Alida Bea

Becks and I crossed paths through mutual friends. A casual conversation quickly revealed a strong (and slightly nerdy) shared passion for herbs, plants, and green beauty brands! We’ve both spent many years in deep self-study, exploration, and experimentation with food and herbal remedies - at a level that only those motivated by health issues and skin challenges can comprehend.

Our friendship has been a slow burner, in the best of ways. Though we live far apart, we’d exchanged long emails and handwritten letters. When one of her letters arrived with some foraged nettle seeds and a nut butter recipe tucked inside, I had no doubts I’d found a kindred spirit :)

I’ve had the privilege to witness Achillea materialise. From when she first shyly shared her dream with me, to now - Becks (a Virgo Projector, iykyk…) is truly in her element with the business she is creating. Achillea is curated with so much care and intention, offering some of the most beautiful products you can get your hands on. She’s kindly shared a discount code for us too (find it below)!

Please introduce yourself, and what it is you so wonderfully do:

I’m a photographer living in Brighton and I love to sew, knit and crochet in my spare time.

What is your ideal way to start the day?

My ideal way to start the day is slowly, every morning I’ll sit on my balcony with a coffee even if it’s windy to blow away the cobwebs and continue to wake up with a hot shower. Whilst i’m on my busy bus to work I listen to a podcast or book whilst doing some knitting, the combination gets my brain going and listening to talking makes it feel like I have company with getting the morning going.

Do you have any daily rituals/ routines?

When I get home from work I get changed into comfy clothes, remove any make up if I have been wearing any and wash my face. That way i’m already halfway there if I start to get sleepy.

Do you have any practices or remedies to stay healthy, both in body and mind?

I’ve recently gone back to 9-5 life, so I’m still working out my new routine. At the start of the week I buy plenty of fresh ingredients so I can make myself filling and nourishing sandwiches on my break and take myself off to the quiet zone so I’m not sat at my desk all day. When the weather is nice I’ll sit out in the park or head to the roof terrace to feel the sun.

I’ve been really enjoying listening to audiobooks and podcasts whilst I work, I’ve been trying to mix it up with fiction and factual. I’m really enjoying learning something new whilst I work.

When you need to get out of town/ out of routine, where do you go or what do you do to escape?

I take myself out for a walk and either sit in a park or go down to the seafront. Sometimes I’ll join my Dad for a dog walk into the countryside. I love to go to a certain woods in Sussex that has a big swing that feels like you are flying above the trees. It makes me feel like a kid again.

How do you like to spend your nights and or/weekends?

As I spend all day looking at screens and taking photos with bright lights, I like to focus on crafts in the evenings. I’ll either knit, crochet, or if I’m feeling up to it then I’ll get the sewing machine out.

On the weekends I love to go for “a coffee and a mooch” - I take my journal if I’m going solo and people watch whilst I sit outside listening to music on my headphones. I like to go to fabric shops and get inspired, have a look in the laines to see what I can recreate and maybe pop into an art supply or stationary shop and head home to get stuck into a project. There is something relaxing about tactile hobbies, making with your hands and creating new textures.

How do you unwind, re-centre and find balance?

It really depends on the season, in summer when the weather calls for it I love to swim in the sea. I take my journal, maybe a crochet project and dry off in the sun.

In the colder months cosiness is the main objective! Comfy warm knits, wrapping up in a quilt, making a hot chocolate, lighting candles and lots of soup making. Baths are also essential. Water makes me feel calm and I take my baths very seriously. Bubbles are involved, salts and oils, candles, a big glass of water and crystals lined up along the edge.

What is your favourite form of movement?

Yoga and stretching is my favourite when I’m feeling tired and sore. But when I have energy I like to dance, especially with friends at live events.

Your favourite meal to cook?

Over the past year I have had more stomach issues which means I’ve had to cut out a lot of some of my favourite things, especially comfort dishes I would enjoy making. I’m relearning what I can eat and cook for myself that’s filling and nourishing. Being half Italian I love to make pasta dishes.

Your favourite place to get dinner?

I recently went to Archipelagos on Western Road (Brighton) for Greek food and everything was so fresh and delicious! Highly recommend.

Your guilty pleasure? :)

Chocolate biscuits and the Real Housewives franchise :)

Do you experience any challenges in your work/life balance? If so, how do you navigate this?

Starting a new job going from freelance to full time has been a challenge, and knackering! I’m about 5 weeks in and it’s slowly getting easier. I’m not a morning person, my brain wakes up at around 9pm and that’s when I tend to get ideas and go down rabbit holes, so it’s been hard to switch that around. I’d really like to find an evening class for movement and start a pottery course at The Mud House once i’m more settled.

What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration?

Pinterest! I love finding images and creating boards. Films inspire me, talking to people and digging out photography books from my collection. I love to go to exhibitions to see art and photography, seeing pieces for the first time as well as old favourites in person is like an orgasm for the eye!

How would you describe your style? What & who influences you?

A mix of contradictions! I like to mix androgynous style with elements of femininity. In summer I like to dress with lots of colour and then in autumn and winter I am drawn to black, neutrals and navy. I’m influenced by people that pass me by in day to day life, I used to work in fashion and am always interested in how people style their outfits and express themselves.

Having always been on a tight budget, I’m a magpie for bargains and second hand items in charity shops and making my own clothes. You can choose the fabrics, colours and shape. I enjoy being playful with clothes and looking at pinterest for ideas of what to make next as well as watching period dramas.

What is your definition of beauty?

As a photographer my favourite photos I capture are the ones of people in a moment and showing their personalities - that’s my definition of beauty, people being authentically themselves.

Do you have any additional ways that you care for your mind, body & spirit?

Being around the people who make me laugh and feel free. Playing with paints, pencils and sketchbooks also helps me feel present.

What are you most grateful for in your life?

My partner Joe, and my friends and family.