Spilling The Tea On Sleep with Pukka Herbs

I haven't been sleeping right for months - but even as I write that, I wonder, surely everyone has the same complaint, since we're living in a global pandemic. I have no trouble getting to sleep, but staying asleep is the hard part. I wake up at least twice nightly. With this in mind, when Pukka Herbs reached out to ask if I'd like to take part in their Sleep With Ease programme, I said "sign me up!". 

Image: PukkaHerbs.com

I've been a big fan of herbal teas for a long time now, even going so far as getting myself known in an old office workplace as the one with the "smelly tea"! 

Before we get into this, I will preface the rest of this blog post with the following: I work from home for a company that deals with US timezones almost exclusively, I exercise gently (I miss the gym!), and I have gone to great lengths to ensure my bed/sleep environment is exactly the way I prefer. I've been trying to read more so that I can unwind without any screen time, but it can be quite hit and miss. 

Now, with all that said, I have been incorporating the Night Time tea into my routine for the past week and here's what I've noticed. 

I loved the smell of it, first off. A good smelling tea is a really pleasure, though I usually opt for more fruity and spicy (think ginger, not chilli!) teas, this one was incredible with lavender and chamomile notes. I found it very palatable, not very strongly flavoured at all, which is a good thing in the evening if you ask me. Taking some time, even ten minutes, in the evening, to sit with a cup of tea, drink it mindfully, and clear my head helped me to se the intention of a night of restful sleep. 

Since Pukka Night Time tea has Valerian Root in it, which is a natural sleep aid, and it actually helps anxiety. If you check out Velerian Root on t'internet, you'll sometimes see it mentioned as a sedative, but I didn't find this tea made me particularly sleepy. It helped me to relax in a mindful manner, but it didn't knock me out. I'd say if you were to chew on the actual Valerian Root you'd miss your alarm, but in tea, it's much milder. 

To that end, it's worth mentioning that in the last few days, if I felt stressed with work, I would step away, make a quick cup of this tea and sit for a few minutes to decompress. It helped to take some time away from my dual-monitors and work environment, take some breaths, sip something delicious and gather myself. 

All tucked in for bed! 

Combining this tea as a de-stresser during my work days and with a pre-bedtime ritual of turning on some soft lighting, and either watching a movie or reading in bed has helped immesurably - even when I read true crime, not what you'd call relaxing content!  

Drinking the Night Time Tea has made it so that I'm much more mindful in my bedtime routine and I don't feel like I'm simply finishing a list of tasks, taking a restless nap and then waking up to repeat the cycle. It unwinds me so that I'm not waking up between 2am and 4am nearly as much as I did. 

I hope that this was helpful to you guys! I'd highly recommend trying the Pukka Night Time tea, and combining it with a mindful bedtime routine for a more restful sleep. Give it a few days, create a habit, and sweet dreams. 

My favorite mug! 

You can snag it on Holland and Barrett HERE if you fancy picking up a box - safely, given lockdown! 

Let me know how you get on, if you try it out. 

Love you guys

Amy 

xo

This post contains items sent to me by Pukka for review - All opinions are my own. 

Christmas Gifting For Him with Thomas Clipper*

I've got a special one for you today! The good folks at Thomas Clipper sent me a sample of their new Rough And Smooth Soap Set. The thing is, I think it would be much more fun to have Mr Wench review and give his opinion on them! 

Before we get into it, let me give you some at-a-glance facts: Given the state of the world, people are shopping small and local. Founded 2014, Thomas Clipper is a small team based in London. Their scents and soaps are developed in Grasse, the heart of French fragrance country. Mountain soap is vegan, uses organic ingredients, and handmade in the UK. Mountain soap is hand poured in runs of just 5 soaps at a time, 

Made by people, not machines, this artisan soap is chock-full of natural organic ingredients like Italian volcanic pumice and smells incredible with notes of Vetiver (a scent I adore enough to have in the form of a gorgeous candle) and aromatic spices. 

Let's start from the outside: I was very pleasantly surprised when the parcel arrived and it was completely packaged in recyclable materials. Even the soaps themselves were packaged in such a way that negates the need for cellophane! Given that Christmas is a time that creates so much extra waste, it's amazing to have a gift option without plastic. 

Inside the box, these soaps are really minimal in their design, and since they're solid, they deliver exceptional functionality. These are the hallmarks of modern luxury - travel friendly and compact at home. As someone who works in designer luggage, I appreciate any product that you can pop into your suitcase and take with you places, without fear of leaking, immensely! 

The guys at Thomas Clipper believe that after a day exploring the peaks, ‘Mountain’ prepares you for an evening relaxing into a red wine by a roaring cabin fire. 

Rugged and refined, Vetiver, guaiac and cedarwood provide a seriously smokey base with zingy bergamot

and aromatic spices, bringing freshness and balance. 

Now, lets here from Mr Wench! 

"It smells really good. Super clean smelling, just light enough on the senses to not be overpowering but speaks of rich man or competent man or similar. There’s something about this type of scent that just resonates with me as a man that I can’t get enough of. Thankfully we are in COVID season so I have had no end of hand washing and of lovely smelling hands as a result! My bathroom area is quite dominated by this smell now but it’s not a bad thing it’s actually quite nice. The effect on my hands has been un-noticed, they’re not dry and not itchy in any way. I don’t feel like it’s imbalanced my skin in and the scent sticks for a long time. 

The shape of the bar (such a small detail really) is actually a nice design choice, embossed with the logo on one side the soap shape is quite chunky and pointed. This isn’t a bad thing however, this just feels more like a handful when using it which for my hands is great! I think in my hands it fits well enough. The same is true for the shower scrub which I’ll mention in a moment but other soaps tend to slip quite easily in my grip with their oval shapes thus having something almost brick shaped is actually refreshing!

The shower scrub is a different game, smelling much the same as the Mountain Soap, in that it smells great. It fits in my hands well and doesn’t slip in the shower in my grip with its big block shape (though the run off is quite slippy on the shower floor I found out!). It was however, quite scrubby. I wasn’t prepared for that feeling at first. On the first use I felt like my skin was rubbed a little too roughly and ended up having to smooth it out after a couple strokes with lathering actions. My skin afterwards felt and smelled amazing, no two ways about it which had me thinking maybe the scrubbing wasn’t that bad. For the second use I have to say I’m glad I gave it another chance, the scrubbing was much less gritty on second, third+ washes and much more enjoyable. It is in fact possibly the exact type of exfoliator style scrubber I have been wanting for a while now. I was super happy to use in the shower each time I had it and have enjoyed the product over all.

Packaging wise few small comments worth pointing out, it’s minimalistic which pleases my man-tendencies as the product isn’t screaming at me to pick it up with loud garish colours. The wrapping is simple and the product is good enough to stand on its own legs in the testing. All in all, I rate these soaps highly, easily an 8.5/10. I am even considering this as a Christmas gift for other guy friends and family in my life." 

So there you have it, hopefully myself and Mr Wench have helped you decide on some amazing body products for the loved ones in your life! 

*Contains gifted items from Thomas Clipper. All opinions belong to myself and Mr Wench. 

Tips For Working From Home

Hello hello my dearest ones! How goes it, out there in the weird, wild world? 

I've been lucky enough to secure a job working from home. I've been waiting for this job for a while and I am delighted to have gotten it, and be so happy in a role. It is certainly a nice change of pace. 

The best bit of my new job is that for the moment, we are all of us in the company, working from home. I count it high among the number of blessings I've got in my life right now. Not having to risk my health or the health of my family on public transport, or working in a public-facing role is quite the luxury. 

I've noticed though, that the learning curve of working from home is steep enough - it's got so many perks, but one of the pitfalls can be the lack of a defined routine. So, with that in mind I'm going to go through some of the things that I've learned that make it much easier to go from the bedroom to the desk (whatever that looks like for you, no judgement if you're working from the sofa!) with some level of ease. 

1. Get Dressed. 

I know, I know, it's so easy to just roll out of bed, grab a coffee and just get straight down to it, but it's a bad habit to slip into. Get up, get dressed (even if that looks like putting on track pants and a tshirt) and make the mental switch from down-time to get-down-to-business time. For me, I wear some kind of gym leggings or track pants, a nice t-shirt or top and I feel very smug that no matter how good I look or what I'm wearing in the viewfinder of a Zoom call, I've got my Ugg slippers on! 

I work for a company where it's totally acceptable to be in a hoody or no makeup on the daily Zoom calls, but I still try to look somewhat put together. It helps. I promise. Though, in saying all that, how will we ever revert back to officewear?

2. Create A Workspace - if you can.

When I got this job, for the first week or ten days, the space I was working in wasn't conducive to an efficient and productive working space. So, over the weekend I took initiative and I got a new set of shelves that coordinate with my desk, and I completely overhauled my working area. Now, I feel like I've got a designated space to sit down, do my job and do it well! I've got my Mac on a stand, a widescreen monitor, my keyboard and mouse, notepad and my beloved Hufflepuff coaster where my ever-present mug of coffee lives. 

3. Draw Your Boundaries - and Respect Them!

For me this looks like getting up early, maybe fitting in a run of some kind, coming home and getting ready for my day. Before I sit down to work I make sure to do two things: make a cup of tea or coffee, and go to the loo. Here's the thing - sitting on a two hour Zoom call is torture if you've the pressing need to pee but you can't get up to leave.  

When it's time for lunch or between calls, grab something to eat. And for the love of God, don't take it al desko!! Take time for yourself just like you would if you were in the office. Take your time, even if it's only 30 minutes, and don't worry about your email inbox - it will keep. 

Other things that help are, if like me, you've a few things to log into in the mornings, bookmark those pages and organise them in a folder on your bookmarks bar. I've got a dozen things book marked, from tools to spreadsheets, and it's all in a folder denoted only by the initials of the company I work for. Likewise, on my desktop, I've a folder sitting there with PDF's and so on that I've got saved, once again labelled with the initials of my work. 

When you finish up for the day close every single work-related tab and don't think of them again til the morning. One of the hardest things about working from home is that the line between your job and your private life is blurred. If you can close your laptop and put it in a drawer, close the spare room door, whatever the case may be, do so. Create a visual barrier and respect it. 

4. Time Off Is Just That - Time. Off. 

Please for the love of all that is good in the world, don't push your work email to your phone. Just do not do it. Mute the group chat on WhatsApp. Remember that you are not obligated to your work outside of your working hours. Of course, it's good to do your employer a solid, and of course if you work for yourself, you've got to factor in the grind, but every single person in this world is entitled to a break and that, my dear reader, includes you. If you go for a run, go for a run. If you take a week off to hike the Wild Atlantic Way, just turn on your "out of office" and don't pay it a second thought. If something happens and you're needed, you'll be contacted, otherwise, just enjoy your time off. 

5. Recognise How Lucky You Are 

This probably comes off preachy, but you should take a moment every day to recognise how awesome it is in these times to be able to work remotely, to work from home. So many people are out in the world, our healthcare workers, frontline workers, people in the service industry. You are so lucky that you can sit down in your comfy warm house, with your slippers on and keep your job. 

Up until I started in this position, I hadn't been to work in sixteen weeks. That's insane. Now, I'm earning my money, making a difference in a company who value me and I feel blessed every day to be in this position. I try to show appreciation for everything in my life, from people to things, and that doesn't change just because I'm working from home. Working from home means I get to hang out with my family more, I can go for a run on almost no notice, I have gotten to hang out with my new baby nephew and best of all, the hours I keep are in line with my peers now, so I've all the time in the world over weekends to see them should restrictions allow! 

So there you have it, lovely folks of t'internet! Some tips for Working From Home! 

If you have any working from home tips, let me know in the comments. 

<3 

Amy

A [Realistic] Day in my Diet and Exercise Routine [Covid Edition]

Since I've been eating clean again, training (at home, sadly, I'll be delighted when the gyms reopen) and getting back on a decent routine, I thought it might be fun to share an average day with you.

Before we get into it, I just want to note that my mentality is to favour a morning workout over an evening workout, but if that works for you, go for it. We are all doing our best, and that's what matters. While I'm here, I want to say that just becuase this is how I'm chosing to spend my time during this awful moment in history, I am not trying to shame anyone for coping in whatever way they see fit. This is my outlet and my distraction. 

Every day starts the night before, when I lay out a bottle of water, my workout clothes for the day (if it's a workout day, that is) and put my tech on charge. That means my phone, my watch and my headphones! If they're ready to roll, then I will be much more likely to just get up and at it. 

I've had an alarm set for every day since lockdown began, for 8am. Now, I don't always get up when that alarm chimes, but I try to. 

Once I'm up, I put on that workout gear I've laid out, lace my trusty Asics, put my hair up tightly, and get to it. I try to get an hour of Chloe Ting workouts in, and the days rotate based on the challenge day. Once that is done, a big glass of water and then I try to get out for a run or a cycle. If I go out cycling it's usually because I have errands to run in the village, and usually that entails groceries of some kind. I switch up the running routes I take once I get to the top of my road, and from there I just run. As for what I'm listening to on my runs, I've a running playlist that I am always adding and removing songs from on Spotify, or a good true crime podcast, like True Crime All The Time. 

Because I'm doing intermittent fasting, when I get home, I just have a pint of water, and get ready for my day as normal. I use Fushi Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash that I get in my local zero-waste shop. As soon as I'm dressed, I make a coffee with almond milk and get to preparing my breakfast. For me, with I.F, breakfast is at 12pm. If I'm ahead of myself time-wise, I'll eat at 11am, it's not a big deal really. 

Breakfast:

Add caption

100g Glenisk Natural Strained Protein Yogurt, 6 sliced strawberries, a sliced banana and a tablespoon of honey. Coffee with almond milk. 

Lunch: 

Egg-white omelette filled with 2 slices of turkey breast, two tablespoons of mature cheddar cheese with steamed vegetables and a coffee. I try to get a bottle of water into me also. 

Dinner: 

Chicken breast (usually rubbed with some kind of spice, like garam masala and garlic) a half a stuffed pepper from Supervalu (the stuffing is pictured, but the pepper disintegrated), and some veg. 

This is usually a one tray dish. I like things to be easy to clean up and as efficient as possible. Sometimes, I make a second chicken breast and use it in place of turkey in the next days omelette, and other days I will have fillet steak instead of chicken. 

Snacks:

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love snacks. I still snack, just a bit better than I used to. Usually in the evening, just before 8pm (which is when I start fasting again, I'm doing the 16:8 routine) I will have a bowl of cereal, either All Bran for a kick of fibre, or Special K for something a touch sweeter. I use unsweetened Alpro Almond Milk either way. Honestly, it's actually not as boring as it sounds, and it leaves me feeling full for the evening, which means I'm less likely to dip into a bag of Haribo until it's cheat day time! 

I try to get a walk in during the evenings, just a slow, leisurely walk with my friend or my niece and her dog, sometimes I'll just go alone and get some breathing space if it's been a day, but I think, like most of us, the new normal is Skype, Zoom, Google Meet and so forth. So I do try to get a video call in with various pals, ideally every other evening. Either way I try to drink another bottle of water and put myself to bed around 11pm. 

That's my average day of diet and fitness, pandemic edition. 

I hope it's been even vaguely interesting, and if you want to share your thoughts, tips or what you've been doing to keep sane during covid, please comment and let me know! <3 

If you want to follow my progress thus far and in the future, follow my instagram, @red_lips_red_hair 

xoxo

Amy

Things That Have Been Getting Me Through Lockdown

Lockdown sucks, can we all just agree on that, first? I haven't seen my friends, I barely see my family (beyond those I live with) and I am bored senseless from not being in work. Basically, I am ready for lockdown to be over. However, there are things that have been keeping me sane and in a routine that I am grateful as hell to have, which I will be sharing with you all today. 

So, I give you, in no particular order: Things that are getting me through lockdown. 

Animal Crossing New Horizons / The Nintendo Switch:

I bought myself a Nintendo Switch at the start of quarantine, and I've been playing it pretty much non-stop. Animal Crossing has become my obsession, and I've been working very hard on my island, Wench Cove. I have also been playing some other games, Assassins Creed 3, Crash Bandicoot N'Sane Trilogy and a few others, but ACNH has been my ultimate escape from the terrible reality.

Fitness Routine:

I have been doing the Chloe Ting Shredding Programme, alongside my usual running, and cycling. I've been eating as clean as possible, tracking my food, my water, and at the time of writing this post, I'm doing intermittent fasting too. The IF wont be a permanent thing, but I'm finding that teamed with the shred challenge, I'm getting closer to my goals with that bit more oomph! 

The workouts are tough, but I'm enjoying them, seeing real progress and feeling amazing! I have not, and will not be weighing myself, as losing or gaining doesn't matter to me, simply I want to feel stronger, healthier and look a little better too. So far, it's going well! 

Dynasty:

Guys, please let me have this one, okay. I know it's trash, but it's so fun to watch! I am blazing through it on Netflix and only just found out recently there's a whole new season. I love watching this in the evenings, and I'm trying to only watch a couple of episodes per evening so I can really enjoy it, but it's difficult, because it's so addicting. 

The Ordinary Skincare: 

As well as getting back into a solid health and fitness routine, I've been getting back into my skincare. I'm using The Ordinary to get my skin back on an even keel. I've been using The No Brainer Set, the Glycolic Toner, AHA/BHA Peeling Solution and a few other products. The purging breakouts have started to subside, and my skin has never looked or felt better. Call me converted! 

I'll leave it there for now. 

What have you been doing to keep sane during quarantine? 

xx

Twitter // Facebook

Whats in my Commuter Bag? [Fjallraven Kanken]

Well, well, well. It's been a while, readers! I hope there are still some of you out there.

A lot has changed since I last wrote a blog post... I've recently gotten a new job and I'm commuting again - lucky me!! (There's a reason, I'll reveal all soon! For now let's just say that I'll be doing a bucket-list item soon) 

Since I'm commuting more I'm also making the effort to be more mindful about the things I do and the stuff I use so as to save as much time, effort and money as possible. With a bit of forethought and planning, it's been quite an easy adjustment. Without further ado, I give you my work commuter bag - The Fjallraven Kanken in Fog. 

I wanted to get something simple, hardwearing and that combined spaciousness with compact dimensions, and that led me to the Kanken. Now I will say, that I was torn between this and the Fjallraven Re Kanken, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, but I decided to opt for the original. Most people agree, no matter what the option, that the originals are always the best.

In one of the two side pockets, you'll find my yellow water bottle, which I picked up in Dunnes Stores for €5. I've popped some stickers onto it, and will probably apply more as I get them, just to personalise it a little. The other side pocket is home to my Zojirushi Flask, which I got in Tokyo, and I adore. It has a handy lid that locks with a sliding mechanism, and you can drink straight from it because of the ergonomic shape of the mouthpiece.  It's worth mentioning that the pockets on the sides of the Kanken are long and narrow, so not every water bottle or flask will fit in them.

In the smaller pocket I have my wallet and keys. 

Inside the main pocket I have my tiffin tin, which I got in India. It has three compartments for my lunch, which makes it so easy to meal prep for my lunches, and keeps me on a short leash, because if I was out buying lunches every day of the week, I'd be broke and I'd be eating crap. The tiffin cost me 700INR or around €9, in the local Star Hyper Supermarket. If you look on Amazon, you'll find them for €15-ish. The tiffin is in a neoprene Kilner bag that I picked up at Christmas in Blanchardstown for €5, and I have a stainless steel knife, fork, spoon and travel straw in a cloth sleeve tucked into the side. I really only use the travel straw on rare occasions, but it's more of a "just in case" than a necessity! 

I carry my green leather journal, my glasses case (which I also tuck my daily pills into), and my all-important make-up bag which amongst other things, contains a mini hairbrush, deo, a folding toothbrush and mini toothpaste and perfume as well as a pair of earrings. Some days I wear makeup, other days I don't - and since I started tinting my eyebrows at home, I don't have to carry three products just to look like I've got an expression! 

Arguably the most important part of my "everyday carry" are my glorious Senheisser Wireless Headphones which keep me sane on the commute to and from work everyday! I love podcasts, mostly True Crime All The Time, TCATT Unsolved and Those Consipiracy Guys, but I also listen to a few soundtracks too - at the moment Call Me By Your Name is the OST on my heavy rotation.

One good thing that I love about this bag is that it doesn't seem to ever get full, and even when it's heavy it's not uncomfortable. I can't honestly wait to take this bag down the country or abroad in the future. It's just such a great bit of kit! 

While this is a pretty good example of most of the things I carry, sometimes I bring my laptop and on short days I don't bring the tiffin, and so on, but for the most part the contents don't change.

So there you have it! My Commuter Bag, in all it's glory. 

What do you carry in your commuter bag? 

Amy 
xx

5 Lessons Learned in 2018

The year is winding down and it's time for a little reflection on the past twelve months.

I've learned a lot this year, and I'm going to tell you all about the lessons 2018 has taught me.

Image: Wolf Bear - I believe in the good things coming, today and every day. 

1. I Can Do Anything I Damn Well Please. 

This year has had an overarching lesson above all - I am the master of my own fate. I can do whatever the hell I want and I don't have to justify myself to anyone.

Now, looking at this statement it's fair to say that it could be construed in a negative light, but I don't mean it as such. I'm not just rolling around doing whatever whims take me and I'm certainly not out to hurt anyone with my actions. What I mean is that I CAN move to India. I CAN quit my job and go freelance. I CAN propose to my man. I can do anything. And that lesson is so positive for me.



2. The Only Way Out is Through. 

I will say to almost anyone who asks that I loved my old job. I did. For ages. But then it became a chore. It became repetitive and boring and it eventually began to grate on my mental health. I knew that I couldn't just give up though, and so I persevered and made myself keep going as I searched for a job that would help me pursue my dreams.

I am glad that I kept going, that I openly discussed the issues I had developed with the job with my managers and my friends, and I am so glad that I am pursuing my freelance dreams, because it has only bolstered my opinion that the company I worked for prior to my freelance career are awesome - because they understood my viewpoint and they were there for me until the very last moment.

3. Intentional Living is For Me

India has taught me something about myself that I really never fully focused on: I am far more thoughtful than I ever gave myself credit for. I have learned that living intentionally is far easier and brings a lot of contentment to my life. I am trying to be more thoughtful about how I consume everything (which is bloody difficult in a country like India), and I feel the benefits of it already.

Granted it has only been a couple of months, but I am feeling so much better about my life and my footprint. As I write this I can happily state that I have managed to have an almost zero waste cup of tea in Starbucks - opting for a ceramic cup, not using sugar packets, not putting my teabag on a napkin, asking for a jug of milk instead of a UHT packet and so on.

FYI, I'll be uploading my What's In My Low Impact Bag in the future, so check that out! 

4. Make Gratitude the Attitude

I've always been the type to say thank you to anyone who has ever done something for me, but this year I have been more vocal about it again. From emailing companies who create a product I love and enjoy to expressing to my friends what they mean to me, gratitude is the most wonderful thing we can spread. Telling people that we appreciate them is so important. You have no idea what that small moment of connection and positivity can do for a person's mental health, your smile and positivity can bring real change to the world around you.

I've also been donating to creative projects by creators I love and enjoy where I can, though this is entirely non-essential.

5. Put Down The Tech

A lot of my life is lived online, but I have come to learn and further, enjoy putting my tech down. Making friends with people, learning about the world around me, feeding the street dogs in my locality - all of this has been facilitated by putting my phone down and paying attention to something beyond my screen.

I've been able to come off my antidepressants, I've learned how to mitigate my migraines, how to live more thoughtfully and how to actually be a human. When I do want to take a step away from the world, I don't feel bad - balance is the key, and there's no guilt on the occasions that I do need to block out the world - I'm just not constantly plugged into an electronic device.

So there are some lessons I've learned this year. I hope they were interesting to you and perhaps inspired you for 2019. 

Amy 

xo

Twitter // Facebook 

TTDTYA - Owning a FitBit

Something I have always wanted is a Fitbit, but it was always more of a nice thought, an arbitrary piece of kit I was never really going to buy for myself. Really, I was enamored by the idea of a FitBit, taken by the notion of tracking my fitness and everything else.

The thing is, I haven't shot my bow in a year, I haven't been out for a run in about the same, and I knew in my heart I would never buy one so long as I was so unmotivated in my sporting/fitness life.

Then I was given one. And my life is changed.

Here are all the things they don't tell you about owning a Fitbit.


You'll Be Suspicious At First.

When you first get it, you will be unsure, and a little suspicious. What can this gadget really do for you? How great can this glorified bracelet be? Is it really all that? Is it seriously waterproof??

Eventually, You'll Warm To It 

You'll charge it, set it up, install the app, and put it on your wrist. Then you'll forget about it for a while. You'll look at the app after a couple of days and see your sleep, your steps, any other activities, and you'll suddenly be enamored by it. After a few more days, you'll have started to set goals and see your habits starting to come to the fore. That's when you'll start to think, "This Fitbit malarkey is actually grand!!".

By this time, you'll have forgotten about it and worn it into the shower, or while you've done the dishes, and you'll begin to accept the waterproof nature of your new gadget.

It Will Seamlessly Integrate Into Your Life

By now, you'll trust yourself to wear it into the shower, and you'll have it on while you sleep, so you'll have started to see a clear picture of your fitness and your health habits. You'll check the app a couple of times a day, and each time, be more and more impressed with the information it gives you. Oh, you slept for 6 hours? But you were restless around 4am for 17 minutes? Well, bed earlier next time so!

You'll Regain Lost Motivation 

I used to run competitively, I was always out pounding the pavements and hitting the gym. That has not been the case recently. My FitBit has helped me with that. Because I've been wearing it every day, when I cycle to work or walk my housemate's dog in the evenings, it has helped me to slowly recover my goals. I've been slacking, and I know it. Now my FitBit holds me accountable. There is no denying the cold hard fact

When Your FitBit Needs To Be Charged, You'll Be Grumpy. 

It only takes a couple of hours to charge my Fitbit, but when I've got to take it off and plug it in, I'm not an impressed camper! I tend to charge it in work, where I'm sitting, and won't need to worry about my logs being inaccurate. Charging it is necessary, but it annoys me to no end!

You'll Want A Band To Go With Every Outfit 

One thing I've started to do is shop around for pendants and bands to put the FitBit into. Fancy looking bangles, pendants, and the silicone straps in every color. I'm going to wind up with a strap to match every outfit on a day to day basis and a fancy pendant to put it in to wear out to events. You'll become obsessed - unless you're into the "all black everything" aesthetic. Probably even then!

So there you have it! My list of things that they dont tell you about owning a Fitbit! 

Are there any things I've missed? Tell me in the comments below!! 

Amy x

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Lip Service: Minimalism and Pink Converse

So I was watching through some content on YouTube as I do on an almost obsessive basis, and I happened across Matt D'Avella, eventually finding my way to this video here:

Something about this video struck me. This idea that is perpetuated in elitist minimalist circles that you can't be part of their super exclusive club if you don't conform to strict ideals of what it means to be a minimalist.

You cant be a minimalist if you're a bookworm. 
You cant be a minimalist if you're a CEO. 
You cant be a minimalist if you're a beauty blogger. 
You cant be a minimalist if you're...

Heres the thing. I'm striving to be less cluttered and I find certain things, not everything now mind you, but certain things weigh on my mind. My clothing collection is one. I have three wardrobes on two continents. Fuck that. Who needs that? I should be able to happily store my stuff in one place. Not three.

If for me, minimalism is denoted by not having a bi-continental wardrobe, but rather having a few items I love dearly, and eight pairs of shoes, then that's what minimalism means.

Minimalism is relative. RE-LA-TIVE!!! If you are a clothing hoarder, and you cut your wardrobe down to half, and you staunch your shopping habit, then good on ya! I commend you for making a positive change in your life.

My motivation for minimizing is to declutter my space, both brain space and my surroundings.

I can be a minimalist if I truly want to move towards a lifestyle of less.

So how do I get to that end goal? To that lifestyle of less.

I've been ruminating on what actions I can take to get me to a place where I can feel I am functioning as a minimalist relative to my old self, and parting with things I don't miss, don't love and don't want anymore is going to be the first step. Starting with a fresh clean slate is important to me, and I want to be sure I get off on the right footing. Part of this means untangling the sentimentality that runs through each and every item I own.

If you're wondering why I have a picture of a pair of Converse in this blog post - a tatty dirty pair, to that end, I will tell you the answer is two-fold.

The first reason is that these were the first truly difficult item I came across. I know they hurt my feet now, they're past their best, and they need to go, but I love them. How can I get rid of a pair of shoes that served me so faithfully for so long? How can I just cast them aside like they don't matter? Like they mean nothing? What kind of person just dumps something she loves like this?

Do you see a pattern forming in the thoughts and questions here? Cause I do!!

I had to be very firm with myself and say, "Amy, they're shoes. They don't have feelings, nor are they capable of complex thought. They're literally some rubber soles, fabric and lacing to cover your feet. Get over yourself."

And the thing is, I know that is right. I know that it's true that they've served me faithfully, and that by continuing to cling to them, they are simply occupying physical space in my life, as well as occupying mental space. By continuing to keep hold of these tatty trainers, I am giving power to the part of my brain that forms silly attachments. They're shoes, not my childhood bear.

The second reason I borrowed from the gentleman above too, but from a different video. If taking a picture of them and keeping that picture helps to in some way placate the part of me that needs to be sentimental, then so be it. I can take these pictures, rid myself of the item, collate the item to a digital album that keeps them organized and safe while moving on with my life. I can keep a record of the things I have appreciated and loved in my life, while also being free to live my life unencumbered by stuff. 

I managed to have a stern word with myself, and then snap a picture and just... deep breath... let them go. Exhale. Immediately I felt lighter.

There are obvious areas in my life where I can't live a spartan existence. I have a very very nice record player and collection of vinyl, and while I might be able to donate or resell a few records, I wouldn't dream of slashing it down just to fit some idealized vision of a minimalist lifestyle. Again, this all just brings home the idea of minimalism being a relative concept, a relative lifestyle.

At the end of the day, you don't have anything to prove to me, to the elitist minimalists who only own 100 items, to anyone! You have to blaze your own trail and in doing so, you will come to learn what minimalism means to you and how it works best for your life.

I hope this has been useful to you, and I hope you are enjoying your journey!

Amy xo 

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Red Goes Green: Ways To Declutter Your Life

If like me, you love a good clear out, you should enjoy today's post. I have been working on decluttering my life across three locations, Hyderabad, Meath, and Dublin.

Most people have three methods of decluttering: The Bin, The Charity Shop, and Recycling. Now I get it, it's easy to put clean plastics and cardboard and other recyclables into your green bin, and it's not a huge thing to bring your glass bottles and jars to the Recycling Banks, but what about the things you can't readily recycle or donate?

Today I am going to bring you my tips for decluttering your life, including the awkward things, in the categories of Donate, Recycle, Trash, and Misc.

Donate: 

Good quality clothes, such as that dress you bought last year that you swore would be "the dress" but you only wore three times. My modus operandi for donating is, "Would I want to wear this?", "Would I buy this?" and if you say yes, and it's not in absolute rags, it's good to bring to your local charity shop.

Now, the thing about this is, if you have a lot of stuff to donate, you may need to spread it around different charity shops. I like to give to my local Saint Vincent de Paul shops, which gives me the opportunity to donate in more than one area. It's also not cool to just dump all your shameful impulse buys in one place and make someone else do the hard work, so think about your plan.

You can also always donate at local bring banks if they have clothing donation bins, and if you live in an urban area, you might even be able to donate to local shelters and so forth. Have a look online for the best resources for you. Seriously. It'll take ten minutes and it will be a great use of your time.

Alternatively, donating can take the form of offering your friends first refusal on items from your wardrobe, before you take the remainder to the charity shop or donation center.

Recycle: 

Easy enough, if you have access to a car. What I like to do is to take a day to do the sorting, and get all of the recycling in one place. Then in the morning of the next day, or on a day when you can, load up your car and head for the local recycling center. They will have designated areas for cardboard, tins, electronics, and so on. One thing I love the recycling center for is the clothing recycling facilities. Any clothing that you have that is holey, or tatty, or whatever else can be sent to recycling for textiles.

The beauty of this method is that you can make a huge dent in a small amount of time, and you can really make a change. Recycling center entry fees are extremely affordable, and if it costs you a couple of quid to get in, it's worth it!!

Equally, you can always take a couple of things that are not fit for donation, but in decent condition to make into rags for dusting and cleaning, saving you the cost of paper towels or fancy-schmancy microfibre cloths!

Trash: 

Of course, there are things you may have to bin, and the likelihood is that you will have to toss out, and that's fair enough. The main thing to bear in mind here is to minimize the amount you need to toss in the bin.


Misc: 

There are things that you shouldn't bin, that you can't easily recycle and that you should not donate. Things like old pillows, teddies, and duvets/blankets. You can donate these to local dog shelters. Honestly, they will be delighted to get them and use them, and you will feel so good that the kitties and the puppies that are sleeping on them are warm and comfy.

Food scraps can be composted for the most part, if you have space or utilities to do so. If you don't, please do not fret, you are already doing the best you can.

Gift bags are good to keep and reuse, to re-wrap a gift for someone you love. Save your dolla-dolla for use on other things!

If you have doubles of things you don't want, then pass them along to people you think might enjoy them. For example, I have a second set of cutlery, so I gave the extra set to Dex for work, and now he has a low-impact lunch kit!


I hope these were useful to you!

Amy
x


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Red Goes Green: Easy Low Impact Living Swaps

As I've been doing more to be a conscious consumer and make better choices with regard to being more eco-friendly and lowering my footprint on this planet, I've come across a few different swaps that were incredibly easy to make.

Ta-Da! A shiny new segment on my blog, dedicated to all things sustainable and low impact!

I know not all of us have the money to go out and spend on replacing things in our lives that are more eco-friendly and less wasteful, but there are certain choices we can make that make our day to day lives greener.

I've tried to include the approximate price brackets for these swaps so I can show you how accessible they really are. The idea of this movement is to make conscious changes that add up to a more sustainable lifestyle in the long-term. It's also a great way to save money, which, for me, is important as myself and Dex are going to be saving for our wedding come the new year, and we want to be sure that we are doing everything we can to help ourselves in that goal!


Reusable Water Bottles 

This can be as easy as reusing a bottle you got water in one day and simply refilling it wherever you can. If you are in the market for a good quality water bottle that will last you a long time to come, then you could pick up a double-walled bottle from stores like Stock on South King Street, or even TK Maxx.

TK Maxx is a good option for budget-friendly choices that usually are not wrapped in plastic, then put in a box and so on. You can usually pick out the bottle you want from a shelf load of options and all you have to deal with is the sticky label on the outside. Much less wasteful than a plethora of single-use water bottles or a bottle wrapped in two or three layers of soon-to-be trash!

Cost: €0 - €10

My canvas bag I got in my local Ikea

Canvas Grocery Bags

My mother instilled in me from a young age that to carry a small foldable shopping bag with you is the most useful thing you can have. Most of us have one or two lying around that we were given for free at some event or that came with a purchase of some kind.

I have two that I keep on me at all times, just to make sure that if I do need to carry something on a moments notice, I don't need to worry about needing to get hold of a plastic carrier bag. Once I've gotten to my destination, which is usually my home, I simply fold it up and pop it back into my bag for the next time I might need it. Handy!

The beauty of the canvas bag swap is that you can get ones that are personal or that fit your ethics/morals/tastes to a tee. I have one for a few years now from the Yes Equality movement during the Marriage Equality Referendum a few years back. It makes me smile knowing that the purchase I made of that bag helped to fund a movement I was passionate about, and I feel so badass knowing that I get to show my support not just for my beautiful LGBT peers, but also for my belief in being more environmentally sound.

Cost: €0 - €3

Cutlery

I have a reusable cutlery kit that I adore, but this doesn't mean you need one.

You could just as easily snag a knife, fork, and spoon from your cutlery drawer and use them. All you are doing is helping to avoid the use of plastic cutlery. Let's be honest here, plastic forks are shit, and they're a waste. Carrying cutlery is easy as! If you wanted to be extra environmentally sound, you could even wrap them up in a cloth napkin to eliminate your use of paper napkins!

Cost: €0 - €8

Shaving

I'm sorry, I'm just so so obsessed with my Safety Razor that I cannot shut up about it. I want to kick my own ass for going on about it so much. Honestly, though, it has changed my entire shaving routine. I get a closer shave that lasts longer and I enjoy the process.

You can get safety razors from all kinds of places, from AliExpress to eBay to more specialized local stores like Shaving.ie, and they come at all sorts of price points, ranging from low to very high. Once you've made the investment into the razor, the blades are all you need to replace, and they are super cheap.

You can recycle the blades, but be sure to do so SAFELY. They're sharp, and you don't want to undo all your good work by slicking some poor binman open. Many razor sheaths (the plastic thing they come in) have a reverse slot for the old blades so you can be sure you're being as safe as possible in your disposal.

Shaving with a safety razor has taking a boring, generally dreaded chore to a wonderful self care task. I like to combine a few other self-care things with the process of shaving my legs, such as doing a hair and face mask combo, listening to some music or a podcast, and generally taking the time to enjoy the meditative process. Compared to disposable razors which don't shave as closely, the whole process of shaving with one is not nearly as enjoyable all around.

Who knows, you might end up like me, who now faces the task of getting a safety razor for her fiancee who has taken a liking to my one!

Cost: Razor; €20 - €100+, Blades; €3 - €10 per pack of 10

Feminine Hygiene Products

If you are a person who has periods, you will know that the use of disposable products is absolutely rife. By making the switch to reusable alternatives, you will be saving money as well as waste.

I have a menstrual cup, but I'm also dying to get hold of a few reusable pads to try out and use during the nights. I'm not repulsed by my own body, neither should you be. Empty the menstrual cup, wash the pads, it's not a huge deal to do and the environment will thank you for it!

Cost: Varies

So there you have some easy Low impact Living Swaps that don't break the bank, but that you can treat yourself too if you would like to. The cost involved with each of these swaps are mostly one off purchases that you will have forever with any luck, or if you must make repeat purchases, you won't have to do so very often at all. 

Remember that this lifestyle is a journey and you don't have to be perfect. Doing your best is absolutely enough! 

Til next time, 

Amy x 

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My Skincare Routine : Indian Edition

Since coming to India, my skin has actually been pretty well behaved. The humid climate of Hyderabad is pretty forgiving, or so it seems to me! I've updated my skincare routine pretty drastically since we arrived, more or less chucking anything that didn't seem to agree with my skin and the heat. I've also seriously leaned into the national love for the brand Kaya and The Body Shop.

To start, I'll begin with my face. I picked up a set of Kaya skincare from the Kaya counter in Shopper Stop, boasting a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. You can even buy a serum separately, but I haven't bothered. It was around 1800 INR or less than €22 all in.

The Kaya Purifying Cleanser is a clear gel consistency, with a light scent. I use a pea size amount with lukewarm water to gently massage my face and if I feel the need, I will use a mild exfoliating sponge into the bargain.

I pat my skin dry with a towel and then I take the Kaya Purifying Toner, spray it onto a cotton pad and wipe down my face and neck with it. After this step, if I'm feeling fancy, I'll use a couple of spritzes of The Body Shop Vitamin C Energizing Face Mist (945 INR or €11), before gently pressing my Purifying Nourisher into my face and neck for a lightweight moisturizer.

Once I've all of this done and I've let the whole regimen sink into my skin for a few minutes, then I like to assess whether I should do a face mask in the evening and if I do, I choose between two I particularly love from The Body Shop: Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying (1895 INR or €23) and Polishing Mask, and their Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask (1895 INR or €23). I will smooth one or the other on for 15 or 20 minutes in the evening, and rinse with lukewarm water. I tend not to bother moisturizing too much at night as the evenings are incredibly warm and I feel as though sweating off my lotions and potions would be wasteful.

Body-wise, I use a loofah scrub and The Body Shop Indian Night Jasmine Shower Gel, which smells incredible. Once I've dried off I use a light gel lotion, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, which I brought from Ireland! It has little to no scent and sinks in super quickly. I always feel soft and smooth with this body care routine, without being weighed down in the heat.

Next time, I'll go through my hair care routine! 

Til then, 

Amy 

xx

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Things They Don't Tell You About: India

India is an incredible place, but there is a steep, steep learning curve that comes along with it! I have never been the type to go anywhere unprepared,  no matter the destination.

Everywhere I've ever traveled as an adult has been accompanied by a guide-book of some kind, often a phrase-book too, which I feel allows me to be as prepared as I can be, while online research helps me to assimilate the cultural differences more easily as I know what to expect from the get-go. If you've read this post, you'll know that I was pretty thrown by everything India.

So, what have I learned?

1. People Will Stare At You (At Least)

Just accept this and move on. You will be stared at, you might be approached by people who want to talk to you, or take a selfie with you. If you're a pale and pasty person, it's one thing, but if you're blonde, red, or any "unnatural" hair color, you're going to get more looks than if you're a pale brunette.

Other things you may experience is shouting. It's not meant maliciously, as in my experience Indians are warm, welcoming and so friendly. They're just curious about you. You are different after all. I've had people pull in off the road to talk to me, but I usually try to politely say no and keep walking.

I've also had people hang out of their car or busses to stare as they pass by. It's fine. It's just curiosity, and that's okay.

2. The Poverty Will Shock (And Probably Upset) You

It's not uncommon in India to see a big glass shopping mall full of high-end brands beset by shanty-villages full of huts and makeshift houses. It's also pretty common to see people washing on the side of the road in broad daylight. It's pretty upsetting to see. There are kids running barefoot, street-dogs roaming around and other sights that you won't see in the west. It's tough to take, and it is deeply upsetting, but in most cases, people are seen smiling and happy no matter their situation. I guess the thought is that it can always be worse.

3. They Will Do Some Things Better And Some Things WAY Worse

Things India does better than Ireland: Ice-cream, microwave popcorn, customer service (even if it is annoying), affordable technology, jewelry (specifically gold and diamonds), cheap taxis (Uber and OLA - represent!), bar culture, colorful everything.

Things India absolutely does not do better than Ireland: Burgers, Mexican food, kitchens (don't even get me started!), time-keeping, leaving you to browse in shops (the culture is to be helpful to the point of annoying), grocery stores.

I find almost all of the pros outweigh the cons of this country. The food is all incredible, and so so cheap! Even when we go for a fine-dining meal, it's still very cost-effective. Transport is so affordable it's actually causing me anxiety about going back to Dublin prices!!

4. It's So Much Bigger Than You Can Imagine

The city we live in, Hyderabad, is huge. Honestly, it's on a scale I really could not come to terms with until we got here. I had thought to myself that I would go and visit this place and that place until I wrapped my head around the sheer scale of the place!

For context, Hyderabad city is AS BIG as Dublin COUNTY. The center of the city, the Old City around Charminar and Chowmalla Palace is equal to the "Dublin City Centre" area in terms of size. It's pretty hard to walk anywhere unless it's under 15 minutes away.

5. Despite Everything You Will Be Warned About, India Has An Irresistible Charm

You will see trash on the side of the road, but you'll also see the most colorful lorries around. People will stop you for selfies, but they will be so lovely to you, that you won't even mind. You will be seen as "wealthy" by street bazaar vendors and they will try to double the regular price, but if you haggle, they will smile at you and see you as one of their own. Your Indian friends that you make might underestimate your ability to assimilate, but when you do, they will be so proud and dub thee "Part-Indian".

Remember, when you come here, it's a learning curve that you need to give some time to in order to surmount it. With that said, it's a wonderful country, you're going to love it here.

<3

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Our Engagement Story #IProposedToHim

We're engaged!!!

Today I wanted to tell the story of how we got engaged.

I had been thinking about getting engaged for a long time. I mean, a long time. Honestly, this idea was floating around my head for months. However, one day a few weeks back, I couldn't move beyond the idea anymore, and I had to vent. I had been sitting on this for so long, it was time to air it to another person. We had talked about this before and had always said marriage was where we were headed, but it was abstract. I needed to get the thoughts and ideas out to someone who knew us both well enough to be informed, but who I knew would be honest no matter what.

The watch was much too big, despite my swiping a watch he already had to match the sizing!

I texted my friend Stephanie, who is Dex's best friend, as well as an amazing friend to me, and swore her to secrecy before divulging. She immediately texted back "I knew this was coming!!!" and we had a long chat, which the shortened version comes down to her saying "Fucking do it, and when he says yes, text me first!!". She even sent a video message for him to watch after the proposal.

I ran the idea by my mam, who was chill, and my sister, who by the way, didn't help with the nerves, texting me asking "Well??? Have you done it yet?"

It was time to start getting serious about things. Research time! There was only one thing, and that was the paranoia that Dex would hear my thoughts or see what I was searching for on Google. Honestly, it was hard to fall asleep and stay asleep for two or three days. My ads changed on every single platform I was on. Instagram? Watches. Twitter? Watches!! I was a woman possessed.

Indian Champagne and a bubble bath in our 5* suite!

Once I found the place I was going to buy the watch, I went straight into the nearest branch, and started the looking process. Initially, I had narrowed my search to a couple of brands, but of course, true to my nature, I was thrown by the sheer amount of watches and assistance I was given in store. I ended up throwing the budget out the window and going with an incredible watch that, had it not been on sale, I never would have been able to afford, but I knew in my heart, this was THE watch. Professional looking but super luxe too. I asked the team to keep the watch for me, left the Hublot one I swiped from his bedside table for sizing, and I sat down to do a day of work in the Starbucks around the corner.

In between working on my files for the day, I pinged Dex's mum on Facebook Messenger and asked her to drop me a line when she had a few free minutes. Honestly, I was shit scared, to put it bluntly, and it was the most stressful wait of my life for her to come online, even with the time difference from India to Ireland. When she came online, I just asked her out flat, if I could have her blessing to ask him to be mine forever, and nearly burst into tears in the middle of Starbucks when she said yes, and was so incredibly kind and supportive of my asking. Now there was nothing stopping me. I had the go-ahead from the most important voice in the whole shebang!

Once I finished up for the day, I went back to the store, bought the watch, and set about putting a plan in motion to pop the question. Initially, the plan was to wait until we went to Goa for a relaxing mini-break, but I knew that was not going to be possible. Where would I hide the watch? What if he found it? Jesus, would I sleep again? I'd be skeletal from stress. That plan was out the window. So I went and picked up a bottle of aftershave I had seen him admiring in The Body Shop the weekend beforehand, and made up a sort-of plan in my mind.

Right after he put a ring on it! (feat. A watch that actually fits!)

I decided to just ask. At home, in the privacy of our apartment, with no crowds or stress. Just the two of us. So I went home, cleaned the apartment to within an inch of its life, and sat there, stressing. Waiting. Watching the clock, and not watching the many, many things I had playing on Netflix. I put on my favorite yellow dress, did my hair, put a little makeup on, quickly cobbled together a cute Spotify playlist of romantic songs, paired my Bluetooth speaker to my phone. And then finally, he came home.

He came in the door, popped his bag in the chair and as he visibly relaxed, I told him there was a gift on his bedside table. While he went to retrieve it, I pressed play so Ellie Goulding's cover of Your Song was playing, grabbed the watch box, and stood in the doorway of the room, just out of sight. I could hear scuffling, sighing, and a muffled expletive. Calling out to him, as nonchalantly as I could, I asked what he was doing. He was changing into his pajama shorts. Then I didn't ask.

"I was going to get down on one knee, but I think this makes the same point.", tears in my eyes, wobbly voice, barely standing before the man of my dreams. (I will never ever make light of anyone proposing, it's scary as all hell.)

He looked at the watch, then he looked at me as the penny dropped. I was barely keeping it together, as he asked "Are you serious?" or something of that ilk. I nodded, and then I asked, "Will you marry me?" and a little sob escaped me as he said yes. I have never hugged someone so tightly as I did at that moment, and when the shaking subsided, I kissed him and I actually said: "Thank god for that, I was so scared you might say no,".

We let it settle in for a few minutes, and then I knew I had to text Steph to let her know the plan went..... to plan, I guess! And then it was time to text my best friend, my mam and sister, other friends, and for Dex to do the same. He rang his mum, and his brother and sister, and we sent a cute selfie to them to have as well.


We had a couple of mini celebrations, the first was in a private suite in a 5* hotel, where we were treated like royalty, and a couple of weeks later we had a bit of a do with friends in a great little outdoor bar. Once we get home to Ireland, we will be having an almighty party, that's a fact!

A close up of the ring for those of you who might be nosy!

Dex wanted to pick out the ring I would wear with me, so we went to a few jewelers and I was torn between two rings I adored, but eventually went for the smaller one because I'm not really a flashy person, and I didn't fancy a big massive sparkly thing. So we went for a nice little sparkle instead.

Honestly, getting engaged is such a wild ride, and all I can say is even though everything has changed, everything has stayed the same. It's been incredible, and now we get to embark on this new adventure into the rest of our lives together, together!

Girls, you don't have to wait for him. If marriage is something you've been talking about in the affirmative, then go for it. Screw tradition.

September 25th, 2018 changed my life for better and forever, and honestly, the 25th of September 2020 cannot get here quick enough so I can be Mrs. Dexter Whelan forevermore. 

<3

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