Sunday 26 May 2019

The Woman In White




Oh, how times flies! I'd love to explain my lack of posts by regaling you with tales of our adventures but the truth is that Jon was laid low with a virus since Tuesday (he's better now) so it's been a week of solo shopping, reading and gardening.

WEARING: 1960s hand embroidered Indian cotton maxi dress (Viv's Vintage, Worcester), Lamani pre-Indian Independence coin belt (India, 2000) 

There was respite in the form of a visit from my friend Claire on Friday when I was able to don the twin of my blue dress (last seen travelling with me around the delights of India's Golden Triangle), stroll around St Matthew's churchyard, have a lazy lunch in Wetherspoons and rifle through the rails of Walsall's chazzas. Claire's a gifted photographer, she was one of the finalists in the annual National Trust photography competition and her winning picture of the Clent Hills is on the inside cover of the official 2019 guidebook.


As she wanted a bit of practice with human subjects I was more than happy to pose for a few photos. And before you ask, of course I've got a disco ball in the garden, haven't you?

You can check Claire's work out HERE.


As I've only been into Walsall pickings were slim this week. A 1970s Sears "Great Looking Dresses" label balloon sleeved cotton blouse (£2) and a £2.99 Greek souvenir bag - also 1970s - which'll hopefully get to see Greece again before too long (Br***t permitting).


A couple of DVDs, Lion (which I've seen before and love) and The Devil's Double (described on the cover as being the Asian Scarface which made it a must-see) - a whopping 25p each! A fabulous twentieth century fashion book (£3) and a box of vintage Tabu soap (£1). I'm no perfume expert - I wear either Lush's Karma or Sikkim Girls - but man, this smells good. Created in 1932 Dana's brief was to "make a perfume a whore would wear" and so Tabu was born. Not sure what it says about me.


Not such slim pickings in the form of Royal Mail parcels which I've recently been treated to.



A gorgeous Anokhi block printed cotton kurta, vintage Indian belt with zardozi embroidery and some brilliant turquoise wooden beads from Veronica.


& some fabulous 1970s dressmaking patterns, including one designed by Jean Muir (on the left) from Gisela.

Lynn sent me Christine's Garden (the down-to-earth BBC gardener's diary) which I finished along with these other books this week. 


And talking of fabulous bloggers, Kezzie has been charting her journey towrads making her life more eco-friendly which has inspired me to make more of an effort to reduce the amount of stuff I throw away. When the council collect our general waste bin fortnightly it's rarely more than half full but there's always room for improvement. As the quote below illustrates, every little helps.


My bathroom shelves carry the bare minimum of plastic packaged products. I wash my face with unscented soap and a muslin cloth and my disposable razors have been replaced by an epilator (nice one, Jon!) We use soap to wash with (no shower gels, liquid hand soap or bubble bath unless bought as a gift) and I take a contraceptive pill which stops periods altogether, so no sanitary products for over two and a half years. When I've finished my pot of cotton wool pads (which I use for eye make-up & nail varnish removal) I intend to investigate a more sustainable alternative. Yesterday, I placed a repeat order for more of Daniel Field's Watercolour natural hair dye and opted for no instructions, no developer bottle and no plastic shower cap or gloves as I've kept the ones that came with my first delivery.


As I'm sure you already know, I'm a huge fan of Lush, the ethical, cruelty-free cosmetic company, and I've banged on about their shampoo and conditioning bars for years. No plastic bottles, no false promises, no gloopy product, just an item that resembles a bar of soap and lasts for months. I use their Jungle conditioner (HERE) and swap between shampoo bars, 'cos I love them all!  (If you do decide to switch to the bars I do recommend buying the metal tins).

I also adore Lush's deodorant bars. I'm not a particularly sweaty person (the menopause hasn't come a-knocking at this door....yet) and they work just fine. Again, no packaging and a bar will last at least 6 months. My favourite is Sunflower (HERE) which I store in a travel soap dish to keep it from drying out. Aromaco is also very good and smells gorgeous. 

My recent discovery is Argan, a solid facial oil. Like the other Lush products I use it is unpackaged and resembles a bar of soap. The smell and how it feels on my skin is amazing. I use my trusty Superdrug Vitamin E Instant Radiance Cream over the top but this gives my skin a bit more of a moisture boost. (HERE)

We don't have a Lush in Walsall so I buy on-line. My order arrives in a recyclable cardboard box filled with biodegradable packing pellets which you can put in the compost bin or use as mulch around your plants. No waste! 


Recently I discovered British company &keep and decided to give some of their eco-friendly, ethical and sustainably sourced products a try.

Did you know that every time we use those supermarket synthetic sponge scourers, the plastic fibres are washed down the drain? These fibres are small enough to get through the filtration systems at water plants and often end up in our waterways and oceans. Scrubbies are 100% biodegradable cleaning pads made in the UK using organic cotton & thread, are bamboo lined and hessian backed and can be washed in the machine at up to 40°. When they lose their scrub they can be cut up and composted.  Find them HERE.

You fill Hydrophil's Soap Pouch, which is made from sisal, with a bar of soap (or leftover scraps of soap which normally clog up the plughole) and use it in the bath or shower to scrub your skin. Hydrophil's products are water-neutral, vegan & fair-trade. 10% of profits go to a charity providing access to clean drinking water for people living in the southern hemisphere. Find it HERE.

I've been looking for an alternative to conventional toothpaste for ages, I hate the sweet taste of the mass produced stuff and the plastic tubes are so wasteful. Truthpaste is a handmade, natural mineral toothpaste made with Aloe Vera, Neem, Myrrh and certified organic essential oils. It comes in a fantastic recyclable glass jar and is 100% vegan and cruelty free. I love that it doesn't froth up and the peppermint and wintergreen flavour is so refreshing. Find it HERE.

When I placed the order - which arrived carefully wrapped in recyclable brown paper with no plastic - I was given a 15% code to share with friends (which I consider to be anyone who follows my blog), just enter my name "Victoria Brearley" when you checkout.

***This isn't a sponsored post, I'm sharing 'cos I love and I'd quite like Planet Earth to be around for a few million more years.****

It's another bank holiday tomorrow and I'm hoping for some car boot action. It was cancelled yesterday and it was too wet this morning, third time lucky.

See you soon!

78 comments:

  1. That dress is beautiful. You certainly do it justice. Thanks for the info on ways to help reduce waste. Always enjoy your posts.

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    1. My pleasure! Thanks so much for commenting, Lynn. xxx

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  2. Gorgeous pics of u in that dress!! I LOVE all your tips and suggestions--- LUSH is sooooo good. I have to order online, too. Closest store I know is in Atlanta!!

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    1. Thanks, Becky! Lush is fabulous, isn't it? Those bars are worth every penny! xxx

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  3. Thanks for all the eco tips. Love you and your disco ball!

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  4. I recall patterns being under $1 and cotton fabric right around $1. I bought some white pants the other day from a thrift store and will be wearing the first time tomorrow.
    Coffee is on

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    1. I've never bought a new pattern or piece of fabric, I'm well out of touch! xxx

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  5. Oh poor Jon, glad to hear he's feeling better now. How gorgeous are those photos Claire made of you, especially the one with the disco ball. The dress is gorgeous too, how amazing that you have its twin in blue. The Tabu soap looks truly decadent, and both Veronica and Gisela really did you proud with their wonderful gifts. You lucky girl! I should really check out Lush. They have a shop in Antwerp but it's a little bit out of my way. Love all your tips and suggestions on reducing waste. We're trying to do our share here as well, but can always do better. xxx

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    1. Poor old thing, isn't he?
      I still can't get over finding the twin to my blue dress although I've been scared to wear the white version for fear of mucking it up.
      I find the Lush shops a bit daunting as all the smells are so distracting. Have a look online first and get an idea of what you fancy. Jon and I had a massive row in their shop in Worcester last year as we couldn't choose! xxx

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  6. I'm thanking you in advance for the Lush link; I've always wanted to try their products but I kept forgetting (or life got in the way) to do a search for them. I'm a big fan of Tabu, and I can only get it around Christmas); to me it says I dance to the beat of my own drummer and that's it. I, like you, wear what I want and like. Thanks again for the Lush link and the others. I'd like to leave a smaller footprint on this earth when I depart and my recycling fiends (14 and 8 y/o) will also love it.

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    1. Hello Trish! Lovely to hear from you, a fellow weird woman who does her own thing.
      Isn't it wonderful that the youngsters are taking our climate crisis so seriously? they put most of the adults to shame. I think you'll love Lush, I do! xxx

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  7. Thanks for all the eco tips, Vix. Glad to hear Jon is the up and up. And you look lovely in white. Ha, I just posted myself wearing all white. We're twins!

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  8. My mom wore Tabu and of all the Dana perfumes, it's the one I've always liked the most.

    I managed to eat all leftovers this past week camping in my trailer. I even made a pot of chicken stock from bones remaining from a Saturday cook-out (for six people). People in our RV park do a lot of take-out. Not me, I use all of the food we bring and am as frugal as at home. I also use far less beauty products here. There's nothing like camping to make you super aware of what you throw out.

    And that white dress is unusual for you -- and of course, you wear it well!

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    1. You're brilliant at making the most of leftovers. Such a shame that UK schools don't teach Home Economics any more. Kids today don't know how to cook or what to do with leftovers, do they?
      Having avoided white for years I now love it! xxx

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  9. Missed your posts last few days - I have won a fantabulous kaftan which I will blog to death in due course. I like the truthpaste idea and will investigate - the basic showering facilities on our recent Istanbul made me more aware, but sadly they threw away soap daily and presented newly plastic packaged blocks for handwashing which we didn't need, alongside the bog standard bullshit blurb that every hotel worldwide puts up 'we are trying to protect the planet, blah blah, if you don't put your towels out for washing we will save the plant xxx amount , thanks for being such a good eco friendly traveller' type stuff ... guess we have to post on tripadvisor to get our hopes for views on that one across (my id fyi is Madhousewife) ... anyways I am loving the eco friendly way your posts are heading and get well soon Jon who needs: ginger wine (stones) mixed with whisky and lemon and honey - about 1/2 pint - that will sort him

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    1. thanks for your TA name, I shall hunt your post out!
      that's a very salient point about the towels and the toiletries in hotel rooms. One of the cheapo chains we occasionally have to stay in if we're trading in London have those big dispensers on the wall with shampoo and body wash, loads better than those piddly little bottles with a single application.
      When we were in North India we told the hotel staff that we didn't need the towels or bedding changed. The longest we stayed anywhere was a week, I certainly don't need to change my towels and bedding at home more than that! xxx
      PS Jon says thanks for the tip! x

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  10. I remember Tabu perfume - I always liked that, so you are in good company there, ha! Love that beautiful dress on you - just gorgeous! Your disco ball is fantastic, every garden should have one! I am trying to me more eco-mindful. Kezzie's posts are excellent.

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  11. Vintage Tabu was wonderful but the recent reformulations are headache-inducing clove scented nightmares. Always worth snapping up the old stuff when you see it.

    My only helpful recycling tip is to save cardboard packaging by flattening it and keeping it in a file. It won't take up much room, and once you have it on hand, you'll find many uses. For people with children, an afternoon cutting up and painting cereal boxes to make paper dolls is a good activity. Anyway, it keeps it out of the landfill.

    I'm off to have a look at Lush now. Thanks.

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    1. I discovered a few articles online about Tabu and how it had been changed over the years. These soaps - despite their age - still smell wonderful!
      Yes to the saving of cardboard packaging. I don't know how many times I've put boxes in the recycling bin only to need some cardboard packaging a couple of days later. xxx

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  12. I love that bloggers are sharing eco tips!
    My kids are being raised in an eco-anxiety era. They seriously expect their world to collapse any minute. All I can do to counteract and encourage is to point the way to those who are doing positive work. So thanks for your help on this.
    We are trying different extensions in our house along with what we already do like recycling and composting. I have further divided our rubbish into soft plastic bags which make up the bulk of our rubbish. They will now go to the bin in the supermarket. Also, switching off lights in unoccupied rooms!
    We are doing our imperfect bit :-)
    Loving the white dress in the green garden.
    We have a handmade disco ball on our patio. We used to shine torches on it and dance when the kids were little.
    xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. I love reading about how other are making small changes. Nobody needs a lecture but a bit of mutual encouragement along the way is a good thing, isn't it?
      Isn't it brilliant that the younger generation are taking the climate change/zero waste issue so seriously? they really are an inspiration to us older folk.
      The switching off of lights is a great thing, I'm guilty of forgetting I've left lights on. xxx

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  13. woww, your white dress looks fabulous, love its embroidered details, and it fits you like a dream!, and great quality photos too, so lovely!
    I have to thank you for having introduced me to Lush products, I've been using their shampoo for years!. It started as a perfect product to be put in a cabin luggage, as it's not liquid. But now I use it all the time.
    I've become a huge fan of good old bars of soap, so no more liquid hand soap or shower gel. And my soap is a local product!. And I'm using my own cleaning pads, made of old towels that I cut and sewed into small squares. But those Scrubbies look easier and fabulous, I'll give them a try!
    Toothpaste is still in my bathroom, but I'm avoiding plastic more and more!
    besos

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    1. Thanks, Monica!
      I love the Lush shampoos and conditioners as they're so good for travel but normal shampoo just feels wrong when you get used to the solid bars, doesn't it (and they smell gorgeous!) xxx

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  14. I'm going to check out the and keep website, thank you. I love that white dress.

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  15. That white dress is beautiful and it looks so perfect on you. The photographs taken by your friend are wonderful. The one with the disco ball is lovely. Somehow I'm not surprised to see a disco ball in your garden.

    Last Sunday was the first time I had my hair dyed in a hair saloon, I always did it by myself in the past, but as they mix their own dyes in the saloon that means less plastic. I had no idea that sponge scourers were so bad for the environment, I'll have to look into alternatives. I like the natural toothpaste solution as well, I've been reading about how to make one's own toothpaste (also inspired by Kezzie's no plastic posts) and was thinking of trying it, but this seems like an even better option. I plan to switch to natural soap instead of shampoo as soon as I finish my bottle. I do typically use a big packaging so a bottle of shampoo can last me a year, but still the bigger the packaging, the more plastic gets thrown away. I always thought I was helping the environment by buying bigger packaging but if it is still plastic it doesn't make that big of a difference I came to realize. I'm using olive and coconut oil instead of hair masks and body lotions but I still buy ordinary face creams. I think everyone can cut out plastic from some area of their life. I don't use much make up or skin products so for me that's an easy way out. On the other hand, I use painting tubes for art and they are not degradable as far as I know. It is hard to be perfect but we can all do something. I'm also using more home made cleaning products, that's a great way to cut down on plastic too. I remember you said you wash your clothes in a mixture of vinegar and soda, I do that as well. Zero plastic waste is not a realistic goal for most but if millions of people cut down on their plastic waste habits, we could see some progress I'm sure of it.

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    1. That's such a good idea to have your hair dyed in a salon and a nice treat, too.
      The sponge scourer problem hadn't occurred to me either so I was glad when I ran out of our usual supermarket sponges and could replace them with something more environmentally sound.
      It's easy to get a bit despondent about how much plastic we use in our lives but the quote encourages me to take heart and make small changes. I don't think I'll ever be plastic-free but a marked reduction must help, mustn't it? xxx

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  16. BTW How did you like Tana French's novel? I read one of her novels (Broken Harbor, I think it was called), really liked it and been meaning to read more of her.

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    1. I did! Her characters are slightly flawed making them both believable and likable. I'll definitely buy more Tana French books if I come across them in charity shops. x

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  17. Perfume a whore would wear...who came up with that? I wonder if it sold more (probably). Love that dress!

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  18. here's an easy and cheap toothpowder:1 cup baking powder (Arm and Hammer in the USA), 20 drops peppermint oil, chopped up rind from a lime. Put it in a small jar. I use a small plastic sample bottle with a flip top, that way I shake out the powder instead of putting the tooth brush in the jar. If we all try a little, we can make the world better

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    1. That's a brilliant tip, thanks for sharing!
      I quite agree, if we all make tiny changes things will improve, I'm sure. xxx

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  19. Must check out that Argan bar...

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  20. You can get reusable cotton wool pads, I have these ones for my nails and recommend them: thewisehouse.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6647415-Nail-Varnish-Remover-Pads.html You can get softer ones to remove make up too, although they're pretty easy to make yourself as they're basically towelling fabric sandwiched between cotton (I used a soft old tshirt). As you said you're looking for alternatives :)
    I'm definitely going to order one of those soap pouches, I love the idea of exfoliating with the soap inside, genius!

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    1. Thanks for the link, they look just what I'm looking for. I have seen a few tutorials to make your own, I'm pretty sure I've got an old flannel lurking in the bathroom somewhere! xxx

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  21. I remember Tabu perfume from many moons ago. The photos of you in your garden taken by your friend are so good, especially with the mirror ball. Many thanks for sharing your tips on the less waste alternatives. Must visit the Lush shop on my next visit to Hobart.

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  22. In the mid 70’s I worked in a chemist and we sold Tabu, I remember the smell and packaging well. We were forever trying out all the beauty products and hair dyes. It was great fun. Behind the counter there was a draw for the condoms and we had a sign on it that said “don’t laugh when you open this drawer”. Of course we were in hysterics as you can imagine.
    We had Pat and Gail over yesterday for lunch and a bit of house clearing. It was lovely to see them and we all said how you and Jon are missed at Stockport xxx

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    1. I can just imagine you opening that drawer and having a titter!
      Such a shame about Stockport. xxx

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  23. love claire´s landscape photos!!
    and you look wunderschön in the white dress!
    thanks for the tips - esp. the toothpaste is something i´m interested in, like you i do hate the taste of the conventional stuff and the plastic tubes......
    but i cant stand the smell of lush - sorry :-D
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! She's good, isn't she?
      I can't cope with the Lush shops, the smell is overpowering. Reading the descriptions and the reviews at home and ordering on-line are much less distracting.
      I usually stock up on toothpaste in India as they do some lovely non-sweet stuff but the packaging is just as wasteful. xxx

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  24. One of my ex-sister's-in-law wore Tabu right through the 70s - it's a very distinctive smell. I have to say that when I walk past a 'Lush' shop I find the smell overpowering and have never gone into explore. We don't have one where I live but when I next pass one; I'd like to check them out. The shampoo and conditioning bars seem like such a great idea. I also like the scrubbies idea; I'm afraid to say we go through those scouring sponges like billy oh!

    I think Jon and I might have had the same virus; I still have a snotty nose 11 days on! I'm glad he's on the mend.

    The white dress is beautiful on you; the embroidery is so pretty. A week of gardening and reading sounds pretty good to me especially as the weather has been so good. Not so good here today.

    I have read all of Tana French's books -in sequence. I'm very anal like that, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I tried to get my hands on a copy of the 'Garden People' book you featured a while back. I couldn't get one at a reasonable price so will try the library but I did come across and order from you know where, a book by Ursula Buchan called 'A Green and Pleasant Land: how England's gardeners fought the second world war'. I'm reading it now and enjoying it. Would you believe while I was waiting for it to arrive, I visited the Day Hospice Boutique and saw a copy there for 50p? Sod's Law!

    I would have known that dress pattern was Jean Muir before you said it. I used to lust after her designs back in the day...

    Hope the pickings were good at the car boot!
    xxxx

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    1. Tabu is very distinctive. I love the smell of those soaps, still retaining their scent 40-odd years later.
      Like you, I'm not keen on the smell in the Lush shop. I think I'd probably still order on-line even if we did have a local branch, the descriptions are brilliant and there's lots of honest reviews without being knocked out by the scent. The shampoo and conditioning bars are so good even Jon uses them and he's bald!
      I haven't got the patience to read books in sequence - when i find an interesting one I have to crack on with it. Harry Hole being a case in point. I'm currently into the DS Banks books by peter Robinson, they're always in chazzas.
      I said the same to someone the other day, as soon as you decide to bite the bullet and buy something new it ALWAYS turns up in a charity shop days later.
      Hope you're on the mend and haven't got drenched today. xxx

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  25. I'm glad to hear that Jon's better.
    I love the quote, I'm definitely doing it imperfectly, there are things I just haven't managed to give up yet but like you I'm making my best effort and I comfort myself that if everyone does that it will make a big difference.
    Your friend took some lovely photos. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! That quote made me see the zero waste thing with fresh eyes. It's easy to throw your hands up in the air and despair of our wastefulness but if we all make tiny changes things can improve. I'm amazed at how India has started banning plastic bags in some states and at Delhi airport all the vending machine snacks are dispensed in biodegradable packaging. xxx

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  26. I like the sound of those scrubbies. I have used Aloe Vera toothpaste for years I'm allergic to the standard stuff. I was having the argument with a friend about another mutual friend who was recycling crisp packets. I said every little helps and she was quite vocal about how she thinks it absolutely doesn't she thinks you should be all or nothing. I figure everyone has to start somewhere...

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    1. Really pleased with those Scrubbies.
      So many people throw their hands up and say that it's not worth doing something as nobody else is, don't they? Thing is that we'll all got to start somewhere and by the spreading the word eventually more and more people will follow suit.
      I remember our council introducing bottle and newspaper recycling in the late 80s and only a handful of us came on board. xxx

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  27. Thanks for sharing your "green" practices. I can't even go into one of the Lush shops without getting having an allergic reaction, so unfortunately I can't use any of their products. The scrubbies sound amazing! I love the packaging on the Tabu soap, and I'm surprised it has retained it's original scent after all these years.

    Glad to hear Jon's feeling better, and you do look smashing in the white dress. Claire's photos are lovely.

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    1. How strange. I wonder what particular thing triggers you off. I can't shop in the Lush shops as the smell is a bit overwhelming but I love shopping on-line and reading all the reviews and ingredients (I'm such a geek!) xxx

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  28. I started using Sun Bum (sold exclusively at Target) because it's vegan, gluten free, and cruelty free. Its smells yummy.
    Your dress is smashing on you!

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    1. I just Googled it (we don't have Target in the UK). How cool is that packaging? So 1970s! x

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  29. It's been so long since I've commented, since I've had a cast on and really couldn't type well. Though I have been reading your posts and you're looking fabulous as usual. I love the embroidered maxi. As far as I'm concerned you can never have enough embroidery! Also, I too have been trying very hard to cut down on the plastic usage. So glad you recommended some products I was not aware of. Will have to give them a try.

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    1. Oh no, your poor thing! It's lovely to hear from you. I hope you're on the mend now.
      "Embroidery" is one of my favourite searches on eBay! xxx

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  30. Hello! I've read this post 3 times on my phone but not been able to comment due to the rubbish nature of my archaic phone (but I like to think keeping the same Smart Phone for 6 years which was used by my sister for 2 years, a few years before that is being quite eco-friendly).
    I love how your white dress looks- so lovely to have the twin of your beloved!
    Thanks for the shout-out- I think you are brilliant in the eco-stakes!!!

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie! Keep on with your eco posts, they encourage me to keep trying that bit harder!
      Before I switched it off and consigned my mobile phone to a drawer in the kitchen (3 years ago, when Dad died) I used a lime green Nokia. Goodness knows what'll happen when my trusty PC blows up - the technological revolution passed me by! xxx

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  32. I do actually have a disco ball in the garden. It’s left over from a garden party a few summers back. I quite fancy trying the tooth powder. I’ve swapped to a bamboo toothbrush, Riverford veg delivery which comes in a box that you give back to the driver and no plastic, and tea pigs herbal tea bags which are plastic free. I love this white dress btw. Xx

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    1. I can recommend the toothpaste, it's wonderful! xxx

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  33. I do have a disco ball in the garden yes. A relic from a garden party a few summers back. I love this dress and your eco suggestions. I’ve moved on to bamboo toothbrush and recommend tea pigs as a plastic free herbal tea bag.

    Louise McDonagh

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    1. I'm a Pukka girl. There was someone selling big tubs of Tea pigs at yesterday's car boot, I'll have to get them next week (weather permitting!) x

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  34. This woman looks FANTASTIC in white! Claire's photos of you show a different side of your personality which is always a great fun to discover about ourselves and others.

    I agree with the quote - millions doing it imperfectly, and I am definitely one of those millions... There is so much fearless love in you, dearest Vix! Just knowing that such people as yourself exist would convert the saddest pessimist to the most cheerful optimist, and I am grateful for that.

    Hope Jon is well!

    PS That Greek bag is so sweeeeeet!

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    1. Oh Natalia, you are so kind with your comments. xxx

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  35. I do have a disco ball, but no garden to hang it in, currently... Gorgeousin your white dress!

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    1. I hope that disco ball gets a garden soon! x

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  36. I've been enjoying Kezzie's post son her eco life. I've been seeking out a few more swaps recently and came across the truthpaste, so I'm glad to hear your thoughts on it. There is still a lot I want to swap but one little change at a time.
    I didn't get on with the little metal pot from Lush, my bar kept sticking to it so I swapped to a beeswax wrap instead, which iI find much easier.
    I think everyone should have a garden disco ball!
    xx

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    1. I don't ever take the bars out of the tin, I just take the lid off and use them. The beeswax idea is great. xxx

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  37. Oo you have some good eco ideas here I should explore! I shall share mine too, I am a convert to washable makeup remover pads,I like these ones: https://lovetheplanet.co.uk/collections/washable-pads/products/washable-cleansing-pads-pack-of-5

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    1. Thanks so much for sharing those - they look just the thing I'm looking for. Did you read Momerath's comment about the reusable nail varnish remover pads? xxx

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  38. I'm going to look into that Lush solid facial oil. My skin's always been dry, but it's been a proper nightmare for months now and weirdly the thing that seems to be helping it is Lush Charity Pot, but that stinks! I'm a soap fan too - I was given a bottle of 'hand wash' for Christmas a couple of years ago and it's still going 'cos I forget to use it and grab the bar. And they're great souvenirs; I'm currently on a sandalwood bar from FabIndia. Can't say that for 'hand wash'.

    I made my own makeup remover pads - it's a good way to recycle worn-out flannel or winceyette garments.

    Unfortunately the cats insist on pouched food - they won't eat tinned - and I always feel guilty about that waste because it's so much plastic.

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  39. Hello, I have come here from Veronica's blog. Following your fashion evolvement is a fascinatingly beautiful trip. Relating to your profile is easy. Dressing up and standing out as a 70 year old blogger in Vancouver BC is as natural as breathing. Disapproval coming from others on my "silliness" easily slips off my back. Find my recycled remakes @fancified.ca

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  40. Hi Vix, loving the blog post about reducing waste. Its something im cuttently looking to trim down to minimal waste. Nice to hear somebody else is on continuous contraception same as me. I take loestrin 20. Me and my girls love Lush, we went to Lincoln whilst away the other week and had a stock up lol we don't have one near us either. Xx

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Lots of love, Vix