EcoSewer

I came across Sam from EcoSewer a few months ago when I was looking for a wetbag.  I bought one and was so pleased with it I wanted to review her pads.  So I did.  I choose the pink owl cotton flannel print and I was really happy with the pretty fabrics that were on offer.

 

This is approximately 8.5 inch long, 2.75 inch wide cotton flannel topped, PUL backed regular pad.  It has a flannel core. It has lovely rounded off edges and neat stitching.

I wore this on a regular flow day for 3 hours (I could have worn it for longer) then again on a light day. It soaked up well and didn't feel to damp.  Because of the PUL back I worried it might slip around in my knickers, but it doesn't. The size is just right for me it's so comfortable I couldn't even feel that it's there.

 

You can find the shop here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EcoSewer?ref=s2-header-shopname

Look what was waiting for me

These were waiting at the sorting office today.  I bought them from Jacqui at DDB Secrets.  They are even more stunning in real life.  Beautiful.

A Diagnosis

Hello.  Apologies for my silence the past week.  I've had a diagnosis at last and I've been trying to get my head around it.  I have fibromyalgia.  It's a relief that it isn't all in my head to be honest.  The NHS website gives some useful information about the condition and how to relieve symptoms.  http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/pages/introduction.aspx

This means I need to make some lifestyle changes including ensuring I keep active and exercise.  The problem with this however, is getting the balance right as if I do too much the backlash is not pleasant.  Also, getting the right amount of undisturbed sleep is a big deal for me and then there's getting my medication right. 

My aim is to get well enough to return to work at least part time if possible.  If anyone has any tips about managing with fibro please do not hesitate to get in touch, these are just my personal experiences, I am definitely not an expert.

Period Panties

I recently ordered these from littlebooteek.co.uk and they are fab for using in conjunction with your CSP.  They are not your normal dingy, 'orrible period pants.  They're colourful and funky.  Made by Harebrained, they are 95% cotton 5% elastane so they have just the right amount of stretch to them.

Unlike most pants the gusset is stiched right from the top of the pants to just behind where the wings of your pad would sit (the seam).  This means that there is no slippage or moving about of the pad.

How to live on a budget

Because of my health, money is very tight at the moment.  I've decided to write a series of blogs about living Eco friendly and not breaking the bank.  For me, this is a big issue and I often have to compromise.  A lot of the time it does mean a bit of extra effort is required.

I grow my own veg for the cost of the seeds and compost and use dishwater and the water butt for watering.  This means that when the time comes I'll be able to freeze produce for the future if I have too much. I use white vinegar instead of rinse aid in the dishwasher and for getting smells out of nappies. I use a few products for a multitude of tasks around the house which means I don't have to get loads of  different ones when I'm out.  I bought some Eco balls a while ago which means I don't need washing liquid/powder and it's safer for the environment.  Bicarbonate of  soda is a good for cleaning the bathroom.  Make it into a paste and leave on for a while then scrub it off.  It is also a fab deodoriser. I make my own shampoo, rinse and soap. I make my soap in large batches so I only have to cough up money for ingredients once in a while.

All this being said, I shop at Aldi and Lidl for the majority of our food as we can't afford to eat organic.  I will in the future be posting about the cost of living from local shops instead of the supermarket as this is definitely something that I believe in and I would like to swap if we can. 

My Favourite Things. 2- Tea

When Jo from Boobalou asked me to review some reusable tea bags for her I jumped at the chance and was also intrigued.  I love tea, any type.  The teabags are handmade by Made by Gutice and they are very, very cute.  Made of food grade muslin, organic cotton string and a wooden bead (which is functional as well as looks pretty)

There are two sizes, small and medium.  The small is perfect for one or two mugs of tea and the medium was great to use in a tea pot for a couple of uses.  I filled them up using a tea spoon, tightened the drawstring then used it in place of my normal tea bag.  Afterwards I just turned them inside out and gave them a rinse to get off any tea leaves and to get the residue out.  I also had a go at washing them after a few uses.  I used ecoballs and put the bags in a mesh laundry bag to protect them.  You don't want to be using detergent with them as you'll end up with really nasty tasting tea and lets face it.  Who really wants to eat detergent?

As you probably know already, tea does stain so they do come out looking darker than when they went in which is to be expected.  I used jasmine green tea in mine, it was given to me by a friend who came back with it from holiday and I didn't have a strainer or anything to put it in until now, so I'm a very happy bunny.  I wasn't paid for this review.

My Favourite Things. 1- Music

Music is a huge part of my life.  When I'm happy I sing, when I'm sad I just listen.  From hard, industrial heavy rock to classical, I'm very eclectic.  I listen To Emilie Autumn, The Stone Roses, Enya, Clannad, Ludovico Einaudi, Muse and in the car at the moment I've got Pendulum.

Today I'm focussing on Einaudi.  My favourite track is I Giorni, because it takes me to a place where I can really relax.  His chord progressions are completely stunningly beautiful and I love how his music builds and builds and then changes and I can get lost in it.  So lost that I can listen to it at bedtime.

I also play the piano so I really appreciate how hard it is to do things which are different in each hand.  As well as being a really talented pianist he also uses orchestral instruments on his newest album "In a Time Lapse" which gives a different dimension to his music.  I listened to his album recital broadcast from home and it sounds so different but amazing just using the piano.