Treat your hands with Crabtree & Evelyn

I’m rough on my hands and I don’t look after them. I have no good excuse for not treating them with a little care; I am surrounded by products day in/day out designed to treat and pamper.

 So I have decided to treat my usually neglected hands. 

I have chosen

Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Recovery

followed by

Crabtree &Evelyn Hand Therapy

- both in the scent of La Source.

 

Hand Recovery is basically a hand scrub.

Hand Therapy is basically a moisturising hand cream.

 

 

·        I applied the Hand Recovery to dry hands and rubbed all over.

 

·        I rinsed off in warm running water, dried my hands and applied the Hand Therapy and rubbed that in.

 

 It really was an easy process and didn’t take long at all.

 

The La Source scent is described by Crabtree & Evelyn as “A crisp, clean scent reminiscent of fresh sea air”.

I can totally relate to that description. It is a very light fragrance and it did remind me of holidays at the beach.

 

After all was done, my hands really felt baby soft. They looked a little better, a little softer and all the wrinkles looked a little smoother. I think I will have to continue to do this a few times to get a real improvement. Crabtree and Evelyn recommend twice a week. Given how quick and simple this was to do, twice a week doesn’t seem hard to maintain at all. 

 

 

 

 

Illamasqua Purchases

I was in Melbourne CBD for work recently and squeezed in a little retail therapy whilst I was there. I thought I would, along the way, pick up some more foundation. Alas, this did not happen. I could not get any service. No-one was around to assist at the brand I wanted plus the ladies at the neighbouring counters couldn’t/wouldn’t help me. A disappointing situation that I find more and more frequent. I should just find a foundation that is available at an independent retailer so as to avoid this kind of frustration and disappointment.

 

However good did come from it (this time). The Illamasqua stand caught my eye on my way out. I've heard alot about Illamasqua but have never tried it. After playing around a little I was approached and together with the helpful staff we had lots of products that I was loving.

 

My purchases could easily have been triple what they were, but I mustered up some strength and narrowed it down to:

 

Left: Pure Pigment. Colour: Berber

Middle: Powder Eye Shadow. Colour: Tango

Right: Pure Pigment. Colour: Ore
(This one has turned out to be my favouite of all 3. I love the Sparkle/Glisten/Glittery effect)



 

Little Village Market Elwood

For a year now the Little Village Market Elwood has been running.  It’s on a few times a year when school holidays are on.  

I had a stall myself at the very first one. It was a great experience. It was my first market stall anywhere and what a great one to have as a first. The people organising the market and the fellow stall holders were all lovely.  I’ve since developed a friendship with the organiser and brains behind it all, Bella. She is all round a lovely, lovely person.



My stall at Little Village Market Elwood (Oct 2011)



Nicole from Pompadour and me at my stall for Little Village Market Elwood (Oct 2011)

I think I have attended every market they have held so far. I was chatting about this to Bella and she pointed out that she cannot recall one that I have left empty handed. It’s true, every market I find something quirky, cute, interesting, or yummy. It’s a small market, but packed with great stalls. All are worth a good look.

 The latest October market was once again filled with great stalls and finds.

 I was torn between many necklaces at ‘Arrow Divine’ until the gorgeous one I ended up purchasing was shown to me. I loved it the moment I laid eyes on it - a stunning large silk tassel from Turkey. Bright yellow or hot pink were the choices and, whilst the yellow was lovely, I couldn’t not have the hot pink.

Me and my 'Arrow divine' pink silk tassel necklace



I stocked up on incense. Although I stock oodles of scented candles, diffusers etc I still enjoy other scented lines. I will go out and buy candles that I don’t stock just to try them. The incense I buy at this market is called ‘Hippy Sticks’. I’ve bought these a couple of times now.



This was the last Little Village Market Elwood for 2012. I hope it comes back in 2013.

Check out more details on‘Little Village Market Elwood’ here.

AHAVA favourites (Guest Author)

A number of years ago a customer walked into my shop with an empty soap wrapper.  The soap had been a gift from her grandson from his travels.

 She asked if I was familiar with the brand and whether or not I could source the product.  The brand was AHAVA.

 This led me on my own journey of discovery into the fascinating world of the Dead Sea and the wonderful benefits of the minerals it contains.   AHAVA products focus on hydration, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and stimulation of the skin cells to encourage cell renewal and boost collagen & elastin.

 

 

 

I could go on forever with details about our body and its need for minerals but AHAVA Australia has a great website with a host of information about the Dead Sea and their wonderful products.

 

One of my favourite products is the Hydration Cream Mask.  (Using AHAVA’s products as a complete skincare regime is so simple, which is another thing about them that I love.)  After cleansing at night, simply apply the mask and leave on instead of your usual night cream.  If you try this, I’m sure you’ll find, as I do and many of my customers, that you will wake in the morning with your face feeling extremely moist and soft.

 

 

 

 

Exciting news for this year is that AHAVA has finally released its Mineral Makeup.  They have four types of makeup but I love the liquid Rich Foundation.  When I have tried mineral makeup in the past, my face has felt quite dry but AHAVA’s Rich Foundation contains shea butter, macadamia oil and avocado oil which makes it quite moist.  I also intend trying their loose powder which gives a dewy, shimmery appearance.

 

 

 

 

 

AHAVA even includes in their product range sachets of pure Dead Sea mineral salts so you can be carried away to the world of the Dead Sea in your own bathtub!  Many of my customers have visited AHAVA’s showroom right at the Dead Sea – one day I hope to have that experience myself and bathe in the Dead Sea which is the largest and richest natural spa on Earth – once the legendary, personal spa of Cleopatra!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to veiw the AHAVA range for purchase at our boutique

 

 

 

Comfy Walnut Shoes

Walnut Shoes could just be the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned!

 

I bought myself a pair Walnut shoes for the first time. I chose a pair of plain black leather ballet flats. “Oh how boring!” I can hear you saying. All I can say to that is practicality wins sometimes. I find black flats versatile and easy to slip on when in a rush.  Walnut shoes all have little details, so my plain black ballet flats have subtle stitching and elastic features that I love.

 

My Walnut ballet flats are sensationally comfortable. I am on my feet nearly all day, and these really feel like I have the most comfortable slippers on.

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