2020 has been crazy as we know.. Lockdown saw many videos all over social media about how we spent our time, from making TikTok videos to DIY projects and how to cut each others hair. Sales of hair clippers went through the roof!
Lockdown has also reminded us that we love our hairdressers more than we ever knew! Hairdressers, stylists, and barbers are invaluable aren’t they? They help us feel good about ourselves.
Despite the stress and chaos of this year, we have had wonderful weather during Spring and Summer meaning we’ve been able to spend much more time outside. Heaven! However, as we officially move into Autumn and Winter, with the clocks going back, the darker evenings and ongoing restrictions in place; we will be spending a lot more time inside at home and away from essential trips out and yes, that includes the hair salon.
I always feel SO much better for a trip to see my hairdresser, there’s a real truth in the mantra “look good, feel good” For me, it’s always such a treat, a bit of time out, a pamper, a good old natter and leaving with the perfect blow dry; you can’t put a price on that!
There’s no doubt that the combination of cooler weather and central heating can have a negative effect on our hair and skin, so how to we keep our locks looking luscious for longer, especially when we aren’t able to visit the hair salon? I’ve teamed up with my gorgeous hairdresser Dawn Atiba to bring you some top tips to help.
“Hairdressers are a wonderful breed. You work one on one with another human being, and the object is to make them feel so much better, and to look at themselves with a twinkle in their eye.”
Vidal Sassoon
What can you do right now?
You don’t have to wait until your next trip to the hair salon or spend a fortune, you can start to tend to those locks right now..
Diet and Hydration I know, it’s not rocket science, but it’s true, you really are what you eat!. Good hair comes from a good balanced diet and being well hydrated. If you wish to do something right now for your hair, makes sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating healthy nutritious foods.
Reduce Heat damage: We know that heat causes damage to our hair but what can we do without having a wild “au natural” style? Choosing to let your hair dry naturally or using only ONE styling item; (hairdryer, straighteners, heated brush) with have an obvious benefit of damage limitation. I don’t know about you but I have significantly reduced using my straighteners over the last few months.
We all love a lovely hot shower, however reducing the temperature whilst you wash and condition your hair will also have beneficial effect. Try it over the next few weeks and see if you notice a difference.
Watch out for those elements! This time of year sees us having to deal with cooler and often quite horrid weather conditions, then we go straight into the warmth of the house or work thanks to central heating.
Being caught out in the rain whilst on the school run, dashing to the supermarket or whilst outside for a workout or run can also have a negative effect on the hair and can really dry those strands out. I remember by days with running my outdoor fitness camps, Dawn would always ask if I wore a hat..!
Protect your hair as much as possible from the cold wind and rain. I always keep a hat or two in my car. One to wear when I’m running and a good old woolly hat for those coastal walks!
“Invest in your hair, it’s the only crown you don’t take off”
Unknown
Invest in good hair products. Find the right products for you and your hair, much as you would for your skin type. They say you get what you pay for and tempting sit is to grab the cheapest hair products from the supermarket, by using the products in the right way, it’ll be worth every penny and they will last too!
“The Olaplex Shampoo no.4 and Conditioner no.5 conditioner are also favourites of mine. A little really goes a long way, you only need a drop the size of a 5 pence piece and I calculated that a bottle will last on average a year when washing your hair twice a week. Even at £28 a bottle that’s a really reasonable amount for a years worth of shampoo.”
Dawn goes on to say” “I like to use Redken “all soft” range in place of Olaplex if my hair is feeling a little dry.
They are Infused with a rich blends of rejuvenating oils, including avocado to add luminous shine and argan to prevent dryness. you can expect sleek, salon-style results with every use.”
All Change! Autumn also sees lots of us going for a colour change, adding in slightly darker, richer and warmer tones. When you spend those all important pounds on hair colour, it’s equally important that you look after your hair with a shampoo and conditioner range that’s not going to strip those beautiful tones back out.
“Redken have an amazing colour extend range specially formulated to keep coloured hair looking fresh and vibrant” says Dawn. “Both the Magnetic Shampoo and Conditioner will work to help extend the life of your colour, as well as helping to keep your hair tangle free, nourishing your colour and leaving hair feeling softer and smoother, so that you look and feel like your hair has been washed at the salon.”
Pamper Evenings. Remember that aged old excuse “sorry, I’m washing my hair..?” Well, why not do just that? Give you and your hair a good pamper! Take some time out to look after yourself and book some pamper sessions in place of those nights out (remember those!?)
Treat yourself to a long bubble bath, light some candles, play some relaxing music. Face masks are gorgeous but why not give your hair a mask too?
It’s no secret that I love Olaplex no.3, which is a pre shampoo treatment which that is scientifically designed to repair bonds in the hair, that are broken down by chemicals such as colouring and heat such as straighteners.
I apply before I shampoo (they recommend at least 20 minutes before) although I often apply it, tie my hair up and leave in whilst carrying on with every day chores before heading of to full pamper, it’s a great time saver and leaves my hair feeling lovely and feeling soft.
The Matrix Biolage Hair Masks are a firm favourite and highly recommended by Dawn, especially the Hydrasource and Repair masks. They only need to stay on for 3-5 minutes so perfect for a quick fix. They are “perfect for dry, dull hair that appears worse for wear. It’s also 100% vegan and packed with plant-based emollients. the hair mask contains Aloe, known for its ability to restore elasticity, and Spirulina, an ingredient favoured for its strengthening properties.” comments Dawn.
“Straight, wavy or curly, if it’s healthy, it’s beautiful”
Unknown
I really hope that these little top tips from my gorgeous hairdresser Dawn and I have given you a few ideas and reminders on hoe to keep your hair looking gorgeous over the next few months.
As always, do let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Gardening, as they say, is good for the soul. With one in four of us suffering with mental health issues at some point in our lives, it’s also been shown to be very good for the mind and relaxation. My lovely Garden Designer friend Alice Blount and I invited our followers on Instagram to ask us some of their gardening questions we’ve answered a selection of them for you.
The love of gardening increased during the pandemic.
In this current time of Lockdown amid the Coronavirus, it’s fair to say that many of us have been able to enjoy our gardens that little bit more, with Mother Nature helping with the glorious weather that we’ve had.
Sales of online seeds and plants have gone through the roof, with many being sold out within the first couple of weeks of Lockdown.
“Plants and gardens have the power to uplift us. It’s more important than ever that we savour the beauty of flowers and trees because gardens are a natural tonic.
If you don’t have a garden or any indoor plants, remember to pause and appreciate the natural world around you when you take your daily exercise. Take a moment to enjoy plants next week and I know you will feel better for it.
It’s proven that plants and gardening have a positive effect on our mental health and happiness. They uplift us, they heal us, they bring us closer to nature. They attract life and offer hope and we could all do with more of that right now.”
Alan Titchmarsh
My White Garden
It’s no secret that I adore white flowers and found a new love for gardening over the last 18 months or so, having discovered along the way that gardening was enjoyable and indeed therapeutic. In the last few weeks, we have even transformed our treehouse into raised beds, taking on a whole new meaning to raised beds! Don’t worry, the children were very happy about it and got firmly behind the project!
Last Spring, with my lovely friend and garden designer, Alice from Alice Blount Garden Design, I started putting my dream and vision of a white garden into reality. I’ve known Alice for years and having now worked with her, I thought it would be fun to share her amazing work with you.
Alice started her design consultancy in 2004, in Oxfordshire. Now based in South Devon, she works throughout the UK and Europe, and is a highly qualified, experienced RHS Award winning garden design professional.
While historical garden restoration is her specialist area, she has a passion for working on urban-chic town gardens all the way through to very large country estates. She employs classic, yet contemporary, design skills where structure is of the utmost importance, softened by gorgeous planting.
Alice is a knowledgeable plants woman and this, combined with a thorough knowledge of modern landscape construction requirements, means she can take your project through from initial concept to the finished garden. When Alice designs a garden, she is led by your needs and dreams for your garden. She is informed by the feel of the site itself, as well as the surrounding landscape and architecture. It will be a design that is totally tailored to you.
You may simply need a border redesigning; or your whole garden overhauled, requiring a complete design and set of planting plans. Alice hand-draws and colours her plans, which makes them totally unique. Her vision really brings the garden alive for you and makes gardening easy to understand. Trust me, she is amazing!
Let’s answer those questions you asked about gardening:
What are yourTips for new gardeners on planting vegetables?
So many people have been considering growing their own vegetables this year, with the Lockdown being one of the main reasons. I’m convinced we all have a little Tom or Barbara (The Good Life!) in us!
Alice suggests that new growers should choose to grow the vegetables that you and your family really love! If carrots and peas are staples at meal times, it makes sense to grow what you know will get eaten!
Get used to growing two or three things this year, and once you’ve gained confidence and knowledge, then next year, you can add in some other veg or grow some more exotic varieties!
It can be as simple or difficult as you like but using the No Dig Method is by far the easiest and cheapest method.
“No Dig is an attractive way of growing. It provides a rich soil to grow in, and it’s an excellent way to clear a weed-infested growing area. In principle, by avoiding digging you will not be disrupting the soil life. This is the important micro-organisms, fungi and worms, that help feed plant roots. You will need a large quantity of organic matter. You can use home-made compost, leafmould, well-rotted manure, green waste compost or even bagged peat-free compost.” Garden Organic
Start collecting cardboard as a weed suppressing base for your vegetable beds. Pile the well rotted manure or compost on top to a min depth of 20cm. The borders can be contained with wood sleepers if you prefer, but aren’t necessary.
Keep them short and narrow max 1.2m wide- as easier to garden and weed. Following seed packet instructions, sow your seeds either into trays indoors or directly into the compost outside. You can buy plug plants ready to plant either online or in normal times; from your local garden centre.
Swap seeds and little seedlings with friends, family and neighbours! The current Lockdown has meant a lot of neighbours are more in contact than ever before; its good to share.
Invest in a good “How To”: gardening manual. Charles Dowding’s “No Dig” books are some of the best and of course there are hundreds of videos online also.
How can I make the soil finer more tilth like and ready for planting?
If the soil is heavy and clayey, then it does need improving. Add well rotted plant matter to balance it out and help to break it up. The best way now you’ve turned it over is to add a 2” deep top dressing of well rotted horse manure. (it shouldn’t smell at all if it’s rotted down enough!) You don’t need to dig or fork it in. Leave it on top and the worms that are in the manure and soil, will pull it down into the earth. The rotted straw will improve the soils texture. Repeat this process every year and the soil will become more friable and beautifully nutritious, with no digging required!
When you plant new plants, always dig a much bigger hole than you think you need. Add lots of fresh compost to the planting hole. Pop the in plant and add more around the edges and firm around, which makes it easier for plants to get established – especially in clayey soil. Once the plants are in, mulch before the plant’s raise their head from the soil or mulch around the plant.
Desdemona – David Austin Roses Visiting the White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle was magical and bought real inspiration.
What is the best way to get rid of weeds?
Aren’t they a pain! Weeds do unfortunately come with the territory and they will insist on coming back, so it’s rare for this issue to be fixed forever..! It’s more about learning how to work with them, managing the weeds and how to reduce or minimise them.
Smaller gardens obviously take less work and time, so try and make sure you can cope with the size of garden you have or bring in a gardener to help!! You may wish to ask a garden designer to redesign your space effectively so that you have the minimum amount of weeding to do. Firstly, always try digging them out first.
Alice prefers using organic methods and not using weedkiller but suggests you may like to use it sparingly in key areas on hard to remove weeds like docks, dandelions and brambles.
Weeds like couch grass and bind weed are a problem. Once you’ve got them, its very hard to get rid of them altogether as a plant can grow from the tiniest section of root!
Top weeding tips
Top the earth with a weed suppressing mulch such as well rotted manure, well rotted bark or “Strulch” (mineralised straw) on new borders or veggie patches.
Lay sheets of cardboard, old carpet or plastic sheeting like DPC membrane also keeps out light which allows the roots to grow. Leave this on for several weeks and ideally overwinter and this will kill off the roots in time. Mulches will also improve the condition of the soil.
Hoe the area regularly, throughout the growing season, to take the tops off annual weeds in order to keep the weeds at bay.
Grow medium to large shrubs that will cover the area and keep out light below and therefore help prevent weed growth.
What is the best way to move Roses?
Roses are notoriously difficult to move from one place to another, as they have a single, very long tap root. The remaining roots are very short and sparse and very often the main root gets severed when trying to move it. If the rose holds sentimental value, a wedding gift or a memorial for example, then try to take cuttings ahead of time, so you can grow new plants.
Half and hour before you dig the rose out, water it well (to try to reduce the shock) To dig up the plant, cut all the way around the root ball if possible, as deep as possible to try and capture all the long tap root.
Try and keep as much compost or soil on the roots and replant quickly and water in well.
Alice feels that roses – as with other plants when relocated- have one chance, they will either do well or die! They are also relatively inexpensive to replace (around £12.99 now) so often it is easier to simply buy a new one. (Alice acknowledges her advice maybe a little harsh!)
Why is my climber Mme Alfred Carriere producing lots of buds already?It’s meant to bloom in July!
We’ve been so lucky with the weather, having had a very early warm and dry spring, following on from a very soggy winter. The plants are ready to go far too soon and we may yet get a frost or two, which could damage or destroy all sorts of plants! This is the time to be a little cautious, covering any frost tender plants overnight with fleece if frost is forecast. A sheet or old rug will do as well. You’ll be pleased to know its not too late to prune and also to give them a good feed. Alice recommends Maxicrop Seaweed Fertiliser and Blood Fish and Bone
If you are feeling inspired and would like to read more, here are some books that we love and think you will too:
A fabulous guide to making most of the smallest of gardening spaces with lots of inspirational ideas so you can grow delicious fruit and vegetables, from tomatoes on your window sill to wisteria up your wall.
This book will save time and work, explain everything you need to know how to set up a no dig garden. They describe how to make compost, enrich soil, harvest and prepare food; and so much more. These approaches work as well in small spaces as in large gardens.
A beautiful book that will inspire you to envision what is possible even in the smallest, most improbable spaces and is the Winner of the Garden Media Guild Book Photographer of the Year 2015
A complete guide to the world of garden design, packed with expert advice that shows you exactly where to put your patio and plant your perennials. With a plant directory, a vast selection of garden features and over 600 beautiful colour photographs, plans and drawings,
This book examines in detail each section of David Culp’s garden: the woodland garden, the perennial border, the kitchen garden, the shrubbery and the walled garden.
Big Gardening News: As you know the Chelsea Flower Show due to the Coronavirus, has been sadly been cancelled however, the BBC One Show and the Royal Horticultural Society have joined forces and have launched a fabulous competition. They are calling on amateur gardeners across the nation to share images of their green spaces and growing efforts.
There are four categories including your front garden, your back garden, the children’s garden and your indoor garden, isn’t it fantastic! A winner from each of these four categories will be selected and will win four tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2021 and a special RHS Award commending their garden.
The Royal Horticultural Society have recently launched their Grow at Home Campaign where they share daily ideas to make the most of Spring including activities for the children each week. The campaign is full of gardening advice and inspiration to help everyone get growing and feel better.
I really hope that you are well and able to enjoy some time outside.
but also that Alice and I have helped to share a little gardening inspiration for you and that you too feel that gardening really is good for the soul.
In the meantime, if you fancy a little more inspiration then head over to Alices’s Instagram account and her Pinterest page
As ever, you can find me on Instagram and Pinterest – take a look at the Dartmoor Village Garden board, that Alice and I created for my White Garden inspiration.
If you now feel motivated to have greener fingers or if you are planning on entering the competition, do let me know in the comments below.
Stay healthy and well,
Much love
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In a world where it seems like every continent is in a Hollywood movie, we need to stick together, really stick together.. Many of us have intermittent feelings of being overwhelmed with the situation we find ourselves in..
We were told over a month ago that this virus will effect us all in one way or another, more than we’d realise – it’s tough. Now we are in lockdown and these feelings of being overwhelmed are very real, it causes fear, panic, sleepless nights – regardless of how we try to feel calm and in control. It stops us in our tracks, it messes with our minds & clarity of thinking, but what can we do about it?
MY TOP TIPS TO GET YOU FEELING A BIT HAPPIER AND LESS OVERWHELMED:
SHARE HOW YOU ARE FEELING.
Be open about it, try not to bottle it up. They say it’s good to talk and it really is. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s OK to have a good cry or feel a bit rubbish sometimes, it’s how you deal with it that counts. Talk to loved ones and good friends, it’s OK to be vulnerable and share how you are feeling.
HAVE A POWER HOUR
I’m a big one for lists and am rather old fashioned so recommend grabbing a piece of paper and writing down every little thing you are worried about – everything… no matter how big or small. Make it exhaustive. Keep going until you can’t write any more. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better for getting it out of your head and on paper.
OK, now I’m going to invite you to have one of my ‘Power Hours’ – grab a cuppa, turn off all distractions and notifications and set your timer for ONE hour. Take a look at your scribbled list – some of the things you may have written down you won’t be able to do anything about – we are in a world of the unknown. However, there will be things that you CAN do something about. What are they? How can you action them?
Taking a small amount of control about what you CAN do something about is really powerful. By taking back a teeny bit of control, that huge overwhelm, I hope will diminish, even if just a little. This is a great task to do with your children also, get them talking about how they are feeling or even enjoying about being at home.
COFFEE AND CANDLE CHATS
Meeting up with friends isn’t always easy so we arrange a time to catch up on the phone – which for me has become known as a coffee and candle chat. Having an arranged time to call, much like you would with an actual coffee or lunch date, I make sure I have a fresh coffee and light my favourite candle in my study at home. It might sound a bit silly but it’s one of my favourite things to do. Now with the new guidelines around Coronavirus, my candle and coffee chats have been more valuable than ever. (Although I’m considering switching coffee for wine, obviously depending on the time of day!)
We are social beings and we are living in the most surreal of times. Connection is more important than ever. I’d love you to have your own candle and coffee chats and encourage you to organise a FaceTime chat for your children and their friends, write it into your home schooling timetable, maybe a different friend each day perhaps? I know we moan about screen time but if we are feeling a little lost, our children will be too.
HAPPY POST
We all know how fabulous it is to receive some happy post… I love writing, always have, I also have quite a passion for planners and stationary. Anyone else buy lots of cards they love, just in case? Yup that’s me, I have a box of cards ready to go…!
I’d love you to join me in sending a card or a letter to someone – a relative, friends, whoever you think it would make smile to have a lovely envelope come through the door. In fact please don’t limit it to just one! We used to write to each other when we were little before the age of technology – yes I’m old! Happy post is always a good idea, even if you can’t be sure it will get there. The Royal Mail are now able to sell stamps online so you won’t need a trip to the post office for stamps.
THE LITTLE THINGS
It’s the little things that take up the most head space. Well sometimes! Dedicate some time to sorting out the little things, the ones that every day you think “I must sort that out”. Imagine that squeaky door that no longer squeaks.. The tap that no longer drips… That kitchen drawer that you don’t have to battle with each time you open it – (we all have a drawer like that don’t we?).
It sounds silly but spending a few moments checking around the home OR maybe in the car, your desk at work – wherever it maybe. This week, take a look at the little niggly jobs that would make life lighter.
I promise, when they have been addressed & fixed, you’ll smile!
During half term, along with my linen cupboard project, I had a real spring clean in my study and yes those kitchen drawers! I even spring cleaned my Pinterest boards & changed the screen protector on my phone that had a crack on it in a silly place! Spark Joy? Oh yes!
BOOST YOUR VITAMIN D
We’ve been blessed with sunshine and have really enjoyed the first signs of spring. We all know that vitamin D is essential for maintenance of teeth and bone health, but did you know that if your vitamin D levels are low, you can feel blue. A way to boost your vitamin D and your immune system, is to get outside when you can. Get outside in the fresh air… regardless of the weather and I promise you will feel better for it. Honest, even if it’s a quick trip around the block or to the post box on your daily walk with those cards!
POSITIVITY JAR
I’d love you to look forward and think about what you are looking forward to doing again when all this is over. When my daughter was revising for her GCSE’s just a few weeks ago, we had a jar that she would put a note in suggesting something she’d like to do, just her and I, after when the exams are over. She’d add this note on a day she felt overwhelmed or bogged down with the studies, we flipped it to a positive by thinking of something fun we could do, having a chat about it and then adding the idea to the jar. We’ve now turned this into a post Covid19 jar – the things we as a family would like to do when we are through this;
Meeting and hugging our friends & family again, maybe we will even have a street party!
Having a BBQ on our glorious Devon beaches
Walking on Dartmoor
Long coastal walk for a pub lunch
Visit to our favourite hotel in Cornwall as our visit last month was cancelled
These are just a few things we’re looking forward to doing. This is a really simple but fun idea. Why not get the whole family involved and see what you can come up with?
A FEW MORE IDEAS…
BBC Sounds has a fantastic array of audible books and podcasts which are free to download, suitable for children and adults alike.
Challenge a family member or friends to a game of online chess – my son currently has a championship going on with his grandfather and cousin.. it’s fantastic for all involved!
Stick on a top tune and dance around the kitchen – this is my current playlist which is keeping us moving!
Look through a photo album of a fun summer holidays or even plan one!
Exercise and release those feel-good endorphins!
I really hope these tips for bringing a little positivity to the situation we find ourselves in help you.
Daily Planner Weekly Planner
I’ve created some planners which I find really useful in keeping me focused and organised which you can find here. I hope these will give you a little inspiration so that you can create a feeling of being more in control and less overwhelmed so that you can concentrate on the things that are most important to you.
I’d love to know which one is your favourite and which ones you’ll be trying out.
What makes you feel less blue? I’d love to hear from you.
I’m the creator of Woman on a Mission, a lifestyle space dedicated to helping women bring more calm, confidence and balance into everyday life. Born from my own journey to slow down and live with greater intention, it offers inspiration around wellbeing, organisation, home and mindset, one meaningful mission at a time
