Pinterest is a confusing place, especially since the recent update. I, amongst others, have been impacted by the changes they have made. My stats had dropped dramatically, so I was thinking of ways to boost my Pinterest traffic. I was sent a Pinterest offer regarding ads, so I decided to try it out. So, are Pinterest ads a good way of boosting traffic?

AD - This post has been sponsored by my monthly advertisers! There are also affiliate links in the post.

I can't believe it is August already! This is my last month of full-time blogging before I go back to work which is exciting, sad and a whole mix of emotions! August is very special to me. This month is my birthday, and I will be turning 18! I wanted to make thing month something special, one I can remember. I have a few exciting things to announce later this month, but for now, let me introduce you to some amazing people! Here are my August advertisers!

Last month was my first month of advertising. I was so happy to have such a positive result. I loved promoting the 5 lovely people who bought a package. You can read about that post if you'd like to meet July's advertisers! This month, I have 6 advertisers! If you'd like a spot in September's advertising package, make sure you book soon as they're filling up fast!

Star Advertiser | Life With Ktkinnes

Katie is a lovely blogger who shares a range of personal, food and lifestyle posts on her blog! She is also a lover of Blogmas, so if you're a fan of all things festive, Katie is a blogger to follow. Katie has recently released her first eBook all about Blogmas, great for if you're considering the challenge this year! Life With Ktkinnes is an amazing blog, full of fun, and there is a post for everyone. I love reading her posts, there is always something new and interesting popping up. I am so glad that she's my start advertiser this month!

If you'd like to purchase Katie's Blogmas eBook, you can use my link and the code "loveem" for 20% off! The code is limited to only 20 people, so make sure you get in quickly! I love this eBook and it's a worthy investment if you're looking to do Blogmas 2020!

Tilly | Cake, Coffee & Chaos

Tilly is a digital marketer with a passion for baking and writing. As a relatively new blogger, Tilly shares recipes and lifestyle posts on her blog. I love reading about her life, job and testing out her recipes! If you're looking for a bubbly blogger, Tilly is the one you need. I love how real, and down to earth all of her posts are! Here are some of my favourites:

• When Love Isn't Enough: Knowing When To Move On
• Oat & Coconut Cookies Recipe

Kayleigh | Kayleigh Zara

Kayleigh is an amazing blogger. If you're looking for tips on affiliate marketing, blogging or lifestyle, this is the place to come. I've been looking up to Kayleigh ever since I started blogging, and she has supported me a lot through my journey. Kayleigh is been blogging for around 5 years, so she really knows what she is talking about when it comes to advice. Whether you're looking to boost your blogging knowledge or need a bit of support, Kayleigh Zara is the blog you need.

Kayleigh has also written an eBook. If you'd like to learn about affiliate marketing and how to monetise your blog, this is the perfect guide for you!

Claire | Our Favourite Jar

Claire is a lovely parent blogger who went from a family of 2 to a family of 5! Whether you're looking for parenting, lifestyle or journal prompts, Claire has a post for you. She's a supportive blogger and someone you should be following! I enjoy reading her posts; her prompts are unique and helpful, perfect for journaling. She also get's real with her posts, allowing you to empathise and understand. Here are some of my favourite reads:

Kat | Kat Spills The Tea

Kat Spills The Tea is a fitness, lifestyle and positivity blog. If you're looking to improve your mindset and live a happier, more fulfilling life, Kat's blog is one you need to add to your reading list. I love reading Kat's posts as I find they're full of meaning and positivity. If you're having a down day or looking to improve your lifestyle, there are lots of tips for you to follow. 

Business Of The Month | The Gut Feeling

Gut Feeling is the UK's first gut health subscription box, aiming to help you find tasty prebiotic and fermented foods & drinks with a touch of wellness. If you're struggling with gut issues, this subscription box helps you to find food and drink that are suitable for you! With a team of dietitians behind each box, you know you'll be getting genuine health products. Before a product is added to the box, extensive research into the clinical trials are done to make sure the product is genuine and has true claims. If you're looking for a health gut, The Gut Feeling is for you!

AD - This post is sponsored & affiliate links, but all the opinions are my own

Just because we're coming to the end of Plastic Free July, doesn't mean we should stop making a positive change. Businesses are places that drive change. If you don't offer eco-friendly alternatives, consumers can't buy them! There are lots of little changes you can make that will make a big difference. Here are some ways to can make your business more eco-friendly!

If you ship out items, opt for eco-friendly postal packaging. It's better for the environment and can keep your customers happy. Not only are cardboard packages more durable, but they are also recyclable. From biodegradable mailing backs to boxes, there are so many ways to ship your products ethically. There are lots of options that mean you no longer have to use plastic in your packages. If you're packaging your products, here are some easy swaps you can make: 

There are 2 ways you can achieve a plastic-free office; not purchasing plastic items and not selling items with plastic. If you're creating your office space, avoid buying things that are made with plastic. This includes bins, chairs and even snacks that have plastic wrapping. It also includes buying products to resell. If your supplier uses packaging or lids, see if they're willing to change or find a more eco-conscious supplier. Understandably this isn't always possible.

The second way was, don't sell plastic. If you create your own products, use eco-friendly packaging. Glass jars and cardboard are a great combination. The jars can be refillable for a discount to the customer - great if you're aiming for zero-waste! Make sure your postal packaging is also recyclable. Lil Packaging offers an amazing range of packaging, all of which is eco-friendly. They also allow you to order smaller quantities if you're a smaller business, reducing your waste if you don't need them!

Cars and public transport are great, but they produce a lot of emissions. There are lots of businesses who opt for cycle to work schemes, especially ones located in the city. They provide dedicated bicycle parking, and some even offer vouchers to help purchase a bike with. If you're not willing to give out bikes, you could offer other incentives like cycling-related prizes for the employees who cycle the most days in a month. I have seen lots of businesses run competitions to encourage cycling to work, which brings employees together and helps the environment!

To make your business more eco-friendly, you could implement a recycling scheme. By having dedicated bins for different rubbish, you'll encourage your employees to recycle more. You could even set up battery and ink cartridge recycling bins, prompting employees to bring these items into work to recycle. Recycling bins are a great way to ensure that rubbish is being disposed of correctly. It's simple to do, but effective in making your business more eco-friendly. 

If you want to take it a step further, you can remove the general waste bin. This will encourage employees to take their unrecyclable rubbish home with them. It may even stop generating single-use trash. Crisp packets and chocolate wrappers aren't recyclable, so removing the trash bin may encourage lower consumption of these unhealthy treats, and less rubbish for your business! 

Greenery is relaxing and beautiful. If you can, create a rooftop garden on your building! It's a fun and creative way to encourage your employees to look after their environment and have a green thumb. You could have an allotment where you can grow food, areas to sit and relax and even include outdoor working spaces. Having just a few plants or trees is better for the environment than none at all. It's a great idea if you're located in a build-up, industrial area. 

If you don't have a rooftop you can use, try and create any sort of outdoor space for your employees. Not only do these spaces help the environment, but they also help the productivity of your employees! It can reduce stress and increase motivation to work . Just being around nature has positive impacts on your workers. 

Although paper is better than plastic, you're still cutting down trees. You can make your business more eco-friendly by swapping to online. If you're sending invoices, send it electronically. You can also request that your supplies do the same. Only print things off if it's necessary. There are lots of cloud storages that you could use to keep all of your important information in one place. Technology is amazing and should be utilised. If you reduce your paper consumption, you'll be reducing the amount of waste your business uses. It will also save you a lot of money on paper and printing!

It's easy to turn the heating on as soon as the temperature starts to drop. It's also really tempting to blast the air conditioning when temperatures soar. If you're looking to be more eco-friendly, avoid using the thermostat. In the winter, employees can wear jackets and uniform can be relaxed in summer months. If you explain the reasoning behind your decision, your employees should understand that, especially if they share similar eco-friendly values. 

These changes are small, but they make a massive difference to both the environment and your outflows. A lot of these methods will save your business money, so what isn't to love! Change starts with businesses, and consumers are becoming more aware of what they're buying. Make sure you're prepared for the shift and become more eco-friendly today! What eco-friendly changes are you making with your business? Let me know what you think is the best change to implement!

If you fancy eating out, throughout the whole of August, restaurants are offering a 50% discount on meals that you purchase. Designed to help out restaurants, the scheme has been introduced to get people out again. I live in Cambridgeshire. I thought it would be useful to share all the participating restaurants in my local area, so you know where to head to first! I will be adding to the list as more restaurants participate, so keep checking back for updates! One of my favourite bloggers, Reinventing Neesha, has done Cardiff and Swansea if you're heading to Wales!