Lifestyle – Page 3

BODYSHOP HAUL

Published on November 11, 2018November 7, 2018 by simplycarinaxo12 Comments

Good morning beautiful souls,

I recently purchased some new Bodyshop goods, products I haven’t tried before. I thought about doing a first impressions post, but then decided to try them out a little first before reviewing them. So without further ado, here’s what I thought:

Waterproof Mascara –

I’m going to be blunt – I hate it and definitely will not be repurchasing this again! Saying that I like the brush, it makes for a an easy application and creates good lash length. However the product itself leaves me with dark circles under my eyes quite quickly and removing it at the end of the day is practically impossible without ripping out half of my eyelashes!

Lipgloss –

I didn’t need a new lipgloss but this beautiful shimmery metallic rose tone just wanted to be bought haha. The application brush is a works really well and the lipgoss has a nice consistency and sparkle to it without being uber shiny and sticky which I hate.

Vitamin E Face Cream –

I’ve been really enjoying this face cream as it is nice and light and doesn’t feel like it clogs up your skin. The reason I picked this though is because it has an SPF 30. It’s important to remember to protect our skin from the UV rays in autumn and winter too when the sun and sunburn aren’t as obvious! I use this every morning and am very likely to repurchase!

Primer –

I’m going to admit I one of these people who doesn’t really pay much attention to primers, I mean I understand what they do, but as to whether my makeup is really smoother or stays on longer, I really couldn’t tell you. Saying that it does make the application process easier and does seem to soften and even out the skin well.

Have you tried any of these products?! I’d love to know 🙂

SOAP NUTS – A NATURAL DETERGENT

Published on July 30, 2018September 2, 2024 by simplycarinaxo13 Comments

Good morning beautiful souls,

Today I thought I would tackle the next change on my plant based eco journey, namely switching to a low impact laundry detergent. As with many household items we are just so used to seeing them stacked in single use containers along the supermarket aisles that we don’t stop to consider the impact they have anymore or what less harmful & low impact alternatives might be out there. Most laundry detergents are packaged in plastic, tested on animals and of course contain many chemicals which especially for sensitive skins aren’t often great. However there are some great alternatives out there (for example my cousin washes her clothes with walnuts which contain a natural soap element – who knew!?!) all you need to do is set aside a little time to have a browse to see what works best for you. Now I can’t speak for all alternatives as I’ve personally only tried one so far, but I am so happy with the results of this swap that I had to share it with you.

I have swapped form the usual detergent culprits such as Persil to using Soapnuts – a natural, organic, biodegradable, vegan, ethical & sustainable laundry detergent (now you can’t get more eco-friendly than that can you!?!).

Soapnuts or Soapberries are dried fruit shells which contain real natural soap and are 100% completely natural. They are a vegan friendly, non-polluting, compostable, alternative to conventional laundry detergents and synthetic soaps. No fillers, foaming agents, bleach, phthalates, phosphates or parabens. The Soapberries contain a natural soap called saponin, which is released when they come into contact with water and thus they wash your laundry as good as any other conventional detergent.

There are a couple of ways to use the soap nuts; you can soak them in water to release the detergent and then pour the liquid into your washing machine as you would other laundry detergents, or you can pop a couple of soapnuts into the muslin bag provided and then pop that into the washing machine with your laundry. I use the latter method.

In our day and age we are so used to freshly washed clothes smelling “clean” because of all the chemical scents added to detergents. Soapnuts don’t really release a scent, so you won’t get that “clean” smell; however you can add a scent to your laundry by using an essential oil. One of my favourite oils to use is lavender; I put about 10 drops onto the muslin bag containing the soapnuts and then pop it into the wash – and voila out come your clothes with a fresh scent of lavender – the results are great!

I really cannot recommend this natural vegan biodegradable laundry detergent enough and urge you all to try it! They sell starter packs (a great way to give soapnuts a trial) which contain soapnuts, a stain remover bar, soda crystals and an essential oil. The small starter pack costs £14.70 which admittedly you might first think sounds expensive, but let me assure you, the sopanuts go a long way – one filled muslin bag can be used for about 3 washes until all the soap has been released.

(the starter pack pictured in my photos is a large)

The Living Naturally Soapnut Company also not only sell laundry detergent but have haircare and skincare products on offer too. I have yet to try these but if the laundry detergent is anything to go by, I know I’ll love these products too.

So I hope I have given you something to think about. Again, I can’t recommend these highly enough and would love to know – do you think this is a change/a swap you would be willing to try?! I’d love to hear some of you giving soapnuts a go! If you’d like to inform yourselves more on the products available and further benefits of soapnuts go have a look on their website here.

Until next time lovelies ❤

MY LOOSE LEAF TEA COLLECTION

Published on May 16, 2018May 18, 2018 by simplycarinaxo15 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

As most of you probably already know I’m on a mission to become more eco-friendly and my latest venture is ditching the tea bags! If you don’t already know, most tea bags contain plastic which make them non-biodegradable. So in order to avoid this Jessica and I ordered a load of loose leaf teas and bought two tea strainers as well.

I bought all the teas from the same company. Gaiwan who I found on Amazon are a German tea company and the range of loose teas they have on offer it amazing! I had over £100 worth of tea in my shopping basket before I had to narrow my choices down! We managed to narrow it down to 8 different teas: Cherry & Almond (black tea) – Peppermint – Green Magic (green tea) – Fresh Orange (green tea) – Winter Warmth (rooibos) – Orange & Mint (rooibos) – Children’s Herbs (herbal mix) – Evening Enjoyment (herbal mix). I haven’t tried all of them yet but the ones I have are really nice, mostly quite mild and if left steeping too long, not bitter (as can often be the case with a green tea).

Once the teas arrived we put them into the 1L Kilner jars we’d specifically bought for tea storage. Seeing all the identical labelled jars with pretty loose leaf teas in them makes my OCD me very happy! You may also have noticed that there’s actually 9 jars of tea; The 9th jar a Gingerbread Rooibos tea (as you might be able to tell, Jessica and I love Rooibos tea). I bought this one when I was in York from a loose leaf tea company called Hebden Tea (which you should check out if you’re ever in York – so many flavours to choose from!) The last loose leaf tea I have is a fruit tea which I’ve kept in the little Christmas tea tin, because I kinda like the tin, it’s cute and as it’s a good base for a mulled wine or Christmasy punch it fits the tin.

I also decided to have my favourite mugs on display next to the teas! I’m obsessed with pretty mugs and love how each one fit’s certain drinks or moods better. If I didn’t rein myself in when shopping I’d have a hoard of mugs right now (I already have too many) but I mean pretty mugs – the struggle is real! I might have to do a My Mug Collection post sometime haha!

Anyway, if you’re a big tea drinker I would really encourage you to invest in a loose leaf tea and a strainer or biodegradable tea bags!!! Also they look so pretty on display in glass jars ❤

Love Carina xo

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Published on April 22, 2018April 25, 2018 by simplycarinaxo6 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” ― Gaylord Nelson

As it’s Earth Day today I wanted to draw your attention to the unsustainable lives we are living. Through our modern lifestyles we are destroying & hurting our earth, all it’s earthlings and our ecosystem – something needs to change!!!

I would love you all to take a moment and reflect on the lifestyle choices you make and how you might be able to adjust things to live greener more environmentally friendly lives. I urge you all to take part and make a conscious effort to make some little changes so that we may create a happier, healthier planet for ourselves and generations to come!

No change is to small – every little helps and it’s important we all play our part and look after the earth!!!

Here are just few ideas to get you started:

Recycle!!! Everything that can be recycled please don’t just dump it into general waste!
Invest in some stainless steel straws for home use. Refuse straws when out and about or get into the habit of bringing your own straw with you (yes I am one of those people who carries a stainless steel straw in her backpack)
Start buying loose fruit and vegetables and bring your own mesh bags to put them in.
Or why not invest in a local organic veg bag subscription!
Bring your own bag to the supermarket instead of buying plastic ones!
If you are a tea drinker buy loose leaf teas and use a tea strainer (most tea bags are still made with plastic)
Use roll on deodorants instead of aerosols
Try and avoid aerosol products in general. You can swap most things eg. use good old fashioned talcum powder instead of dry shampoo, buy reed diffusers instead of air fresheners…
Invest in a reusable takeaway coffee/tea mug
Buy biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, plastic ones fill our landfills and take over 400 years to decompose!!!
Ladies – buy yourself a menstrual cup – not only are you saving yourself money but your helping the environment and your body as they are far less dangerous!
Have a go at going vegan (or at least making some swaps and cutting down your animal product consumption) – don’t diss veganism straight away beautiful souls – animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation system combined!
Use reusable cleansing pads instead of throwaway cleansing wipes (reusable bamboo breast pads area great option)
Use natural shampoo & soap bars instead of going through bottles of shampoo and conditioner (lush gave some really nice ones)
Invest in an electric razor/shaver rather than using one use plastic razors.
Install the Ecosia web browser which plants trees as you do your online browsing – I mean what’s not to like – this is such an easy change to make!!

The list is endless, I could go on forever. Please have a look into making some changes ❤ This really isn’t an issue we can ignore!!!

I’ll leave you with another quote:

“It’s going to take all of us, gathering our voices and acting together. Saying, “Not on our watch” to create a future for humans, animals and the environment.” ― Eileen Anglin

P.s. If you already are making some changes I’d love to know what you are doing!

LIEBSTER AWARD

Published on April 6, 2018April 6, 2018 by simplycarinaxo13 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

A couple of weeks ago I was nominated for the Liebster award by the lovely m4gical.com; if you don’t follow her already please go check her out she writes a lovely blog from makeup reviews to her wonderful ‘If we were having coffee’ chat posts – go show her some love!

The rules are:
1. Make a blog post saying you’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award
2. Include the picture in your post
3. Answer the questions I ask below
4. Nominate new upcoming bloggers
5. Set them your own questions

Here’s the questions I have been asked to answer:

If you had to rename your blog, what would you change it to?

Ok this is really difficult, I really have no idea, I struggled with the name part of my log the most having had previous blogs before I felt like I was running out of ideas aha, so no idea what I’d choose now if I had to rename my blog! Sorry!

What made you start a blog?

I started my first ever blog when I was about 13 and it was a book review blog hehe. Since then I have had different blogs on and off. I love writing and connecting with people. A blog is the best platform for me to share my passions with others and hopefully inspire and bring joy to other people too!

If you could choose anywhere to live where would it be?

I want to say somewhere warm, but then I don’t actually do well with the heat aha! But I mean Bali and so many other places look amazing! I would want to live in a place with ocean views and white sandy beaches as well as beautiful mountains for walks through stunning scenery close by. A place with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. A place with like minded people close by…

What’s your favourite colour and why?

Can I say black?! Ok I don’t have a favourite colour, but so much of my wardrobe is filled with dark colours haha. I’d say the autumnal colour schemes are definitely my favourite!

Do you like cake and what is your favourite kind?

Who doesn’t like cake?!? But again favourite?! I’m sorry peeps haha, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you know I’m not good with favourites! I have been vegan since January though and haven’t tried too many vegan cakes yet, I’m looking forward to baking and trying more in the future though! Before I went vegan one of my favourite cakes was a chilled strawberry cheesecake my dad would make for his cafe – it was the absolute bomb! ❤

I nominate:

https://elsielmc.wordpress.com

https://kittyp0p.wordpress.com

https://hunidasblog.com

https://justhannahhere.wordpress.com

https://ameliainhull.wordpress.com

And here are the questions I would like you to answer:

What made you start a blog?!
What would your dream vacation include?!
Do you have a favourite cocktail and if so what is it?!
Last series you binge watched on Neflix?!
Do you have a middle name? If so what is it?!
Favourite ice cream flavour?!
What was the last song you listened to?!

Thanks again for the nomination from m4gical.com, I enjoyed writing this post and look forward to reading your answers too nominees! ❤

ANOTHER BOOK HAUL

Published on March 25, 2018March 3, 2025 by simplycarinaxo10 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

I feel like this is becoming a habit, buying books from The Works! I don’t have the time to read them all but I’m excited to try haha. Here’s some more books I recently added to my ever expanding collection.

Happy and L’art de la Simplicité

I picked up these two beauties in the Works. I’m really looking forward to reading these. I mean it’s always good to learn more and be inspired about how to be happy and live a more simplistic life. I’m still in the very long process of wanting to declutter and live more minimal so I think these books will be great!

the sun and her flowers

Having recently finished milk and honey and really enjoyed it, I decided to get rupi kaur’s other book. I’ve not read much poetry since my English Lit A-level and it’s nice to read some modern poetry which is very relatable.

Have any of you read these books?! I’d love to know what you think if you have!

COCKTAIL O’CLOCK

Published on March 2, 2018March 2, 2018 by simplycarinaxo12 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

For Christmas my friend Anna gave me a bottle of the Edinburgh Rhubarb & Ginger Gin and I was instantly in love! Hands down the best gin I have ever tried! Now a while back Alice from Zest Of Alice posted a photo of this Hortus Rhubarb & Ginger Gin Liqueur on Instagram and told me it was only £11.99 at Lidl! I got very excited and as soon as I had a chance I went to have a look for myself and low and behold this beautiful bottle was on a shelf just waiting to be bought by me! I picked a bottle up immediately and then also decided to try the Hortus Raspberry Gin Liqueur. So I thought I would do a little recipe & review of these two gins – enjoy!

My friend Anna came over for dinner on Wednesday and there couldn’t have been a better opportunity to try out these new gins than with my fellow gin loving friend. I personally love to add a slightly flavoured tonic to my gin cocktails to give them that extra something in flavour and thus I picked up an Elderflower Tonic and a Lime Tonic from Tesco to mix the Liqueurs with.

We tried the Rhubarb & Ginger Gin first and although good I have to admit it couldn’t best the Edinburgh Gin. I would probably buy it again as I did enjoyed it and it is cheaper but if just based on taste, its flavour just doesn’t quite pack the same punch as the Edinburgh Gin, sorry Hortus. Next to be put under our scrutinising taste buds was the Raspberry Gin and with this one I must say I was disappointed. I love raspberries – they’re one of my favourite fruits – but something about this raspberry flavoured gin was sadly too sweet / too sickly and too artificial for both myself and Anna. I will not be purchasing this gin again.

However that being said everyone’s taste buds are different and you might really like the raspberry gin, so don’t let me put you off from trying it! If you decide to go for a bottle here’s how I prepared these two gin cocktails:

Start with some ice cubes in a large cocktail glass – then add 2 shots of Hortus Gin – fill the glass to your strength liking with 1/2 elderflower and 1/2 lime tonic – next garnish with some fresh lemon or lime or even pop in some cucumber !

Et voila – easy peasy gin cocktail – now sit back and relax!

Tip – I bought these amazing cocktail glasses from Poundland the other day, they are really sturdy glass and great for cocktails. If you don’t already have cocktail glasses I suggest you pop into your local Poundland and treat yourself to some! Well worth it – and so are my stainless steel straws! Please look after our environment in little ways such as using non-plastic reusable straws at home ❤

P.S. Please do let me know your favourite gin recipes and whether you have tried these two flavours before!! I’d love to know!

SNOW FLURRIES

Published on February 28, 2018March 1, 2024 by simplycarinaxo21 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

How has your day been?! Have you been enjoying the snow as much as me?!

I was lucky enough to have a day off today, or should I say unlucky because both cafés I work at shut today anyway because of the wintery weather snowing everyone in. Yesterday I said I just wanted the spring and sunshine already, but when it snows properly like this I can’t help but change my mind because I do kinda love a winter wonderland!

I spent the morning doing some summer holiday research and then finally being crafty and starting to work on a Lino print which made me really happy! In the afternoon Jessica and I wrapped up warm, put on our wellies and walked into Durham to get some shopping done!

Laden with heavy shopping bags full of groceries to make vegan spaghetti bolognese for dinner and ingredients for yummy cocktails we hopped on the bus back home.

Once home we cleaned the house ready for Anna who is coming over for dinner any minute now for dinner and then we’ll probably sit down and watch the Theory of Everything. Has you seen this movie?! It’s amazing and I definitely recommend it!!

Anyway I better start cooking!

I hope you’ve had wonderful day too, maybe even been off work?!

COOK BOOK HAUL

Published on February 23, 2018March 3, 2025 by simplycarinaxo10 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

I recently purchased a few new cook books from The Works and thought I’d show you. If you’re not in the habit of frequenting The Works, I really urge you to check it out on a regular basis because they always have some amazing deals and sales on.

I always find it too easy to fall into the same cooking patterns recycling the same recipes over and over again, so I’m really looking forward to trying out some new recipes from these books. There’s so many yummy recipes out there I just need to make more of an effort to try them all. Which makes me think… Has anyone ever watched Julie & Julia?! It’s about a woman named Julie who decides to cook every single recipe from Julia Child’s cookbook in a year and blogs about it. I’ve always wanted to do that haha a day although it’s never going to happen, the idea of actually cooking every single recipe in a cookbook is kinda cool. I’d love to achieve that, I mean who knows what delicacies we’re missing out on by not trying more recipes!

Anyway here’s the cook books I just added to my collection and I can’t wait to read through them and try some new recipes out!

I’ve already got one of Aine’s cook books but for a fiver I couldn’t complain and the more new recipes for inspiration the better. Then I also liked the idea of discovering some raw food ideas, as I’ve heard lots of positive things about a raw vegan diet. Oh and the last book I guess isn’t a cook book, but a book about vitamins and minerals which I thought would be a very interesting and hopefully informative read. Being vegan now has opened my eyes more to making sure I’m receiving all the nutrients my body needs; and this is not due to the ever present stigma that vegans struggle to get all the nutrients their body needs (a rant for another time), but rather because the whole vegan lifestyle for me is about starting to take better care of my body. So I’m looking forward to educating myself some more!

Now I’d love to know if any of you already own these cookbooks and if so what are your favourite recipes?!

MY FAVOURITE FACE CREAM

Published on February 21, 2018March 2, 2018 by simplycarinaxo14 Comments

Good evening beautiful souls,

For Christmas a friend of mine gifted me with one of her beautiful handmade face & body creams. As I still had plenty of face creams open at the time I didn’t use it immediately. I was excited though because it smelt divine!

Now I know this review won’t be of much use to you as it is not a cream you can buy, however I’m so in love with it that I had to share!

It’s a thick cream but softens quickly through the warmth of my skin making the application nice and easy. At first I thought it would take forever to sink into my skin as it seemed somewhat oily once applied, however to my delight I was mistaken. It soaks up quickly and leaves my skin glow and smooth. What I also love is that it still feels like my skin can breath unlike some thick creams which feel like they leave a layer on my face. Best of all because it’s homemade there’s no nasties or preservatives in it, just natural goodness!

So as you can see my beautiful readers I’m in love with this cream and hope my friend will keep making it for me once this little tub of gold has run out!

Has anyone else tried any homemade creams??

Love Carina xo