It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a round up of favourites and I’ve discovered some awesome new things in June so it seemed like the ideal time. Below are some things I’ve been loving over the last month.

1. Books of Your Life podcast

I love a good podcast when I’m out on a dog walk or wending my way to work and I really enjoyed discovering this one! In Books of Your Life, Elizabeth Khuri Chandler – co-founder of Goodreads – talks to a whole host of creative, dynamic and interesting people to find out which books they love to read. It’s a sure-fire way to grow your TBR and get a lovely glimpse into the lives of the great and the good. I particularly enjoyed the episodes with Neil Gaiman and Anne Lamott.

2. Good On You

I’ve been trying to make my clothes shopping more sustainable. I always tend to go for cheap and cheerful fashion because it’s always felt too self indulgent to spend a lot on clothes. Recently, though, I’ve come to recognise the dangers of buying cheap clothes. Not only do they not last as well – losing their shape quickly or falling apart after a couple of washes, meaning you actually spend more replacing them – but they also often come through supply chains with underpaid workers, unethical practices and from unsustainable sources. When a colleague sent round a link to Good On You I was hooked! Good On You helps you see how different brands rate on labour, animal rights and environmental practices. You can easily search for clothes of any type and narrow your search according to geographic area – so you can also avoid inadvertently shipping clothes from halfway round the world! I’ve discovered some amazing UK brands through this website (they also have a handy app!) and my wardrobe is going to be heading in a much happier direction from now on.

3. Who Gives A Crap

We’ve actually been using Who Gives A Crap toilet paper for ages but I’ve come to love them more and more. They are such a brilliant company and their journey to becoming plastic free is inspiring! Who Gives A Crap donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries, and their toilet paper is made from 100% recycled paper! With super exciting packaging that brightens up the bathroom, lovely messages on the box, in the box, on each roll and on social media, AND their awesome ethos, Who Gives A Crap is definitely a brand to get on board with.

4. Carbon Footprint

You may be sensing a theme by now – my new job has made me more aware than ever of issues around sustainability and the environment! Carbon Footprint is a fantastic website with lots of information that will help you calculate your carbon footprint. Even better, once you’ve finished calculating – whether for a one off thing like a flight or for your household’s day to day carbon footprint – the site will then give you a ton of different ways that you can offset it: everything from community projects and deforestation initiatives around the world to planting trees at home! Whichever initiative you choose to support, you can either pay a one-off sum up front or spread the cost over a number of months. An amazing idea!

5. Read This If…

It’s no secret over here that I love books and I love writing so it should come as no surprise to learn that I also love books about writing! I have a steadily growing library of books on the craft and I love dipping into them. Quite some time ago I bought Read This If You Want To Be A Great Writer but had only flicked through it briefly until a couple of weeks ago when I decided to read it properly. It is AWESOME and I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner. Full of insight and brilliant examples it provides some really interesting frameworks for writing without being prescriptive. It’s presented and written in an engaging and accessible way and demystifies writing, making it seem like all those projects buried in your brain are possible! If you’re a writer or interested in writing I definitely recommend it.

6. Bazaar – Veggie Cooking

Recently I have found myself increasingly ‘off’ meat. I haven’t really wanted to cook with it or eat it but, having always lived in meat eating households, was a bit stumped for how else to cook. A friend recommended this cookbook and WOW has it changed the way we eat! The recipes in Bazaar by Sabrina Ghayour are absolutely divine and we’ve loved everything we’ve cooked. We’re eating healthier, shopping cheaper and it has reduced our meat intake massively, to the point that 6 days out of seven we tend to eat veggie! Absolutely love it. It also happens to be a beautifully presented cook book so if you love food food and pretty books then this one is a winner.

And there you have it: my June favourites. I’m looking forward to what July has to offer. What have you been loving this month?