Category: Lifestyle

Behind The Business with Hannah from Bam Loves Boo

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Interviewed by Alice Bingham

I am absolutely pumped to be bringing back the #behindthebusiness segment again, that you all loved in the past. I am so excited for you all to read this months interview with Hannah, from Bam Loves Boo, she is someone that truly inspires me. I know she will inspire you too.

I won’t give to much away, but Hannah has the most divine Bamboo Organic Cotton Babywear online boutique. The pieces are timeless so can be passed down from sibling to sibling. They are unisex too which is a huge win for me, meaning you will get more wear again if you have a mixture of girls and boys in your family.

Hannah has carefully thought out the whole process of her business, to be as kind as she can to Mother Nature. From the sweet little post cards that can be used as a print in your nursery, to the mesh bags the clothes come in that I love to use to put my fruit in at the markets, to even the biodegradable post bags that the goodies come in.

Anyway enough from me, let her to know the lady “behind the business” – Hannah from Bam Loves Boo.

Favourite Drink?

Good English cuppa – even though most of the time its cold.

Can you share with us a brief description about your business?

Sure, Bam Loves Boo is a conscious collection of Bamboo + Organic Cotton baby and children’s wear. Clean and neutral colour palettes, coordinating prints and unisex pieces are our design mantra – Our pieces are timeless, versatile and made to last with sustainability at the core of each design.We use chemical free dyes & non toxic inks as well as organic fabric to ensure our pieces are eco-friendly and are then ethical made.

Share 3 things about YOU the woman behind the business?

I’m a Mother of two Beautiful girls earthside and a little boy above.

I’m English and moved out here 12 Years ago after meeting my now husband backpacking and went home!

I’m a Children’s wear designer by trade graduating Fashion degree in England and working in London before continuing my career here.

What motivated you to create your business in the beginning?

The Birth of my daughter and the aim to build something flexibly to allow me to work from home. Before having my daughter I was working long hours, long commutes, overseas travel and high pressure design roles and the only way I could see to stay in the design industry but to work flexibly was to work for myself. Our design mantra is also motivated by the lack of gender neutral eco friendly options I experienced at the time, the eco friendly and ethical options were very plain and uninspiring so I really wanted to create something more interesting, trendy but also gender neutral, timeless and most importantly quality made.

You have a beautiful community that follow along your beautiful business and connect with you online? Apart from your honestly with you audience, can us how you created this connection?

Thank you, I really am blessed to have such a wonderful audience who are always so supportive. I really do enjoy chatting to my lovely network and getting to know them and I guess this just naturally builds a relationship, I’ll often reach out to some of my best customers when designing and ask their opinions and thoughts and trust them more than myself sometimes haha. I think too my community are just like me, we are mothers or mothers to be and can all relate in some way or another and have this instant connection and being real with one another.

Why Bamboo?

I could write an essay on this as there are soooo many benefits to bamboo. But in brief its buttery soft and so breathable making it perfect for that delicate baby skin. It’s also Thermoregulating meaning that it helps to regulates the body’s temperature so keeps bub cool when its hot but then keeps them warm when its cold too making them great core layers during these cooler nights or also cooler in hot sweaty summers. As well as these amazing qualities it’s also great choice of fabric for our environment. Bamboo is very sustainable as its the fastest growing plant on the planet, our Bamboo is also organic so doesn’t require any chemicals or pesticides to grow it. We then blend it with Organic Cotton to make even more softer and washes and wears so well, it’s a beautiful blend that we think we have got just right. So hard to condense into a paragraph so if anyone’s interested I do have lots of information on our website around the magic of our fabric.

Favourite piece from your latest collection?

Our Terrazzo Leggings – my youngest is crawling everywhere so living in these at the minute. they just wear so well and offer great protection on the knees but don’t bag and sag like just cotton leggings do, plus the simple design means they go with everything!

Something you do daily for you?

Is it sad that this is the hardest question of them all to answer ha – when my little one has a nap I sit down for ten and have a cuppa before going again – does that count?

Want more from Hannah?

Instagram – https://instagram.com/bamlovesboo

Website – https://bamlovesboo.com.au

Weekly Date With My Husband At Home

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Written by Alice Bingham

Photographs taken of us by Wylde Folk Studio

So David and I started a “thing” a month ago, we made a decision to make a conscious effort to have a weekly date night. We have three children under four, so heading out to restaurants, bars, movies etc just isn’t quite fitting for us personally at this time. Giving everything that is happening in the world right now with COVID 19, I know so many more of you will be adapting to doing this too.

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I had this vision in my mind about setting it up, I didn’t want it to be us sitting on the couch watching Netflix or having a meal at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing this with the hubby but I wanted to make it more about connecting David. We have three young children, I have two small businesses I run from home, David works long hours on the ferries and  he is studying Finance at university online, our lives are crazy chaos. I did not want this to hold us back, it is important to be to work on my relationship with David. This is my WHY behind making it work, I could see us losing touch of each other and becoming robots in survival mode each day (that does sound a little hard but it is some what true).

We have made Monday night out “date night” however we will have a conversation on a Sunday night and both just map out our diaries to make sure this will work and if not change the night that week. Communicating about it is what builds up the excitement around it. When we both have this put in our schedule like a meeting or a workout or an appointment we can both get excited about it and know it is something we can look forward too. The past few weeks I have enjoyed choosing what we have done however I am going to allow David to plan some to as its always a special surprise for the other.

When I spoke to David about having a date night I was completely honest with him, I want it to not just be about the sex! Of course we are both hoping the end of the night will end this way, but I explained to him I really wanted to get creative try new things together and make it fun. Be silly, have a laugh together, bring some element of surprise into our relationships. He agreed with me that we both need this.

Our first date night I planned and I was super nervous David would be like “WTF are we doing” hahaha, but he surprised me and really enjoyed himself. I put on a guided stretching video on you tube and we did that together, we watched a relationship TED talk and did the ol adult thing (because hey thats connection right?) and to top the night off, I put on a guided meditation to fall asleep to. ALL FREE and all done at home. We had a laugh and a good chat too as we stretched.

The second week, I made raw chocolate because choccie always brings those loving vibes for us. It gets those endorphins going and we both enjoy it. We did another guided stretch, after we sat on the bed talking and just hung out no phones. It was nice. We then watched an episode of Arrow to finish the night off and we actually cuddled on the couch while watching it (haha say what).

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I think we are going to have to make damn sure we make this apart of our routine as a non negotiable, it’s all fun and games now, but I am sure we could easily slip and just go arghhh nah lets just do our work when the kids go to sleep or find something else to fill our time with and go back into the way we were. This is so important to us.

So on the day/night this is happening, we have to set the scene as we aren’t leaving the house, it has to be exciting. I make sure I have my “loving” mood essential oils in the diffuser like Ylang Ylang, Ginger, Cassia and Lavender. I always have a nice shower and make myself feel good, just as I would going out (no make up though). To set the mood of date night I always dim the lights, set up a cosy place on the floor for us and already have it planned out so we can both just enjoy it. Again, I think it is so important to pop it in the calendar so we both know it is happening and WILL be happening.

DATE NIGHT IDEAS

I have created a list of things we have done and I want us to do together in the near future and I thought I would share them with you all for inspiration. The obvious is have a meal at home together and watch a flick, this is still a beautiful thing to do but mix it up it will be fun I promise.

  • Guided Meditation – whether you want to use an app or just a you tube one, pop it on, set up a comfy space and go for it. Sit next or opposite to each other so its more special. Here is a FREE couple one I love on youtube.
  • Guided Stretching – we all hold stress and tension in our body, after a long day its nice to let go of what your body is holding on to from work, being a parent or worries in our lives. We love to do a 10minute one. My hamstrings are always tight so this guide was amazing. 10 Minute Free Stretch.
  • Make A Fort – so basically a cubby house for us adults, you can trend it up with cute pillows, throws and some treats on a platter. You can get creative and add some fairy lights. Pre write down 3 convo starters each so get the chit chatter going.
  • Watch A Relationship TED Talk together – Learn about your love language together, You never know you both might learn something new to incorporate in your daily lives. HERE you can find all the relationship TED talks to choose from together.
  • Pick 2-3 Karma Sutra Positions – Spice up your sex life and pick one of the hundreds of sex positions you have always wanted to try with your partner. It is actually a good laugh trying to get into some haha.
  • Learn To Dance – Yes you can get online couple dance tutorials or try some for free on youtube. You could even learn a Tik Tok Dance and have a good laugh while doing so.
  • Read The Same Book or Listen To A Podcast Together. You will both have something to discuss together.
  • Massage – make up a nice massage oil and give each other a massage. I love using a blend of Coconut Oil and Bergamot, Ylang Ylang and Peppermint Essential Oils.
  • Make A Dessert – get creative in the kitchen together making something yummy for you both to enjoy. Put on some music and enjoy each others company.
  • Play A Board Game – so I am so not a board game person but I love twister haha.
  • Couple Yoga or Breath Work – again there are so many FREE yoga workouts on You Tube.
  • Comedy Night – watch a stand up comedy together. Nothing beats a good laugh.
  • Write Each Other A Love Letter – sounds simple by we can not always say what we want out loud.
  • Take A Shower – Something most couples do when they start a relationship, chat about each others day and unwind.

 

 

Post Natal Journey With Studio Pilates

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Written by Alice Bingham

@studio_pilates

I received an email from Studio Pilates on Thursday stating that I had completed my 50th class. I was quite proud of myself that I had achieved this as looking back on the last 10 months, it has been quite the journey. I had an Emergency C Section with our third daughter in January and have transitioned to be a mumma to three young children. Getting to class was sometimes a challenge as the old silly “mum guilt” can creep in, however it is just what I need. The classes are not only supporting my body and helping me to regain strength, they are helping my mental health too. 45 minutes of pure concentration, deep breathing and connecting with my body and seeing what it can achieve in that time. I have really enjoyed the community at my local Studio Pilates – Wellington Point, every client is so encouraging and I always leave with a smile on my face. The instructors are fun but are so professional too. I look forward to my next 50 classes and seeing what I will achieve.

My Post Natal Journey 

I started my Studio Pilates journey at 4 months postpartum, I wasn’ quite ready to return to heavy weights or high intensity cardio just yet, however I wanted to do something that would not only support my body, but help me to rebuild my strength slowly and carefully in my abdomen. I was guided by my Women’s Health Physio to wait to 12 weeks before doing anything to crazy. So when she stated I was ready, she suggest Pilates to me. I was so glad to see I had a local one near my house. Once I started I became in love with reformer. I cannot imagine not having it in my life now. You can read about the first part of my post natal journey (the first 25 classes) with Studio Pilates here, in my first blog I wrote.

Since I last wrote the blog for Studio Pilates, I have now seen some amazing transformations in not only my training at the studio but my body as well. My core is getting stronger and so is the rest of my body. I am able to push deeper in the leg workouts in class and have taken away the head pillow in the abdominal section at the beginning of class, this is a huge win for me. I can now wear ankle weights and feel my Tzone is more engaged during certain moves like”circles” or “bicycles” and I can also hold a plank position for 1 minute 11 seconds on my feet.

I have also seen drastic changes in my posture. My shoulders are back more, when I am performing simple tasks like picking my my kids, I hold in my tummy and switch on my T-Zone. I also do some gentle pelvic exercises with my abdominal workouts (from the Studio Pilates FREE newsletter) too. I am really noticing a huge change within that area.

These are the goals I have for my postpartum body and it is not about weight loss for me. Sure I fit in my old jeans now but I haven’t weighed myself since I was pregnant and I do not plan to either. This is of course my personal journey with Studio Pilates. I would highly recommend giving it a go, try one of their starter packs ( 2 weeks, 6 class passes) to really see how you find it. It took me a few weeks but like I said I cannot picture my life without it now. I have loved the new strength it has given me.

At my local studio (Wellington Point) they have Pregnancy and Post Natal Classes twice a week. You can check the app or call your local studio to see when they have these on. They would be amazing to check out if you are pregnant or recently had a bub as they are suited to support the women’s body during this time.

To read more information about Studio Pilates and Pregnancy you can read this blog. For post natal information call your local studio to help meet your individual needs.

 Want more from Studio Pilates?

To find your local Studio Pilates Studio visit here – HERE

Want to know more about Studio Pilates?

Website –www.studiopilates.com

Instagram – @studio_pilates

 

 

 

 

 

“Awaken” LED Treatment with Kindred Toxin Free Face and Body

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On a sunny, Saturday afternoon, David took our 3 little babes on a city cat ride from Bulimba to New farm , so this Mumma could have some me time.

I had the “Awaken” LED Treatment with the gorgeous Lilly from Kindred Toxin Free Face and Body. It was absolutely divine so I just had share my experience in a little more detail. Hopefully it inspires you to treat yourself, especially if you are a local! Nat (the founder) has given my friends and family a generous discount code – ALICE25 which will give you $25 off the $50 booking fee which applies once per order.

See link – https://www.kindredtoxinfreefacials.com.au/products/50-deposit-new-clients to book today.

When I first arrived, I was greeted with the biggest smile by Lilly. She gave me a drink of water and I was sat down in their, oh so inviting waiting room and filled out my paperwork. There was zen music in the back ground and I felt like I had left the “hustle of mumlife” at the door the moment I stepped in side those doors.

The room was equaling inviting as well. The lights were dim in the room and were just lit by the salt lamp, there was a beautiful inviting space in the corner for the client which was set up for post treatment. The bed was so lush to lay on.

Once I was comfortable on the bed, Lilly just quickly checked again the products I was using just for safety reasons, then it was ultimate relaxation time. Lilly preformed a mini deep breathing exercise which really helped me to be present in the moment. She then did a mini facial with the most divine cleansing oil and down bamboo towels.

Next up, Lilly explained in more detail the procedure of the LED Treatment. To read these benefits of the Dermalux LED treatment then click here. She did state that I would feel light and almost like I was in a twilight rest on the beach! She was exactly right too. She covered up my eyes and at first I could see the bright light (like laying in the beach with your eyes closed and the sun is out), my eyes soon adjusted and I started to relax. I had the best experience with the hot towels on my feet. Then the massage just topped it off. I remember laying there a little longer and when Lilly told me we were done, I wondered if I snored haha!

To finish the treatment, Lilly used almost like a balm on my face to hydrate it and put on some sunscreen as it was still early afternoon.

To finish off I had some herbal tea and a delicious vegan choccie. I walked out of the space feeling like I was on a cloud.

It has been two weeks since I had the treatment and my skin is feeling to clear. I had a mini breakout a few days after but it cleaned up within 24hr and I am always open to my body adjusting to change in my routine. My freckles and hyperpigmentation is looking lighter on my face. I will continue to have my DermaPen4 and I might just have to add this LED treatment to skin therapy.

Behind the biz is a gorgeous person running it. Here are some words about her WHY for creating this inviting space…

“…with 13 years in traditional beauty, there came a point where I could no longer go on. I needed to take full responsibility for the message I was sending about beauty and for what I was putting on client’s skin. I start work each day excited to educate my clients that the’s another way and that a bathroom full of products does equal beautiful skin!” – Natalie Sellers, Founder

Want to know more about Kindred? To stay up to date on their specials, skin eduction, blogs and beauty treatments make sure you follow (if you feel aligned) and have a read of their website.

Instagram – CLICK HERE

Website – CLICK HERE

 

Derma Pen 4 with Beau Bliss Redlands

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From a younger age I have always battled with pigmentation on my forehead and on the top of my lip. Over the years I have tried lots of different treatments to, which have helped to fade it slightly but nothing hugely noticeable, until now. Derma Pen 4 has been a blessing for it. I even noticed a huge change within days are my first treatment with Sandra. I have also loved the improvement on my scar I have in between my eyes. It’s honestly amazing how good this treatment is and how quickly you see results.

I first had Derma Pen 4 just over 4months a go. I have since been having it every 4-6 weeks. Sandra is a qualified beauty therapist with nearly 10 years experience. Earlier this year Sandra completed her Derma Pen 4 training and has since been performing the treatment on a large majority of her clientele.

About the procedure…

Firstly you have a consultation with Sandra, to talk about your skin in depth, she asks you what you would like to achieve and then she will share her recommendations. She also takes a good look at your skin as well after a cleanse.

The procedure in total takes about 45minutes. You have your face cleansed, Sandra then dons sterile gloves and commences the treatment. I had the treatment with no numbing cream. The Derma Pen 4 is uncomfortable but not painful for me, then only place I really felt a bit of pain was on my nose. Sandra clearly explains the treatment she is doing as she is going. Keeping you in the loop of all the benefits.

You get a cooling mask post treatment. Then you are sent home with a good sunscreen and recovery cream.

Dermapen Treatments are highly effective for treating hyperpigmentation. The treatment creates upto 1,920 fractional microchannels per second into the skin to promote a more balances and normalized cellular function. As melanocytes (pigment producing cells) are directly targeted, a repair and corrective process encourages an even skin tone creating a radiant appearance.

Our skin’s renewal process slows down as we age, so Dermapen Treatments are the safe, natural alternative to fight the aging process. 

What’s more, Dermapen treatments naturally work from within. The natural wound-healing responses created by microneedling treatments will kick start the production of collagen and elastin production (Dermapenworld).

Pollution and lifestyle habits also take their toll on our skin.

Here are the results of my progress so far.

Results 4 months in, my pigmentation is fading, my lines under my eyes are less dominant and my skin isn’t as dry around my nose. Plus my skin tone is more even all over.

My journey to tread a little lighter on this earth.

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By Alice Bingham

In collaboration with The Clean Collective

Okay so we all watched the news a while back, when the Australian supermarkets decided it was time for customers to start bringing their own bags or paying a small fee for a reusable bag. It got me thinking though, the “war on waste” is so much more to me than just bringing my own bags to the weekly shop. I sat down and thought, “what else can I do personally to tread a little lighter on this earth I live on?”

I have to be completely honest, this journey has been a transition in our household, rather that a sudden big overnight change. Baby steps, but each small change has allowed me to feel like I really am starting to give the planet a little hug and a big fat I’m sorry. The last 18 months a lot has changed in our house hold. I make a lot of my cleaning products with homemade remedies and essential oils. Our baby and beauty toiletries are also all made by me or I buy a good quality organic product that I trust. Our medicine cabinet has had a clean up and major makeover and I could not be happier. I am happy with the small changes we are making and am proud to say that my self conscious is too. Plus it’s really important to me, to teach my little ones about the war on waste.

Recently on my instagram @aliceinhealthyland, I shared my fridge with my following on my insta story. There was one reply that really stood out to me. Someone telling me that they were a little disappointed to see how much food we brought that was wrapped in plastic. At first I was a little thrown back and told them, I had not done our usual shop at the spray free market as it was raining. Then even at my organic store they wrapped half watermelons in plastic, blah, blah. Cut myself some slack right? Well yes, but also it did make me open my eyes a little more and look a little deeper into how I personally can change these habits that are so cemented in us.

Here are some of the small changes we have been doing. Some for ages and some are some new new habits I have learnt from the guidance of team at The Clean Collective.

I have been using a Keep Cup for my daily takeaway hot drink for ages now. In fact most coffee places will give you a bonus for bringing your own. So far I have had, a small discount, a free hot drink, a bliss ball,  or an extra shot of coffee, all for bringing a my cup along. #winning. I also am loving my new Frank Green one, it has a great option for tea leafs as well as coffee. DID YOU KNOW? (Well I didn’t until yesterday) that a majority of our tea bags have plastic in them to make the bag…. WHAT THE? I am now a tea leaf girl for life. Thanks for sharing that on your insta @thecleancollective. If I am going to make a hot drink at work, I keep my own mug in my locker. Instead of using the hospitals lunch room, dreaded polystyrene cup…

Taking my own water bottle every where I go, including for the kiddies too. To the gym, to the shops, to the park, to coffee etc. This means its less tempting to buy a plastic bottle of water. Or I will buy a VOSS glass if I must. I love my Swell one. Its light and carries enough water to survive me to my next pit stop haha.

My lunchbox has have a major makeover. I use a reusable lunch box filled with either glass containers or stainless steel ones to store my food in. Plus I do think the stainless steel ones look very luxe. Plus they don’t allow any nasties to leach into our food. Loving my container by U-Konserve. I need to get more in different sizes. All my fruit and snacks like rice cakes are now wrapped in beeswax wraps. Yes they are so easy to clean and super easy to use.

Bringing my own shopping bags to the markets or food shop. I have been doing this for ages now, long before the big news break here in Aussie supermarkets. There are some really great options for shopping bags. In fact they have become quite a trend. Plus I think the checkout person packs them neater than a plastic bag. Yay!! We now not only take grocery bags, we also bring our own organic cotton mesh produce bags to the markets or supermarket. If we don’t have enough we just loosely put them in the bag or share once they have been weight. We have been loving the Ever Eco  draw string ones., they are big enough to fit plenty of the same veggies in them.

These are all of course small changes I have made. I know I can do more, we all can. I am learning and with learning I am changing.

For more tips on how you can reduce waste in your household or tread a little lighter on the earth, check out The Clean Collective at www.cleancollective.com, I will also be sharing tips on my platforms as well and continuing to share my journey with you all. As to me, I believe it is an important one.

For a a extra special thank you to my following for reading this blog. The Clean Collective have offered my following a discount that you can use at the checkout. Use ALICE5 of your future purchase.

Thank you for reading!

Big love,

Alice x

Winter Rose’s Room Makeover

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Winter Rose’s Room Makeover

With online styling help from Elisa – @thezeroprint + @blond.noir

 

We lived in a granny flat for almost 3 years so I was never able to style a nursery properly for Cruz. Then when we moved in to our new home in August, Cruz has a toddler room and Winter Rose well we just chucked the baby furniture in her room. She was on 6 weeks old then. The rooms needed painting which was on our to do list, so we thought there was no point decorating until we could afford to to that first. Then a few months past because you know – LIFE  – newborn, toddler, adjusting to our new home.

Continue reading “Winter Rose’s Room Makeover” →

Oh my god you get so much shit for free? #mybloggereality

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As an online blogger, I get this statement said to me by friends, followers and even some loved ones. Which is fine but you know what I just feel the need to tell you that I don’t just get shit for free. There is so much more that goes into this blogging business than just receiving free shit! I work hard for the things that talk about.

I can honestly say that 90% of my posts or product reviews I do for @aliceinhealthyland are not paid posts. But if people want to do paid posts Im totally fine with it to if you aren’t then don’t follow. Most bloggers work hard to keep their blog or platform alive.

Continue reading “Oh my god you get so much shit for free? #mybloggereality” →