Our Blog: Sustainable Stories

How Important are Small Businesses for the UK Economy?

This weekend on the 7th of December it will be Small Business Saturday! So we’re taking a look at why small businesses are so important and some of the best ways to celebrate them, this Christmas a...

The Best Sustainable Gifts This Christmas

As we all know, the festive season can feel like an overwhelming period of overconsumption, where we often buy lots without actually finding anything we really love.  Those last-minute gifts that ...

Breaking up with Plastic Fashion - A Deep Dive into Polyester

What is Polyester and How does it contribute to environmental degradation? Since the conception of the first synthetic fibres at the end of the 19th century, the fashion industry has consistently l...

A look at the new Ecodesign legislation due in 2024

It's no secret that the fashion industry overall is an incredibly unsustainable, wasteful and hyper-consumerist industry with significant negative environmental and social impacts. For the fashion ...

New year, new underwear

As the calendar turns to another year, many of us find ourselves making resolutions, setting goals, and embracing the idea of "new year, new you". The process of reflection and introspection can be...

Our last minute sustainable gift guide 2023

As much as we would all love to have sorted our Christmas presents before now, we recognise that life often gets in the way. So here is our gift guide for your loved ones which wont cost the earth,...

Why its important to buy from Female Founded Businesses this Christmas

As the festive season is now well and truly underway and the spirit of giving takes centre stage, we've been reflecting on why it's so important to buy from female founded, owned and majority busin...

Our guide to decorating sustainably this Christmas

Over the past week, our lovely Y.O.U Christmas elves have been busy transforming our shop into a sustainable winter wonderland! This got us thinking about how much we all love making our homes and ...

Why being kind makes you happy: Lessons From Denmark

World Kindness Day: November 13th is World Kindness Day - a movement that aims to inspire individuals and communities to create a more compassionate and caring world by fostering a culture of kindn...

How to Have a Happy and Sustainable Halloween

Halloween itself is not inherently unsustainable, but certain aspects of the way it is celebrated are not very planet-friendly. For example, a shocking 7 million Halloween costumes are thrown out e...

Are Menstrual Cups the Answer to Period Poverty?

Firstly, what is period poverty? Period poverty refers to the lack of access not just to period products themselves, but also associated information and resources such as adequate education around ...

How can I get involved in Organic September? Plus an exciting giveaway...

Organic September is a month-long campaign which aims to raise awareness of organic products, and the brands, producers and farmers who bring them to us in the UK. Organic September is organised by...

Mates of the Month - Neve's Bees

This blog is devoted to our Mate of the Month and fellow ethical business Neve's Bees - Oxfordshire Beekeepers making totally natural skincare from pure, natural plant oils and butters blended with...

Sustainable 'Back to School' Essentials

As we approach September, there will be one thought on every child's and parent’s mind: school. Going back to school is an exciting but also scary time – and back-to-school shopping can also be an ...

Carbon Neutral Jewellery - Earrings Made From Recycled Y.O.U Mailing Bags!

There is nothing trendier than sustainable, zero-waste fashion. This year's Met Gala was a testament to this, with Emma Watson stealing the show in a stunning gown made from different fabrics that ...

Visible Mending (Sashiko): it’s cool to care.

As of 2023, it is estimated that fashion and textile production accounts for 20% of wastewater and 10% of annual global carbon emissions (Somerset council, 2023). Of the 100 billion garments that a...

Sustainable Barbie Fashion

 In 2023, we are certainly living in a ‘Barbie World’. The highly anticipated Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is currently dominating the box office, and has driven social me...

Sustainable Summer Holiday Essentials

Time to dust off your cases and rucksacks, summer holidays are looming! Whether you're a last minute packer or an organised planner, this blog shares some must-have sustainable essentials to pack f...

Say no to single-use plastics

Can you change some bad plastic habits in just one month? Plastic Free July is the perfect time to try! Whether it’s ditching pre-packed food or avoiding lining bins with plastic bags, this blog re...

Four favourite affordable ethical clothing brands

Have you ever trawled the internet for an ethical alternative to a potential fast fashion purchase and been shocked at the price of a sustainable swap? Well, we have!  Costs add up when working wit...