I’ve mentioned before that I love podcasts. I was a late bloomer to the medium but now I’m a fully-fledged obsessive. From show reviews and true crime thrillers to history, self-help and politics, I consume it all. And now I have one of my own! I’d like to introduce you to A Good Good Thing, the podcast.

We all know the news these days can be tough going, and with so much happening it means a lot of the uplifting stories we’d love to see get left on the cutting room floor.
A Good Good Thing is a good news podcast that, while not encouraging you to bury your head in the sand, offers a friendly respite, full of fun and inspiring stories, from charities and pop culture to life-changing innovations in science and tech.

The good news podcast

I present A Good Good Thing with my best bud Jack. We’ve wanted to work on something creative together for ages, and I’ve been going on about starting a podcast for a while until one day, while talking about how amazing science innovations and incredible grass-roots social initiatives don’t get the air time, the penny dropped and the podcast was born. We’ve even got our own funky little theme tune!

Listen to the trailer below, or keep reading to find out where you can listen and subscribe.

How to listen to A Good Good Thing

A Good Good Thing can be found on all major podcast apps and websites (Remember to subscribe rate and review!).

Here are some links:

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify
• PocketCasts
• Anchor
• Breaker
• Overcast
• PodBean
• Radio Public

You can also follow the podcast online at agoogdgoodthing.com, and while you’re at it, give us a follow @agoodgoodthing on the usual social channels; Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to hear about positive stories you have for us to share.

We hope you like it! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

From here on in, this is a good vibes only space…

Disclaimer: Dermalogica gifted me the moisturiser and primer to try. I was under no obligation to post and have not been paid for this review.

My skin has been all over the place this winter. I’m always so much better at caring for my skin in the summer, maybe because the weather makes me less grumpy, and so my skin can take a battering in the colder months. So trying out new moisturisers is a helpful way to keep me focused on maintaining a good skincare routine. Dermalogica sent me their new Skin Smoothing cream to try, which I’ve been using alongside their Multi-active Toner and Microfoliant, which I already owned. They also sent me their Skinperfect Primer spf30 to finish.

What the brand says

The new Skin Smoothing Cream is the next generation of skincare. A progression of its best-selling moisturiser, this new cream features state-of-the-art Active HydraMesh Technology™ to infuse skin with 48 hours of continuous hydration and help protect against environmental stress. The cream also helps reduce Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), which is where moisture from inside the body, and dermis (the thick layer of tissue below the skin that has capillaries and vessels), moves through to the epidermis (the skin) and evaporates from the body.

The cream is gluten, paraben and cruelty free as well as vegan and containing no artificial fragrances and colours.

How to use

Apply over damp face and throat with light, upward strokes. Use twice daily, morning and night. Can be applied over or mixed with prescribed Dermalogica Concentrated Booster for additional results.

What Neil Says

It took me a couple goes to figure out the right amount to use, it comes out of the tube in a relatively thick consistency but spreads across a larger area easily, so you don’t need as much as you think. I think prepping with the Multi-active toner has really help as they combine well to boost the skin. In a week I was seeing brighter skin and a smoother appearance, the combination of hyaluronic acid, echinacea and aloe vera help lock in hydration leaving your skin well plumped.

I also used the Skinperfect primer to finish. This tinted formula is the perfect finisher to the moisturiser by helping to even out skin tone.

every other day I used the Microfoliant for a deeper cleanser and my all-time favourite Age Reversal Eye Complex cream to banish under eye bags and circles (it’s the best I’ve ever used)

The first thing you really notice about Dermalogica’s new Skin Smoothing Cream is that it lives up to its  promise to deliver deep, long-lasting hydration.  After only applying a small amount, my skin felt hydrated  the entire day, even in a dry, air-conditioned office.

As for the SkinPerfect Primer, this has shot the top of my hero products list. It had a beautiful, velvety texture and applies easily. It’s tinted finish reduced redness and leaving you looking fresh, as if you didn’t only have 5 hours sleep.

Self-described as ‘Food For Your Skin‘, Ecooking is a brand new grooming label coming out of Denmark, founded by industry-expert Tina Søgaard. After coming up against her own skincare challenges—My skin [had become] more ‘tired’ and ‘grey’ than ever before. Because I also lost a lot of weight in a very short space of time, my skin completely collapsed.” says Tina—she began taking the raw ingredients home from the laboratory and started to mix creams, serums and oils on her kitchen table.

Ecooking: Ethical and environmentally friendly products

There is no common or base ingredient through the range because each product was produced as an answer to a specific skincare concern, for which there is no universal answer. The range was built on an ‘eco’ foundation, with ingredients so pure, some of the range can actually be used in cooking and is edible.

I was introduced to Ecooking by a friend who had begun working with them, and after seeing some great results with the brand, I wanted to share it with you. Ecooking sent me products from the men-focused range, aptly named Ecooking Men.

Ecooking Cleansing Gel

What the brand says: The Cleansing Gel is has a scent of fresh lemon that nourishes and cleanses the skin in depth. It contains Organic Cucumber Extract, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Vitamin E and is 100% vegan. Suitable for normal and greasy skin.

How to use: Foam up the gel in your hand, using a little warm water, and massage gentle onto your face and neck morning and night. Remove with lukewarm water.

What Neil Says: You can’t beat a good cleanser for getting rid of the signs of a long day (or a bad night’s sleep). A refreshing hit before your morning cuppa, the gel’s light fragrance leaves a zing while then overall experience doesn’t leave your skin feeling too tight. I use it in the shower after the gym in the morning and over the sink before bed if I don’t have a second shower. As an extra tip, this gel is actually antibacterial, so I use it to cleanser under the arms and other sweat-prone areas after the gym to combat any odours.

Shop now

Ecooking Face Cream

What the brand says: Ecooking’s Facial Cream for men has moisturising and nourishing effects with a scent of fresh lemon. Packed with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Sunflower Oil (all organic, of course) it helps improve the surface and structure of the skin. Suitable for all skin types. 100% vegan.

How to use: Can be used day and night, or after shaving. Apply evenly to the face and neck using upwards motions.

What Neil Says: I found the scent fairly non-existent, but Ecooking does state that due to the ever-evolving recipes of their products, scent strength does change. It doesn’t bother me too much as I like to wear a fragrance, so potent skincare can mess that up. The consistency is super light, a watery gel more than a lotion. It absorbs super quick which is a pro after the gym and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. I found I didn’t need more than 1-2p size amount to cover my face. Double up and use this after the Cleansing Gel.

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Ecooking Hair & Body Wash

What the brand says: Ecooking Hair and Body Shampoo is a 2-in-1 soap that leaves the body and hair clean with a renewed energy and a fresh and masculine scent. 100% vegan.

How to use: Use in the shower daily. Rinse with warm water, suitable for all hair types. A little goes a long way!

What Neil Says: With its mix of organic Aloe Vera, Abessin oil, Glycerin and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein to name but a few star ingredients, this shampoo is star all-rounder; it adds a shine to your hair, protects against irritation on the skin and scalp, moisturises, strengthens and regenerates the hair and skin. I use it in my beard to if I haven’t got my beard wash to hand.

Shop now

Overall, while not ground-breaking, the Ecooking range does the job and does it well. It’s an easy routine that can easily be added into anyone’s day. I’d be keen to see how much the product changes with each purchase, both scent wise and overall development, but each product holds it’s own and for the price, it delivers the results needed without breaking the bank. The packaging is nice and clean, and doesn’t feel too clinical or commercial. For fans of vegan skincare and those who like their products packed with organic ingredients and none of the usual nasties, then I recommend giving Ecooking, and its wider range, a go.

Find out more about Ecooking or purchase product, head to their website.

If you’ve tried Ecooking, what did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of New Year resolutions. I kind of see them as a larger scale version of ‘I’ll start on Monday’, and I’ve always been a solid believer in starting now, not putting something off until it’s convenient. That said, for 2019 I have decided to set myself some goals. These are things I want to achieve. They may not be achievable in a year, and they may not all start on January 1st, but these are the next things on my I want to achieve in my life.

How to make New Year resolutions that you’ll keep

I think if you are thinking about making your own resolutions, it’s about creating realistic goals, but also goals that are flexible. I don’t say that so that they can easily be gotten out of, but that we often make such strict, far-reaching goals and unfortunately, as we all know, life isn’t that strict, it demands that we change and adapt to unforeseen circumstances. So if you add a bit of flexibility to your goals, so can adapt them to your life and they are more likely to be achieved. For example, if your goal is weight loss, don’t set a goal of ‘X amount of weight lost in X amount of time’, say ‘in the next year I want to begin my journey to a healthier and happier me’. Then say to yourself that it can be measured in the following ways; I feel fitter, I can walk/run further and I am stronger. I feel happier. I look healthier. And finally, the weight on the scale is going down. All of these measures are valid and show success, you may achieve them all, you may not. But staying the same weight but being able to walk 10km is still a success. don’t narrow your window for succeeding by setting narrow goals.

My New Year Resolutions

Making saving a priority

I’ve always been a pretty good budgeter. When I need to save, I’ve always been able to knuckle down and do it, whether it was to buy something or save for a holiday. But 2019 is going to mark the start of probably the most ambitious savings project we ever have; saving for a house. It’s not a small feat to achieve, but I’m at the stage in my life where I really want a space to call my own. so the budgets have been worked on, still allowing space for fun, and my spending limits are set. I’ve forcing myself to have a very spartan start to the year in order to kick-start the fund, then I plan on spending, or not as the case may be, the rest of the year focusing on putting money away as the priority. So long-haul holiday dreams will be on hold for now.

Meditating everyday

You all know I’m a big fan of meditation, and I’ve also discussed how it can be difficult to keep up. My practice works in ebbs and flows, but for 2019 I aim to solidify it into my everyday. I try to aim for 20 minutes a day, either in one block, or two sessions of 10 minutes, but I often get distracted or overloaded and I don’t manage it. so next year, my goal is to simply do it every day. No time limits or expectations. It could be 2 minutes, it could be twenty, but my focus is to make it second nature to think about and incorporate to help me find balance.

Fitness First

I’m on a lifelong fitness journey. but 2018 was definitely a career-first, life-first year. My fitness took a back seat and while I still trained 4-6 times a week, it wasn’t a focus. If I had to eat out, I did. I didn’t sacrifice for training and that’s OK as that’s’ what I needed to do during a job change and difficult times personally. Next year I’d like to give it back a bit focus now things have settled and I have the time. My aim is to get back to prepping my work lunches and setting specific monthly exercise goals, by compartmentalising it I think it’s more achievable than an epic 6-month or yearly goal.

Spend more time in the kitchen

This resolution is thanks to Samin Nosrat. Now, if you don’t know who Samin is, you need to introduce yourself, stat. Samin is an Iranian-American chef and food writer and author of the book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, a not-so-ordinary cookbook that focuses on mastering the core elements of cooking rather than simply offering recipes to follow. This book isn’t about helping you make a one-off dish, it’s about turning you into a chef. For those of you that aren’t big readers, you are in luck as the folk of Netflix have turned the book into a truly brilliant four-part documentary, fronted by Samin herself. She’s funny and endearing and her passion for food is so infectious I watched all four in one sitting. It inspired me to get back to the kitchen.

I’ve always loved cooking, having been taught to cook and bake by my mum and nan respectively. But over the years, true cooking has been replaced by survival eating. I cook for nutritional value, making sure I have protein, carbs, fat etc. for training, with taste and experience coming second, if at all. After watching the series I followed Samin’s advice, seasoning and tasting as I go, adding new ingredients and experimenting with staple dishes I batch cook, and they turned out better than they ever have before. Here’s to a tasty 2019!

What are your New Year resolutions? Do you keep them? Do you think they are rubbish? Let me know below!

I don’t often share other content across the web, but I couldn’t not share this video with you. Porter Magazine, the print offshoot of online fashion Mecca Net-a-Porter, recently interviewed heavyweight women in Hollywood—Ellen Pompeo, Gina Rodriguez, Gabriella Union and Emma Roberts—about the price of commercial success, why actress don’t talk more about their worth and how we can all use our power to empower each other.

It’s an eye-opening 25 minutes, with enough soundbites to fill your twitter feed for a week. One bit really struck a chord with me though; at one point, Pompeo calls out the magazine itself for the lack of diversity in the crew, though she does commend it for being largely women. It’s a bold move, but Ellen does it with the utmost respect and I commend Porter for keeping it in the final edit and actively pushing it and its message that we can all do better and that white people especially must take charge with highlight inequality, it can’t only be up to the minority to fight for it.

This really touched home with me. As many of you know, I work in the fashion industry. It’s an industry that is heavily, heavily white and I’m constantly aware of it. This is actually a conversation I have had in the office before when hiring new writers—I’ve pushed recruiters to put people from diverse backgrounds in front of me, to look further than the obvious and to open up opportunities for those who don’t normally have them. It’s made me realised that the problem is deeper rooted in that ethnic minorities aren’t even getting a foot in the door in the first place in order for me to be able to see their CVs or the experience they need. They aren’t getting the enter jobs, or progressing through the ranks, which is why when I’m flooded with CVs, it’s predominantly white women, followed by white men.

It’s definitely something I’ve charged myself with in in my career, and in the companies, I work for; to curate opportunities for diversity and for growth for BAME candidates. I’m still working on exactly how I’m going to do that, but I want to make it a personal mission to do what I can.

Read the full article here and check out more form the shoot below.

I’ve been very lucky over the years that I’ve always worked in places that had relaxed dress codes—we’re talking ripped blue jeans, trainers and a tee relaxed. But my latest job sees me sitting in a rather more corporate setting. And while they aren’t expecting a suit and tie (thank god, I just can’t do formalwear), it has inspired me to smarten up my wardrobe across the board.

Smart casual is a term that gets batted around a lot; but often gets attributed to style combos that don’t quite fit its criteria. It’s not about wearing joggers with a shirt (though this could be workable) or taking your tie off (this is more business casual), it’s about blending smart and casual fabrics as well as shapes and styles.

So as I embark on this journey I thought I’d share my learnings with you. In this look, I made a really simple switch up—I’d usually wear this look with my jeans, but I swapped them for a formal pair of Uniqlo trousers. Their new Ezy ankle trousers are the perfect smart casual choice for work. I paired them with some box fresh ecco trainers.

What do you think?

Jacket, New Look | T-shirt, J.Lindeberg | Glasses, Garret Leight California Optics

All shots by Adorngirl

A Guide to Smart Casual

I’ve always been somewhat of a printphobe; as a broad-framed guy I’ve always felt print was impossible for me to pull off as it would just end up looking like a huge brick of colour and pattern. In many cases that is certainly true, but I’ve learnt how to wear print the right way for size, I’ve learnt there are patterns and prints for everyone, it’s just about finding the one that suits your shape.

For me, I can’t wear big bulky prints and patterns. If I’m wearing stripes, for example, I wouldn’t wear block stripes, I would only wear slimline stripes - and yes, you can even wear horizontal ones if you’re bigger. I’m always conscious about wearing stripes across my chest as sometimes it can over-emphasise my broadness, but the button placket breaks up the eye-line on the awesome ASOS shirt that I’m wearing below, which I’m obsessed with. ASOS has really come through for a variety of printed styles that work for bigger guys. You can see another one I bought from them in my Madrid Travel Guide, that shirt was a floral pattern, and although slightly bulkier in design, it had a natural downward flowing giving a more slimming effect.

Finding the right print for your shape is definitely a trial and error game, but I urge you to get involved and have a try. Print can really add a vibrancy to your wardrobe, and turn your everyday looks into something a little more elevated and interesting.

I’m wearing shirt and jeans by ASOS, watch by Ted Baker, jacket by Levi’s , boots by R.M. Williams.

Images by the amazing @adorngirl