The Monday Piece - The Benefits of Houseplants

This week's Monday Piece is on the benefits of houseplants!

With a significant increase in the number of people working from home, in response to the current Government-enforced lockdown, Haskins Garden Centres wanted to share the extraordinary health benefits of houseplants and how they can improve your workspace at home.

It is unknown how long we will be working from our makeshift home offices, therefore, it is worth investing time to add a little greenery to your setting. Not only will this make your desk a colourful, more peaceful and engaging place, it is also the perfect way to bring nature into your home and the multitude of health and wellbeing benefits associated with houseplants.

The 3 main benefits of houseplants are as follows:

1. Boost concentration levels and productivity. Researchers from the University of Exeter in 2014 found that plants can increase productivity by 15 per cent. The scientists suggested that a green office increases employees' work engagement by making them more physically, cognitively and emotionally involved in their work.

2. Alleviate stress and anxiety. Many of us are under a lot of pressure at work, and given the current uncertainty, this is likely to be amplified. Research has shown plants in the home can reduce tension by almost 40 per cent, because they remind us of the outdoors, nature, and a slower pace of life, which is instantly calming.

An additional study conducted by Washington State University in 1996 made workers complete timed computer tasks in rooms with and without plants. When the plants were present, the participants were more productive, less stressed and had lower blood pressure.

3. Improve air quality. According to a NASA study from 1989, plants can help clean the air. Scientists identified 107 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the Skylab space station which were contributing to poor health. Houseplants also help to make the air in the home less toxic by purifying the air and eliminating any toxins. Homes can be full of airborne pollutants, with carpets, paint and even people harbouring toxins.

Houseplants are versatile and can be used in most rooms within your home. Our low maintenance houseplant recommendations for your desk are:

• Devil’s Ivy. Fantastic trailing plant that performs well in a hanging pot or on a high shelf. Prefers in-direct light conditions and liberal watering in spring and summer.
• Cacti. Really easy to care for, these architectural plants love light and occasional watering.
• Dracaena (Dragon Tree). Thrives in a warm room in light shade near an east or west facing window.
• Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilly). A great air purifier, this distinctive popular plant thrives if kept damp and away from direct sunlight. Can also tolerate lower light levels.
• Zamioculas (ZZ Plant). Whether it’s a bright lounge or shady hallway, this plant is a great focal point and will thrive on neglect. Just remember to water it occasionally.

Haskins has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone and Snowhill in West Sussex. For more information visit www.haskins.co.uk :).

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The Monday Piece - Femme Luxe Loungewear

This week's Monday Piece is on Femme Luxe loungewear! I have been fully embracing wearing everything loungewear these past few months - as I'm still on my PGCE course I'm doing lots of online learning so need to be comfy and cosy at all times! Also I've been spending my time basking in the glory of Netflix... I was joyous when I slipped on these Femme Luxe pieces. The peach jogging bottoms are divine and so soft - I'm all about mixing pastel colours so I paid it with this oversized fleece sweatshirt. Hoodies are always a go to piece for me, I added this one to my collection as it has a baggy but relaxed vibe without being toooo slouchy :).
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The Monday Piece - Magnus Gjoen Art Therapy

This week's Monday Piece is on Magnus Gjoen Art Therapy! Renowned artist, Magnus Gjoen, has invited the nation to create their own masterpieces using beautifully printed versions of some of his most celebrated works of art. 

The ultimate antidote to boredom, the Art Therapy colouring-in set (£45) includes six 21 by 21cm designs, printed on the highest quality 250gsm archival paper. Each of the three intricate images, carefully designed by Gjoen, was inspired by the traditional pieces of iconic Sèvres porcelain. 

The Art Therapy set can be coloured-in or decorated however the art lover sees fit. While watercolours and a fine gold pen will give the best results, Gjoen encourages his audience to use whatever they have to hand in order to complete their masterpieces. Each will be a personal work of art and should take pride of place hanging on the wall. 

The set includes two of each of print, which allows for a practice run before they commit to a design. The most meticulous of the three is a beautifully decorative skull, which was originally a sculpture in porcelain and bronze. There is also a grenade and a scarab beetle, which were created from photographs of Sèvres vases and urns, from various museum collections. 

Gjoen commented on the Art Therapy launch: “For me, art is about rediscovery, taking things from the past and renewing them. This project will allow people from all over the world to redesign a piece of my art in their own way. An antidote to the boredom we’re all facing, the Art Therapy set is a way for people to spend their time and allows me to engage with my audience, encouraging them to question, challenge and rethink what art really is.”

Born in London to Norwegian parents, Gjoen is one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists with a sophisticated clientele including Kate Moss, Kylie Jenner and Megan Markle to name a few . Exploring various styles and mediums, Gjoen has become known for blending a street and pop aesthetic with a fine art approach. Manipulating and embellishing iconic masterpieces and exquisite fragments from the past, Gjoen’s work offers a modern spin on traditional art and has been exhibited in galleries around the world.

Following his collaboration with The Wallace Collection, where he created a series of prints inspired by the museum’s Sèvres offering, Gjoen has become the first artist to release an interactive colouring-in set for his international fan base. In order to connect with his audience, and help them through the challenging times ahead, the beautiful templates will allow people to redesign one of Gjoen’s pieces at home, for a fraction of the price.

To celebrate this creative collaboration between artist and audience, Gjoen is also showcasing peoples’ interpretations via a digital gallery on his website, allowing for a sense of togetherness during this time of separation. This is such a fantastic idea and definitely the type of relaxation I need :).
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The Monday Piece - Cinco De Mayo With Novikov and Casamigos

This week's Monday Piece is on Cinco De Mayo with Novikov and Casamigos! CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO WITH NOVIKOV AND CASAMIGOS
We might still be in the midst of lockdown but Novikov Restaurant & Bar won’t let
that stand in the way of your Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Involving lashings of -
what else but - tequila, or to be more exact Casamigos, the ultra-premium, multi-
award winning 100% Blue Agave brand co-created by George Clooney, the
Mayfair favourite is spearheading festivities with the chance to win the ultimate gift.
One lucky person will be partying like it’s 1862 (when the Mexican army surprised
everyone, not least themselves, by thrashing the French at the Battle of Puebla)
with a bottle of Casamigos Blanco, two bottles of lemon tonic and an array of
branded merchandise: shaker, two cantarito glasses, margarita candies and sun
glasses.

The winner will be picked at random on DJ Sally K’s weekly Lockdown Mix on 17th May, allowing them to be fully prepared for 22nd May when World Paloma Day  recognises Mexico’s national drink - tequila & grapefruit soda.
All you have to do is follow @novikovrestaurant and @dj_sally_k  on Instagram and make a post tagging @novikovrestaurant and three of your amigos that love tequila using hashtag #CasaDeNovikov.
While you’re waiting to see if you’re the chosen one, why not try your hand at making this simple cocktail – the Casamigos Tommy’s Margarita?
Simply combine in a shaker 50 ml Casamigos blanco, reposado or mezcal, 25 ml lime juice, 10-15 ml agave syrup and two dashes of orange bitters. Shake and serve with an orange or lime wedge :).
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