Notes on Nature

Nature is good for mental health, but in winter that fact can be easy to forget. When temperatures plummet in the UK, the default setting is often to stay inside. But the natural world is putting on a spectacular show right now – and in the hectic festive season, it can be a much-needed balm. No matter the time of year, Nature is a gift. Whether you’re surrounded by countryside or need to stroll to the park to catch a glimpse of greenery, here’s why it’s worth wrapping up and getting out there now.

We love winter, but it can throw skin into disarray. Chilly temperatures outside, central heating inside, low humidity in both – it’s a recipe for sensitivity, irritation and dryness. Follow these tips to give your skin the extra kindness it needs this season.

We headed to our local Oxfam to discover everything great about buying presents from a charity shop. Charity shops are best known for selling second-hand stuff – and there’s something really satisfying about finding a one-off that you know will be adored by its new owner. 

Endless miles of tinsel and glitter baubles are full of fun, but they're also full of plastic. If you’re looking for a more natural winter aesthetic that’s easier on the planet, you might like to try these sustainable ideas instead.

Does everything in your garden feel a bit grey at the moment? Don’t worry, Nature has some heroic plants that bloom bright even in the depths of winter. And if you don’t have an outdoor space, pick out one of the vibrant houseplants that are ready to bring some serious colour into your home right now.

Shampoo and conditioner bars have become increasingly popular in recent years, but not everyone’s convinced just yet. And we get it – if you’re happy with your hair routine, changing it can be a daunting prospect. That’s why we work hard to make sure our bars perform just as well as our bottled formulas.

Unbeatable offers, huge discounts, limited availability: the frenzy of Black Friday is intense. And unless you live deep in the woods and have no access to the internet, it can be pretty much impossible to avoid. All those bargains might be tempting, but such a massive spike in consumerism is bound to have an impact on the planet. So, what would Nature say about Black Friday?

It’s Indie Spotlight time again, and today we’re putting Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton, Manchester, centre stage. This workers’ co-operative is something of a local legend, with its iconic jute shopping bags a familiar sight across the city. We interviewed the folks at Unicorn to find out more about the past, present and future of their wonderful shop.

Nothing beats the reward of doing your future self a favour. Changing your bedding before you go on holiday, putting something tasty in the slow cooker in the morning – you’ll always be grateful for the small things you did for yourself in advance. And now that winter’s on the way, Nature has the perfect present for future you: spring bulbs.

Welcome to Culture Forager Vol. III. This is where we share with you the cultural stuff that’s on our radar right now. From music for plants to a festival dedicated to mountains, we’ve dug out some gems this month. Scroll through our five foraged findings for inspiration abound.  

We’re two months in to working alongside Nature as a director. A huge amount of work went into making this appointment possible — but the real work begins now. The real work is not in the appointing, but in the working with Nature towards better informed, more conscious decisions that take the natural world into account. So what is it like sharing the boardroom table with a non-human entity that has never had a voice in business before?

If Nature crowned you with a head of curly hair, switching to zero waste haircare might be a daunting prospect. Caring for curls can be a delicate balance, and introducing any new products to your shower routine could change everything. They might be good for the planet, but are shampoo bars good for curly hair?