Hello, hello!

It feels impossible to have reached June, and yet here we are. This time last month, we settled on completing a guide to ethical and sustainable underwear brands, and this now lives on Instagram. We recently revisited our list of self-development books. We’re also sharing two recipes—a perfect-for-winter spicy kumara hummus and a coconut loaf which is as delightful as it sounds. What has come to fruition for you this past month? What intentions had you set?

Thank you for opening and reading. It is an honour to provide you with information to nourish your body and mind. Our aim has always been to cultivate a sense of hope and personal resiliency, to show up for what matters—small acts but big thinking. Our times remain turbulent collectively, perhaps also privately. If so, while not exact, the sentiment of words read recently is that whenever we feel stuck, unable to move forward, we must take the constructs of the box we are operating within and reframe them. Here we will achieve a new view, and anything is possible.

How we direct our thoughts and attention can be used to release anxiety and lead us to re-energising. Taking time to achieve a perspective shift is essential but hard to implement—reassessing and realising that there is a whole world outside your world. It stretches you. Do you need to reframe? Keep your daily actions small and consistent. Whatever you do regularly becomes a habit, a conditioned pathway in the brain. What possibilities, what realities could you manifest this coming month?

This coconut loaf is sunshine on a plate. Take it in. It is moist in the middle, sliceable, and delicious. This loaf is for all seasons. This recipe heavily features coconut—an ingredient that sits as comfortably in the bathroom as it does in the kitchen, which is our food philosophy. Beauty begins within.

Underwear always felt like the missing piece because it wasn’t something we could buy second hand. We were seeking pieces that were sturdy and organic (or utilising natural materials with elements of textile recycling and waste-free manufacturing techniques) and preferably local. After searching the Internet for ethical bras and panties, the research eventually led to a list that led to the idea to create this guide, featuring the most ethical, sustainable underwear from the internet.

While in the 2020 lockdown, we put together a list of self-development books, some we read, some we wish to, to help channel success and high-energy growth. If you need reading inspiration, this article is still relevant. What are the books that change your life? Please do share, and we will add it to the list!

Antioxidant and Vitamin A rich, this turmeric kumara hummus, flavoured with caraway seeds and chilli flakes, is the ideal autumnal dip. Warm, earthy and satisfying, this hummus version is delicious paired with salad, pasta or full of vibrance on a simple slice of sourdough bread. We cannot go wrong with this hummus.

1. Some people are working hard towards implementing a circular economy, repurposing leftover materials to create something useful, and it is worth talking about it. Saveboard NZ, for example, is transforming tetra packs cartons into lining boards, creating low carbon, high-performance material for the construction sector while reducing pre and post-production landfill waste. I love that builders can send the off-cuts back to the factory to be reused again! Given the extent of the current plasterboard shortage in New Zealand and the amount of waste generated by the building industry, it is essential to share that affordable, low-waste alternatives exist.
   
   
2. Last week I came across this short video on low-waste cleaning tips and tried the combo white vinegar-baking soda-sliced lemon to clean the shower glass. At first, I wasn’t sure it would work because we hadn’t done the glass for a while, but rinsing the surface post lemon application, it came out so clean, I couldn’t believe it—a satisfying experience, to say the least. If you are looking for more ideas on natural cleaning, we put together this guide a while ago. These Grandma’s hacks are the best way to reduce endocrine disruptors in your household, and the above citrusy combo is now top of our list! What are your best tips for cleaning?
   
   
3. Following up on our underwear guide, I am planning to get some new, finally. The biggest issue is that I love a specific brief cut, discovered over ten years ago while I was living in Spain. Yes, I’ve been buying the same briefs for ten years, from the only brand I knew to make them like this, unfortunately, some local fast-fashion chain. BUT my pain is over! Boody, the everyday basics brand from Sydney, using Bamboo as hero material, is doing THAT cut, an even better version, and ticks (almost) all the fashion sustainability boxes. Learn more about their work here.

1. I never had acne until I went on a horrible Birth Control, and my skin went CRAZY. So as someone who has had to deal with the aftermath of acne, you need to think of the scars in two ways: hyperpigmentation and texture. Over the years, both had improved with the introduction of acids and Vitamin C, but still, I had deeper scars on my left jawline that remained prominent. After reading about Tronque—the founder's personal struggle with cancer surgery scarring, I was excited to see the results from this organic, high-performance line. I purchased the scar serum and exfoliator, and after a week, the textural irregularities had smoothed out. Tronque is a body range, but it will also do wonders for your face.
   
   
2. I’ve been eyeing up these cushions from CURIO for a while now. They make blankets and robes, too—all visually interesting in Australia. Each cushion cover is crafted from 100% Australian Merino wool—the result of recycling wool blankets filled with 100% recycled plastic from water bottles (over 100 bottles per cushion!). I love the lilac, and coincidentally, while writing this, I discovered this blanket on sale at SSENSE, so next payday, those cushions are mine.
   
   
3. At the time of sending this email, a little over a week remains where $20 of each Gloria silk scrunchie purchase will be donated to Lifewise, an essential social development organisation which helps people in Auckland—especially young people living on the margins, with meaningful life support. I have placed an order for this sage one, and new colours have been added. All scrunchies are created from fabric remnants made in Auckland.

Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails.
We look forward to hearing from you!

Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua