The French way is all about being effortlessly chic. That's the reason why we named this collection Je Ne Sais Quoi – there is just something about French style that is so special, it can't be described.

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From their voices to their style, these 60s icons were all over our moodboards for this collection. Brigitte Bardot, Francoise Hardy, Anna Karina and Jane Birkin.

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A style of ornamental art that flourished between about 1890 and 1910 throughout Europe. This style is characterized by its use of long, sinuous, organic lines and was most often used in architecture, interior design, jewelry, glass design, posters, and illustration.

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Shot by Mariane Guillon @marianeguillon, Model @claratlan, Makeup by @mariehairmakeup, Styling Assistant @hilarygrigsby, Production by @brynnewman And a huge thanks to our French fashion designer turned translator and production assistant, @helenekonig.

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The fashion industry isn’t alone when it comes to the impacts it has on the environment. The beauty industry is a key player in the harming of our natural world and our bodies. 

“According to the latest reports from Zero Waste Week, beauty packaging amounts to 120 billion units every year. That includes plastic, paper, glass, and metals, all of which end up in landfills year after year.” - Trvst

But trashing the planet isn’t the only issue, your everyday beauty products might be trashing you too. 

In the USA the FDA, which regulates the beauty industry, hasn’t been meaningfully updated since 1938, according to an article from VOX.

Some consumers are taking action, according to an article from VOX, “There have been some high-profile lawsuits like the Johnson & Johnson ovarian cancer talc cases, in which juries have awarded multimillion-dollar settlements to people who claimed using baby powder for years caused their cancer. Then the hair care company Wen settled a $26 million class-action case because one of its products was allegedly making people’s hair fall out.”

CVS even committed to removing paragons and other ingredients from its 600 in house brands by the end of 2019.

In 2014, following consumer outcry, Johnson & Johnson removed a type of preservative from its baby shampoo that releases very small amounts of formaldehyde into the air.

Hair stylists like Jayne Matthews, from Edo Salon, experienced stories of chemical poisoning from being exposed to chemicals on an on-going basis in her hair salon. She has now switched her entire salon to being chemical free and teaches women how to cut their hair on their own from home.

The world is changing around us for the better. We are seeing sustainability become a crucial factor for shoppers when they are choosing which brands to shop from, it’s the same in fashion as it is in beauty.

We need to stop putting unnecessary chemicals on our bodies, into our bodies and our environment.

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A post shared by Cassie Lapthorne (@cl_h_mu)

Discovering the dark side of the beauty industry when it comes to its impacts on people and the planet can be confronting. It can also be overwhelming and confusing! So we asked one of our campaign makeup artists her thoughts on the makeup industry when it comes to clean beauty, ethical practices, and natural ingredients. Meet Cassie Lapthorne, a model, makeup artist and soon-to-be naturopath.

We hope you enjoy hearing Cassie’s story and getting some tips from her below.

Many different cultures throughout time have recognised illnesses as a detachment from Nature – often gods or spiritual entities would enforce disorder because of this.

It seems that turning to Nature can heal ailments physically, spiritually and emotionally. 

Naturopathy works in conjunction with this in practising beliefs of Holism and Vitalism, to see the world, body and health as a collective whole.

Naturopaths aim to benefit and work in conjunction with Nature. Alongside this, art, identity and sociological beauty has always intrigued me. Investing in an on-going understanding of physical, spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing as a whole, I am currently studying Naturopathy as I continue my makeup artistry practice. 

Prior to Covid, I had been travelling for 6 years as a model. Slowing down and changing pace meant that I saw a lot of changes when it came to my physical and place-based identity. The changes meant that I saw a lot of the positive and negative aspects of such a fast paced industry.

One of the most important things I noticed was the extensive applications of products and how they can affect both the applier and applicant. As a makeup artist and a model, I could see the disruptions the harsh makeup products could cause – including rashes, hormone disruptions, burns, or simply pain and redness or irritation. 

This can all be after being cruelly tested on animals, to put any perspective on what our poor creatures must go through and why it is so important to invest money (and thus power) to businesses with an ethical code of conduct.

It can be hard to make the switch as there is so much to learn, finance, confusion and accessibility can create challenges however change starts with knowledge.

There is the question of why wear make-up or hairstyles at all...However there is no denying the power of art and self-expression in finessed times and places.

If I didn’t have peroxide blonde hair and an eager spirit when I was 18 would I have had that opportunity to dance with Kylie Minogue at the Logies and in her music video? Or feature in Vogue, travel to the countries I’d always wanted to see before getting too tied down by life?

There is a time and place for hair and makeup – But natural ingredients and a natural you will always take the cake.

Yet when it comes to the modern world, expressing oneself is extremely reliant on beauty products – even toothpaste is considered a beauty product. So as we aim to express our personality through gender, art, culture, age, and so forth in a way that feels comfortable to us, beauty products play an important role.

Some products also aid in physical ailments due to pregnancy, disease, misfortune, or manifest the ability to reflect an internal identity externally/ So, there’s no denying the connection and communication beauty products can bring to yourself or others.

Something I find so powerful in hair and make-up artistry is that if I get the brief right, it is so incredible to see someone look more like themselves, thus feel more like themselves. I find fulfilment in being able to bring a persons confidences and contention within themselves to life through my artistry by helping them see themselves in a way they weren’t able to before.

Here is my advice on product choices and application:

Cleaning your hands and your face and taking care of your skin

I opt for cleansers without Suds (ability to foam) as it can dry the skin out, stripping its natural oils and altering the natural pH and capacity to fight bacteria

Wash brushes weekly to avoid bacteria build-up (makeup artists after every use and never cross contaminate across products, benches or faces to prevent spread of disease and germs)

After face is completely clean, use a Gua Sha or cold apple to massage over entire face to reduce puffiness and bring blood to the surface, an apple being a biodegradable and forgiving option.

Apply serum, I use Vanessa Megan’s Auric 24K Gold & Wild Herb Radiance Serum *. Ensure that if pregnant or applying product to a pregnant women that they do not get exposed to excessive applications of Vitamin A as it can cause birth defects as-well as concentrate in breast milk causing harm to your baby. Massage face with hands after in upwards strokes, kneading and bringing blood to any creases in the face, providing a more lifted and plumped appearance. Don’t be too vigorous to not irritate the skin too much prior to applying makeup.

If sections of your skin are unblemished with even skin tone, don’t cover it. Only put make-up on the parts that need coverage. There’s no need to cover skin that is already healthy and beautiful as it is most beautiful naturally. It will also allow the finished look to appear more natural with real skin exposed as- well as keeping it healthy over time by avoiding blocked pores. If you have a tanned body and a paler face as most of us use sunscreen predominately on the face, colour match to your chest and opt for a certified organic light foundation, bb cream or zinc to colour match face to body that allows your skin to still breath and only conceal dark circles/blemishes where necessary.

What to watch out for when buying new skincare and beauty products

For everyday products ensure that they are certified organic, you can check this online, as there are many loopholes in ingredient labels to try to make profit. “Fragrance” can contain up to 1000 unknown ingredients hidden under the ‘one’ ingredient*. The first ingredients are what the product is predominately made up with, so if it says ‘Aqua’, you are paying for majority of water. If a label has truly organic properties the botanists would have named it in Latin to identify the genus and species of the plant e.g. Peppermint as ‘Mentha Pepita’ as opposed to purely ‘Peppermint Oil’. I personally use Ere Perez Arnica Concealer as it contains arnica flower extract that has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties alongside cocoa butter and sunflower seed oil to promote antioxidant rich moisture.

It is important to build antioxidant processes to inhibit oxidation, where chemical reactions can produce free radicals (unpaired highly reactive molecules) that can damage and change cell DNA. Antioxidants can build up through vitamin C application directly on the skin, such as RORH’s Kakadu Plum Vit C Serum or ingesting antioxidant rich foods regularly, Davidson plum containing some of the highest antioxidant properties although having a bitter taste.

The French Paradox is epidemiologist’s observation of France having one of the lowest cardiovascular disease rates after Korea and Japan aside from high bread, oil and alcohol intake- it is assumed to the antioxidant properties of moulded cheese and red wine. I’m not promoting dairy or alcohol, they also eat at a smaller meals socially and have less processing of food, however it does highlight the significance of antioxidants alongside indulgent situations.

Gumbi Gumbi is a native tree (Pittosporum Augustifolium) of traditional bush-tucker that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples have consumed for thousands of years. It contains antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent colds, flus, combat cold sores and repair cracked lips. One of many incredible traditional bush tucker ingredients. For hydrated lips try to drink as much water as possible until you don’t need lip balm at all.

Contouring & Colour 

I like colour on the face where you naturally would get kissed by the sun. So you could add Ere Perez Beetroot colour tint to the highest points of your cheek bones to create a lift in the shape of your face as opposed to the centre of your cheeks that sometimes can create a drooped appearance. A touch of pink or red to the tip of your nose as the sun would. In combination with bronzing, crème bronzers and/or foundations in a darker hue of your skin tone have quite a natural look as well as a hydrating appearance. I love Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation as both a bronzer and a base. Application to look natural would be directly under the cheek bone to chizzle the face and the build-up can be as much as you desire that area to be defined. Bronze around the top of the forehead blended very well towards temples as the sun would touch it naturally. Bronzing the top of the forehead is good for people with high foreheads, as well as cheek bones for rounded faces that desire definition as dark hues draw the subject in and light draws the subject out so the shapes appearance can be curated.

Eyes & Eyeshadow

I love the education system Rae Morris has created. You can find the complimentary or intensifying colour matches to your eye based on true eyeshadow colours. I personally use my hands for my own makeup in combination of Rae’s Vegan Bronze brush and eyeshadow brushes as their brush texture and shape is articulated so beautifully.

Only powder T-Zone and allow eyelids, cheeks, outer aspects of face to glow from natural oil/perspiration, or apply Biode balm for dewy affect. Use Q tip and Micellar water to remove make-up from freckles to emphasise natural markings and use brow pencil to emphasise it if desired.

Using Naturopathic Philosophies in Your Beauty Routine

From what I have learned through study and life experience thus far when making conscious choices, I think it’s valuable to run through the Naturopathic Philosophies of:

• First do no harm – Avoid creating wastage, buying/applying harsh chemicals regularly, supporting businesses with corrupt intentions.
• Tolle Causum - Treat the cause. Don’t just cover health or insecurity problems, support within. This includes finding beauty products with active, helpful, and natural ingredients.
• Vis Medicatrix Naturae - Turn to the healing power of Nature, through time and resource. Find natural ingredients and spend time in nature for inner and outer healing.
• Tolle Totum - Treat the whole person (inside to outside / organs than skin, Nature, community, mind, body and spirit). For instance, the Medical Medium promotes the use of celery juice to treat internal gut issues to help prevent eczema and dermatitis.
• Prevention - Beware of products that invoke temporary positive reactions on your skin that you can become reliant on over time. Certain products can create specific hormonal reactions or surface level reactions that might work, but over time you become reliant on the product and if/when you stop using it, the problem will come back. Try to find products that treat the cause and therefore prevent ongoing issues. 

My Ethical Essentials :

- Bradwyn Jones Pro Styling Mat, environmentally friendly denim - Re- Comb, Marbled recycled plastic combs

- Kirin Street Vegan leather Kit

- Dalmatian Quartz Gua Sha

- Gracious Minds Oil to Milk Cleanser

- Biode balm

- Vanessa Megan Serums

- Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation (base and bronze)

- Ere Perez brow pencil

- Ere Perez jojoba eye liner

- Ere Perez Avocado waterproof mascara

- Cover FX translucent powder

- Vanessa Megan Rose Spray

- Mandarin & Basil lip balm

With love, 

Cassie Lapthorne

https://www.cassielapthorne.com/

You can find me at Saints of The Wild or work with me at The Uncommon Agency

Our in-house Makeup Artist Stass shares all the tips and tricks you should know for easy to do, everyday makeup looks. Achieve that effortless, barely there, makeup look that's simple, and enhances your natural features without packing on the product.

Prep and Protect Your Skin.

Perhaps the most crucial step to any makeup look is skin preparation. Regardless of whether you are using a foundation or skin tint that provides SPF, you should wear a physical sunscreen everyday. 

SUN JUJU have an excellent mineral based sunscreen which has SPF 50. It's non greasy formulation ensuring it does not compromise your makeup. We love it as it's plastic free, mineral and planet based, and is enriched with Kakadu Plum. 

Apply a thin layer of sunscreen all over face and neck, followed by a primer.

Applying Foundation.

As we want the end result to be very natural, I would recommend using your fingers to apply the product. You can dot the foundation on the skin in your key areas: cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Then massage the product into the skin the way you would a moisturiser. The warmth from your fingertips allows the product to melt seamlessly into the skin without the need for buffing it in.

How and Where to Apply Concealer. 

As the eye area is quiet delicate you want to use a creamy/ liquid concealer. This ensures that the area stays hydrated and doesn't cake or build up in the natural creases of the eye. Again, use your finger tips to pat the concealer into the skin. 

If concealing blemishes be sure to apply the product after foundation.

Use a translucent powder to set your makeup in place. This will increase the longevity of your makeup.

How to Contour and Highlight Your Face.

With your bronzer you want to frame your face by creating a ‘three’ shape figure, sweeping your brush across your forehead, cheekbone and down the jawline.

You can also use use your bronzer over the eyelids. Starting from your lash line and working your way up to the crease and blending it out with a small fluffy brush.

Work your blush upwards, starting from the the apples of your cheeks and up to the tops of your cheekbones.

For the Perfect Eyeliner and Lashes.

To create the perfect liquid line, start by looking straight ahead and mapping out where you want your flick to sit.

Connect your flick to the outer corner of the eye and using little strokes, work your way back towards the inner eye. 

The trick is to keep your eyes open and start with your least cooperative eye first. Let's be honest, we all have one eye that is easier to do liner on.

Tips on Styling Your Brows.

Using a brow powder or shadow and a thin angled liner brush, you want to start in the centre of your eyebrows. With small flicking strokes going upwards to mimic hairs. Continue with these strokes following the natural direction of the hairs all the ways to the end 

You just want to fill in the gaps of the brow, be sure not to over do it, as you still want them to appear natural.

Set the brows in place with a clear brow gel. This will stop them from wandering off into different directions throughout the day.

Pucker Up

When selecting a lip product, be sure to select something that is natural and vitamin enriched. 

Eye of Horus Bio Elixa is great option. Its non sticky formula is all natural and organic that nourishes and cares for lips while adding a sheer, sun-kissed glow.

And there you have it, the perfect everyday natural makeup look! 

Wear it, eat it, drink it – it’s like we have an obsession! With its pretty yellow flowers, bright green fronds, creamy white bulb and incredible health benefits, we’ve put together a spring degustation to hero our seasonal love – Fennel.

First, outfits perfect for spring, particularly when everyone starts flirting a bunch, in the delectable colourway Fennel…

This Fennel Salad recipe is our GM Katie's go-to...

Ingredients

• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 1 large fennel bulb, very thinly sliced
• 6 celery stalks, very thinly sliced
• ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves with tender stems
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
• 2 ounces Parmesan, shaved

Method
Simply toast the pine nuts until golden brown and let them cool. Toss the fennel, celery, parsley, and pine nuts together with lemon juice and oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with parmesan and enjoy.

Delicious and refreshing, the smokiness of the mezcal is perfectly balanced by sweet fennel and tart citrus in this spring cocktail ~ what more could you want?

Ingredients

• 3 slices fennel, sliced thinly
• 1⁄2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄4 oz. simple syrup
• 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 1⁄2 oz. mezcal

Method
Muddle the fennel with lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add grapefruit juice, mezcal and ice; shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fennel frond. It's that easy.

With its delicate floral flavour Rosehip is rich in antioxidants, with a high immune boosting dose of vitamin C and carotenoids to protect your skin against aging. 

Sharp and spicy, Pepper improves brain function, has incredible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and it may promote gut health that takes care of our immune system, mood and overall health. 

Harvest these seasonal faves, before they sell out - shop the collection. 

We should never feel guilty about listening to our bodies and giving them the love they need and deserve. Especially when it comes to topics that are typically taboo such as self-pleasure. September 4th is World Sexual Health Day and what goes better with the launch of our new intimates than a little bit of self-lovin’? We asked Rachel, the founder of LBDO about sexual wellness and why we need to look at our sexuality as a key part of our holistic health. 

We care about you, uncover a special offer at the end of this article to help you get through these strange times with a little bit more pleasure 😉

Can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself and the LBDO’s mission?

I was working as a PR Manager at L’Oreal when the pandemic hit last year and we were forced into a lockdown here in Victoria. During that time at home, I had the chance to re-evaluate my priorities and think about my future, and I felt an urge to do something I was more passionate about that would bring me greater purpose.

And so, I decided to take the leap and launch LBDO - a purpose-driven startup creating sexual wellness products that will elevate your bedroom essentials.

Our mission is to break down taboos and stigmas around sex and pleasure by normalising the surrounding conversation. We want to empower everybody to experience sexual pleasure and that starts with education. We want to give people a place they can come to learn, ask questions and have open, safe discussions about pleasure. We want to teach people that not only is pleasure their human right, but ways in which they can experience it, why they may not have experienced it and that it’s okay to feel good.

What inspired you to start a sexual wellness brand?

I wanted to take the plunge to do something that was going to make a difference and that would be fulfilling and meaningful.

The idea came about based on my own experience of not being able to find products that reflected me and my sexual experience. I remember going into a dingy sex store and being so intimidated and overwhelmed by the overtly phalic, tacky, bright pink and purple products that were staring back at me. I was always overcome with a feeling of shame and embarrassment - like it was something dirty I was doing. Similarly, when friends would talk about sex products or if they were gifted one for a hen’s night or birthday, it was always received as a bit of a joke and met with giggles. I felt there were no products on the market for ‘real people’, ones that really spoke to me and my sexual experiences - beautiful, vulnerable and unique. I wanted products that looked as beautiful as the skincare and fragrances I was buying, that were equally as functional and that I could leave out on display on my nightstand. I wanted to take the giggles out of owning and gifting pleasure products.

It’s taken a lot of work within myself to re-educate and learn to view sexual health as a fundamental part of my overall health. Ultimately, I want to be able to share this with others and remind people that sexual health is health and just as important as your mental and physical health - sexuality is an integral part of who we are and that is nothing to be ashamed of.

What are some of the hurdles you’ve come against in the industry?

Where to begin! It’s hard to look past the hurdle of launching during a global pandemic - launching a business at any stage is difficult but throwing in a global pandemic has meant that I’ve experienced a lot of additional challenges from shipping delays, production and manufacturing. Something that would usually be resolved in 10 minutes if you were in person has taken days because it’s much harder to explain things over video or a phone call.

Another big hurdle has been the restrictions on social media in the sexual wellness space - Facebook and Instagram don’t allow you to advertise any sex products so that’s made it tricky in terms of getting the brand out there and seen by more people. Pretty much every other industry allows you to promote your products so that’s definitely been a hurdle and something we’re still figuring out. One way we’re trying to get around this is by working with different influencers and brand ambassadors however - as much as we like to think that we’ve broken down the stigmas - the reality is that so many still don’t feel comfortable talking about it. I’ve found it more challenging than expected trying to get people to jump on board our mission and help us normalise the conversation around sex and pleasure. It’s super important to us so we’ll keep fighting for it so that everyone knows that pleasure is our human right.

So, it is World Sexual Health Day...apart from the very limited and highly stigma-filled education we get in school about STIs and STDs. What is sexual wellness?

In the same way that I take a holistic view of health, I apply the same approach to sexual wellness. Sexual wellness to me is connected to our emotional, physical and relational wellbeing; it includes things such as how comfortable we feel in our skin, how connected we feel to ourselves and our desires, and how we feel in our relationships. It’s important that we create a space for people to be able to access comprehensive and factual sex education, learn about broad and diverse perspectives and experiences of sex, so ultimately we can choose what will empower our own sexual wellness journeys.

Why is sex an important part of a holistic health regime?

At LBDO, we look at health in a really holistic manner and your mental health, physical health and sexual health are all integral parts to that. There are so many benefits to investing in your sexual health - easing stress, boosting your mood, building connection with yourself and with others, and so much more. When we feel good mentally and physically (i.e. more energised and less stressed), we generally want to have more sex and invest in our sexual pleasure. Just like we prioritise our mental and physical health, sexual health is key to helping us function and feel our best.

How can we bring sexual wellness into relationships and our solo practices?

• Shift the conversation and internal dialogue - make it a joyful conversation and a celebration instead of a conversation based on fear, stigma and taboo.
• Start by making it a priority in your life - educate yourself on topics surrounding sexual health - whether that’s broader discussions around sexual health and it’s origins or the anatomy of your own body. As they say, knowledge is power and there is nothing more empowering than understanding yourself and your body more.
• Masturbate - connect with your body and mind, give yourself pleasure and make time for things that feel good. There is nothing shameful about masturbating; if it feels good for you, incorporate sex toys into your practice. Our Essensual Vibe is a great beginner vibrator for all erogenous zones.
• In your relationship, prioritise open communication - tell your partner(s) what feels good for you and what you need from each other in the relationship. While they might seem like hard conversations to have, investing in your relationship through constant open dialogue helps to build a really healthy relationship based on trust and open communication.

Why do you think so many women have disconnected from prioritising pleasure in their lives?

For so long, whether it be through a lack of thorough and inclusive sex education, porn, books or television, we’ve been fed an unrealistic and inaccurate depiction of sex and sexuality. When people think about sex, they more often than not think about penis-in-vagina, heteronormative intercourse, whereby the ‘act’ ends when the male ejaculates. Of course, sex and sexuality is so much broader than that and this kind of information and messaging can be really harmful as it doesn’t take into account a woman's sexual needs or desires. Sex education should be so much more than putting a condom on a banana and understanding how babies are made. We really need to shift the conversation to empowering people with information in a really positive, joyful way and teaching people that they have a right to experience pleasure - however they may like to experience it.

What do you think these on and off again lockdowns have done to people’s sexual wellness?

I think it’s fair to say that none of us feel our best right now! With all of the challenges that come from being confined to your house, there’s a good chance that in one way or another, our physical, mental and sexual selves have been impacted. These lockdowns may have affected how comfortable and confident we feel in our skin, how we are feeling and behaving in our relationships and how connected we feel to our wants and needs, so it’s only natural that your overall sexual health and sense of wellbeing has been impacted in some way. While everyone and their experience is different, just know that no matter what you are feeling - I guarantee you are not alone.

What are some tips to reconnect with one’s pleasure?

• Dedicate time to self-love and make it a priority. Pleasure is different for everybody because every body is different so this can look different for everyone. Whatever it is for you, make time for things that feel good. Some things that you might enjoy are having a date night with yourself, masturbating, watching ethical porn, journaling, giving yourself a massage, running a bath, reading your favourite book, cooking, catching up with friends, reading erotic literature, spending time in nature. Whatever it is, invest in things that make you feel good.
• Explore our range of inclusive guided self-pleasure audios and browse through our educational posts on our blog, The Talk.
• I encourage everyone to read, listen to podcasts, start to have really open and honest conversations with the people around you, become familiar with your body and what feels good for you.

For a topic that is sadly still typically taboo, how do you recommend we as women open up the conversation more? And, particularly parents with their children?

• Start by educating yourself so you’re better equipped to have these conversations with the people around you, and particularly your children. Start viewing pleasure as a human right, instead of something that’s shameful or embarrassing. Speak about it with friends and your children in this light as well. Sex and pleasure should never be painful or embarrasing.
• Knowledge is so powerful so providing this information to your children is only going to be beneficial for them in understanding themselves more.
• Remember, if you don’t pass this knowledge onto your children, they will become curious and research this information themselves and there’s still so much inaccurate and harmful information out there when it comes to sex. If you don’t feel comfortable having these conversations with them, you might like to buy them a book or point them to a safe place where they can go to learn in a really comfortable environment.

Is there a particular product you’d recommend for those just starting out on their self-pleasure journey?

Our Essensuals Bundle is a great beginner toolkit to start investing and prioritising your pleasure. In particular, our Essensual Vibe is an external vibrator that’s made with the highest quality medical grade silicone and is a great tool for any level of experience. There’s no correct way to do sex - whether solo or partnered - so start by exploring what feels good for you know that there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. You deserve to feel good.

Relax and unwind with a new intimates set from globetrottersiraconlineusa and some sexual wellness products from LBDO.

Take 20% off your next full price purchase from LBDO 

Take 25% off full priced Faith Intimates

Go on, you deserve it. 

Next in our Artist & Muse series we're introducing you to one of our favourite celestial beings, Annie. 

We've been following Annie's journey for some time, admiring her art and words as she shares her magical journey through life. Below we talk to this local creative about her work, life this year through turbulent times and her endlessly intriguing approach to healing with earth's energy. 

Meet our dream girl below…

Annie, please introduce yourself…
My name is Annie, I am an independent artist and the creator of DreamyMoons. I am currently living in my dream location - Northern Rivers, NSW. I moved to Australia when I was 11 years old from Moscow, Russia, where I was born and where I spent my childhood frolicking in magical forests and reading endless fantasy books, that to this day inspire my art. Apart from art, I enjoy yoga, cooking, hiking, spending time with horses and reading.

What has this year been like for you?
A lot of changes happened earlier this year. I separated with my partner, moved houses, went through some health problems. But for the past month, I have finally been feeling incredible and back in my creative flow. I am learning to embrace change, because in the end it all works out for the best. I truly believe all these difficulties I went through earlier were necessary for me to enter this new chapter of life, which so far has been incredible.

How was Dreamy Moons born and how has it evolved?
I have always been drawing and writing. Since I learned how to write, my hobby was creating my own little books. I would write a simple story, illustrate it, and staple the pages together. When I finished high school I was afraid of the competition in the art and design field, I didn’t feel like I had anything to bring to the table. I went to study naturopathy instead which was incredible, and I loved it so much, but something was missing. It was creativity, of course. I decided to open an Etsy shop simply in hope that it would motivate me to paint and create more once I see that others like what I do. I didn’t ever think I would create a successful business and actually make books, for real this time! It was just a project for fun. I named my shop DreamyMoons because back then, all I did was paint watercolour moons.

What are the methods you use to stimulate energetic expansion and self-exploration?
Yoga and solo time in nature. Yoga allows me to get in touch with my body, mind and soul. My inner world. It allows me to slow down and go inwards, reflect and process. Solo time in nature allows me to go outwards. Observing the trees, birds, butterflies all existing in perfect harmony brings me so much inner peace. I also get a lot of creative ideas when I am walking or hiking.

I feel connected to the earth when …
I am naked swimming in a creek, or gardening under the morning sun.

I’m passionate about …
Healing and helping others through my art and books.

I feel powerful when …
I am doing yoga!

My happiness derives from …
Living my truth and seeing others around me happy.

Our next Full Moon is on August 22nd in Aquarius; what does this represent for you and what ritual will you practice?
I love getting together with girlfriends to watch the full moon rise over the ocean. We always bring journals and incense and an oracle/tarot deck. We normally journal about what we are letting go and safely burn that page, and journal about all we want to call in and manifest.

What’s next for you?
My next big release will be my annual 2022 Year of Growth Books, diaries full of astrology, self reflection prompts, affirmations and intention setting. I am very excited about this one because it’s my 4th diary and the previous 3 diaries sold out so incredibly fast. They will be released on dreamymoons.com.au on the 5th September!

Spread the magic...
We’ve partnered with Dreamy Moons to bring you a giveaway from the stars! Enter to win a pack of soul whisper cards and a gratitude journal.

So for Plastic Free July 2021 we reached out and asked Alice, as a conservationist and marine biologist, to talk to us about marine plastic pollution and her passion for protecting what she loves. 

And as an added bonus follow the link at the bottom of the article to download a digital version of the book that started our beautiful relationship. Enjoy!

This month for Plastic Free July, globetrottersiraconlineusa asked me to share my story and some of the science behind marine plastic pollution. You’ve probably seen the images of turtles entangled in trash, or picked up pieces of plastic from your local beach or waterway, and you know that plastic is a HUGE problem for our oceans and our entire planet. But just how big is the problem really? And most importantly, what can I do as an individual to make a difference?

To start with, why am I here talking to you about trash? I’ve studied marine plastic pollution for the last decade, documenting plastic on the most polluted beach in the world (Henderson Island) and inside commonly eaten fish. Right now I’m based in Coral Bay, on the magical Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, where I work as a guide taking people to swim with manta rays, whale sharks and humpback whales. For me, this is the perfect platform to communicate the magic of the ocean, connect people to it, and inspire them to live more sustainably. When I’m not under the ocean, you’ll find me giving lectures about ocean conservation, driving boats as a guide in Antarctica, or living in my off-grid tiny home in the hills of Byron Bay. I believe in protecting what I love, and that everyone can be custodians of this incredible ocean planet we live on.

So, how big is the plastic pollution problem?
In a nutshell, this is an absolutely massive problem. Plastic has been found inside creatures at the bottom of the deepest ocean, raining down onto mountains, blowing onshore in sea breezes, and frozen into sea ice in the remote Arctic. It’s unlikely anywhere on our planet is untouched by the stuff. And while awareness is growing fast, unfortunately so is plastic production - it’s projected to triple by 2040 without urgent action.

Here’s a few quick stats to sum it up:

• Around 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year - at least 10% of this is fishing nets, and over 80% comes from land-based sources (every river leads to the sea).
• 95% of plastic packaging is single use or throwaway products (like chip packets and other food wrapping) despite being made of a material which can last forever.
• One fleece jacket, in one wash cycle, can shed 250,000 synthetic fibres - these microfibres usually aren’t caught by wastewater treatment plants and can flush straight into the sea.
• There’s over 236,000 tonnes of microplastic floating in our oceans - the equivalent of around 8000 humpback whales.
• The average human eats and drinks about a credit card worth of plastic a week along with their water, shellfish & salt.

What can I do about it?
The great news about this problem is that we already have all the solutions we need to make a huge positive difference. This is NOT about feeling guilty every time you forget your reusable coffee cup, or wear lycra (in fact, that’s probably just how the plastic producing companies want us to feel, like it’s all our fault). This is about making changes in our own lives, in our communities, and on a global scale, that will reduce single use plastic.

So to get started: reduce plastic use wherever you can!

Start small if this seems like a huge challenge. You could do a plastic audit - what are the main things you find in your trash? And what can you switch them to that’s reusable & sustainable? Some easy places to start are getting reusable cups, bottles, bags & takeaway containers. From there you can think bigger - bulk shops, microbead-free face wash, clothing made of non-synthetic fabrics, shampoo bars, the possibilities are endless (and a quick google will give you a solution for whatever you want to switch). We don’t need a handful of perfect plastic-free people, we need millions of people doing this imperfectly.
From there, we need to think bigger - how can we transition our communities, even our countries, to drastically reduce plastic use? You could start a local group to do cleanups or education nights. Chat to local cafes & businesses about plastic alternatives. Talk to local council members about their policies for waste. Support businesses that are actively reducing their waste (and tell companies who aren’t doing it right exactly why you aren’t buying their products). Vote for politicians who endorse legislation like banning single use plastics (this is happening right now in Australia, where many single use plastics are being phased out by 2025, but this won’t happen without our continued support).

We all have something to offer - a skill, passion, something you’re good at - now find a way to use your superpower to make a difference. The Japanese call this your ikigai - using your talents to provide what the world needs. So whether that’s illustration, public speaking, product design or leadership, you have something unique to help us shift to a world without a throwaway culture or oceans filled with trash.

For me, this looks like sharing information through my work as a guide and empowering people to make changes in their own lives. It means writing articles like this one and starting conversations. It means sharing the science, alongside the solutions. It means partnering with talented friends like Harriet Spark  to create a free book and sharing it around - you can download Micro Plastics, Massive Problem here.

Thanks for reading & thanks for being part of this huge movement to create a more awesome planet.

You can follow my journey on Instagram: @aliceforrest 

🌏

Alice wears the Phoebe Mini Dress in Waterfall & the Honey One Piece in Rosè (on sale now).

We’ve forever been inspired by the spellbinding, wonderland that Mother Nature has provided as our playground. When looking at the most beautiful places in the world, it’s often been impossible to decide where to visit next. But with border closures, travel restrictions and ongoing uncertainty, location scouting for our shoots and campaigns has been a challenge in the past year. With the pandemic driving our return to home, and as we all adapt to change, exploring the raw beauty of our homeland, Australia, has been one of our most positive outcomes.

When we started mood boarding Forget Me Not, we began with our girl. An adventure seeker, strong and decisive, playful and romantic, with an absolute lust for living. With a deep connection to Mother Nature, we saw her steeped in shades of earth, in carefree silhouettes collecting memories and extraordinary experiences. We let our wanderlust run free as we thought about where she might explore.

Taking cues from those sorely missed days of travel, globetrottersiraconlineusa began flicking through photographs from her 2018 family trip around Australia…

"This is it, one of the most magical places on earth - Cape Leveque – it’s truly unforgettable."

Cape Leveque is at the northernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Situated some 240 kilometres north of Broome, on native title land, globetrottersiraconlineusa recalled the astonishing diversity, pristine wilderness and unique landscape with such warmth and longing, we knew we had found the location.

"Cape Leveque was my favourite part of Australia. It’s a land of diverse and stark beauty, where the red earth meets the pure blue sky. As we were driving in, along this remote dirt road, hours from Broome, we were met with a traditionally dressed indigenous man holding a spear on his way to fish the Cape. It’s a place that transports you to a world that feels so far away right now. I love the wild landscape and the traditional owners still living off and in harmony with the land. Completely deserted white sand beaches, rugged red cliffs, clear turquoise water and sunsets that set your heart on fire. I’ve never felt so connected."

So, when the opportunity presented, our team of four headed off to WA to capture our new collection, Forget Me Not.

From Broome our team travelled to Lombadina, before heading on to Cygnet Bay and our final destination Cape Leveque. The sandy red road led us to a wonderland that we couldn’t wait to explore. Crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and iron red rocks that punctuated wide open spaces only later to be burnt by the deep, rich shades of sunset.  

Isolated and idyllic, Cape Leveque is cared for by traditional custodians, the Bardi Jawi people. Originally known as Kooljaman, it’s believed to have been first populated by Indigenous Australians 40,000 years ago, with the history of sacred song lines and places of dreaming shared through lore.

We are showered every day with the gifts of Mother Earth, and it is eminently present at Cape Leveque. The Bardi Jawi culture understands and preserves the covenant of reciprocity. Their way of life is conducted with the inherent knowing that for the Earth to stay in balance and for the gifts to continue to flow, we must give back in equal measure for what we take. The indigenous communities of Cape Leveque share their knowledge and stories with guests through guided tours, and open invitation to spiritually connect with country.

We were able to connect with that sense of spirit as we experienced this wonderful part of country. Respectfully using the canvas that Mother Nature has provided to capture the beauty of our sustainable collection Forget Me Not, our intention to live in reciprocity was strengthened evermore. Everything that we choose to create is done so in balance with the ecological systems of Mother Earth so that life as we know it can flourish, and to this we will forever be committed.

This collection was born of freedom and adventure and became a celebration of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Crafted from natural, organic fibres we hope that each piece from Forget Me Not  inspires unforgettable moments and are worn in homage to Mother Earth.

RULES + PRIZE INFO

1. Follow @arnhem_clothing on Instagram
2. Screenshot our Plastic Free July Bingo card.
3. Complete as many Bingo squares that you can each week and share your accomplishments on your Instagram by tagging @arnhem_clothing in the image and tagging #Ecoglobetrottersiraconlineusa in the comments.
4. Submit your Bingo entries before 9am AEST each Friday for your chance to win the week’s $50 voucher.

Please Note: If your Instagram account is private, you must send @arnhem_clothing  a Direct Message with your submissions.

Submission Dates
July 9th
July 16th
July 23th
July 30th

5. A winner will be announced each Friday during the month of July. Please note we will contact you direct through Instagram via our official @arnhem_clothing Instagram account, and announce the winner in our Stories and on the blog.

The contest period will run from 1/7/2021 to 30/7/2021 at 9am AEST.

We reserve the right to revise the Contest Period at any time.

Prize Information.
If you win, you will receive a $50 gift card to use online or in-store!

Let The Games Begin Planet Lovers 🌏

Mars, or in reality, the outback of NSW had to be the magical shoot location for our latest collection, Nomada.

When we were designing this collection at the same time, we were selecting new pictures from globetrottersiraconlineusa’s childhood for our About page. Reminiscing and exploring globetrottersiraconlineusa’s nomadic family history, rich with adventure and colour, inspired a collection that epitomises freedom and an everlasting feeling of connection with nature. So, when we found this post on Insta, we knew that this otherworldly landscape had to be the backdrop for this collection.

In April we flew into Broken Hill and then took a short car journey to Silverton to stay and shoot part one of the campaign at the iconic, Silverton Hotel.  If you’ve ever watched Mad Max II then you’ve seen this landmark pub. It’s like something straight out of a country and western movie. Donkeys roam free, there’s classic Aussie memorabilia everywhere, and dust whirlwinds make this place was such a vibe. The people are so sweet and lovely, we naturally had to get onboard and pay homage to the outback by sinking a cold beer and trying the famous hotdogs, all while taking in the sheer beauty of the landscape from the verandas and the porch. The Silverton was the absolute dream for our day one shoot and was an awesome introduction to what was about to become one of the most wondrous adventure trips of our lifetime.

 The next morning after the shoot at Silverton, we set off before sunrise, taking a five-hour car journey through untouched land on roads that seemingly ran on forever. You could literally drive for kilometres without ever seeing a soul, other than perhaps an emu that punctuates the scrub and endless sea of reds and browns. We were headed for the Mungo Lodge that would act as our basecamp from which to explore the World Heritage, Mungo National Park.

Super remote, the Mungo Lodge was the perfect location for us to maximise our time, right on the doorstep of Mungo National Park. It was a beautiful place to stay, with incredible food and amazingly friendly staff. The team at Mungo Lodge helped us to organise our tour with a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Aboriginal Discovery guide, and this tour literally blew our mind.

The one thing that we were not prepared for was the weather: it was freezing! After piling on literally the entire contents of our carry-on luggage we headed out to Mungo to start the tour. We were welcomed to Country and then followed our guide to the Walls of China to learn about the immense cultural and geological significance of the site.

In awe of this otherworldly landscape, we discovered that over 40 years ago the remains of a man were found that proved what the traditional custodians of the land already knew; Aboriginals had inhabited the land forever. The Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area covers 2400sq.km of semi-arid saltbush plains of south-western NSW. In geological layers dating back 50,000 years the bones of both Mungo Man and Mungo Lady were found at Willandra. Archaeologists unearthed evidence of occupation, burials and ceremonies making it the world’s oldest ritual site. This discovery helped to propel the growing indigenous rights movement.

The Willandra Lakes Region dried up about 18,500 years ago, but they left behind precious relics of the Pleistocene era. Excavation revealed evidence of early human history from tools to materials and seeds, and it’s said up to 460 fossilized Aboriginal footprints - the largest such collection in the world. We felt privileged and humbled to walk in the footsteps of the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi Aboriginal people who have lived here for millennia.

Mungo Man cared for his Country and kept safe the special men's knowledge. By his lore and ritual activity, he kept the land strong and his culture thriving. This indigenous tribes of this area to this day keep this precious cultural heritage and traditional knowledge alive.

We then went on to learn more about this unique, Mars-like landscape and the work that goes into protecting this fragile environment to ensure that it’s preserved for future generations to come. We learnt about how climate change since the last ice age has shaped the land’s geography creating the etched dunes called the Walls of China and the breathtaking lunettes. It’s astonishing to think that the force of Mother Nature will continue to evolve this ever-changing landscape long after we have gone.

Spending two days in this breathtaking natural environment reminded us to take a step back and revel in the complex simplicity of life. Being so isolated allowed us to be void of light pollution by night and open ourselves to the majesty of the galaxy under the perfect dome of stars. The gentle rhythms of colour and light from the spectacular sunrises to the burnt tones of sunsets reset our circadian clocks in a way that no amount of meditation ever could.

We are forever grateful to Mother Earth and the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi Aboriginal people to have experienced the magic of Mungo.

So, what are you waiting for?
Visit: Mungo National Park