Samantha Bentley

I recently discovered the Second Hand September challenge via the wonderful world of Instagram. The premise of the challenge is that you don't buy ANYTHING new for the entire month of September, and in turn you help save the planet, and you also probably help you bank account out as well.

The end of August means the beginning of September, and the beginning of many new things; new school years, a new season, the nights become darker and longer and colder as the leaves begin to fall from the trees. So it makes sense that this should also be a time for new artists, new music, to emerge and keep our souls warm in the coming months, and that is exactly what new Drum n' Bass producer ’Terror’ is doing for us…

There is nothing like being a mum. It is the BEST. I was one of those women who swore I wouldn't let motherhood define me; but yet, here I am, first and foremost: a mum.

I just became a mum! Well... 6 months ago, so I feel like I know a few things about being a new parent. The bags under my eyes and leaking boobs could tell you a few things too.I love being a mum, it is by far the best thing I've ever done in my life... it is also the hardest thing I've ever done. Parenting is all trial and error coupled with googling everything your baby does to make sure its normal/work out how to stop it.

Having just had my first child six months ago, I have recently experienced the influx of generosity that surrounds a new addition to the world. It seems that everyone we know and everyone our parents know wanted to treat us and our baby boy. Whilst every last gift was so thoughtful and so lovely, there were some that stood out more than others. There are also some that I would have gifted my friends, had I had a baby before them...

In the past few years, my obsession with health and wellness has increased tenfold. I trained to teach yoga five years ago and started living an entirely vegan lifestyle. I began to look into the things I put on my skin and in my body, from medicine to body lotion. I wanted to be as natural as possible for both my own health and that of the planet. When I fell pregnant with my little boy, my interest in a more eco-friendly lifestyle increased (much to the dismay of my partner, who goes along with it, but would probably rather I wasn't so hellbent on saving the world one cloth nappy and vegan dinner at a time).