It’s been a while since I’ve put together a recommendation post and this week I thought, why the hell not? I buy stuff and use stuff – maybe you might like this stuff too? Who knows?
Here are a few things I’ve been loving hard recently.
I love a pinky, nudey lip and this oil is exactly what I was after. It also comes in a little metal case that’s refillable. So it’s not only gorgeous but also sustainable. If you have a set of Air Pods and you love clicking the lid open and closed absentmindedly because it’s so satisfying, I can wholeheartedly confirm that the metallic snap of the Fluff case is EVEN BETTER. Plus the shape is so satisfying I just stroke it all day. I’ve been looking for a good refillable lipgloss and I’m thrilled I’ve found it. They have a few other refillable products too if that interests you.
2. Cullachange
I’ve tried dying my own clothes FOR YEARS and I’ve failed miserably at every turn. Recently someone suggested Cullachange to me and I sent off two items of clothing I didn’t love the colour of any more. I got my order back a week ago and I’m thrilled. The service was fast and thorough (they call you to talk you through the process) and the results are amazing. I got a jumpsuit dyed from army green to navy and I love it. I liked the green and I got two years of wear out of the green and I just wanted something a little less utilitarian. It was $80 to have it dyed and it gives me another several years wear out of something I wasn’t wearing as often and it’s stopped me buying a new one. I will definitely be using them again.
3. Ethique Frizz Wrangler shampoo bar
I have special needs hair and I wasn’t convinced I could use a shampoo bar but this one is awesome. My mate Chrissy gave it to me and I haven’t looked back. It’s not strictly CG (but then I’m not strictly CG – that’s Curly Girl Method for those playing at home) but it still doesn’t leave my hair feeling squishy and slippery. Love it. I’m trying to go package-free where I can and I’m thrilled to have ditched shampoo bottles finally. Still working on conditioner… watch this space.
4. This Peanut Butter Zucchini Muffin recipe
In a weird turn of events, my freak almost 2-year-old isn’t a fan of baked goods (which isn’t really a problem) but I whipped up a batch of these a few weeks ago and she devoured them! If you make them with sugar-free choc chips they’re also low carb. Winner. Also I just sometimes make them with regular dark choc chips because who cares? Eat the damn muffins. They have zucchini in them so they’re practically salad.
5. Licks
These are sugar-free popsicles you can grab from Coles and they’re awesome. I’ve long been a fan of Fro Pro Singles but they’re kind of intense – they’re like the Magnum of the low carb ice cream treat world. For those times when you feel like a low carb Paddle Pop situation, Licks are awesome. Hot tip: Surprisingly the Vanilla Latte flavour is much better than the Double Choc. The Double Choc is a bit flavourless, it’s like eating a skim milk popsicle.
6. This jumpsuit from Everlane
I bought this about two weeks ago and no shit, I wear it everywhere. It’s so comfortable and so versatile. I have to stop myself buying it in cream (because I’m gross and I’ll slime it) and mustard (because mustard looks awful on me). If they ever make it in teal or navy, I’m so there. I’d even do a bottle green in it.
7. These tights from Lorna Jane
Okay, so I need to talk about this. I’ve been trying to only buy clothing that has a Good rating on Good On You and I’ve been really successful in all areas except underwear and exercise tights, but particularly exercise tights. I’ve tried them all. I’ve bought about ten pairs online and had to send them all back because they fall down when I do burpees or roll when I do sit-ups. I’ve been trying to find a good pair of high waisted tights for MONTHS and I finally caved on the weekend and desperately tried on a pair in Lorna Jane to see if they would be my miracle tights. They’re perfect and I love them. However, I’m not recommending them to you. I realise this is a strange non-recommendation but I’m being honest here because I think it’s important to talk about the issues surrounding ethical clothing.
Here’s what happened.
- I tried Boody, Active Truth, Rockwear, A’min, Nimble Activewear, DK active, Black Milk, Organic Yoga company – none of them held up in my burpee/sit-up test
- I tried Target, K-mart and Cotton On – same thing
- I spend months buying, trying and sending back pair after pair of tights wasting time, money and carbon emissions
- My 6-year-old Adidas tights of perfection ripped at the seam
- I saw a fitness store, desperately went in and tried these tights and they’re exactly what I wanted so I bought them
- I also live in the country so my nearest ‘big’ centre is Albury and it’s slim pickings
I got home and researched Lorna Jane and the company is worse than I thought. You can read about it here, here and here.
So I’m not thrilled about my final choice but I stand by the decision that got me there. Here are my thoughts on low waste/sustainability I wrote a few years ago.
I tried, I REALLY tried to make an ethical purchasing decision here but I had to concede defeat. Better to buy something I will actually wear and use than to waste more resources settling on a product that won’t work for me. The rest of my activewear is on point – Boody sports bra and tank tops with Allbirds sneakers. I hope that in 6 years when I have to replace these tights I can find a burpee proof pair from a company that’s more ethical and inclusive.
8. Des on Stan
For those of you that are new around here, I’m a true crime fanatic. So when Des popped up on Stan bragging David Tennant as the lead in this Dennis Nilson mini-series I cleared my already COVID-empty calendar to binge-watch it. It didn’t disappoint. I’m sad it’s over. It was so good. A gem in the true crime genre.
So I got sent a case of this not long ago and I absolutely love it. I was saving a bottle of the red to drink with my mum when restrictions lift but I drank it all so now I have to buy more. Not complaining. For every bottle of wine bought from The Hidden Sea, they’ve made it their mission to remove and recycle 10 plastic bottles from the world’s oceans. They’ve partnered with ReSea Project, the world’s first verified ocean plastic cleanup organisation. They use a fancy QR code system so they’re able to monitor where, when and who has collected plastic on behalf of them at ReSea Project. It’s ethical and it’s wine. I’m so in.
Also, you should totally sign up for my newsletter. I’ve started sending weekly newsletters again and they’re full of useful things and don’t forget Crochet Coach has a free trial offer if you fancy making all your Christmas presents this year.
6 Comments
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Thanks for the recommendations – looking into the wine right now. 😉
I don’t think you should beat yourself up too much about the tights, you REALLY tried! And even though you had to go with a brand who isn’t sustainable, I know you’ll wear them sustainably – right to the seam rip.
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Quite possibly too latr for you but Exoticatheletica are a Sunshine Coast activewear brand that don’t roll or go see-through when you bend over 🙂
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Fab round up! Thanks. Those ice creams look worth a go. Now we just need the sun!
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For zero-waste conditioner – have you heard of Beauty and the Bees? They’re a Tasmanian company. I personally haven’t tried their conditioners but I’ve been using their shampoo bars before you could find such a thing in regular shops. Here’s a link: https://beautyandthebees.net/category/hair-care/shop-by-product/conditioner-bars/
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Your round-up of recommendations is so full of goodness! Thank you!!
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Have you checked out the Criminal series on Netflix? Criminal UK particularly gripping (not TRUE crime but excellent detective procedural drama) , and while you’re on David Tennant, STAGED on ABC iView – hilarious and clever show about David and Michael Sheen “zoom” rehearsing a play with their director, getting very little play work done but lots on insight into each other and their domestic lives.
Yeah, Lorna Jane – I have two pairs and will never replace….check out
https://newtonfit.com/pages/about-us
next time your shopping for some tights – burpee and bendy proof!