From the competitive spotlight of the global stage to small town Cambridge, Kris Marshall’s passion for simplistic yet beautiful hair has let him establish quite the name for himself. Born in Christchurch, Kris was raised with hairdressing in his blood. As a 3rd generation hairdresser, he grew up in the salon working part-time for his uncle to pay for his several sporting ventures including rugby, cricket, and rowing. However, at the end of high school, Kris turned to one of his greatest talents - hairdressing. Read more of our interview with Kris below!

​Ever heard of the saying, ‘if you want something done, ask someone who’s busy’? There are strong characteristics of busy people which tend to only make them busier. They’re good at getting shit done, in fact, they’ve trained themselves to be this way. Whether it’s out of habit, through addiction to fleeting reward, the fear of missing out or forgetting something, the ironic comfort of a hectic routine, or the badge of honour we all like to wear saying, ‘I’m busier than you’. Our current culture has mistaken busyness as progress and achievement. Let’s discuss this deeper and get a better understanding of why we do what we do, and how we can change it.

There are two people in this world. Those who hit inbox zero on the daily, and those who seem to have to wade through thousands of emails just to find the one they’re looking for. Jumping ship from inbox zero to extreme email hoarder isn’t hard, but doing the reverse is more difficult than letting go of a chocolate addiction. As my mum and I would argue, “it’s just in our genes”. However, I’m the kind of girl that once I set my mind to something, I have to fix it. So I’m here to share some tips on tackling that overwhelming inbox. Let’s Marie Kondo that inbox!

We all know what it feels like to be stuck in a seemingly continuous cycle of mediocrity. Life seems to be stuck on the repeat button and every day is just about the same. Your routines get boring and uninspiring and you don’t seem to be getting anywhere fast - certainly not towards your goals or dreams. 
This feeling of being in a creative rut can be beyond frustrating. But some quick and inspiring tips can help get you back on track!

I’m beginning to realise how much we ignore Halloween as New Zealanders. Over in America, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a street where every front porch is decorated with coloured pumpkins and halloween decor. Yet here, we didn’t have a single trick-or-treater come knocking on our front door. I put that down to the fact we have four dogs (never mind the fact they are all just big softies) and we live in a back section. Nevertheless, New Zealand fails to rise to the Halloween occasion and I’m determined to change that. Check out my top tips to get into the Halloween spirit below!

If you’ve never heard of them, then let this be your formal introduction to keystone habits. They’re the fundamental habits to your daily life which have a positive flow-on effect into a multitude of other areas. These habits aren’t complicated either, they’re simple actions which are easy to implement yet are gifts that just keep on giving. Check out the full blog post below!

We all know that sleep is important. It’s a major factor in what enables us to be successful, handle whatever the day faces and get through the tough shit. You don’t need to look hard to find people who aren’t getting enough sleep, or people who are nearing towards burnout! Unfortunately, these days sleep and self-care is often over-commercialised by the health and wellness industry. As a result, we often feel like good sleep becomes a luxury, and self-care is only real 'self-care' if it costs us something. Let this blog post remind you about the importance of sleep and self care, and most importantly, the simple things we can do to look after our bodies in their times of need. 

With study season fast approaching and exams on the horizon, it’s time to hunker down and hit the books. I know personally that it takes a lot of motivation to get on with revision, especially at this time of the year when it’s finally getting warmer and outside looks increasingly inviting! This blog post is all about how to make studying a little easier, and hopefully a lot more bearable!

I’ve wanted to dedicate an entire series of blog posts to the topic of ‘doing less’ for a while now. We’re in a point in time where we’re working more than ever and taking less time off than ever. It’s no wonder that many of us are feeling overwhelmed and fed up with the amount of work that’s on our plate. With 9-5 work commitments, kids on the go and only a slither of to ourselves it’s no wonder that many of us wish we could hit the pause button and let ourselves catch a breath. To be a part of this series and continue this important conversation, read more below!

Thankfully, current generations are beginning to realise that we should be actively trying to minimise our waste daily. Whether that’s making an effort to bring your Keep Cup to your local cafe or to put in the effort to recycle mindfully. These days, it’s becoming easier and easier to join the zero waste movement trend so we wanted to share some of our top tips! For some, these ideas will be nothing out of the ordinary. But for those new to the journey, or those just looking for a little inspiration, be sure to give this blog post a read!

Having a deeper understanding of the brainwaves our brain experiences is the first step to hacking the system and encouraging your mind to experience these brainwaves when you need them most - whether that’s when you’re trying to fall asleep, study for that big exam or gain inspiration for an upcoming project. Check out the science behind it all and some top tips below!

Everyone loves that Spring Clean feeling, it’s like getting into bed with fresh sheets. However, everyone seems to dread the process of decluttering, detoxing and reorganising the home. We’ve simplified the process into a ‘Spring Cleaning’ Printable so you can easily tick off each task as you go. Check out the printable and our Spring Cleaning tips below!

We’re lovers of minimising the products and chemicals involved in our household cleaning and maintenance. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to worry about the contents of our cleaners or the confusing ingredient lists on the back of products. However, these days it’s getting more and more difficult to clean our own homes without having to worry about the health of ourselves and our families. Keep it simple and look towards wonder products like vinegar to help you around the home! Check out our list of amazing uses below!

Spring has finally sprung! While the temperatures still may be chilly, at least the end is near. You can almost taste a sense of summer! However, there is something special about spring. It’s a wonderful season for experimenting with new routines and recipes in preparation for the summer months. If you’re looking to start a new routine, get yourself back on track or experiment with new habits, then this is the perfect opportunity! Check out our introduction to spring below!

One in ten women have it. You probably know someone personally who has it. But are you aware of the disease, its symptoms, and its complications? It’s a health issue too big to ignore, so we’re here to increase awareness. From one endometriosis sufferer to you.

Are you living a conscious life? Do you even understand what’s involved? Mindfulness is a large trend lately, but it’s a lot more than just a breathing exercise and a few minutes sitting with your legs crossed. It’s a level of awareness which accompanies you throughout your daily, and all of your activities.

The beginning and end of each day is a time which I choose to keep really sacred and special. It’s the first thing I wake up to in the morning, and the last things I do at night so I treasure that and ensure that I give value to those moments.

Click 'Read More' to find out about how to build a really lovely morning and evening routine that incorporates lots of healthy habits to begin and end your day!

Podcasts are a great way to incorporate learning opportunities into your daily routine. Whether you listen to them in the shower, on your daily commute or on your evening walk, I often pick podcasts over music because it feels like a really productive way to spend my time. Some nights, when I’m struggling to sleep, I’ve found that podcasts are a great way to distract your mind from stressing about the day to come, or over-thinking the day that was. Below, I’ve listed 6 podcasts which I’ve found helpful depending on what mood, or what scenario I’m listening to them in. Check it out!

I love a good decluttering process. However, I find that the only thing which really ruins the post-de-cluttering joy is the disposable solutions of all unwanted goods. It feels terrible when you have piles of clothing, furniture, books or gifts which no longer spark joy in your life and you need to give them away. And while it feels so good to walk through a clean and clutter-free home, the excess of stuff left over always makes me feel ungrateful.

Gradually, I’m learning that through my own de-cluttering process, I actually have the ability to share my unwanted goods with people and families who do want them. One man’s trash truly is another’s treasure.

So this blog post is all about these disposable solutions which encourage guilt-free de-cluttering!

With June just around the corner (I know, can we believe it?), here at Live Lively we thought it would be fun to partake in Junk Free June with our own twist! This month, we’re focusing on cleaning up, cutting down and only letting the good things stay. However rather than just throwing the junk out of our diets, we realised that we needed to do something a little more ‘lively’. Our Junk Free June workbook looks into our diets, homes, lifestyles and habits! Read More for the full details and your FREE PDF workbook to download at the bottom of this blog post!

Our mothers deserve all the love in the world. Treat her right this Mother’s Day by giving her a gift of love to show just how much you appreciate her and all she does. Check out our range of gift ideas below to grab some inspiration for. Trust us, and she’ll think you read her mind!

Essential Oils have so many wonderful uses. Here and Live Lively, we love using essential oils to supplement a healthy lifestyle. Whether you pop a few drops of frankincense into your bath or roll lavender on the skin before bed, essential oils can be a wonderful way to incorporate a little extra self-care. When it comes to children, we have to be aware that a baby’s skin is significantly more sensitive than ours and while essential oils can come in handy, we need to be careful in how we use them.

The following blog post outlines some of our favourite ways to use essential oils for both mum and baby!

It’s not a job that many people could do. And specifically, I think there is a very particular reason why only women are capable of giving birth. The act of raising a child, with a partner or not, isn’t for the faint hearted. We wanted to give you some quick, actionable ideas for how to reduce the mental strain of parenting and tips for finding support throughout your community.