The dangers of plastic and reducing your plastic consumption
I am sure you have heard the word plastic more than ever recently, and there are many people advocating for single use plastic and reducing consumption. I am in no way an activist, but being responsible is something we can all do to help ourselves and our planet. My passion for caring for the planet is mostly derived from my love of animals and hearing about extinction due to human actions. So whilst we have been using plastic all our lives, why is it so important to reduce our usage now, and what are the long-term dangers?
Plastic does not go away
Plastic is a material that is made to last forever and yet 33% of all plastic - water bottles, bags and straws are used just once and thrown away. This means that it stays in the environment for up to 2000 years or longer, ending up in the oceans and in the greenery. Therefore, recycling is extremely important, as well as using reusable bottles and straws.
Plastic threatens wildlife
Wildlife become entangled in plastic, they eat it or mistake it for food and feed it to their young. This can result in impaired movement, injuries and even death. I’m sure you have seen many news articles featuring animals that have died from consuming or getting entangled in plastic. These problems have been increasing rapidly and will continue to do so.
Plastic piles up in the environment
30 million tons of plastic gets discarded every year, and only 8 percent is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills and is burned or becomes litter. The release of harmful chemicals in the air contributes towards global warming, and thus making the earth hotter and inhabitable.
What can you do to reduce your plastic consumption?
Carry a reusable bottle - Carrying a reusable bottle is a great way to cut your plastic usage and save money. There is even an app to tell you where you can refill your bottle for free
Say no to plastic straws - Plastic straws are bad for our oceans, next time you need a straw use a paper one
Avoid excessive food packaging - I know that this is not always possible, but try to buy loose fruit and veg and bring your own packaging to put it in
Avoid microbreads - The UK government have announced a ban on mircobeads, however if you still have products purchased previously, ensure that these products and disposed of responsibly
Carry a shopping bag - Since the plastic bag charge was introduced in England, there has been a massive 85% drop in their use. If you still find it hard to remember to carry a reusable bag around with you, try a foldaway one that you can carry in your normal day bag
Making these small changes can have a big impact on the amount of plastic we use on a day-to-day basis.
The Paris Travel Guide
I have always wanted to go to Paris, cliché I know, but it has been on my list of places to visit for many years and this April I finally got to see it. My boyfriend and I could not decide on a place to visit for his birthday and after some convincing, I suggested Paris and he agreed! I found myself to fall head over heels in love with the city, the metro was cooler than I thought it would be. I was lucky that my boyfriend could navigate us around – successfully. The landmarks always seem overrated when you’re looking at photos or listening to other people’s experiences, but I was in awe of them. The Eiffel Tower is so beautiful when lit up at night, and the Sacre Coeur is perfect for getting in a cardio workout – there are so many steps! Seeing as I gained a new found love for Paris, I thought I would share my own little abridged guidebook of the hotel we stayed in, shops, bars and restaurants so you have everything for when you want to visit.
The Hotel - Hotel Eugene en Ville
The hotel that we stayed in was a cute little boutique hotel in the centre of Paris, and right next to the metro station, perfect for getting to places. We were welcomed by the loveliest reception staff and they informed us of how to get to the famous landmarks of Paris. The room itself was spacious enough for two, and we even had a terrace; making the most of eating our breakfast before the down pour. I would definitely recommend this hotel if you are looking to stay in the centre of Paris and have a medium budget.
Places – Landmarks
The Eiffel Tower
If you are looking for somewhere romantic to go in the evening, the Eiffel Tower is perfect when lit up in the evening. It lights up around 9pm and then again every hour until daylight.
The Scare Coeur
The Scare Coeur is a beautiful Cathedral but you will need some comfy shoes to get there. Be prepared for quite a few steps, but it will be worth it once you reach the top. The interior is intrinsic and there was even a live service!
The Louvre
Seeing the Louvre is a must! The building is architecturally exquisite and perfect for that photo opportunity. The museum itself is on the large scale, and it will take you a few hours to work your way around. A tip – do not spend hours in the pots section; I blame my boyfriend for that.
Musee d’Orsay
After being annoyed that I only really got to see pots at the Louvre, I booked a last minute ticket to the Musee d’Orsay and it was worth it! This museum features famous paintings, statues and exhibitions. I even bought a sketch book to kick start my artistic flare.
Food and Shopping
Brasserie Auteuil
This restaurant/rooftop bar is absolutely beautiful, and features a botanical vibe. The food is amazing and there are many options, from traditional French food to Italian. I had a delicious pasta and a tasty cocktail. I would highly recommend this place.
Champs Elysees
As much as I love looking at designer clothing, affordability is also useful and the Champ Elysees is an area with all your recognisable high street shops. If you need a little hot chocolate break, Laduree is the ideal sweet cafe!
Where is your ‘go to’ in Paris?
Boost Your Productivity With These 5 Tips
1. Goal setting – Yes I know; everyone says it is important to set goals but that is because it is isn’t it? I know that when my productivity is lacking, I set goals for that day and I end up getting so much more done, but why are goals so important? Well goals give you a sense of direction and they also highlight all the tasks you need to get done for that day, making you essentially more productive right? If goal setting is your thing, I am going to write a post on how to set SMART goals and ensure that you achieve them, so stay tuned.
2. Planning – Once you have set your goals, you can plan on how you will achieve them. Planning can be as vague or as detailed as you want to make it, but I suggest that the more detailed your plan, the easier it is to stay productive as you have a clear vision of your goals. I like to use massive paper or a whiteboard to construct my plans on and I always make them look good. Once you have completed your plan, get on with it!
3. Accountability buddy – The best way to keep your motivated and productive is to get yourself an accountability buddy. This can be anyone that is in the same position as you and ideally doing similar tasks to you. It is great to chat to someone with similar interests about your goals and plans and how to best achieve your goals. Exploring new ideas together can encourage motivation, productivity and achievement.
4. Learning – When you have learnt something new in the past, has it made you feel motivated to want to learn and do more? Learning something new is a great way to boost your motivation and productivity. This does not have to be expensive either, learning does not have to involve expensive courses, you could read a new book or listen to a podcast. The more you learn, the more you will want to do.
5. Balance – Don’t forget that being productive requires you to keep your life balanced. When you are planning your goals, add a few activities to do during the day or week to keep yourself active, motivated and productive. When I first started FBC, I was working all day every day and this really had a massive impact on my productivity. I noticed that I could work for a whole day and then feel demotivated the next. When I started to balance my days, I became so much happier and more motivated. I was spending time with my friends and family, but would look forward to the time spent on making my business a success, therefore balancing is key!
My Evening Skincare Routine
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love reading and watching these skincare routine posts and videos. Therefore, I have decided to share my skincare routine and all of the products I use in the evening, here goes…
Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser – This cleanser has honestly changed my life! My skin is so dry and sometimes oily and I have struggled to find a cleanser that seriously helps to combat both. This cleanser has done the impossible and if you have sensitive spot prone skin, this product is for you! My skin always feels moisturised, but never irritated or greasy.
Alpha H Liquid Gold – This product is not my everyday toner, but I use this a few times a week and love it! I have lots of pigmentation on my face, mostly from spots and ageing and this product has changed my skin for the better. My pigmentation has dramatically reduced since using liquid gold and most importantly, my sensitive skin can handle this product too, a massive bonus!
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil – As the sun has not really made an appearance here in the UK, I have been using an oil to combat any winter dryness. This oil is a bright orange/reddish colour and smells amazing! I was looking for an oil that would not make me break out, but would help to add moisture back into my skin and I tried this oil on a whim one day. I have never looked back! My skin always feels moisturised in the morning and looks healthy, a perfect canvas for my make-up.
Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream – I really like a lightweight eye-cream in the evening and this Avene one is a treat! I have had some Eczema around my eye and this cream has really helped to keep that under control. If you have sensitive skin, again this eye cream would be perfect for you, it is non-scented, lightweight and moisturises the under-eye area amazingly.
So these are the main products I use in my skincare routine, however I do switch up these products depending on what my skin is doing/feeling like.
Do you have a favourite skincare product?