Queen Jaimee has launched an e-book titled "The Language of Seeking Help*." This resource educates parents and caregivers supporting individuals with eating disorders. As the co-founder and CEO of "Hide N Seek," a newly established not-for-profit organisation, Jaimee is dedicated to assisting those caring for individuals with eating disorders. Her journey began at the age of 12 when she was diagnosed with an eating disorder, which fuelled her determination to become a registered counsellor. Jaimee currently works at a psychology practice, supporting her clients with a focus on mental well-being. Her passion includes empowering individuals facing similar challenges and advocating for changes in societal approaches to eating disorders.
*Ebook download linked at the conclusion of the blog x
How and why was Hide N Seek brought to life? Ethos/vision + goals...
At the age of 12, I personally struggled with an eating disorder, facing numerous challenges in effectively communicating my feelings to those around me. This deeply personal journey inspired me to pursue a career as a registered counsellor. Drawing upon my own experiences, I've worked at a psychology practice, utilising the language of empathy and understanding to support others. My dedication lies in empowering individuals, promoting mental well-being, and advocating for fundamental changes in the societal approach to eating disorders. Through Hide N Seek as well as “The Language of seeking help” resource ebook, I aim to spark an open conversation around eating disorders, raise awareness, and provide indispensable resources and support to those caring for individuals dealing with these challenges. My inspiration and dedication in compiling this e-book is to help individuals, parents and caregivers supporting a child or young person with an eating disorder learn how best to communicate with their loved ones and find the best ways to support them. My hope is that through my own lived experiences, this e-book can improve and change the condition of even one person or family’s life. Then it will all have been worth it.
What are some red flags/early warning signs to look out for regarding Eating Disorders?
Children/young people who experience eating disorders are not always aware that their behaviour is detrimental. They often make efforts to hide their problematic behaviour and/or rationalise the behaviour. This is known as ‘anosognosia,’ a lack of ability to perceive the realities of one’s own condition. That is why this disorder is so challenging to treat and why families can find it so hard to support their loved ones. It is one of the only mental illnesses where an ambivalence to recovery or a lack of awareness to the severity of the illness is part of the illness. Recognising signs of eating disorders can be challenging as individuals often lack awareness of their condition. Look out for:
Behavioural Signs:
Physical Signs:
Psychological Signs:
‘Changing the language around eating disorders’ is the Hide N Seek slogan - we would love to hear more about the power of language around this topic.
At Hide N Seek, our motto 'Changing the language around eating disorders' signifies our commitment to reshaping conversations. Language shapes perceptions. Negative words fuel stigma and hinder seeking help, while supportive language fosters understanding and acceptance. We advocate for positive language that empowers, supports, and encourages seeking assistance. Through Hide N Seek, we aim to create an open conversation around eating disorders, foster awareness, and provide essential resources and support to those caring for individuals affected by eating disorders.
Approaching a friend or family member who is struggling with an eating disorder can be super daunting - what should and shouldn't we say to best support the individual?
Suggested conversation starters/sentences:
5.“I have noticed you seem more tired and stressed out than usual.”
REMEMBER: The child/young person may not always be receptive to conversation. Sometimes just being there is all the support they need.
What not to do:
Christmas time can be incredibly tough and triggering - What is some advice you would give to an individual struggling with an eating disorder this holiday season?
Whilst prioritising the wellbeing of the struggling individual is pivotal - the impact on both family and friends can be equally as challenging …can you share a few hot tips on how to recognise and respond to situations that may arise?
What are your top resources that you would recommend to those struggling?
"LANGUAGE OF SEEKING HELP" EBOOK ...
Hide N Seek is excited to offer you an exclusive resource the "Language of Seeking Help" e-book compiled by our founder Jaimee Krawitz. This resource is tailored to empowering caregivers of individuals experiencing an eating disorder providing essential insights practical advice and the knowledge you need to effectively support your loved ones. By signing up to the Hide N Seek community you will receive the “Language of Seeking Help” ebook, delivered straight to your inbox.
Click Here to sign up xxx
Hide N Seek Instagram - @hidenseekfoundation
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MERRY XMAS BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE - sending all the love & happiness your way <3
Please share your thoughts/feedback in the comments or via email sienna@spilltheteaco.com.au + Instagram @spilltheteaco_
LOTS OF LOVE,
Sienna xxx
]]>(srsly all the ideas would be GREATLY APPRECIATED) xxxx
1) H Y D R A T E!!!!!!!!!
Frank Green you are the LOML (love of my life). I have always been a water gal although since owning an emotional support 1L drink bottle I have been the most hydrated ever (winning). Would recommend investing in a water bottle that encourages you to drink water, or if you are a camel that drinks an annual glass of water TAKE. A. WATER. BOTTLE. EVERYWHERE!!!!!! The thing I love about Frank (or Frank dupes if you are saving for a 2024 euro trip) is that you can drink hot or cold water all day and pick your colour combo for lid and bottle (adorable). Anyway, this email is not sponsored by Frank Green but if ever you are speaking to them tell them to hit me up xxx
2) Triple M (not the radio station)
My new thing is what I call the 'Triple M' which stands for; Mornings, Movement + Meditation (and the importance of such). Now before you exit this email cos ommms a(hhh)re not your thing, HEAR ME OUT! I have never ever ever (operative word NEVER) been a morning person. I quite literally despise the thought of waking up early during winter HOWEVER after much self education re Seasonal Sadness, waking up w the sun was a key theme throughout. Now what I have discovered is that self placed expectations are the biggest killer of early wake ups (source: me). Instead, wake up 20, even 10 minutes earlier than usual and literally just. wake. up. That's all, open your blinds, get some natural light on your face and wake up. Maybe do some lowkey movement/stretches if you feel like it. Spend some time breathing - smelling stunning essential oils (peppermint in the morning is a personal fav) is always the best way to create a zen state of mind. Set an intention or a goal and finally THANK YOURSELF for allowing this time just for YOU - something that we seem to forget to do far too often! Continue the beautifully calm morning with tea and you are free to slay the day.
3) Radiate + Receive
You know that saying give and receive, well the more you give to yourself, the more you will get back in return (win win). By surrounding yourself with people who make life feel like sunshine all year round, laughing lots, letting go of what no longer serves you and accepting the floating rock mentality* you will be amazed how everything around you seems a whole lot more peaceful, collected and ultimately, happier! YAY
*the floating rock mentality is reminding yourself that we are literally living on a floating rock and while life can be v stressful, remembering that fact helps to put things in perspective in relation to the unnecessary nature of stress inducing tasks! ADOPT THIS MENTALITY!!!!
4) ROMANTICISE YOUR LIFE
I am a big advocate for living in slight delusion - instead we call this 'romanticising your life'. What I mean by that is taking a little bit of each day to do something that fills your cup. Listen to new music next time you're in the car, walk + podcast, make a goal to watch 3 sunsets a week, try a new food or make something yum, take a tea to school/work, talk to someone that you haven't properly met, plan something w your besties. There are SO MANY things that are free and easily accessible to add some spice to daily life, take advantage of these experiences and go live your best life.
5) Immunity
Avoiding a cold is possibly the hardest game ever (especially if you are in school it's practically impossible). Immune boosting foods and dranks (hello tea) is the best way to naturally support the body and soul to create your best, most sick proof self!! Honour your cravings & indulge in all the vegetables, greenery + comfort foodies. slays all round <333
recipe below for an immune boosting elixir that I have been downing this winter xxxx
(shot it if your game or dilute w warm water)
thank you for joining this tea session and most of all thank YOU for supporting Spill the Tea Co - I LOVE YOU!
Be kind to yourself, seasonal change is hard but always remember the floating rock mentality xxxx
Have a wonderful weekend ( in my head Thursday is the new Saturday - EMBRACING the delulu mindset)
LOTS OF LOVE,
Sienna xxoxoxoxoxoxo
]]>We are back spilling spicy tea and what better timing than the start of a new term. In spite of the negative connotations I usually associate with term 2 (winter uniform, coldness, etc.) I have promised myself that I won't go into term 2 with preconceived prejudices about what the term will bring (only took me 13 years to shift my mindset, but we finally got there.) The relevance of that? Welcoming Nici Berman; a psychotherapist and school counsellor who has all the tea on back to school blues, besties and beating burnout. Queen of holistic wellness, Nici is passionate about helping people going through tough times or needing support (literally all of us). A very worthwhile read with some even more worthwhile, easy to implement tips and tricks for slaying life/school/friendships. ENJOY XXXX
Describe yourself in three words
I would say empathetic, inclusive and a deep thinker.
Outline your job and how did you get into this field?
I’m a school counsellor, I started off with my social work/ honours degree and moved into completing a master of counselling and psychotherapy. I don’t think where I am now is my dream job, but it is all about the process and learning. Whilst I feel very out of my depth here, I have learned so much starting this job. I work with adolescents on social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Ranging from grief and loss, ADHD, Autism, child abuse/ neglect, dyslexia, bullying and managing ones’ workload. Social work was right for me at a stage of my life, providing me with a foundation for my knowledge on topics such as social justice, inclusivity, gender equality, cultural diversity and the government system. It was rewarding and humbling to meet so many people from such uniquely different backgrounds. I was however constantly referring them out to a counsellor after our meetings to get ongoing support and this sparked a passion in me to be that person for them. It is an honour to be trusted with someone’s deepest thoughts and curiosities, I am grateful everyday that I have the privilege of meeting with the most interesting people that challenge my knowledge and allow me to grow.
What is self care to you and how do you practise this?
As part of my own journey and a requirement of my practice is to seek professional support. Whilst it is expensive, I find so many benefits in being able to reflect and dissect my own practice. Whilst bubble baths and face masks are nice, setting boundaries to have alone time is so important. I do this by exercising, practicing mindfulness or gratitude which are evidence based activities to help with our mental health and well-being. I love making time for fun adventurous activities as well as spending quality time with family and friends to take my mind off work and ‘mental health’.
Being a school counsellor, can you speak a bit about the importance of seeking help and school?
Let’s be honest, school is rough! You are sometimes with people you don’t necessarily like, teachers are telling you what to do and you are tired from homework, learning and all the developmental changes happening. There is a lot of stigma around seeking help at school as students think it makes them less capable, less smart and less cool. Seeking help when you are struggling socially, emotionally or behaviourally is only going to teach you strategies and help manage the difficulties you are experiencing. We all need some guidance and support, seeking help at school can help you feel more motivated for school, help you focus and enjoy spending time with your peers.
Top tips for burn out/school overload...
How to help a friend going through a tough time...
If you haven't been following The Pilates Project already than I 1000% recommend you do so now! Lily Baker is the heart and soul behind online wellness community TPP, Sydney based pilates instructor, Primary School teacher + one of the MOST beautiful ladies I have ever chatted/worked with. In this juicy blog, Lily shares her top tips on balancing her hectic (yet wholesome) life, the art of saying no & advice on living with intention and gratitude. ENJOY xoxoxo
Tell us about The Pilates Project (how did the idea come about/what is TPP all about)Oh my goodness, the last seven months of TPP have been such a wild ride. The Pilates Project is a female- focused online destination that centres around the pillars of movement, wellness and community. Through equipping women with the knowledge and skills to take greater control over these domains within their lives, my hope is to inspire a commitment to self-love, to respecting one’s body, to education and to authenticity above all else. Conceptually, TPP has been through a few twists and turns since its conception but above all, I’ve always been inspired by and committed to the notion of charity, education and authenticity. I wanted to create a platform that combined my two great loves - education & Pilates. I’d also like to think of TPP as a women’s health resource of sorts, bringing together a wealth of information through varying practitioners and modalities Initially, TPP was going to be a monthly community event, bringing together different studios and instructors, with the aim of supporting a different female-focused charity each month. I was in the middle of bringing this to life when the lockdown of 2021 hit and I had to go back to the drawing board. From there, the TPP platform as we know it was officially born. Recently I’ve found myself being drawn back towards my original idea and I’m really looking forward to integrating a greater charitable element to the platform later this year. Ultimately, TPP is a way for me to give back to my community in a meaningful way. It’s been so incredible watching the platform grow in a really organic way and I’m so excited to see what the next few months bring. |
Has health and wellness always been a priority of yours?It definitely has! However, as I’ve evolved over the past few years, so has the way in which I’ve come to view the concept of wellness. Wellness will look different for everyone, but to me, wellness means balance across all areas of my life. Wellness is releasing from my engrained ‘should be’s’ (what I should be eating, how I should be exercising, how I should be spending my spare time) and embracing my present each day. Wellness can and should be so many different things. It’s knowing when to push your body and simultaneously, knowing when to let it rest. It could be nourishing your body with a big bowl of pasta and a red wine. It could be a phone call with a friend, buying yourself flowers, going to bed early, saying no to plans if that’s what you need, dancing in a club at 3:00am, waking up to see the sunrise, opening a new block of chocolate, practicing gratitude and so so much more. Wellness means putting myself first so that I can be the best version of myself for everyone in my life - my family, my friends, my students and my clients. It means acknowledging and giving my body what it is craving, in whatever form that may take.
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You are a school teacher, Pilates instructor (at multiple amazing studios) + is the single face behind the incredible TPP … pls share your top tips on managing life, work, fun etc!!!Hahahaha when you put it like that, it’s no wonder I am literally always tired. I feel like I have to preface my response here by saying that I always have been and probably always will be a bit of a workaholic. I love the feeling of being busy, of being on the go from sunrise to sunset, of ticking off my to-do list, of feeling inspired and of achieving my own goals. I’ve always thought that in life we go through different seasons and right now I’m in my single girl/hustle season. Essentially, I’m my first priority and I have the ability to push myself 1000% on the work front. But, I’m also really comfortable with the fact that I’ll have to shift my priorities slightly when I am next in a relationship. I do find that being such a workaholic definitely can sometimes take a toll both on my own wellbeing and my social life. This year, I promised myself that I would get better at not saying yes to everything and letting work take a little more of a backseat. Putting all this aside, I do bloody juggle a lot of plates and I’m super proud of my ability to do so. Now I absolutely don’t have all the answers for managing life, but I definitely think I’ve got some good tips! I think it’s so important to recognise when to say yes and when to say no. This rule can be applied to all areas of life, in a work and social sense in particular. Being the workaholic that I am, I tend to have the tendency to overcommit myself and then get really stressed about it. I’ve learnt that sometimes it’s better to say no from the get go, rather than to cancel plans at the last minute or not be able to meet work deadlines. A big change I’ve made is not making any social plans from Monday through to Thursday. For me personally, these days are super hectic and it’s really important that I’m able to have time for myself so that I’m able to be my best self. I always make sure I schedule my social plans from Friday evening through to Sunday, which means I also always have something to look forward to at the end of the week. Now, I’ve already said that I’m a Virgo through and through, so obviously I love all things organisation. At the beginning of each day, I write myself a to-do list and I break this down into three main areas - school, TPP & life. Within these three areas, I write my tasks in order of importance. I’ll then always try and complete that first task straight away. Anything else from there is a bonus! I have days where I can tick off everything and then I’ll have days where life gets in the way and I tick off nothing. At the end of the day, life isn’t always predictable and most things can wait until the next day. For me, given that I have a full-time job, most of my TPP work gets completed in the evenings. Depending on how my kids have been that day, I’ll either come home from school with tonnes of energy or absolutely none. I’ll always try and honour how my body is feeling and part of that is recognising when I simply need to put the computer away and rest. I’ve spoken about this so many times on the TPP platform before, but I always love to make sure that I have three things in the pipeline to look forward to. Surely one of the worst feelings has to be post-holiday blues or the feeling that you have nothing coming up. I remember having this conversation with a friend a few years back and she encouraged me to adopt her habit of always having three things to look forward to. This has been such a game changer for me personally! I like to have something in the coming day, week and month to look forward to. On a daily basis, this might be going to a Pilates class, cooking myself a yummy dinner, buying a treat to go with my coffee in the morning, a face-mask in bed or a phone call with a friend. On a weekly basis, this might be having dinner with a friend, drinks with the girls, getting my nails done, having an infrared sauna or a lazy day with no plans. On a monthly basis, I typically tend to schedule a weekend away somewhere! Given that I didn’t grow up in Sydney, I find it really important to take time out of Sydney to decompress and reset |
I know you are passionate about your morning and night routine, can you give us a bit of a run down of what these look like to you?I am a Virgo through and through and thrive when I stick to my routine. I think having a morning & evening routine set in place is such a beautiful way to create balance in your life and feel centered within yourself. To me, practicing both of these routines is an act of self-care . When I take the time to honour these rituals properly, my energy is optimised and I’m at my most productive. Morning Rituals: I often laugh when I see reels on Instagram with people showcasing their morning routines or morning rituals because they couldn’t look more different from mine! There’s no morning coastal walk, decadent breakfast or 10-step skin-care routine. That’s ok though. A routine doesn’t need to be glamorous. Monday through to Friday, I like to arrive at school around 7:00am so that I have two clear hours before the day begins to get on top of everything. I wish my hours at school were 9-3 but they are so far from it. Depending on the day, I might also teach a couple of classes in the studio before or after school. The point I’m making here - my days begin early! As soon as my alarm goes off, I open my window and blinds. I find the fresh air really helps to wake me up and feel a little more alert. I also have to make my bed straight away! This year I have been making a conscious effort to practise daily gratitude - both in the morning and in the evening. Depending on the morning, I might use my ‘Five Minute Journal’ (an amazing resource by Intelligent Change that inspires thankfulness, positive manifestation & gratitude) or if I’m more rushed for time, I'll simply think about something I’m looking forward to that day. In Summer, I love a short cold shower and in Winter, I love a quick hot shower. This is followed by practising my skin-care routine (it’s only 3 steps I promise). From here, I’m pretty much out the door straight away. My first stop is always a coffee from my local and this is probably one of my favourite daily rituals. Evening Rituals: I find day to day my evenings look so different so rather than having a routine in place, I have a few simple rituals that I try to incorporate every night:
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Finally, your fav piece of advice that you have given/receivedI can’t pick just one so I’m going to give you my top four!
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I grew up on a farm near Wagga Wagga before moving to boarding school in Sydney in Year 10. Now I live between my family home in Wagga and a share house in Sydney. I’m 24 years old and founded Womn-Kind in 2020 when the pandemic meant my plans to work overseas were no longer an option. This was a major blessing in disguise given I had thought about starting Womn-Kind since being at school myself.
Describe yourself in three words...
Dreamer. Compassionate. Determined.
What is Womn-Kind all about + what services do you offer?
Womn-Kind is a female-led youth mental health organisation on a mission to close the gap in effective wellbeing support and education for girls. We currently offer one-on-one wellbeing mentoring and run wellbeing programs and workshops in schools across Australia. Last year covid meant that a lot of our programs couldn’t go ahead in schools because of restrictions, so we are excited to see more faces in person this year. We also sell the cutest hoodies (bias, maybe) and other things where 100% of profits go towards funding our mental health initiatives. My sister Nina and I have just launched the first Womn-Kind podcast called Dear Sister, which you can now listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Behind the scenes, we are working on a few very exciting projects coming to our @womnkind community in 2022 and beyond. One of those being an app!
As a teenager I was pretty level-headed and was fortunate enough to have an incredibly supporting family, gorgeous friends and great education. Even then there were moments that I thought I needed more - or different - support. I couldn’t imagine how challenging the high schools years could be for girls who didn’t have the same support as I did so I wanted to do something about it. I saw a need for more peer-to-peer support that came from young girls who had very recently navigated the teenage journey. I originally thought about writing a book but then thought that I probably wouldn’t have reached for a book when I needed the advice. Womn-Kind continues to evolve according to the needs of teenage girls today and is facilitated by empowering, kind and determined mentors who are committed to supporting teenage girls through their adolescent journey.
Being the winner of Buy From the Bush Big Break (massive congrats btw) how has this big win impacted Womn Kind?
Being the BFTB and PayPal BIG BREAK winner has really changed the game for Womn-Kind. With the prize money, we have been able to fast-track plans that were initially part of our 5-year growth plan. We have put the prize money towards building the Womn-Kind app, which is scheduled to be launched in May this year. We are so beyond excited to be able to provide girls with a source of on-demand well-being support 24/7 from their phones. To have the support of two incredible companies that stand for innovation is very relevant as we embark on this journey of shifting more of our services and resources online. Keep an eye out for updates on our Instagram page @womnkind.
Tell us a bit about the Womn Kind workshops and mentor programs & what should somebody expect when meeting with Womn-Kind mentors...
Our one-on-one wellbeing mentoring is a unique and innovative approach when compared to traditional psychological support. Girls will be matched with one of our beautiful mentors - who are all trained in Mental Health First Aid and with lived experience - and have the opportunity to access that mentor as a bit of a big sister. Girls will either communicate with their mentor via FaceTime or in person depending on location. Mentors can help you with anything from managing social anxiety to assisting with goal setting and being a valuable listening ear when navigating friendship troubles.
Top tips on day to day mood boosters...
Move your body!! You’ve heard it all before but there's no denying just how important sweating is for our physical and mental health. Make time to do at least one thing for yourself every day - it can be something that you enjoy doing or that brings you joy. We’re becoming more and more time poor and can sometimes feel guilty for being unproductive or spending time doing things that aren’t for a greater purpose but there is a lot to be gained from giving yourself permission to do whatever it is that you enjoy doing. Whether it’s baking, drawing, reading or swimming - make it happen. On that note, spend more time doing things that make you forget to check your phone. The newsfeed isn’t going anywhere.
Best advice...
Believe in yourself!! You have absolutely everything you need to do and become whoever you want to be - the world is your oyster. Believe that you are worthy of love and belonging as you are and just back yourself! Sometimes the thing holding us back is not the fear of what we can’t do but the fear of what we can. Trust yourself and trust the process - there are incredible things coming your way.
Our tag line is Consciously Sourced . Ethically Made . Zero Waste
We live and breathe our ethos. It is our mission to lead the way in the fashion industry with this ethos and we believe it is important to not compromise on these values as the changes we make today can positively create change in the future.
We consider these ethos is everything that we do. This flows down through our employment of our women, our sourcing of deadstock fabrics right down to how we package our garments and post them.
Your business experience
The TTK journey started in 2013 when Janelle needed a creative outlet. She began sketching out designs of garments to fulfil this need and as the process unfolded she realised this was something she wanted to pursue. Having a desire to empower women combined with a then, basic understanding of the impact the garment industry has on people and the planet, she wanted to create something that not only reflected quality, comfort and style but something lasting that would make a difference in the lives of the women who make it.
COVID x Business
Covid has affected our business like many other small businesses. Currently in Australia with all the rolling lockdowns it has been quite difficult when you are not sure when things are going to open up and then again for how long. As a tourism town we have felt the absence of tourists being locked out of QLD. Our team in Vietnam is currently in a really strict lockdown at the moment as well and so we have had to pause production for the past 3months and not sure when we can commence again. So there is a lot of uncertainty.
Sustainability practises within TTK
Sustainability and the environment has always been at the forefront of every decision that we have made through every element of our business, from business cards, manufacturing, packaging and selling we strive to choose the option which has the most minimal impact on the environment.
Sustainability and our environmental impact is ever changing and is something that we will continue to learn about and forever improve. We believe sustainability is the way of the future and it is our responsibility to make the right choices today that positively impact the planet for tomorrow and into the future.
Throughout our whole production process we use ZERO plastics and have a ZERO waste policy which sees us using all fabric offcuts to make smaller items such as scrunchies, head scarfs, christmas stockings, eye masks and more. If we have larger quantities left we donate it to orphanages.
Our main aim is to source recycled deadstock fabrics while still seeking the most natural, organic fabrics we can in order to minimise our environmental impact. (deadstock fabric is fabrics that are left over from larger companies and will normally end up in landfill)
We are always looking to minimise our impact and this includes offsetting our carbon footprint through a carbon neutral organisation
Noosa!!!
We have a really strong local community that supports us here in Noosa from starting at markets 9 years ago and then to our boutique and online presence. consisting of people who love the brand and what we stand for, other like minded creatives and individuals and just some really beautiful people who we have met through the boutique or through networking or our creative workshops.
Noosa is a tourism town though so we do get a lot of trade from tourists which has also been amazing as some of our best customers find our boutique on holidays and then continue to shop with us online
Overseas ethical sourcing ?
Our production facilities are currently set up in our main seamstresses’ homes. This allows our women to work at their own pace while still being home to look after their families.
We provide everything they need to work comfortably and safely.
The workload is split between houses and if there is an overflow of work it is often sent to other women in the community needing work, who then complete and send back to our seamstresses.
All our garments are made by hand so it is a slower process compared to bigger manufacturers but we love this about our brand, our seamstresses are so important to us and providing ethical and sustainable work for them is one of our core values, they have become like our family.
Your experience with making an EBOOK
We have an ebook on how to start an ethical fashion label that I have put all my knowledge that I had learnt over the last 9 years into, with lots of tips and tricks that I wish I had known when I was first starting out. I just wanted to give people a realistic idea of the time and effort that goes into starting an ethical fashion label.
Getting noticed/standing out on the market
I think that you need to stay true to yourself, your style and your brand, as its easy to get swept up in ever changing trends and can lose your brand in it. People love transparency and knowing the people behind the brand. We show a lot of ourselves and our team especially through social media.
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PART TWO of sustainability school with the best, Erin Skinner!!
This week we spill the tea on what YOU can do to make the earth breathe easy without breaking the bank + more reason why you should start living a more conscious life.
Enjoy xx
Our generation x hyper fast fashion
The last 20+ years have seen a number of changes to the global socio-political landscape that have propelled the fast fashion industry to where it is today. Changes in technology, globalisation, trade policies, disposable income, and of course: the internet and social media. Most of us under 30 were born into this system of cheap, ephemeral, fashion; we quite literally don’t know any different. Perhaps our parents, more likely their parents, and definitely their parents, would remember a time where you saved up your money to afford one high quality garment that would last for many years. Today we have TikTok teens telling us our House of Sunny cardigan from a month ago is ‘cheugy’, while spruiking their $200 SHEIN haul. The rapid rise of social media and influencers has had an undoubted impact on Gen Z’s fashion consumption behaviours, but on the flip side, young people are also the most vocal about the need for sustainability.
How to dispose of old clothes in a sustainable way?
There are a few ways to do this depending on the condition of the garment. If you have the time and energy, try reselling your used (but in good condition) clothing using a secondhand retailer like Depop, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. This helps to prevent the dumping of unsold charity shop clothes into the Global South, and you pocket the cash! You can donate to secondhand or charity shops, like Savers, Vinnies, etc - or you can seek out organisations collecting clothing for First Nations and refugee communities-in-need. If your clothing is not in good condition, please don’t donate it. A good metric is: if you wouldn’t buy it, don’t donate it. Instead, cut up to use as cleaning cloths, or send a bag to Upparel for recycling. H&M accept clothing in-store for textile recycling, just make sure to say ‘no thanks’ to the voucher offered in return!
Where do I start?
Trying to be more sustainable with your fashion can be super daunting. It’s best to start slow to prevent being overwhelmed and burning out. I would start with some education sources, such as Ted Ed’s Lifecycle of a T shirt , or The True Cost documentary. Unfollow influencers who make you feel like you need to keep buying stuff to be happy. Do a wardrobe audit; how many items do you have? What can you see yourself wearing for the next 2 years? 5 years? 10? Think back to your past fashion choices… what would you wear again now? What wouldn’t you? Ask your friends to describe your style? These are all important steps in figuring out your personal style, and getting on the way to a more conscious wardrobe. Download the Good On You app, and before you make a purchase, check the brand’s rating and see if there are any better alternatives.
Ditching fast fashion without going broke
The most important part of slow fashion, especially for young people who often have a lower income, is less about where and more about how. Buy from H&M if you have to, but choose an item that you can see yourself wearing for years and years instead of for one event. Borrow from friends. Attend a clothes swap event. Unfollow influencers who make you feel inadequate. Understand your individual fashion taste. Learn to sew. Unsubscribe from fast fashion emails. Be mindful. Buy less, choose well, make it last – Vivienne Westwood. Slowing down your consumption costs nothing!
Eco guilt? What is it, how to reduce it?
Whether it’s from driving when you could’ve used public transport or not being able to resist a coffee in a disposable cup at 3pm on a Friday, it’s likely if you care about the environment you’ve experienced eco guilt. Eco guilt is the sense of personal shame and/or responsibility when you act in a way that doesn’t align with you or society’s standards for environmentally-friendly behaviour. While eco guilt is pretty normal for those of us in the eco-sphere, it shouldn’t be! While yes, there are almost 8 billion of us, you are still an individual just out here trying the best you can in a system designed to work this way. It is hard to reduce plastic, and quit fast fashion, and avoid travel, and LIVE ‘SUSTAINABLY’, because the society we live in does not prioritise these things. It’s okay to step back a bit and admit that it’s hard and you aren’t perfect. I know as soon as I did my mental health was better for it and I had a much clearer, bigger picture, which then enabled me to look at the much deeper issues like governments and companies (who at this point are super duper responsible). My area of research is consumer-driven, so I will always value these changes, BUT it’s important we don’t let eco guilt paralyse us into inaction and instead take time to recalibrate and recharge to come back better and stronger.
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SLOWLY ERIN instagram
Hi beautiful's !!!!!
WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER SATURDAY OF SPILLING SOME VERY SPICY TEA...yay I love it here💕
I spent some time curating ALLLL the questions surrounding fast fashion, conscious consuming, eco guilt, ethical clothing + what all those words mean...and have had the absolute PRIVILEGE of having them answered by the best in the world of keeping the earth alive and thriving, Erin Skinner (slowlyerin on insta linked above x)
I promise you, this blog will CHANGE YOUR LIFE (& your next shopping trip) for the better.
ps this blog will have two parts (over this week + next) due to the huge amount of importance that needs to be shared. Get excited to learn lots and think twice about your next 10 for $10 deal xoxoxo
Fast fashion is the dominant business model across the global fashion industry. In short, fast fashion uses cost-effective labour and materials to rapidly mass-produce clothing imitating the newest high-end styles, typically sold at affordable prices. I do think it’s important to note here that fast fashion does not always mean cheap clothes. This is now the dominant business model, meaning it is used by most of today’s fashion brands – regardless of price. Fast fashion’s reliance on outsourced cheap labour and materials, and frighteningly fast production times, leaves a wake of severe environmental and ethical impacts across the entire garment life cycle. The fashion industry has moved from two major fashion cycles per year (S/S, A/W) to up to 52 (yep, that’s a new trend every week). Cheap prices and materials and accelerating trends have created a disposable fashion culture, where consumers have no connection to the clothing they buy and discard items when the trend has surpassed and/or the low-quality garment is damaged.
I buy basically everything secondhand, but here are some of my faves in the game: Zorali, Veja, Boody, Girlfriend Collective, Saye, Team Timbuktu, Saturday Lingerie, Cleonie Swim, and Lois Hazel – just to name a few!!
I mean in realistic terms, we don’t have a choice. The fashion industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions *cough* climate change *cough*; the sheer resource use required for, and the waste produced as a result of, the current levels of consumption simply cannot be sustained. We are consuming resources faster than the earth can replenish them. For most of us in the Global North (who consume the most resources) the problems seem so far away that they’re not even on our radar. It’s not our drinking water being polluted by dye runoff. It’s not our sisters/mothers/cousins being killed in factory fires. But we all share the same planet, which we need to survive.
Overconsumption is one of the defining environmental issues of fast fashion, and of modern economies in general. It’s hard to know where to draw the line when it comes to a ‘need’ or a ‘want’ with fashion – and it’s okay to want! – but the levels of consumption we are seeing now have to change (yes, you, Princess Polly haul YouTubers). You could have the most ethical, sustainable, brand in the world – but overconsumption of its products will still be a problem due to the resources needed for production and the waste produced by disposal. Between 1975 and 2018, worldwide annual textile production has more than doubled from 5.9kg to 13kg per capita. Because of the low cost associated with most fast fashion, people are buying more items than ever, yet the average per person expenditure on clothing has dropped. We buy more, pay less, and wear for shorter periods of time. In 2012, almost 60% of the ~150 billion garments produced ended up as post-consumer textile waste. In landfill, synthetic garments don’t break down, while natural materials decompose and emit methane (a greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. When some of the world’s largest fast fashion retailers – H&M, TopShop, Zara – sell clothing that is expected to be worn less than ten times, consumers are encouraged to buy more, and more, and more to stay ‘in fashion’, at the expense of people and the planet.
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SARAH COOPER (website, instagram + youtube links below)
Hello beautiful people and welcome back to our STT blog...i've missed this!!
Last time I posted on here we were in the midst of COVID lockdown 2020...lol here we are again!! Although lockdown is quite frankly trash, I hope this blog brings a little bit of sunshine and some useful health, mindset and wellbeing tips for you to implement to your at home life.
What a perfect way to bring back this journal space chatting all the things we love the most alongside queen of pilates, food and health... SARAH COOPER!!!
Sarah is a Sydney based pilates instructor who you may have seen on PE Nation instagram IGTV, Style Runner IGTV and instructing classes at Lean Bean Fitness + Body Love pilates. Sarah is also MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE instagram foodie (everything yum + healthy) and nutrition student who was kind enough to answer some of mine (and your) BIG QUESTIONS under topics such as body image, mental health, nutrition, immunity, workouts, active wear (important stuff).
ENJOY THIS READ + LEARN LOTS!!
sending my love to everyone xx
🌸🧘♀️
-TIPS FOR GAINING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP W FOOD + FITNESS?
Ah I think this is really up to every individual and everyone has their own experience. We also respond to things differently so I think the best thing you can do is work on tuning into your own thoughts and feelings and be able to recognise thought patterns and behaviours in yourself and notice any feelings that may come up. I think being a young girl in the digital age is so hard but you can also make choices such as unfollowing accounts that don’t make you feel good about yourself, practising gratitude and celebrating your unique body for what it can do each day. Only compare yourself to you- just because someone else’s diet and workouts work for them doesn’t mean it is right for you . Do what makes YOU feel good, happy, healthy and energised.
-GO TO HEALTHY RECIPE
Ooooh, usually my best is just throwing together a whole lot of good things like a rainbow bowl ! For example yesterday I roasted up some salmon, pumpkin, zucchini, fennel, carrot and capsicum then threw it in a bowl with avo, tahini and apple cider vinegar! So easy and delicious.
-LOCKDOWN MOTIVATION
It can be so hard but I think it is coming back to the small things and what you can be grateful for instead of focusing on what you’ve lost. I also think we are so lucky here compared to so many other parts of the world where they are struggling a lot more than us.
-HAPPINESS @ HOME
To keep me sane I make sure to get movement in, get outside usually taking my dog to the park, journaling, going for ocean swims, setting aside time off from work to relax and focusing on the things I enjoy!
-HOW DOES FITNESS + NUTRITION IMPACT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
This is a hugeeee question and could write an essay on it! There are so many amazing impacts of both exercise and food on the body and mind. Exercise has been proven to boost mood, immunity, cardiovascular health, bone density and concentration and if you are getting outside it is also great for vitamin D levels in winter which are essential for mood.
Exercise can be a great way to relieve anxiety and stress, improve your mental clarity and also release endorphins and get a mood boost! As for food, there are so many amazing benefits, one of the main ones is eating wholefoods minimises inflammation in the body which is the root cause of all disease, including mental. Eating a range of amazing foods feeds our gut bugs which link to our brain through our gut – brain axis and enteric nervous system. The amazing gut brain connection means that by feeding a healthy gut with prebiotics, probiotics, omega fatty acids, amino acids, fibre etc our gut can help to synthesise important neurotransmitters for our brain by absorbing all that goodness out of our food to balance our stress response and release of things like serotonin and GABA (which assist in reducing things like stress and anxiety.)
-IMPORTANCE OF MOVEMENT WHILST STUDYING/SCHOOL
Again, exercise and movement is essential for clear mind ! It is so important to take breaks between studying as it is not realistic to sit at a desk all day- it makes us tired and living a sedentary lifestyle can also increase your risk of disease. Getting movement in will make you feel energised, more focused and switched on, boosts your mood and helps to modulate inflammation which can lead to extra brain fog and tiredness when trying to study. I also found it a great way to break up my chunks so I could use exercise as a break between subjects or tasks. It also helps you sleep better which in turn helps concentration and productivity as well !
-FAV BRAND OF ACTIVE WEAR
Oooh so hard to choose ! My favourites for tights would be lilybod and alo yoga. I also love PE nation they have the best puffers for winter !
-WINTER IMMUNITY TIPS
My best tips would be starting with all the basics so my top 3 are diet and ensuring you are getting a variety of wholefoods and limiting sugars, refined and processed foods. My next would be managing stress and sleep so whether that is meditating each morning, deep breathing before bed, going to counselling whatever works for you. My next one is sort of 2 in1 but exercising outside each day, even just a walk around the block. Both sunshine and exercise is essential for regulating your immune system.
-GO TO AT HOME WORKOUT
Depends on the day ! Lately I have been doing a huge mix. I am loving my HIIT pilates classes at the moment because I get a balance of that high intense sweat but also slow controlled mat work as well.
-WORKOUT PLAYLIST INSPO?!?!?!?
I go through two mindsets ! Sometimes I like house party remixes and other times I love old school sing your heart out songs !
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Hi my fellow tea lovers,
I am currently starting off this blog post in class at school (sorry doing my maths homework wink wink.) First off can I say this year has been utterly WHACK and not completely in a bad way. I am in year 9 and this was my first year starting at boarding school. After 8 weeks we were sent home due to COVID and I was not complaining AT ALL.
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Hi my fellow tea lovers,
I am currently starting off this blog post in class at school (sorry doing my maths homework wink wink.) First off can I say this year has been utterly WHACK and not completely in a bad way. I am in year 9 and this was my first year starting at boarding school. After 8 weeks we were sent home due to COVID and I was not complaining AT ALL.
Idk if it was just me but when quarantine first started I had high hopes of myself and was expecting to be super productive. Well let me tell you that was not the case for AT LEAST the first month. I kinda forget the whole month of April mainly because I spent the majority of my time on tik tok and instagram whilst drinking copious amounts of herbal tea. I never thought anything of it, tea was just part of my everyday life. I didn't go a day without it. I would go online shopping for tea, research the benefits of tea and mix spices and herbs to make my own quirky ‘Sienna’ concoctions. The more time I spent at home, the more tea was consumed.
Each night I would make my family sit around and test tea blends that I had combined that day, during the day I would spend half my online lessons sharing my new found knowledge of tea to mum, I was so oblivious to the wonders it was doing for me and my wellbeing.
One of the many tea-testing nights I said as a passing comment ‘lol I should have my own tea business!’ THE PENNY DROPPED...I needed to have my own range of herbal tea, welcome to the world SPILL THE TEA, we love you so much already!
The more online lessons learning about pythagoras theorem or simultaneous equations, the more I realised how unnecessary school was for me at this point in time (disclaimer: if you understand/like pythagoras etc im super happy for you...I wish I had half your brains!) From the 50 minutes I would waste in a lesson I could have been researching, creating and testing new blends or contacting suppliers and graphic designers. I was eager to get stuff happening and I realised how deprived our generation is of access to genuine health and a good tea that isn't so boring or marketed purely to a mature audience. As you may already know I do love making some aesthetic pinterest boards and so, naturally, I started one for my visions for a tea business. I scrolled through the images on google, pinterest, instagram EVERYTHING and nothing screamed, fun, young, exciting, new all of which I would associate with my love of tea. This needed to change asap.
The name ‘Spill the Tea’ came naturally, two things I love doing is drinking tea and spilling tea. If you don't know the phrase ‘spill the tea’ it generally means ‘tell me what's been happening’, what's news ‘(tea)’ in your life. My friends and family all LOVE to spill tea and what better way to combine my major passions, talking, drinking tea and wellbeing into one cute little cylinder. From here Spill the Tea was born. Obviously it wasn't that quick but when I pitched my idea to my family they were on board and because my mum was home with me most of the time she practically turned into my personal assistant, I was constantly bouncing ideas off her and we both came to the agreeance that tea for teenagers was a must.
Anyway, back to school. I was scheduled to go back to school, completely locked in for 3 weeks. Tbh, school was becoming an inconvenience to the innovation of Spill the Tea. The thought of having to put ‘Spill the Tea’ on hold whilst I was at school wasn't really steaming my veggies but I knew it had to be done. 2 days later I was sent back home, I was sick....after a week at home I went back to school, then I got sick again. We then had an online school week and when I got back to school, once again I got sick. I'm not talking cough cough not actually sick...I’m talking genuine lowkey could be corona sick (it wasn't, dont stress!) Another time I became very ill as I had consumed gluten (I'm coeliac so that wasn't very fun!) I started to notice a pattern, when I was at school I wasn't eating the nutritious food I would at home, I didn't have the drive nor time to exercise as I usually would and was lucky to have one cup of tea per week (this was a catastrophe!) My skin went down hill and, whilst I was there, I never had any energy, motivation and felt I had lost my usual happy self. What the heck! Now i'm not claiming that the school made me sick but what i'm saying is the more I was there, the more sick I’d get and the more kilometres were building up on mum and dads cars...in contrast (lol my english teacher would be proud), being home I would thrive and have all the energy in the world, I was in my own routine and fuelling my body with goodness (goodness=herbal tea).
Whilst I spent this time at home I was working with my graphic designer (who is VERY talented may I add) in creating my website. My prep time at school (when I was there) was spent writing blogs, making pinterest boards for the website photoshoot and finding any inspiration as to why I should complete a PEEL paragraph about Romeo and Juliet.
Here we are today, I'm home, yet again...sipping tea and soaking up all the sunshine on this beautiful spring day. I have found where I need to be and right now that is home, thinking up astronomical ideas for my new little baby ‘Spill the Tea.’
Although this year has had its ups and downs, I would like to consider 2020 as a positive experience so far for myself personally. If corona hadn't happened I would have never had the time to launch, what seems to be a dream come true, my own range of herbal tea.
That's the tea in my life at the moment...more coming soon I promise!
Hope you enjoyed my mini rant,
Sending love always,
Sienna xx
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