Fancy a Challenge for the Planet this January?

With New Years just days away, I thought it would be only fitting to end 2018 with a challenge for us all during January, the challenge is Veganuary.

You see, Veganuary is a pledge to try and eat Vegan for a month. Now, before you say "not a chance", I love meat etc, I just want to throw this out there... You don't have to do the month, in fact you don't have to even try veganism. This challenge for me is about trying something new. So go veggie for a week, try being vegan for 1 day a week during the month, or just challenge your self to only eat meat once or twice a week.

Most of us are now aware of the effects that meat eating is having on the planet, from the CO2 production, to the animal welfare. It has now been calculated that  on average, one person going vegan will save 200 animals a year, that means, by taking on the Veganuary challenge, in just 1 month you'll have spared at least 17 animals lives. This may not sound like much, but with an estimated 300,000 already signed up to Veganuary that's over 5 million animals saved in just one month, which is pretty darn impressive. Turn that into CO2 levels and that's about 6 million tons of CO2 not being released into the atmosphere (in just ONE MONTH).

Apart from the planet and animal welfare, the industry also takes a significant toll on the people who work in the abattoirs and slaughter houses that supply us so readily with meat. For instance, have a read of the piece that opened my eyes here. It discusses the mental health issues of vulnerable people who work at slaughter houses, which is something that the majority of  us have probably never considered before.

And finally, there are all the health reasons, from reduced blood pressure, and cholesterol, to a fall in type 2 diabetes, going vegan has helped cure conditions such as  poly-cystic ovaries. Plus the fact that your veg and fruit intake naturally skyrockets, because well, that's all you can eat.

So I hope you're up to the challenge, whether that's for a week, a day or the full month. To help get you started and  provide some great vegan recipes, below are some delicious meals you can whip up, along with some accidental vegan food, and restaurants with a vegan menu if you want to eat out!

Vegan Lunches

     Grilled Corn and Nectarine Salad                                                                                             Vegetable Pepper and Potato Paella 

Madeleine Shaw

     Baked Sweet Potato with Pomegranate Tabbouleh                                                                 Turmeric, Ginger and Sweet Potato Soup

  Madeleine Shaw                                                                                                                                                                      Sheerluxe

     Healthy Noodle Soup                                                                                                  Pumpkin and Mushroom Soup

     Sheerluxe                                                                                                                                                                      Good to Know

Vegan Dinners

     Bang Bang Cauliflower with Sweet and Spicy Sauce                                                         Avocado & Coconut Noodles With Edamame Beans, Lime & Ginger

     Deliciously Ella                                                                                                                                                        Madeleine Shaw

Maple Roasted Kale and Green Bean Salad                                                                             Cinnamon Potato Tacos

Madeliene Shaw                                                                                                                                                                         Sheerluxe

Vegan Bacon                                                                                                           Sticky BBQ 'Ribs'

Deliciously Ella                                                                                                                                                                   Avant Garde

Cheesy Stuffed Squash                                                                                                     Creamy Mushroom & Herb Pasta

Avant Garde                                                                                                                                                                                        Deliciously Ella 

Kentucky Fried Chickn Burger                                                                               Chorizo Style Seitan Hot Dogs Caramelised Cider Onions

Avant Garde

Katsu Curry                                                                                                                        BBQ Shroom Bun

Avant Garde

Spagetti Bolognese                                                                                                                    The Tastiest Vegan Chilli

The Happy Foodie                                                                                                                                                                                                  Deliciously Ella

Vegan Snacks

Healthy Blondie Brownies                                             Chocolate Energy Balls

Madeleine Shaw 

Honey Almond Popcorn                                                                       Pan Fried Cinnamon Banana

Naturally Ella                                                                                                                                             Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Accidental Vegan Food

Sweets - Starbursts, skittles, love hearts, Lindt Chocolate over <70% dark
Crisps - walkers, hulahoops, kettle and tyrrells, Pringles
Biscuits - Bourbons, Party Rings, Oreos, Lotus, Chocolate Chip Hobnobs, Fox’s Dark Chocolate Chunkie Cookies

Restaurants with Vegan Menus

All Bar One, Le Pain Quotidien, Zizzi, Las Iguanas, Wagamama, Pret, Ask Italian, Handmade Burger Company, Carluccio’s, Yo! Sushi, Loungers, JD Wetherspoon, Bella Italia, Turtle Bay, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut, La Tasca, Itsu, Toby Carvery

So there's your lot, from inspiration to easy options and places you can eat out if you choose to take on a little challenge this month. Whether you try a day, a week or a month as a Veggie/Vegan you will be doing your little bit to help reduce animal consumption and also help the environment as well.

I'd love to hear how you get on so please, drop me a message with your favourite recipes and experiences!

Love
E

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An Ethical and Sustainable Christmas Gift Guide

As Christmas is just around the corner, of course I couldn't help creating my annual gift list filled with, what I hope is a little inspiration for you. Whether you're trying to find something for those who are always busy, love to host, love to spend a night on the sofa or are an explorer.

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Black Friday; What you should know

With Black Friday upon us yet again, it's very easy to get caught up in the excitement of a good deal and the satisfaction that you believe you've grabbed a bargain.  You may add an item you were 'umming and arring' about but the low price tag made you think, why not. What you may not realise though, is that

87% of those 'Black Friday' deals are actually cheaper at other periods of the year, demonstrating that the whole day is not what people have been led to believe. In reality, instead of impulse buying, if you really want something that's a little more pricey,  watch it for a couple of months and grab it when you see a reasonable price could save you even more money.

At John Lewis for instance you can ask to know what the prices have been on the item you're interested in over the past few months, just so you're more aware of whether you're actually getting a good deal or not.

Black Friday means bugger all to the people in the UK. It's just something that US businesses have forced upon us in an attempt to increase their cash flow before December hits. It's feels pretty empty and soul less, and something that let's all be honest, we don't really care about or need.

Now I'm not saying don't buy an item on Black Friday, I'm merely asking that we all don't buy something for the sake of the low price. We have enough items in our wardrobes that we've bought because it was 3 for 2 or half price that we have worn only a handful of times. We really don't all need another.

Instead, view Black Friday as an opportunity to really support an ethical company if they are having a sale and show your support for the hard work they are doing to try and make the world a little bit better.

For instance, support Nike trainers who have chosen to back Colin Kaepernick who stood up against racial injustice by kneeling for the US anthem, instead of supporting New Balance who donated $400,000 to a Trump Victory Campaign.

Visit Weekday or Arket who use large amounts of recycled polyester and organic cotton instead of shopping in Topshop who have made very little attempt to get on the sustainability band wagon and who's owner is currently facing a serious string of sexual allegations.

Grab a bra and pant set from Organic Basics, Swedish Eco or Green Fibres who are all using organic cotton, carefully selected factories and all have sustainability at the heart of the business instead of grabbing a Calvin Klein Bra and Pant set.

Grab shoes from TOMS who have just donated $5 million to Gun violence charities in the US and donate a pair of shoes every time someone buys a pair of shoes instead of New Look who's low cost materials and bargains are fueling the fast fashion fire or head to WEARECOW who although they aren't having a sale are donating all money from purchases to charity on Black Friday.

You see, where we spend our money really does impact the future. If Iceland's palm oil free mince pies can sell out in Selfridges, and companies are having to talk more about their impact since Blue Planet 2, we too can show our support and encourage businesses to do better. Choosing to support businesses that are striving to create real positive change, instead of those who aren't, sends a clear message - that we are all conscious consumers, and we want to spend our money with companies that care about more than just their profit margin!

So this Black Friday, instead of just adding rubbish to your basket, ask yourself
1. Do you need this item?
2. Will you really use this item?
3. Does the company do good?
4. Am I actually getting a good deal?
5. And finally, was the environment or the workers negatively impacted by the item?

Because the more we know about where our things come from, the more we can do to make businesses clean up their act too!

Lots of Love
Erin

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The Age of Being Lonely; A Call To Us All

We are constantly connected.

A text, whatsapp, snapchat, ig message or phone call. Being along is a thing most don't experience.

Yet we have all experienced that rising panic when we think we've lost our phone, that anxiety and feeling of dread. But why it is so scary? It's not about the loss of the phone, that's annoying but can be solved, I've come to the conclusion that it's the loss of being constantly connected. Not being able to see what others are feeling, instantly message someone as soon as the thought pops into our mind or unable to navigate on our own. Our phones have become so integrated into our day to day lives that we have forgotten how to live without it.

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My Favourite Ethical and Sustainable Blogs For All Your Sustainability Needs

Over the past year, I have found myself looking at what others in the sustainability industry are talking about to decipher where the next sustainability movement will come from. From plastic straws and coffee cups to fast fashion, they have been discussed for far longer than what most people are aware of.

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Here's How We Can All Help Reduce Coffee Waste in the Industry

Coffee is the fuel that gets the majority of us through our working day, so it's no surprise that collectively, we consume 95 million cups of coffee in the UK daily. Our heavy consumption of  the drink that provides our brains with energy and keeps us awake when our work is dull, however has taken its toll on the environment.

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24 Hours in Keswick; Walking With Alpacas at Alpacaly Ever After

For Mothers day earlier this year, I was determined to come up with a present not like any other I had given her. I wanted it to be outdoors, relaxed but most of all, fun. That let me to purchasing a Walking With Alpacas Experience at Alpacaly Ever After, located about 10 minutes from the centre of Keswick.

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What are the Most Sustainable High Street Brands?

There I was the other day, stood on Oxford Street wondering where an earth to go. I must have spun around 4 or 5 times trying to decide which shop to find some sustainable clothes and you know what? I came up with two shops, two shops which I knew were ethical/ had ethical ranges!

It got me thinking that we spend so much time on high streets but don't really know that much about the brand behind the name and it's quite a challenge to decipher who would come out on top in terms of sustainability. With so much information and initiatives out there it can be really hard to tell what is true and what is green washing to make us continue to buy and feel good.

Although the high street shops wouldn't be classed as sustainable brands there is quite a difference between them and so below is my rough list of the companies / collections with strong sustainability campaigns. Many of the brands would are what you would deem as fast fashion but they are doing a lot more than many others out their to improve the fabrics they use and the conditions people work in.

ASOS

Although not technically high street, with next day delievery (if it actually arrives on time) is nearly just as good. ASOS are up there in sustainability which always seems to surprise people. With their recent announcement to stop selling real silk, feathers and mohair by 2019 along with there HUGE quantity of sustainability initiatives they really are making waves to a sustainable future. Their Eco Edit section on their website also offers a easy guide for you to locate top quality products easily.

Weekday

What you may not know is weekday is owned by H&M but there strong sustainability commitment which is all about fair living wages, environmental performance and animal welfare means the correct things are being examined. Finally, their use of recycled and organic materials in their clothing means they are above many other brands.

H&M Conscious

H&M Conscious continues to grow every year. The brand continues to try and innovate within the sustainability circle in particular, being the largest purchaser of organic cotton. There new collections continue to try out new fabrics and with their bold commitment to only use sustainable or recycled materials by 2030, the company are stepping upto the challenge and help a sustainable future. With current collections using fabric made out of recycled fishing newts

Mango Committed

A personal sustainable favourite, Mango Committed Collection, is all about sustainable cotton. With the company aiming to have 50% of their cotton from sustainable sources.The initiative is part of  Take Action an initiative which is part of a long-term plan to create a business model based around more environmentally friendly processes and sustainability criteria.

Zara Join Life

As one of the giants, ZARA does have some issues with ensure an ethical supply chain but they are trying. Back in 2015 they launched their Join Life Collection (you may have noticed a different tag on some clothe showing less water usage etc), garments only earn the label if they meet a series of internal qualifications: the primary fabric must be Better Cotton Initiative approved cotton, organic or recycled cotton, recycled polyester or polyamide or modal. The garment must also be manufactured with a "green to wear" technology such as water recycling. The collection is at least a step in the right direction for the high street brand.

Bershka Join Life

Named the same as Zara by the owners of both brands, Retail giant Inditex, the principles are exactly the same as well. Clothing make with better cotton, recycled materials and renewable materials. Obviously the brand is still seen as fast fashion, but at least it is some improvement to the overall Although the brand is still classed as fast fashion and owned by a super giant, if you care about the environment then its a great easy option.

United Colours of Benetton

Benetton are up there in those high street brands trying to do better. They are one of the leaders for Greenpeace's Catwalk Detox program to reduce their impact by 2020. The company is also heavily monitoring their supply chain and logistics to reduce their CO2 production. The company are set on removing any dangerous chemicals from their products.

Addidas x Parley

Addidas has been working hard on their sustainability and their partnership with Parley is credit to this. The collaboration is all about raising awareness to ocean plastic and whilst using recycling fishing nets into trainers. With large future goals including the role out of their workers hotline and aiming to reduce water and electricity usage they are trying to move towards a more sustainable future.

Marks & Spencer

I've written about Marks & Spencers being a sustainable brand before (here's the link for more information). The company as a whole have a very strong sustainability plan called Plan A. 49% of their cotton, 99% of the wood materials and 27% of their leather are now from more sustainable source. Not only have they got good factories but also ensured set pay standards around the world meaning they are helping to shape the future as well.

My list may not be what you expect, I have chosen either brands or collections that are having a positive impact that I really believe in . Ethical Consumer have created a data base of high street shops using much stronger set of criteria if you want more information which is facilitating and can even take your preferences into account whether that be animals, the environment or people. The tool has certainly opened my eyes to high street brands I had never considered before such as Uniqlo and White Stuff. I cant wait to see high streets progress in sustainability and improve their collections to be better for the environment and their supply chain.

Love
Erin

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A Quick Guide To Parga, Greece

There are some holidays which you need and this year, going to Parga in Greece was exactly what I needed.

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What is Slow Living?

We live in a world where many describe how they are as good but busy. Where we spend more time staring at screens than at nature and where we often connect online instead of in person. Instead of technology giving us more time to enjoy life, it has has lead to us working quicker, longer and harder because it is now possible to do so.

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25 things I've learnt in my 25 years

Normally I find myself wanting to set targets for my year ahead, like last years 25 things to do before I'm 25 post (FYI I have done all bar 3 which I am bloody proud of) but this year instead of setting what I want to do, I've found myself reflecting on what I've learnt about life, friendships, myself and the world around us. So instead of me setting goals, here are 25 things that I've learnt in the past 25 years of my life. I hope you may agree with some or even have a aha moment, but most of all, that they makes you remember that we are all different for a reason. So lets begin...

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Can You Do Good Whilst Going To The Toilet?

This post is a little different to my normal sustainable recommendations and information. Instead I want to talk a little about toilets, yes you read that correct!

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Sustainability made easy at BlueDot Festival

If you've been following me on Instagram, you may have seen that I recently attended BlueDot festival, a festival that's manages to combine science and music under a telescope to create something pretty special. It's a festival that many may be a little skeptical of. After all, if science isn't your thing then why would you go? The thing is, science is only a small part of what makes this festival, in fact without the food, the positive vibes and the huge variety of music available the festival would only be a little special.

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When Time Stands Still; A BlueDot Festival Experience

Have you ever had one of those experiences where time stood still? Where absolutely nothing in the world mattered apart from where you currently are because you are filled with pure happiness. That happened to me very recently.

You see, we had just had a fantastic day at BlueDot festival and were heading home. As we walked through the woods we could hear reggae music playing and found ourselves by the Roots Stage, a small performance space hidden in the woodlands. The music hummed in the air and the vibrations travelled through the ground up through your legs and into your body. It was a moment of magic, of people experiencing pure joy as they danced along in a setting that was out of a fairy tale (or out of space). The need to mix in with the people and dance was so strong and at the moment, time really did stand still. My smile made my face ache as I threw dance moves around like there was no care in the world. I felt so filled with adrenaline and excitement which was so inexplicable that I never wanted to leave.

Then the artist shouted one small quote over and over again in English, the rest of him performance had been in French but he said "remember to give flowers to people when they can still smell them". It got me thinking as I danced away about how festivals have a way of bringing people together. How the experiences that we all share are truly magical and how sometimes pure joy can happen through the smallest of situations.

There is so much to write about Blue Dot, but I couldn't help share a snippet of joy. Only BlueDot could have allowed to happen, the setting, the knowledge sharing, being immersed in nature and seeing fire displays whilst listening to music that makes you want to move all came together to allow experiences that I hope to remember for a long time, and what certainly will lead me to stay over so I could dance the night away under the telescope in the years to come.

Love
Erin



My Bluedot tickets were complimentary but my continued obsession with sustainability and facination with incredible experiences are 100% my own.

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The Warped Truth About Jobs In Fashion; The Value of Graduates

The fashion industry is a pretty bizarre world. The value of the clothes vs the value of the staff is a baffling mix where only those who are at the top really see the money. This isn’t just an issue through the supply chain though, it’s also an issue in many HQs in London. You see, the fashion industry is what I would deem Southist. Affording to enter the industry at entry level comes at a very high cost to your living quality and so the industry is massively favoured towards those who have family in London or who’s parents can continue to fund them whilst they live in the centre.

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My Top Sustainable Swimwear Brands This Summer

Summer is here and this year England doesnt seem to be experiencing its usual feable attempt where we sit on the beach till late but have a blanket and two jumper on. This year we are having it all, the blue skies, the warm evenings and even dare I mention the sunny weeekends.

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Is Your Suncream Killing Coral Reefs?

Suncream, we all know we should wear it, it stops our skin becoming damaged and can help prevent cancer developing from our burns. What you may not realise though is that suncream can be damaging as well.

A few years ago, studies started emerging that our suncream is damaging corals and coral reefs. Some of the chemicals in suncream have been found to disrupt coral's growth and reproduction cycles which ultimately leads to bleaching. The findings from these studies have also identified that even a few drops of suncream can kill off large patches of coral. To put this into perspective in terms of size, 1 droplet of sumcream would affect 6 Olympic sized swimming pools which is huge, terrifyingly huge!

One of the most harmful chemicals, oxybenzone, doesn't just kill the corals though, the chemical found in many suncreams also feminises fish meaning the impact of what you wear could lead to a species extinction.

Now of course, suncream isn't the only impacting factor on coral reefs. Global warming and other environmental stresses are also contributing but that's not to say this issue isn't important. When thousands of people descend onto a beautiful beach every day in summer, the huge amounts of suncream and chemicals washes off into the sea is going to be vast.

The issue has been deemed of great enough concern that some regions of Mexico have banned the sale of products that contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that may threaten the environment from their eco reserves. Hawaii have also just changed the law and by 2021, the sale of suncreams with any of the chemicals proven to affect corals will be banned.

With new regulation coming into play the next question must be, what can we all do?

1. Know what suncream to avoid

The main chemicals to avoid are benzone (oxybenzone) which is the most common ingredient in suncream, around 3500 types to be more specific along with octinoxate and octocrylene. Other chemicals on the list to avoid are parabens (those horrible things that are bad for us to).

2. Understand what reef-safe suncreams are made of

Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the main activating agents in suncream where no oxybezone is found. To ensure that this type isn't damaging for the coral, be sure to go for coated, non-nano ingredients which are larger than 150 nanometer. Why that size? Well, they're to large to be ingested by the corals and so don't affect them.

3. Don't be fooled by organic products

In todays world, many of us automatically associate organic with no chemicals. Although this is technically correct, some natural products can also be harmful to other species such as eucalyptus and lavender being dangerous to invertebrates.

4. Think about your suncream bottle

Using creams instead of sprays is far better for the environment. Spray bottles leads to suncream sticking to the sand. When it rains this allows the sunscreen residue to seep below the sand to where sea turtle eggs can often be found.

So what are the reef safe alternatives to Hawaiian Tropic, Garnier and L'Oreal Paris?

Well there's quite a lot, but here are some of the most recommended out there to try:

Badger | £12.79
Biodegradable, Vegan and Reef safe as well as being water resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Green People | £14.49 
Cruelty free,  Organic, Reef friendly and comes in plant based packaging that's fully recyclable, and it's also sold in wholefoods. WINNER!

Godess Garden | £22.50
Vegan, cruelty free, organic and non-nano reef safe as well as being water resisitant for 40 minutes.

Babo Botanicals | £13
Vegan, non-nano reef safe, paraben free and non-greasy. This suncream may look like its for children but it's water resistant for up to 80 minutes meaning it will last you when that dip in the ocean turns into a lilo hour.

REN Skincare  | £30.00
Cruelty free, non-nano reef safe, mattifying face suncream which comes in recyclable packaging as well.

All Good | £6.14
Bio degradable, non-nano reef safe, cruelty free and water resistant up to 80 minutes

Sun Balm | £16
Perfect for travel size, this suncream is free from the nasty reef effecting chemicals. Plus the factor 50 is great for those that burn more easily

Manda Sun Paste | £22.99
Organic, non-nano reef safe, SPF 50, perfect if you spend alot of time in the water.

BareMinerals Daily Prep | £26
Great for wearing under make up if you need a SPF

Check out your nearest organic shop/pharmacist. Wholefoods in London also stocks a variety of products which are reef friendly.

Have you ever thought about the effect of your suncream? What brands would you like to know about?

Love
Erin

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The Top Sustainable Festivals

The war on plastic has been rife in the UK recently, from many companies getting rid of straws to discount if you use your own cups, reducing single use plastic consumption has never been more fashionable. The government has even just undergone a consultation on single use plastics. It's a big deal and could have a huge potential impact on other countries, espiecally in the Common Wealth, who are expected to follow suit in the near future.

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World Environment Day; Why We Should All Care

I spend a lot of my time thinking about our planet, wondering what we can do to help it and how our small decisions have an impact on the world around us. You see, I have always believed that just because my actions may be small doesnt mean they don't matter. I hear many people say 'well, it's not like I can make a difference' but you see you can. We all can.

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Sustainable London; The Three Stags, A Sustainable Restaurant.

I've come to realise where I work, JLL, has a lot more'extra curricular' activities than some other work places in London. One of these extra curricular activities is called the Dining Club. I'd heard about the club through our sustainability team due to the restaurant that was being visited, having a sustainability focus. Naturally I was excited to try out new places in London and having the opportunity to meet new people whilst doing this was of course a win win.

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Brand of the Week; Salt Gypsy

I love the ocean, there is no place as calming as the sound of waves crashing and the sight of the white froth as the ocean dancing across the front of the beach. If there was one thing I wish I could do well in life, I think it would be to surf.

Sadly, I don't live by a beach and the UK doesn't quite have the same appeal to dive into the very chilly sea as places like Australia, but that doesn't stop me dreaming about my life as a pro surfer in an alternate universe. Australians love for surfing on the other hand can be indulged a little easier, this maybe why they have so many incredible swim wear surf brands around and why, some of them are doing things a little differently.

I had never really thought about the impact surfing had on the oceans but it's suprisingly high with plastic and rubber being used in wetsuits and boards. The use of recycled materials is therefor pretty important to reduce the damage  and waste the hobby (or career if you're lucky enough) creates.

This was the belief of the founder Salt Gypsy. The brand arose after the founder had lived in the tropics whilst surfing a lot. She because very aware of the sun damage that was taking place when she was in the sea. Although there were plenty of rash vests available, she realised that there was nothing available to protect your legs and so rash leggings was how the brand started.

Today, Surf Gypsy i a leader in ethical surf wear which has been made from recycled fishing nets found in the ocean. This means that there is not only less waste in the ocean, but also less fossil fuels being used to create the products as well (to create synthetic fabrics like nylon, fossil fuels are required).

It's safe to say there isn't a piece from their collection I don't want. Now I just need to book a holiday to somewhere walk so I can grab one or two pieces from the collection. Sadly I'm not sure Newquay would allow for just the rash vest and bottoms.

What do you think of surf gypsy? Do you know any other ethical swimwear brands?

Love
Erin

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Fashion Revolution Week; What I learnt

Fashion Revolution Week takes place once a year on the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse which killed 1138 people and injured many more on the 24th April 2013. An event that many people are unaware of and an event where many fashion brands did not know if their clothes were even being made there. The worst part of the disaster was that it was preventable. Many workers had asked not to be forced to work in the building that had large cracks up the side and was known to be unstable, but due to no workers unions, and no voice, the workers, predominantly women had no choice but to enter and lost their lives as a result.

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A weekend in Eindhoven; A Sustainable City Guide

Not planning or looking at a destination before going away is not something I would normally even consider, yet appearently its becoming a thing. First with Llandudno and then again with my recent trip to Eindhoven.

I went away with Ellie and Lily, two girls I was lucky enough to meet at a travel blogger event two years ago and have stayed friends with ever since. We had discussed going away for some time and when ryanair released their flight sale on January 1st it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Through a flow of whatsapp messaged and my crappy signal our only criteria were for the flights to be cheap, at reasonable times and for them not to be to long. Next thing I know I'd agreed to a trip to Eindhoven and it's safe to say I had not googled the destination apart from to check the weather before we landed at Eindhoven airport.

What I soon came to realise though, was that there was more than meets the eye with this city. Turns out it's moving towards being a leader in sustainability as well. Now what were the chances of that?

So here's my slightly sustainable guide on how to spend a weekend in the city, if you, unlike us, are researching the destination before arriving.

Where to stay?

Due to there being 3 of us, naturally rooms can be a little harder to find but we found a quadruple room at Sandton Eindhoven Centre. The room was a really good size and the beds, super comfy. The only downside was the lack of a full length mirror which is never ideal with 3 girls in a small space but for under £80 for two nights and a mere 5 minute walk over the canal to the main town centre, the location really was perfect.

What to do?

Eindhoven is in a phase of complete regeneration. The town has created a bike highway on every main road in the city, meaning you feel like you're more likely to be hit by a bike than a car. They have also started a major regeneration project, following public consultation and are on a mission to reuse as much of the original Philips warehouses (Philips was started in Eindhoven and the name is EVERYWHERE). This area is called Strijp-S District and is by far the coolest place I have ever visited within a city.

Strijp-S

Strijp-S is unlike anywhere you are likely to have visited before. As you walk out of the city you'll walk past the football stadium, past some beautiful new apartment blocks and then you'll reach what feels like a disused area with cafe's and warehouses. The area however is far from disused, in fact there's more than you can ever imagine going on. Restaurants, skateparks, and incredible re-purposed and vintage furniture shops are located within the district.

Following the paths and street art you'll come to even more gigantic warehouse style buildings. Inside are more independent shops and cafes from bike stores to your fancy clothing. The entire regeneration has considered the environmental impact and thus, reusing as much as possible.

It's an area of open space and creative ideas all coming to life. We even walked past a graphitti class taking place with all generations involved making you feel like you'd just walked into an incredible community.

Street Art

I am a big sucker for street art and so, upon seeing a few cool pieces on instragram we went on a hunt for more. Strijp-S is definitely the heart of most of these pieces. As you walk towards the discrict you'll pass a huge football mural. Further along the road at the start of the flat buildings you'll find a beautiful tropical piece.

Enter into the main warehouse area and the most incredible shop you've ever seen (and where I want to buy all my furniture from when I eventually have a home), and you'll find street art on every outside wall of the skate park.

Back in the centre of the city you can find two incredible murials located up a side street right in between Vue Cinema and Happiness cafe near Sissy Boy. There were so many more that we didn't have time to find which are located on the edge of the city as well. Every single one is unique and beautiful!

Shopping

To not include shopping in this list would seem wrong. Sadly due to the lack of space in my bag I didn't end up purchasing anything but I would highly recommend a wander through Sissy Boy for beautiful homeware. For more sustainable fashion why not have a check out G-Star Raw. Yes, they used to have a uncool rep but did you know they have produced the most sustainable jeans ever!

Eindhoven also has a few other gems such as the reshape store which is a second hand store for the salvation army and second floor, which is also meant to be pretty great for your sustainable fashion needs (vintage galore). Finally, go and visit Gusy Projects, I challenge you not to want to turn the shop into your home. I have never felt more comfortable in a space in my life, shame I don't have an endless budget, shipping container or house to fill with all their beautiful items.

Museums

Eindhoven is most famous for the brand Philips. You soon notice this with the Philips name plastered on lots of buildings. This heritage that the people from the city are so proud of also means you can visit the Philips museum should it tickle your fancy. If not, why not head to the Van Abbemuseum (which was conveniently located right by out hotel).

Where to eat?

La Gitana

We somehow ended up eating at really sustainable restaurants whilst we were away (I blame the city being sustainable in general).

First up was an incredible all you can eat tapas restaurant named La Gitana that I still keep raving about. The food was amazing and really reasonably priced and the sangria was delicious as well. The best part, you have your table until the restaurant closes and you can order 6 dishes at a time every 15 minutes. We racked up 33 dishes between us which is more than I ever thought possible! 

Happiness Cafe

Healthy food, tick. Vegan menu, tick. Super tasty pancakes, tick. Beautiful aesthetic, tick. Yep its the perfect insta spot from beautifully present food, to a pretty interior but the restaurant is more than just pretty.

The food was also fantastic whether you fancy breakfast, brunch or lunch. Think London's farm girl but should I say, better!

Food Market

The food market is located just of the square by the church. Trying to figure out how on earth it works is a little daunting but the mood and drinks options are amazing. You need to arrive early (or late) to get a table and trust me it makes everything easier. Once you've got a table, feel free to download the app and you can order drinks and food from the app which is pretty cool. You can then also wander round the food stalls and some will allow table service. The atmosphere at the market is amazing, and the food looks incredible. We spent our Saturday night drinking wine and soaking in the buzz around us, it was truly fantastic.

Happy Italy

Food that is locally sourced, using  natural ingredients and for really reasonable prices. What more could you want? We ate at this restaurant on our second night in the city. The portions are huge and exceptionally delicious. A quick word of warning, they only take card which was a little shock to us.

So there's my whistle stop tour of things all Eindhoven. I have definitely added the destination as a place I would love to revisit, it really is a gem!

Have you ever been to Eindhoven? Would you like to visit? Where are your sustainable destinations?

Love
Erin

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