The COVID pandemic has given me plenty of time to think, and one of the things I decided I wanted to do was to support smaller businesses rather than defaulting to Amazon Prime every time I needed something. I've discovered some cool stuff along the way, so I thought I'd share some of my favourites from time to time 😁
Plus it means I can keep the links together on my website and buy more stuff 😂
Ethique
I'm trying to cut down on the amount of single-use plastic I use, and I've been trying for ages to find solid shampoo and conditioner bars that actually work. So many either left my hair in a greasy mess or didn't condition at all. Finally, I found the perfect products, not just shampoo and conditioner but body wash and moisturiser too.
Ethique is an Australian company, but they have a stockist in the UK. The bars smell lovely without being overpowering, and they last quite a while too. I get around six weeks out of a shampoo bar and longer from the conditioner bars, and I wash my hair every day. I'll definitely be taking these on holiday with me!
The Rainforester
Having the dogs has been a godsend during the pandemic – they've kept me company, got me out of the house for walks, and generally stopped me from going insane. I've been trying to improve their diet as well as my own, and I found a nice range of treats that also helps the planet.
The Rainforester is a conservation organisation, and one of the ways they support their projects is by turning non-timber forest products into dog and cat treats. The benefits of this are two-fold – firstly, they buy these products from indigenous producers, and secondly, they invest the profits in future projects.
The treats themselves are also really healthy and don't contain the fillers that so many pet treats do. I keep a tin of them on my desk, which means Maya spends a lot of time in my office 😂
Ashcroft Animal Accessories
Staying on the dog theme, I've found a great place to buy dog leads, harnesses, collars, and coats. Not only are the products good quality (and the escape-proof harnesses are a “must” for any new rescue dog), but the store also donates 10% of the proceeds to animal charities.
Customer service is fantastic (just send a message on Facebook and you'll get a fast reply), prices are good, and the products are well-packed and arrive quickly.
Pav's Cake Design
If you're near London and looking for a cake for a special occasion, Pav's your man. His cakes are works of art, and they taste even better than they look. And if you live further away, he also sells chocolates through his Etsy Store.
Plus if you like cake porn, Pav's Instagram is also worth a follow 😍
This page wouldn't be complete without a shout out to the Les Mills app. Since I can't go shopping for new clothes right now, I need to fit into my old clothes again – as in my pre-writing wardrobe, the stuff I wore before my ass spread out as a side effect of sitting at a desk all day. Once upon a time, I was a bit of a clothes horse, and I still wince when I think of what I used to spend on handbags. I've since turned into more of a sportswear fan. Anyhow, drastic measures were needed. Thanks to the Les Mills workouts, which somehow manage to be fun as well as sweaty, plus the Nutracheck app, which let me see where all the extra calories were coming from, I can fit into my jeans again. Hallelujah!
Chrissie and I are soon to start the 800 diet plan. I will “hopefully” be doing the 12/12 or 16/8 or similar number instead. That’s 12 hours eating and 12 hours not (despise the word, fasting). I can go without food for 12 hours dead easy anyway. Chrissie used to be on the Cambridge Diet and lost literally stones in a matter of weeks but it’s very expensive. 800 helps drop by eating certain foods and unlike other diets you can eat some dairy and meat products. The Mediterranean part of the diet has proved a a success in trials and reduced cholesterol and improved people’s health in other ways.
I work out each morning (well not today as I woke up at 11.30) and sitting in bed with a cuppa or two writing to you. Lol. I’ve always done floor exercises and treadmill, though the belt has broken and awaiting repairs end March. Full size gym machine.
As you’ve remarked, the Lockdown has had an affect on so many areas of someone’s life, not least your own and the pets and horse have kept you from going “insane”. Still can’t get over how you do an audit, walk the dogs, get partner to work, write books and Club Dead as a sideline, try and keep home relatively clean (we all have that problem) and still manage to keep level headed ?? Chrissie says, “it’s because when you are young you just get on and do it”.
For me, your books (hate rom coms films as a rule) have that perfect balance of plot, action, romance and revenge. Not easy to accomplish by some writers. Though it would be good to sometimes have Moriarty type character in some books. A nemesis that actually likes the hero / heroine, even having the chance to kill but saved instead “until the next time”. Just a thought.
It would be good to see Blackwood turned into a Netflix type series, bringing the characters to life and keeping as close to their ways as possible. Just know it would make for great viewing.
Have a good weekend.
Joel xx