tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25350887554382934152024-03-06T00:06:10.445+13:00Notes from a Mindful Style JourneyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-51922712097246254062016-03-13T14:58:00.002+13:002016-03-13T14:58:50.936+13:00The Ethical Edit - February 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.kowtowclothing.com/collections/knitwear" target="_blank">Kowtow Ethical Organic Cotton Knitwear</a> / <a href="http://karenmurrell.com/" target="_blank">A Perfect Nude Lipstick (Cordovan Natural 02 by Karen Murrell)</a> / <a href="https://www.kowtowclothing.com/collections/womens-tops/products/chapter-top?colour=olive" target="_blank">Kowtow Chapter Top (Olive)</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-88848305746872477602016-02-27T18:36:00.000+13:002016-03-03T13:33:46.308+13:00From my minimal wardrobe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRLAFghhBl4mv5uf0-7l5il7g3J_XSe3XIO6GtchCbWa8WINpopj3Qwr5Y5goZdwWzCZnOegEeUBLXrjIpxbEBNs1fGfOF4IsD61KcNdPjSrHFtlan_H6N1n2cSR8FWT3grz-bUUf9qUv/s1600/Spring+lookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRLAFghhBl4mv5uf0-7l5il7g3J_XSe3XIO6GtchCbWa8WINpopj3Qwr5Y5goZdwWzCZnOegEeUBLXrjIpxbEBNs1fGfOF4IsD61KcNdPjSrHFtlan_H6N1n2cSR8FWT3grz-bUUf9qUv/s1600/Spring+lookbook.jpg" /></a></div>
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We're still enjoying Summer around here but today I'm taking a look back at some of my favourite Spring looks. </div>
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This is both an exercise in record-keeping (for me) and a bit of inspiration - hopefully, for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere who are getting closer to Spring. </div>
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At the end of this post I tell you a bit more about my process of record-keeping but first I want to take you through the outfits.<br />
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It's worth nothing that these are all work outfits. I think I have now well and truly cemented my tendency to wear mostly trousers in warmer seasons and skirts in the cooler months. </div>
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I am also still going for the colour palette that I had identified in my Winter wardrobe last year during <a href="http://blogfashionpas.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/minimal-wardrobe-part-3-of-3.html" target="_blank">my incursion into minimalism</a>. </div>
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Almost two years have passed and I'm still using my Cuyana tote everyday and I love it. I actually look forward to it. It's counter-intuitive. We've been made to believe that it will be boring to have the same handbag (or anything else really) every single day. </div>
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But I've experienced the exact opposite - including not even feeling lust towards "it" bags. Considering I had a financial plan in place to purchase a couple of those, I see this as an incredible achievement. It must have helped that I bought a durable item that fit my needs and my style.<br />
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Finally, most of these outfits have transitioned into Summer with only minor changes - cooler footwear and removal of outer-layer. The exception being the bottom right outfit where the faux-leather leggings are simply too warm so, over Summer, I've been wearing the green top with the black trousers instead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqItNgu91StqUnRPP1RNvpJ8a-GtJIDFRjMHFXr3aaJn03NHSsocoZJMk4dS8x9HsJKh7D5IirhTeudfPBAWtnp09PyPdoXmonE___VTCWc-3sSgeEoRWeEeVhMOweUB8y2KIbCcMaibRT/s1600/green+outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqItNgu91StqUnRPP1RNvpJ8a-GtJIDFRjMHFXr3aaJn03NHSsocoZJMk4dS8x9HsJKh7D5IirhTeudfPBAWtnp09PyPdoXmonE___VTCWc-3sSgeEoRWeEeVhMOweUB8y2KIbCcMaibRT/s1600/green+outfit.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUXkU1dIk4RD1Mo89S5c445pfopcs8vbeOpPj-5xEZJIY9CqUTTmM4QN2pxnhjSWhYxwcF7jLvg4w9g0nOrQkMvsmv9B34bOoMfh7bv9AJULLG85BbrUg2WCSjWdhILAWR3rXSHMMQqvB/s1600/footer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUXkU1dIk4RD1Mo89S5c445pfopcs8vbeOpPj-5xEZJIY9CqUTTmM4QN2pxnhjSWhYxwcF7jLvg4w9g0nOrQkMvsmv9B34bOoMfh7bv9AJULLG85BbrUg2WCSjWdhILAWR3rXSHMMQqvB/s1600/footer.png" /></a></div>
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This process of keeping a visual record of my outfits has been essential to help me define my style and build a functional wardrobe.<br />
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I am now at a stage where I'm very happy with my wardrobe and am confident about my style. Items are working better together and even though I have fewer things (e.g., four pairs of trousers as opposed to eight), I don't feel that there's a limit to how many different outfits I can create each season.<br />
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You would think that a smaller wardrobe is hard to stay fresh and exciting, but every week I seem to find a new way to mix and match and I thoroughly enjoy the creative process.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar0DPPrJb-pugbrAmrW2V-F6C7-KfhttNGj84e7I8M2q4YDs5jibaRC5HIVH6lx4AbGP03U0ApG-gE1S3TuMSzhT1Lt_swYmMlsJj-AYeAQHBe4x61If7wA1cQFWWzBf2dPEK2Ow7phm7/s1600/functional+wardrobe+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar0DPPrJb-pugbrAmrW2V-F6C7-KfhttNGj84e7I8M2q4YDs5jibaRC5HIVH6lx4AbGP03U0ApG-gE1S3TuMSzhT1Lt_swYmMlsJj-AYeAQHBe4x61If7wA1cQFWWzBf2dPEK2Ow7phm7/s1600/functional+wardrobe+1.jpg" /></a>Over the last year or so I've been printing and organising my favourites by season, helping me understand what I have and how I use it. I have enough of these now to create my own lookbooks which I use for easy reference either on those busy mornings or when time comes to replace an item.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXiFdcEPzg8ksaZw-hcYOlilh2D5_0TVgTpestPC1Tbk5D0vtgL1jUHmgd8MGHubp_XGL_3ID6GOORIdAH3CNVUfQs-FonZ9pDL60Fi3UJ0MKhtk1SCI7C-vX_OC6zdCNWf6-osm1JSBb/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXiFdcEPzg8ksaZw-hcYOlilh2D5_0TVgTpestPC1Tbk5D0vtgL1jUHmgd8MGHubp_XGL_3ID6GOORIdAH3CNVUfQs-FonZ9pDL60Fi3UJ0MKhtk1SCI7C-vX_OC6zdCNWf6-osm1JSBb/s1600/Capture.JPG" /></a></div>
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I've previously used <a href="http://www.socialprintstudio.com/photobooks/" target="_blank">Social Print Studio's photo books</a>, as it's so easy to create with my Instagram photos, and I am now ready to put together one of those for a year worth of work outfits.<br />
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Having things digitally is great for sharing but when it comes to organise things for my own personal use, I'm still very much a hardcopy person - there isn't an app that gives me as much of a sense of control that a book does.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUXkU1dIk4RD1Mo89S5c445pfopcs8vbeOpPj-5xEZJIY9CqUTTmM4QN2pxnhjSWhYxwcF7jLvg4w9g0nOrQkMvsmv9B34bOoMfh7bv9AJULLG85BbrUg2WCSjWdhILAWR3rXSHMMQqvB/s1600/footer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUXkU1dIk4RD1Mo89S5c445pfopcs8vbeOpPj-5xEZJIY9CqUTTmM4QN2pxnhjSWhYxwcF7jLvg4w9g0nOrQkMvsmv9B34bOoMfh7bv9AJULLG85BbrUg2WCSjWdhILAWR3rXSHMMQqvB/s1600/footer.png" /></a><br />
Do you use any apps to help you navigate your wardrobe? Or do you go old-school like me?<br />
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Also, would love to know which outfit is your favourite and, those of you up North, what are you most looking forward to wearing again this Spring?<br />
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-40341365233962519022016-02-16T17:44:00.000+13:002016-02-16T17:47:50.903+13:00The Trench <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlP67h_nuqRwaMhtZcmhlheI4twYJGalSi_4gaYpliSPCmE4Y14Brrtu2Wc7_IpoxVqdZf4B9sU__05P8l5TJNZmchdwL5Q33_d7ViRO1P1S4N6CpI8C_6BSU4bDk6MVgbcoNbebCtiD3/s1600/okewa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlP67h_nuqRwaMhtZcmhlheI4twYJGalSi_4gaYpliSPCmE4Y14Brrtu2Wc7_IpoxVqdZf4B9sU__05P8l5TJNZmchdwL5Q33_d7ViRO1P1S4N6CpI8C_6BSU4bDk6MVgbcoNbebCtiD3/s1600/okewa2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ooh, the Trench! Possibly the only clothing item that has remained fashionable since it became a wardrobe essential over 100 years ago! And while the design or even materials have changed very little over that time, it has really evolved from something only a selected few [white men] wore, to a truly universal piece of clothing, worn by people of all ages all over the world. </div>
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While the Burberry trench remains <b>the </b>original (even if some may argue that Aquascutum got there first), nowadays we're not limited to that design, and most of all, we're not limited to the price-tag. There are many affordable options out there, either for the more traditional design or for different takes on it.<br />
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With so much to choose from, there are a few things you may want to consider to help you narrow your options down. These are the things I've found helpful when picking up a trench and I hope they help you too if you're on the lookout.<br />
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<b>Fabric</b> - trench coats can be made of different kinds of fibres - wool, cotton, synthetic materials, or even silk. Which one to go for really depends on whether you want a cooler or warmer item.<br />
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Beyond that, the key aspect is to check how these fibres were woven. Look for a trench made of a tightly-knit, heavy-duty fabric, such as gabardine, which makes it durable and weatherproof. Don't be put-off by words such as "heavy-duty" - this refers more to the durability of the item than its style.<br />
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My <a href="http://okewarainwear.com/collections/okewa-collection/products/birmingham-trench-militant-olive" target="_blank">Okewa Birmingham Trench</a> is made from a waterproof but breathable Japanese cloth (100% Nylon), especially selected and made-to-order, for the wildest Wellington weather.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZjmwz36miUI1wARSCPiYqyKFxpruh-MKrXxUXj71uIkS_Y_YcLekxxxmA8IpIyIVGScq8KZfdXB3zFdxVSfYWcQy4Dj8jnw28GoAv47N-_MtaOaFp1RmoRApAZwPQ8HtYOBBFFVrtigR/s1600/okewa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZjmwz36miUI1wARSCPiYqyKFxpruh-MKrXxUXj71uIkS_Y_YcLekxxxmA8IpIyIVGScq8KZfdXB3zFdxVSfYWcQy4Dj8jnw28GoAv47N-_MtaOaFp1RmoRApAZwPQ8HtYOBBFFVrtigR/s1600/okewa1.jpg" /></a><b>Colour</b> - this is really down to personal preferences but you'll never go wrong with beige tones. Olive or military green, navy blue and black are also safe options.<br />
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<b>Length</b> - shorter lengths are often associated with warmer weather, while a longer trench will be the perfect fit for those wild, rainy Winter days, especially when paired with gumboots. The slightly above-the-knee length strikes the perfect balance in my view.<br />
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<b>Style</b> - now, I won't lie, when it comes to trench coats, I am a traditionalist. There's something beautifully timeless about the way the original trench coats were designed. So timeless, in fact, that generation after generation have worn it over and over again. In some cases, literally the same coat - something to say about that quality too, perhaps?<br />
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Either way, when I'm going for an item that I want to wear for years to come, I pick the classic option, you know, just to play it safe.<br />
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That said, I don't dismiss contemporary takes on the trench coat - sometimes we may want to pick an item that makes us feel more present in our own times, rather than nostalgic about bygone eras we never even experienced.<br />
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If a trench coat with an unusual design has attracted your eye but you're a bit unsure of how it will age, try picking it in a classic colour - that should keeps things balanced.<br />
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<b>Fit</b> - whatever you choose, fit is everything; pay particular attention to the length of the sleeves - when standing with your arms relaxed, your hands are not supposed to be covered. I know it sounds obvious but, for some reason, we often ignore this simple rule.<br />
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If you've picked a more traditional style, also look at the shoulders - unless your trench is supposed to have drop-shoulders (like my five year old Mango trench below), the seam connecting the shoulder with the sleeve should be pretty much on where your own arm meets your shoulder, like a well-fitted suit. </div>
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<b>Ethical / Socially Conscious </b><br />
Finally, it wouldn't be me writing this post if I didn't end by encouraging you to be thoughtful about what you pick. I bought the Mango trench above well before I started to think more broadly about the provenance of my clothes - I cared that it was made by the same brand I had been wearing since I was fifteen, a brand I trusted for quality and fit.<br />
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Those are still things that are important to me, but nowadays I want to know more. For the Okewa trench, I spent weeks deliberating on many other aspects - from fabric provenance, to whether they coats are made locally.<br />
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The fact that I could talk to someone responsible for the production of the item - not a sales rep or a comms person - was really refreshing. With most brands, consumers can be so far removed from the makers it's easy to be complacent and not acknowledge our own responsibility in the current state of affairs.<br />
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<b>A couple of places to explore:</b><br />
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Start with you parents or grandparents closet - I know my mum has a beautiful 90s black trench with my name on it...<br />
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<a href="http://okewarainwear.com/" target="_blank">Okewa Rainwear</a>: Classic urban chic design made to withstand the worst of weathers (sorry Wellington).<br />
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<a href="https://www.everlane.com/collections/womens-outerwear" target="_blank">Everlane</a>: For a modern take on the timeless coat, go for their Swing Trench.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oHpgh3TzP8EOOrV9HbrUi7lGGkkpde0qYUtgZRk5hGODDIU_HyAwD9q55UjdlXB-Un9T_IyJJIu7zrDzu67oWmsphHj4JseuJbYOqT4puFbiKozr4AlHdr9Yz-ZGc99md11PKLhjGNWe/s1600/footer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oHpgh3TzP8EOOrV9HbrUi7lGGkkpde0qYUtgZRk5hGODDIU_HyAwD9q55UjdlXB-Un9T_IyJJIu7zrDzu67oWmsphHj4JseuJbYOqT4puFbiKozr4AlHdr9Yz-ZGc99md11PKLhjGNWe/s1600/footer.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Do you have a trench coat? Would love to hear what you think of it! </b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-24100317180962511832016-02-10T12:48:00.000+13:002016-02-09T14:57:57.885+13:00The Ethical Edit - January 2016 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://citizensmark.com/pages/our-story" target="_blank">Citizen's Mark Blazer</a> / <a href="https://www.dr.hauschka.com/en_NZ/products/#make-up" target="_blank">Dr Hauschka Makeup</a> / <a href="http://www.guava.shoes/collections/bags/products/clutch-with-removable-chain-nude" target="_blank">Guava Geometric Purse</a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-46703156898416269342016-02-03T21:34:00.000+13:002016-02-04T10:04:47.322+13:00Instagram - A few tips and sources of inspiration<div style="text-align: justify;">
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This post is a little bit different - Instagram, as a tool for visual storytelling, has taken such a prominent place in my creative life that I wanted to share some of my current sources of inspiration and a few tips I've picked up in the last few months.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>When I first joined Instagram almost four years ago, I had just moved to New Zealand and my initial goal was to feel connected to my new home.<br />
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My account still has all the photos I shared in those early days, even though they are now so distant from my current approach.<br />
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I cringe at some of them but I leave them be nonetheless. They show me how I've progressed from the early days participating in monthly photo-a-day challenges, to a wider and more thoughtful approach that I prefer today. <br />
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I was fairly picky from the start on who I followed but took my contribution a bit more loosely. I used Ig more as a platform where I passively enjoyed beautiful content provided by others, rather than actively exploring all the creative and connecting possibilities of my own content.<br />
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Not surprisingly, after a couple of years I wasn't enjoying my grid much. But I was a bit slow to realize my own agency on this. It wasn't until early last year that I consciously decided to turn my account from a reactive randomness into the type of considered and meaningful content that I myself enjoy in other accounts.<br />
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Over the last year, I have explored ways to do this and have learned so much more about what Ig can be in that short time-frame than in the previous three years. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel more in control now.<br />
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So here are a few tips I picked up that have really made a difference and a few of my current sources of inspiration. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbv-l50gev139M5hno5OPXihQK2K9Jm6N2pSVuWhaV7h9nL5-vxJDz36G9pAiL94pEOFcuu6da-assIusUDyLzOyXfNNl_2MI768YqUYViOYdnb-uhwpp3Cy0WBjdpJt9lH37Lt8oKNUT/s1600/Ig+post+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbv-l50gev139M5hno5OPXihQK2K9Jm6N2pSVuWhaV7h9nL5-vxJDz36G9pAiL94pEOFcuu6da-assIusUDyLzOyXfNNl_2MI768YqUYViOYdnb-uhwpp3Cy0WBjdpJt9lH37Lt8oKNUT/s1600/Ig+post+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b><br /></b><b>1. Find your focus</b><br />
One of the problems I was having with my account was a lack of focus. I was using it for personal style and mindful consumer musings, in alignment with the blog, but also for all sorts of other random stuff. The "voice" was disperse and the content just didn't flow.<br />
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The decision to narrow down and stick to topic has been more liberating than I anticipated. Not only am I now able to provide a level of assurance to my followers on what content to expect from me - and thus connect with people genuinely interested in the same things - but I have been more free to explore and develop a consistent personal style.<br />
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Instainspo: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andrewknapp/" target="_blank">Andrew Knapp</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amywybrow/" target="_blank">Amy Wybrow</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nordiccalm/" target="_blank">Jana</a><br />
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<b>2. Explore+Express your style</b><br />
Another issue I had with my content previously was that my style was really unclear and random. Not being a photographer, I was trying different things, looking for my own way but not really finding it.<br />
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Since I've become more clear about my focus, I have been able to put more energy in developing my style. As this became more clear, a natural flow between images started to emerge - funnily enough, <b>this is the same experience I've had with my wardrobe - once my style became clear, it all started to make a lot more sense together...</b><br />
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The hardest challenge has been to express myself in a way that is relatable and personal, but not narcissistic. I work on this one every time, asking of each photo - is it 'me'?<br />
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The other day when my friend told me she could get a real sense of me through my images (such as the two above), I knew I was on the right track.<br />
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Instainspo: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ana_morais/" target="_blank">Ana Morais</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cupofcouple/" target="_blank">Cup of Couple</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oliviablushdesign/" target="_blank">Hannah Kim</a><br />
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<b>3. Don't go for second best</b><br />
You know Madonna was right on this - just don't do it. It's not worth it. Not for your creative well-being, not for your followers and not for the communities you may want to engage with or be part of.<br />
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Look, I've been here many times. Maybe you want to post right now but the only photo you have is not really something you're happy with. You know you can do better, maybe tomorrow morning when the light is right. But you really want to share something - right now! There's an "insta" in the gram after all. FOMO takes over and you go ahead and do it. After a few of these, you look at your grid and the feeling you get out of it is less than satisfactory.<br />
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From my experience, the moment I started to share the content I was truly happy with - my personal best - that's when I really noticed a consistent increase in engagement with real people on the other side of the line - and a boost on my own creative morale!<br />
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I'm not saying that your photos have to be professional photographer grade. Or that you can't be spontaneous in your sharing. But just look at the image and ask yourself - is that the best you can do at that time? What's the story you want to tell? Are those images telling it right? If the answer is no, don't go for second best.<br />
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Instainspo: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leevosburgh/" target="_blank">Lee Vosburgh</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_pommegranate/" target="_blank">Emilia</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/me_and_orla/" target="_blank">Sara</a><br />
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<b>About #Hashtags</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLaz_lWHsQXQWBLFDFNx5yKmHXv6m6XyAvepmUH4a8Sy77c6hkUoNKJLltWFnFn7ROtPhsjPb-L2ERHj_Kox7m-JMeJ7HutxfJfTPnQi6CJlm9yvMYZegdmH55AJ1wu5wtflL-BLuxx4D/s1600/p3top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLaz_lWHsQXQWBLFDFNx5yKmHXv6m6XyAvepmUH4a8Sy77c6hkUoNKJLltWFnFn7ROtPhsjPb-L2ERHj_Kox7m-JMeJ7HutxfJfTPnQi6CJlm9yvMYZegdmH55AJ1wu5wtflL-BLuxx4D/s1600/p3top.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top posts on 3 February 2016 for #p3top - the hashtag connecting Portuguese Instagrammers</td></tr>
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If you are still seeing these as an annoying addition to someone's photo description, look at it this way - hashtags, when used well, are a powerful connection tool. They will put you in touch with countless inspiring instagrammers from around the world, and help like-minded people build a community.<br />
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The hashtag brings us together and keeps us together. Some of my current favourites for inspiration and a sense of community are:<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/p3top/" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/p3top/" target="_blank"></a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/p3top/" target="_blank">#p3top</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/theartofslowliving/" target="_blank">#theartofslowliving</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/aquietstyle/" target="_blank">#aquietstyle</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/makeitblissful/" target="_blank">#makeitblissful</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/createexplore/" target="_blank">#createexplore</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/peoplescreatives/" target="_blank">#peoplescreatives</a><br />
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<b>Looking to learn more? </b>Sara from the blog <a href="http://meandorla.co.uk/" target="_blank">Me & Orla</a> has several posts with Instagram tips and she's a bit of a pro. She has also written an <a href="http://meandorla.co.uk/7-days-to-a-better-instagram-a-free-e-course/" target="_blank">e-book "7 days to a better Instagram"</a> which is free. I have found it extremely helpful in implementing the changes I wanted to make to develop a beautiful Instagram feed.<br />
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<b>What do you think? Let me know if you find these useful at all. And also, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Instagram... </b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-89806770943567570382016-01-18T21:05:00.000+13:002016-03-13T15:02:59.004+13:00One Yea of Fewer / Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpAbhsBh7cp0_q8CGNDKw3ik5UoGGW9u5C3zA409R1ujH2DvKS4X4w4wd7TcWO7vlEGiCzXPtyl0bzkBB3Ia7S_TwLjjHoOIHSrItzgx1tjEjsmp-mkWiyZ1ucUNO-3Ka75JsPym30iBB/s1600/IMG_20151127_064946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpAbhsBh7cp0_q8CGNDKw3ik5UoGGW9u5C3zA409R1ujH2DvKS4X4w4wd7TcWO7vlEGiCzXPtyl0bzkBB3Ia7S_TwLjjHoOIHSrItzgx1tjEjsmp-mkWiyZ1ucUNO-3Ka75JsPym30iBB/s1600/IMG_20151127_064946.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been trying to buy less stuff and focus more on quality for several years now but 2015 was the year when I made a conscious effort to see how far I could go with the fewer/better motto.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me start by saying that I didn't find the <i>fewer</i> part easy at all. I thought I was completely ready for a year of conscious consumerism, and really, an ideal candidate for this "experiment":</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">my default tendencies are of the frugal kind (having been brought up by a very frugal, yet stylish mum and auntie who always put quality above quantity); </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I fancy myself as a disciplined <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/" target="_blank">mustachian</a>; </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm surrounded by a frugal environment; and </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I follow the kind of information and social media diet that makes me less likely to be drawn in by marketing stunts. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I even thought I had my impulse-buy in check. But boy was I in for a ride. It's all very good an well to <i>want to be</i> a more mindful consumer but practicing that, in this day and age, on an everyday basis, truly tests your resolve.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmXKNJanjcr_gxTIoxP1s4qyn77wocLGQjdlxWL5Gtwbh6ZH7jfbTS_mYWJY8oJToDUxCd66pA68eaZLojY_Nnxo5cX6l3US0gBnuxzSYoE4gvez8MdB0nHhvXWnAJvtwCtjG7hrR_0x-/s1600/minimal+shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmXKNJanjcr_gxTIoxP1s4qyn77wocLGQjdlxWL5Gtwbh6ZH7jfbTS_mYWJY8oJToDUxCd66pA68eaZLojY_Nnxo5cX6l3US0gBnuxzSYoE4gvez8MdB0nHhvXWnAJvtwCtjG7hrR_0x-/s1600/minimal+shopping.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Figures</span></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Let's start with the numbers. In 2015 I had a total of <b>six shopping experiences, one for multiple items</b>. Of those six, two were for hiking garments, one for casual wear (my one regret), one was unplanned (and avoidable had I not left a similar item back in Portugal in 2014), and two were for my everyday wardrobe (which is office-focused).</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">OK, looking at the figures, it doesn't sound like I did that bad. I didn't engage in seasonal shopping, bi-monthly "capsule" overhauls, or went on shopping trips without purpose. I even resisted the sales! </span></span><br />
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I guess I wasn't completely unsuccessful in my endeavors. But it was the process of achieving this that I personally found harder than expected, especially during the first half of the year until I got used to it.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Strategies</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The single most useful strategy that I used to help me buy less stuff was <i>the list</i><b>. </b><a href="http://blogfashionpas.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/taking-stock.html" target="_blank">Taking stock</a> of what I had, the condition it was in, and whether it could last another season, helped me have a clear idea of what I really did need to buy. Taking time to think about what <a href="http://blogfashionpas.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Minimalism" target="_blank">my ideal minimal wardrobe</a> could look like helped to define my needs even further. In turn, having a clear list helped bring focus to every shopping trip or online perusing - if it wasn't on the list, it became easier to say no.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But <i>the list</i> only covered the purpose of a purchase (i.e., <i>do I need to buy this</i>). Versatility and quality were two other essential aspects of a mindful purchase. To cover those, I used the <a href="http://blogfashionpas.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/blog-post.html" target="_blank">guide to buying fewer things</a> I had put together earlier in the year.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Learnings</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>1. <i>Buying fewer things is easier said than done </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">While those strategies started to work very well towards the end of the year, I struggled with putting it all into practice until I realized I wasn't really keeping my impulse-buy habits in check.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had already made good progress with my online habits - using Polyvore to play around with an item, removing myself from mailing lists, un-following certain brands, etc. But I soon learned that I didn't have similar coping mechanisms in the shop environment. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DCw6bJSk-Ocj1yft-JxG-ISntH5tJ9gy52yKsZlPHvW7Giqn90i7ylTmtEO4FJiEUSRCrct1R47vJYewgPj1CiXbRnQmXdcplDLDqlhsolIm7T4vLLuyKC9Ww-H9kKy9wKAGQ5UaotAT/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DCw6bJSk-Ocj1yft-JxG-ISntH5tJ9gy52yKsZlPHvW7Giqn90i7ylTmtEO4FJiEUSRCrct1R47vJYewgPj1CiXbRnQmXdcplDLDqlhsolIm7T4vLLuyKC9Ww-H9kKy9wKAGQ5UaotAT/s1600/dress.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Take my one regret purchase as example. This particular dress ticked all the boxes in my book. It was even well priced and found at an <a href="https://tattys.co.nz/" target="_blank">awesome second-hand shop</a>. But I completely overestimated its versatility and actual fit into my current style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thing was, I was looking for an everyday dress to replace two that were much loved but too worn to last another season. I was getting anxious with Autumn coming to an end, saw this one in the shop and just thought it was it. I clearly recall feeling that if I didn't get it there and then someone else would and it was one of a kind. I didn't even try it on!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Warning bells should have sounded but I was using my own strategies to make a completely superficial and anxiety-based judgement. I just wanted something and found a really neat way to justify getting it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had to learn my impulse triggers and then take literal steps back - which, at the start, took the form of avoiding shops altogether - sounds extreme but I really wanted to feel in control. It took me the best part of the year to feel so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <i>Buying better things is not breezy either</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Better things are either not available (fast-fashion is the still the ruling monarch after all) or are just too expensive to consider seriously. And try asking more established brands for details on the provenance and quality of a garment! It's like talking to a higher being: you like to believe they're there but you really don't have any proof.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">To save me some time when trying to find the right kind of item, I now keep a <a href="http://blogfashionpas.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Ethical%20Edit" target="_blank">running list of conscious/ethical businesses</a> local to New Zealand and Australia or that ship worldwide (although this is another conundrum for the mindful consumer living down under which I won't go into in this post).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bottom line?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shopping less is possible but definitely not easy. Not only do you have to swim against the stream of consumer goods being thrown at you 24/7, you have to work on yourself, your motivations and your default behaviours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unless you grew up completely removed from a consumer-based society, you'll find your shopping behaviours are deeply rooted. So deep in fact that your brain will find ways to justify a purchase, even if you're full of good intentions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, unless you want to live off the grid, find your triggers, best coping strategies and don't underestimate how much <i>wanting </i>something can influence you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But take it as something that needs practice. Exercise <i>wanting less, </i>and it just becomes a lot easier as time goes by...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vr1-y1hqHdoSo0ebytkWQCLEXWXv1Ff_FgFBL6GSRCk4mBGpUFRvPDAXoUZt-nOaBXHcoQOfugTXiMc068R7xh1sCW5aP-yuSfTOgE7dT6fK__vWJcBfbKI27apSRropigmZX8bPMO7W/s1600/image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vr1-y1hqHdoSo0ebytkWQCLEXWXv1Ff_FgFBL6GSRCk4mBGpUFRvPDAXoUZt-nOaBXHcoQOfugTXiMc068R7xh1sCW5aP-yuSfTOgE7dT6fK__vWJcBfbKI27apSRropigmZX8bPMO7W/s1600/image3.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What's next?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, 2016 has started with a list with zero items in it so, really, I should be able to go <b>from minimal shopping in 2015 to no shopping in 2016</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I write that sentence, I'm already starting to feel uneasy - I really don't want to commit to zero shopping. What if Everlane finally starts shipping to New Zealand and I can get my hands on that sweater that I actually need?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What I do want to commit to this year is <b>slow fashion and zero tolerance to the unknown</b>. No more excuses. I want to be 100% sure that the maker of my clothes receives a fair wage and works in a secure environment. I don't want to wonder whether my purchase supports child abuse, female oppression, environmental decay or any kind of inhumane work conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have previously tried to respect the unknown maker by respecting the clothes I've purchase. But now I just need more reassurance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2016 will be the year to demand <i>better</i> - better quality of clothes but also better quality of life for those who make them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you tried shopping less? Do any of my experiences sound similar to you or did you have a completely different approach? </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-59968440913436635522016-01-08T12:16:00.001+13:002016-01-08T12:16:12.691+13:00Happy New Year! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Dk1G9aQpP6k8XZXzj7bszdcg1IHQFwuT-A998alCBVzQ9nqMiBHoeip7wRd2b7Bzd72fduvLZL_Ge_zfUY8id_2sIOEcNi63EEXC3ZieZjU40wLRjmay1GHOyeWlI2SsCAxk2s5t2C8K/s1600/romas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Dk1G9aQpP6k8XZXzj7bszdcg1IHQFwuT-A998alCBVzQ9nqMiBHoeip7wRd2b7Bzd72fduvLZL_Ge_zfUY8id_2sIOEcNi63EEXC3ZieZjU40wLRjmay1GHOyeWlI2SsCAxk2s5t2C8K/s1600/romas.jpg" /></a></div>
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One thing that stood out for me towards the end of 2015 was a greater ability to find balance between planning / dreaming and being present in the moment. </div>
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I have always been a big dreamer with a very well exercised ability to escape into my imagination and spend copious amounts of time in the past or future. But life is better enjoyed in the present.<br />
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I should know this, I have a PhD on it! But it always seems easier to do so when we're away from our day-to-day routines - a chilled glass of Pinot Rosé overlooking miles of vineyards or a cocktail by the beach are not the only reason we look forward to a holiday break!<br />
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However, the more I thought about how I wanted life to be the more interested I became in enjoying the everyday moments and familiar places. After all, this is where I spend the majority of my time.<br />
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But I have never been very good at doing so. Being content at home on the weekends, getting dressed for work every morning, finding the most suitable skincare with minimal chemicals, walking to work, looking at the city from the office window and being grateful for being in such a secure place...all of these were things that I previously either ignored, didn't really take time to appreciate or took for granted.<br />
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It may sound a bit of a far-fetched connection for those less familiar with how we accumulate psychological capital from our experiences, but focusing on being a more mindful consumer in 2015 has had an irreversibly positive effect in how I live my everyday life.<br />
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Taking time to approach my style and purchases in a thoughtful way requires the kind of dedicated attention that is not fast nor effortless. It demands focus and full engagement with the task at hand. Slowing down is a requirement. Imagination is necessary along the way but only to help create reality, not escape from it.<br />
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As I practiced these behaviours in relation to my wardrobe, I noticed their influence on how I approached other matters.<br />
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For instance, at some point, I became aware that I could exercise the same thoughtfulness in relation to the content I provide on Instagram. The <i>Fewer, Better</i> attitude that I approached my clothes translated to a challenging, yet enjoyable activity that encourages me to explore ways to do better every time. And in the process, I found myself a creative outlet that has brought me a greater appreciation for my everyday surroundings.<br />
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Going forward, I have big plans to maintain these habits and let them continue to take hold of how I approach life in general.<br />
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May 2016 be the year when being a mindful consumer means going well beyond deciding what my wardrobe looks like.<br />
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What are your plans / dreams for the new year?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-29170103139180144642015-12-06T09:10:00.000+13:002015-12-08T17:28:24.178+13:00The Mindful Gift Guide - 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQWhLkQ-JEk15xFSpqVJPcpYoq7ke6944WTbXQy1T4FtqBwloJMqgh1npl0puy1DDXOyPZi4q9pXXjVJw2ItLp3PRK6FF5DitWBlt9aT_L7YPD2CoIukDGluP2NuVbmGLMviyGPbLMmFg/s1600/guide+intro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQWhLkQ-JEk15xFSpqVJPcpYoq7ke6944WTbXQy1T4FtqBwloJMqgh1npl0puy1DDXOyPZi4q9pXXjVJw2ItLp3PRK6FF5DitWBlt9aT_L7YPD2CoIukDGluP2NuVbmGLMviyGPbLMmFg/s1600/guide+intro.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like in previous years, I'm sharing with you my annual gift guide. However, through 2015, I've become more serious about not letting myself be caught in consumer traps and the holiday season is the biggest of them all. This has been an evolving theme in my personal life and, you will know this by now, on the blog. </span><br />
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I considered not even mentioning gifts at all on the blog this year. How could I make suggestions of things to buy while simultaneously encouraging you to buy less? There are already plenty of bloggers out there encouraging you to go on that holiday shopping spree and cross off all those names on your list!<br />
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But then I thought that this is actually a really good opportunity to promote, once again,<b> an alternative consumer mindset, that is not just about buying less but also about buying better</b>.<br />
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So, instead of a neat list of shiny objects to choose from, I'm bringing you <b>a guide for mindful gifting this holiday season and beyond. </b><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><u>Gifts don't just come in a box</u></b><br />
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Consider gifting your loved ones alternatives to consumer goods, for instance, your time and attention. You may find that sharing your time with others in meaningful interactions will be more rewarding to all involved.<br />
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It seems to me that we have bought into an ethos of the season that not only puts huge pressures to buy presents for everyone, but has also promoted the idea that presents can be a replacement for interacting with those "pesky" family members we don't even like that much.<br />
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But really, how much better would it be to decide to spend the precious time we have sharing moments with those we love?<br />
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<b>Note:</b> If you decide to not buy gifts this year, just make sure your family is aware of this and propose alternatives, such as a family trip, hike, picnic, or whatever you enjoy doing together. It may be a challenge to renegotiate long-standing family traditions and expectations. You should be able to explain your reasoning and suggest a different approach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T36ysXbi7xY1hBqNBAEcGlF5fnmyKl0A-tJ-SwtBsTISMinfL7iJwwl8NeSwyr-r7WiFzKP_lmfyEsWNSDKRvKOKOOJYf_eEJY7TQipnW2x17rODbfeZHKjJFdF6Xo1yIz-fD62LT_0d/s1600/xmas+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T36ysXbi7xY1hBqNBAEcGlF5fnmyKl0A-tJ-SwtBsTISMinfL7iJwwl8NeSwyr-r7WiFzKP_lmfyEsWNSDKRvKOKOOJYf_eEJY7TQipnW2x17rODbfeZHKjJFdF6Xo1yIz-fD62LT_0d/s1600/xmas+cards.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Gift-giving for mindful consumers</u></b></div>
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Sometimes though, we may well choose to engage in the custom of gifting. I've thought long and hard about how to find the perfect gifts as a mindful consumer. I came up with the following <b>mindful-consumer tips</b> which will help you navigate this season and beyond:<br />
<ol>
<li>Take time to really considering what the person will enjoy - they're more likely to appreciate and keep it.</li>
<li>Don't buy, make it - think knitting, baking, floral and craft design, painting...Put your unique creative skills to good use and create something beautiful.</li>
<li>If you're buying, look for local and independent artists and products. You'll be surprised to find how many wonderful makers are around you.</li>
<li>If you're not buying local, choose to give your money to businesses who share the values you hold dear. </li>
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<b><u>My personal choices for 2015</u></b></div>
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Finally, if you're trying to be a more mindful consumer you may have found that it takes a bit of work to find like-minded people/brands/businesses to buy things from. You see something you like but then you have to go and do this huge research exercise on who's selling it to find out if they share your values.<br />
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That's ok, it's part of the process. But if you're in a rush to find something in time for the holidays, I'll save you some trouble. I've been keeping a list and thought I'd finish this post by sharing some of my current favourites worldwide and locally (New Zealand and Australia).<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.socialprintstudio.com/" target="_blank">Social Print Studio</a> / 2. <a href="http://www.ecoya.com/" target="_blank">Ecoya</a> / 3. <a href="http://stickerstack.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sticker Stack </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSLSsM61oC0Iiht31KEEvvqhUh_od35ZvJMSCWQkIFl3yT76aTfbyzylqr3lJWuXSA0qh6Zag4mdRp2ESLol_sBGFpyX8e4iaIiRtFhLjvvQCh0bupdbUX8nN2BZNLV9Ekq_eaTcDMuau/s1600/guide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSLSsM61oC0Iiht31KEEvvqhUh_od35ZvJMSCWQkIFl3yT76aTfbyzylqr3lJWuXSA0qh6Zag4mdRp2ESLol_sBGFpyX8e4iaIiRtFhLjvvQCh0bupdbUX8nN2BZNLV9Ekq_eaTcDMuau/s1600/guide1.jpg" /></a></div>
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4. <a href="https://mattandnat.com/" target="_blank">Matt&Nat</a> / 5. <a href="http://www.kararosenlund.com/2015/11/a-gift-guide-to-my-favourites-from-the-shop/" target="_blank">Kara Rosenlund prints and book "Shelter: How Australians live"</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01rSvFFjsy-XHbgXrp114aCwC0gX_zIRW5ClriQa3FDZC14xr_nBoz0HbXAieiKDs4OuP8eG5qSRSxqjbSENzI3JmS2matuLUB0z6osUfFgx4ZULfCoPkk16DB9wN0G9cGvfUvMJxP7LP/s1600/guide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01rSvFFjsy-XHbgXrp114aCwC0gX_zIRW5ClriQa3FDZC14xr_nBoz0HbXAieiKDs4OuP8eG5qSRSxqjbSENzI3JmS2matuLUB0z6osUfFgx4ZULfCoPkk16DB9wN0G9cGvfUvMJxP7LP/s1600/guide2.jpg" /></a></div>
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5.<a href="http://www.breadandbutterletter.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Bread and Butter Letter</a> / 6. <a href="http://www.cuyana.com/" target="_blank">Cuyana</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WDIAUElV5tedsfGvsv8DrZvJmFKkWhYKQa7erLgj1kZ_5TszWD1d09Lq0dJMMiLa8bdptAoB4_8hyphenhyphenRFNfkY8oDZ-C3EiFq4XONk3yunE1G-DE5C_lgQX_RyOvIlkpMsnUoHPLbJtmTVA/s1600/guide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WDIAUElV5tedsfGvsv8DrZvJmFKkWhYKQa7erLgj1kZ_5TszWD1d09Lq0dJMMiLa8bdptAoB4_8hyphenhyphenRFNfkY8oDZ-C3EiFq4XONk3yunE1G-DE5C_lgQX_RyOvIlkpMsnUoHPLbJtmTVA/s1600/guide3.jpg" /></a><br />
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<i>Photo credits to each business except top right which I styled. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-55339083021358160872015-11-05T06:41:00.000+13:002015-11-12T06:47:13.196+13:00Essential Toiletries for Long-Haul Flights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-w7hwiB4NDZa1Gnjxle2NyaSPw3Qci7ZE6dh-6ltrqKcpxqNhL-2KOvz8L0CCc79FDF48xJp85QcnYrDnoxuPLMjXeR_i8vbLFX-z69ItsYOnJYgg-QEFbE1G6c_L1vr_IpICoPfAnHf/s1600/travel+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-w7hwiB4NDZa1Gnjxle2NyaSPw3Qci7ZE6dh-6ltrqKcpxqNhL-2KOvz8L0CCc79FDF48xJp85QcnYrDnoxuPLMjXeR_i8vbLFX-z69ItsYOnJYgg-QEFbE1G6c_L1vr_IpICoPfAnHf/s1600/travel+bag.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether you're an expat visiting family across the world, a professional on an international work trip, or lucky enough to be travelling to a distant holiday destination, long-haul flights will most certainly be part of the experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've had my fair share of long-haul flights. Out of those experiences, I've been able to narrow down the absolute essentials when it comes to skincare and toiletries. </span><br />
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About three years ago, in the early days of the blog, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/92042386105114561/" target="_blank">I shared a rather useful list</a> (if I may say so myself). Since then, I've picked up a couple more tips as I've tried to minimize clutter in my carry-on. I thought it was time to share this updated version of my essential toiletries for long-haul flights. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnTXwh0HPHJD3IF49WuH94n60yi2ibjGH3ZuF6JIBstDBmABQpy1MRKgKZh3QSjMjCjBLmNopEppEKFMU0P-AxLDJ9rtjnvuRxgHAIpMHZkj3omsP7ohrKZmGLKdL5Sze9q2jLEAK0IYm/s1600/essentials+raw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnTXwh0HPHJD3IF49WuH94n60yi2ibjGH3ZuF6JIBstDBmABQpy1MRKgKZh3QSjMjCjBLmNopEppEKFMU0P-AxLDJ9rtjnvuRxgHAIpMHZkj3omsP7ohrKZmGLKdL5Sze9q2jLEAK0IYm/s1600/essentials+raw.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Bare Essentials</u></b><br />
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My suggestion is that you keep things simple. Leave any pampering add-ons in your checked luggage for when you get to your destination. Believe me, you will not make use of them and will not appreciate the extra weight they add to your carry-on.<br />
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If I could only carry one product, <b>toothpaste</b> would have to be it. Dental hygiene is an absolute priority for me. Water can clean my face and hydrate my body but to go without brushing for two or three meals is a nightmare.<br />
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<b>Hand-sanitiser</b> would have to be a close second. You may not be able to leave your seat every time you want to clean your hands so it's good to keep it close by.<br />
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Fortunately, I can carry a couple a few more essentials to keep my hands and face feeling great.<br />
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<b>For hands</b>, it's simple. A rich moisturiser should do the trick. But try to find one that absorbs quickly to avoid stickiness.<br />
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When it comes to <b>face skincare</b>, if you're going to be in a plane for 6 to 12 hrs, you may want to consider carrying your bare essentials to be able to follow a basic skincare routine.<br />
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For me, this currently translates into face wipes, a day cream, a night cream and a lip balm. The face wipes are a recent addition and I've found them more practical than a liquid cleanser. I could have only one moisturiser but I like to replicate my daily routine as closely as possible.<br />
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The products above are what I currently have in my carry-on but you should take what works for you. One thing I would suggest though, is to be aware that he airplane environment is extremely drying. You may want to think about products that are gentle and rich. </div>
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<b><u>Minimizing clutter</u></b><br />
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There are a couple of things you can do to avoid over-packing toiletries. You can follow the suggestion above to keep things to a minimum, and, in addition, you can carry a small amount of each product.<br />
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Travel pots are a great alternative to frantically looking for mini versions of your favourites, or trying to make sure every bottle is no bigger than 100ml. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IkN1NDB5yz-5QVwagxGo0tbnTKKWE6ZNIcLwv2iCwpatZqP8ziQU-v546UtUaEDJHj1aN-51jrv5y_CjtynMEaqhhN0IuDwU4Ss_ETXPze9tRvdQXGM_IkoGtdyR-A_eburm-IMNNrjo/s1600/travel+minis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IkN1NDB5yz-5QVwagxGo0tbnTKKWE6ZNIcLwv2iCwpatZqP8ziQU-v546UtUaEDJHj1aN-51jrv5y_CjtynMEaqhhN0IuDwU4Ss_ETXPze9tRvdQXGM_IkoGtdyR-A_eburm-IMNNrjo/s1600/travel+minis.jpg" /></a></div>
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The stacking kind are even better to help reduce the number of little objects crammed into your travel bag. Each little pot fits more than enough product for two 10hrs+ flights, including layovers (my usual). </div>
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Instead of carrying several little pots, you have one small tower with all you need inside. I got this one as a gift a couple of years ago and now just clean it for each trip and fill it with my favourites. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpndfnx3ca0WR648jKRMIxnEittweYITfO_1IIAHExb_AXp7QG4JQGUE7hDYPRwfymOejwS2ASSroOaQe8WpRBTyev-_7tNlS8jg3LV5w5-DsnKEBZYWqHDiXitz71I2gVmZ89PJcCEE1J/s1600/evolu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpndfnx3ca0WR648jKRMIxnEittweYITfO_1IIAHExb_AXp7QG4JQGUE7hDYPRwfymOejwS2ASSroOaQe8WpRBTyev-_7tNlS8jg3LV5w5-DsnKEBZYWqHDiXitz71I2gVmZ89PJcCEE1J/s1600/evolu.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you like Evolu's products, I think this one is worth it. It's reusable and comes with two caps, so you can split it up. For my current trip, for instance, I only brought four of the six pots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But you can find stacking pots online or at the travel section of your usual chemist/pharmacy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So there you have it, my few tips and tricks picked up through my travels. If you have any tips of your own, things you've found useful during those long flights and layovers, please drop me a line. I'd love to hear your experience. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-53327696737616749682015-09-29T20:29:00.000+13:002015-09-29T20:29:08.766+13:00The Ethical Edit - September 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Left to right, top to bottom: Okewa Rainwear <a href="http://okewarainwear.com/collections/okewa-collection/products/simone-shawl">Simone Shawl</a> Trench / Matt & Nat <a href="http://mattandnat.com/shop/handbags/backpacks/chanda-gravel">Chanda Backpack</a> / Twenty-Seven Names <a href="http://shop.twentysevennames.co.nz/collections/pants/products/bordeauxculottes#.Vgo8T8vzrIU">SS15/16 Collection</a> / <a href="http://www.guava.shoes/collections/fw15/products/high-heeled-leather-ankle-boot-nude">Guava Ankle Boots</a> / Kowtow Clothing <a href="http://www.kowtowclothing.com/collections/womens-dresses/products/phase-dress?colour=chambray">Chambray Dress</a> / Master&Muse x <a href="http://www.yoox.com/GB/50158802/item?tp=59310">Dirty Librarian Chains</a> / Master&Muse x <a href="http://www.yoox.com/GB/50163803/item?tp=59310#cod10=50163803EP&sizeId=1">Kris Nations Necklace</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-52402082832202392942015-09-16T14:46:00.000+12:002016-02-03T21:55:01.132+13:00Minimal Wardrobe (Part 3 of 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;">The first obvious difference is </span><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>size</strong></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;">. While I wanted </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;">my ideal minimal wardrobe</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"> to be realistic and allow me to create enough outfits for a regular 5-day work week, my actual work wardrobe is not as small as the inspiration. I mean, I do have more than two pairs of trousers!</span><br />
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However, I have been impressed to see how many outfits a well thought small wardrobe can create. Being able to visualize this has made me more willing to downsize even further.</div>
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Outerwear, for instance, is an area I'm now thinking about reducing. Even though the last time I bought a coat was three years ago, these items tend to last longer and so, at the moment, only one coat could do with replacing. I haven't figured it out entirely yet but I'm thinking of consolidating this section into a couple of items.</div>
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<strong>When it comes to <span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">colour</span></strong>, I have found that there were a couple of differences. First, my actual wardrobe has one additional main colour (green, mostly military green but also emerald), and one more accent colour (red).</div>
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Other than that, my real wardrobe is quite similar to my ideal minimal wardrobe. In fact, I find that the inspiration board is not complete without some green and some red. In terms of <em>ideals</em>, reality beats inspiration in this case.</div>
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One thing I've noticed though is that my wardrobe used to have no black at all. Instead, brown was the additional main colour. I have slowly replaced brown with black in the last year but wasn't even aware this was happening until now!</div>
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Ahh, the little things that remind me that being mindful is a work in progress...</div>
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Finally, <span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>style and silhouette</strong></span> in my real wardrobe are pretty similar to the inspiration. Which makes sense as I wanted my ideal minimal wardrobe to capture my style preferences and favourite outfits.</div>
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In the whole, it isn't strange that my <i>ideal minimal wardrobe</i> is not that different from reality - after all, the inspiration board is not just an <em>ideal</em> but also a reflection of what I am already happy with.</div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">The best thing about doing thi</span><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">s exercise</span></strong></div>
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To consider my wardrobe in a slow-paced, holistic manner. I had never before put time aside to think thoroughly about aspects such as colour, the concept of an <em>uniform</em>, and how these things can work together to create more mindful - functional - minimal wardrobe. Maybe not minimal in size, but definitely less full of items that I never wear.</div>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Added benefit</strong></span></div>
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Seeing my clothing preferences as a whole and creating some pretty cool visual tools that I can use to guide future choices. I no longer have to mentally match a potential blouse with all my trousers to try to imagine if it works with what I have - I can simply refer to my colour palette and pick a colour from there.</div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Up Next</span></strong></div>
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A side effect of this exercise has been to <strong>press pause</strong> on everything - from buying to getting rid of things. I next want to tell you about my thoughts on culling and how my year of minimal shopping is going so far.<br />
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<strong>Have you ever thought of your wardrobe as a whole or did you too find that task a bit overwhelming?And if you ever edited your wardrobe, what kind of tools did you use to guide that process? </strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-56035050192527761802015-08-27T14:04:00.000+12:002016-02-03T21:54:41.705+13:00Minimal Wardrobe (Part 2 of 3)<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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It has taken me months to get to a point where I can see <em>what my minimal wardrobe would look like</em>. Through that time, I thought <em>colour</em>, <em>function, style, </em>and <em>silhouette. </em><br />
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<strong>Function</strong> was the easiest. I thought about the activities in my life and the portion of time they take. Where I live, what I do during the week, and how I spend most of my weekends. It wasn't hard to figure that, at the moment, most of my time is spent in the office and that I'm mostly a city dweller.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I wanted my minimal wardrobe to reflect this current life, so I focused on items that have a definite </span><em style="background-color: white;">urban </em><span style="background-color: white;">feel to them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">As a side note, the type of city life that I'm used to and truly enjoy is one where I can walk to places and hardly ever need to get in a car - hence the predominance of flats. I'm an European, after all.</span></div>
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<strong>Style</strong> was also not the biggest part of the challenge for me. I've been fairly consistent over the years in my tendency to go for classics with modern twists, comfort, and simplicity. I like how I can be wearing the most comfortable trousers/shoes/blouse/blazer, but still feel perfectly adequate in formal meetings.</div>
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If you're just starting to define your style, <a data-mce-href="http://into-mind.com/2015/05/18/getting-started-with-fashion-how-to-develop-a-sense-of-style-from-scratch-total-beginner-edition/" href="http://into-mind.com/2015/05/18/getting-started-with-fashion-how-to-develop-a-sense-of-style-from-scratch-total-beginner-edition/" target="_blank">this article</a> may be particularly helpful as a starting point.</div>
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<strong>Silhouette </strong>was a bit of a challenge as I wanted to capture the essence of my go-to outfits. I considered their proportions, the fit, and whether I had any kind of uniform. It appears that I do. In fact, it appears I have two types of uniforms: one for cool weather - involving skirts/dresses - and one for warm weather - involving trousers.</div>
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Finally, I thought a lot about <strong>colour. </strong>In fact, I found colour to be the biggest challenge. I didn't want my imagined minimal wardrobe to be just about <em>fewer</em> items. I also wanted it to be realistically remixable. In the end, I wanted to see how many different outfits I could make with the smallest number of pieces. </div>
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The main issue I had with the minimal wardrobes I'd seen on Pinterest and elsewhere was their blandness. All black, white or grey isn't really my thing. I need navy blue, yellow, red, green...So for months I was stuck on the misconceived notion that I couldn't have a minimal wardrobe with those.</div>
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Then I read <a data-mce-href="http://into-mind.com/2014/08/25/how-to-choose-a-versatile-colour-palette-for-your-wardrobe-incl-36-sample-colour-palettes/" href="http://into-mind.com/2014/08/25/how-to-choose-a-versatile-colour-palette-for-your-wardrobe-incl-36-sample-colour-palettes/" target="_blank">this article</a> and realised that a minimal colour palette doesn't have to be limited to just black, white or grey. The key thing is to stick to two or three main colours, throw in a couple of neutrals for balance and add a couple of accent colours for variety.</div>
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Once I finished this exercise and could finally see what my minimal wardrobe would look like, the big question was - <em><strong><span data-mce-style="color: #003366;" style="color: #003366;">How does my real wardrobe measure up to this</span></strong>? </em></div>
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A story for my next post...</div>
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Additional resources on creating a <em>Minimal Wardrobe</em>:</div>
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<li data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><a data-mce-href="http://into-mind.com/" href="http://into-mind.com/" target="_blank">Into Mind</a>: a personal style blog all around minimalism - scroll through the 'Getting Started' section for all sort of helpful articles. <a data-mce-href="http://into-mind.com/2015/02/03/minimalist-wardrobe-faq-common-pitfalls-how-to-get-started/" href="http://into-mind.com/2015/02/03/minimalist-wardrobe-faq-common-pitfalls-how-to-get-started/" target="_blank">This one</a> of how to get started was an eye-opener.</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.cuyana.com/leancloset-series/intro" href="http://www.cuyana.com/leancloset-series/intro" target="_blank">Cuyana - The Lean Closet Movement</a>: the articles that first made me thought about the concept of minimalism in relation to clothes.</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.stylebee.ca/2015/01/03/closet-mission-2015/" href="http://www.stylebee.ca/2015/01/03/closet-mission-2015/" target="_blank">Style Bee</a>: I have found Lee's Closet Mission 2015 an inspiration (she has further resources on the topic too).</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-32506472179829102522015-08-02T08:39:00.000+12:002016-02-03T21:53:06.872+13:00Minimal Wardrobe (Part 1 of 3)<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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After I started thinking about my functional wardrobe, I came across the concept of a <em>minimalism </em>in relation to clothing. Pinterest searches returned mostly black and white outfits (which looked a bit boring to me) but also the concepts of the <em>Parisian Closet</em> or <em>French Wardrobe, </em>and <em>Capsule Wardrobe</em>.<em> </em></div>
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The <em>minimal</em> concept, I came to understand, didn't mean just owning less stuff. In fact, some contemporary takes on minimalism advocate it's about having less stuff <em>you don't need </em>(examples <a data-mce-href="http://into-mind.com/2014/10/27/minimalism-a-beginners-guide/" href="http://into-mind.com/2014/10/27/minimalism-a-beginners-guide/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.cuyana.com/leancloset-series/intro" href="http://www.cuyana.com/leancloset-series/intro" target="_blank">here</a>).</div>
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In that context, one of the ways it can be used is to guide the choice of items. For instance, using the same colour palette when making a new purchase, thus creating consistency across the wardrobe and ensuring the new piece works with what’s already in there.</div>
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There also seemed to be instances where the <em>minimal </em>concept was used to justify buying a bunch of new stuff every season (a capsule for each season, for instance). This bit aside, I was curious - <strong>W<em>hat would my minimal wardrobe look like?</em></strong> and <strong><em>How minimal would it go? </em></strong><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white;">After months of thinking about this, I finally felt inspired to put something together on Polyvore that feels like an accurate reflection of my most minimal requirements (considering current needs and style). I probably would only add one other top (a simple black long-sleeve), and a belt or two (in red).</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/my_minimum_requirements/set?.embedder=542431&.svc=copypaste&id=169469091" target="_blank"><img alt="My minimum requirements" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/kkrrUZ4GIpGJESf7xKx8ig/cid/169469091/id/nOaykBYt5RGdQT1Y7EzHKw/size/c600x599.jpg" height="599" title="My minimum requirements" width="600" /></a></div>
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Other than that, I look at this board and it really feels perfect to me. It amazes me that it can be so small, particularly as I tried to make it an <strong>all-year-round collection </strong>that would be suitable for work and off-duty city life.</div>
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I still can't believe that so few items could create <a data-mce-href="http://www.polyvore.com/minimal_wardrobe/collection?id=4608908" href="http://www.polyvore.com/minimal_wardrobe/collection?id=4608908" target="_blank">so many outfits</a> for all seasons. I mean, I understand that this is what a mixable wardrobe should do but it still amazes me to see the possibilities.</div>
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<b>N</b><strong>ext</strong>, I want to tell you about the process - how I went about picking a colour palette and choosing the items. After that, I want to show you the differences or similarities between this inspiration and the reality of my wardrobe. And finally, how it has prompted me to pack a few more items for donation and pick a couple of new things!</div>
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In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the whole idea of a minimalist closet. Have you tried it? Do you think the <i>capsule wardrobe </i>trend is often used by brands to encourage buying more? And, if you're trying to be a more mindful consumer, how does the concept appeal to you?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-55172781015986381702015-03-01T13:00:00.000+13:002016-02-03T21:52:03.309+13:00A Functional {Intentional} Wardrobe<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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In previous posts, I make references to a <em>functional wardrobe</em> but I never really stated what I mean. I think it's time to change that.<br />
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I consider my wardrobe to be <em>functional</em> when it works well for me - my life demands, my personal style and even my body shape. A real test of this kind of functionality is time-pressure. If I can put together an outfit I love, early in the morning, with minimal fuss, then my wardrobe is working for me.</div>
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My functional wardrobe is one that has been put together over time, and {mostly} with purpose. This intentional, slow-paced approach gives me an opportunity to explore my style in a way that is adaptable and can evolve with me. It has also helped me curb impulse-buying, minimize clutter and waste in my life, and think more creatively about my outfit options.<br />
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From my experience, I wouldn't say that a functional wardrobe has to be built from scratch or that the first step towards creating functionality is to get rid of everything you don't love or need.</div>
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You need time to learn about your style and needs. As you take your time, you'll find that slowly, the garments that you really need but are probably of lower quality, are replaced with better quality ones (which last longer and need replacement less often).</div>
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As for the stuff that really has no place in your life, you either find a new home for it, or simply don't replace it at all when it reaches the end of its (generally short) life.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In time, you'll find that your wardrobe no longer overflows with unwanted possessions and, instead, reaches an optimal size that is a more honest reflection of your clothing needs.</span></div>
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<strong>In my definition, a <em>functional wardrobe</em> really is an <em>intentional wardrobe</em></strong>, as I don't think you can achieve a high level of <em>functionality</em> without <strong>intention. </strong>A <em>functional wardrobe</em> is put together in a mindful way.</div>
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There is some effort in putting time aside to think honestly about lifestyle demands, personal style and whether a purchase fits a real purpose.</div>
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But, if you ask me, effortless outfit options, greater opportunities to create and express your own style, and a more positive impact of your style choices, are worth this on-going, long-term process. If for nothing else, for the feeling of confidence you get when you step outside wearing something you love.</div>
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<strong>What do you think, is an <em>intentional </em><em>wardrobe</em> something worth pursuing? If you've tried something like this yourself, what do you think have been the biggest benefits and challenges? </strong></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-73043658914861731292015-02-10T16:22:00.000+13:002016-02-03T21:49:33.416+13:00Taking Stock <div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="color: #333333; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsO04iMke11hEAjUsRYF9xBVqJoeWwyi41gTh5LlkghK3n2pvoox8gvna7TsqJu-HiYCOkLrEaS8JLGYoNXHikRJTfMFQj6HG6n4ED2ERiYCOZS9S9H5GqLdi5cpSXiaS5hp4bccI6N-w/s1600/Taking+stock+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsO04iMke11hEAjUsRYF9xBVqJoeWwyi41gTh5LlkghK3n2pvoox8gvna7TsqJu-HiYCOkLrEaS8JLGYoNXHikRJTfMFQj6HG6n4ED2ERiYCOZS9S9H5GqLdi5cpSXiaS5hp4bccI6N-w/s1600/Taking+stock+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">When I have attacks of mindless consumerism, I find it is a good idea to step away from all the </span><del style="background-color: white;">pretty coats</del><span style="background-color: white;"> distractions and take stock – what are my real wardrobe needs at the moment?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Creating a functional wardrobe is all about being aware of what we already have and mindful about what we really need. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's knowing that all our tights from last Winter need replacement, but our Winter trousers don't because we ended up wearing skirts most of the time. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's knowing - and accepting - that buying a pair of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.hobes.com.au/" href="http://www.hobes.com.au/">Hobes</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as our casual cool-weather footwear, is probably not the best idea since they're not hardy enough for the rainy place we live in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am at a stage where I can, with a clear mind, recall most items in my wardrobe – and what condition they’re in. But in the midst of excitement around something new, all clarity goes out the window. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve recently found that, when that happens, pen a paper are all the technology I need. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBkjFakL2uNkr83vdmJgx_xM4bpw28eWFjHPlUg60YbTpIIoRYxxFXg6AWTTAB2QCTDgZeAjbo8eP3Q1Lwn5rP21aKsW1468oNssqkZuPi82SQLNMCkSges-_Ex2hlpxDzrQHQUxDG4Ma/s1600/Taking+stock+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBkjFakL2uNkr83vdmJgx_xM4bpw28eWFjHPlUg60YbTpIIoRYxxFXg6AWTTAB2QCTDgZeAjbo8eP3Q1Lwn5rP21aKsW1468oNssqkZuPi82SQLNMCkSges-_Ex2hlpxDzrQHQUxDG4Ma/s1600/Taking+stock+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing things down helps me focus and achieve a level of awareness that I don’t have when I’m exposed to distractions such as newsletters from my favourite brands, emails announcing new items/promotions, instagram...All those little things that prevent me from thinking clearly about a purchase, and encourage me to obtain stuff that may not contribute to the functionality of my wardrobe.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do I already have? What condition is it in? Will it last another season? How many new pairings can I create with it? </span></em><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are some of the things I'm currently trying to answer, in the hope that it will help me make better decisions about what to buy this year. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I suspect this may take me some time (and effort). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But without a clear idea of what's going on, it will be a lot harder to make useful contributions towards my wardrobe - and easier to buy stuff that I will regret later! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What about you? Have you taken stock of your wardrobe's state of affairs lately? How often do you do it?</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-27918973892135375862014-09-26T14:48:00.000+12:002016-02-03T21:47:09.721+13:00A Functional Travel Wardrobe<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygJmHc4OI86VzXYT79f3BQ_v74ArcXN6hz8pZcR8LUY7_hkV_ykOy-ypamp0AIn-qp23suS8lQ_qyQWkaabBXzOTQYSjVTGOqExWsR33lsAVi_MxMPG6RxjWwk_HVlN3vAcQfteVcrLvh/s1600/Paris+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygJmHc4OI86VzXYT79f3BQ_v74ArcXN6hz8pZcR8LUY7_hkV_ykOy-ypamp0AIn-qp23suS8lQ_qyQWkaabBXzOTQYSjVTGOqExWsR33lsAVi_MxMPG6RxjWwk_HVlN3vAcQfteVcrLvh/s1600/Paris+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As in my day-to-day life, I've been trying to make my travel wardrobe a functional wardrobe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not just because I've had enough of carrying heavy suitcases, but mostly because I think that holidays are better spent enjoying the moment, not wasting time wondering what to wear.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently spent a few days in Paris. I took with me exactly 5 outfits - one for each day I was there, plus travel day. It turned out that even that was one outfit too many. It never got cool enough to wear my long sleeve black dress.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That was fine because, with an ever more functional wardrobe, most items I took with me could easily be mixed and matched to create a new combination if need be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't always pack this way in the past, and pretty much always ended up overpacking. But this time around I decided to put some thought into it:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">how many days I'd be away</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">what I was going for</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">what the weather would be like</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">With the answers to these questions a starting point, I made a list of the items I thought would work, including shoes and accessories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I worked on that list, trimming it and writing down possible outfit combinations. A few days before packing, I laid out the outfits and removed anything that appeared unnecessary (a foulard here, a cardigan there).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that's how I ended up with a perfectly functional travel wardrobe and a light suitcase, with plenty of room for some annual shopping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are your favourite tips for packing lightly? </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-59242574738380010822014-04-26T11:43:00.000+12:002016-02-03T21:45:57.341+13:00Curbing my Enthusiasm<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.8px;">Part of the challenge to be a mindful consumer is to buy fewer things. This is no small challenge as I'm sure you all know how difficult it is to resist purchasing stuff, no matter what your budget is. </span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">In my own attempts to manage my impulses to buy, I have found helpful to ask myself a few questions first.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><strong style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">1. Am I buying with purpose?</strong></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">- Do I need it?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">- Do I need it now? </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">To answer these questions, I consider whether the new item will be replacing something on its way out. If the answer is no, I don't buy it. No, it's not easy to make this decision but you have to be ruthless otherwise it defeats the purpose. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">If the answer is yes, I move on to the next set of questions.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><strong style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">2. Am I buying a versatile* item? </strong></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">- How will the item work with other items in my wardrobe?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">- How many outfits can I create mixing this new item with what I already have?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Versatile items offer many restyling possibilities. If I am highly motivated to buy an item, asking these questions forces me to be mindful about my wardrobe and think creatively about my styling options.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Doing this before I even have the item saves me time and money. This is true even if the answers are yes – if we can mix and match the items in our wardrobes, we’ll be less likely to <i style="color: #222222; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">need </i>to buy something new in the future.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #666699;" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="color: #222222;">*</span><span style="color: #38761d;">By <i style="font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">versatile</i> I mean adaptable to my own wardrobe, not just pieces that would fit everyone’s wardrobe.</span></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><strong style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">3. Am I buying quality?</strong></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Of course, all that I mention above means very little if the item is of poor quality. No matter how much I needed it or how well it fit in my wardrobe, it won’t last. Soon enough, I’m forced to buy a new item.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Asking this question forces me to pay more attention to the composition of an item, learn more about the durability of different materials and how to look after them.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">This is something I am still learning to do. It’s not easy for me to pay attention to quality when I've already ticked off the other two criteria. But mistakes have been made and I am starting to understand that this is an essential part of the process to become a more mindful consumer.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><strong style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">What about price, you may ask?</strong></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Let's assume first that we're talking about an item within our own personal budgets. Price should not come into the conversation until those 3 sets of questions are answered. I have learned this the hard way.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">I often make the mistake that I am sure many of you can relate. I see something I need, it fits perfectly with my style, it's cheap - I buy it. Did I think of quality? Not until a couple of months later when it looks so worn out it's as if I wore it every day for the past 10 years - true story.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">More often than not, a cheaper price-tag does not represent the best economic option. We think we're saving money but if we consider <strong style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">price-per-wear</strong>, we realise that a €12 shirt that only lasts 2 months ends up costing more than a £30 shirt that still looks great after 3 years. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">It's not easy to be a mindful consumer, particularly when it comes to saying no to yourself. Going through the process of asking those questions forces me to think before I buy and keep those impulses in check. </span><br />
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<strong><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">How do you curb your consumer enthusiasm? </span></span></strong></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-64796681609374948012014-04-13T19:44:00.000+12:002015-10-03T20:19:13.752+13:00On Basics<div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.8px; margin-bottom: 0.825em; text-align: justify;">
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">With time, I have learned to appreciate that </span><em style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">basics</em><span style="font-style: inherit;"> may not be the same for everyone. In fact, for many years, I struggled to fit some commonly advertised basics into my wardrobe, even when it just didn't feel right. </span></span></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">White tees, for instance, seem to be a fashion media favourite - how many times has the sentence '</span><em style="color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">white tee with jeans for effortless casual style'</em><span style="font-style: inherit;"> been printed?! But, no matter how much I tried, white tees just didn't do it for </span><i>me</i><span style="font-style: inherit;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Slowly, but surely, I started rebelling against the concept of <em style="color: #222222; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">universal basics</em> and realized that, while there are items in my wardrobe that I would consider <em style="color: #222222; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">basics</em>, they are no longer determined by the definitions of others. </span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These days, my <em style="color: #222222; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">basics</em> are items that feature as constants in my evolving style and personal taste. Of course there always external influences - no one lives in a vacuum. But these are items that I have found to work perfectly for <em style="color: #222222; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">me. </em></span></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Such fashion or style-related personal discoveries may seem futile or superficial for some. However, if you scrape the surface you may find that this is more about being free to find your own ground, becoming an independent thinker and using your personal style to express your autonomy, individuality and uniqueness. </span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Personal growth can be achieved in many ways, and a style journey is as good an opportunity to grow as any other!</span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What about you? Are your basics your own? </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535088755438293415.post-12198391276241450792012-07-17T15:24:00.000+12:002016-02-03T21:44:43.947+13:00Flight Check-list <div style="text-align: justify;">
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After years of cross-Europe, transatlantic and, for the past three years, across the world flights, I can say that I have a clear idea of what makes a journey comfortable.<br />
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Below you'll find my top-10 tried-and-tested tips to get you through those 10+ hours in cattle class.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. If you're not travelling with children, always pick an isle seat,</b> two or three rows away from the back - this way you can get up without having to hassle your (sleeping) flight companions, and you're closest to the toilets (but not too close).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. The carry-on has to be packed in such a way that you can easily get out all you will need for the flight when you first get to your seat*. </b></span><br />
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<li><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">first</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.8px;">, you don't know how easy it will be to access your carry-on once you're up there (the over-head compartment might be quite high, things may have moved around or someone else's coat/bag might be in the way -> cue nuisance); </span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">second</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.8px;">, if you don't have the isle seat, you have to open your bag in the corridor where you have no space and all this because you forgot to get your toothbrush out! Not fun!</span></li>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*It pays off to get organized before the flight*</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Never forget your noise-cancelling headphones.</b> When you have to be around that noise for half a day it really messes with your head. If you're going to do this sort of trip often, invest in a good pair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. A small/medium toiletries bag </b>is a must. For the very least, it should contain your toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitiser and cream, facial cleanser and moisturiser, a few band-aids and deodorant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5. Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.</b> You may not want to wear shoes during the whole flight but you'll need them to walk around and go to the toilet!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>6. Don't forget an extra pair of socks!</b> The first thing I do after I seat down is to get my shoes off, and put on an extra pair of socks. If I'm going to be sitting down for hours, I want to be comfortable. No shoes helps me move my feet/legs easily while the extra socks keep my feet warm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>7. Wear comfortable clothes,</b> i.e., anything that doesn't cut the circulation to your legs!! And always extra layers: a cardigan or sweater and a long scarf/foulard/shawl. Even if your destination is warm, it will get chillier during the flight, particularly during the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8. Get a good neck pillow. </b>No fun trying to have a good night sleep as you're sitting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>9. A resistance band. </b>I try to get up every hour and walk around but sometimes that doesn't feel like it's enough. So, to exercise a bit more in such small spaces, I find an exercise band to be really helpful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>10. Finally, always carry a reusable water bottle</b> with you and ask the flight attendants to refill throughout the flight. If you forget your bottle, always accept the water/juice when it comes around. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.8px;">Flights can be pretty dehydrating so drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to stay on top of that game. One of the biggest misconceptions - and rookie mistakes - is to think that drinking alcohol will help you. It doesn't on the ground and it won't on a long-haul flight.</span></li>
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<b>What are your top tips for a comfortable flight?</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994727193019320629noreply@blogger.com0