The #freeperiods Campaign

The #freeperiods Campaign

Rachel Umunna
Planet

When it comes to that time of month, many of us don’t like to talk about it. Just the thought of our period (yes, I said it) fills us with dread. For the unlucky among us it causes excruciatingly painful cramps, for others it causes us to run to the loo way more than we would ever like to admit, either way it’s an uncomfortable time for any woman where we never quite feel ourselves and absolutely can’t wait to get over. The availability of feminine hygiene products is never a thought that crosses my mind which is where the #freeperiods  campaign comes in.  A campaign headed by 18 year old Amika George who says girls on free school meals should get free sanitary products, yet the Conservative government have done nothing about it. To highlight the issue, she's organised a peaceful protest in London and is calling on Theresa May to eliminate period poverty.

Why Is It So Hard To Shop Sustainably?

Why Is It So Hard To Shop Sustainably?

Rachel Umunna
Style and Beauty, Life, Planet

Happy Halloween ! We all want shop sustainable but what stops us from doing so? For many of us the main hurdle may be price so this blog post takes a look at how we can shop sustainably without putting too much pressure on your purse strings and almost whether or not sustainable fashion will ever really become affordable. Click the link to read more! 

Pinch me, I'm an Entrepreneur

Pinch me, I'm an Entrepreneur

Rachel Umunna
Life

When you look up the definition entrepreneur online, you get a lot of generic responses, which may be true but don't seem personal. As some of you may know, I started my own home business in May selling homemade, organic lemon curd. Since then, I've worked really hard to create the perfect recipe and get it out there! Starting a business is HARD and I really want to use this entrepreneur series to share my journey with you guys. You can also follow my business journey on @somashomemade on twitter and instagram.

How To Help Victims Of The Recent Natural Disasters

How To Help Victims Of The Recent Natural Disasters

Rachel Umunna
Planet

With everything in the news lately regarding all the natural disasters that are occurring, we think that is only appropriate that we decide this post to disaster victims and how to help them. Please take care when donating online as unfortunately some people still choose to take advantage of the situation by posted potential scams. I have included the links to some trusted websites but please do remain alert.

Are We Really Making A Difference?

Are We Really Making A Difference?

Rachel Umunna
Life, Planet

We've probably all had that one person who says 'what's the point, you're not going to change anything.' Not only does such a comment anger you, as it does me, but it also makes you begin to question (even if it is a few days later) - do my actions make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things? Read more on the blog

Do It Better... Real Fur vs Faux Fur

Do It Better... Real Fur vs Faux Fur

Rachel Umunna
Style and Beauty

For people in fashion fur has always represented the epitome of luxury. Fur used to be a constant feature on the runways of our favourite designers or casually draped across the shoulders of favourite celebrity. So, it’s only natural that we covet fur like crazy. But with all dark side of the fashion industry increasingly coming to light, let's look at faux fur alternatives.

When You Can't Decide What to Buy... Be A Conscious Consumer

When You Can't Decide What to Buy... Be A Conscious Consumer

Rachel Umunna
Style and Beauty

We’ve all been in that situation before where we’re out shopping and so many things catch our eye that before we know it our shopping basket is full, and we’re met with a bill that has a figure so high, we start to seriously consider whether it is possible to live off only baked beans for the next month in order to afford it all. One thing that I have recently tried to consider when making purchasing decisions, when I'm stuck for choice, is the sustainability angle of the company. 

Check Me Out On Delikate Rayne!

Check Me Out On Delikate Rayne!

Rachel Umunna
Life, Style and Beauty

Read about my exciting new venture as a regular contributor to Delikate Rayne (DR), a sustainable fashion brand that produces vegan based clothing. Delikate Rayne recently reached out to me about becoming a writer for their online based blog about all things sustainable but with a cool fashion twist! Although I am now also a regular contributor to DR I will still be posting like crazy on somadina.co.uk so be sure to subscribe!

Are We Losing Our Human Touch?

Are We Losing Our Human Touch?

Rachel Umunna
Planet

To what extent are we becoming distanced from society? Think about it, how many times have been tempted to have a cosy night in? Snuggled up on the sofa with a cup of tea or even a glass of wine about to binge on your favourite TV series or read a good book rather than venturing out in the unpredictable London weather to meet with a friend, that you could just as easily 'Whats App' or call?

I know I've been guilty of this before.

But with artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise, will we soon reach a point where we were go beyond this and in actuality actively choose to interact with an AI that is tailored to our needs and personality traits over a real life human, who if we are honest at times aren't always perfect? Beyond this, are we reaching a point where we will begin to depend on AIs for our intimate relationships and satisfaction too?  This latest post explores how out of touch we as a society have become and the potential consequences of this.

How It Feels To Be A Woman At Night

How It Feels To Be A Woman At Night

Rachel Umunna
Planet, Life

I'm sure any ladies who read this can relate. As a woman, I won't lie to you, sometimes I feel scared when walking home alone at night. It doesn't matter if I am walking for 2 minutes or 20, I am scared. Don't get me, wrong, I live in a safe suburban area but I still acknowledge that it is a very real possibility that one day with no warning at all something could very bad could happen to me. With all the news stories we hear about rape and sexual assault, let's look at what it really feels like to be woman alone at night.

Is Birth Control Sexist?

Is Birth Control Sexist?

Rachel Umunna
Life

I remember when I was considering the getting the hormonal implant one of the questions during my initial consultation was 'Were you in any way pressured by your partner into getting this form of contraceptive?' My first thought was 'wtf, seriously?!' but then I thought well, doesn't that really say it all, we really do live in a society where the type of (or lack there of) contraception we as women use is really governed by men.

As women, a lot of pressure to guard against unwanted pregnancies rests on our shoulders, is it fair - no, of course not but is it the reality yes. In this article I discuss the importance of reading around different types of hormonal conception and most importantly ensuring that you make a decision that YOU, yes YOU are happy and comfortable with. This is not a a lash out against hormonal contraceptives, just simply highlighting that they are not to to be something taken lightly because after all our 'body is a temple' right. 

 

 

Top Five Things To Do In Bordeaux

Top Five Things To Do In Bordeaux

Rachel Umunna
Travel

It's summer, tickets to European destinations are pretty cheap right now and sooooo how about seeing what Bordeaux has to offer? I've listed the top 5 things to do in the city of Bordeaux although I realise half way through that many of the things I mentioned are quite a drive away... I kind of made it up to you guys at the end. Plus, this is why you come to me and not Tripadvisor right? ;P

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes

Rachel Umunna
Planet, Style and Beauty

Hello, Friday!! Woo, woo! So far the weekend looks like it's going to be a scorcher which means summer dresses and shorts at the ready. The hot weather also means that you've probably started to reassess your summer wardrobe, with most of the clothes you bought last year not making the cut this year. In that case, this post is perfect for you! Read here about how to get rid of your old clothes sustainably and even make some money along the way!

Tuesday Means Treat Day Right ?

Tuesday Means Treat Day Right ?

Rachel Umunna
Food

Because Tuesday means Treat Day, right? You're probably reading this at the worst possible time, whilst commuting to work, and probably thinking 'ugh why the hell did she just post about a sweet ass looking cheesecake I can't make until I get home?!' Well, I was just so excited to share this amazing recipe with you by a Pinterest user know as 'Pretty Simple Sweet' that I couldn't wait until the weekend. Plus I needed someone to help share my over eating of cheesecake guilt with, so here we are. Enjoy!

Well, actually Charlotte I'm 24 and think I'm pretty much f*cked

Well, actually Charlotte I'm 24 and think I'm pretty much f*cked

Rachel Umunna
Life

Last week I turned 24 and after having what can easily be referred to as a mini life crisis where I thought I was doomed and had already failed at life. i realised it's really not that deep and actually Im pretty bloody happy with where I am, So, if you too get moments where you catch a glimpse of yourself halfway through a Netflix binge, thinking what the hell am I doing with my life - then this article is for you to know that just because you're a year older doesn't mean that your 'adult hat' has to be on all the time, that it's ok to sit back and enjoy the ride.

What Does Trump Pulling Out of the Paris Agreement Mean For the Rest of Us?

What Does Trump Pulling Out of the Paris Agreement Mean For the Rest of Us?

Rachel Umunna
Planet

On June 1st President of the United States, Donald Trump, made the announcement that the United States would no longer support the Paris Climate deal.

Given Trump's previous skeptical attitudes towards the validity of man made global warming, it comes as no surprise really that one of his earliest actions as President was to withdraw the USA from the Paris Agreement set fourth to lower emissions and take on greener policies in order to reduce global warming to an optimistic 2 degrees.

What does Trumps decision mean for the rest of us and further still the environment? As the the second largest contributor to carbon emitter, Trump's withdrawal is well, a pretty big deal. Trump's action signal to the rest of the world that  he doesn't care about reducing emissions and at the point isn't even bothering to pretend to care about reducing them i.e. he doesn't give thatch of a f*ck about the Planet.

Load More