Find Your Downtime: An interview with fashion blogger Leonie Barlow
Have you checked out Boody Lounge yet? This month, we’re continuing the celebration of launching our first sustainable downtime wear range by profiling talented women from all walks of life, focusing on how they find their downtime.
Previously, we caught up with lifestyle bloggers and Instagrammers, Alex Cuthill and Bernice Averion. Today, we’re learning more about New Zealand fashion and lifestyle blogger Leonie Barlow. We discuss everything from her website The Style Insider to how she juggles her busy career with motherhood.
And, of course, we find out which are Leonie's favourite pieces from Boody Lounge and why. Dream-worthy!
Tell us a bit about The Style Insider.
I started The Style Insider eight years ago when I left magazines. I knew that online was the way of the future but at that time I didn’t really know how I was going to make a living out of it and I didn’t really have a clue what I was doing but I jumped in anyway.
What initially inspired you to create The Style Insider and how has it grown since you got started?
I’d always been passionate about social media and fell in love with Facebook the first time I discovered it. I’d been working as a print journalist for over 20-years and all of a sudden social media presented an exciting new way to communicate. At first, my blog was my entire focus, but over the years I’ve moved with the times and focused on other social media channels.
For the past two years, I’ve devoted most of my time to YouTube which is a platform I really love. I create fashion, beauty and lifestyle videos and reached a milestone recently when I reached 100K subscribers, which was really exciting for me.
Your background is editing some of New Zealand's top-selling women's magazines. Tell us about what that world was like and why you decided to leave it behind.
Yes, I absolutely loved working in magazine and was very sad to leave but I wanted to spend some more time with my two boys and working crazy hours made it very hard to strike a reasonable work/life balance. So something had to give and I decided to try and do something that gave me more time to enjoy my boys and that is how The Style Insider was born.
As you’ve mentioned, when you're not blogging you're a mum to two boys. Tell us a bit about them and how you juggle motherhood with your busy life.
My boys are my world and as any mum knows, the juggle is real. There are never enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do and I’m sure most mums can relate. The one thing that has really helped me to find a little balance is to make time to exercise. I find it’s the best way for me to de-stress and feel good about myself.
I have a personal trainer (who keeps me in check) and I have two dogs that need walking every day – so being active is a big part of my life and it helps to keep me sane.
We're thrilled that you're part of our Boody Lounge launch. What are your thoughts on the capsule collection?
The Boody Lounge collection is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the pieces when I first spied the lookbook but when they arrived, I fell in love with them even more. You can tell that each piece has been incredibly well cut and designed to stand the test of time. I love the minimal designs and I especially love that the pieces are as kind to the planet as they are to me.
What are your top picks from the range?
The Downtime Lounge Pants are my absolute favourite piece in the collection. They are super flattering and are good enough to wear out but are also comfy enough to snuggle up at home on the couch. I absolutely love them. The Goodnight Nightdress is a real winner for me too because I often wear t-shirts to bed so this nightdress gives you the comfort of a tee but the cover of a nightie and it’s perfect to wear all year round.
Of course, I can’t not mention the beautiful Cosy Knit Wrap that just gives you a little extra warmth when you need it and adds a little extra edge to each outfit.
How do you #FindYourDowntime in our busy modern world?
I always strip off my work clothes as soon as I get home and change into my comfy gear and that starts the process for me to shift out of work mode and into relaxation mode. This is why owning quality, comfortable loungewear is really important to me – it’s the best way for me to get in the zone to find my downtime.
How important is it to you to live an eco-friendly life?
It’s really important to me but I must admit I’m not perfect. However, I will always strive to be better and I believe that if we all try and make small changes each day then collectively we can make a very big difference.
What are your plans for the near future?
I don’t have anything specific planned for the future but I’m committed to always trying new things and never missing an opportunity to experience something new. I recently did a skydive and that has inspired me to tick a few more things off my bucket list. Because, at 52, I’m very aware that we are all here for a good time – not a long time.
Follow Leonie on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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Interviews
An interview with Laura Kelly, Yoga Teacher
If there’s ever been a time to get into yoga and meditation, it would be 2020. From the devastating bushfires at the start of the year to the on-going pandemic, it’s so important to stay present. One person who knows a thing or two about mindfulness is Laura Kelly, yoga and meditation teacher. From her spiritual journey to her favourite Boody picks, read on to get to know Laura Kelly in our interview. You're a trained yoga teacher. How did that come to be? Mine is quite a common tale, I think. I was working long hours in a successful but stressful corporate job and really felt like I needed to slow down. My yoga practice had become my biggest support in coping with stress and I initially started looking at yoga retreats but realised I needed more than a week off! I actually ended up leaving my job without a plan but found a teacher training in Bali that really focused on teaching yoga philosophy. 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I have over a decade experience working as an Executive Assistant in the corporate world, so after my yoga teacher training, I made the move to fuse the two and specialise in supporting businesses and creatives in the health and wellness space. My clients are yoga and meditation teachers, spiritual healers, writers and artists. They are big thinkers and go-getters and I love assisting them in sharing their magic with the world. I work one-on-one to provide administrative support and create content that engages audiences and promotes products and services. We hear you're a big Boody fan. What is it about everyday basics you love? I’m a self-confessed extroverted introvert. While I love connecting with others and socialising, I always look forward to home alone time to recharge. I love everyday basics that are comfortable and easy to throw on but still make me feel good. Boody does exactly that. 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Yoga teacher training has become as much about my own personal development as it has been about learning the practice, if not more. Meditation is inextricably linked to my yoga practice, in many ways, yoga IS my meditation. I think the most important thing you can do is make a commitment to your practice. Yoga is not just about what happens on the mat. The biggest changes for me have been in the way I live my life; the way I interact with people, especially my friends, family and my partner and the way I understand the inner workings of my mind. If you want to teach, I’d recommend connecting with and offering to help out at your local studio; there’s often opportunities for trained teachers when they are already part of the community. I would recommend to make your own practice the priority and to forever remain a curious student. As it is written in the Bhagavad Gita; “"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." 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Interviews
An interview with Seyi Rania, Natural Beauty & Wellness
Been meaning to give your beauty products an organic and eco-friendly overhaul? Seyi Rania has got you covered. With a deep knowledge of natural beauty that doesn’t compromise your health and wellness, Seyi knows which products are good not only for your skin – but for the planet, too. But that’s not all Seyi is about. She’s also a talented mental health counsellor, a gorgeous model and a dedicated Boody fan. We can’t get enough of her! We caught up with Seyi to talk everything from natural beauty to her fave Boody styles. Hey Seyi! How did your love for natural beauty, health and wellness come about? My wellness journey began in 2011 when my beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer. I was only 19 at the time. Following her death, I began questioning why and how my mother developed such a horrible disease… so I did my research and came across many articles detailing potential links between environmental toxins and cancer. I also began attending workshops and lectures to learn more about organic health. Since researching, I am shocked to learn the nasties/chemicals that are found in everyday conventional products and the impact it's potentially having on our health. Now that I know what I know, I have completely turned my back from conventional toxic products and use products (when possible) which are safe to use on my skin and safe for the environment. Did you know the body absorbs up to 60% from what's put onto the skin? Very scary! Tell us about your favourite organic beauty products. Goodness me, this is a tough question! However here are my all-time favourite beauty products I use weekly and can’t live without: Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask + their Noni Glow Face Oil Lavera Sensitive Facial Moisturiser BODILAB Green Tea + Chamomile Face Mask Vayda Organics Facial Cleansing Oil What is your morning and evening beauty routines? I like to keep my skincare routine simple. I suffer from acne oily prone skin so I have a routine that targets this skin type. I do not believe in undertaking a 10 step routine to achieve glowing healthy skin! In the morning: I use the Lavera Gel cleanser + Sensitive facial moisturiser If I feel like I need it e.g. haven’t had enough sleep or my face is looking a bit puffy, 1-2 times a week, I apply a few drops of facial oil to my face then use a jade roller/Gua Sha to bring circulation back into my face. I find that I look less tired and more bright-eyed when using this technique! In the evening: Again I cleanse and moisturise, however, my evening routine can vary depending on what my skin needs. Twice a week I like to use an exfoliation mask (like the Kora Organics product I mentioned earlier) followed by a facial oil Once a week or every two weeks I like to use a clay mask followed by a facial oil If I am wearing makeup on the day then I ensure to double cleanser to remove all makeup, dirt and grime then moisturise. Without a proper clean, it will only lead to breakouts. In what ways can everyone live a more healthy lifestyle? I live by a few simple rules: Drink more water Aim for at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day Everything in moderation Practice gratitude and speak kindly to oneself How can we all live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? I think it’s good to question yourself on what you buy/use on a day-to-day basis and be mindful that whatever you buy will eventually end up in a landfill. If what you buy can be more sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable, then this will benefit our planet greatly. To implement more eco-friendly habits, I do the following: Use a KeepCup. I am so strict with myself that if I forget my keep cup then I won’t buy a coffee! Use beeswax wraps instead of glad wrap and reusable ziplock bags as opposed to one use zip lock bags Walk instead of drive if possible Eco-friendly washing liquid In terms of food, buy more fruit/vegetables. Less likely to be wrapped up in plastics and good for you! We hear you're a big Boody fan! What is it about our comfy and sustainable essentials you love? I love the versatility of the essentials in that it is comfortable to wear around the home but also lovely to dress up and wear out during the day. The comfort and durability is also what I love about Boody. When I purchased my first pair of undies and leggings a year or two ago, I was immediately hooked. My essentials/underwear wardrobe is about 60% Boody, however, I am aiming for 90%! I had even reached out to one of the customer representatives to submit a review and I admitted that when I wore the Boody sleepwear for the first time, it was the best night’s sleep I have had. That is comfort guaranteed! Any favourite styles? So many styles I can add here but I really love the Everyday Slip Dress in Black. Perfect for home and to wear out on a warm day. I also really like wearing ¾ sleeve tops with a pair of Boody leggings. My favourite work-from-home attire! And of course, in between meetings and calls with my clients, I like to get out and go for a run. The Boody Active range is really lovely to wear and is durable. Comfort, durability and sustainability are all very important to me. Outside of health and wellness, you are a mental health counsellor. That must be both rewarding and challenging? Absolutely! So I have completed a degree in psychology and a masters in clinical counselling. My experience varies from homeless intake worker, behavioural therapist, NDIS support coordinator and support worker and school counsellor. Right now I am working in the education industry to provide support to students. I love what I do and I love that I can make such a difference. You also do freelance modelling. Is that something you enjoy? I love it so, so much. I have been a model for nine years and it has always been a passion of mine. In the last three years, I was discovered then signed by an agency and now I am represented by JR Management. I have never thought to do it as a full-time occupation but I love that I get a great balance of passions between working in mental health, blogging about all things natural and beauty and doing awesome modelling gigs. Definitely can’t complain! Any plans on the horizon or anything else you'd like to mention? I am always thinking of ways of how I can do more with my beauty blog and spread the importance of natural beauty to all, however, right now I think I am happy where I am. I love that I can make a difference where possible. Though if someone asked me what is my ultimate dream, it would be to have my very own natural organic skincare range! Follow Seyi on Instagram.
