New fragrance range from Crabtree & Evelyn

Himalayan Blue is the newest offering from Crabtree & Evelyn.  The range includes an EDT and body products.

 

 

 

 

 

The inspiration behind this new release was the search for the mythical blue poppy in the heart of the Himalayas by British explorers of days gone by.

 

The fragrance is a blend of smoked black tea, warm ginger and spices, golden champaca (magnolia), and base notes of patchouli and exotic woods.

 

 

 

 

 

I mostly love patchouli (the inner hippy), and when something is described as containing ‘exotic woods’ it usually gets my attention as it’s likely to be something I must have.  I have worn this fragrance a few times and, on me, I cannot pick up on the patchouli or my interpretation of what exotic woods are. However, I do get a hint of fresh citrus or possibly green notes and a very pleasant black tea scent. There is also a gentle and comforting wave of spices and soft woods working its way through that lingers.

 

The scent to my nose is light, easy to wear and I am able to sprits liberally without a feeling of over doing it. I get a feeling of fresh, breezy-ness, with a subtle depth.  I can see me loving wearing this for evenings on hot nights in summer. However it is versatile, I could wear it during the day too.

 

The fragrance pyramid for Himalayan Blue:

 

 

The Himalayan Blue Range includes:

 Eau de Toilette

100ml $59.00
  30ml $28.00

 

Bath & ShowerGel

200ml $28.00

 

Body Lotion

200ml $28.00

 

Hand Therapy handcream

100g $28.00

L'Occitane Training

I consider myself fortunate that I stock L’Occitane en Provence. I am truly a lover of many of their products and their ethics. There is no shortage of promotions, support with merchandising and training.

 

 

 

 

I have recently attended my second training session with L’Occitane. It was a full day of sampling and trying their lovely products. We watched mini movies by L’Occitane, youtube clips and did a little note taking along the way.

 

There was a certain amount of the day that was just a refresher/reminder for me – as I have attended their training before, however, that was over three years ago and so much has changed. We had a different trainer then I had my first time, so that offers the opportunity to learn differently as well.

 

We covered an intro’ to L’Occitane and an intro’ to the skin and how it’s made up ie Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis, Fibroblast, Elastin and it goes on. We covered almost all the ranges L’Occitane has to offer and a few highlights for me were…

 

Divine Cream

 I have bought a number of these beautiful bright yellow jars since their launch. I thoroughly love using this as my face cream. It really does make my skin feel smooth and velvety. It softens the ‘expression’ lines I have on my forehead.

 

 

 

 

The Divine Cream contains Immortelle and Myrtle. Both are only sourced from an island off the south coast of France and both are organically grown and harvested. The oils extracted from these plants have been proven to extend the life of your own naturally produced collagen and elastin. Vitamin C is also added to this cream and altogether the ingredients work to rejuvenate your skin for a healthier, firmer and more youthful appearance.

Click here to watch a youtube clip that we watched, which again is more proof that this cream delivers….

 

 

Shea Hand Cream

 There is not much to say. This hand cream is so well known and it is so well known because people love it. It works for so many people. It is almost a crisis if we ever run out of stock because of its popularity.

I was reminded of an amazing tidbit at the training….

 One of these hand creams is sold every three seconds around the world!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Lavender Bubble Bath

 The Lavender essential oil that is used in this bubble bath is only sourced from the highlands called Haute-Provence and awarded an A.O.P label. The label A.O.P (Protective designations of Origin) guarantees its quality, traceability and distilling process based on traditional techniques.

The bubbles this bubble bath produces are brilliant. They are referred to as ‘Hollywood Bubbles’ by the L’Occitane trainer because they are so big and plentiful just like you would expect to see in a glamorous Hollywood movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a long day, but I enjoyed the day and am grateful L’Occitane offers such great training. It reminded me how much respect I have for L’Occitane. It also reminded me about products I have not used in a while that I enjoy and love using.

d-lux Workshop

How to tie a scarf and how to have the confidence to know it looks great! Bored of just throwing it around your neck? All these things were covered by d-lux when they visited and demonstrated at my boutique recently.

 

 

Bella Inspirations Window Display

 

 

From d-lux:

d-lux has built a well deserved reputation for their ever evolving range of beautiful

scarves and wraps. Their extensive collection includes fabulous prints, classic plains,

stunning hand loomed and hand finished pieces, using only the highest quality

natural fibres including Australian merino wool, silk, linen, cotton, cashmere.

 

 

 

 

How to tie a ‘plait’ was the biggest hit. Close behind was the ‘infinity’.

 

Me with a scarf tied as a 'plait'

 

The fabrics d-lux use are exquisite. The attention to detail is amazing. Many pieces are completely hand made – from the dying of the fibres, to the weaving and finishing. Some have small embellishments that are hand stitched. Overall every scarf is stunning for different reasons.

 

 

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I loved learning and refreshing my memory of different ways to wear my HUGE collection of scarves. I am very grateful to d-lux for suggesting it. Everyone who attended seemed to have a great time too.

 

 

Opulent OUD

What is the kind of scent to create the perfect cosy afternoon?

 

For me, I like deep scents of Sandalwood, Amber, Incense and Oud just to name a few notes. I like to wear these scents as well as have them surrounding me in my home in cooler weather.

 

 

 

Although Spring has arrived I believe we have a few more cool/wet days ahead of us here in Victoria. On these kinds of days I love to snuggle on the couch with a throw, and I must have a warm comforting scent in the air.



I was very excited when I visited the Abode Aroma showroom earlier this year to view the new releases and learnt that they had created a diffuser range all around oud. It is safe to say oud is not for everyone, but what scent is for 'everyone'? Some may find oud to be too strong, rich, and sometimes too masculine. Not me – I knew I was going to enjoy this new range and couldn’t wait to get my nose to the samples.


 

But what is oud anyway? Oud is a resin that comes from only a couple of specific kinds of trees that are native to the south-east Asian region. The trees are infected with a kind of mould and the resin is taken from the infected heartwood. There are many stories of oud being used in perfume and rituals for royalty in ancient times throughout India, China and Middle Eastern areas. Still to this day it is considered precious and is expensive to source.



 





The Oud range from Abode Aroma did not disappoint. The liquid is contained in a black glass vessel and  black reeds are added to allow the liquid to evaporate into the air. The scents are sexy, warm and for me oh so delish. You can smell the resinous oud loud and clear and then from each different diffuser in the range there are subtle tweaks made with other notes that are added, such as floral notes, or wood notes etc. There is an unadulterated oud diffuser in the range, if you want to just have pure oud.

Abode Aroma’s description:
Experience the world’s most precious scent. This opulent fragrance embraced by aristocrats and Arabian royalty has been barely affordable… until now. Abode Aroma is offering an essence of oud for the first time ever in an exclusive home fragrance diffuser selection. An ancient treasure re-imagined for today.

 
 I picked out three from this range to stock:

 Oud I : Classic
The noble, wood-extracted scent of oud in its purist form - an intoxicatingbalm for soothing the heart and soul, and penetrating the mind.

 

OUD III : with Wood
The earthy loveliness of patchouli, sandalwood and amber comes wrapped inluxurious florals for an opulent panache.

 

OUD V: with Flowers
Freshly cut roses and honey radiate against a leather and amber base thatlingers as a comforting afterthought.



 

Butter Up for Lip Butters

Butter Up for Lip Butters

   Treat your lips to a little luxury with Crabtree & Evelyn’s NEW delightfully flavoured ULTRA-MOISTURISING BUTTERS.

Delicately flavoured with a natural extract derived from liquorice, the preservative-free formulas help maintain soft, healthy lips that make a lasting impression. Apply alone or lightly dab over lipstick to seal in colour and moisture.


Featuring a nourishing multi-butter formula – including shea, cocoa, illipe, and kokum butters - along with mango oil, beeswax and delicious botanical ingredients these ultra-moisturising lip butters help soothe, recondition and protect lips.

Free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, nitrosamines, propylene glycol, and mineral oil.


Lip Butters are available in 3 delicious flavours:

Citron Crème & Honey


Crème de Menthe


Vanilla Crème Brulèe