Corona and Toxic Productivity

I promised myself that I wasn't going to write about corona, because that really isn't what this blog is about, but with something that has so drastically changed everyone's lives, I feel as though I can't avoid the topic any longer.

We are about three weeks into social isolation with no tangible end in sight, and it has been peculiar to say the least. There are a lot of feelings to be had, fear, anxiety, relief, guilt, and just about everything else between. I have felt a bit bombarded online with people compelling us to make the most of this time, to transform our lives and come out of this pandemic with a, 'glow up'. I was initially drawn into this mentality of what has been coined, toxic productivity, thinking about all the incredible things that I could accomplish during this time of isolation and reflection, I could finally try and learn French, teach myself to cook, and read all of the books on my bookshelf. But, as you can most likely imagine, this plan fell short and I was left feeling quite disappointed in myself and inadequate, comparing myself to the hundreds of people I follow online, most whom I have never even spoken to before and probably never will. The moment I realised that I was falling into this pattern of thinking, I knew I had to shake myself off and get out of it.

So, I've decided to make the most of this time, in a way that works for me, because as much as I believe that people should not be guilted into being productive, but neither do I think that wanting to be productive should be scorned!
For me, I am a creature of habit, and having a structure to my day, whether that be self imposed or governed by an outside agency is important, so every evening, I sit down for ten minutes and create a schedule for the coming day, factoring in everything from work, to leisure, to simply relaxing, and I stick to it. It isn't  meticulous, but it would allot time to the activities that needed to be done so that I could give my days some real structure and ultimately meaning during a time where meaning can be a little hard to find. Since I've started doing this, I have felt so much better, spending my time doing things that bring me joy, and not being so hard on myself for not accomplishing all manner of things that I probably wasn't going to accomplish in the first place! This is not a time to be hard on yourself, it is the time to look after both your mental and physical health, whatever that may be!

What I'm trying to get at here, is that I was putting an awful lot of pressure on myself, during what is already quite a stressful time, so here are some nice things that you could do that you may enjoy!
So stay safe, keep healthy, and look after yourself!

Veja Nova Trainers Review

Veja trainers seem to be absolutely everywhere at the moment, and for once, this is a trend that I find myself getting 100% behind. The brand Veja are helping to make sustainability cool. No longer are the days where sustainability is synonymous with hemp clothing or making your clothes out of old curtains. Instead the term has been given a whole new lease of life thanks to brands like Veja proving that you can have fashion without compromising your morals.
This hype surrounding Veja is all well and good, but are they more than just a few buzz words? So, on behalf of all fashion lovers, I have taken the plunge and jumped right into a pair of Veja Nova Canvas trainers!

Who are Veja?

So I have realised that not everyone knows what exactly these trainers are and why they are so special. Basically the company prides itself on its transparency. It claims to provide the workers who make the trainers with a fair wage and ethical working conditions. In addition to this, they use materials which are all ecological, such as wild rubber, sourced from the Amazon rain forest, organic cotton, and recycled plastic bottles to create part of the soles of the trainers. All of this equates to what has been hailed as the most sustainable trainers on the planet!

The Choice

Veja offer a wide range of shoes for you to choose from, ranging from leather, vegan leather, to canvas. You have a lot of choice. The styles are all classic and are far from what I would describe as a 'trend' item because of their timeless look. I personally chose to go with a pair of canvas trainers because I don't currently own a pair, and I liked that they were vegan friendly. After choosing a style, I was left with the task of choosing a colourway. I know, a bit of a standard Erin choice, but I went with the burgundy because I find that it works with most of my wardrobe which I already own.
They are available from most places now, I bought mine from Net-A-Porter.

Comfort

After wearing these for about six months, I have found these to be so incredibly comfortable! I have had absolutely no problems in regard to blisters, rubbing, or anything of the sorts. They have fit me really well, as a true size 4. I have walked all around Stratford exploring the land of Shakespeare and Warwick Castle in them and found them to be just as comfy at the end of the day as I did at the start!
The shoes have held up really well against rain and bad weather, never letting any water in, which my feet were very grateful in to say the least, but I did notice that there was some dye transfer from the red onto my laces and slightly around the eyelets, which is a tad concerning but I will just waterproof them again as the website suggests and see if this sorts the issue.

My Issues

Unfortunately, over the course of the six moths that I have had these trainers, I have had a few issues. Firstly, the issue regarding the red dye transfer, I tried to clean this several times, but have never been able to quite get rid of this staining fully. It isn't terribly noticeable from far away, but it does bother me, especially because of the price of the trainers. Another issue that I had this week is the laces in the trainers breaking, I realise that this isn't a major issue, but again, for trainers at this price, I did expect a little bit better quality.


The Final Verdict

Basically, since I bought them, they haven't really been off my feet. They work with every outfit I own, whether they be to dress down a pair of work trousers, or to wear with a basic outfit. I really love the detail of the red V on the sides, because it adds a really nice touch to the overall look and makes them a bit more distinctive. These truly are a great pair of trainers and I do recommend them. They are comfy, durable, and look great! There are some issues which bother me such as the staining and the laces breaking, neither are massive problems or enough to stop me loving the trainers, but they are enough to make me question whether I would buy another pair.



For more information and stockists, check out the Veja website here!

White Rabbit Skincare Review

So guys, it has been a while! Unfortunately I have been slacking with the blogging recently, but, I assure you, that I am getting right back on it! I've decided to start with a skincare review for a company called White Rabbit Skincare. I was gifted these products, and now it is time to give you all an honest review!

For those of you who don't know, let me give you a bit of information. The company was started in 2014 by Melanie who was suffering from a skin condition called psoriasis and found most skincare out there contained ingredients which exacerbated the condition, so she decided to start crafting her own products with natural ingredients which do genuine good for your skin. The entire range is vegan and cruelty free which means that everyone can enjoy them!

Eucalyptus and Lavender Cleansing Balm

This is truly a lovely product to use, it is really thick and feels so incredibly luxurious on your skin as it starts to melt in and remove any makeup or impurities. Unlike other cleansers, which can often leave your skin feeling quite dry and stripped of its natural oils, this balm leaves it feeling so soft, hydrated, and nourished! The texture starts out quite thick but as soon as it warms up and starts melting onto your skin, it transforms into an almost oil like consistency. I personally enjoy warming it up between my fingers before applying it to my face so that it applies and distributes a little easier.
I am really impressed with this cleanser and find that it is great for removing your makeup at the end of the day!

Orange Blossom and Aloe Vera Toner

I absolutely love using toners, because of the way that they leave your skin feeling so refreshed, removing any excess oils, dirt, or debris left behind by your cleanser. This toner smells amazing, the orange blossom really shines through, to create a beautiful and subtle fragrance, perfect to help wake you up in the morning and re-energise you for the day ahead!

Rosehip and Camellia Day Cream

If you are looking for hydration, then this is the cream for you! Since using this, my skin has transformed from the dull, dry, and dreary skin which I always thought was inevitable and unavoidable during the colder months, to glowing skin that made me feel great about myself! The key ingredients of rosehip and camellia oil are definitely to thank for this, with their incredible naturally soothing properties! I've found that this cream works really well under makeup, helping you to create a flawless dewy finish without looking oily. Initially, I found the scent to be a little strong, although lovely, but as soon as you massage this onto your face it dissipates, leaving you with a lovely subtle fragrance which lasts throughout the day!


Overall, I would definitely recommend checking out the range and finding the products to suit you, because they are absolutely amazing! They smell simply beautiful and I truly feel as though they have made a massive difference to my skin, improving the overall texture, softness, and appearance of my skin.
If you would like to try out any of the White Rabbit Skincare range, then you can use my discount code for 20% off your order!

 ERIN20
https://whiterabbitskincare.co.uk/