening a beautifully wrapped present, there a few things you can do to cut down on the amount of wastage. Choose recyclable paper. Curlicue are a UK based company that make recyclable wrapping paper for all occasions. The paper is itself made from recycled paper and printed using vegetable based inks. Use plain brown paper, Alternatively why not make your own wrapping paper? Plain brown paper is easily recyclable, widely available and there are so many fun ways it can be turned into something beautiful.
Christmas Themed Clothes Did you know that one in four Christmas jumpers will only be worn once, before being discarded? We buy them for their joy, their cheeriness, their whimsical nature – but to only wear it once? There’s a simple solution to this… wear last years! Buy a better quality jumper with the intention of wearing and styling it for several years, not just for Christmas but all winter long. Or even better – try buying second hand. For kids especially, as they probably won’t get several years wear out of a jumper, a quick search on eBay shows up hundreds of results.
Gift Buying I’m saying this in a year where we all want to show our love to our friends and families, and gifts are sometimes a lovely way to do that. To know that whilst you can’t hug gran, she can be snuggled up in a fluffy jumper from you – well that’s sending your love in a way you can all feel. But if you are looking to be more sustainable, then really look at the gifts you send. Make handmade gifts for family and friends. Or why don’t you do something a bit different for the family this year? Buy vouchers from your favourite restaurant, for when we can gather again – supporting your local small businesses, and being sustainable? That’s a tick in all the right boxes!
Handmade Decorations There are loads of simple ideas for handmade festive decorations, and my favourite thing about these is that they are a two-in-one deal. Make them with your children and the crafting side will keep them entertained, and then you get a beautiful decoration for your home at the end. See the next page for our handmade garland!
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DIY FESTIVE GARLAND A simple festive garland contrasting two beautiful natural elements - A Popcorn & Cranberry Festive Garland
Have you heard about this tradition before? It’s an American one, and I have recollections of reading about it as a child and it is something that has always stuck with me. So this year I decided to have a go at making my own. It's so simple, beautiful, I love the different textures and the natural elements. It can easily be made so that it lasts, and if packed away carefully can be used year and year again. Alternatively leave the popcorn and cranberries au naturel and they can be fed to the birds after being used as decorations!
Directions
Pick
through
the
cranberries,
discard any that are a bit mushy! Instructions What you will need: Popcorn that you have popped on the stove (not microwave!) Fresh cranberries Fishing line or Thread, and a needle If you are wanting to make a garland that lasts year after year, some clear varnish.
Next, make your popcorn. I saw a tip to do this a day or two before, to make sure it dries out a bit so isn't so brittle. Thread your needle and knot the string at one end. Measure out how long you want the garland to be and add extra if you want to hang it on something. Plan
out
your
design
before
beginning, do you want to alternate cranberry/popcorn/cranberry
or
create a more imaginative pattern? Once
you
planned
have begin
your
pattern
stringing
the
popcorn and cranberries on. I found it easiest to thread the popcorn if you pushed the needle through the chunkier middle bit, the edges of the kernel tend to crumble! Once
you
have
reached
your
desired length, secure with another knot. *If varnishing, at this point you will want to spray with the clear varnish and leave to dry* Display and enjoy!
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What
Christmas
Means To Me...
"CHRISTMAS ISN'T A SEASON. IT'S A FEELING." —EDNA FERBER Christmas can be crazy and chaotic, but also a beautiful and meaningful time of year. I like listening to the classic carols, looking at the twinkling lights and elaborate decorations. But most of all, I love time together with family and friends. I remember making wish lists as a kid by going through the toy section of the Argos catalogue. Picking out what looked the most fun! When gifts were under the tree, I would shake the wrapped presents, trying to determine what was in there. As an adult, Christmas to me is about love. Not only for ourselves and our families, but for the world. It is about giving, not just gifts, but support and thanks. Christmas is a time to be grateful for the year that has passed and to look forward to the year that is to come. Not a time to dwell on what was not, or what could have been, relationships lost, dreams not met. It is a time to look up, look forward and to be happy and positive about what you do have. Christmas is about giving, to those who need it more than you, whether it be your time, a smile, a friendly hand, food or a gift. It is about helping to make someone else’s day a little happier than before. It is about community. All of the above are things that we want to teach our girls as they grow up. To still have the most magical time, but to also make it magical for others!
WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO OTHERS I would say Christmas is about getting to spend time with family. Getting to play all those board games that normally sit in the cupboards all year round. Also, covering the house in as many decorations as possible and eating far too many snacks! Jessica from @itsjesslouise Christmas is about spending time with my family. With no interruptions and no rushing or time limits. It is important to spend as much time as possible with family, not just at Christmas, but in general. My Grandad will be 92 this December and we always go to church on Christmas Eve. We sing carols together and then come home and play Monopoly! Naomi from @naomirosec Christmas to me is a foghorn of noise. A house full of people and barely anywhere to sit. It's going to the loo for a few minutes peace. It's the constant snacking throughout the day until dinner is ready. The silence that fills the house after dinner because we are so full and we need a moment. Christmas is always mental, but its my favourite day of the year. There is nothing better than being surrounded by loved ones, with smiles on their faces and a house full of laughter. -Alice from @alicejanepotter Where everyone comes together to make it as magical as possible for the children in the family. -Kayleigh from @kayleigh492
For me it's about time spent with family, really enjoying each others company. Watching films and doing puzzles. Endless quiz games - girls vs boys and it getting fiercely competitive! Accidentally getting too tipsy and eating lots of cheese. With us all being adults now, it's the one time of year where we all just let go and have fun as a family! -Katie from @awaywithkatie
Being able to spend time with family, where everyone is happy and jolly! My dad wasn't around much when I was a child as he worked a lot, so having him around and not rushing to work is one of the best things about Christmas to me. -Rachel from @rachelcalter Christmas for me means home. Not necessarily YOUR home per se, but the place you FEEL like home. For me it's my family home - the house I grew up with my parents, siblings and all our children. Just being surrounded by the people who are my safe place and where I am my happiest. -Rachael from @fromrachael_claire
Christmas to me means family and friends. Spending time with all the people you love. The people who know you best and who love you back. -Donna from @donnas_diaries_
A
BOOKISH REVIEW
With Rachael from @bookish_girl
Hi, I'm Rachael. I am 28 and from Manchester! I have been a book lover since being a young child when my mum used to read to me. It has always been my main passion and hobby. It’s how I spend the majority of my free time when I’m not parenting! I am lucky enough to receive advanced copies of books from publishers which is honestly the dream and I can't wait to share them with you! My favourite genres include; fantasy, romance and thrillers, although I will read anything!
THE 24-HOUR CAFE BY LIBBY PAGE SYNOPSIS: “Welcome to the café that never sleeps. Day and night Stella’s Café opens its doors for the lonely and the lost, the morning people and the night owls. It is many things to many people but most of all it is a place where life can wait at the door. A place of small kindnesses. A place where anyone can be whoever they want, where everyone is always welcome. Meet Hannah and Mona: best friends, waitresses, dreamers. They work at Stella’s but they dream of more, of leaving the café behind and making their own way in life. Come inside and spend twenty-four hours at
Stella’s Café; a day when Hannah and Mona’s friendship will be tested, when the community will come together and when lives will be changed…”
REVIEW: This is the first book I have read by Libby Page (she is also the author of the very popular fiction, The Lido) and it won’t be the last! I completely fell in love with her writing style, the characters she created & how she really makes you embrace and take on all their emotions. No plot line felt too far fetched, which is where some books can really fail for me. A very pleasant surprise for me was how, not only did we see the perspectives of Hannah & Mona, we also explored various people coming into the café - and were given glimpses into their lives. Even though we only see a tiny snippet of their life, you instantly feel connected & envision what they’re seeing, going through & feeling.
Hannah & Mona are best friends, perfectly written. My heart broke for them & I love that Libby really put an emphasis on, not only how amazingly powerful female friendship is, but also how HARD it can be. They might not always see eye to eye but the connection they have is incredible. Kindred spirits. The pacing of the book is great, it starts off quite slow (not in a boring way) and then really speeds up as we get further on into the day - the way a cafe gets busier - which I found really clever. It really builds up over the 24 hours! This book had me grinning, laughing and crying (and I haven’t cried at a book in so long!) but trust me, there’s one particular storyline that will break you! LINK: The 24-Hour Café: An uplifting story of friendship, hope and following your dreams from the top ten bestseller: Amazon.co.uk: Page, Libby: 9781409175247: Books
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5 BOOKS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2021
THE ROAD TRIP BY BETH O’LEARY RELEASE - 29TH APRIL 2021 SYNOPSIS: Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in rural Scotland. The playlist is all planned and the snacks are packed.But, not long after setting off, a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver is none other than Addie's ex, Dylan, who she's avoided since their traumatic breakup two years earlier. Dylan and his best mate are heading to the wedding too, and they've totalled their car, so Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon jam-packed full of luggage and secrets, and with four hundred miles ahead of them, Dylan and Addie can't avoid confronting the very messy history of their relationship... Will they make it to the wedding on time? And, more importantly... is this really the end of the road for Addie and Dylan? LINK: The Road Trip: The heart-warming new novel from the author of The Flatshare and The Switch: Amazon.co.uk: O'Leary, Beth: 9781529409055: Books
SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN BY WENDY HEARD - RELEASE - 30TH MARCH 2021 SYNOPSIS: The summer is winding down in San Diego. Veronica is bored, caustically charismatic, and uninspired in her photography. Nico is insatiable, subversive, and obsessed with chaotic performance art. They're artists first, best friends second. But that was before Mick. Delicate, lonely, magnetic Mick: the perfect subject, and Veronica's dream girl. The days are long and hot--full of adventure--and soon they are falling in love. Falling so hard, they never imagine what comes next. One fire. Two murders. Three drowning bodies. One suspect . . . one stalker. This is a summer they won't survive. LLINK : She's Too Pretty to Burn: Amazon.co.uk: Heard, Wendy: Books
MALIBU RISING BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID RELEASE - MAY 27TH 2021 SYNOPSIS: Malibu: August, 1983. It's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over-especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva. By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family's generations will all come bubbling to the surface. LINK : Malibu Rising: Amazon.co.uk: Jenkins Reid, Taylor: 9781786331526: Books
HOW WE FALL APART BY KATIE ZHAO RELEASE - AUGUST 3RD 2021 SYNOPSIS: Nancy Luo is shocked when her former best friend, Jamie Ruan, top ranked junior at Sinclair Prep, goes missing, and then is found dead. Nancy is even more shocked when word starts to spread that she and her friends--Krystal, Akil, and Alexander--are the prime suspects, thanks to The Proctor, someone anonymously incriminating them via the school's social media app. They all used to be Jamie's closest friends, and she knew each of their deepest, darkest secrets. Now, somehow The Proctor knows them, too. The four must uncover the true killer before The Proctor exposes more than they can bear and costs them more than they can afford, like Nancy's full scholarship. Soon, Nancy suspects that her friends may be keeping secrets from her, too. LLINK: How We Fall Apart: Amazon.co.uk: Zhao, Katie: Books
BETWEEN PERFECT AND REAL BY RAY STOEVE - RELEASE - 15TH APRIL 2021 SYNOPSIS: Dean Foster knows he's a trans guy. He's watched enough YouTube videos and done enough questioning to be sure. But everyone at his high school thinks he's a lesbian--including his girlfriend Zoe, and his theater director, who just cast him as a "nontraditional" Romeo. He wonders if maybe it would be easier to wait until college to come out. But as he plays Romeo every day in rehearsals, Dean realizes he wants everyone to see him as he really is now--not just on the stage, but everywhere in his life. Dean knows what he needs to do. Can playing a role help Dean be his true self?
Children's books! 54| S I M P L Y T O G E T H E R
THE CHRISTMASAURAS & THE WINTER WITCH BY TOM FLETCHER The spellbinding sequel to Tom Fletcher's bestselling magical adventure, The Christmasaurus. Age: 7-11 years
THE TICKLE BOOK BY IAN WHYBROW A lift-the-flap book all about the ticklemonster, making his way around all the different animals. Age: 2-6 years
KINDNESS IS MY SUPERPOWER BY ALICIA ORTEGO A beautiful book about empathy, kindness & compassion. Age - 6 months to 11 years
THE FOUR SEASONS BY FIONA WATT A musical board book that introduces all the seasons, with bright colours & dye-cut layers. Age: 6 months+
THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON BY KELLY BARNHILL Full of magic, adventure & family love. Age: 9-13 years
PICK A PINE TREEBY PATRICIA TOHT Lovely festive read all about picking a christmas tree & the importance of family.Age: 3+ years
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The Top Mince Pies Of 2020
Mince Pies. The Marmite of the festive world (or is that Christmas pudding?) You either love them, or you hate them. Although there is a third camp, and that’s people like me who love them with an almost indecent passion. Which is why I’ve taken on the most arduous of tasks, and eaten my way through as many mince pies as I could get my mitts on in order to rank the best of the best for you mince pie lovers out there. I know, it’s a hard life, but someone’s got to do it. So without further ado, here’s my mince pie round up. Asda – Extra Special Mince Pies - £1.79 for 4 ‘AC pieAI’d likeHto S take to bed…’ those TC OM E WA V Eare S the I Nwords that fell out of my mouth before I decided I had better take this whole ‘writing an article like a food critic’ thing a little more seriously. But lets get real, it’s deep, its full to the brim of gorgeously textured mincemeat, pastry could be a shade lighter but was crisp and delicious. Why wouldn’t you want to take it to bed? Asda – Free From Mince Pies (Gluten Free & Milk Free) - £1.50 for 4 These are gluten free, and vegan friendly – nice moist fruit inside with a good balance of spice and citrus. Decent pastry that doesn’t fall apart immediately (as so often is the case with gluten free pastry!). The sprinkle of caster sugar on top as opposed to icing sugar is a nice touch as it brings a crispness to the topping. Their only let down is there isn't a whiff of alcohol to them! Aldi – Luxury Frangipane Mince Pies - £1.99 for 6 Aldi brings a range of mince pies with a ‘twist’ to the table this year. But these were my favourite. I love almonds, but had a wariness about me when trying this, thinking of over-sweet bakewells. However the frangipane was deliciously light, and contrasted a sweet mincemeat base. A tiny bit dry, but heavenly served with a dollop of warm custard. Waitrose – Night Before Christmas Mince Pies - £3.50 for 6 Mince with B y pies J o ymade ce W r icarrot g h t and caraway shortcrust pastry, with a rich mincemeat of vine fruits, carrot, clementine and laced with cream sherry with a sachet of smoky sugar to sprinkle. I'm including these, but I have to be honest, they did confuse Photographs by Mark Halberg me! Definitely not a traditional mince pie in any way shape or form, so don't buy them if you are after those classic flavours. Instead you have a slightly savoury pastry with a deliciously sweet filling, and an extra bit of sprinkle adding an extra texture. Not at all what I expected, but a nice treat nonetheless! Co-Op – All Butter Pastry, Mini Mince Pie Selection Box - £2.50 for 9 Almond & Pecan, Brandy Buttercream, Luxury Classic The cutest dinkiest little pastry cases, beautifully decorated. I was IN THE SPOTLIGHT NOMADIC | 24 expected them to be on the dry side as mini mince pies so often are but they surprised with mouthfuls of flavour. A great selection, with the almond and pecan providing something a bit different!
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CHOCOLATE PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD BISCUITS RECIPE & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNIE MAE HERRING @THECULINARYBEE Edible presents are the best kind of presents right? These lovely little shortbreads are beautiful enough to make a very special gift... if they last long enough to get wrapped up that is!
Ingredients
Method
(For the Shortbread)
1) Turn your oven to 170 degrees.
150g plain flour 100g chilled salted butter 50g golden caster sugar 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla extract Pinch of salt 100g of Your favourite chocolate, melted 50g finely chopped pistachios (Optional) flakey salt to serve
2) In mixing bowl, add all of the Shortbread ingredients together. Use your fingers to combine the ingredients until it resembles breadcrumbs, and when squeezed together it forms a dough. 3)Set in the fridge for 20 minutes. Once chilled, roll out to 1cm thickness. Either using a cookie cutter or shaping them into fingers, cut your preferred shape. 4) Lay each shortbread onto a prepared baking tray. Sprinkle a heaped teaspoon of caster sugar over the shortbread. Then, pop in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before adding the chocolate. 5) Melt the chocolate, and finely chopped pistachios in the
meantime.
Either
completely
submerge
each
shortbread in the chocolate or drizzle and scatter the nuts over! I also like to add a small pinch of salt over each shortbread, but this step is entirely optional!
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Good Tidings. SHARING SOME OF THE POSITIVE THINGS TO HAVE HAPPENED DURING 2020.
Same-sex marriage legalized in Costa Rica The President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado congratulated the couple saying, “you have begun in law what has existed in love.” Costa Rica is the sixth country in Latin America to do so. The legalization of same-sex marriage is one step further in realizing full and equal rights for all of the LGBTQ community world wide
Pollution levels dropped significantly Because the entire world was quarantined because of the pandemic, the planet received the chance to have a well deserved breather. Pollution levels dropped significantly all over the world as transports and businesses were stopped. Just in 2019, the air quality levels had stooped so low that it was declared as a health emergency All we did was sit at home and the climate changed drastically, just imagine if we consciously put an effort toward the cause! We could save a great deal of damage and maybe even start to repair our beautiful planet.
Our oceans may not be totally doomed after all. In one of the more hopeful climate reviews as of late, a group of scientists projected that marine life could recover from human intervention in the next 30 years if policies around overfishing,
pollution,
and
habitat
restoration
are
implemented swiftly. "Recovery rates across studies suggest that substantial recovery of the abundance, structure and function of marine life could be achieved by 2050, if major pressures—including climate change—are mitigated.”
Step it up!
Family reunion – cat missing for three
A new map is being put together and it will
years reunited with UK Owner
connect all of Great Britain’s towns and cities-
53 year old Keith Bigland from Fenland in
and thousand of its villages- by footpath. Giving
Cambridgeshire was “distraught” when his late
people
encouraging
mother’s pet cat, Biscuit, disappeared in 2017
people to walk more and drive less! It’s still in
after escaping from their home. But Mr Bigland
development but it will be free to download at
and his wife Su were in disbelief when a local
slowways.uk
vet called them last Wednesday to say their
the
opportunity
and
fluffy gold and white pet, now aged 14, had
The power of...Beer? Over 150k litres of Undrunk beer (that would
been handed in after he was spotted just over one kilometre from their house.
have been wasted during lockdown) has been
The True Meaning of Community.
transformed into enough electricity to supply
One of the bigest things to come out of 2020
power to 1,200 home is Australia! It was
was the sense of community. We stood
converted into 654mw hours of energy!
together as a nation and clapped the amazing work of the NHS and key workers. People around the globe came together and made PPE for those on the front line. Volunteers
Africa was declared free of polio!
delivered shopping to those shielding or unable
On 25 August, the World Health Organisation
to leave their homes during lockdown. People
delivered the news that there had been no new
were using technology to continue to educate,
cases of wild poliovirus recorded on the
to keep people fit and to help battle the
continent of Africa since 2016. While other
bordom! We all came together during a
types of the virus persist, this is hopeful news.
massive time of need - and thats something.
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WHATS IN SEASON December/ January
By Becqui Jean Photographs by Christine Weaver
This time of year is characterized by bare branches, cold temperatures, and it can be so tempting just to curl up indoors and wait for Spring. However, I know that getting outdoors, even for a short walk is incredibly beneficial to me. It lifts the mood, gets my heart pumping, and being surrounded by and observing nature makes any worries or troubles seem lighter somehow. Spending time in nature is something that’s been instilled in me ever since a young child. I grew up in Yorkshire, both my parents are keen birdwatchers and botanists, so along with my siblings we would spend weekends stomping the moors. Admittedly in those days I was more concerned with playing Velociraptors vs Winter Fairies, or jumping over streams, but as I have grown older I have taken more of an interest in what’s around me. Spotting bright fungi, or the first flowers holds a certain delight, and growing to know the habits of birds and animals, the growing seasons of plants makes me feel so much more attuned to the seasons. It’s a simple pleasure, but one I will never tire of, and there’s something to celebrate with each changing season of the year. However, it is a hobby which can seem quite daunting to begin with. How do you know just what to look out for? What do you start with? Trees? Birds? Ferns? Whilst I am no expert, I am lucky to have two parents who will patiently tell me time and time again the name of things. Yep, as a thirty-something year old daughter they probably thought they were past the whole ‘What’s that? And that? What’s THAT’ stage. So my plan is with each issue to list some things that are in season for you (and I!) to spot whilst out and about, and we’ll hopefully learn together. Seen anything that I mention here? We’d love to see your photos – use our hashtag #simplytogthermag
Yellow Brain Fungus – Tremella Mesenterica The Yellow Brain Fungus is mainly seen in winter, as it requires wet weather to appreciate its yellow jelly texture – in the drier months it is a much less spectacular orange, thin rubbery appearance. It grows on damp wood, particularly the fallen branches of birch and hazel trees. Easily identifiable by its yellow colour, the fruit body develops irregular crinkles, loosely resembling the structure of the brain. In folklore, it is known as ‘Witches Butter’ and according to European legend, if it appeared growing on the gateway or door to a house it meant that a witch had cast a spell on the inhabitants. The curse could be broken by piercing the fungus with pins. Hazel Catkins Towards the middle of January, hazel catkins begin to lengthen and become more fluffy and floppy – often described as ‘lambs tails’ these are the male flowers of the hazel tree. Hazel trees are monoecious, meaning that both male and female flowers grow on the same trees. The photo we have here is of the female flower, which resembles a little red starfish. You really have to look closely for these, as they are tiny and bud like growing close to the branch of the tree. A welcome reward in those little bursts of red! In medieval times the hazel tree was a symbol of fertility, and a good crop of catkins in the spring was a sign that there would be lots of babies born!
Lichen – Common Orange Lichen Lichen is something that you will see all year round, but its more apparent in the winter when the trees are bare and sometimes the only blaze of colour comes from the lichen crusting the branches. The colours vary from a yellowish, grayish-green where it is in the shade to a much brighter orange in brightly lit settings. In the Middle Ages, doctors believed that plants that resembled a part of the body could be used to heal that body part. Thus 'Lichen' comes from the Greek word 'Leprous' referring to the fact that lichens were used to treat the skin!
52 WEEKS OF GRATITUDE CHALLENGE A Year Full of Gratitude 2020 has been an incredibly interesting year. A year that nobody expected. Whilst many will see and focus on the negatives, there have been some positives to 2020 for many of us. It's been said that because of the pandemic, and the lockdowns, many have appreciated the smaller things in life a little more. They have paid more attention to the things taken for granted every day. With all that in mind, I wanted to take this forward into 2021 by creating a year long challenge - The 52 Weeks Challenge. While studies have concluded that gratitude practices yield greater happiness and health, it isn’t necessary to write down what you’re grateful for every single day. Research has shown that gratitude practices done once a week are more effective than those done three or more times a week. The aim here is to write in response to one of the following prompts each week, for a whole year, and see if there's a positive impact.
Written by Charlotte Millar @simply.together
Five to ten minutes of written gratitude is all you need to feel the effects of the subsequent prompts. You can get yourself a new gratitude journal/notebook, write yourself an email, or simply write in your day planner or smartphone’s Notes app. You could even use social media to document your journey by using the #simply52weeksofgratitude and tagging me @simply.together - It would be wonderful to create a little community. Try not to overthink it. If the gratitude practice stresses you out and becomes another thing on your to-do list, the purpose is lost. Have a go at working your weekly gratitude sessions into your Sunday rituals, for example, and see if you notice a shift in your overall attitude and demeanor over the next coming weeks.
1. 2020 has taught me... 2. Spouse/Other half 3. Family 4. Family Member 5. The town where you live 6. A Hobby you have 7. Favourite Memory 8. A Place you visited 9. A Book you have read 10. A Friend 1 11. List 5 things you like about yourself 12. The simple things in life 13. A challenge you've overcome 14. Things you like about Spring 15. Someone you got to meet 16. Planet Earth 17. Your Body & Health & mind 18. Favourite thing to do 19. Core values in life 20. Something you looks forward to 21. Current Age 22. Friend 2 23. Things you like about summer 24. Music you love 25. The past 26. Something you have created
27. Your Job/Career 28. A place you have visited 29. What do you do for fun 30. Family member 2 31. Weather 32. Your home 33. Favourite tv show/movie 34. Heritage 35. Education 36. Laughter 37. Siblings 38. Things you like about Autumn 39. Self care 40. Friend 3 41. The simple things in life 42. Personality Traits 43. Something you use daily 44. Recent opportunities 45. Adventures 46. Animals/Pets 47. Family Member 3 48. Technology 49. Things you like about Winter 50. The Holidays 51. Goals for the future 52. A year in review
#simply52weeksofgratitude
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Flatlay FOMO Article by Becqui Jean
Photos by Rachel
When I first began to take photos for Instagram, I knew that I wanted to capture products and moments in the way that so many people on their bring such magic to. Thus I became fascinated in the art of the ‘flatlay’, and began practicing laying out creations of my own to bring to life through photography. However I quickly realised there was so much more to it than simply popping a few things in place and snapping a quick picture.
The World of Flatlays What is a flatlay? In its most basic form, it is a style of photography in which a number of items are arranged on a surface, then photographed from above. Sounds incredibly simple really, and the results can be strikingly beautiful and fun. However I was frustrated when trying to put together my own early attempts as they just seemed, well too simple. So I revisited Instagram and Pinterest, searched for more inspiration and read articles about how to perfect your flatlay style. Whilst there are numerous elements that go into the composition of a beautiful photography, when it comes to flatlay photography there were two things that kept appearing as ‘musthaves’. Items for layering, to add texture, and depth to an image. And also props. Props to help tell a story, set a scene, and complement the focus of the image.
- @rachelandhercoffee
And then I found the lists of ‘musthave’ items for flatlays. Taking a photo of your desk? The handle-less mug that you store the pens collected from numerous conferences in is a no-go. Instead you want matching stationery, some cute little gold paperclips, and preferably a few aspirational post cards scattered artfully next to a beautifully foamed coffee. All food comes with crumpled linen napkins, Anthropologie measuring spoons, and crisp fresh ingredients in a paper bag. It seemed that it wasn’t just about how good you were at photography, but also about how much stuff you had to put in the frame. For a lass whose possessions are very much a hodge podge of buys, it seemed unattainable.
A Pinterest-Perfect Christmas The feeling of needing to have ‘stuff’ to fill up those squares, and perfect those flatlays is amped up at this time of year. Whilst I love Christmas, and all the festivities it brings, I think that social media at this time of year can definitely make you feel inadequate. From families in matching pyjamas, to flatlays filled with gingerbread houses, snowflake shaped spoons, candy canes fashioned into hearts, and twinkling fairy lights filling every corner – Christmas is pictured as being ‘perfect’. As if the more perfect your Christmas is the better it will be. .
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This spills over into photos, and again that ‘need’ to have more stuff to add to the festive vibe. Earlier this year, I swore off buying things purely for flatlays and photography props. Partly because I don’t have the money to be splashing out on every single accoutrement to make the perfect photo, but also because I find the idea very wasteful
Taking Inspiration from Slow Living Instead I have been taking inspiration from a Slow Living ethos – everything that appears in my photos will reappear. Edible goodies often feature, as I’ll bake these and then hope there is some left over to creep into a photo before there are just crumbs in a bowl.
Yes there are candy cane hearts, but those candy canes get swirled into hot chocolates, and make sticky messes, they aren’t just trotted out for photos. I keep wrapping paper and ribbons to reuse from Christmas to Christmas anyway, so use these for backdrops if needed. We haven’t bought any decorations this year, instead making our own, and these naturally form beautiful scenes and moments (albeit with a little bit of staging, can’t resist adding a candle of two in). Equally I take a lot of inspiration from nature. I grew and dried my own bunnytail grass this year, which definitely took a lot longer than clicking ‘buy’ on a styled bunch, but brought me joy all year round, adds texture to my room and my photos…and will pop up again next year to bring even more cheer.
Photographers I admire Charlotte (@simply.together) is one of the photographers I really admire on Instagram, hence me jumping at the chance to be involved with the magazine! With so many natural elements, uncluttered shots, and images that are quite simply of well loved favourites, she gives me the inspiration to pare things back and focus on the colour and structure of an image. I also love Rachel’s work (@rachelandhercoffee) on Instagram, the most striking flatlays which always consist of very straightforward compositions and elements. Nature finds, simple crafts, and coffee.
So many different takes on the same thing, but always incredibly beautiful and delicate. I love styling photos, and I love a beautifully put together flatlay, but feeling the need to ‘buy stuff’ just to complete a look is something I really felt uneasy about. Instead, when I look through my photos, I see a collection of things I love, or have collected, and that are used by my family. And that’s pretty beautiful to me.ng the need to ‘buy stuff’ just to complete a look is something I really felt uneasy about. Instead, when I look through my photos, I see a collection of things I love, or have collected, and that are used by my family. And that’s pretty beautiful to me.
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VEGANUARY 2021 There is never a bad time to try eating a
This includes:
more plant based diet. Veganuary however
dairy produce
is the time of year people really go for it!
eggs
Veganuary = Vegan + January. The idea is to
honey
try to eat completely vegan for the month of
meat
January. After January, there is no further
and fish.
obligation
and
a
complete
change
of
lifestyle isn’t necessary. Veganuary is just a
It also means looking out for ingredients
kind of challenge to test the vegan diet for
such as gelatine and food colours that
31 days, to test recipes and to try new things.
come from insects eg cochineal that might be less obvious. Most vegans also
Many who are new to Veganuary may
avoid wearing leather, wool and other
wonder what is the point of Veganuary?
shoes and clothing that have come from
Integrating more vegan dishes into everyday
animals.
life
and
significantly
reducing
animal
products is better for our environment. The
If you’re doing Veganuary you don’t have
amount
we
to throw out your leather shoes or your
industrialised
cosy wool jumper. But it might make you
consume,
of
animal
products
especially
in
that
nations, damages the environment and
think next time you go shopping.
animals. First things first. What is Veganism? Vegan means avoiding consuming food that is derived from animals.
What to Eat for Veganuary? As a vegan, there are a whole host of foods you can eat from fruits and veggies to
grains
and
pulses
which
can
be
combined in a variety of ways to create delicious dishes.
It seems so many people I meet think that us vegan just eat raw spinach, "rabbit food". Some don’t realise that a lot of foods that most people eat daily are in fact vegan! Sure, you may have to be a bit creative swapping out the meat and for a vegan alternative, but these days it is actually a lot easier than you think.
Find a veganuary buddy
Doing anything alone is always harder, so why not partner up with someone? That’s one of the best Veganuary tips. It may be difficult if you live with a partner or flatmate who isn’t doing the challenge, so perhaps there’s an incentive for them to humour you in this? It’s only a month long, what could you do in return for them the next month? When I first went Vegan
it
didn't
last.
Then
I
went
Pescatarian and Liam went vegetarian. I then ate meat when pregnant with Molly. I then went vegetarian. Then we both went Vegan and haven't looked back. If it wasn't for Liam doing it as well, I don't think I would have stuck to it. We are now a plant based family of four - and live with Liam's parents, who eat meat.
FIND YOUR ONE MEANINGFUL REASON TO DO THE SWITCH. There are so many reasons why going
vegan is the best thing you could ever do for yourself and the planet, but finding the one thing that strikes a chord with you the most is essential.
SUBSCRIBE TO VEGANUARY
Veganuary isn’t just a word, it’s a fullblown non-profit organization that’s there to promote veganism and support people in their transition by offering Veganuary
tips and advice. Take the pledge and sign up to their newsletter to receive daily vegan and vegetarian recipes, tips and more right to your inbox!
DOCUMENT YOURSELF
Knowledge is power, and I would have never been able to transition to a vegan lifestyle had it not been for documentaries. Below are a list of my favourite documentaries that I encourage you to watch: Cowspiracy Forks Over Knives What the Health Earthlings
CLEAN UP YOUR KITCHEN
Increase your chances of a successful Veganuary by making a few adjustments to your kitchen pantry. Plan a vegan grocery list. First, by getting rid of all animal products – this includes gravy, stock, butter, and all non-vegan baking supply. But please don’t throw them away! Give the stuff that will go out of date to someone who will benefit from them and use them. Keep the rest at a family members house until January is over so you are not tempted! Second, get a few vegan pantry staples. This includes nutritional yeast to make everything taste cheesy, tempeh for a great meat replacement, chia or flax for egg replacement, a good butter replacement (we love the Flora one in paper) and milk replacement ( please avoid Oatly - that's a whole other story! ). Also, Applewood vegan cheese is just heaven!
Processed vegan products such as sausages, burger patties of veggie ground meat are good for transition periods but try not to rely on them in the long run unless it’s for an occasional treat. We love Naked glory products, Oomph and Squeeky Bean! You can also find loads of recipes out there or make your own "meat" called Seitan. It makes the best ribs! Just give new things a try! You may be surprised — pleasantly or otherwise. Just be curious.
FIND SOME EASY VEGAN RECIPES
Finding vegan recipes that are both easy to make and delicious is key. We have books by BOSH and most supermarkets have Vegan magazines. Also, Places like Instagram and Pinterest are a FAB place to find influencers, recipes and inspiration! Find a few good websites and be ready to have your mind blown at the amazing array of tastes you can get from vegan cooking. So there you have it. A few tips to hopefully help you get started on your Veganuary journey. Even if you decide to make one day a vegan day, reducing your animal intake will have a huge benefit to the environment and your health! To find out more information on Veganuary 2021, head to https://veganuary.com/
"Since 2014, Veganuary has inspired and supported more than one million people in 192 countries to try vegan for January – and beyond. We have worked with businesses to drive up vegan food provision in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through our work with national and international media." Veganuary Website
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AT ONE WITH NATURE BY CHARLOTTE
Over the last few months, like many, I have spent more and more time outdoors. I C A T Cknew H SO ME A V E S I wellness N that myWmind/body was improving whilst out in nature because
I felt better. I didn’t know that all this time I was actually practicing Shinrin yoku.
LAGUNA BEACH
What is Forest Bathing?
This Japanese practice is an ancient process of relaxation; know in Japan as shinrin yoku. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world. Breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and it also boost’s health and well being in a natural way.
Where can you Forest Bathe? of locations across the UK. If you’re near a forest, great! If not, don’t B y J oThere y c e are W r ithousands ght P h o tpanic. o g r a pOnce h s byou y Mhave a r k learned H a l b e how r g to do it, you can do shinrin-yoku anywhere. In a nearby park or in your garden. Look for a place where there are trees, and you are good to go! You can forest-bathe anywhere in the world, in hot weather or in cold; in rain, sunshine or snow. IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Who can Forest Bathe?
NOMADIC
Forest bathing can be great fun for adults and children of all ages and abilities. There are no limitations.
|
24
Shinrin yoku — Japanese origin, Shinrin means “forest” and yoku means “bath.” So Shinrin-yoku means forest bathing.
Forest Bathing Benefits Reduces your stress Improves your mood Boosts your immune system Reduces high blood pressure Accelerates your recovery from illness There are so many benefits to Forest Bathing. When it comes to finding calm and relaxation, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It differs from person to person and It’s important to find a place that suits you. Once you have, the effects of the forest will be more powerful.
Top Tips to get started. Turn off your devices to give yourself the best chance of relaxing. If you must take a phone, have it on silence and don't take it out unless you need it for an emergency. Take your time. Move through the forest slowly so you can see and feel more . Take long deep breaths. Extending the exhalation of air to twice the length of the inhalation sends a message to the body that it can relax. Take in your surroundings by using all of your senses. Paying attention to how the forest environment makes you feel. Yoga, eating in the forest, T’ai chi, meditation, breathing exercises, aromatherapy, art classes and pottery, Nordic walking and plant observation. It doesn’t matter how fit – or unfit – you are. Shinrinyoku is suitable for any level of fitness . Keep your eyes open. The colours of nature are soothing and studies have shown that people relax best while seeing greens and blues. Stay as long as you can, start with a comfortable time limit and build up to the recommended two hours for a complete forest bathing experience.
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ESSENTIAL OILS FOR WINTER By Emily Van-Den-Broek @emily_van_den_broek
Throughout the last couple of years I’ve tried to be as proactive as possible in learning how to live more sustainably, in bringing healthier products into our home. I have quite a weak immune system and I also have asthma, so it has always been “essential” (no pun intended.. ) for me to choose cleaning products that don’t set off my asthma. Essential oils have become a big part of our lives, and I use them in a good few areas around our home such as: 1. Cleaning sprays: I use a a blend of essential oils such as tea tree + eucalyptus, which are mixed with a safe lavender castor oil to create a spray that has antibacterial qualities and that smells wonderful. I don't know about you, but I love a spray that smells nice too, it makes me look forward to cleaning all the more.
2. My breathing: I have a steroid inhaler as well as normal emergency inhalers on hand for my asthma, but my go-to is actually a blend of essential oils that improves my breathing straight away. I have it in a roll on bottle (diluted with coconut oil), that I use nearly daily, which helps my breathing straight away and means I’m not grabbing for my inhaler as much. I also use it on my mask at the moment, which is very helpful when I’m out and about. Top Tip | Pop some peppermint or lavender essential oil drops on your mask just before you use it, and it makes wearing a mask much more bearable, especially if you struggle with breathing. 3. My Family’s health: During the winter there are so many colds and flus going around, and when my 16 month old gets a cold she often gets a blocked nose or cough. We have a diffuser that I pop some drops of oil in (such as eucalyptus or peppermint) and I pop that in her room while she’s napping or where she is playing, and that helps to ease her cold symptoms and help her sleep easier. There are also many immune boosting qualities to certain essential oils, so I’ll also use them in a diffuser when we feel like we’re getting ill, and that usually stops a virus in its tracks, meaning we don’t get ill as much during the winter months. 4. For fun: Putting a few drops of Lavender in your bath to help you relax, or filling the room with winter scents such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg in the diffuser are a wonderful way to help you unwind in the evening + create a festive atmosphere in the winter months. I hope these options give you a small insight into how essential oils can be used around the home for your cleaning, health as well as for fun. It’s often hard to find good quality essential oils that are 100% oil that aren’t watered down with other chemicals in. One of the most popular brands of essential oils are @doterra or Hopewell, which have been proven to be 100% safe + reliable. Definitely do your research in choosing the right place to purchase your oils, and if you have any questions please do feel free to ask!
Disclaimer : If you have any underlying health issues or are pregnant/breastfeeding please always consult your GP before using essential oils.
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9 WAYS TO START S
L
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Slow living has become more popular during lockdown. It’s made a lot of people realise that they live in an increasingly fast-paced world, which is starting to have an effect on the way people are experiencing life. It can be so easy to get swept up in the feeling of needing to do more, just to keep up. But the trouble is, sometimes we spend so much time and energy trying to keep up and fit everything into our days that we can’t even enjoy them! Statistically speaking, people are sleeping less, are experiencing ridiculously high levels of stress, and even though connected electronically are feeling more isolated and lonelier than ever. So what do we do? More and more people are beginning to be drawn to a slower, simpler life, which we can see by the popularity of things like the Marie Kondo method of tidying up, tiny-house living and #vanlife. Capsule wardrobes as well our interest in the Danish word Hygge to describe a feeling of cozy wellness. We are starting to seek mindfulness and meditation. Farmers markets have become a trendy place to “connect with our food”. What all of this says is that we are craving connection and slow living — but is it possible for all of these practices to really get us there if we
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don’t address the giant elephant in the room, which is how we are choosing to approach and enjoy every single day. Learning how to slow down isn’t always easy. It takes intentional effort to resist the societal norm that “busy is better”, or that being busy equals productivity and importance, and choose to slow down. I’m sharing a list of 11 ways to help you learn how to slow down and enjoy life more. They are simple and practical ways to start slowing down and simplify your life that can be implemented today. Don’t put pressure on yourself to do everything on the list at once. Start by trying one thing on the list. Try another when you feel ready. Hopefully, over time, these suggestions of ways to slow down will become natural to your daily routines and rhythms so you can live a slower life you enjoy.
Turn off your phone I have nothing against technology. I think it is a wonderful thing. It allows me to stay connected to friends and family dotted around the world. It allows creativity and the ability to express yourself in many different ways, to capture moments and memories that will last forever. Heck, it’s turning into my full time job! But sometimes it can all just get a little too much. Always connected, always reachable, always plugged in. A great way of slowing down is to unplug. Turn your phone off for a few hours, a day, a weekend. Set your phone to silent and turn all notifications off to avoid distractions and the urge to go online. If you feel like you cant commit to a full day without your phone, then set times during the day where you switch off. Maybe you don’t look at your phone until midday. I know some people switch off their phones at a certain time in the evening, like 5/6pm. Find what works for you. It’s amazing how much of a difference it can make.
Get outside
Spending time outside is always a wonderful way to slow down. I don’t mean rush around the shops. I mean taking a long walk. Go to a woodland, or national trust garden and just walk around. Take note of your surroundings, stop and have a picnic. It doesn’t even have to mean going far, if you have a garden, have a little sit with a cuppa and take a few deep breaths. Listen to the birds and just immerse yourself in nature for a little while. Getting outside has such an amazing impact on your health and well being. It can lower your blood pressure, reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, increase creativity and memory, boost immunity and more.
Take some deep breaths Deep breathing is another great way to use your breath to slow down when you find yourself feeling rushed, busy or overwhelmed. Being a mother means there have been several times where the kids have just been on one. I find myself getting snappy and frustrated. So I stop for a moment and take deep breaths. In through your nose for five counts and out through your mouth for eight counts. These are actually what i used during my hypnobirth with Evelyn. It may sound silly, but it really helps to release some of the stress so you can refocus and slow down.
Savour your coffee or tea. Taking the time to notice and savour small moments throughout your day is a great way to learn how to slow down. Instead of checking your phone or drinking it while doing something else, try to be fully present for the experience of drinking your favourite drink. Really taste it. Notice and pay attention to the color, the smell, the taste. Try and do this whilst the tiny humans nap, take a moment for yourself. Anytime you are able to add small moments of mindfulness into your day, you’re practicing slowing down.
Listen to the silence Sometimes all you need is to switch off the noise. Turn off the TV, Radio, Podcast, Audiobook and just have silence. Simply turning off the literal noise in your life is a great way to slow down and give yourself a breather. Take a minute to notice and really pay attention to where you are, what you’re doing and what’s going on around you.
Cross something off your to-do list It doesn’t matter how much you slow down, there will always be things that need doing. Saying that, one way to slow down is by assessing your to-do list and getting rid of anything that doesn’t necessarily need to be done right away. By prioritising what needs to be done and how you spend your time is a great way to slow down.
Wake up earlier
However you start your day, usually sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you know me well, or have seen a few of my stories on Instagram, you will know I’ve a tendency to wake early. Like, 4-4.30am kind of early. You don’t have to wake that early, but for me it allows me to wake up slowly. When you start your day in a rush, you often feel rushed, frantic and behind for the rest of your day. A great way to learn how to slow down is by starting your day a little slower and more intentionally right from the beginning. Getting at 4am means I can get a lot done. Things like hang up the nappies that were washed overnight. Stick a load of washing on, prep the girls breakfast, even lunch if I'm feeling super productive. I can then have a hot cup of coffee, maybe even two, as well as check my emails before the girls wake at 7am. This helps me to avoid any kind of rushing when the kids wake, leaving me feeling super calm and ready for the day!
Practice gratitude Practicing gratitude is something that can be done anywhere at anytime. All you need to do is take a few moments to think of a few things that you are grateful for. It can be anything from your health, your family, to smaller things like a hot cup of coffee ( although, to us Mama’s, a hot cuppa is a HUGE thing!) The key is to make a conscious effort to shift your mindset to gratitude. This should help you to really slow down and appreciate life and the things you have in front of you.
Do one thing at a time.
Very few people can multi-task effectively. I am awful at doing on thing at a time. I always end up doing one thing, then starting something else, then moving on to something else. Usually, it leaves me feeling rushed, frazzled, stressed and not doing any of the tasks particularly well. Not only will you practice slowing down. There is also a good chance you will do a better job at whatever you’re doing when you aren’t distracted by other things.
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THE BENEFITS OF A CAPSULE WARDROBE WRITTEN BY CHARLOTTE MILLAR January is upon us and I am getting ready to have the mother of all clear outs. Now that I am not pregnant or breastfeeding, I want to finally create a capsule wardrobe. I am looking at creating a main one with pieces I can wear and adapt all year round, and then bits that are seasonally appropriate when needed. When you open your closet doors every morning do you feel peaceful or overwhelmed? If you’ve ever thought, “I have nothing to wear” before you decide on an outfit, your mornings
may be more stressful than they need to be. Advertisements teach us to want more, to want new, to need the same exact item in every colour available. In this article I want to show you in which areas decluttering your wardrobe can bring you consciousness and how to start the process.
Consciousness Having a clear out and trying to reduce our clothing always makes us more conscious of what we have and what we need. We question items we have bought in the past. We automatically become more aware of the pieces of clothing that we really like and ones we have never even worn.
Beauty You feel beautiful and confident in everything because they are all pieces you love to wear over and over - It's why you chose them!
Time & Attention You save yourself so much time and attention every morning when deciding on what to wear. This is because now you have a limited choice and everything goes with everything!
Money You save yourself money not only because you own fewer items of clothing, but because you buy buying unnecessary or non matching items.
More Compliments As you continue to dress with less, you’ll figure out what you really enjoy wearing, and what best fits your body & your lifestyle. It’s not that your clothes will look better on you, but you will look better in your clothes & more comfortable in your own skin.
Save More Time. You can save yourself even more time by choosing your clothes that are well made. Clothing that will last longer and save you time fixing them or replacing them over and over.
Space Because of the fewer items you have in your wardrobe, you now have more space for other things, or just more space! Just because you make space doesn't mean you need to fill it with something else. Create your own capsule wardrobes and if you fancy it, have a look at a few minimalist fashion challenges. Ones such as project 333 - you have 33 items that you wear for 3 months! Enjoy!
WAYS TO ENCOURAGE OUTDOOR PLAY IN
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Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. - Fred Rogers
Children and youth these days spend a lot of time indoors using electronic equipment like computers, game consoles, tablets, mobile phones, watching their favourite programs on TV, or playing with the numerous electronic toys that are available today. Now, whilst I am not against that what so ever ( Cbeebies and Disney have babysat my girls for a hour or two after a night shift ) I knew when I was pregnant or when I had my own family, that I'd want to spend as much time outdoors as possible and very little indoors. Being outdoors comes with an array of benefits and opportunities for exploration and learning. But what about heading outside during these colder months? While it might feel like those rainy days restrict us from enjoying outdoor play, the truth is there are so many great benefits from popping on your boots, dressing warm and getting out into nature, even in winter.
Bring The Toys Outdoors I’m not talking technology or noisy toys. I’m on about things like dump trucks or pots and pans that you no longer use. Let them play in the dirt, the rain, the snow and get messy. Set up a tuff tray full of natural items for them to explore as they like. Playing with old pots and pans in the rain makes perfect music play! You could even do something as simple as building a snowman! What’s important is that they are reaping the benefits of being outside and enjoying unstructured play.
Go On a Nature Walk It can be around your back garden or at a local park . Looking with a slightly different perspective, could change the way a child interacts with nature. If you have older children, maybe look at something like a rock tumbler. Then you can collect rocks and talk about how they change and why they are changing ect.
Make It Social Inviting a friend over to play may be just the incentive your child needs to play outdoors. Set up a fun outdoor invitation to play (or two) and leave them to it. You could also arrange to meet some friends somewhere like a local park and go explore together. Take some hot drinks in flasks and some snacks and have fun!
Go On A Winter Scavenger Hunt Scavenger hunts are a perfect way to get your little ones outside! Grab a basket, create a list and collect sticks, different coloured and shaped leaves, pine cones ect and bring them home. Observe and talk about what you found, You could even make art out of them. You can make paint brushes out of natural elements, stamps, Mud and Bloom even made a wind chime out of sticks! The possibilities are endless!
Build or Create a Mud Kitchen. You don’t need a big fancy “kitchen” to class it as a mud kitchen. All you need is a few old pots and pans, cups, bowls some utensils and a child. That’s it. The rest is down to your child’s imagination. Encourage and allow them to get messy, to make you delicious mud cakes, or snow cakes if your lucky enough to have enough snow! Let them go crazy and have fun! Mud kitchens are perfect in every type of weather! Encouraging outdoor play in cold weather is not always fun. Putting hats and gloves on tiny humans and getting them to keep them on is enough to send any parent straight back to the warm. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, set up towels and clean warm clothing for your return, muster your courage, and just do it. I promise, it’ll be worth it!
January Dates for your Diary! VEGANUARY - January 1st - January 31st
DRY JANUARY - January 1st - January 31st WORLD BRAILLE DAY - January 4th BIG SCHOOLS BIRDWATCH - January 6th - February 21st NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY - January 11th PAGET'S AWARENES DAY - January 11th STIQ DAY - January 14th WORLD RELIGION DAY - January 16th WINNIE THE POOH DAY - January 18th CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION WEEK - January 18th- January 24th NATIONAL HUG DAY - January 21st NATIONAL READING DAY - January 23rd NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER DAY - January 24th WORLD LEPROSY DAY - January 24th BURNS NIGHT - January 25th AUSTRALIA DAY - January 26th HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY - January 27th
