Category: General

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3 Autumn Walks with The Outdoor Guide

forest

3 Autumn Walks with the Outdoor Guide

1. A Woodland and Wine Tasting Walk in the Weald of Kent

This walk in the Garden of England shows off some of the best places to eat and drink in the area, including the beautiful eco-vineyard Yotes Court. There are also a plethora of pubs on route if you don’t fancy wine, and of course some glorious views over the Kentish countryside.

During the Autumn, the predominately deciduous Hurst Wood will be a blaze with autumn colours – a perfect weekend walk. When preparing for this walk make sure to pack comfy shoes and waterproofs as the weather can be chilly and the ground muddy.

VIEW THE FULL GUIDE

2. A Den Making Extravaganza in Norfolk

Blickling Hall, a grand stately home in the middle of Norfolk, has a fascinating history. That history does not compare, however, to the excitement to be found in the grounds. In the woodland surrounding the man-made lake are a plethora of dens and hollow downed trees to explore. You and your little one could spend hours ducking inside half built structures, adding new logs, or perhaps even starting a new den all on your own.

When your imagination and energy is spent, you can retire to the café where there are delicious hot and cold snacks and drinks on offer. It really does make for an excellent day out.

 
HBB

3. Woodland, Moor and Beck in the North York Moors

This varied countryside ramble has it all, peaceful woodland, breath-taking moorland, and fast flowing becks. It runs between the popular North York Moor villages of Grosmont and Goathland, making the most of the railway line which runs between the two. You’ll also meander through the cute village of Beck Hole, where there’s a welcoming pub and quaint sweetshop to refresh you during your journey. It’s a popular walking route as most of it runs downhill, with the option to hike it as a ‘there-and-back’ or take the train to your car once you’re done.

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5 ways to exercise without going back to the gym

yoga for exercise

5 ways to exercise

Without going back to the gym 

Written by Clare Elson 

We’ve all changed our exercise habits one way or another since the first lockdown and for many of us, the idea of going back to the gym is still a step too far however here are a few ways we can all keep fit (and have some fun in the process) in the meantime.

1. Walking

According to the NHS, walking a brisk 10 minutes a day can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier. Apparently we need 150 minutes of weekly exercise so aside from the benefits of getting outdoors, a quick walk every day will eat up 70 of those minutes.

2. Outdoor Swimming

The closure of public swimming pools over the last year or so meant that many people took to the open water for their daily exercise and discovered that wild swimming offers a number of health benefits.

Not only is swimming great for cardiovascular health but it seems that outdoor swimming also helps mental wellbeing. There are studies which suggest that cold water swimming may be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. It’s also completely free!

Water

3. Cycling for exercise

If there’s one industry which has benefitted from the pandemic, the cycling industry comes to mind. With sales up an additional 45% in 2020 (1 billion pounds!) cycling is also one the easiest ways to stay happy and healthy and chances are, most of you now have your own bike.

With an expansion of cycle routes in city centres and off road trails all around the UK, getting on your bike couldn’t be easier. Cycling for just 30 minutes a day will burn around 300 calories. It will also help cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and help improve your mood. Throw on your favourite Healthy Back Bag and off you go!

Camo Utility S
Speckle Tweed S

4. Exercise at home

When the pandemic hit, Joe Wicks emerged as the go to channel on YouTube with over a million viewers worldwide following his daily PE sessions from their living rooms. Since then, we can still workout when and where we like watching YouTube videos or using workout apps like Nike Training, PEAR Personal Fitness or Workout Trainer. All these apps are downloadable from the App store. Easy to use and follow, you can choose your exercise, muscle group or instructor and follow a fitness programme without ever stepping foot in a gym again.

5. Borrow a dog!

Last but not least why not borrow a dog? With more people working from home, dog ownership went up by 10% over the pandemic to an estimated 12.5 million so it’s highly likely you’ll know someone to share walkies with!

At HBB HQ we have our very own new addition to the team in the way of Lola, a crazy bundle of fun, fur and amusement and a great excuse to get us out and take regular breaks from the desk. Neighbourhood dog sharing is also a fantastic way to get your doggie fix and a great excuse for walks and rambles wherever you live. Try www.borrowmydoggy.com for a network of dog lovers near you.

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How to care for your leather bag

Leather Black Small

How to care for your leather bag

Tips and tricks 

Your first leather Healthy Back Bag is an investment that will look beautiful for years. Our leather develops a natural patina to keep the bag looking beautiful over time. We’ve put together a few tips & tricks so that with a little bit of care you can help your bag continue look its best.

Tips and Tricks

By following just a few simple rules, you can avoid unnecessary wear and tear and extend the life of your bag.

1 . Leather is a skin, and it can stretch. Avoid overfilling your bag to maintain its original silhouette and to get maximum benefit from the ergonomic design.

2. We recommend avoiding contact with rough or abrasive surfaces as this can damage the leather.

3. Avoid placing your bag on the floor or ground if possible, this helps to avoid damage and extra unnecessary cleaning.  This is where our bag hooks come in handy!

Leather Black Small

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Shoe polish

Cleaning your leather bag

To clean your leather bag we recommend using a mild ph-balanced leather cleaner and conditioner with a damp cloth.

If the leather is looking a little dull we recommend following up with a leather restorer, a cream which will bring the life back to your bag!

Don’t forget the inside too… Spot clean with wet wipes or sponge with a mild, non-biological detergent solution and leave to air dry.

By taking time to care for your leather, you will uphold the value and maintain the appearance of your treasured leather Healthy Back Bag. All our leather bags are shipped for free within the UK and can be split into 3 easy payments with Klarna.

For more information please don’t hesitate to contact us, we would be more than happy to assist further.

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Colour Analysis – What’s the Point?

hair flip

Colour Analysis – What’s the point?

The latest from our House of Colour blogger
Fiona Ingham

Surely everyone knows their Colours

Some lucky individuals instinctively know which colours suit them. However, many don’t and take refuge in black and grey, or buy clothes in random colours which they then don’t wear. A recent study found that each Briton throws away 3.1kg of textiles every year and that 1.7kg of this ends up in landfill. Colour analysis can help towards reducing this waste!

Where it started

I had my colours analysed in 1987. I discovered that I was as an Autumn, suiting warm, rich, earthy tones, quite the opposite to the cool rose pinks, powder blues, lilacs and black that I favoured. I had felt that I often looked washed out, but didn’t relate this to the colours I wore. When I changed to warm reds, yellows, greens and turquoises, people commented on how well I looked. It was wonderful!  I thought back to items I had loved in childhood: a forest green skirt with orange trim, a buttercup yellow dress, a coral coat. All Autumn colours and perfect for me.

Coffee
Portrait

Colours in Childhood

Little children tend to know their colours. But gradually influences come into play. Parents ( it is usually the Mum!) unwittingly dress them in colours that would look better on themselves.  Incorrect advice, such as ‘no red with red hair’ ‘yellow is only for people with dark hair’ can further confuse.

Colours worn by people we admire in childhood often have an influence. Conversely a scary primary school teacher who sported purple head to toe ruined that fabulous colour for one client. Fashion colours help to shape our taste. Consequently we might love or hate 60’s neon, 70’s browns and oranges, 80’s brights or 90’s neutrals.

Myths

Myths around neutral colours are endlessly repeated.  ‘Everyone looks good in a LBD’, ‘Black is slimming’, ‘You can’t go wrong with a crisp white shirt’ , ‘Grey is sophisticated’.  Beige is disparaged by the fashion press until every couple of years when it pops back as a ‘wardrobe essential’. Which it is. But only if you are a Spring or an Autumn!

Nowadays confusion is compounded by advice from peers on internet colour forums and attempts at self- analysis, which can waste time and money.

Shoes
Bloom

Finding your colour season

Your colour season is determined by the complex combination of your skin tones, eye colour and natural hair colour. Only by sitting in front of a mirror for a couple of hours, guided through the maze by an experienced consultant with access to 144 coloured drapes will you discover which colour season you are.

The later teenage years are a wonderful time to gift a colour analysis consultation. A lovely client who did her colours with me over 20 years ago, wrote to me recently. She treated all her grandchildren to a consultation when they were school leavers and observed the benefit to their confidence when attending interviews and embarking on their studies and careers. I’ll leave the last words to her.

 

 

 

“I wanted you to know that I think that Colour Analysis and advice on style is the greatest gift for a young person. We have such fond memories of our visits to you.”

stripey dress and blusher copy

Fiona Ingham

Consistent holder of the House of Colour Star Consultant award each year since 1991 plus the new Double and Triple Star Consultant award for 2020. Winner of the Business Development Award and Team Productivity Award and also a 2017 Livewire Innovation and Excellence Award.

Colour Analysis can be a private, Individual session or Duo session where two friends attend together in the Primrose Hill studio.

Personal Style can be an Individual session or a Duo session for two friends in the studio OR an Individual session on Zoom for clients who live further away.

Please email or call for full information.

[email protected]
@fionainghampresentation
07791 507534

See Fiona's Profile

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5 Picnic Spots we Love in East London

Park

5 Pinic Spots we Love in East London

With the sun finally shining again, it’s time to share our favourite picnic spots in East London. During what seems like a century of lockdowns, the local park has become a hub for the community. East London has parks for every type of picnic, from family birthdays to late night parties (looking at you London Fields). So grab your bag, pick your park and head east!

1. Victoria Park

Situated in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Victoria Park is one of London’s most visited green spaces with approximately 9 million visitors every year. The park opened to the public in 1845 and features two identical statues of The Dogs of Alcibiades. These statues stand guard over the Bonner Street entrance, next to Regents Canal which were donated in 1912 by local resident Lady Aignarth in memory of her late husband, Horatio.

Walk around the lake past the pagoda which was refurbished in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics and stop at the Pavilion Café for great coffee and a delicious cardamon bun. The park has plenty of picnic tables dotted around but if it rains, venture to the eastern boundary where there are two white stone alcoves which were part of the old London Bridge moved here after the bridge’s demolition in 1831 and where you can sit sheltered from the great British summer!

Skating

2. De Beauvoir Square

Small and perfectly formed, De Beauvoir Square is tucked between Kingsland Road and De Beauvoir Roads (home to our very own HBB office). A perfect place for picnics away from the crowds, the park features a circular rose garden and children’s play area.

In July each year the park plays host to the famous De Beauvoir Party in the Park. The local community come together to set up stalls giving away toys and books to the younger generation and selling Pimms and cake for the parents.

Picnic

3. London Fields

A short walk west from Victoria Park takes you to London Fields. Home to the popular London Fields Lido, its large grassy spaces are therefore perfect for hipster hangouts and weekend picnics.

The nearby Broadway Market has all you need to stock up on delicacies for an afternoon of lounging in the sun. The Inn on the Park has a garden with great views over the park and a Pétanque area with boules to hire to while away a lazy Sunday.

Park
Park

4. Shoredich Park

Featuring a huge climbing boulder, an amphitheatre for events and outdoor screenings, a beach volleyball court and a state of the art leisure centre, Shoreditch Park sits just off New North Road and has undergone some major transformations in its day. The site originally provided housing for London’s East End until it was bombed in the war and was subsequently used for temporary accommodation for homeless families.

In July 2005/2006 archaeologists from the Museum of London carried out extensive excavations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. This was documented in a Time Team special episode called “Buried By The Blitz”.

5. Haggerston Park

This park was once the grounds of the old Shoreditch Gasworks which was hit by a V-2 rocket in the war. In the 1950’s the park was created for local families and now provides football pitches, a nature reserve, plenty of grass space for picnics and events (the 2012 Olympics was screened here). In addition it houses Hackney City Farm on its south side.

Close to Columbia Road Flower Market which operates every Sunday morning, the park is a pleasant 10 minute stroll north. Little known fact – if you see nuns walking around the park , it’s likely they belong to St Saviours convent on Queensbridge Road. The convent still functions and holds a jumble sale each Sunday morning at the same time as the flower market.

Park

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Spring into colour!

SPRING INTO COLOUR!

The latest from our House of Colour blogger Fiona Ingham

Spring has sprung with designers offering a rainbow of colour designed to incite optimism and encourage transitioning from those dull grey jogging bottoms and sweatshirts into bright colours and perhaps celebrate the thrill of al fresco dining.

So here we go! Greens are good for you. And a huge trend. I have many from the zingiest limes through fresh grass to soft moss and rich deep greens. A favourite jump suit in dark olive ticks a trend box and can be teamed with boots, colourful kitten heels, or when the weather warms up, embellished sandals. My pistachio baglett completes the outfit. Look out for vibrant emeralds sparkling on the rails when the shops open. Green in judgement? Certainly not. But colleagues might be green with envy when you join that Zoom meeting wearing a chic green top or statement necklace.

MELLOW YELLOW

Yellow, a top trend this season, from mellow and soft to sharp and vibrant, will brighten any outfit. Its popularity has exploded, from that joyous La La Land dress of 2016, then adopted as occasion wear by two duchesses and Amal Clooney. Now shining bright as the Pantone Colour of 2021, Illuminating Anything goes, from soft pastel primroses to bright buttercups and golden tulips. Bring a sparkle to any neutral including the current greige or true grey, navy or black. Be bold and take it to the limit paired with neons, maybe an optimistic orange.

Pantone

PAINT THE TOWN RED

A red dress is a great addition to any wardrobe. Energising, cheering, centre of attention red. Its iterations include tasty tomato, watermelon or cherry. Choose fit and flare, a midi shirt dress, a tea dress or a cover- all maxi to chime with the current relaxed vibe. If your thermals won’t fit underneath try shapewear to keep you cosy when an icy blast blows in over lunch. Make a statement in red ultra-wide leg, high-waisted trousers or an oversized deconstructed jacket. If the full Lady in Red look is scary try stripes, neat and ordered or madly clashing. Or wear a splash in large tropical prints maybe including on-trend fuchsias or magenta pinks.

Lanterns
allec-gomes-xnRg3xDcNnE-unsplash

CONTRASTING IDEAS

In contrast you might love dainty florals in blouses or full skirts wafting in chiffon or tulle pastels: soft pinks, blues, aquas and lavenders. Add a pretty pointelle cardigan. Formal/casual mixes stalked the catwalks so feel free to break rules and toughen up this girly look with chunky boots, a denim or biker jacket and heavy chain necklace. Alternatively dress up to the nines with skyscraper strappy sandals, provided you can still remember how to walk in them!

TRUE BLUE

Make sure you’ve got the blues. Think of the Mediterranean or cool glacial aquas and everything in between. Don’t neglect the peacocks and kingfishers. Return to nature and add shells, pearls, a raffia bag, a straw hat and gladiator sandals. We’re all going on a summer holiday!

blue

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE
To receive a Free Illustrated Guide of Spring/Summer 2021 Trend Colours just email me. Request either the general one or if you have been colour analysed, the one specific to your colour season.

 

stripey dress and blusher copy

Fiona Ingham

Consistent holder of the House of Colour Star Consultant award each year since 1991 plus the new Double and Triple Star Consultant award for 2020. Winner of the Business Development Award and Team Productivity Award and also a 2017 Livewire Innovation and Excellence Award.

Colour Analysis can be a private, Individual session or Duo session where two friends attend together in the Primrose Hill studio.

Personal Style can be an Individual session or a Duo session for two friends in the studio OR an Individual session on Zoom for clients who live further away.

Please email or call for full information.

[email protected]
@fionainghampresentation
07791 507534

See Fiona's Profile

Join the list

Get the VIP info on all things Healthy Back Bag, including our newest designs, special releases and monthly giveaways. Plus you’ll get 10% off your first order!

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Shop Japan – Pop up stores

pop-up

SHOP JAPAN
ポップアップ・ストア*

By Global Business Development Manager, Nancy Evans

Nancy

Our Global Business Development Manager, Nancy Evans, provides an insight to The Healthy Back Bag in Japan

Japan, a population of 126 million and a people of discerning taste when it comes to quality and feature-rich brands, is the undisputed birthplace of pop-up shops aka fairs.            

Whilst people in the US and elsewhere have just recently embraced the power of the Pop-Up, this has been a viable retail platform in Japan for years and is now considered a sustainable trend.

pop-up


Since no two pop-ups are created equal, this limited time only space is sure to create a buzz, a sense of urgency and at-once purchases. And securing the ‘right’ space is no easy task as the competition for the best real estate can be fierce. As the experts say: ‘location, location, location.’ In addition to high profile department stores, they are equally successful in off the beaten track lifestyle shops in rural locations.

The set-up is nothing short of fast and furious taking place when the store is closed (often dark!) leaving two windows of opportunity; after 10 PM or before opening at 6 AM. Picture a small, nimble team building out a store in less than 3 hours.

In an average window of two weeks, you can expect to see a full assortment of the brand, interact with trained staff and encounter lots of visuals and brand information (no story too long).

The advantages are many and not limited to connecting brand and consumer, building awareness offline and testing new markets all in venues cheaper than traditional, permanent retail space.

These otherwise temporary locations can show up in the most unusual of places like in the center of Shibuya metro station, the 3rd busiest in Tokyo with 2.4 million people passing thru on an average weekday.  Whether commuters or tourists, everyone is on the go and has a common need for… a bag that moves with them.  Enter NeWoman (pronounced Newman).  After proven success, this is a re-occurring pop-up.

Shibuya
Shibuya

At 6+ months and still going strong, Odakyu Shinjuku is a personal favourite since my picture is on the wall of fame that proudly displays the brand timeline.

Pop-ups can also increase a brand’s ‘cool factor’ as is the case with Loft, a variety store attracting the young female to a wide array of accessible cosmetics, lifestyle accessories and snacks.

Shinjuku
Shinjuku
Okayama
Okayama
Osaka
Osaka

Litmus test for success you ask?

When a pop-up looks and sells like a monobrand shop, the perfect example being Diamor Osaka.

A must see when visiting Japan, everyone should experience both sushi for breakfast at the Toyosu fish market along with a stop at an authentic pop-up shop.

*And for those inquiring minds, ポップアップ・ストア translates to pop-up shop, a welcoming mix of English and Japanese.

Nancy

NANCY EVANS
Global Business Development Manager

Nancy Evans has over 26 years experience with premium brands rich in heritage. Her journey began in sales management with Hartmann Luggage, followed by various roles with Victorinox Travel Gear, then as VP Marketing of Columbia Sportswear bags and later Nike’s Business Director of US bags and subsequently a global merchandising role overseeing bag specialty. Nancy initially joined The Healthy Back Bag Company with a brief to develop European distribution, and in 2007 her role expanded when she was appointed Global Business Development Manager. Nancy’s expertise spans lifestyle, luxury, sport/athletic and outdoor products, and she is actively involved in design, development and product marketing all while seeking out new markets to add to the company’s current distribution in 27 countries worldwide.

A lover of great brands, all things outdoor, cooking/eating and of course, international travel, Nancy makes her home in Salem, Oregon USA.

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Declutter that Wardrobe

Hats

Declutter that Wardrobe!

The latest from our House of Colour blogger Fiona Ingham

Fiona Ingham


Maybe you believe that Marie Kondo is right but somehow just haven’t been able to get rid of those clothes which don’t spark joy.

Well, now’s a great time for that wardrobe declutter so I do hope these tips might be helpful!

Importantly, feel free to keep items of sentimental value but store them away from the working wardrobe. For me it’s my Thierry Mugler jackets, bought preloved in the 80s.

Mirror

The Basics

Make sure that you have a full-length mirror.

Scrutinise the clothes in a good light and get rid of anything bobbly, faded or permanently stained. Pull out anything that you can mend now or can take to a good dry-cleaners when the crisis is over.

I recommend reviewing your clothes in categories, to avoid being swamped and giving up on the job!

First steps

So, let’s start with jackets. From being out in the cold they’re back with a vengeance, so try each one on to check before getting rid. Sleeve lengths are important. If they half cover the hands of a petite or give a skimpy look to long arms they ruin the outfit. Are the shoulders a blast from the past? Perhaps you don’t wear it because the jacket length is too long or too short for your height, or too fitted or too unstructured for your body shape? Maybe update by teaming that formal jacket with jeans, or over a dress.

Your best lengths of skirts and dresses will depend on body proportions and personality. Whatever anyone says, age also plays a part! Shorter works best for me, but I’ve moved from way above the knee in my heyday, to on the knee now in my prime. The look can be updated by teaming with trainers or boots.

Danger zones

Trousers seem to be the first garment to show every added kilo. So be ruthless, get rid of any that have no hope of fitting again (sadly my Topshop leopard skin, skin tight jeggings, a mad impulse buy, just had to go). All shapes are currently fine. Curvy bodies usually excel in straight, bootleg and softer fabrics. Petites look good in straight, skinny, bootleg and are swamped if too wide. The tall with straight body lines are lucky, as almost anything goes.

Possibly that top isn’t worn because the neckline is unflattering. In a nutshell – softer body shapes, shorter necks, soft faces excel in drape, scoop, wide soft v. Angular bodies, faces and longer necks look their best in a sharp v, square, slash, or high polo. Or possibly the pattern is the wrong scale or shape for you.

Hats

Get brutal

Be ruthless with those accessories, only keep the scarves, belts and costume jewellery, that you use. Ensure that you have a bag for every event and work out which are the ones that you actually use. Shoes can date us so check they aren’t out of time.

Try items on together and see whether they work, or is your buying rather hit and miss? Maybe send a photo to a young person or a stylish friend if you are undecided. It’s good to make a note of any bad patterns of buying that you’ve discovered.

Have separate piles for when the crisis is over: give to a friend, to charity or sell. Make someone’s day!
Now is a wonderful time to think about building an effective wardrobe and discovering your Personal Style as this can now be done on Zoom. It works well and is great fun. Colour Analysis sessions will have to wait until everything is back to normal! Good luck and have fun!

stripey dress and blusher copy

Fiona Ingham

Consistent holder of the House of Colour Star Consultant award each year since 1991 plus the new Double and Triple Star Consultant award for 2020. Winner of the Business Development Award and Team Productivity Award and also a 2017 Livewire Innovation and Excellence Award.

Colour Analysis can be a private, Individual session or Duo session where two friends attend together in the Primrose Hill studio.

Personal Style can be an Individual session or a Duo session for two friends in the studio OR an Individual session on Zoom for clients who live further away.

Please email or call for full information.

[email protected]
@fionainghampresentation
07791 507534

See Fiona's Profile

Join the list

Get the VIP info on all things Healthy Back Bag, including our newest designs, special releases and monthly giveaways. Plus you’ll get 10% off your first order!

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Shop Japan

Tokyu Plaza HBB

SHOP JAPAN
ヘルシーバックバッグ専門店

Global Business Development Manager, Nancy Evans

Nancy

Our Global Business Development Manager, Nancy Evans, provides an insight to The Healthy Back Bag in Japan

It all started as if a dream. After all, who wouldn’t want to see their brand showcased on the world stage?

And it was never a matter of IF we would open a Healthy Back Bag monobrand shop, it was merely a matter of Where and When; just the ‘small’ details. As such, we consider it an honour that the launch of the first HBB monobrand shop(s) occurred in Japan, a country the world looks to for trend, style and unique finds.

By definition ‘mono’ is a combining form meaning ‘alone’, ‘single’, ‘one’.  So a mono retail store has just one brand.  Typically, this would be a stand alone operation but in Japan, the rules are different and instead, the shop exists within a department store.

 

Each location and site selection were carefully evaluated and tested as temporary pop-up shops. After favourable results and negotiation for shop space, the build-outs quickly morphed into our current line-up of monobrand shops;

Tokyu Plaza Ginza

9 August 2018. A bustling tourist epi-center, Ginza is the most famous upmarket shopping area, dining and entertainment district within the Tokyo prefecture.

Tokyu Plaza HBB

Tokyu Kichijouji

23 August 2018. Home to affluent younger families in their 30’s & 40’s, Kichijouji is a popular commercial shopping and leisure area.

Fixtures

Marui Kitasenju

20 June 2019. Adjacent to the 3rd busiest station in the Tokyo metro network, Kitasenju sits outside of the city center and offers up a suburban, traditional and slower paced environment.

Kitasenju III

So, what are the hallmarks of a monobrand shop?

First & foremost, it’s a destination.
It displays a perfectly curated representation of the range.
It’s the first place to launch new seasonal items, limited editions and offer exclusive promotions.
Its Visual Merchandising is best in class.
It offers up a platform for testing new and creative ideas.
It provides the best service from designated and knowledgeable HBB staff.

In a culture where authenticity, storytelling and thoughtful design reign supreme, it’s no wonder Japan truly has the street cred when it comes to validating a brand particularly in the lifestyle space.

To everyone in Japan we wish to extend our sincere appreciation and say Arigatou Gozaimasu for welcoming the Healthy Back Bag brand into your elite retail community.

Who says dreams can’t become reality?

My Life My City
Dog Walk with Baglett

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Working in a Familiar Environment

Desk and Laptop

Working in a Familiar Environment

What a difference a month makes...

Just a few weeks ago we were in the office complaining about the grey skies and constant rain, now we are all working from home, grappling with new ways of communicating remotely with our colleagues and considering ourselves lucky to have a bit of outdoor exercise and a trip to the supermarket.

These sudden changes to our lives can of course create higher levels of anxiety and stress than we are used to. We are concerned about the health of our family and friends, worried for ourselves and the bombardment of real and fake news stories from around the world creates an existential threat which very few of us have experienced before.

Here at the Healthy Back Bag Company, health matters are at the core of our business and we take our own and others mental health very seriously, particularly those already living with conditions like anxiety and OCD. For some of us, life goes on as normal, the lack of a pint at the local pub being the main concern however for many, the changes to our lives can make existing mental health problems worse.

Breathe

So how can we protect our mental health?

The World Health Organisation recently released advice on protecting your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. They suggest:

  • Avoid watching or reading or listening to news that could cause you feel anxious or distressed
  • Seek information mainly to take practical steps to protect your plans and protect yourself and loved ones
  • Seek information updates at specific times

So far so good. But what are the practical ways in which we can all manage this whilst working from home without the office routine and colleagues to talk to?

So what can be done?

We conducted a very casual (and very virtual) poll around our office. These are some of the ways we’re keeping ourselves healthy in mind and body:

Careers Icon

Coping with ‘Stay at Home’ life outside of work:

  • Gin featured fairly highly on our lists! Not that we are all raging alcoholics but 5pm G&T’s on the balcony with housemates does wonders for marking the end to a working day.
  • Manage your news. Switch off all those newsfeeds and only access information when you need it. Alternatively, subscribe to goodnewsnetwork.org which gives you a break from covid chat or at least a positive spin on it.
  • Hold Zoom parties on a Saturday night! (downloadable from zoom.us). Arrange to share a glass of wine and catch up with friends. Does wonders for morale.
  • Get out in the garden if you have one! – being out in it, tidying it up and enjoying this best time of the year as everything bursts into bud is really grounding.
  • Cook some of those recipes you’ve been meaning to try out for ages.
  • Use your evenings to catch up with family over FaceTime or Skype or pick up the landline and give them an old fashioned telephone call!
  • Learn a new skill, learn how to draw or play guitar.
  • Sort out all those photographs at last.
coffee Icon

Working from home:

  • Keep a routine – get up at a normal time
  • Start the day with some yoga – sun salutations before work are a great mood booster
  • Exercise regularly – make the most of your outdoor daily exercise and download home workout apps for regular workouts in the living room (see links below)
  • Use the extra time to have a long shower, enjoy a morning coffee outside in the sunshine or take a proper lunchbreak
  • If you share a house, consider swapping round workstations every hour so you don’t end up sitting on the sofa all day.
  • Stick to a healthy eating plan. Stock up on fresh food and embark on that health kick you always promised yourself. No snacking!
  • Open a window, enjoy the cleaner air

Wrap insulation around exposed pipes

And last but not least,

Think about all those new tech skills you’ll have learnt by the end of it all and try and remember this is only temporary!

 

 

Useful websites

World Health Organisation https://www.who.int/

Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/

Mental Health UK https://mentalhealth-uk.org/

BBC tips for working at home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51868894

Women’s Health 28 top workout apps to use while social distancing https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/workouts/a707729/home-workouts/

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