Sustainable September 2018 Day 30

I cant believe its over! 30 days of September have flown past! I have been celebrating and exploring Reading,UK today on foot with my boyfriend G. 

(Watching the swans being fed by the locals whom the swans and ducks love). 

(We found this amazing old steam board that had been converted into a function room on the shade of an amazing pub!) 

We have been having a great day exploring new places and seeing what this city has to offer.

As today is the last day of Sustainable September I am going to leave you with the best advice I can.

Day 30. Be kind to yourself.

I have had to learn this one myself. We are often our own harshest critic. I have personally had to learn not to be afraid of making mistakes.

Failure is going to happen, but don’t beat yourself up about it too much. Everyone is at different stages of this Sustainable journey. As much as I love the idea of a Zero Waste lifestyle, I know it is not 100% possible.

If we all aim for a low impact life, there is not so much pressure with that label. It gives you permission to make mistakes. Because realistically we all make mistakes.

I live by the motto: When I know better, I will do better and until then I will do my best. 

Thank you to everyone who joined me for sustainable September this year. It has meant a lot to me to have your encouragement and support. 

Thank you all so much. 

Love Daena

Sustainable September 2018 Day 29

Today is my mums birthday. A day that I, sadly, won’t be with her to celebrate. 

However it is also somewhat of a milestone for me. I celebrated the end of the fourth week of work at my job as an archaeologist, a job that mum has always supported me in pursuing. 

My mum has been an amazing influence throughout my life, encouraging me and supporting me to do and be the best I could be. All despite some of the harder things we’ve been through. Which brings me to the Sustainable September idea for...

Day 29. Educate yourself 

This seems silly to almost finish off with but as we are coming to the end of Sustainable September, it seems important to include it.

Learning skills you haven’t learned before, that can help you reduce, reuse, recycle, rot or even refuse things coming into your house, can make a huge difference.

If it is learning how to make fruit jam from left over cheap fruits from the local supermarket that would otherwise end up in landfill, or learning how to make a worm farm, from learning how to sew a button, or learning how to reupholster a chair (that project is still in Australia for me to finish another time), it may cost a small amount upfront but the skills you learn in the long-term will make up for it.

The saying goes… “If you give a man a fish, you can feed him for a day. But if you teach a man to fish… you can get rid of him for the whole weekend!” wait… no… that’s not it! Hehehe.  “If you give a man a fish, you can feed him for a day. But if you teach a man to fish he can feed himself for a lifetime.”

This also means learning and watching through TV, media, documentaries, podcasts etc. 

I’ve learned so much from podcasts and documentaries over the last few years. It’s been really educational. 

I hope you are enjoying the last few days of Sustainable September! 

Much love to you all, 

Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 28

I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by! It’s unbelievable! After today there are only two more days! Two until the end of Sustainable September! I thought I would talk about something that I’ve been making every morning before work and consuming on my walk to work. And that’s ... Tea!!!. But I make it simple and take it in a travel mug which is what today’s idea is all about! 

Day 28. Use a reusable Coffee/Tea Cup 

This is great when it comes to going to coffee shops as you can save yourself a few cents/pence anytime you buy a cup of tea or coffee take away.

Using reusables is also much better for the environment.

I have also been using mine everyday as I walk from my house to the office in the mornings

As the mornings get colder and I need a cup of something to keep me warm. 

It turns out that a warm/hot cup to take with me as I leave home is also a great hand-warmer as I walk to work every morning.

I know the first few time going to a coffee shop you might forget but its an opportunity to take that time to sit in and enjoy a ceramic mug instead.

If you are a cafe owner and are looking for ideas, you can always do like this little cafe in Australia has done ... ban single use coffee cups, and provide an option for those who forget.

I hope this helps, enjoy the clips from both UK and Australian War on Waste.

As it comes to colder weather, you could do simple kindnesses, like Suspended coffees or even giving homeless a couple dollars for a hot drink, a coffee card for a local cafe, or even inviting someone to join you for a cup or tea or coffee.

Enjoy, 

Love Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 27

Ive been suffering with a bad headache for the last day or so and have been drinking a lot of water... which had me thinking about the importance of water to us and the environment. So todays, Sustainable September idea is...

Day 27. Save water

There are several ways you can do this.

One is by not leaving the tap running whilst you are brushing your teeth.

Another is by installing a low flow shower head. This can change the pressure but saves you a packet in water bills.

You can also take shorter showers, use a brick in older toilet cisterns so that it doesn’t use as much water to flush, and install two button flush systems.

Saving water can save you a lot of money, but also give the environment a helping hand. This is because in places like Australia water is a precious resource, and we wouldn’t want to waste it. Or end up like parts of south Africa who earlier this year were on water rations.

And just to folow up from that, here is a quick timeline of events for the Capetown water crisis.

Anyway, I thought this was particularly interesting.

I Hope you have a great day.
Be kind to one another.
Love Daena

Sustainable September 2018 Day 26

It’s been really cold the last few mornings here in Reading, England! Getting down as cold as 2*C. I know that it will get much colder in weeks and months to come but this little Aussie is already struggling with the temperature changes. That’s the problem with having two summers in a row (Australian then Welsh/English)! 
This next Sustainable September idea is completely unrelated to anything... but is one of the best changes I made to living a more sustainable life. Gents, you can sit this one out... or read through for a great kindness idea you can do...

Day 26. Use Reusable Feminine hygiene 

This can be reusable pads, a diva cup or even reusable period panties.

I have to admit I was a little reluctant, a few years ago, about how this would be so successful for me. I decided to give the Diva Cup (a menstrual cup) a go, supplemented by the reusable pads from two amazing Australian suppliers Scarlet Eve & Little Aussie Monster.

My menstrual cup is THE BEST thing I have ever had gifted to me (it was a Christmas gift from my sister). I love the fact that it only needs to be changed every 12 hours (instead of every 6 hours with a tampon) and that I can change the cup either in the bathroom (preferable with a sink right next to the toilet) or in the shower (which is my preferred method). This means I shower twice a day on my period, which is probably not a bad habit to not feel as icky anyways. When I take out my menstrual I can see how heavy my period is, as the side of the Diva cup has measurements. It is a great thing to take note of for your own records because knowing this can help your gynaecologists know how much blood you’ve lost and if its more or less than usual.

The other great thing about the Menstrual cup, is that because it holds so much blood I don’t need to wear my reusable pad for more than the first 3 days. I am one of the many who have seven day periods, so not having to wear pads for 4 of those days is bloody awesome! And I wouldn’t have to wear the pads at all if I changed the Diva cup more regularly during the first three days, but I’m too lazy to do that. Lol. So I am happy with my combination of reusable pads and diva cup.

I won’t comment here on Period Panties but I know that there are several available that are a reusable period alternative to pads, tampons or even a diva cup. I’ll leave this review for another time. In the meantime I am really happy with the system I have for managing my periods! 

I also know that this has saved me a fortune already. I have had my diva cup for almost 2 years now (Christmas is its birthday) and even though I didn’t purchase it, I know it cost about $50AUD (£25) and it can last for up to 10 years. The pads I bought cost about $50 in total too and whilst this might seem like a lot of money, it has totally been worth it. I would easily spend $10(£5) a month (pre-reusables) and I would buy a combination of Tampons and Pads each month. Sometimes I would even buy more than one pack depending on how heavy my bleeding was.

After 10 months these reusables have paid for themselves. When Christmas comes around I would have saved $140 ‘above and beyond’ the cost that I was paying for my feminine hygiene. Best investment ever. 

Lads, I know some of you are thinkin that this is not something that YOU can do much about... and you are probably right, however being open to sharing some ideas with the ladies in your life, would make a massive difference to them. And if you partner, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, friend or coworker is struggling at that time of the month, do something nice for them. Its the best kindness a girl can ask for, havng the support of someone they know and care about. I wish you all the best with this idea.

I hope this finds you all well!
Love Daena

Sustainable September 2018 Day 25

I dont know if you would have had a chance to use yesterdays Sustainable September idea because it is something that will need some preplanning. When you organise a party or dinner there are so many great things you can do to reduce your budget AND reduce you environmental impact. Everything from not purchasing disposables, to using reusable straws in metal, glass, bamboo or alternatively single use paper straws (but these barely last ONE drink), or skip straws altogether.

This next idea builds on the yesterdays but it also doesnt need to be a party/gathering-only idea. This one you can bring into every day meals...

Day 25. Use Cloth napkins 

Another thing that can save money is buying/making/using cloth napkins instead of buying paper ones. Sure paper ones are mostly compostable, but some of them have a few other not so good things in them. And cloth napkins can be compostable at the end of their lives too. However, you can spend a little bit of cash up front and be able to wash and reuse them over and over again. So, they can make their money back.

You can even purchase ex-hotel/restaurant ones for a cheaper price but still be good quality, plus they are second hand.  Meaning that it will have saved you money, and saved the environment too!

"Not only are they [cloth napkins] more durable (one cloth napkin will make it through a lot more BBQ sauce than a paper one!) but ditching disposable napkins will also save plenty of money over the years. It’ll also reduce your trash output, which means less energy is used transporting and processing your waste. Using recyclable paper napkins is good for the planet, but it’s even better to not have anything to recycle in the first place. Plus, cloth napkins make dinner feel oh-so-fancy." (Greatist.com)

You could gift some cloth napkins to a friend or family member, or even use cloth napkins to wrap gifts in as a way to make someone else feel special. Kindness doesnt have to be hard work, it can be much simpler than that. Sharing what you are learning about with people can be a nice way to share and spread kindness.

I hope this finds you all well.
Love Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 24

Back to work today. I really love my job. Sure its only week 4 of my employment in the UK but I am thoroughly enjoying learning so much.

Sustainable September idea for ...

Day 24 - Ditch disposable Party supplies

Yes it may be easier to buy a whole bunch of single use plastic plates because, heaven forbid, you need to do some actual washing up. But here are some quick tips.

If you absolutely HAVE to buy disposables, make them compostable ones, and then take them home and compost them (don’t just ditch them in the closest bin because they wont break down in landfill).

Or if you are having a big party at home, either ask everyone to bring their own plates and knives and forks. Or plan bigger parties to be catered with bite size goddies so no one needs to have their own dishes. Then You and your guests only need to clean fingers!

It might take a few times to get used to it, but it can be so simple. Canapes can be super healthy, or as naughty as you like. But making bite size food saves washing up a thousand plates and saves you from washing a lot of cutlery too.

Kindness idea could be to include someone you don't know very well to ypur gathering. welcome them with warm hospitality. it will hopefully make their day.

much love,
Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 23

Welcome back. I cant believe that we have had three weeks of Sustainable September already! Where has the time gone?

This weekend has been pretty wild weather in the UK with a massive storm going over and causing flooding and issues all over. So if you are somewhere here, be careful and stay safe.

Todays idea is a bit of a DIY project. Sustainable September idea for...

Day 23. Make your own bin liners.

I was so impressed to see my sister and the ladies from my CWA of WA (Country Woman’s Association of Western Australia) branch make bin liners out of newspaper recently. They did this because there has been a backlash in Australia about how people will cope without plastic bin liners, when they don’t have free plastic bags from the supermarkets, to use for this purpose.

Here is the thing, if you compost your wet things, like veggie & fruit scraps, and only put dry things in your rubbish bins, then you don’t NEED plastic bin liners. Paper ones should work out fine.

Plus there is a now a saving. If you are now going to have to BUY bin liners you will be saving money by making them from your local Community Newspaper (once you have finished reading it) or even by raiding your neighbours recycling bin for their weekend West. In the UK there are free newspapers everywhere, so it isn’t hard to find a replacement for this either.

You can use this great clip from Boomerang Bags for one possible way to make these bin liners:

There are a lot of other simple or much more complicated ideas for bin liners but i like how this video shows you a fast version of what you will be making and then a "how to" section. So, if you miss the first time through don't worry... it is explained in detail in the second half of the video.

A cute kindness idea is, you could make some of these and gift them to a friend, family member or aquaintence.

I hope this finds you all well.
Love Daena

Sustainable September 2018 Day 22

Hi everyone, the weekend is here! And i am out today to explore my new city!

And I am doing most of it on foot!

Todays idea follows that theme...

Day 21. Stop driving everywhere –

For most places in the world this is not a hard switch to make. For some remote communities in Australia, and other remote places getting on public transport is impossible. However, here in the UK, and even back home in Perth, Australia, public transport is a viable option, and is often a much cheaper option than driving.

For example, whilst I was living in the little town of Llanharan, Wales I would pay £24.50 for a weekly pass to travel by train as many times as I needed to in a week and I would make good use of it.

(The view from the bridge of my closest Welsh train station from my old home!)

To own a car here is much more expensive. £24.50 would probably only cover the fuel cost, not to mention that the additional expenses for owning a car – insurance, maintenance, washing, registration, parking permits, MOTS (its like a health audit for a car that happens yearly in the UK), etc. – costs a lot more than public transport does.

However, there are times when I have needed to use a car to get things home from a shop, or get places at weird times when trains or busses aren’t running. I have often been able to carpool with someone in most cases. I think I have used Uber/taxi 4 times since being in the UK and that is because i was moving bulky suitcases! Everything else has simply been about managing times for public transport.

There is also the added bonus of it helping the environment. Nice little bonuses. I must admit there is a certain freedom about having your own car, however, using public transport in city areas is much better financially and environmentally.

Did you know that in London (& here in Reading to a certain extent), it is rare for people under the age of 25 to have their drivers licence? This is because getting public transport is sooooo much better to use and a much cheaper alternative than owning and driving your own car. In Australia it i almost weird if you DONT have your drivers licence before 25 years!

Hope you are well,
Love Daena x

ps. I had a great night out last night celebrating a new friend/collegues birthday. I helped celebrate it by making her a cake at work! :)

Sustainable September 2018 Day 21

For those following along at home, you would have noticed that this Sustainable September Idea didn't go up when I usually have them ready to go up! I took some time to take care of myself today that meant limiting my screen time. So that’s what I did so two posts will be done today instead!

I can’t believe my third week of work is coming to an end. How fast has the time gone?

This next idea is one i do ALL the time.

Day 20. Take your own bags

This is simple enough. This may not save you a heap of money, but here in the UK at big stores like Tesco they charge you 5p for a reusable plastic bag. My old housemate would reuse and reuse the bags, that she had to buy, for everything, which was awesome.

I, however, have my very own reusable bags that I’ve had for the last few years. I only bought 4 with me to the UK. 3 “green” bags from Woolworths and one I made myself. I find these reusable bags infinitely stronger than any form of single use plastic bag. I carry these almost everywhere I go. I transfer them between my work bag, and day bag so I have them with me when I really need them. The only time recently where I havent had any was when I went out for a night on the town and wasnt going to be purchasing anything that was going to be leaving the restaurant or bar. 

I also have two “onya” reusable produce bags, which are awesome, I carry these with me everywhere too.

I have one I made myself last year, which I made from scrap netting I got from an op-shop/thrift shop. The are super easy to  make if you have the time, machine and fabric!

For the maths, if you bought one bag a week, every week for a year, at Tesco for 5p, you’d save yourself £2.60… which isn’t much, but it adds up fast.

I hope you find this helpful!
Love Daena

Sustainable September 2018 Day 20

When I first planned this Sustainable September idea I had no idea I would be using this idea again so soon!

Day 20. Repair what you already have.

This has already saved me a bit of cash in the UK recently when my favourite pair of PJ pants split at the crotch seam. That’s right ladies and gently man I had a hole in my pants/trousers.

Back in Australia I had my very own sewing machine that I could whip out and fix little mistakes with, but I don’t have one here. I simply had to make do. So I hand-sewed up the hole. It saved my about £10 ($18 AUD) because I didn’t have to buy a new pair of cotton flannel Pyjama pants. Plus who can resist these pink penguin PJ pants???

(The hole I had to fix. Before and after! And the two cute cats that watched it all). 

Certainly not me. It would have made me very sad to say good bye to them, as they have been some of my favourites for years.

I even had to repair my favourite pink bird jumper. It had a loose threat that made it look terribly scruffy, so I managed to almost completely get the threat back in place, but the last tiny loop wasn’t having a bar of going back into its little home. Instead I got a very fine crochet hook and pulled it through to the inside of the jumper. 
(Me having fun at Cardiff Castle a few months ago in my favourite jumper!!!) 

Now you can’t tell that there is a loose threat loop, which means I can go back to wearing that jumper again and again. I don’t have to buy a new jumper/sweater. Plus for me that jumper is irreplaceable as I’ve never seen one like it before or since owning it. I really do love it.

And this week... well i dropped my phone and smashed the screen. 

 his is something I have never had to get fixed before as I havn't broken one until now. I would have expected to smash my phone screen out in the field but I actually did it as I was leaving work. It fell out of my back pocket and landed on a rock. I am so lucky to have never had to deal wtih this before. So now it's time... and I am getting it replaced! Today in fact! Winning!

Repairing broken things instead of replacing things is a sure way to save money. A new phone screen for an apple phone is about £80 ($150 AUD) however the cost of a new phone is so much more, well into the hundreds of pounds.

In Australia they are creating Repair Sheds, where you can go and get anything repaired or you can go and LEARN how to repair your broken items.

I am yet to find a Repair shop/shed equivalent here in the UK but i havn't had a really good look.

What was the thing you want to repair?
What would was the best thing you ever had repaired or managed to repair yourself?

I hope this finds you all well.

In the words of Ellen Degenerous "Be kind to one another"!
Love Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 19

Sustainable September on...

Day 19. Cleaning Products –

Reduce what you already have (particularly any that are toxic) and replace them with homemade variations.

I love this simple Cleaning spray from Lauren Singer...

Here in the UK, I am yet to sort out a way that I can reduce the amount of plastic when it comes to using Vinegar in my homemade cleaning products. I am still setting myself up. But here in the UK white vingar (here its called Spirit vinegar) is used for very little and Malt vinegar is used for everything. So this Celiac has to be careful as malt is a wheat/barley derisitive and my body hates gluten contained in Wheat and Barley.

So white vinegar, Citric acid (to clean the kettle/and often in the form of fresh lemons), and bi-carb soda are my go to cleaning products. However I know there are a lot more that you could add. I also know, there are a lot more that you could do without.

My housemates in the path have had their own cleaning rituals, so i am responsible only for my own spaces. So keeping these clean for me is really important.

I hope this finds you well. 

Love Daena XX 

Sustainable September 2018 Day 18

Another day at work in the office. However the sun was shining yesterday so I got to spend some time in the garden of my new house! 

I haven’t been able to get to the library so I’ve been using my housemates Cookbooks as the best light reading material! 

I love it because with the restrictions I have for my diet I also look at recipe books like a challenge. ‘How can I adapt a recipe for myself to eat?’ 

Considering yesterday was another Meatfree Monday I was looking for ideas of what to cook! It’s so nice to look at Vegetarian options that you can also adapt to have meat if you want. 

Sustainable September idea for ...

Day 18. Buy Bamboo products

Can this save you money? Yes and no.

Yes if, like me, you are eco conscious and driving around looking for places to donate your old plastic toothbrush to dental recycling. The Wasteless Pantry , in Mundaring, WA has a great collection of recycling collection points (not just for dental recycling either). I am still looking for a place to recycle my old plastic & electric toothbrush here in the UK but I know Redcycle do it in Australia. The petrol costs alone would be enough to save you money on buying a recycleable/compostable alternative.

No, if you are buying the cheapest plastic toothbrushes around. Admittedly, bamboo toothbrushes may cost a little extra but as more people use them the cheaper and more widely available they will become.

A bamboo toothbrush is able to be composted. 

(I still haven’t been able to take a good toothbrush selfie! Hahahahaha). 

They can be used in the garden as label stakes for your veggies (which would save you money buying purpose built ones).

You can also get many other things made of Bamboo… and they aren’t much more expensive than your everyday plastic variation, with the added bonus that they are a renewable resource and are able to be composted most of the time. At my new house we have a compost heap that I have used already to add stuff too! 

I hope this find you well! 

Much love,
Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 17

Another simple idea is brought to you from Sustainable Septmember...

Day 17. Stop printing out documents 

There are times when you might need a copy of some documents for your records, but digital is best these days, as you will be able to save on printing, paper and ink costs.

Simply put....Only print something if it is absolutely necessity.

I have had to print pages for my Visa for the UK, for my passport application and even my bank statements (to prove I had enough cash to live and work here) but otherwise I keep digital copies of everything. I am unlikely to need paper copies, and if a government agency does need a copy, I can often access a digital copy or Print it out only if the need arises.

This can save you a fair bit of money. I have only had to print off two pieces of paper since moving to the UK and both of those were required for my application for my National Insurance Number (which is the equivalent of an Australian Tax File Number). So this was completely necessary! 

I have also started doing digital tickets this with bus and train tickets in the UK. This past weekend I went from Reading back to Cardiff, and back again, to catch up with the boyfriend. I was able to travel by train (which actually takes LESS time than it does driving) and I got to use my phone as a ticket! Which meant I was saving paper and therefore the trees which are cut down to be turned into paper. To be fair it would take a LONG time to save a whole tree but every little bit of paper adds up.

Also, remember when getting rid of paper, it can be shredded and added to your compost pile. Carbon (or brown stuff) is needed to give your compost pile a healthy life. So, using old papers/news papers can actually be healthy for your garden.

Do NOT get rid of tax informations for 7 years (is the Australian standard). However this number varies in countries around the world, so look into what information you need if you are going to shred some of your paperwork, ready for the garden.

I hope you are all well,
Love Daena

Sustainable September 2018 Day 16

We ended up going from that walk afterall. The rain cleared up enough for a good five hour walk. 











We walked from Cardiff to Caerphilly yesterday. I’m a bit stiff and sore today though. 

Sustainable September idea for...

Day 16. Wash your clothes a lot less.

I started doing this with my jeans as it helps them to last longer. I let my jeans air out between wears. I decided to experiment. I wore my jeans regularly and waited 3 months to wash them. This may seem extreme but I ended up killing any bacteria (whenever the urge to wash them came around). 

If you are worried about bacteria and such, throw your clothes in a bag inside the freezer and let it sit in there for 24-48 hours. This helps kill the bacteria which makes the clothes smell. This is what I did with my jeans that I washed only every three months. 

You can also do this with a lot of other clothes, if they aren’t heavily soiled! If you air out the clothes you wear and wear them even twice instead of just once, you will save a lot of money as you will have to wash less frequently. This saves money because it reduces the amount of times you have to wash, and the power to do so and it saved the environment when it comes to chemicals that a lot of people use to wash their clothes. 

There are a few exceptions to this rule, underwear is one OBVIOUSLY, but the second is exercise/work out gear (like mine from yesterday). The last is if there is stains, spills, messes or heavy soiling. There have been a few times where I have had to wash my shirts after the first wear because I have been clumsy and spilled stuff on my shirts, or alternatively I’ve sat on or in something that leaves an embarrassing mark. You can also do “spot washes” which just clean up any small spills or messes. 

With my new job, in archaeology, there is some times where I have to wash my clothes as they are covered in mud, however this is not all the time. Sometimes it’s best to wear the same slightly grubby stuff to work again, instead of getting more clothes grubby. So I tend to wear my same work wear twice before washing this (this does not include socks & underwear). 

If this is too much of a change right away for you, how about making a small change, like changing your washing settings to cold wash. This will save your electricity bill and the environment as it requires a lot less energy. 

Or how about attempting a small experiment. Don’t wash your jeans for a week, or two. 
If you want more informtion check out this link by Wisebread.com.

I hope this finds you all well.
Love Daena xx

Sustainable September 2018 Day 15

Today I am back in Wales visiting my boyfriend. We were supposed to go for a walk between Cardiff and Caerphilly but its now pouring with rain. Whoops! however it gives me a bit of time to post this Blog.

Sustainaible September idea for ...

Day 15. Create a capsule wardrobe

This idea works so well with the  I have done this the last few years and its made a huge difference to not only what I buy but what I wear and how made up I look. And it also means I can be lazier, as everything in my wardrobe goes together.

This is my list of clothes and then I label them in order of what I want to include in my Capsule wardrobe for the next 3 months. 

I only buy things I LOVE and this stops me from buying unnecessary things just because they are cheap. I also make sure that I try everything I buy on. This works in great colaboration with the 30x Rule. Because only when you know it fits with your capsule wardrobe AND you absolutely love it enough to wear it at least 30x will you buy the right things for you.

This stops me from purchasing stuff that I will have to return later. Or in my case, before this, forget to return the items and leave in the bottom of the closet for too long, only for it to never get used and then eventually found and donated to charity with its tags still on.

If we are more deliberate with our choices then we can save money from buying things that will not serve us.

I originally started this by putting together a travel capsule wardrobe for my round the world trip in 2013. I cant believe that it was so long ago.

If you already have a great capsule wardobe, consider giving Project 333 a go! 33 items of clothing for a 3 month period.

I follow the hashtag #Project333 on Instagram too. which is a great source of inspiration.

I hope this finds you all well.

Love Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 14

Today I had a nice day in the office at work. We spent the day labelling finds, specifically bags of pottery, ready to be taken to a local museum. Which meant I got to know a few of my colleagues a bit better. We had a nice time laughing, joking and of course working! 

This next idea is one I have only recently instigated. Since the beginning of March. So it’s pretty new in its usage. 

14. Choose the 30x rule

This is a great rule for clothing, although it could be applied to other things.

Before buying an item of clothing, you have to agree to using a piece of clothing 30 times before you are allowed to give it away.

I do this with all my clothing that I buy from now on. I record this in my little (BuJo) book so that I know how many times I have worn a specific item.



This has actually saved me money too. Now I am much more discerning about what I buy because I ask myself if I will wear something 30 times. Often the answer to the question is no. I like something but not enough to wear it so many times. Either that or I want to buy clothes for a specific one-off purpose.

I have found instigating this rule has actually made me creative because I am more likely to use what I already have than buy something that I will not use a lot.

How are you finding Sustainable September? Do you have any questions or ideas of your own you’d like to share? 

I hope this finds you all well, 

Love Daena 

Sustainable September 2018 Day 13

Yesterday I got to play with a metal detector at work! 

Sadly it was because I had lost one of my constant companions, my silver Celtic ring! After all the searching & playing with that fun toy, I still couldn’t find it... which is sad but I have to remind myself it’s just a thing. 

It has served me years, and given me lots of enjoyment. That will teach me to wear loose rings at work in the field. I guess that’s the risks of being an archaeologist! I could replace it with a new one or I could use the next idea to find something I love. 

The next simple Sustainable September idea for money saving is ... 

Day 13. Buy second hand

This alone will save you a fortune.

I have personally decided I want to stick to the 80/20 rule. 80% of my purchases for homewares and clothes I want to get second hand, and save 20% for new good quality stuff. I will show you how I will set it up.

I record any clothing I purchase and then figure out a grid. I usually make sure its easy to multiply/divide into and 80/20 ratio and then colour in the boxes and keep an eye on what I purchase.

Some things you have to purchase new. I had to have new Steel cap work boots for work (and needed them immediately) so I had to accept Work purchasing me brand new ones. But I got reasonable quality ones so that they would last.

Buying good quality second hand goods can mean that you can often save more than 50% of the original price of the item. Sometimes it’s much cheaper than that, depending on what you are looking at and where you resource it from. I do a lot of this with clothes now. Second hand shops and thrift stores and even eBay! 

I hope this finds you all well.
love Daena x

Sustainable September 2018 Day 12

Short and sweet... as I am absolutely and happily exhauted. Work is going well and I found almost a whole pot today. 

Which is very different to anything I found in Australia, as an archaeologist! What gets me is this is the first time in a few thousand years that this pottery has been seen by humans! It blows my mind!!!

Sustainable Septembers idea for Day 12 is a little like that pot... its all about quality. Sure it broke a few thousand years ago but its still here in parts!

12. Buy Quality over quantity 

For me this involves a little research. When I do choose to buy the things on the list i mentioned yesterday, I have been buying better quality, long lasting products. I have websites to some of my favourite shops that I want to buy from email me with savings for certain products I am specifically looking at.

There is a website called "BuyMeOnce.com" (this link is to the UK specific site), that can help you see which products are built to last the test of time. It deals with all kinds of things, kitchen accessories, gardening supplies, outdoor, shoes... and more. It is really expensive. To be honest I have use "buymeonce.com" as a great indicator of quality, but I will then often track down a second hand version of the thing I am looking at or I will check other stockists for a cheaper price on the same product.

I hope this finds you well. How could you turn this into a kindness?

with love, 

Daena