Simple changes you can make to help save the planet

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With Greta Thunberg making waves around the world, the environment is more of a hot topic than ever. While some people might think they can’t do anything to make a significant impact, if we all make small changes, it could lead to something special and significant.

We have some suggestions of really simple things you can do today that could help make for a better future for the planet.

Turn off your computer at night
It’s easy to leave your computer on as you sleep, but if you turn it off you will not only save power but also money.

Don’t run the water when you brush
They say to brush your teeth for at least two minutes morning and night – if you leave the water running at the same time that is a massive waste. Turning the tap off while brushing can save masses of water and your teeth will still be clean and healthy. Oh, and why not try using bamboo brushes rather than plastic ones???

Snap up second hand
Yes, you can stop shopping altogether, or you could start sourcing the things you really need second hand. Kids bikes, desks, chairs, flowerpots, school uniform and wellies are often for sale in good, used condition and doing this saves you money and helps reduce packaging materials and eases landfill sites.

Plant a tree, or two plant
Planting trees in your garden is great for the land and the air, it can shade your home, and can even increase the value of your property. If you plant a fruit tree, you are being even kinder to the environment as you won’t need to get your apples from the shops, which means not having to drive your car, and when you pick them fresh, no plastic bags are needed. Now, when those trees, or any other plants need watering, don’t use a hose pipe, instead go for a watering can and getting a rainwater butt is another great green idea.

Work from home
This isn’t an excuse to sit in your PJs and watch TV all day, but working at home will save you time, money and ease up on the use of your car or public transport. If your boss won’t agree, how about cycling to work or looking at a car share with colleagues – it all helps!

Get a bag for life
We know you know, but plastic carrier bags are not biodegradable or recyclable so they are no good to anyone or anything. Stop buying bags each time you shop and instead take stronger, reusables bags to the supermarket and if you can ditch them altogether, good for you!

Step away from straws
Millions of straws and stirrers are thrown away every year, so use a spoon to stir your coffee and drink from a glass – simple.

Cancel paper statements
With email, there is no need to have paper bills and statements – NO REASON AT ALL. Asking to receive online statements and bills will save trees and with the postman not delivering them to your home, it saves on petrol and diesel fumes too.

Recycle, recycle, recycle
Did you know that if you don’t recycle glass it can take years and years for it to decompose? Always recycle your glass and the same goes for plastics, newspapers and magazines, clothes, garden waste and food – you have recycling bins, use them and save the planet.

Got an idea that helps make you greener, let us know, we are all ears.

Team Pure Beauty

How to make the world a better place, your way

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Walk along the road, go to the park or visit the local woods, and we are pretty sure you will see litter on the street, mess in the gutter and writing on the walls.

A sign of the times – maybe?

Something you can change – definitely.

We have some ideas on how small actions taken by each of us, can make a big impact for all of us in the world we call home.

Plogging
Don’t know what plogging is, where have you been? Well, the Scandinavian’s have come into their own again, as they conied this phrase by combined picking up litter as you run. Doing this means that as well as getting fit and active, this helps you clean up where you live and as you only need your trainers, a bag for life and some gloves to get started, what’s stopping you?

Catch the rain
Water butts are great because the rain water you collect keeps your garden healthy during the dry summer months without draining other resources. If you don’t have the space for a water butt, reuse bath water or collect the water when you’re in the shower and not only will you have green grass but lower bills.

How about a town makeover
Whether it’s a collapsed fence, stagnant pond or graffiti-covered wall, if you offer some time and TLC you can make your corner of the world look better. If you want to give something a new lease of life, get permission from your local council first, then get family, friends and neighbours involved and bring people together, for the better.

Cut down your emissions
Reducing the amount you use your car can really help to cut your carbon footprint, and it isn’t that hard to do. Instead of drving the car to go to the local shops, walk instead, share your commute to work with people who live close by and why not holiday in the UK, rather than taking a plane somewhere else in the world?

Give back
Life is busy, but giving your time to someone in need can be rewarding for you and very much appreciated by them. Helping an elderly friend with their library books, tackling the weeds in your neighbour’s garden, or helping out at the food bank might only be an hour to you, but it could offer a life line to someone else. By doing a quick online search you will find something that will work for you, and no matter where you volunteer, you will make a difference to others.

Buy less
If you want to produce less rubbish, why not simply buy less stuff? When you do shop, go for packaging that can be recycled, freeze what you aren’t going to have time to eat and before you splash the cash, make sure you really need what you are about to purchase, there are only so many jumpers and pairs of jeans you can wear.

Donate
Old and unwanted clothes, furniture and food might not seem much to you, but you will find that homeless shelters and charity shops will be more than happy to take them from you and there will be someone out there will give them a much loved home.

Grow your own
Flowers, plants and trees look pretty but they also remove CO2 from the air and replace it with oxygen, which is what we need. Why not think about taking up gardening, be that at home or in a local space, community garden, old people’s home or school and before you know it, you’ll be creating a welcoming environment and giving back to the world at the same time.

Grow your own
If you’re fed up of having to buy your fruit and veg in plastic bags, why not grow your own? By doing this, you will cut your plastic use, your food will be fresh and organic and if you freeze what you grow, you will have fertiliser free produce on tap.

Team Pure Beauty

How to Detox Your Wardrobe

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With Dry January out of the way and your body akin to a temple (right?), February is the perfect time to go ahead and detox your wardrobe.

Why not spend some time this month looking at what you have, and what you might need, and to get really organised so you look fresh and polished from now right through to the summer.

Set aside a morning or afternoon when you can turn the phone off and just get on with the job in hand! Put it in your diary and stick to it.

Ready? Let’s go.

The six-month rule
If you haven’t worn something in your wardrobe in the past six months, the chances are, you won’t wear it again. This is a time to be honest and ruthless so as you go through your clothes, make three piles – keep, sell, and give away. Those bright pink skinny jeans, the fluffy bomber jacket and those lime green cowboy boots didn’t work for a reason, so don’t hang onto them just incase.

Quality over quantity
You might feel good knowing your wardrobe is bursting open with hundreds of items, but how many do you actually wear and really like? You might not believe us, but having 30 pieces you really love to wear will make your clothes work so much better for you. By doing this you can also see what is missing and what you need to buy, if anything.

It’s a matter of jeans
OK, how many pairs of jeans do you have in your wardrobe? 5, 10, 15…..more???? Jeans are a staple but one that is hard to crack. They need to be the right length, colour, shape, style and only then are they perfect. Cropped jeans elongate legs and there is nothing like a flash of ankle, mid-risers are hip flatterers and skinnies work on so many levels. See which ones fit, get rid of the ones that don’t, and buy a couple of new pairs that make you look, and feel, amazing.

Jump to it
Come rain or shine, winter or spring, fine knits in black, grey and navy are essentials, end of. They are the most versatile items in your wardrobe, so it pays to invest in the best you can afford. They can be worn with tailored trousers for a smart casual look, match them with those perfect jeans you have found, or pop over a dress and you look as if you have pulled a new skirt out of the wardrobe!

Stripes
Whether you are 13, 30 or 83, a long-sleeved Breton t-shirt will always be your fashion friend. They are brilliant to wear with trainers and jeans on the school run or pop under a jacket and you have a more tailored look that will work well for a meeting with clients or lunch with friends.

Go by the seasons
When you are organising your wardrobe, do it by the seasons. As we are in the middle of winter, you can pack away bikinis, kaftans, flip flops and straw hats – wrap them in tissue paper with moth balls, and store away until the snow has thawed and spring is in the air. You want everything else, to be visible so you can grab, and go.

Be an outfit builder
If you want the clothes you have kept to really work for you, create three outfits from each item you have kept. For example, that long-sleeved floral maxi dress can be worn alone, add a jumper and boots and you have a daytime staple, and if you layer with a fine knit and fake fur gillet, you have a boho look that Sienna Millar would be proud to be seen in.

Fold or hang?
If you want them to keep their shape, always fold knits, t-shirts and jeans. You can either layer them in a chest of drawers or get storage accessories that hang in your wardrobe. Trousers and skirts can be hung on clip hangers and for dresses, go for slim hangers. The golden rule with hanging is that you should be able to fit two fingers between each hanger, and this way your clothes don’t get crushed or lost in a blur of fabric.

Sort it out
If you have taken the time to find the clothes that work for you, it is worth sorting them out in a way that works too. Hang dresses, jackets and shirts together, and then have subcategories of work, home, gym, out-out and if you want to go one step further, complete with a spot of colour coordination.

So, now you know what you have to wear, you just need to fill your diary with events to go to.

Team Pure Beauty

Give something back this Christmas

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Trainers for Steve, a new phone for Rosie and that much wanted laptop for Alice, Christmas is full of presents but how about giving something back to those less fortunate than you?

We have had a look at some of the good causes you can contribute to this Christmas, as well as looking at a few ideas that come from the heart, direct to someone who will really appreciate it.

Crisis at Christmas
For less than £30, you can ensure someone in need gets a place at the Crisis Christmas table this year. That cost will include a nutritious, delicious Christmas dinner, the offer of a hot shower and clean clothes to change into. There will also be a bed for the night if needed, health checks if people want them as well as expert advice on mental health and addiction problems.

Food banks
As you order your Christmas food, or stock up in the supermarket, why not add a few extras for those who can’t afford the cost of living. There are food banks up and down the country and by donating everyday items, as well as some festive treats, you could be making a big difference to someone in need.

Clic Sargent
Did you know that £10 could buy two story books that will help children understand cancer and treatment. £30 pays for a family to stay at a Homes from Home for one night, so they can be close to hospital and £50 (the cost of a computer game) could pay for a CLIC Sargent nurse to talk to a child about their cancer diagnosis and what treatment will be like. This could make a huge difference to an entire family for less than the cost of one meal out for you.

Charity shop drop
Don’t throw away the books, clothes and shoes you no longer need, give them to a local charity shop. You might not want that thick coat or set of pans, but a charity shop gives someone else the chance to buy something they can’t afford new, and the charity gets to generate an income for their cause too. Oh, and while you are there, you could buy your Christmas cards or odd present and give even more back.

Eating on the streets
No one knows the story behind people who are homeless, but we do know that everyone gets hungry. Yes, you can give someone money, but why not buy them a sandwich, some hot soup, plus a bottle of water, and you will know that they will have eaten something that day.

The Salvation Army
Did you know that the Salvation Army helps people across the UK and there are many ways you can be a part of their work? From cake sales with family and friends to trekking in Cambodia, as well as making donations rather than sending cards, there are endless ways you can help them to make life easier for someone in need.

Volunteer you time
Time is something we can all give, and volunteers at soup kitchens over Christmas are always needed. Many organisations offer a hot meal inside in the warm to people sleeping rough, so why not do some research and see what is happening in your area and how you could get involved.

Go carol singing
Maybe this is a little old-fashioned, but why not get together some friends, put on your hats and gloves and go out and sing carols to raise coppers (and more) for a cause that is close to your heart and your home.

Have a wonderful Christmas, but if you can, do something to make someone else’s just that little bit easier too.

Team Pure Beauty

Go organic on a budget

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We are increasingly being told that organic food is the way to go if we want to be super healthy and environmentally aware.

While we are all for that, we know this route can also be a more expensive option, so we have looked at how you can make the switch even if you have a budget you need to stick to.

Start with your kitchen cupboards
First of all, don’t throw out everything in your kitchen that isn’t organic – that causes waste which isn’t the aim of this exercise at all. As you run out of basics such as pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, rice, and other everyday dried goods, replace them with organic, which are often found at the same price as your regular non-organic items. Over time easy swaps will mean you have a kitchen cupboard which is full of organic basics so you will always be able to create a tasty meal or snack that is good for you and the world around you. You might also want to apply the same principles when it comes to cleaning products, as well as clothes, as there is a whole range of organic products out there just waiting to be found.

Do your research
Increasingly, supermarkets and independent retailers are offering organic ranges, so it is worth researching who is doing what. Outlets including Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, and Morrisons now sell their own brand organic ranges which can be more cost-effective than dedicated non-organic branded products which not only means you can get the best value for money but you have a better choice. It may take time to do this, but we think it is worth shopping around and doing some price comparisons to get the best deals for you. Oh, and don’t forget to go to your local greengrocers, butcher and farmers’ market as they can be real organic treasure troves.

Go with the seasons
This can take a while to get used to, but if you want to go organic and keep costs down, eating local produce when it is in season is the way to go. From tomatoes and strawberries to rhubarb and apples, there are some great foods out there, you just need to know what to look for and when.

Buy a box
Another way to eat with the seasons is to take part in a box scheme. There are various options out there, including Abel & Co and Riverford as well as local companies and they are a fantastic way to move to organic eating. You can mix and match your foods, including eggs, meat, and cheese, to get a box that is right for you.

Shop at the end of the day
This isn’t exclusive to organic food, but if you shop at the end of the day and check the discount section, you will be amazed at some of the bargains on offer and if you freeze what you aren’t going to eat that day, there is no waste either.

Leave packaging behind
Retailers are starting to stop using unnecessary food packaging and this is often the case with organic options. You don’t need broccoli wrapped in plastic, so take a bag for life, or even better a basket, when you shop and you can feel extra pleased with your choices.

Do it yourself
Growing your own food is a brilliant way to go organic. We aren’t saying go and buy a farm and get chickens, but growing herbs in the kitchen, tomatoes in tubs and runner beans in the garden are simple ways to do it yourself. Not only do these taste miles better than shop bought produce, but having your own mini kitchen garden is rewarding and totally cost-effective, go you!

Cooking from scratch
With a well-stocked larder, we hope that breaking away from microwave meals and cooking from scratch might be easier? One of the best things to do is plan your meals and then batch cook, freeze portions and make lunches in advance. From soups and stews to pasta sauces and flapjacks, you will honestly wonder why you didn’t start soon.

Organic when you eat out
You don’t have to be tied to the kitchen sink to make organic choices. You will increasingly find organic restaurants when you are out and about, as well as organic coffees and teas being served in cafes and wines and beers in pubs. Once you starting looking you will be surprised at what is on offer out there.

We hope you can see that while you need to be a little creative, small lifestyle changes can help you and the planet be healthier and happier.

Team Pure Beauty