Club Diaries

One of the biggest threats to sea turtles is plastic pollution. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter our oceans, much of it mistaken for food by marine animals. Turtles often ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, one of their primary food sources. Ingesting plastic can lead to serious health problems, including blockages, malnutrition, and even death.Additionally, turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, restricting their movement and making them vulnerable to predators or starvation. This is why reducing plastic consumption is essential in safeguarding their future.

All our grandest dreams lie in nature. We want to explore the world - see icebergs, and safaris, explore the coral reefs and float through the sky. We don’t crave technology or the mundanity of normal life. If we can aspire to these great adventures, why not bring them into the everyday? Nature and the adventures it possesses aren’t just found in sweeping landscapes or remote getaways—it’s woven into the fabric of our daily lives if we choose to notice. Sunlight and fresh air. Not only do we know its bad for us, but waking up to your phone or laptop is bad for your adventurous spirit. Take a moment to open a window, step out onto a balcony or take a moment outside to ground yourself in nature before you start your day. Even a few minutes of natural light can help regulate your circadian rhythm, boost mood, and bring a sense of peace before the demands of the day take over.

A concise list of everything I’m embracing and rejecting in 2025. Ins: Shopping second hand / vintage, Peonies, Slowing down, Beach days, Green tea instead of coffee, Yoga, No phone 1hr after waking, No devices 1hr before bed, Marine collagen, Boundaries, Beach clean ups, Houseplants, Essential oils, Dancing in the kitchen, Meditation, Risk taking, Sunday resets, Dinner parties at home, Quality over quantity, Self love rituals, Learning more about the world, Supporting small/local businesses, Dreaming big, Handwritten letters, Bees, Signature scent, Skincare, Gardening, Going to the library 

Self care isn’t a luxury, but essential for mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Creating a personalised self-care hamper for you or your loved one is a great way to facilitate mindfulness. 

Tip 1: Start with a direction. 

Intentionality is important in all things. Do you want to promote relaxation, boost energy, or want to focus on deeply nourishing your skin? Choosing a theme will guide your selection process. 

For a revitalising effect, Elliqua’s Refresh Bundle sets the perfect base for a self care hamper. Featuring No.1 Citrus + Herbal Musk and No. 3 Cucumber and Mint - designed for an uplifting, elevated shower experience. 

For ultimate relaxation, Elliqua’s Unwind Bundle features No. 0 Unscented and No. 2 Coconut + Vanilla. Crafted for the daily dose of self-care, enriching your skin with a complex blend of soothing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera and kaolin clay. 

For ultimate scent flexibility in your hamper creation, Elliqua’s Restore Bundle features No. 0 Unscented Cleansing Body Bars and the Elliqua Soap Dish. 

Tip 2: Aromatherapy 

Essential oils can evoke specific moods and emotions, making them advantageous to your self care bundle. They’re great in the shower, or in a diffuser but even better as a roll on to relax with throughout the day. 

For a revitalising effect I opt for scents like lemongrass known for its ability to relieve tension while boosting energy or peppermint, an invigorating oil that promotes focus. (a perfect pairing to Elliqua’s Refresh Bundle) 

For relaxation, the classic lavender is hard to beat. Known for its calming properties, its perfect for unwinding. I also recommend chamomile for reducing stress and sandalwood for something more earthy. 

For nourishment and detox tea tree oil and eucalyptus have excellent purifying properties. 

Tip 3: Shower Essentials 

No hamper is complete without the perfect shower essentials to remind you self-care is self love. 

Exfoliating mitts or brushes promote blood circulation and leave you with a silky smooth finish. 

My personal favourite - a towel robe, seals the deal when creating the spa experience at home. A plus towel and robe enhance the indulgent experience taking your self-care hamper to the next level. 

Elliqua Soap Dish is included in all bundles and is perfect for making sure your soaps stay fresh after each use. 

Tip 4: Reflection

Wellness starts in the mind, and it’s important to remember that your personal growth is more than clear skin, working out everyday or having the perfect self care routine. 

Self care hampers are a fun way to look after yourself and feel grounded in the chaos of everyday life. If you don’t have the perfect shower routine, or something goes wrong along the way, remember self care doesn’t have to be precise. There’s no pressure to be perfect.

Sustainability practices to take into 2025. January isn’t over just yet - so we’ve still got time to think about all the ways we want to improve this coming year. We’ve tackled skin care and wellness, but we wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t acknowledge our beautiful planet and what we can do to let it thrive. Sustainable living isn’t just a trend, it’s a commitment to preserving resources, reducing waste and fostering a harmonious relationship with the planet that gives us life. So in the light of doing good, here’s some impactful practices to take with you into 2025. 

St Valentine, immortalised by Valentine’s Day, comes from the great legend of a courageous Christian martyr who, while imprisoned, fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Before his execution, he penned her a heartfelt farewell note signed “Your Valentine.” He has since become a timeless symbol of unwavering love and the profound power of a love letter. Today we celebrate Valentine's Day as a day of gratitude towards our loved ones, family and friends - reminding us to appreciate the connection and affection we are lucky enough to experience. 

What is overlooked in times when outward grandeur expressions of love are so famed and craved, is self love. In the whirlwind of romantic relationships we often forget to love ourselves first. So this year, I’m turning the love inward. Self-love, the cornerstone of true wellness, is about more than pampering - it’s about embracing who you are, setting boundaries, and prioritising your own well-being. By cultivating self-love, you’re not just nurturing yourself; you’re building a foundation for a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.

In 2025 we’re welcoming the weird and the wonderful - giving our skin the much needed love and care it deserves. Let’s delve into what we’re adding to our skincare routines in 2025. 

1 - Probiotic Skincare. Probiotic skincare boasts the ability to balance the skin’s microbiome, reduce inflammation and enhance the skin barrier. A game changer for your skin. Incorporating probiotics can address concerts such as acne and improve overall skin health. 

2 - Collagen Powders. Marine Collagen has been shown to have anti-aging properties by slowing the aging process in studies, improving skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles and enhancing the overall structure and appearance of skin. Taken in pill or powder form, it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine and your morning tea or coffee. 

A list of everything you can add to your selfcare routine and rituals or your lifestyle. We suggest trying one a week to figure out what works for you. 

Green tea instead of coffee. Reducing your caffeine intake is great for your gut and heart health. Plus green tea has great anti-aging properties and can make your skin appear more glowy and hydrated.  

40 mins of movement daily. Yoga and pilates are my personal favourites. There are so many great routines online, or go for a hot girl walk in the sunshine 

Read before bed. Spark your creativity and curiosity with a classic novel or educational nonfiction. Reducing screen time and before bed is also proven to help you get to sleep easier and stay asleep longer.

The first week of the new year can be characterised as a week of reinvention. We mindmap, journal, moodboard and discuss with friends the person we want to be, and all the ways we want to achieve this glorious fantastical version of self. I’ve fallen deeply into this hole. I’ve written a letter to myself reflecting on the coming year like it had already happened in hopes of manifesting a perfect existence. I’ve outlined exactly what i want from my year; what countries I want to visit, what outfits I’ll wear to my job, what grades I need to boost myself from a distinction to high distinction average, what diet to follow for model abs, what the perfect Sunday reset routine looks like, the dinner parties I’ll host with friends. Every minuscule detail has been selected, refined and encapsulated in a photo I can look at daily to remind me of my path. 

Shea Butter. Shea butter is deeply moisturising, an excellent emollient, sealing moisture into the skin without clogging pores. Rich in Vitamin A and E, these vitamins support repair and protect against free radicals, reducing signs of aging. Shea butter is also naturally anti-inflammatory, it helps soothe redness and irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Fatty acids; oleic, stearic, linoleic, found in shea butter help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. 

Cocoa Butter. Cocoa butter is highly effective  at hydrating and nourishing the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Rich in antioxidants, it contains polyphenols that help project the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage. Cocoa butter enhances the skin's elasticity, keeping the skin supple, due to its healing properties that promote skin regeneration.

Coconut Oil. Penetrating deeply into the skin, coconut oil provides long lasting moisture to prevent dryness. Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties - containing lauric acid that protects the skin and reduces the risk of infections and acne. Packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin A, coconut oil helps alleviate skin irritation, redness and inflammation having a calming and soothing effect. Coconut oil promotes a healthy, radiant complexion by nourishing and repairing the skin barrier.